Some pistols get carried not because they’re the best option for the job, but because their owners don’t want to admit regret. These are the handguns people continue to carry, day in and day out, because they’ve already committed to them — and letting go would feel like acknowledging that the choice wasn’t as great as they thought. Maybe they bought the pistol because it seemed like a good deal, or they trusted it to be a reliable choice in a time of uncertainty.
But over time, flaws emerge, and the shortcomings become harder to ignore. Maybe it’s the recoil, the capacity, or just the overall feel of the gun that doesn’t quite match expectations. Still, the pistol stays, because giving up on it feels like admitting defeat. These are the pistols people keep carrying mostly because they don’t want to admit regret.
Glock 42
The Glock 42 was a bold entry in the compact concealed carry market. While it has a solid reputation for reliability, many owners quickly realized that its tiny frame and .380 caliber didn’t quite live up to expectations, especially when compared to the competition. Despite this, it remains a popular choice among those who started with it and don’t want to admit they could have done better.
It’s small, it’s easy to carry, and it’s a Glock — but that doesn’t change the fact that some owners regret not stepping up to something with a little more power or a better shooting experience. Still, it gets carried, because the idea of ditching it for something better would mean acknowledging that it wasn’t the best choice in the first place.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .40
The M&P Shield .40 was once the go-to for concealed carry when a shooter wanted a little more punch in a compact package. However, over time, many owners began to realize that the recoil is more punishing than they anticipated for a subcompact pistol, and it wasn’t as fun to shoot as they hoped. Yet, the Shield .40 stays in many holsters because its owners aren’t willing to admit that they might have chosen a better option with less recoil and more comfort.
The M&P Shield .40 is reliable, and it’s proven itself as an effective concealed carry weapon. But carrying it day-to-day can feel like a reminder that it’s not as comfortable or practical as they might like, even though it would be easier to go with something more manageable. It stays because they’re still not ready to face that regret.
Springfield XD-S 9mm
The XD-S 9mm is an undeniably capable concealed carry pistol, but many owners who bought it for its sleek design and compact size soon found that it wasn’t as easy to handle or shoot as they hoped. The heavy recoil, especially for a 9mm, and the lack of a better trigger pull left many frustrated. Still, the gun keeps getting carried because it’s hard to admit the choice wasn’t ideal.
While some praise the XD-S for its performance, it doesn’t have the same reputation as other pistols in its category. Despite this, it remains in many holsters, as its owners continue to carry it simply because they’ve already committed to it — and parting ways would feel like admitting they made the wrong call.
Sig Sauer P250
The Sig Sauer P250 seemed like an excellent choice at first. A modular design, reliable function, and solid construction made it a popular option for many concealed carriers. However, the P250 is known for a relatively heavy and long trigger pull, which made it harder to shoot accurately and smoothly. While it’s a reliable pistol, many who own it wish they had gone with a more refined model.
Despite these shortcomings, the P250 stays in many holsters because its owners simply don’t want to admit that they might have been better off with something else. It’s not the worst choice — it just wasn’t the best, and walking away from it feels like acknowledging that it wasn’t the perfect fit after all.
Taurus Millennium G2
The Taurus Millennium G2 is a budget-friendly concealed carry pistol that fills a specific need for many gun owners. However, once the novelty of a cheap and reliable pistol wears off, some owners start to realize that the accuracy, trigger pull, and recoil are not as pleasant as they had hoped. Despite these issues, it remains a common choice for many because the idea of replacing it would force them to confront the reality that they could have spent a little more for something better.
Despite its flaws, the G2 remains in many holsters simply because its owners are unwilling to admit regret. It gets the job done, but it’s not exactly the easiest or most enjoyable pistol to carry and shoot. That fact is easy to ignore, but hard to shake off when it’s already been carried for years.
Ruger LCP .380
The Ruger LCP .380 is a popular choice for concealed carry, especially because of its small size and lightweight design. However, the small size comes with some trade-offs. The recoil can be snappy, the trigger pull is heavy, and accuracy can be an issue for those who want a more refined shooting experience. Many owners who bought it for its convenience and portability now realize that it’s not the most fun to shoot.
But despite these drawbacks, the LCP .380 stays in holsters because it’s hard to admit that it doesn’t quite measure up to other pocket pistols in terms of shooting experience. People keep carrying it simply because they don’t want to face the fact that they could have bought something better.
Walther P22
The Walther P22 was once a popular choice for new shooters and those looking for a low-cost, easy-to-handle .22 pistol for plinking or concealed carry. However, over time, many owners realized that it wasn’t as reliable or accurate as other options in its class. The slide can be stiff, and some models have issues with feeding and reliability, making it less desirable for those who want a flawless shooting experience.
Still, many owners stick with their P22s because they’ve invested time and money in it and don’t want to admit it was a less-than-ideal choice. It’s reliable enough to carry, but it’s not exactly the pistol they’d pick if they were starting over from scratch.
Glock 43X
The Glock 43X was marketed as the perfect combination of size, capacity, and concealability, and for many, it still is. However, many owners who purchased it for its slim profile and ease of carry have found that the larger grip, combined with the shorter barrel length, results in a pistol that doesn’t feel quite as natural or comfortable as they expected. The extra capacity is nice, but the 43X doesn’t always feel as well-balanced as other subcompact 9mm pistols.
Despite this, the 43X remains a go-to for those who own it, simply because they don’t want to admit that a different concealed carry option might be a better fit. It works, and it’s good enough — but it’s not as perfect as they once thought.
CZ 75 P-07
The CZ 75 P-07 is a great pistol in terms of durability, accuracy, and reliability, but its larger size and bulkier design can be an issue for some concealed carriers. Many buyers who initially fell in love with the ergonomic design and solid performance of the P-07 now find that it’s just a little too big for comfortable everyday carry, especially in warmer weather or for those who prefer ultra-compact guns.
The P-07 stays in many holsters because owners are reluctant to admit that they might have overestimated how well it fits into their lifestyle. They carry it because they’ve already made the investment, and replacing it would mean acknowledging that it’s not as perfect as they once thought.
Kahr CW9
The Kahr CW9 is a simple, no-frills, and affordable 9mm pistol that has earned a place in many concealed carry holsters. However, while the CW9 is known for its reliability, the long trigger pull and lack of an external safety can leave some shooters feeling less confident in their shooting experience. Many owners who bought it as a budget-friendly option now find themselves wishing they had invested in something with a smoother shooting experience or better ergonomics.
Despite the drawbacks, the CW9 continues to get carried because its owners don’t want to admit they might have been better off spending a little more on a different model that would have better suited their needs.
Springfield XD-M Compact
The Springfield XD-M Compact offers a great balance between size, capacity, and performance. It’s an excellent pistol for those who want a powerful concealed carry option. However, many owners quickly realize that, despite its versatility, the compact size doesn’t necessarily make it the most comfortable pistol to carry for extended periods. It’s a bit bulkier than some of the other popular subcompact pistols on the market, which makes it harder to conceal comfortably.
But many owners hold onto their XD-M Compact because they’ve already committed to it. Admitting that it’s not as comfortable or ideal as they once thought would mean acknowledging regret. So, despite the compromises, they keep carrying it.
Taurus 856
The Taurus 856 is a revolver that has seen a surge in popularity, especially among budget-conscious shooters who want a reliable wheelgun for personal protection. While it’s certainly reliable and well-built, it’s not without its flaws. Many owners of the 856 find that the trigger pull is heavier than they would like, and the overall feel doesn’t quite match up to other revolvers in its class.
Despite these shortcomings, it remains a carry gun for many, simply because they don’t want to admit that it might not have been the best choice. They stick with it because it’s functional, but deep down, they may know it wasn’t the ideal fit.
Ruger LCR .357
The Ruger LCR .357 is a revolver that’s become popular for self-defense thanks to its lightweight design and powerful .357 Magnum caliber. However, many owners quickly realize that the recoil of the .357 Magnum round in such a small frame can be difficult to handle, and the relatively low capacity of the revolver means they’re often carrying it more out of necessity than preference. The LCR is a solid revolver, but it’s not always the most comfortable or enjoyable to shoot.
Despite these drawbacks, many owners continue to carry the LCR because it’s the gun they’ve committed to. Admitting that it’s not their first choice for everyday carry would mean accepting regret — and that’s something they’re not ready to do.
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