The 5 Best Pocket Sized Pistols Available

The best is subjective, but these 5 best pocket-sized pistols won't disappoint. Check them out!

Best Pocket Sized Pistols: A Handgun Review

The gun you carry could be the difference between life and death, so we give you the best pocket-sized pistols. For personal defense, pocket-sized pistols give you an advantage and a fighting chance.

We've already covered which handguns were the absolute best in the industry for new shooters. Now, let's talk about the best pocket-sized pistols available on the market for those who want deep concealment.

Pocket pistols are a great choice for both pocket carry and concealed carry. You can't very well carry your rifles around now, can you?

Before we get to the actual list of the best pocket-sized pistols, however, let's look at why I chose these specific firearms. First, the term “pocket pistol” means different things to different people.

Basically, my definition is this: Very, very small gun with a barrel length of about 3 inches or less. They are usually small enough that you could buy a pocket holster and stick it in your pocket.

These are in no particular order, just some of the best pocket-sized pistols out there. If I can't find my rifles, I'll always have these on hand.

What I'm looking for here is the biggest projectile possible, with safety features and the added bonus of being able to send more rounds down range. Ya know, in case you find yourself attacked by a horde of hungry zombies, you just whip out your concealed carry pistols and aim down the sights.

Let's get this list of the best pocket-sized pistols started!

1. Kahr's Family of Pocket Pistols

Kahr guns are some great firearms. Kahr produces some of the niftiest concealed carry pistols ever. They do make a few different options varying in differing calibers and higher quality components.

Their concealed guns also go from tiny to not so tiny. It won't be hard to find a suitable holster for Kahr guns as well, and it's just hard to name only one of the Kahr guns for this list.

 

Photo Credit: Kahr Arms

The best part about Kahr is that the triggers are excellent for such a small concealed pistol. They also have sights to ensure you can hit your target at more than 2 feet away.

The form factor for a gun from Kahr (with a barrel length of just 2.5 inches) is perfect for concealed carry. It fits very well in any concealed holster. 

2. Beretta Nano

This little guy is chambered in 9X19 caliber and is available with a 6 or 8 round magazine. Barrel length comes in just at the 3-inch mark, with overall length being 5.6 inches.

Some people scoff at the Nano, but it comes from the same company the military has trusted for years to manufacture the guns they use. Also, you might notice that service members have this as a concealed carry gun.

So, come on! It has good sights, a decent trigger pull, and goes bang when it should. While not as accurate as rifles, this gun will definitely save your life in a pinch.

This is a concealed gun that will not fail you when you need it. And, it's not all that expensive for a semi-automatic pistol, with an MSRP of $450.

RELATED: Concealed Carry Facts Every Gun Enthusiast Should Know

3. Sig Sauer P938

I'm currently carrying a Sig 938, and so far, I love it because I think it's one of the best carry pistols around. While expensive, it's a reliable gun that is also pleasant on the eyes.

Barrel length is 3 inches and the lightweight, 16 oz (empty) gun doesn't do anything to help aid in recoil management. But these guns are accurate at 15 yards.

This semi-automatic pistol is a blast to shoot. MSRP is $819, depending on your chosen model, but well worth the price. I'll be buying a Sig P938 by year's end, and a pocket holster to match.

Its smooth SAO trigger has a smooth trigger pull and crisp break. Plus, 6 rounds of 9mm caliber can only help matters.

It comes standard with SIGLIGHT night sights that glow brightly in the dark. As far as handguns go, the Sig Sauer P938 is a handgun through and through, a reliable piece that won't let you down.

4. Ruger's LC9s

The overall size of this sub-compact pistol is six inches with a barrel of only 3.1 inches, making it a good pocket carry a handgun for your arsenal. The Ruger LC is also one of the safest guns on this list, with a trigger safety and a manual thumb safety that needs disengaging before use.

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of having a manual safety on my concealed carry gun. Handguns are meant to be pulled out and shot at a moment's notice.

However, if you carry in your pocket or pocket holsters, it's a good idea. Almost surprisingly, its capacity is 7+1, holding more pistol cartridges than some of the .380 caliber guns, making it a good addition to our list.

Finally, as with all the pistols on this list, it has a good set of sights present along with a crisp, short trigger pull. It's a semi-automatic handgun with recoil that's actually pretty manageable despite its size.

The small form factor of the gun makes it easier for you to fit it in one of your more subtle holsters. When it comes to concealed carry firearms, you can't go wrong with the Ruger LC series.

5. SCCY CPX-1&2

Most people haven't even heard of SCCY (pronounced “sky”) but, they have an excellent warranty that transfers between owners. Plus, these small pistols are VERY affordable and can carry 10+1 parabellum (9 mm pistol caliber) rounds.

This gun is much bigger than the others on this list, and it cannot even be called a sub-compact pistol. While barely a pocket pistol, it is small enough to fit in your pocket or your concealed holsters.

It comes with a barrel of a little over 3.1 inches and an overall length of 5.7 inches. The trigger pull is a long DAO (double action only) pull, which could be a positive or negative depending on your preferences.

Yet, as long as you go to the range and practice with it, you'll get used to the trigger. Make sure you really learn the sights on this one.

The only perceived downside is because it holds 10 rounds of ammo, it is a double stack magazine. Meaning it is a bit wider than some of the others on this list.

I have no doubt the this is one of the most reliable firearms I've ever tested.

 

Watch this video to know why you need pocket-sized pistols from Hegshot87:

Did you find this list of the best pocket-sized pistols helpful? Do you have more guns to add? If yes, don't forget to comment below and let's talk and share our views!

Up Next: The 7 Best Handguns for the New Shooter

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 9, 2018, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.