Size. It matters. In all kinds of areas. For example, the bigger the NFL lineman, the more formidable that he is likely to be in the game. Or the taller the player, the bigger the advantage that can give him while playing in the NBA.
On the other end of the spectrum, the smaller the pest, the more likely that they can sneak into tiny cracks between your walls and into your house. Or the smaller the kid, the more likely that he’ll escape from that baby gate into your kitchen to eat the cake that your wife worked so hard on to make from scratch for four hours as a special present for your birthday (I’m not bitter about that one, no…).
So, size matters (and we’re not talking about the way that some of you immediately thought of when you read that headline).
Since this is a gun site, though, we’re going to focus on the size of certain guns. And, yes, size is a big deal if you’re trying to carry concealed without printing. But, if you’re looking for practical, you’re not looking at guns that can be called novelty guns with only single shot (maybe two) that you would carry only in the most unlikely of situations. No, you want firearms that have practical use but are small and have the best possibility of never being discovered (unless you have to pull it out to defend yourself).
With that in mind, B. Gil Horman has some suggestions for small guns that have practical value. Horman writes that these guns (along with two novelty pistols that we won’t mention here) are the “smallest handguns that you can own.” The non-novelty guns that Horman mentions are the following:
- Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O.
- Diamondback DB9
- Ruger LCP Max
- KelTec P32
- Ruger LCP II
- North American Arms Mini Short
So, we have 9mm, .380, and .22 options, most being semi-automatic with one revolver in this list, too. And you certainly recognize most of those brand names.
And all pretty small.
So, should you get a small pistol off of this list for your personal collection? Obviously, that’s up to you. If you’re considering getting into carrying concealed or already carry but want something even smaller, the six guns on this list may be worth your consideration as you make that decision.