This is an evaluation of several CCW guns available in California.  Due to our legal restraints on what guns are allowed to be sold here in the state, I decided to look at a representative group of guns we can get here.  The Sig P365 (CA version), P365 XL (non-CA version), S&W Shield Plus (CA version), Glock 26 Gen 3, and S&W 442 no lock were evaluated for the California CCW holder.

Concealed Carry opportunities have expanded since the Bruen decision.  However, those of us in restrictive states can struggle to find options that are available to those in other states with more reasonable firearms laws.  I live in California, one such restricted state.

California’s State of CCW Weapons

Due to our laws, we have a limited selection of what we can buy here in California.  Only guns submitted to and certified by our state can be incorporated into our “Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale” and then sold as new.  These guns must now include a magazine disconnect safety, some type of manual safety, and a loaded chamber indicator as well as pass a drop test.

It was a far more desolate field between 2013 and 2023, as no new semi-auto guns were added to the list due to a requirement for microstamping systems, even though the technology was not available. Luckily, due to recent court cases the microstamping requirement was overturned and guns are again being added to the roster that include the other requirements.  Guns like the P365, Smith Shield Plus, and the Hellcat have now come onto the scene here. 

Additionally, due to Bruen, CCW permits have now become available (although the wait can be excessive).  These have opened up the world of CCW guns for people here.  A similar scene is playing out now across the USA in places that were completely bereft of CCW permits just a few years ago.

So, looking at the access we have here in California and possibly similarly in other states, I wanted to evaluate a group of CCW guns.  All but one are what we call “On Roster” guns that comply with the state’s mandates.  One gun, a P365XL, was a gun I bought legally second-hand and is similar to the bigger P365’s (X-Macro Comp and P365XL Rose – both on our roster…). I hope this article will be helpful for those looking at purchasing their first CCW Firearm.

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The Guns:

So today, I went to the range to try out a good representation of concealed-carry handguns.  I know some will want a compact version, like a Glock 19 size, however this is looking strictly at the Micro Compact size.

I took the following for this test:

• CA Sig P365 with about 1000-1200 rounds through it and one I’ve carried quite a bit.
• An off roster P365XL with a Romeo X optic and has about 1500 rounds through it. A
• S&W Shield Plus which is new, and only about 75 rounds through it. I’ve added a S&W slide without the LCI, an optic cut slide and I added Talon grips.
• A Glock 26 with over 600 rounds through it and talon grips.
• Finally, a S&W 442-no lock that has an Apex Duty spring kit and Pachmyer Diamond Pro grips. Ammo was 115 gr FMJ from Freedom Munitions for 9mm and Remington 148 gr Wadcutters for the .38 Special…

Here’s what I found…

Recoil

When dealing with these smaller guns, the issue of felt recoil is a factor for many. This can be a result of numerous factors, such as the firearm’s weight, grip size or length, grip angle, and the overall ergonomics of the gun.

The P365 had the most substantial recoil but also one of the best triggers (along with the P365XL). Next was the Shield Plus, by a small margin with just a touch more recoil, followed by the P365XL. The Glock 26 had the least recoil of all the semi-autos, but only marginally.  Obviously, this is due to it being a heavier and thicker gun, which helps to reign in the recoil and spread what is there into a wider platform in the wider grip.  The worst recoil, which will come as no surprise, was the 442 from Smith.  This is a lightweight revolver, and even with 148 grain wadcutters, it was noticeable.  Shooting anything over a few rounds in this revolver is punishing for me and my arthritis.    

Trigger

Triggers on defensive guns can be a matter of debate. You don’t want too light a trigger to hold off unintentional discharges, nor do you want one so heavy that it makes shooting accurately impossible.

As stated above, the P365 family has the best of the felt triggers.  (They also do not have any “trigger safety” or “dingus” like the Glock or Smith.) The Shield’s trigger was not quite as good, but it should break in and improve…how much is still yet to be seen. The Glock 26 was the worst trigger of the four semi-auto’s. The 442 has a much better trigger pull than the factory one – after Apex kit went in it is probably around 8-ish pounds and smooth.

Accuracy

How accurate is enough? The best answer is the most accurate weapon you can shoot well and safely. If you don’t feel confident enough in the gun to pass the qualification, we’d call that a clue.

The P365 was amazingly accurate.  The sights on the P365 are pretty superior to most other stock sights, and of this group, they were the best in class.  The size and setup allow you to get a good sight picture where you can see the front sight clearly with enough light on either side to make sure your aim is solid.  At 7 yards I could keep the shots into a fist-sized hole, with the usual flyer that you knew was going to be off…my fault, not the gun.  I kept a good deal of them in a 1-inch group in the bullseye.  The P365 XL was the only one better.  With the optic it allowed for an even better group than the standard P365 – optics matter. 

The Shield Plus started out rough, with a mediocre group (3”-4”) printing low left, despite the fairly decent trigger.  However, once I settled in and really did my part, the gun brought it, with a nice 1.5”-2” group dead center at 7 yards.  The iron sights worked great on the optic cut slide I purchased, but they are standard irons with three-dots. 

Results

The sights on the original slide (with the large Loaded Chamber Indicator (LCI) are the same.  They worked great in light, and OK in lower light.  However I had to add red nail polish to the front tight in order to make it stand out better.  Night sights would have been a nice addition from the factory, and to be honest, this gun I think will really excel with an optic (which I’m saving for).   

The Glock 26 was the least accurate of the five guns, with a 5-6 inch group at the 7 yard line.  It was also low left, which was a surprise.  I’ve shot Glocks for decades, but the sights (Ameriglo Spartans with the red front sight) just seemed to blur too much for my older eyes.  Those with better eyesight may have a better experience.  This gun has no way to attach an optic without milling the slide or getting a slide aftermarket.

The 442 had normal snubbie–like accuracy.  This is a double action-only trigger on a gun with a trough rear sight where I painted the front ramp for better visibility.  Results at 7 yards ranged from 2’ – 4” five-shot groups, depending on my efforts.  This should not be a surprise or a disappointment with this type of firearm. 

Feel While Shooting

The P365, while having the smallest grip, still was very comfortable in the hand.  The grip texture is by far the best of all guns tested.  The XL model is even a bit more so due to the longer grip frame with allows a better grasp of the gun on the draw and while shooting it.  The guns are snappy, but amazingly not as much as you’d expect.

Surprising Grip

The surprising thing I never expected was the Shield Plus’s grip, which is longer front to back, feels very good in the hand due to this increase.  If you have larger hands, you’ll appreciate this.  (Especially if the P365 leaves you feeling like the grip is too small for comfort…).  The newer grip texture is less abrasive than earlier models of the Shield 2.0, however, it was still more abrasive than the Sigs.  It will give you a solid lock in your hand, but it might remove skin or hair if you wear it against your skin…. I cured this with some rubber Talon Grips.

The Glock 26 still feels like the little stubby Glock “block” in the hand. However, I am so used to Glocks that this feeling isn’t bad, it’s just familiar.  If you have smaller hands, it may not be to your liking.  Also, to get a proper 3-finger grip you’ll generally need a mag extension, like those from Pearce Grips or Hyve Technologies. 

The 442 has what I consider a comfortable and full feeling in the hand with the Pachmayr Diamond Pro Grips I have on it.  These tame recoil and don’t sacrifice too much for me on concealability.  The gun is lighter than the others in this evaluation.  When drawing, I can bring this one out faster than the others and get a shot on an up-close target/attacker and not have to worry my grasp is not perfect, because the beauty of a revolver is it’s going to go bang as long as I pull the trigger.   

Fit and Finish

Of the guns in this test, looks are very subjective.  I will say the Sig, in my opinion, has the best lines.  The finish, even after carrying it a LOT in the last 18 months, is still looking great.  When I got the gun, the only issue was a dead front sight that Sig replaced on their dime, and they did it quickly.  The P365XL I bought used, and while it also has seen a lot of carry, the finish still looks new.  Both guns get carried appendix, and still zero impact such as rust, etc. to the finish.  When it comes to manipulation, both feel like well-oiled machines: safeties click on and off responsively, and everything feels solid.

The Smith is still new, and the finish on the original slide had a slightly glossy Melonite finish.  The second optic cut slide I bought for the Smith’s finish is slightly duller but very attractive.  In my time carrying and shooting it, no wear has been seen thus far.  This gun, like the Sigs, feels solid.  In fact you might be fooled you’re carrying a bigger pistol based upon the feel of the gun and how it fires.  When that slide goes into battery, it feels solid.

Solid CCW Guns

The Glock is again very solidly built and came with the usual grey finish we see in the later Gen 3 guns.  However, after years of being worn on and off duty it has gotten a few scuffs and scratches from carry, shooting, and the like, but nothing more than the standard from a gun that’s seen some use.  No rust has ever decided to show up, even after carrying this at work around the salty southern California Bay I worked in. 

The 442 has an attractive black finish that’s already gotten some character marks from carry over the last 9 months or so, but this is standard for these little guns.  The finish is nothing like the Melonite or other coatings on other pistols, so this is 100 percent normal.  The gun still operates solidly, and the cylinder locks into place with authority.  This is a gun that will serve you well with many years of carry and moderate shooting.  (That’s not because the gun will shoot apart…but your hand may…)

Ease of Carry / Concealing

The P365 was king in this category.  The holster makes a huge difference in this, however, so your personal experience will vary.  My P365 rides in a Vedder Light Tuck and securely sits in the appendix position.  The small size of the gun makes sure the weapon sits tight and hidden on my person.  Of all the semi’s, it prints the least, if ever.

The Shield Plus was a close second for the semi-autos, riding in the Harry’s Holsters Shorty.  When I talk about the importance of the holster in concealability, this is probably the most important aspect of this particular pistol.  The holster is molded in such a way as to create a “wing” that pushes the grip into you, preventing it from printing.  Additionally, the edges of the holster are rounded and prevent any “hot spots” that dig into you.  The twin metal clip-s hold the gun securely.  This gun should not carry as well as it does just due to the length of the grip, but this holster makes it happen.

It’s A Tie

The P365 XL and G26 are kind of a tie.  Both have bigger sizes (one width and one grip length) that can make them harder to conceal.  I found the back end of the Glock 26’s slide printed more than the other weapons due to the width.  However, its shorter slide prevented poking me in the nether regions, unlike the P365 XL which would let me know it was there when I sat down (similar to a Glock 48 or 19).  The longer grip of the XL was the bigger struggle for printing.  This would likely be solved by a different holster like the Harry’s Infiltrator model or another holster that could pull the grip in.  This is the struggle for concealment with any handgun, the longer the grip, the more you have to work to prevent it from printing.

CCW Guns Different From the Rest

The outlier here is the S&W 442. This gun is thicker and has a substantially longer grip than, say, the P365.  However, this gun concealed for me better than all the others.  This is due to a few factors.  First, mine rides in a Harry’s Icon 2.0, which is an excellent IWB/AIWB Kydex holster.  It is also the lightest of all the guns, being over 1/3 a pound lighter than even the diminutive P365.  

The cylinder sits at or below the belt line, which puts the vast majority of the weight of the gun lower than a semi-auto, which carries a lot of its weight in the grip, which sits well above the belt line.  This settles the gun into my body better.  Finally, the non-linear shape of the revolver breaks up better under clothing and makes any printing less noticeable. 

Final Thoughts

Sig Sauer P365 Standard CA Version (9mm)

The P365 set the standard for micro-9mm guns for concealment.  It isn’t terrible to shoot, but it isn’t the easiest, either.  This conceals the best for all the semi-auto in this test and really can just disappear under the shirt.  The P365’s have the best stock sights, in my opinion, for all the weapons in this evaluation.  The down side to the gun’s small size is drawing takes a little more deliberate action because I want to get a good grasp on the gun’s shorter grip. 

In both P365 models the grip is narrower front to back and leaves less real estate for my support hand to make contact with the grip.  (I would consider the Springfield Hellcat to be in a similar class as the Sig, but I have never owned or shot one.  I would also note the Hellcat does not have the modularity of the P365.). For the money, you get the best bang for your buck with the Sigs…optics ready, best in class sights, and a modular platform. 

Sig Sauer P365 XL (9mm)

The P365 XL is probably the best of this bunch overall.  It has a slightly longer grip for drawing with ease and handles recoil better than its smaller sibling.  (This is probably why the P365X is so popular.)  Sig did an excellent job with this model, but if you struggle with longer barrel handguns in appendix carry, it will be poking you in places you may not want to be poked.  The longer grip does make concealment a little more challenging.  The optics give a great sight picture and make accurate shots much easier.  The California equivalent would be the X-Macro Comp or the P365 XL Rose both of which really bring the best options to the table. 

Smith and Wesson Shield Plus (CA Edition) (9mm)

The Shield Plus is a really good alternative for those who really want something a touch bigger than the Sigs, as it handles the recoil a bit better than the P365 standard.  The sights are better than the stock ones on the Glock (which doesn’t take much) or the integral ones on the 442, but are not nearly as nice as the P365.  While the P365 maybe $150-$200 more expensive, I had to spend another $275 to buy a Smith factory optic cut slide, which still only has plain iron sights…so the P365 may be a better buy for you. 

The best attribute the Shield has is the size of the grip.  When I draw I can easily get a good grip on the gun and it’s slightly longer front to back, so it fills my hand significantly better and feels better in the hand.  It conceals exceptionally well, but not as well as the P365.  The gun really needs a good optic to bring the most out of it.  That will be something I add eventually down the road.

Glock 26 Gen 3 (9mm)

The OG of subcompacts.  The G26 does have the advantage of a thicker grip, but some will consider it’s like holding a two-by-four.  The thickness of the gun makes it slightly harder to conceal depending on how you carry it and your body type.  It allows for your larger Glock mags to work in it reliably.  It also tames recoil better than the other guns in this test.  Built like a tank, it will last a lifetime… something I don’t know we can say about the other guns in this evaluation (although the Shield has shown some amazing longevity / reliability.  If you want an optic, you’re going to need to have it milled or buy an after-market slide.  The downside is that the G26 is a gun that has been overtaken by newer designs that have the same capacity but are much smaller.  

Smith and Wesson 442-No Lock (.38 Sp +P)

The 442 is the gun I carry when I need to be the most discreet.  It conceals the best and does so easily.  However, it is not a gun I would ever suggest to a newer shooter.  Realistically, the J Frame is a gun that is for the experienced shooter.  It is not a gun I am confident enough with at range (over 15 yards) so I acknowledge this is an “up close and personal” weapon.  These snubbies also may need some work to make them work for you, such as grips, sights, etc.  In all other respects, these can be one of the most discreet and reliable handguns you can carry, but I would not choose this gun if the threat I was preparing for was an active shooter. 

READ MORE: The SIG P938 – SIG’s Forgotten Gem

Reloading is far too time-consuming and more difficult to do than a semi-auto.  On the plus side, this gun can be drawn quickly and reliably fired from even inside a pocket.  One other aspect is that in the current political climate we have for the concealed carry permit holder many states are almost hostile to the armed citizen.  In those cases, I would wonder how a 5-shot revolver would be portrayed versus a semi-auto in a defensive shooting.  This is total conjecture, but it is food for thought.

All of these CCW Guns have very real advantages and their own challenges.  Hopefully this will give you some tools to consider when considering what you pick for carry.    

Stats

Pros and Cons at a Glance

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