Concealed carrying is one of the most common reasons for handgun ownership today. And while you can theoretically use almost any handgun size, the larger the pistol, the harder it is to conceal it comfortably.
There are several factors that have an influence on your ability to conceal a pistol, with your choice of clothing, the type of belt you use, and your holster type each playing a significant role in determining how well you can do so.
Still, even if you have all the right gear, it won’t do you much good if you don’t have a pistol with the right proportions. If pistol ownership is new for you, they typically come in three general sizes: full-size, compact, and sub-compact. Of the three, sub-compacts have blown up in popularity, and for good reason too.
What Makes Sub-Compact 9mm Handguns a Good Choice?
Sub-compact handguns were specifically made to be more compact and easier to conceal, with them providing a solid blend of concealability and utility. Although popular, there isn’t a strict set of parameters for what makes a pistol a sub-compact one.
Generally, if it’s smaller than a compact size pistol, it’s a sub-compact. As such they usually have a barrel length that’s around or shorter than 3.75 inches, and they can also have a shorter frame height and a thinner width, though this isn’t true for all sub-compacts.
Benefits of Sub-Compact Pistols
The primary benefit sub-compact pistols offer is their size. Being smaller than other handguns, they’re easier to conceal compared to compact and full-size pistols, plus, they’re typically lighter too, making them less of a burden when carried for prolonged periods of time.
Modern sub-compact pistols can have greater magazine capacities as well. We’ll go more in-depth on some of the most popular sub-compact pistols below, but with recent advancements in firearm designs and technology, it’s more than possible to have a smaller pistol with a magazine capacity that rivals those of compact and even full-size pistols.
Sub-Compact 9mm Handguns
It’s easy to get lost in the sauce when shopping for a pistol simply from the sheer variety of options. Although daunting, with the right info, it’s easy to make an informed decision. Below is a list of some of the industry’s most popular options:
GLOCK
GLOCK is one of the most recognizable in the names firearms industry, with a lineup consisting of several high-quality pistol models. While their full-size and compact GLOCK 17 (G17) and GLOCK 19 (G19) pistols are often some of the first pistols that come to mind, there’s diverse assortment of sub-compact GLOCK 9mm pistols, designed specifically for concealed carry.
GLOCK 26
The GLOCK 26 (G26) is a sub-compact double-stack pistol with a 3.43-inch barrel, and a standard capacity of 10 rounds. Essentially, it’s a more compact version of the G19, sharing many of the same internal components, and the same magazine profile, albeit with shorter 10-round ones that don’t fit in the G19. With an overall length of 6.42 inches, a height of 4.17 inches, and a width of 1.3 inches, it’s a solid choice for concealed carry.
Currently, the G26 is offered in a Gen 3, Gen 4(Law Enforcement Only), and a Gen 5 configuration. Of the three, the Gen 5 is available with their MOS cut slide, allowing you to run an assortment of optics, so long as you have the adapter for it. And depending on the model you look at, the G26 can come with upgraded night sights or fiber optic iron sights.
GLOCK 43x and 48
Part of GLOCK’s Slimline series, the GLOCK 43x (G43x) and GLOCK 48 (G48) have quickly become some of the most popular concealed carry pistols offered by GLOCK. The G43x is an updated version of the G43—coming with a 3.41-inch barrel, it has an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 5.04 inches, and a width of only 1.1 inches. Meanwhile, the G48 is practically the same pistol, with just a longer 4.17-inch barrel giving it an overall length of 7.28 inches.
Regardless, both pistols use single stack magazines with a 10-round capacity. However, if you swap out the stock mag catch for a steel one by Shield Arms, you can use their S15 magazine. These magazines fit flush like an OEM magazine, but they have a 15-round capacity, and you can add extensions to bring them up to 20 rounds. Doing so on the G48 essentially turns it into a thinner G19. Both pistols are also available in an MOS configuration too, so you can easily run an optic and a weapon light with no issues.
SIG Sauer
Another top name in the industry, SIG Sauer, has been crafting top-tier rifles, handguns, and optics for decades. Despite being most well-known for their full-size pistols like the P320, P226, and P229 as well as their rifles like the MCX, they’ve been one of the industry’s leading producers of high-capacity sub-compact pistols.
P365 X-Macro
The P365 X-Macro is one of SIG’s most popular pistols in their lineup, boasting a large magazine capacity and compact size. Dimensionally, the X-Macro is quite like the G43x/48 mentioned earlier. It maintains the P365 XL’s 3.7-inch barrel and overall length of 6.6 inches, but its frame is slightly taller coming in at 5.2 inches tall. As such, it has a much greater standard capacity of 17 rounds.
The X-Macro is also available in several different configurations, the most notable of which is the P365 X-Macro COMP, which comes with a built-in compensator for recoil reduction. Additionally, you can also opt for the P365 AXG Legion, a premium variant of the X-Macro that comes with an upgraded aluminum alloy grip module with replaceable G10 grip panels.
P365 XL
The P365 XL is a larger version of the standard P365 that has a 4.8-inch-tall frame that’s compatible with flush-mount 12-round magazines, a longer 3.7-inch barrel, and a longer overall length of 6.6 inches. Despite being larger, it’s still compact enough for everyday carrying, and its higher capacity doesn’t hurt either.
Much like the standard P365 X-Macro, the P365 XL comes standard with an optic cut slide and night sights, and they also come standard with an upgraded X series trigger. Additionally, the P365 XL is available in a few different configurations, with select models coming with thumb safeties and even integrated compensators.
P365
The P365 is an ultra-concealable pistol with a high capacity comparable to its size. With a 3.1-inch barrel, it has an overall length of 5.8 inches and a 1-inch width, plus, it has an impressive standard capacity of 10 rounds with the option to run 12-round extended magazines too. Although it’s certainly smaller than most other handguns, the P365 isn’t truly considered a sub-compact. It’s designated as a micro-compact pistol, but it’s still a worthy inclusion simply for its size and capacity.
Depending on the model you look at, the P365 can come equipped with a thumb safety, but every model comes standard with night sights and an optic cut slide. Even further, newer P365 pistols are available in a P365X configuration, which comes with SIG’s X-series upgraded trigger.
Springfield Armory
Another leading producer of 9mm sub-compact handguns, Springfield Armory is well known for their vast lineup of unique rifles and pistols. Although they’re most well-known for their various lines of 1911-style pistols, they’ve also garnered quite a reputation for their polymer frame pistols, more specifically, the Hellcat.
Springfield Hellcat
The Springfield Hellcat is a lot like the SIG P365 in that it’s an ultra-compact micro 9mm pistol with a large magazine capacity. Similarly, the Hellcat is also technically considered a micro-compact, coming with an overall length of 6 inches, and a height of only 4 inches. It comes standard with a 3-inch barrel and can use either an 11-round flush fitting magazine or an extended 13-round one.
Depending on which Hellcat model you opt for, it can either have upper slide serrations for better grip when racking the slide, or it can come in an optic-ready configuration. Either way, each pistol comes with the same trigger package and sights, though you do have the choice of opting for one with or without a thumb safety. Furthermore, it’s available in several configurations too, with the Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP (Rapid Defense Package) coming upgraded with a threaded barrel, compensator, and a Shield SMSc mini-reflex sight.
Springfield Hellcat PRO
The Hellcat PRO is a bigger version of the Hellcat designed to maximize its magazine capacity. Although bigger, it’s still very compact, having an overall length of 6.6 inches, and a height of 4.8 inches. It still has a 1-inch width, but its taller height gives it a standard capacity of 15-rounds, though they also come with extended 17-round mags as well.
Just like the Standard Hellcat, the PRO comes from the factory in an OSP optic-ready configuration, and they can come with or without a thumb safety. Depending on the model you choose, they can also come with either a threaded barrel, or an integral compensator, similar to the P365 X-Macro COMP. Lastly, although the PRO isn’t available in an RDP configuration, select models can come equipped with a Viridian RFXII mini-reflex sight, as well as a Viridian CTL weapon light.
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch stands tall as one of the most recognizable firearm manufacturers in the industry. With over seven decades of experience under their belt, H&K has created a vast assortment of firearms over the years. Typically, for those familiar with the brand, firearms like the MR556, MP5, and their USP series pistols are often the first that come to mind, however, their VP9 series pistols have carved out a significant following, as has their new CC9.
H&K VP9SK
The VP9 is H&K’s current flagship pistol offering and there are multiple variants of it available, including a sub-compact version known as the VP9SK. The VP9SK comes equipped with a 3.4-inch barrel, giving it an overall length of 6.6 inches, and a height of 4.57 inches. Begin a smaller version of the VP9, it’s slightly wider than the other pistols mentioned thus far at 1.31 inches, but it’s still compact enough to carry with relative ease. Additionally, it has a standard capacity of 10 rounds when using their flush fitting magazines, though you can also use either a 12- or 15-round extended mag too.
VP9SK pistols are available in both a standard and optic-ready configuration, and outside of this, there isn’t much variation amongst the different models other than iron sight and mag-release options. One of the unique features of the VP9 is its ambidexterity. Each pistol is outfitted with an ambidextrous slide release, and instead of a button magazine release, they have a paddle-style release in the trigger guard that can be operated on either side (you can opt for a button release if you’d prefer).
H&K CC9
Introduced at the tail-end of 2024, the H&K CC9 is one of the first micro-compact 9mm pistols offered by the brand. Since its release, it’s been one their most notable firearms, boasting a large magazine capacity in a compact package. Even further, it’s been tested to NATO-spec standards, just like the H&K VP9.
The CC9 has an overall length of 6.03 inches, a 3.32-inch barrel, and an overall height of 4.92 inches (4.5 inches without the magazine). It’s impressively thin at only .99 inches wide, and despite its compact size, it comes standard with a 12-round capacity. Additionally, each CC9 pistol comes with an optic-cut slide milled for optics with a Shield RMSc footprint, interchangeable backstraps, and a dedicated picatinny rail for mounting weapon lights and other accessories.
Kimber
Kimber has been a notable firearm manufacturer for nearly 50 years, specializing in developing semi-auto handguns, revolvers, and rifles. Relatively recently though, they’ve begun developing polymer frame pistols, including some solid sub-compact options.
Kimber R7 Mako
The Kimber R7 Mako CFC 9mm pistol is one of the most popular models in the R7 Mako lineup. The R7 Mako CFC is a smaller pistol that’s similar in size to the G48 and P365 X-Macro—equipped with a 3.9-inch barrel, it has an overall length of 6.8 inches, a height of 5.2 inches, and a width of only 1.1 inch. Despite its thinner profile, it’s a double stack pistol that comes standard with 15-round flush fitting magazines.
Part of what makes this pistol so unique is its construction. The frame is constructed from a specialized carbon fiber-infused polymer that’s exceptionally durable and lightweight. It’s capable of withstanding up to 60,000 PSI of pressure, and the pistol only weighs 25.8 ounces without a magazine. Additionally, it comes with an optic-ready slide that accepts optics with a Shield RMSc footprint.
Canik
For those in search of a brand that delivers high-quality pistols at affordable prices, Canik is a solid option to consider. They offer a myriad of pistol models, large and small, with their TP9 series being one of their most popular.
TP9 Elite SC
The Canik TP9 Elite SC is a budget-friendly sub-compact pistol, comparable in size to the G26 and VP9SK. These pistols are equipped with a 3.6-inch barrel, it has an overall length of 6.7 inches, a height of 4.6 inches (when using 12-round flush fitting magazines). It is a fair bit wider than the other pistols mentioned thus far, coming in at 1.45 inches wide, but with the right holster, belt, and clothes, it’s still plenty concealable.
Despite being a relatively inexpensive firearm, it’s still packed with features that make it a solid contender for EDC applications. For starters, they come from the factory with upgraded fiber optic iron sights and an optic-ready slide, plus, like the VP9SK, it’s equipped with an ambidextrous slide release. Even further, if you’re new to using pistols for concealed carry, Canik has you covered, as the TP9 Elite SC comes standard with a reversible holster for both OWB and IWB use—we cover more of their pistol’s features in our Canik Firearms review.
Conclusion
At their core, sub-compact pistols offer a solid blend of performance and concealability. As everyday carry becomes increasingly common amongst enthusiasts, so too does the need for concealable pistols.
Although it’s not always easy to find the right pistol when you’re starting out, the list above provides a solid launching point to help you get started in your search, with each of the pistols mentioned above being an excellent choice to consider.
Still, it’s important to note that there are a lot of pistols out there, so we highly recommend taking time to research what all is available before making any final decisions. In the same vein, we recommend checking out our guide, “Single-Stack vs. Double-Stack 9mm Handguns” if you want to broaden your search to see more of what’s available.
