Best Concealed Carry Handguns & Custom Grips for CZ Pistols (9mm Pistol Reviews)

Handgun enthusiasts in the United States are always on the lookout for the best concealed carry handguns that offer reliability, shootability, and personalization. In this blog post, we’ll review three popular 9mm models – the CZ 75 B, CZ 75 Compact, and CZ Shadow 2 – highlighting their features, use cases, and how you can enhance them with custom gun grips. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or a new concealed carry permit holder, these insights (and some gorgeous wood grip options) will help you get the most out of your pistol. We’ll also touch on the appeal of wood grips for revolvers, for those who love classic wheelguns. Let’s dive into our 9mm pistol reviews and grip upgrades!

What Makes the Best Concealed Carry Handgun?

Choosing a concealed carry weapon (CCW) comes down to finding a balance of size, capacity, and comfort. The ideal CCW pistol should be compact enough to hide on your person, yet still provide a secure grip and adequate firepower (most choose 9mm for its balance of manageable recoil and effectiveness). Factors like weight, barrel length, and grip thickness all influence how easily a gun can be carried and controlled. Many popular models – from slim single-stack subcompacts to compact double-stacks – compete for the title of best concealed carry handguns. Ultimately, the best choice is one that fits your hands well and you can shoot confidently. And once you’ve picked your pistol, customizing the grips can further improve comfort and control, tailoring the feel to your hands.

CZ 75 Compact – CCW-Friendly 9mm with Classic Roots

Figure: CZ 75 Compact with custom walnut grips. The CZ 75 Compact is a smaller variant of the legendary CZ 75, featuring a shorter 3.75-inch barrel and reduced grip length for easier concealment​en.wikipedia.org. Its all-steel construction tames recoil and gives it superb balance for a carry pistol. Shown here are root walnut grips that add a touch of elegance while providing a secure hold. These grips are contoured to the Compact’s frame, enhancing both comfort and control for everyday carry.

Why we love the CZ 75 Compact: This pistol offers 15+1 rounds of 9mm in a highly shootable package. Unlike many polymer subcompacts, the CZ 75 Compact’s weight (around 32 oz unloaded) soaks up recoil, allowing faster follow-up shots. It retains the famously smooth CZ double-action/single-action trigger system and low bore axis of its full-size sibling, which translates to improved accuracy. Many consider it one of the best concealed carry handguns for those who don’t mind a bit of extra weight in exchange for shootability. It’s an ideal choice for new concealed carry permit holders who want a soft-shooting, reliable 9mm that still conceals well under a jacket or loose shirt.

Grip options: Being a metal-framed gun, the CZ 75 Compact accepts thin grip panels. Swapping the factory grips for custom ones can significantly change the feel. For example, the beautiful walnut grips pictured above (available from GunGripsUSA) offer a classic look and ergonomic improvements. The smooth yet contoured wood provides a comfortable palm swell and the checkered/textured areas ensure a non-slip hold, which is essential for confident shooting. You can personalize your Compact with designs ranging from sleek walnut wood to tactical G10 or rubber – whatever suits your style and needs. (Product spotlight: check out the CZ Compact Series Root Walnut Grips for a perfect blend of form and function.)

CZ 75 B – A Classic Full-Size 9mm (Review & Customization)

Figure: CZ 75 B with custom engraved wood grips. The CZ 75 B is the full-size version of the CZ 75, renowned worldwide for its accuracy and reliability. (“B” denotes the addition of a firing pin block safety in this model​en.wikipedia.org.) Pictured is a pair of walnut grips with brass inlays (including the CZ logo), illustrating how you can add personal flair to this classic 9mm. Such custom grips not only enhance aesthetics but also offer improved texturing and ergonomics for better handling.

CZ 75 B features: This steel-framed pistol has a 4.6-inch barrel and typically a 16-round magazine, making it a solid choice for home defense, range use, and even open carry. It’s a hefty handgun (around 35 oz empty), which, combined with its natural pointability, contributes to very soft recoil and excellent accuracy. Many enthusiasts praise the CZ 75 B’s ergonomics – the grip angle and contour feel very natural in the hand, often likened to a “handshake.” In fact, the CZ 75 design is so respected that it’s on the approved list of sidearms for some U.S. police departments and even special forces units​en.wikipedia.org.

While the CZ 75 B isn’t a typical choice for deep concealment (due to its size and weight), those who carry full-size guns can and do conceal it with the right holster and attire. For most, this pistol shines as a range shooter or competition base gun. That’s where customization really comes in: you can tailor it for target shooting or just make it look unique.

Custom grip upgrades: One of the easiest and most impactful upgrades is to install custom grips. For the CZ 75 B, the options are extensive – from checkered wood grips that preserve a classic look, to modern G10 composite grips with aggressive texture, to even aluminum or acrylic designs. Custom wood grips (like the walnut set with CZ emblem above) remain popular because they add a touch of old-school class to this iconic pistol. Beyond looks, quality grips can improve your control; for example, a well-textured surface helps keep the pistol planted in your hand under recoil, and an ergonomic swell or finger groove can position your trigger finger more naturally. GunGripsUSA offers many CZ 75-compatible grip sets – including engraved walnut grips and tactical diamond-checkered patterns. (For instance, see the CZ 75 Full-Size Walnut Grips with CZ Medallion for a stylish upgrade to your CZ 75 B.)

CZ Shadow 2 – Competition-Ready 9mm with Custom Flair

Figure: CZ Shadow 2 with diamond-texture walnut grips. The CZ Shadow 2 is a modern competition-oriented pistol derived from the CZ 75 platform. Released in 2016 as an improvement over the original SP-01 Shadow, it features a longer barrel, a lighter contoured slide with aggressive serrations, and enhanced grip ergonomics with aggressive checkering​en.wikipedia.org. The grips shown are walnut with a diamond pattern, giving the Shadow 2 a mix of classic wood feel and competition-grade grip texture. These grips upgrade the pistol’s appearance while ensuring a secure, non-slip purchase during rapid fire.

Built for performance: The CZ Shadow 2 was designed with IPSC/USPSA competition in mind. Out of the box, it offers a host of enhancements: a crisp single-action trigger, extended magazine release, fiber optic front sight, and a hefty weight (~46 oz) that practically eliminates recoil. Top shooters often choose the Shadow 2 for its exceptional balance and accuracy – it’s a pistol that drives back on target quickly, allowing fast follow-up shots. The improved ergonomics (e.g. a deeper beavertail and undercut trigger guard) let you get a high grip, and the aggressive factory grip panels ensure the gun stays put in your hands. That said, there’s always room to customize for both looks and feel.

Custom grips for the Shadow 2: Many competitive shooters swap out the grips to better suit their preferences or hand size. Popular options include thin aluminum grips for smaller hands or textured G10 grips for maximum traction. However, wood grips are also making a comeback in the competition scene, especially those with modern textures. The walnut grips with diamond checkering (pictured) are a great example – they provide enhanced grip and control comparable to tactical materials, but with the warmth and style of wood. They’re designed to fit the Shadow 2 precisely, accommodating its magazine funnel (if applicable) and safeties, while adding a personalized touch. GunGripsUSA offers Shadow 2 grip sets in various designs – from Diamond Textured Walnut to bold colors – so you can both improve your hold on the gun and make it stand out on the range. (Product pick: the CZ Shadow 2 Diamond Walnut Grips are an excellent choice to elevate your competition pistol.)

Wood Grips for Revolvers – Classic Style Meets Function

No discussion of custom grips would be complete without mentioning revolvers. Revolver fans often have a soft spot for wood grips, and for good reason – wood grip panels or stocks can drastically improve the look of a wheelgun and often the handling as well. Traditional revolvers (like the Smith & Wesson K/L-frame or Ruger GP100) commonly come with rubber or basic wood grips, but upgrading to a custom shape can make a big difference.

Figure: Custom walnut target grip for a S&W revolver. Revolver grips completely define how the gun feels in your hand, since they form the entire handle. This image shows one half of a target-style grip for a Smith & Wesson N-frame revolver, crafted from richly grained wood. Notice the pronounced finger grooves and ergonomic flair at the top – this design fills the hand to distribute recoil and guide hand placement. High-quality wood grips like this not only add a timeless, classic look to your revolver, but can also improve control by contouring to your grip anatomy.

Advantages of custom revolver grips: Unlike semi-autos (which usually have a grip frame that accepts thin panels), a revolver’s grip is often a one-piece or two-piece unit that defines the entire shape. This means a well-designed custom grip can optimize trigger reach, absorb recoil better, and provide a more secure hold. Many concealed carry revolvers (e.g. J-Frame snubnose) use compact rubber grips for easy concealment – great for hiding, but sometimes hard to shoot comfortably. Swapping to wood boot grips or combat grips can give a fuller hold and better control without adding too much bulk. For larger revolvers used in range shooting or hunting, target grips (with finger grooves and possibly a covered backstrap) help tame heavy recoil and allow more precise aiming by stabilizing the gun in your hand​   gungripsusa.com​      gungripsusa.com.

Aesthetically, wood grips are second to none. Each piece of walnut, rosewood, or exotic hardwood has unique grain patterns, so your revolver becomes one-of-a-kind. Many shooters also appreciate how wood grips age gracefully – developing character over years of use. You can choose grips with smooth finishes, checkering, engraving, or inlays. For example, GunGripsUSA offers everything from Diamond checkered rosewood grips for S&W revolvers to elegant walnut grips for Colt single actions. These not only give you a better hold but turn your firearm into a showpiece.

(If you’re a revolver aficionado, browse GunGripsUSA’s selection of Smith & Wesson K/L-Frame Revolver Grips to find the perfect wood grip for your model.)

Upgrade Your Shooting Experience with Custom Grips

Enthusiasm runs high when it comes to personalizing our handguns. By choosing the right firearm for your needs – be it a compact 9mm for concealed carry or a full-size pistol for competition – and then tailoring it with custom grips, you truly make the gun your own. Improved ergonomics, better recoil control, and eye-catching style are all within reach with the grip upgrades we’ve discussed. From the CZ 75 Compact’s concealed carry prowess, the all-around excellence of the CZ 75 B, to the elite performance of the CZ Shadow 2, each of these 9mm pistols can be optimized to shine even brighter with a little grip customization. And let’s not forget our trusty revolvers, which gain comfort and charm with a set of hand-filling wood grips.

Call to Action: Ready to give your handgun a personal touch? Visit GunGripsUSA to explore their full selection of premium grips for CZ, 1911s, revolvers, and more. Whether you crave the sleek feel of walnut on your carry pistol or need better purchase on your competition gun, GunGripsUSA has you (and your firearm) covered. Transform your shooting experience today with custom gun grips that combine performance and artistry! 🔫🎯

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