Charlotte, NC · Summer 2026

Summer is when most people stop carrying—and it's exactly when they shouldn't.

Lighter clothing, higher temperatures, longer days outdoors, and increased perspiration all make concealed carry more challenging. The good news? With the right firearm and the right carry setup, staying comfortable and concealed during the hottest months of the year is absolutely possible.

Below are some of the top summer carry pistols we're seeing move through our counter right now, followed by five practical tips that can make carrying in the heat significantly more comfortable. Best of all, nearly every firearm on this list is available for you to handle—and in most cases, rent and shoot on our range—before making your purchase.

The Top Summer Carry Pistols

Micro-Compact & Compact 9mm — The Summer Workhorses

These firearms strike the perfect balance between concealability, shootability, and capacity.

• Glock 19 Gen 6
• Sig Sauer P365 (9mm)
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X / X Comp
• Springfield Hellcat
• Taurus G3c
• HK CC9
• Beretta APX A1

Comped & Ported Builds — Flat-Shooting Small Guns

Looking for less recoil without sacrificing concealability? These compensated models offer impressive control in compact packages.

• Canik Prime Radian
• Glock 43X Ramjet
• Glock 43X Ram TTI

Premium Double-Stacks & 2011s — Carry the Nice One

If you appreciate premium fit, finish, and performance, these pistols deliver exceptional shooting characteristics while remaining carry-friendly.

• Staccato C & CS
• Staccato C4X
• Bul Armory Ultralight Pro
• Bul Armory EDC Pro Compact
• Springfield Prodigy Compact COA
• Miller Precision 9SC

.380 Options — Deep Concealment & Reduced Recoil

For shooters looking for maximum concealment or softer recoil, these .380 options deserve a look.

• Sig Sauer P365-380
• Springfield Hellcat .380
• Ruger LCP Max
• Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard (.380 models)

Every firearm on this list earns its place for the same reason: they're compact enough to disappear under summer clothing while remaining enjoyable enough to shoot that you'll actually train with them.

The right choice ultimately comes down to how the firearm fits your hands and how it performs when you shoot it—which is exactly why we encourage customers to rent before they buy.

5 Tips for Concealed Carry in the Summer

1. Dress Around the Gun—Not the Other Way Around

Summer clothing is one of the biggest reasons people stop carrying.

The solution is surprisingly simple: choose your clothing with your carry setup in mind.

Lightweight moisture-wicking fabrics, slightly looser-fitting shirts, and quality cover garments make a tremendous difference. Even moving up one shirt size can eliminate printing while still looking completely natural.

2. Sweat Is Real—Your Holster Needs to Handle It

A cheap holster becomes an even bigger liability during the summer months.

Heat and perspiration can accelerate corrosion on your firearm, wear down inferior holster materials, and reduce retention over time.

A quality Kydex holster with a sweat guard—such as the Tier One APX—creates a protective barrier between your body and your firearm, keeping both more comfortable throughout the day.

Your firearm—and your skin—will thank you.

3. Your Cover Garment Doesn't Have to Be Heavy

Many people assume staying concealed means wearing an extra-heavy shirt or jacket throughout the summer.

Fortunately, that's simply not true.

Lightweight button-down shirts, fishing shirts, and breathable athletic overshirts all work exceptionally well as cover garments while keeping you cool.

The goal isn't adding insulation—it's simply breaking up the outline of the firearm.

4. Use a Holster with a Wedge or Concealment Claw

One of the biggest challenges with summer carry is the grip of the handgun pushing outward through thinner clothing.

A concealment claw or foam wedge helps solve this mechanically.

The claw rotates the grip inward toward your body by leveraging your belt, while the wedge pushes the bottom of the holster outward, naturally tipping the grip inward.

Either accessory can dramatically reduce printing without changing your clothing, your draw, or your preferred carry position.

If you're carrying appendix without one, you're making concealment more difficult than it needs to be.

5. Your Gun Belt Is Not Optional

The most overlooked part of any concealed carry setup isn't the gun or the holster—it's the belt.

A standard dress belt or casual belt simply wasn't designed to support the weight of a loaded handgun throughout an entire day.

Without proper support, your holster shifts, sags, and moves every time you do.

A purpose-built gun belt is rigid enough to maintain its shape while keeping your holster exactly where you've trained for it to be.

Even the best firearm paired with the best holster won't perform well on a poor belt.

Your belt is the foundation of your entire carry system.

Don't overlook it.

Put It All Together at Blackstone Shooting Sports

Whether you're purchasing your first concealed carry pistol or upgrading your everyday carry setup, our team is here to help.

At Blackstone Shooting Sports, you'll find:

• A wide selection of today's most popular concealed carry pistols
• Rental firearms so you can shoot before you buy
• Holsters, concealment claws, wedges, and premium gun belts matched to your exact firearm
• Experienced staff who can help you build the right carry setup
• Concealed carry classes taught by instructors our customers consistently rave about

Visit Blackstone Shooting Sports

2001 Wilkinson Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28208

Phone: (704) 414-6020

Whether you're carrying every day or just getting started, stop by Blackstone and let us help you find the setup that's comfortable enough to carry—and reliable enough to trust—through every North Carolina summer.