Best 9mm Pocket Pistols

Spring has sprung in the southern portion of the US. I put my winter jackets away a few weeks ago, and to be honest, it may be a long while before I get to wear them again. My days of carrying large-frame pistols under a heavy coat may be in the rearview mirror for the moment, but when one door closes, sometimes another one opens.

With the start of spring and the eventual coming of summer, I get to wear cargo shorts again. Cargo shorts have wide and deep pockets that lend themselves well to pocket carry. Cargo shorts break up the pattern of a pistol in a pocket, and the geometry of the pocket and opening allow for a quick draw from a pocket.

To some, the cargo shorts are nothing but a piece of clothing, maybe even an out-of-style piece of clothing. To me, it opens up an opportunity to carry my favorite 9mm micro compact while hitting the 7th round at the Chinese buffet. Carrying appendix is great until you have a huge meal and some cold steel poking you in the gut.

Most people lean towards a .380 ACP for a pocket pistol, but with the right clothes, there are a lot of 9mm pistols that can be realistically carried in a pocket. Let’s look at my picks for some of the best 9mm pocket pistols on the market.

Best 9mm Pocket Pistol: Sig Sauer P365

• Capacity: 10rds
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 17.8oz
• Size: 5.8”Length x 1” Width x 4.3” Height
• Pros: The Sig Sauer P365 is highly modular, reliable, handles well, and has great capacity. Going from a 10-round small and pocketable frame to a 12-round or even 17-round frame can be done in under two minutes. There are endless grip modules, barrels, and slide options on the market, and optics-ready models are available.
• Cons: The fire control unit rests inside a swappable grip frame module. Trigger upgrades can be limited, and the slide-to-frame fit can feel a bit looser than a pistol with an FCU embedded in the pistol grip. I haven’t found this to affect accuracy or reliability, though. It’s just a nitpick.
• Why I chose it for this slot: The P365 was the first handgun in the micro compact 9mm space. It paved the way for future handgun designs. It lets the research and development offices at the largest firearm manufacturers know that we want a 9mm handgun that can hold more than 10 rounds in a super compact package. I bought one a few weeks after they were originally released in 2018, and have had no issues with it.

Runner Up 9mm Pocket Pistol: Springfield Armory Hellcat

• Capacity: 11rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 18.3oz 
• Size: 6” Length x 1” Width x 4” Height
• Pros: The Hellcat holds 11 rounds, whereas other models may only hold 10 rounds in their flush-fit magazine. The OSP model is optics-ready. Magazines are less expensive than Sig’s.
• Cons: The pistol’s frame is non-interchangeable or swappable. Unfortunately, you’re not able to upsize or downsize the pistol. That being said, Springfield does offer extended magazines that allow for a full firing grip on the pistol.
• Why I chose it for this slot: The P365 and Hellcat are kind of like Ford and Chevy. People will tend to like one over the other for brand preference.

Best Budget 9mm Pocket Pistol: Taurus GX4 TORO

• Capacity: 11rds
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 18.7 oz
• Size: 6.05” Length w/ large backstrap x 1.08” Width x 4.40” Height
• Pros: The MSRP of the firearm is very approachable to most people. The gun comes optic-ready.
• Cons: The takedown process is not as easy as other firearms.
• Why I chose it for this slot: The GX4 continually comes in at a great price point. The slide is optics-ready as well, so if you choose to carry it a different way in the future, you’ll be able to mount a red dot. The people I’ve spoken with who own a Taurus and carry it usually have great things to say about them.

Runner Up Budget 9mm Pocket Pistol: Ruger Max 9

• Capacity: 10rds
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 18.4 oz
• Size: 6” Length x 0.95” Width x 4.52” Height
• Pros: The firearm has a good MSRP.
• Cons: The fit and finish may not be as good as others. Firearm disassembly is more complicated. The pistol may feel a little bit looser in the hand.
• Why I chose it for this slot: TFBTV made a very compelling comparison video, and Hop made some pretty good points.

Other great options

Handguns are similar to cargo shorts in that no one size of cargo shorts fits everyone. Everyone has different-sized hands and different styles. If everyone had the same taste in pistols, there’d only be one on the market. Let’s take a look at a few other pistols that might not be the number one spot on my list, but might be on yours.

Heckler & Koch CC9

• Capacity: 10
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 19.7oz 
• Size: 6.03” Length x 0.99” Width x 4.6” Height 
• Pros: HK is known for over-engineering their firearms. They truly make a high-quality product, and the CC9 should be no exception.
• Cons: The firearm is newer to the market than most other firearms on this list. HK put it through an extensive testing and development phase, which I believe took years. That being said, there’s a small chance it could have teething issues. I don’t believe it will, because it’s HK, but there’s always a chance. Also, the firearm may not look as aesthetically pleasing as some hoped.
• In a nutshell: The CC9 looks like it will be a great new design. The early adopters of these pistols have touted them for their flat shooting characteristics and great ergonomics. The pistol looks a little bit different from what we all thought it would look like, but it’s growing on me. It’s still a true HK design, and it looks like it’s going to hold up to the HK name.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus

• Capacity: 10rds
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 17.9 oz 
• Size: 6.1” Length x 1.1” Width x 4.6” Height
• Pros: It has a great reputation. Most people like the way it carries and shoots.
• Cons: It may be a little bit larger than some of the other firearms on the list. Some may not like the ergonomics as much as other pistols. I don’t think the Shield Plus has many cons. It’s a pretty squared away pistol.
• In a nutshell: The Shield Plus has been around for a while now and has a great reputation. It is a touch bigger than the P365 or Hellcat, but users with larger hands report that the added trigger reach is greatly appreciated.

Ruger EC9s

• Capacity: 7rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 17.2oz 
• Size: 6” Length x 0.9” Width x 4.5” Height
• Pros: Good MSRP
• Cons: Fixed sights. Single-stack design limits capacity.
• In a nutshell: The EC9s may be the most affordable firearm on the list. It is a single-stack design, so the capacity is a little bit more limited. The sights are also milled into the slide and are not interchangeable. It is a well-designed, small, and inexpensive little 9mm that won’t leave your pockets empty.

Kimber Micro 9

• Capacity: 7rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 15.6oz 
• Size: 6.1” Length x 1.08” Width x 4.07” Height 
• Pros: Single-action trigger. There’s an option for wood grip panels. There are a lot of different variants, and some look pretty good.
• Cons: The micro 1911 platform may need a touch more attention and maintenance than a striker-fired pistol. There’s no way to mount a red dot. The pistol only holds 7 rounds.
• In a nutshell: If you’re a Kimber fan or a big 1911 fan, the other options on this list probably won’t speak to you. If you like your carry guns to have a hammer and metal frame, Kimber has a ton of models for you to check out. Most of them are overlooked, but deserve more attention. The Micro 9 Liberty, as shown in the photo, has an MSRP similar to some of the other polymer pistols on the list on today’s date, but Kimber does make some great-looking, more-expensive guns as well.

Sig Sauer P938

• Capacity: 7rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 16oz 
• Size: 5.9” Length x 1.1” Width x 3.9” Height
• Pros: Great single-action trigger. Classic styling. Multiple variants provide great color options.
• Cons: The micro 1911 platform may require more maintenance than a striker-fired modern polymer pistol. There’s no way to mount a red dot. The pistol only holds 7 rounds.
• In a nutshell: As with the Kimber Micro 9, the P938 is a gorgeous pistol that might be overlooked for 9mm pocket carry. The firearm may require a little bit more maintenance than your generic striker-fired pistol, but what you receive in return is a pistol with a little bit more soul. The gun also only holds 7 rounds, plus one in the chamber. With that being said, I’d rather take 8 rounds of 9mm in a firearm with a single-action trigger than 5 rounds of 38 special in a revolver with a double-action trigger any day of the week, as long as it runs good.

 Glock 43

• Capacity: 6rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 17.99 oz 
• Size: 6.06” Length x 1.06” Width x 4.25” Height
• Pros: The 43 exhibits the famous Glock reliability.
• Cons: The pistol has a 6+1 round capacity.
• In a nutshell: The 43 is a good option if you want to pocket carry a 9mm Glock handgun. In the years before the micro-compact boom, people were basically begging Glock to introduce a small single-stack 9mm. The Glock 43 was introduced in 2015 with a 6-round capacity, and the P365 was introduced three years later in 2018 with a 10-round capacity in a similarly sized package. Shield Arms makes 9-round magazines, and I’ve heard enough good things about Shield Arms to test them out. There is also a 43X version touting a 10-round factory capacity, however, the X model has a 5-inch height, which may be just a tad bit too big for some to pocket carry. The original 43 should work great for pocket carry, though.

Smith & Wesson CSX (E-Series)

• Capacity: 12 rds 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 19.7 oz 
• Size: 6.1” Length x 1.12” Width x 4.6” Height 
• Pros: A modular grip adapter allows you to extend the firearm's grip or keep it set up as a super compact package. Single-action trigger with a straight pull. Optics ready. Great capacity, and the ability to size-up the firearm to carry 15 or 17 round magazines as well.
• Cons: It is the largest firearm on this list. It’s not much bigger, but it is bigger in every dimension.
• In a nutshell: Building on their CSX line, the E-series introduces an optics-ready slide, improved trigger, and a modular grip adapter. In my opinion, this is one of the more exciting firearms on this list. You get the benefit of a good carrying capacity, great modularity, a sweet trigger, and the option to add an optic. Carry it in your pocket with a 12-round mag on Tuesday, and in the waistband with a 15-round mag on Wednesday. I think the firearm looks great as well. The pistol is new to the market, so we’ll see how it fares in the long run, but so far, it looks promising, and I’d try one out. Note, at the time of this article, there are online listings showing models with (3) 10-round mags, and listings with (1) 17-round, (1) 15-round, and (1) 12-round mags. Buy accordingly.

Ruger LCRx 9mm

• Capacity: 5rds (moon clips) 
• Weight w/ Empty Mag: 17.4oz 
• Size: 6.5” Length x 1.28” Width x 4.5” Height 
• Pros: The classic feel and ergonomics of a revolver, chambered in a 9mm.
• Cons: The classic feel and ergonomics of a revolver.
• In a nutshell: We can’t talk about pocket carry without including a revolver. Revolvers have been carried in pockets since the days of the cowboy. The LCRx is chambered in 9mm and uses “moon clips” to hold the rimless 9mm cartridge in the cylinder. There’s no denying that revolvers are usually very reliable. I’ve also found that revolvers are very comfortable to carry. I prefer shooting semi-autos, though. The action of a slide cycling tames recoil, so recoil can be stouter in a revolver. The long double-action trigger pull can also be harder to master, especially on a small-framed handgun. Still, some may gravitate towards revolvers for simplicity and the ability to load them and make ready with one hand.

FAQ

We talked about the 9mm pistols you might consider for pocket carry, but let’s look at some frequently asked questions.

What is the best 9mm pocket gun?

The one that you will realistically carry in your pocket, that you can shoot well, and are comfortable with.

Can you conceal a pistol in your pocket?

You can carry a pistol in your pocket with the right attire. I’ve found that denim blue jeans don’t work as well for pocket carry. Slacks, chinos, and most shorts work great, though. Coat pockets also work well. Just make sure you use a holster so the gun doesn’t flip in your pocket and point at your face.

Is pocket carry a good carry method?

Generally speaking, pockets sit lower on your person than your belt line. Most of the time, your pockets are also non-secured flaps in your pants. The lower you are from the centerline of your body, the more your body tends to swing things. You might find that the pistol that was light on your waist now feels heavy in your pocket. It might want to swing back and forth when you walk. Drawing the gun can also be a bit trickier. The holster might tend to want to come out of your pocket on the draw. There are some benefits, though. With the right gun, holster, and attire, it works great for deep concealment. You also have the benefit of being able to bend down, or reach up high without flashing the butt of your gun. It also looks pretty unasuming to put your hands in your pocket.

What is the easiest gun for a woman to carry?

A woman can carry any firearm that a man can. There are pretty obvious differences in the usual clothes that each gender wears, though. I think most women would agree that they’re shorted in the pocket department, but they do have many opportunities for carry that men's attire doesn’t allow for. I’d personally recommend the Rose variant of the P365. I would not recommend any flavor of revolver with a pink or robin's egg blue handle. Most women won’t be able to pocket carry a 9mm in form-fitting jeans, but there is a wide variety of concealed carry-oriented purses and jackets. I’ve also heard great things about the Phlster Enigma, which wouldn’t allow for pocket carry, but would let you carry in sweats or yoga pants.

What is the best caliber for pocket carry?

I think it’s hard to beat 9mm in current times. The ammo is affordable enough to train with. The firearms are beginning to be pretty manageable in shooting and recoil. The terminal ballistics are good enough.

Is a 380 or a 9mm better for pocket carry?

A 9mm has better terminal ballistics, is cheaper to feed, and the ones on this list are easier and nicer to shoot than a pocket-oriented 380. The 380 will usually be in a lighter and smaller package than a 9mm. The pressure of the 380 cartridge is lower, so they can use thinner slides and barrels than 9mm. A 380 is usually easier to carry, but sucks to shoot, while a 9mm is a little bit harder to carry, but is more effective for self defense, and you can stand to shoot more than 50 rounds through it at the range at a time.

As a last note, always, always use a good holster that covers the trigger when carrying a firearm in your pocket. The holster not only keeps something from accidentally pulling the trigger, but it also keeps the firearm in the correct orientation. Without a holster, the pistol can flip in your pocket and point at something you don't want it to point towards. The trigger can also change locations. You don't want to draw your pistol and have your thumb go in the trigger guard. It’s tempting to try to carry a naked pistol in your pocket so you don’t have to buy a holster, but a holster is still necessary.

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