A Guide to Pistol Sizes: Full-Sized to Compact Options

[Talyn]

Each manufacturer has their own handgun sizes categories. But generally, Micro-compact is the smallest handgun size followed by sub-compact, compact, and full-size.

A Guide to Pistol Sizes: Full-Sized to Compact Options | Academy

Explore the various handgun sizes to find the perfect fit for your needs. From full-sized pistols to compact pocket options, see the range of choices available.

www.academy.com

 

[Snake45]

A Desert Eagle in .44 Mag is Standard size? Oh no, not to ME it's not. It's Extra Large.

A 1911, P35, Smith 39/59 series, CZ75, and so forth are Standard size.

 

[Sld1959]

A Desert Eagle in .44 Mag is Standard size? Oh no, not to ME it's not. It's Extra Large.

A 1911, P35, Smith 39/59 series, CZ75, and so forth are Standard size.

That's plus sized not extra large in today's world lol.

 

[Bassbob]

I have my own guide. 4" or 5: barrel is standard. Anything bigger is, well, bigger. Something the size of a P365XL, Masada Slim or Shield is a compact. Hellcat is sub compact. Those crappy little Ruger .380s are micro.

 

[Recusant]

Besides the Desert Eagle is big enough to be crew served.

 

[Sld1959]

I have three standard sizes, I call it the Goldilocks standard. Too big, too small, and just right...

Oddly enough these strict category types are flexible and determined strictly perceive usage.

Examples of just right have included 1911, Cz75, 1911 commander, Makarov, p365xl, sw 60, Ruger 4.5 in Redhawk .44 mag

 

[KillerFord1977]

Should start calling them white middle aged

 

[Onewolf426]

New Category: Hand Cannon. That would include the Desert Eagle and any other with a larger than 5 inch barrel. If the Desert Eagle is standard, I would hate to see the Extra Large category.

 

[HayesGreener]

Move up in size until your pistol pulls your pants down. Then back up one size and you are right sized. Follow me for more insightful tips.

 

[835mag]

So the standard Hellcat and 365 aren’t in the same size category?

Hi Point…who writes this crap?

 

[CAPMARINE276]

Move up in size until your pistol pulls your pants down. Then back up one size and you are right sized. Follow me for more insightful tips.

Today carry- G48 and extra mag(124+p, GD ammo); my SW,MP .45, fits just fine too

 

[bangnburp]

Guessing this was written by a liberal that has never handled a firearm.

 

[Talyn]

Single-stack mags vs. double-stacks.

It might be more understandable and look at the definitions vs. just looking at the pictures.

 

[The Night Rider]

I have the same problem with this article that I have with the other articles comparing gun size. Until we all agree on our terminology words like Micro compact, Subcompact, Compact and Full-size are meaningless.

I've used this example before

Stock Photo
First generation M&P9C a compact handgun.

Stock Photo
M&P 2.0 Sub Compact. It's the same damn gun.

 

[bangnburp]

I have the same problem with this article that I have with the other articles comparing gun size. Until we all agree on our terminology words like Micro compact, Subcompact, Compact and Full-size are meaningless.

I've used this example before

View attachment 51010
Stock Photo
First generation M&P9C a compact handgun.

View attachment 51011Stock Photo
M&P 2.0 Sub Compact. It's the same damn gun.

I know my M&P 2.0 compact .40 S&W (Jesus make smaller gun names) is a lot larger than my EDC Sheid Plus Performance Center.

 

[jschmidt]

Standard should be called full-sized. In today's market, compact is standard so it is better to stick with non-nebulous titles

 

[Bassbob]

Standard should be called full-sized. In today's market, compact is standard so it is better to stick with non-nebulous titles

Agree.

 

[Talyn]

I find it interesting & humorous when a manufacturer "markets" a product as a Micro, then immediately starts offering add-ons like extended mags, barrel compensators and optical sights that result in a noticeably larger pistol that equals in size & weight of the next larger class pistol.

My .02