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Top Summer Carry Pistols for 2026
The hottest weather of the year is upon us, which means it’s growing increasingly more difficult to carry those full-size handguns because you’ve transitioned from jeans and a hoodie or jacket to cargo shorts and a t-shirt. While it’s still doable, sometimes you might just want to grab a sub-compact or micro-compact on your way out the door for an extra comfortable carry!
A high-quality holster can make all the difference in your comfort.
There is no “perfect” gun for everyone, but there are a few things you should consider to help you find the perfect gun for you. Today, we’ll discuss them and recommend several of our favorite pistols, which are very easy to carry without compromising your protection.
Summer Carry Considerations
One thing is for sure: regardless of your attire, you should find a way to carry. Whether that’s through the use of a different holster, a different carry position, or switching to a smaller pistol.
Many choose the last option, hence why we wrote this article. Here are some things to think about before pulling the trigger on a new carry setup.
The Four Cs
I call these the “four Cs”: capacity, caliber, customizability, and concealability.
You should be able to check all of these boxes with any gun you plan to carry, but it becomes more difficult the smaller your pistol gets. From a concealability standpoint, the smaller, the better! However, that translates to reduced capacity and a reduced number of accessories (customizability) that can fit.
That said, I typically recommend going with a pistol chambered in at least 9mm, offering at least double-digit capacity, and that can host an optic and light.
Our Top Picks
Glock 43X MOS
It should come as no surprise that the Glock 43X MOS made the cut. If you’re looking for a tried-and-true pistol, this Glock will not disappoint…well, no Glock really will, and that’s why the term “Glock reliability” is famous.
The OEM 15-round magazines are a beautiful sight!
If you like the G43X, make sure to go with the MOS (Modular Optic System) model. That way, you can add an optic, the rail allows for a light, and you can now finally grab a couple OEM 15-round magazines to finish off a really nice carry setup. It even comes with a match-grade Glock Marksman Barrel. There’s not much else to ask for.
Glock arguably has the best aftermarket support of any handgun platform, so you can have a field day customizing your pistol to exactly what you need or want.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X
The small but mighty M&P Shield X is one of my go-to carries in the summer. It has most of what anyone could ask for, such as a crisp flat-face trigger, an optics-ready slide, and an accessory rail.
The Shield X delivers a complete package at an affordable price.
A 13 and 15-round magazine comes included, but it never hurts to pick up a few spares for training or to boost your defensive capabilities, which I highly recommend.
SALE 
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X 9mm 15 Round Magazine (3 Pack)
75 reviews
Original price was: $123.00.$99.99Current price is: $99.99.
With the additional barrel length and slightly larger grip, you’ll find it has a bit more shootability than the prior Shield Plus as well. The aftermarket support is finally catching up, so you should be able to find many of your favorite holster companies supporting the Shield X.
Sig Sauer P365
The P365 is one of those pistols people either love or hate; it seems not many fall in the middle. There are a ton of P365 models, but for the sake of the article, we’ll go with the standard P365 for its ultra-concealable size.
Coffee and guns. Enough said. Source
I personally run red dot sights on most of my carry guns, so I’d suggest going with an optics-ready model. Even if you don’t, though, you still get a modular grip module, night sights, and up to a 12+1 capacity. One of its larger selling features is its aftermarket support. You should have no problem finding accessories, parts, or the exact holster you want.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp
While the Hellcat Pro isn’t the smallest on the list by any means, it does mean more room for extra rounds! It has everything you need, such as an accessory rail, an optics-ready slide, and a clean trigger. If you don’t want to add an optic, you’re still covered with a solid U-notch rear sight and front tritium sight.
A Hellcat Pro Comp with a 17-round magazine above and a 15-round magazine below.
With a flush-fitting 15-round magazine and the new 17-round extended magazines available, you can easily carry 30+ rounds with just one spare.
This gun has been nothing short of reliable and accurate for me, to the point where I carry it quite often. The new integral compensator is just icing on the cake!
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0
Yes, it’s a .380 ACP pistol, so the stopping power is a bit lower, but many people have had great things to say about this little gun that could!
Quite a nice EDC dump.
It comes with a 10+1 and 12+1 capacity, a flat-faced trigger, and an aggressively serrated slide for easy racking. You can also order it with night sights, but there is no optic-cut version.
SALE 
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .380 ACP 12 Round Magazine
260 reviews
Original price was: $40.00.$36.99Current price is: $36.99.
Thanks to its larger grip, it’s rather ergonomic for its size, even if you have medium to large-sized hands!
Final Thoughts
Of course, these aren’t the only strong contenders out there on the market to fill your summer carry needs, but they are a great place to start.
Remember, regardless of which caliber you choose, you want to strike a good balance between capacity, customizability, and concealability. This way, you’ll be prepared to defend yourself and your family in almost any scenario.
Take your time deciding and it never hurts to see if your local range has a few of your final options available to rent. Training is most important, so you’ll want to enjoy shooting whichever gun you choose.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
