Pocket Handgun Comparison

DC Reed/Director

I get a lot of questions during training about what is the best compact handgun for CCW. The truth is there are a lot of quality fire arms in this category now, but what is best depends on, well, you. That’s not a dodge; it’s an inconvenient fact. Sure as I say Brand X in a certain caliber or millimeter is best someone will try it and find it lacking in some regard based on their hand size, their concealment method, or ability to shoot well.

I’ve compiled some basic measurements on a sampling of popular models, not necessarily recommending any of them but to help compare apples to apples and so on.

I also did the math for you using the Reed Ergo-Power Ratio tool figuring the Section A and B for each of them. Don’t know what that means? Hey, go read the article on this site called Reed Ergo-Power Ratio Tool. Okay, for now I’ll bail you out a little. Section A is Caliber, scoring your handgun 1-5 favoring major calibers. A 45 is ‘5’ points, a 40 is ‘4’, etc. Section B is Capacity favoring higher capacity and thus balancing A out by favoring smaller bores. C and D are shooting sections to assess your Recoil Management and Practical Accuracy. Score your weapon in these four sections for up to 20 points.

Here are some compact handgun stats including the REPR tool A and B scores.

Here are 9/40 Subcompact Autos

Make Model	Barrel Length (Inch)	Calibermm	Mag Capacity	Width Height Length	Empty Weight (oz)	REPR A/B
M&P Shield	3.1	9/40	8/7	0.95x 4.6x 6.1	19.0	3/4(9) & 4/3(40)
Glock G26/27	3.46	9/40	10/9	1.18x 4.17x 6.29	21.7	3/4(9) & 4/3 (40)
Beretta Nano	3.07	9	6	0.90x 4.17x 5.63	17.7	3/3
Kahr PM 9/40	3.1	9/40	7/6	0.94x 4.0x 5.47	14/15.8	3/3(9) & 4/3(40)
Ruger LC9	3.12	9	7	0.90x 4.5x 6.0	17.1	3/3
Keltec PF9	3.1	9	7	0.88x 4.3x 5.85	12.7	3/3
Springf XDS	3.3	9/45	7/5	1.0x 4.4x 6.3	23/21	3/3(9) & 5/2(45)

 

Now, before anyone sounds off that a Ketec scores the same as a Nano, remember this is just half the formula and actually shooting the gun and ammo to be used comes next.
(FYI: For more handgun charts, see our article on www.ccwguardian.com )

In Section C you measure Recoil Management by firing a quick pair into a 3×5″ index card at 7yards. Not so simple with a micro, bump-sighted, no handled, feather weight, wallet gun, eh? Fired in two seconds or less from the ready with good solid hits grants you a ‘5’ in this section, within 3 seconds a ‘4’ and so on.

Section D is Practical Accuracy measured by firing 5 slow, aimed shots into another 3×5” index card from the seven with a maximum time limit of 15 seconds or only 3 seconds per shot. (No pausing five seconds during the string.) Firing faster is okay but no slower than 3 seconds per, or going over 15 seconds total. All shots have to be fully in. Score a ‘5’ for 5 shots, a ‘4’ for 4, and so on.

This ratio tool evens the playing field but it of course is up to you to fairly score yourself. Also, there is no defined minimum score.You have to do the risk analysis and decide for yourself (and your family) how low do you go before not trusting a specific weapon and ammo to be accurate enough, powerful enough, or fast enough for personal defense. Obviously training can mean a difference upward but age and injury can also move the scores downward. Repeat often.

It’s a toy, but hopefully useful. Let me hear back from you.