Which pistol should I pick for concealed carry?

For concealed carry, consider compact or subcompact pistols that weigh under 28oz. Popular choices include striker-fired 9mm pistols with polymer frames for lightweight daily carry. Use our selector to find options matching your hand size and experience level.

What's the best handgun for beginners?

Beginners should look for pistols with manageable recoil, simple operation, and proven reliability. 9mm striker-fired pistols with polymer frames offer the best balance of ease-of-use, affordability, and training cost. Avoid high-recoil calibers and complex manual-of-arms.

Should I choose a polymer or metal frame pistol?

Polymer frames are lighter and better for carry, while metal frames (steel/aluminum) absorb recoil better and provide more stability for shooting. Choose based on your primary use case: carry weight vs shooting comfort.

What caliber should I choose: 9mm, .45 ACP, or 10mm?

9mm offers the best balance of manageable recoil, capacity, and affordable training ammo. .45 ACP and 10mm provide more stopping power but with increased recoil and cost. For most users, especially beginners, 9mm is the optimal choice.

What new guns were released at SHOT Show 2026?

The 2026 SHOT Show featured new pistol releases from major manufacturers. Browse our collection to see the latest 2026 handgun models, including new concealed carry pistols, competition guns, and innovative firearm designs debuted at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.

Where can I see the 2026 SHOT Show new pistols?

Gun Selector features all the new 2026 SHOT Show pistol releases. Filter by the 2026 SHOT Show badge to see the latest handgun models announced at the show, with detailed specs, pricing, and comparison tools.

smith-wesson

S&W PC Model 986 2.5"

$1329 MSRP

Performance Center9mm RevolverCompetition

Featured in: Best Snubbies

S&W PC Model 986 2.5" - 9mm revolver handgun by smith-wesson

Specifications

Caliber 9mm

Capacity 7

Weight 31.7 oz

Barrel Length 2.5"

Overall Length 7.5"

Height 6"

Width 1.55"

Frame stainless_steel

Action revolver

Size Class medium

Trigger Reach 3.13"

Optic Ready No

Release Year 2015

Country of Origin USA

Carry Analysis

Comfort Index

Good

0.45

Weight-to-size ratio measures how heavy the gun feels for its dimensions. Lower values indicate a lighter carry experience.

Pocket Index

Full-Size

9.60"

Diagonal footprint measures concealability. Lower values mean easier pocket or IWB carry.

Overview

Performance Center tuned 9mm revolver with a short 2.5-inch barrel and titanium cylinder for fast transitions.

Similar Handguns

Compare the S&W PC Model 986 2.5" to these similar 9mm pistols:

S&W PC 586 L-Comp

357 Magnum | 7 | 36.2oz

$1499

Beretta 92XI Squalo

9mm | 18+1 | 33.3oz

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Beretta M9A4

9mm | 18+1 | 33.4oz

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Colt Combat Elite Commander 9mm

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Daniel Defense H9

9mm | 15+1 | 29.6oz

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Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

9mm | 18+1 | 31.5oz

$1099

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