The Top 15 Smallest Pistols
It wasn’t too long ago that the subcompact semiauto .380 ACP hit like a fever. These lightweight, small-enough-to-fit-in-your pocket pistols where flying off the shelves in record numbers when more states than ever started allowing concealed carry. An unprecedented amount of women and first-time gun owners were buying at this time, as well. After all, the little .380 ACP is not intimidating to a new shooter, yet it is sufficient for self-defense, unobtrusive, affordable and felt recoil is manageable to most. It did not take long for the firearms industry to notice and quickly (most) manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon. Though it took years, even Glock released a subcompact .380.
For some though, the .380 just isn’t enough and the pocket nines started rolling out. More than likely, if a manufacturer makes a subcompact .380, they make a subcompact 9mm—Glock included. Interest hasn’t waned and the guns just keep getting smaller!
This list compares the smallest of the small, the most lightweight, and the easiest and most comfortable semiautomatic pistols to conceal. They vary in price and quality. Some of them will serve better as a back up than as your primary gun. They are also all either .380 ACP or 9mm with polymer frames—simply because subcompact pistols are easier to make in a smaller caliber. Polymer is used most often because it keeps the overall weight of the gun down. Of course, the .25 and .32 ACPs will get even smaller, but no one recommends those calibers for self-defense, so I have left them out.
And now without further ado, here are the top 15 most concealable semiautomatic handguns, in order from shortest to longest:
Kahr Arms P380
It may not be very pretty, but Kahrs function every time.
| Kahr Arms P380 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.5 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 4.9 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.75 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 9.97 ounces |
| Sights | Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $593.43 |
| User rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Beretta Pico
Beretta claims the Pico is the smallest .380 on the market.
| Beretta Pico | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.7 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.1 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.75 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 11.5 ounces |
| Sights | Adjustable |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $353.05 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Kel-Tec P3AT
Kel-Tec P3AT extended magazine holds three more rounds.
| Kel-Tec P3AT | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.7 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.2 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.77 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 8.3 ounces |
| Sights | Notched front sight |
| Frame | 7075-T6 aluminum |
| Price | Starting at $235.29 |
| User rating | 3 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Taurus Curve
The Taurus Curve is truly one of the most innovative handguns we’ve seen in a long time.
| Taurus Curve | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.5 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.2 inches |
| Overall Width | 1.18 inch |
| Weight Unloaded | 10.2 ounces |
| Sights | Integral light and laser |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | MSRP $392.42 |
| User rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
Diamondback DB380
Diamondback makes these pocket pistols in .380 and 9mm.
| Diamondback DB380 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.80 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.75 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.26 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.750 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 8.8 ounces |
| Sights | Fixed |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $199 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Also available in a slightly larger 9mm.
Kahr CM9
The competition to produce the ultimate subcompact 9mm carry pistol just went up another notch as Kahr unveiled its CM9 handgun.
| Kahr CM9 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.42 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.90 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 14 ounces |
| Sights | Drift adjustable rear, dot night sight front |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $370.30 |
| User rating | 5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
SIG Sauer P238
The SIG P238 is different from most pocket pistols, as it has a metal frame.
| SIG Sauer P238 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.7 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.5 inches |
| Overall Width | 1.1 inch |
| Weight Unloaded | 15.2 ounces |
| Sights | Contrast or SIGLITE night sights |
| Frame | Anodized alloy beavertail style |
| Price | Starting at $536.48 |
| User rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Also available in a slightly larger 9mm.
DoubleTap
The DoubleTap comes in 9mm or .45 ACP with a 3-inch barrel.
| DoubleTap | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm or .45 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 3 inches |
| Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.5 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.665 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 12 ounces |
| Sights | Fixed |
| Frame | 7075-T6 aluminum |
| Price | $344.99 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Colt Mustang XSP
The Colt Mustang was originally introduced in 1986.
| Colt Mustang XSP | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 2.75 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.94 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.5 inches |
| Overall Width | 1.02 inch |
| Weight Unloaded | 11.5 ounces |
| Sights | High profile |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $683.75 |
| User rating | 5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Beretta Nano
The NANO is compact and at 20 ounces unloaded, light enough for all day carry.
| Beretta Nano | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3.07 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4.17 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.63 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.90 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 19.97 ounces |
| Sights | 3-dot low profile |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $393.30 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
SCCY CPX-1
As for the pertinent dimensions, the CPX 2 weighs but 15 ounces, stands 4.25 inches tall, has a 3.1-inch barrel and is just over an inch wide.
| SCCY CPX-1 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3.1 inches |
| Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.7 inches |
| Overall Width | 1 inch |
| Weight Unloaded | 15 ounces |
| Sights | 3-dot |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $270.25 |
| User rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Kel-Tec PF9
For the pocket carrier, the Kel-Tec PF-9 is a fine 9mm handgun.
| Kel-Tec PF9 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3.1 inches |
| Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.85 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.88 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 12.7 ounces |
| Sights | Windage adjustable rear |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $247.94 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Glock 42
Small enough to carry comfortably, but large enough for proper hand purchase.
| Glock 42 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 3.25 inches |
| Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4.13 inches |
| Overall Length | 5.94 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.94 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 13.76 ounces |
| Sights | Adjustable rear |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | $404.80 |
| User rating | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Taurus 709 Slim
The 9mm-chambered 709 holds seven rounds.
| Taurus 709 Slim | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3 inches |
| Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Overall Height | 3.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 6 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.75 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 19 ounces |
| Sights | Fixed |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | Starting at $246.94 |
| User rating | 4 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Smith & Wesson Shield
The S&W Shield is surprisingly compact, yet recoil is modest.
| Smith & Wesson Shield | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .40 S&W or 9mm |
| Barrel Length | 3.1 inches |
| Capacity | Up to 8 rounds |
| Overall Height | 4.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 6.1 inches |
| Overall Width | 0.95 inches |
| Weight Unloaded | 19 ounces |
| Sights | 3-dot white |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Price | $387.55 |
| User rating | 5 out of 5 stars |
| Buy now! |
Note: Ruger has three subcompact semiautos that would make this list—the LCP, LC9s and the LC380. However, Ruger has ceased allowing any third party shipments. Unfortunately, we cannot carry Ruger at this time.
If you would like more information on any of the listed firearms, read these reviews:
Which pocket gun sounds like it suits you best? Tell us which one and why in the comment section.
View all articles by CTD Suzanne
Share This!
Tags: .380 ACP, 9mm Handguns, Concealed Carry, Concealed Carry for Women, Pocket Pistols, Self Defense, Top 10
Trackback from your site.
Comments (202)
Gary
| #
I have been intending to buy a sign P360..?? P356..?? Which ever it is..a 10 round stagger clip 9mm that it seems everyone can shoot well. A actually accurate sub compact 9mm is a dream come true to me, and I see nothing here that would diswade mefrom buying it.
Thanks for your artical.
Sincerely,
Gary Heaton
Reply
Linda Fischer
| #
I have a small pistol that belonged to my grandmother in law in the late fifties. The plastic piece on the handle is broken and I would like to know where I can find a replacement piece.
Reply
Dave Dolbee
| #
What make/model pistol is it? ~Dave Dolbee
Reply
Linda Fischer
| #
It has Victor on the barrel.
Reply
Danny
| #
Ruger did not copy Keltecs design. It looks very similar but was vastly improved in ergonomics, the extractor was vastly improved over the crap the Keltec used and an all important slide stop was added. A slide stop is really a must to get a really good look at the chambers of these little guns. The Keltec was a run of the mill turd and Ruger polished it up and made it into one of the best, if not THE best pocket pistol ever made.
Reply
Danny
| #
Beretta is full of it. The original Ruger LCP (still being sold) is the smallest not the Pico, and the Ruger is lightest by far. Smallest in height by nearly a half inch, same length but smaller in weight by a whole 2.5 ounces! The original Ruger LCP is the smallest. 380ACP still in production, maybe ever.
Reply
Jimmy Fones
| #
I have a Pt709 Taurus. I like it and have put 500 round through it. A good idea is to try a few at a local shop and range. It really will depend on how your choice fits your hand. But the Pt709 is a good choice but not the smallest. It is 9mm with 6 shoots with one more in the barrel. I like the Ruger for smaller LCP2 but the price point is very good on the LCP .308 which is the older model of the same gun. I have seen them for 169.00! Roger makes a very good product and a good choice for a pocket pistol that sometimes comes with a pocket holster. Great deals can be found this weekend. Good luck
Reply
Silvio
| #
Also, the LCP2 has the advantage of leaving the slide open when the last cartridge is ejected. The original LCP will not do that and will go into the closed position.
Reply