25 Compact Carry Handguns For Self-Defense

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Beretta Px4 Compact

1 of 25

Photo by Beretta

Beretta Px4 Compact
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 27.30 ounces Length: 6.80 inches Capacity: 15/12

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Bersa BP9CC

2 of 25

Photo by Bersa

Bersa BP9CC
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 21.50 ounces Length: 6.35 inches Capacity: 8

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Chiappa MC27

3 of 25

Photo by Chiappa

Chiappa MC27
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 22.00 ounces Length: 7.25 inches Capacity: 15

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Colt Defender

4 of 25

Photo by Colt

Colt Defender
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 24.00 ounces Length: 6.75 inches Capacity: 7

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, CZ 75 Compact SDP

5 of 25

Photo by CZ

CZ 75 Compact SDP
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 28.48 ounces Length: 7.20 inches Capacity: 14

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Dan Wesson CCO

6 of 25

Photo by Dan Wesson

Dan Wesson CCO
Cartridge/Action: .45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 25.92 ounces Length: 8.00 inches Capacity: 7

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Desert Eagle 1911U

7 of 25

Photo by Magnum Research

Desert Eagle 1911U
Cartridge/Action: .45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 25.80 ounces Length: 6.85 inches Capacity: 6

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, EAA Witness Pavona

8 of 25

Photo by EAA

EAA Witness Pavona
Cartridge/Action: .380/9mm/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 24.00 ounces Length: 7.30 inches Capacity: 13/13/9

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, FN FNS-9 Compact

9 of 25

Photo by FN

FN FNS-9 Compact
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 23.40 ounces Length: 6.70 inches Capacity: 12/17

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Glock 30 SF

10 of 25

Glock 30 SF
Cartridge/Action: .45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 26.30 ounces Length: 6.88 inches Capacity: 10

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Grand Power K100 X-Trim

11 of 25

Photo by Grand Power

Grand Power K100 X-Trim
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 24.00 ounces Length: 8.00 inches Capacity: 15

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Heckler & Koch HK45 Compact

12 of 25

Photo by Heckler & Koch

Heckler & Koch HK45 Compact
Cartridge/Action: .45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 28.48 ounces Length: 7.20 pounds Capacity: 10

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, IWI Jericho PSL

13 of 25

Photo by IWI

IWI Jericho PSL
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 25.60 ounces Length: 7.60 inches Capacity: 16/12

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Kahr K9

14 of 25

Photo by Kahr

Kahr K9
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 23.10 ounces Length: 6.00 inches Capacity: 7

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II

15 of 25

Photo by Kimber

Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II
Cartridge/Action: .45 ACP/Semi-Auto Weight: 25.00 ounces Length: 6.80 inches Capacity: 7

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Magnum Research MR40 Eagle

16 of 25

Photo by Magnum Research

Magnum Research MR40 Eagle
Cartridge/Action: .40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 24.80 ounces Length: 7.63 inches Capacity: 11

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Ruger SP101

17 of 25

Photo by Ruger

Ruger SP101
Cartridge/Action: .38 Spl./.357 Mag/Rev. Weight: 25.00 ounces Length: 7.20 inches Capacity: 5

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Sig Sauer P320 Carry

18 of 25

Photo by Sig Sauer

Sig Sauer P320 Carry
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.357/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 26.50 ounces Length: 7.20 inches Capacity: 14/17

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, S&W M&P 40 Compact

19 of 25

Photo by Smith & Wesson

S&W M&P 40 Compact
Cartridge/Action: .40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 21.90 ounces Length: 6.70 inches Capacity: 10

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Sphinx SDP Compact Alpha

20 of 25

Photo by Sphinx

Sphinx SDP Compact Alpha
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 27.50 ounces Length: 7.84 inches Capacity: 15

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Springfield XD Mod.2

21 of 25

Photo by Springfield

Springfield XD Mod.2
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 26.00 ounces Length: 6.25 inches Capacity: 9/12/13/16

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Steyr L-A1

22 of 25

Photo by Steyr

Steyr L-A1
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.357 SIG/.40/Semi-Auto Weight: 28.8-29.6 ounces Length: 7.90 inches Capacity: 17/12

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Taurus Judge Public Defender

23 of 25

Photo by Taurus

Taurus Judge Public Defender
Cartridge/Action: .45 Colt/.410 Rev. Weight: 28.20 ounces Length: 7.65 inches Capacity: 5

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Walther PPQ M2

24 of 25

Photo by Walther

Walther PPQ M2
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/.40 S&W/Semi-Auto Weight: 24.50 ounces Length: 7.10 inches Capacity: 15/11

compact, compact carry, compact carry handgun, compact carry handguns, Wilson Combat Ms. Sentinel

25 of 25

Photo by Wilson Combat

Wilson Combat Ms. Sentinel
Cartridge/Action: 9mm/Semi-Auto Weight: 26.80 ounces Length: 7.20 inches Capacity: 8

There is a fine distinction between pocket pistols and compact carry handguns since all of the semi-autos and revolvers in the pocket handguns category can just as easily be worn in a belt, inside the waistband, or in another type of concealment holster. By comparison, the majority of handguns in the compact carry category measure only 0.5-0.75 inches in greater length and a few ounces more in weight, making many of them equally suitable for pocket carry. What it ultimately comes down to is how easily a compact handgun can be concealed by an individual, and that can vary according to clothing, time of year (weather conditions), and how adept one becomes at carry techniques regardless of the handgun’s size or weight. An individual’s height, weight, and build (and yes, even gender) will have an influence on what size gun is suitable for proper concealment. And proper not only means keeping the firearm out of sight, but being able to effectively access and draw it with relative speed. Compact carry handguns are the best suited to this purpose.

Compacts represent one of the largest handgun categories available with a great diversity of makes, models, sizes and calibers, from lightweight 9mm’s up to heavy-hitting .40 S&W and .45 ACP semi-autos. The average overall length of a handgun in this category is 7 inches with an average weight of 24 ounces, only a slight step up from a typical 9mm pocket pistol. The greater differences are in grip size, slide width (on semi-autos) and the overall height of the gun, which can make or break pocket carry but will have little or no effect on holster carry. The advantages to compact carry handguns include a higher average capacity (both semi-autos and revolvers), reduced felt recoil, larger grip size for ease of handling, and a greater selection and price range from which to choose. The most common calibers in this category are .38 Special or .357 Magnum for revolvers, and 9mm and .45 ACP for semi-autos.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Beretta
http://www.beretta.com

Bersa
https://bersa.eagleimportsinc.com

Chiappa
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

CZ-USA
http://www.cz-usa.com

Dan Wesson
http://www.cz-usa.com

Desert Eagle
https://www.magnumresearch.com

EAA
http://www.eaacorp.com

FN
http://www.fnhusa.com

Glock
https://us.glock.com

Grand Power
http://www.grandpower.eu