{"id":5445,"date":"2023-08-25T22:04:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T22:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/?p=5445"},"modified":"2023-08-27T22:24:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T22:24:35","slug":"handgun-sizes-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Handgun Sizes Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When choosing a gun for concealed carry, you&#8217;ll want to consider the different handgun sizes available. Pistols come in several different frame sizes and barrel lengths, and they&#8217;re not all easy to conceal or shoot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today we\u2019ll explain the different handgun sizes to help you in your gun shopping journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the Different Handgun Sizes?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5454 size-full\" title=\"handgun sizes\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes.jpg\" alt=\"showing subcompact, compact, and full handgun sizes\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-1536x943.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-200x123.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-750x461.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/handgunsizes-1140x700.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, pistols are classified in four different categories based on size:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard (Full-size)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compact<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subcompact<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micro<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These four size categories are broad, and there are no hard rules as to which categories pistols fall in. Some guns may even fit into multiple categories. We\u2019ve previously covered the different <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/1911-sizes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1911 sizes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which have a naming convention all their own.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some companies may also have their own naming convention for their guns. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smith-wesson.com\/\">Smith &amp; Wesson\u2019s<\/a> sizes include Full, Compact, Subcompact, Microcompact, and Micro.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no strict rules about these four different handgun sizes, but there are some features we can look at to broadly classify them. These features include barrel length, overall height, and capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, let\u2019s take a closer look at these different handgun sizes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard or Full-Size Handguns<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5450\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5450\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5450 size-full\" title=\"full size glock 20\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock.jpg\" alt=\"a glock 20 full size handgun in 10mm\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-768x429.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-1536x859.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-750x419.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/fullsizeglock-1140x637.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A full size Glock 20 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/10mm-ammo.php\">10mm<\/a> pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first and largest of the handgun sizes is that standard or full-size. These pistols typically have a barrel size of 4.5-inches and longer. They are usually at least 5-inches tall, with a grip that fully fits the hand without a magazine inserted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are most often in larger calibers like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/9mm-ammo.php\">9mm<\/a>, .40 S&amp;W, .45 ACP, and 10mm. Magazine capacities of full-size handguns can be upwards of 20-rounds, and they are usually <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/single-vs-double-stack\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">double stack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standard handguns are typically used for duty, competition, or by shooters who don\u2019t need to conceal carry. Because they have longer barrels and weigh more than their smaller counterparts, they are often easier and more enjoyable to shoot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some examples of full-size pistols:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glock 17<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sig P320<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P9 M2.0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compact Handguns<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5448\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5448\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5448 size-full\" title=\"compact pistol\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92.jpg\" alt=\"a beretta 92 compact pistol\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-1024x613.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-768x460.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-1536x919.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-200x120.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-750x449.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactberetta92-1140x682.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5448\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Beretta 92G Compact pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A step down from full-size handguns are compact handguns. Compact pistols generally have barrel lengths between 3.5- to 4.5-inches, and are not usually as tall as standard size pistols. They are simply a slightly smaller version of standard size pistols. For example, the pistol shown above, the Beretta 92G Compact is just a slightly smaller version of the full size Beretta 92.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The grip of compact pistols usually fit comfortably in the hand with or without a magazine, though those with large hands might find them a bit too small. Their magazine capacities can be similar to that of full-size pistols, but can also be found in 10-15-round capacities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compact handguns are easier to conceal than full-sized handguns, while still being easy to shoot and with larger capacities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular examples of compact pistols:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glock 19<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glock 48<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P9 M2.0 Compact<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sig P365 X Macro<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subcompact Handguns<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5451\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5451\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5451 size-full\" title=\"sig 365xl subcompact\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365.jpg\" alt=\"a man shooting a sig p365 xl subcompact pistol\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-1536x809.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-750x395.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/subcompact365-1140x601.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5451\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Sig P365 XL subcompact pistol can be hard for shooters with big hands to grip.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A step-down in size from compact handguns are subcompact handguns. Their barrel lengths are usually around 3- to 3.5-inches. Subcompact pistols have shorter grips than compact or full-size handguns and are shorter in height. Often the grip will feel a little small in the shooter\u2019s hand, but this can usually be fixed with a magazine that has a pinky extension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of their smaller size, subcompact handguns are much easier to conceal. This, however, can come with the downsides of a less shootable gun. These lightweight, short-barreled pistols can often be snappy and uncomfortable to shoot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subcompact pistols:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glock 26<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sig P365 XL<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P9 Shield<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micro Handguns<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_5449\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5449\" style=\"width: 1990px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5449 size-full\" title=\"kimber micro\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro.jpg\" alt=\"the kimber micro 9 micro pistol\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-1024x581.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-1536x872.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-200x114.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-750x426.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/media\/compactkimbermicro-1140x647.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5449\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Kimber Micro 9 is at the larger end of micro pistols.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smallest of the handgun sizes are micro handguns. Some micro pistols are so small they can fit into your pocket, which is why they get the nickname &#8220;pocket pistols&#8221;.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micro handguns are slim, short, and have barrels typically under 3-inches in length. Tiny one-shot and two-shot derringers also fit into this group. Of all the handgun sizes, micro pistols are the hardest to shoot. Their grips are so small that it can be difficult to get a full firing grip. They are also snappy to shoot because they are so small and light.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Micro handguns typically come in smaller calibers like .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/380-ammo.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.380 ACP<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Their magazine capacities are usually pretty small, typically under 6-rounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of their smaller size, micro pistols are popular as backup guns, typically concealed in an ankle holster or in a pocket holster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some micro handguns include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith &amp; Wesson Bodyguard<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sig P238<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Derringers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handgun Sizes &#8211; Which Is Right For You?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s hard to know which handgun size will work best for you until you get on the range to handle and shoot them. Ideally, you want to carry the largest gun you can that is still concealable for your body type and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/ways-to-conceal-carry\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">concealment method<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whichever pistol you choose, you&#8217;ll want to be sure you practice with it and load it with reliable self-defense ammo.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction--text b-share-calltoaction-text\">\n<div class=\"b-share-calltoaction-text__header\">\n<h2>Share this article with your friends!<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<ul class=\"b-social-icons clearfix\">\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon facebook\">&nbsp;Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/home?status=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon twitter\">&nbsp;Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon linkedin\">&nbsp;LinkedIn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\"\n               href=\"https:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/\"\n               class=\"social_icon pinterest\">&nbsp;Pinterest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When choosing a gun for concealed carry, you&#8217;ll want to consider the different handgun sizes available. Pistols come in several&hellip;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-item-meta\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/clock.svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" alt=\"\"><time class=\"published\" datetime=\"2023-08-25T22:04:04+00:00\">Aug. 25, 2023<\/time><\/span><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/comment.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\">No comments<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/handgun-sizes-explained\/\"><span>Read more <\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-content\/themes\/generatepress_child\/svg\/chevron-right.svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-range-training","category-self-defense"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5445"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5461,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5445\/revisions\/5461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.targetbarn.com\/broad-side\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}