The Best Pocket Pistols for Concealed Carry
Pocket carry is a highly popular method of concealed carry, offering a comfortable, low-profile, and versatile option for those who wish to avoid waistband carry.
But what is the best pocket pistol for concealed carry?
But just because a gun is small doesn’t mean it’s suitable for pocket carry. The best pocket pistol should have the right balance of firepower, capacity, features, and ergonomics to be both concealable and effective in a defensive scenario.
To help get you started, we’ve outlined the qualities that make a great pocket pistol and compiled a list of our picks of the top five guns for pocket carry.
What Makes a Good Pocket Pistol: Our Methodology
Before we get to the good stuff, it’s important to highlight the criteria we used for ranking the best pocket pistols. So, let’s start by talking about what makes a firearm a “pocket” pistol in the first place, because the classification is pretty broad.
Essentially, a pocket pistol is a gun that’s small enough to, you guessed it, fit in your pocket. This obviously means the gun has to be pretty small and lightweight. That said, we looked everywhere for clear specifications of what defines a pocket pistol and found a mix of opinions. So, we pieced together what we found and came up with the following standards:
Size: Pocket pistols will most often fall into the micro-compact category, although subcompact frames on the smaller side can also work for this style of carry. So, we’re considering extra-small subcompact or micro-compact frames for this list.
Caliber: The vast majority of pocket pistols are chambered in smaller .380 ACP, .22 LR, .32 ACP, or .38 Special calibers. Some 9mm handguns are also small enough to pocket carry, and since so many people prefer 9mm for concealed carry, we’re looking at everything that’s chambered in 9mm or smaller.
Length & Barrel: Overall length and barrel length are two of the biggest defining features of a pocket pistol. These handguns are generally classified as being less than 6 inches long in total, with a barrel length of 3 inches or less.
Weight: Weight is a major factor when practicing pocket carry. The last thing you want is a heavy pistol weighing you down. So, we’re classifying pocket pistols as those that weigh 16 ounces or less.
Width: Width is another important consideration when ensuring a firearm is adequately concealed in your pant pocket. The thinner, the better, so we’re classifying these guns as around 1 inch in width.
To compile the following list, we started by reviewing the most popular gun models among Vedder Holsters customers who carry our Pocket Locker holster. From there, we narrowed it down using the qualifications listed above, along with consumer reviews, size-to-capacity ratio, and overall reputation. We also factored in our own hands-on experience and editorial judgment to make well-rounded recommendations for the best pocket pistols on the market.
Let’s start with our number one choice: The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 2.0.
Top Pick: Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 2.0
Our number one pick for the best pocket carry pistol on the market is the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 2.0. This handgun has been a wild success since its release in 2024, particularly among those who pocket carry, and for good reason.
The Bodyguard 2.0 is the new and improved version of the iconic Bodyguard 380 (another fantastic choice, by the way), and offers several enhanced features for high-performance shooting, easy handling, and concealability. Chambered in .380 Auto, this model has a whopping 10- or 12-round magazine capacity while maintaining a slim, 0.88-inch width — quite impressive for a pistol of its size. The gun’s extended 12-round magazine also adds a bit of extra length to the grip, making it easier to maneuver with larger hands without adding too much height.
Speaking of size, this micro-compact handgun weighs only 9.8 ounces and measures 4 inches tall and 5.5 inches long, with a barrel length of 2.75 inches. This model is available with or without a manual thumb safety and has a reversible mag release, a crisp flat-faced trigger, aggressive slide serrations, an ergonomic grip texture, and a Tritium front sight for rapid target acquisition.
The Bodyguard 2.0’s enhanced features, impressive capacity, compact size, affordable price, and high praise in the gun community earned it a spot at the top of our list. This is the ultimate pocket carry pistol that strikes the balance of performance and concealability like no other.
Bodyguard 2.0 Specs:
Size: Micro-Compact
Caliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 10+1 or 12+1
Weight: 9.8 oz
Height: 4”
Width: 0.88”
Length: 5.5”
Barrel Length: 2.75”
MSRP: $449
You can buy a new or used S&W M&P Bodyguard 2.0 online or at your local gun store. Or, if you’re looking for a high-quality, custom-made holster, take a look at our selection of IWB, OWB, or pocket carry Bodyguard 2.0 holsters here.
Runner-Up: Ruger LCP Max
Coming in close second is the Ruger LCP Max. This pistol comes from a long line of successful pocket pistols, starting with the first generation Ruger LCP in 2008 and then the LCP 2 in 2016. When Ruger released the LCP Max in 2021 with a higher capacity, better ergonomics, and new dovetail sights, it was an instant hit.
This micro-compact pistol is chambered in .380 Auto and boasts a 10-round capacity in a 0.81-inch wide, 4.12-inch tall, and 5.17-inch long frame with a barrel length of 2.8 inches. An extended 12-round magazine is also available for this model if you want a little extra grip length or capacity. It weighs a mere 10.6 ounces and comes with a number of improved features, making it a top choice for pocket carry.
The LCP Max is designed with raised cocking ears and slide serrations for easy racking, and a textured grip frame for a secure purchase. It comes standard with a Tritium front sight and a U-notch rear sight with sight dovetails for adding aftermarket sights. An improved feed ramp, magazine feed lips, and extractor set the Max apart from its predecessors, and its patented barrel cam geometry significantly reduces felt recoil compared to other pistols in the .380 caliber.
A short, smooth pulling trigger, reversible mag release, and Ruger’s Secure Action fire-control system make this pistol all the more safe and maneuverable, helping to secure its place as number two on our list.
Ruger LCP Max Specs:
Size: Micro-Compact
Caliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 10+1
Weight: 10.6 oz
Height: 4.12”
Width: 0.81”
Length: 5.17”
Barrel Length: 2.8”
MSRP: $479
You can buy a new or used Ruger LCP Max online or at your local gun store. Or, if you’re looking for a high-quality, custom-made holster, take a look at our selection of IWB, OWB, or pocket carry LCP Max holsters here.
Best 9mm: Sig Sauer P938
If you prefer a 9mm for concealed carry, and who can blame you, the Sig Sauer P938 is the perfect choice for pocket carry. This handgun packs a 6- or 7-round capacity and the ballistic advantage of the 9mm into a micro-compact frame similar to that of Sig Sauer’s best-selling .380 P238.
While its all-metal frame makes it the heaviest on our list at 16 ounces, it’s comparable in size to the others, measuring 3.9 inches tall and 5.9 inches long with a barrel length of exactly 3 inches.
Because of its larger caliber, the P938 has a slightly wider 1.1-inch grip than many other small pocket pistols, making it more comfortable to handle. Its ambidextrous safety makes it easy to use for both right- and left-hand shooters, and its single-action trigger is designed for improved accuracy.
Despite its tiny size, the P938 is reminiscent of the 1911, with its thumb safety, mag release, and slide stop lever placed similarly. It features steel 3-dot contrast sights for superior visibility and quick target acquisition. Although the base model P938 Nitron has been discontinued by Sig Sauer, it’s still available on the used market, and other variations are still being manufactured. Any one of these variations is an excellent pocket pistol for those who want to carry a 9mm.
Sig Sauer P938 Specs:
Size: Micro-Compact
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1 or 7+1
Weight: 16 oz
Height: 3.9”
Width: 1.1”
Length: 5.9”
Barrel Length: 3”
MSRP: $833
You can buy a new or used Sig Sauer P938 online or at your local gun store. Or, if you’re looking for a high-quality, custom-made holster, take a look at our selection of IWB, OWB, or pocket carry Sig Sauer P938 holsters here.
Best for Glock Fans: Glock 42
Although the subcompact G42’s barrel is slightly longer than our 3-inch qualification for a pocket pistol at 3.25 inches, it’s the smallest pistol Glock has to offer, and is still close enough to qualify (at least in our minds) as pocket-sized. So, if you’re a die-hard Glock fan — and we know there are plenty of you out there — this is your best bet for pocket carry.
This subcompact .380 Auto has a magazine capacity of 6 and weighs a mere 13.76 ounces. It’s on the small side for a subcompact, measuring 4.13 inches tall, 0.83 inches wide, and 5.94 inches long.
As small as it is, the G42 comes with all the same features as its larger counterparts, built with Glock’s renowned Safe-Action trigger system, a black polymer frame, a Tenifer-coated ordinance-grade steel slide, and a built-in beaver tail design for a high and tight grip. It has Glock’s standard factory sights, with plenty of aftermarket upgrade options available. This pocket-sized Glock is perfect for easy, comfortable concealment without sacrificing functionality.
Glock 42 Specs:
Size: Subcompact
Caliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 6+1
Weight: 13.76 oz
Height: 4.13”
Width: 0.83”
Length: 5.94”
Barrel Length: 3.25”
MSRP: $469
You can buy a new or used Glock 42 online or at your local gun store. Or, if you’re looking for a high-quality, custom-made holster, take a look at our selection of IWB, OWB, or pocket carry Glock 42 holsters here.
Best Revolver: Smith & Wesson J-Frame Model 642
Say what you will about revolvers, but they are among the best options for pocket carry, and rightfully so. They are highly popular for this form of carry thanks to the option of a snub nose barrel, which is significantly shorter than that of even the smallest semi-automatic. If you’re looking for a revolver for pocket carry, the Smith & Wesson J-Frame series is worth a browse, and among our favorites is the J-Frame Model 642.
The 642 is a small-framed revolver with a short, 1.88-inch barrel. It’s chambered in 38 S&W Special and is rated for +P ammunition. It has a stainless steel barrel and 5-round cylinder that’s only 1.3 inches at its widest, making it just a hair thicker than the semi-autos on this list, but still highly concealable. It stands at 4.3 inches tall and 6.31 inches long overall and is built with a lightweight, 14.6-ounce alloy frame.
Most importantly, it’s designed with a snag-free enclosed hammer, which eliminates the issue that most revolvers have when it comes to concealed carry, making it a safer and smoother choice than those with an exposed hammer. If you’re looking for a revolver for pocket carry, the J-Frame Model 642 tops the list.
S&W J-Frame Model 642 Specs:
Size: Small
Caliber: 38 S&W Special
Capacity: 5
Weight: 14.6 oz
Height: 4.3”
Width: 1.3”
Length: 6.31”
Barrel Length: 1.88”
MSRP: $539
You can buy a new or used Smith & Wesson J-Frame Model 642 online or at your local gun store. Or, if you’re looking for a high-quality, custom-made holster, take a look at our selection of IWB, OWB, or pocket carry S&W J-Frame Model 642 here.
Top Pocket Pistols Comparison Chart
If you’re looking for a quick comparison of these different pocket pistols, here’s a quick breakdown of our list:
Summary
Choosing the right handgun when it comes to pocket carry makes all the difference. Because of their small size, knowing what to look for in a micro pistol ensures you’ll find a weapon that is both high performing and easily concealable.
We hope this list of our picks for the best pocket pistol options on the market helps you find the right fit for your needs. Let us know your thoughts on social media by following us @VedderHolsters.
Looking for a reliable, custom-fit holster? Visit our Holsters by Gun Model page to find Kydex holsters tailored to your firearm. Not sure which holster is right for you? Take a look at our interactive comparison tool to view holsters side-by-side and filter by feature. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system.
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