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Every year, firearms technology continues progressing and offering ever more efficient concealed carry semi-automatic pistols, offering iterative improvements on concealability, capacity, ergonomics, and compatibility with accessories. Yet, despite these advances, many legally-armed citizens still prefer carrying the humble revolver. 

Here’s why the revolver continues to be a popular alternative to modern semi-autos, the characteristics of good concealed-carry revolvers, and which CCW revolvers sold today are the best in class.

.22 Magnum handguns use rimfire cartridges and are popular for self-defense, target shooting, hunting, and as kit guns for backpackers.  

In 1959, Winchester introduced the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, also known as the .22 Magnum or .22 Mag. However, it wasn’t until a year later that the round made its debut in the company’s Model 61 pump-action rifle. Since then, several companies have chambered both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols in .22 Magnum for various applications. 

This round is excellent for hunting small game. The .22-caliber lead round-nose or jacketed hollow-point bullet won’t cause excessive tissue damage, preserving more meat for the table.

At typical compact handgun velocities, few .22 Magnum loads expand reliably. However, in a home defense or concealed carry handgun, .22 Magnum may be a good choice for those who are sensitive to recoil and need a lightweight weapon.

The popular Glock series of handguns has inspired several companies to produce Glock-like weapons for sale. Why buy a Glock clone instead of a real Glock firearm? There are two primary reasons: Features and cost. 

Best Glock Clones

Many gun owners contract gunsmiths to customize their Glock handguns, altering the ergonomics, trigger mechanism, barrel, or sights to suit different applications. The best Glock clones are generally pistols that provide a low-cost alternative to a stock Glock or competition-grade features out of the box. 

You should also look for a Glock clone that’s compatible with Glock holsters, especially if you intend to carry for self-defense or shoot competitively.

Historically, most revolvers used .45, .357, 0r .38 caliber ammunition. The .9mm round gained popularity along with the .9mm automatics in the past 50 years or so. Today, several high-quality revolver options use .9mm ammunition.

Rimmed vs. Rimless Ammunition

Revolvers traditionally fire rimmed cartridges, which headspace on the case rim. Headspace refers to the distance between the breech face and the point in the chamber on which the cartridge case seats, stopping its forward movement. 

The revolver rim also functions as the extractor flange, providing a surface for the extractor star to impinge against for unloading. Rimless pistol cartridges, such as the 9mm Luger, headspace on the case mouth, and the rim is the same diameter as the case body. 

To load and unload rimless ammunition in a revolver cylinder, the use of full- and half-moon clips is generally necessary. Moon clips are ring- or star-like accessories that snap into the extracting grooves of rimless pistol cartridges. Instead of a revolver rim, the weapons use the grooves. 

What is the best gun for home defense? Handguns are popular and have advantages, but rifles and shotguns are more powerful, easier to learn to shoot well and provide greater stability. 

The best gun for home defense ultimately depends on your individual circumstances. 

Handguns

Many first-time gun buyers seeking firearms for self-defense consider handguns because they’re relatively lightweight, compact, and easy to store. 

For gun owners seeking an alternative to the 9mm and .45 ACP cartridges, the .40 S&W delivers a bullet with greater frontal surface area, expansion potential, and kinetic energy than standard-pressure 9mm loads. 

At the same time, .40-caliber handguns can be more compact than those chambered in .45 ACP and tend to have higher magazine capacities. The result is a compromise suitable for concealed carry, home defense, and law enforcement.

AKs are well-known for their durability, reliability, relative simplicity, and ease of maintenance. They are so iconic that even people who don’t know anything about firearms can instantly recognize an AK.

American gun owners looking to add an AK to their collection have many options available. However, like any popular firearm platform, not all AKs on the market are created equal. If you’re looking for the best AK47 on the US civilian market, here are the top choices available today.

If you’re a southpaw, you share your left-handed dominance with just 10% of the population. Until relatively recently, left-handed gun owners had to adapt to the use of firearms designed almost exclusively for right-handed shooters. 

Controls such as slide stops, cylinder latches, decocker/safety levers, magazine catches, and charging handles were only conveniently accessible via the right thumb. In recent years, more companies have decided to meet the needs of left-handed shooters by designing firearms with ambidextrous or bilateral controls.

Choosing a handgun for concealed carrying is a decision that never gets easier, no matter how much experience you have with firearms. Shooters must consider many factors: size, caliber, capacity, ergonomics, shootability, and more.

Whether you’re a new shooter looking for your first concealed carry weapon or an experienced gun owner seeking the latest and greatest models on the market, explore the best handguns for concealed carry in 2021.