Pistol sizes are marketing words until you put the numbers side by side: a micro-compact is about an inch wide and six inches long, a full size is an inch and a third wide and eight inches long, and everything about how a gun conceals follows from those two numbers and the grip height. This chart lays out the common carry pistols by class with approximate dimensions, what each class is like to conceal, and the holster we make for each.
The classes
| Class | Typical length | Typical height | Typical width | Capacity (9mm) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-compact | 5.8 to 6.2 in | 4.1 to 4.5 in | 1.0 to 1.1 in | 10 to 13 | Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, S&W Shield Plus |
| Pocket .380 | 5.0 to 5.5 in | 3.7 to 4.0 in | 0.8 to 0.9 in | 6 to 12 (.380) | S&W Bodyguard 2.0, Ruger LCP Max |
| Subcompact | 6.3 to 6.5 in | 4.2 to 4.5 in | 1.0 to 1.3 in | 10 to 13 | Glock 26, Glock 43X |
| Compact | 7.0 to 7.4 in | 4.9 to 5.2 in | 1.2 to 1.3 in | 15 to 17 | Glock 19, Sig P320 Compact, Walther PDP Compact |
| Full size | 7.8 to 8.2 in | 5.4 to 5.6 in | 1.3 to 1.4 in | 17 to 21 | Glock 17, Sig P320 Full, Springfield Echelon |
| Small revolver | 6.3 to 6.6 in | 4.2 to 4.4 in | 1.3 in (cylinder) | 5 (.38) | S&W J-Frame 2 in, Ruger LCR |
Dimensions are approximate ranges for the class; check the manufacturer for a specific model.
What each number does to concealment
Length is what you feel when you sit; it is the muzzle end of the holster on your thigh at appendix. Height is the grip, and the grip is what prints; it is the number that matters most under a shirt. Width is comfort against the body and how much the holster adds. A micro-compact conceals because it is short in all three; a full size conceals because you put it at 4 o'clock with forward cant and a claw.
Holsters by class
Micro-compact: P365, Hellcat, Shield. Pocket .380: Bodyguard 2.0. Subcompact: Glock 26, Glock 43X. Compact: Glock 19. Full size: Glock 17. Revolver: J-Frame. Every one is molded to the model; a class is not a fit.
The rule of thumb
If you are choosing a carry gun by size: micro-compact for appendix and thin clothes, compact for the most gun you can hide at strong side, full size if you already have it and a belt. Buy the holster for the exact model, not the class.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between compact and subcompact?
A subcompact has a shorter slide and grip than a compact; a Glock 26 versus a Glock 19.
What is a micro-compact?
A double-stack pistol about an inch wide: P365, Hellcat, Shield Plus.
Which pistol size is easiest to conceal?
Micro-compact, for length and grip height.
Can a full-size pistol be concealed?
Yes, at 4 o'clock with forward cant and a claw, under an untucked shirt.
Do holsters fit by class?
No. Each holster is molded to one model.
The bottom line
Pick the class by how you carry, then buy the holster molded to the model. The chart tells you what to expect; the holster does the work.
Related reading
Best concealed carry holsters: every style
What does IWB mean?
Best handguns for women
