3 Handguns To Take Into 2026
Posted by Noah Ross on Jan 21st 2026
In-Depth Reviews and Insights
As 2025 unfolds, concealed-carry shooters and enthusiasts are seeing some meaningful upgrades across compact and micro pistol platforms. Whether you’re interested in everyday carry (EDC) performance, recoil control, or ergonomic innovations, several models stand out this year. In this guide, we’ll break down four of the most talked-about handguns for 2025—Canik Prime, Smith & Wesson Shield X, and the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 + Carry Comp—with clear comparisons, key features, and insights drawn from industry reviews and analyses.
1. Canik Prime — A New Standard in Compact 9mm
The Canik Mete MC9 Prime is among the most buzzed-about pistols of 2025, blending modern features with strong capacity in a compact format. Designed primarily for concealed carry, it’s an evolution of Canik’s Mete MC9 line, with enhancements aimed at improving shootability and control.
Key Features
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 17+1 rounds in a compact frame — excellent for its size.
- Compensated Slide & Ported Barrel: These features work together to reduce muzzle rise and help keep follow-up shots on target, aiding accuracy during rapid fire.
- Trigger & Ergonomics: A crisp, flat trigger with a 90° break and full-grip stippling enhances control and comfort, even over sustained shooting sessions.
- Optics & Modularity: Many variants offer optics-ready slides, allowing shooters to mount miniature red-dot sights for faster target acquisition.
Thanks to its high capacity and recoil-mitigating design, which doesn't add bulk, the Canik Prime is earning strong reviews from shooters seeking a premium EDC pistol that doesn’t compromise on performance. Balanced ergonomics, thoughtful controls, and modern sight options help it compete with more established platforms. Price-wise, the Canik Prime is extremely competitive, being listed currently with an MSRP of $649. Naturally, we support the Prime with multiple holster options and carry configurations on our site.
2. Smith & Wesson Shield X — Enhanced EDC Performance
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X is the next step in the Shield series, designed to build on what made the original Shield popular while offering improvements shooters have been asking for (like a light rail). This striker-fired handgun prioritizes everyday carry comfort without compromising performance.
Key Features
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: Available in 13+1 and 15+1 configurations, depending on model and magazine choice.
- Optics-Ready Slide: Shield X models often include RMSc or similar optic footprints, making red-dot integration straightforward for modern shooters.
- Improved Grip & Ergonomics: A longer grip frame and enhanced texture make it more comfortable in the hand and easier to control compared to earlier Shield variants.
- Accessory Rail: Adds versatility for lights or lasers in defensive or low-light scenarios.
The Shield X isn’t a radical reinvention—but it’s a thoughtful evolution. Small refinements, such as the optics cut, accessory rail, and slightly increased capacity, make it more adaptable for a wider range of shooters and carry styles. The continued attention to ergonomics solidifies its place as a strong contender in the compact 9mm segment. The Shield X has an MSRP of $599, which is a bit cheaper than the Canik Prime. However, just like the Prime, we have plenty of holster compatibility with the Shield X.
3. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 + Carry Comp
The Bodyguard 2.0 platform gained even more attention in 2025 with the addition of Carry Comp versions from Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center. These are enhanced micro pistols chambered in .380 ACP and designed to deliver better control in a very small package.
Key Features
- Caliber: .380 ACP
- Carry Comp Power Port: A compensator that channels gas upward to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise—unusual and welcome in a micro-compact design.
- Dimensions: Extremely lightweight and small, ideal for deep concealment while still offering reasonable control.
- Sight and Controls: Ameriglo night sights and aggressive slide serrations improve target acquisition and manipulation under stress.
The Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp fills a unique niche: a compact, comfortable pistol that can be carried discreetly, with recoil characteristics that outperform those of typical micro-compact .380s. Because of the Carry Comp enhancement, many shooters find follow-up shot control easier than on uncompensated versions. The Bodyguard 2.0 has an MSRP of $449, while the Carry Comp’s MSRP is $549. These are currently available for our Profile and Contour series.
What 2025 Buyers and Enthusiasts Are Talking About
Across the board, 2025’s leading compact handgun offerings reflect a clear industry shift toward recoil management, optics readiness, and improved ergonomics without compromising concealment. Whether you prefer the high capacity and modern features of the Canik Prime, the evolution of a trusted platform like the Shield X, or micro-compact control with the Bodyguard 2.0, there’s something in this year’s lineup worth paying attention to.
Each of these choices brings a thoughtful blend of innovation and practicality, making them standouts in conversations among trainers, reviewers, and concealed-carry holders alike. Always take time to handle different models in person where possible, understand how they fit your grip and carry style, and prioritize safety and training alongside technical features.
