Best Concealed Carry Guns for Small Hands in 2024

Holding a gun in your hands, whether they are big or small, can flood your emotions with reverence for the power the metal object contains. It is no surprise then that two-thirds of Americans cite protection as the primary reason for owning a gun. Protecting yourself and those you care for is likely a huge priority for you, and having a properly fitted concealed carry gun is a surefire way of doing so.

However, no matter how powerful a gun feels in your hands, it is only as useful as the hands that wield it. To that end, it is important to find a concealed carry gun that you can comfortably and naturally grip, especially if you have smaller hands. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best concealed carry guns for small hands, as well as some important considerations for finding the best gun for small hands, so you can protect yourself well.

Concealed Carry Guns Should Fit

Subtlety is the point with concealed carry, and the best way to achieve maximum subtlety is to purchase the smallest gun you can find. However, there is more to consider when purchasing a firearm to fit small hands, including comfort, recoil and proper wielding technique. Do you want to prioritize subtlety over accuracy? Or, do you want a handgun that is just compact enough without undermining its power and accuracy?

Handguns come in four sizes measured by barrel length: full-size, compact, sub-compact and micro-compact, which are sometimes called pocket pistols. The size that works best for you depends on a few factors, including your purposes for the gun, hand size and familiarity with handguns of various sizes.

Since they are lighter, smaller guns tend to have more recoil. The more recoil a gun has, the harder it is to shoot accurately. Moreover, since sub-compact guns are typically manufactured with a shorter barrel, they also have a shorter sight radius, further impacting accuracy. Test several smaller guns before deciding on the one you feel most comfortable with, then practice until you have full command of your handgun.

Sig Sauer P320 XCompact

The Sig Sauer P320 XCompact handgun is ideal if you want your concealed carry handgun to toe the line between full-size and compact. Weighing in at approximately 25 ounces unloaded with a 3.6-inch-barrel length, it has several features that uniquely accommodate smaller hand sizes. Some of these features include the following:

• A modular design that allows you to switch out the grips so you can handle the gun with strength and comfort.
• A short trigger reach accommodates smaller hand sizes without compromising weight or sight range more than necessary.
• The 9mm barrel gives the P320 minimal recoil for a gun of its size. The barrel can also be switched out for a .45 ACP, .40 S&W or .357 SIG.
• The X-Ray3 tritium three-dot night sight system improves the sighted accuracy.

It is striker-fired instead of hammer-fired, which means pulling the trigger will feel as smooth as silk. Striker-fired handguns also have more efficient trigger resets. So if you are ever in a situation where you need to fire multiple shots quickly, a striker-fired firearm like this Sig pistol can work well.

Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry

The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Carry is a semi-automatic sidearm with a shorter barrel length than the Sig Sauer at 3.2 inches, giving it a more compact design for easier concealment and handling. Beretta adapted the PX4 Storm Compact Carry from the PX4 Compact model to make it more lightweight and suited to concealed carry. It has a combined double-action/single-action (DA/SA) hammer firing system with a 9mm caliber gauge and weighs approximately 27 ounces unloaded.

One unique feature of Beretta’s PX4 Storm series handguns is their rotating barrel system, or rotary action, which refers to the locking mechanism within the barrel once the weapon is fired. The main benefit of a rotary action pistol is felt recoil and muzzle rise reduction. With the PX4 Storm, the rotary action helps offset added recoil from the lighter weight of the gun.

The locking mechanism with most pistols works with the barrel and slide moving backward and tilting upward to extract a case and load a new cartridge, causing recoil and muzzle rise. During the tilted backward movement, the barrel and slide lock together for a fraction of a second to seal the chamber until it depressurizes before loading the next cartridge. With a rotating barrel system, the barrel rotates instead of tilts as the chamber depressurizes, reducing the recoil and muzzle rise movement.

Glock G43X

Glocks are the epitome of reliability, like the Lexus of handguns, and the Glock G43X pistol will provide that silent protection you seek in virtually any weather condition. Unloaded, the G43X weighs 16.4 ounces and has a slightly longer barrel than the Beretta PX4 Compact Carry at 3.39 inches. Its slimline frame, compact-sized grip and short trigger reach make it a great gun for small hands — easy to conceal and operate. The slightly longer frame increases its accuracy, while its lightweight design makes it ideal for concealed carry and one of the best pistols for small hands.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0

Smith & Wesson’s line of Military and Police (M&P) Shield semi-automatic pistols are some of the most popular concealed carry handguns since the 2.0 version was released in 2017. The compact and subcompact models in this product line are robust and accurate, making them among the best pistols for small hands.

The compact pistol has a 4-inch barrel length with 15 rounds of capacity. In contrast, the subcompact option has a 3.6-inch barrel length that can carry 12 rounds plus one. Thus, the subcompact option conceals more easily and could be optimal for smaller hands than the compact option, but the compact pistol has superior accuracy and capacity. If your search for the best concealed carry gun for small hands comes down to these two options, you’ll have to determine which benefits you value more.

Both pistols weigh approximately 24 ounces unloaded and come with four interchangeable palm swell grip sizes so you can find the most comfortable fit for your hands. Their lower barrel bore axis through the center of the gun directs most of the recoil into the palm of your hand, which reduces the recoil and muzzle rise.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus

If you prefer to go smaller still with a pocket pistol, Smith & Wesson also has a micro-compact option in the same product line. Their M&P Shield Plus micro-compact pistol has a 3.1-inch barrel with a round capacity of 10 plus one and a 9mm gauge barrel. As a pocket pistol, its accuracy is not quite at the level of the compact and subcompact models. Still, it has unique features that offset that drop to an extent, such as the flat-face trigger that fosters convenient trigger finger placement. When it’s tucked away, you’ll hardly notice it, as it only weighs approximately 20.2 ounces when empty.

FN 509 Compact Tactical

Like the Sig Sauer, the FN 509 Compact Tactical handgun strikes a handsome balance between full-size power and compact versatility. This pistol is also optimized for both small and ambidextrous hands with slide stop levers and magazine release on either side. Its barrel length is 4.32 inches, and it weighs around 26.2 ounces unloaded, so you may prefer a smaller option if you prioritize subtlety in your concealed carry gun.

However, its accuracy and power are surprising for a gun of its size, especially with FN’s patented Optics Mounting system installed. Its increased weight and longer barrel mean the FN 509 Compact Tactical handgun packs a powerfully accurate punch.

Test Out Our Concealed Carry Guns for Small Hands at Keystone Shooting Center

Keystone Shooting Center is a premier, veteran-owned and -operated shooting range outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you have smaller hands and are looking for a gun that fits just right, test out our selection of smaller concealed carry handguns until you find your match. With nearly 100 different rentals and over 500 different new firearms to choose from, we are confident you’ll find what you’re looking for and have an unforgettable experience! Call us at 412-357-8000 for an appointment or contact us today.