Smallest/lightest pistol that’s fun to shoot

[douglasfir]

What are some recommendations for small, concealable, shootable handguns?

I’ve come to a few realizations. First, life is too short to have guns that I don’t enjoy shooting (like my horrible little keltec p32 - unusable sights and no fun at all to shoot). Second, I’m never going to be one of those guys who can conceal a Glock 19 or bigger at all times.

So I’m looking for options in the micro-compact range. Glock 42, S&W bodyguard 2.0, etc. I’m thinking to go 380 or smaller for lower recoil.

I’m also considering something like the LCR revolver in 22 LR or 22 mag. I enjoy shooting revolvers and shoot the LCR well, but it’s not much fun to shoot in 38.

 

[FrankNess14]

P365X is a really nice setup and very easy to conceal. Grip is just enough for my hands to make it pleasant and accurate. The normal grip is a little too short. The X grip is nice enough my wife stole it and put it on her EDC…

 

[FrankNess14]

Also this:

Thread 'G19 to G26 to G43 to P365 and some in between'

 

[Lawnboi]

Big fan of the bodyguard 2.0

 

[Chad_H]

I have quite a few small ones. Walter PPK in 32 ACP is like shooting a 22, Keltec P32 also in 32ACP is low recoil and fun. I shot a Colt 1903 way back when in 32 and it was fun. See a pattern?

Ruger LCP II or Walther P22 in 22 LR Rimfire is always fun, but 22 ammunition can be finicky in some pistols.

With that said, those aren't always the best practical choice for tasks outside of plinking. If I needed something small that was the lowest recoil AND needed to be an all purpose, if would be my Glock 42 in 380. Same size as a PPK, lightweight, affordable, accurate, very manageable recoil, accurate, very easy to support in parts, maintenance, and equipment like holsters, and there are self defense loads that perform. It unfortunately suffers from lower capacity 6 round magazines, but there are tradeoffs in handguns. I'll take the reliability and accuracy and support versus a cheaper one that won't last or a pricier one that is harder to support. An example is the Sig P365, nice pistol, but pricey magazines and harder to do any kind of armorer level maintenance yourself.

If I need a better caliber, I do the same but with a Glock 43 or Glock 26 in 9mm, but it comes with snappier recoil. Everyone has been comfortable shooting my G42's, not everyone has liked my G43.

 

[BLJ]

Big fan of the bodyguard 2.0

Same.

 

[Formidilosus]

What are some recommendations for small, concealable, shootable handguns?

I’ve come to a few realizations. First, life is too short to have guns that I don’t enjoy shooting (like my horrible little keltec p32 - unusable sights and no fun at all to shoot). Second, I’m never going to be one of those guys who can conceal a Glock 19 or bigger at all times.

So I’m looking for options in the micro-compact range. Glock 42, S&W bodyguard 2.0, etc. I’m thinking to go 380 or smaller for lower recoil.

I’m also considering something like the LCR revolver in 22 LR or 22 mag. I enjoy shooting revolvers and shoot the LCR well, but it’s not much fun to shoot in 38.

Small and “fun” to shoot are near mutually exclusive. The G42 is the thinnest, smallest pistol that actually can be shot well. The funnest “small” pistols are the Browning .380 1911’s- they really are small and fun to shoot.

 

[Steve300xcw]

For the mini guns, I'd only be looking at ported ones.

My ported single stack shield 2.0 really isnt bad, though some trigger work would make it a lot nicer.

My 2.0 shield plus isnt enjoyable at all

 

[StupidLightweight]

Bodyguard 2.0 is my suggestion. It’s an awesome design

 

[Chad_H]

Big fan of the bodyguard 2.0

Heard from people I trust that it's definitely a good one. Its just not one for high volume round counts, it doesn't have that sort of service life. So if you like to carry plus shoot, buy two.

 

[Escalante11]

Poormetto Rock 5.7 Compact is a good time

 

[Lawnboi]

Heard from people I trust that it's definitely a good one. Its just not one for high volume round counts, it doesn't have that sort of service life. So if you like to carry plus shoot, buy two.

Curious about where your hearing this? Seems built about like any of the other s&w sub compact pistols.

I don’t shoot it a boat load, but it is a light small fun gun to shoot.

 

[rbutcher1234]

Get the 43x and Aimpoint COA and never look back. Shield mags and psa micro mags give you 15 + 1, can run them fast and shoot them like a much larger full size pistol.

Used to carry a 365 spectre comp, but now it’s either the Glock or a j frame.

 

[Chad_H]

Curious about where your hearing this? Seems built about like any of the other s&w sub compact pistols.

I don’t shoot it a boat load, but it is a light small fun gun to shoot.

Guys I'm connected with that have industry affiliations said that during a discussion in one of my groups we had similar to this one. Like here, the Bodyguard 2.0 has good qualities and is rightly recommended. In the discussion comparing the G42 to the B2.0, that point was made that it's one disadvantage is that it won't have the same longevity as a G42 with it's price point. My own observations is that S&W has long had a history of cutting costs to maintain certain pricing. Started with the 915, then The Sigma. When I carried an M&P for work, S&W rep told me to make sure I kept magazine springs on hand, and I saw more magazine failures with a neighboring agency than I've seen any other duty pistol that affirmed what he told me.

So take it for what its worth, anedoctal only. I know the sources, so for me it has enough credibility to take note, but I wouldn't expect anyone else to give it much weight without further verification.

 

[RockAndSage]

OP, it's a difficult balancing act - the lighter the gun, the more felt recoil you experience.

Other than what's already been mentioned or recommended above, you might consider a revolver in 9mm or .327 Federal. If you want to go even lighter, maybe one of the 8-shot .22 mags from Taurus or Charter Arms.

 

[Caseknife]

Sig P238 is a sweet little 1911 style handgun, easy to shoot.

 

[MtnSquach]

My wife has an Sig P322 that is a blast to shoot. It typically winds up in my range bag every time I go to the range. If your confident packing a .22 concealed it’s super accurate and a ton of fun to shoot.

 

[Danny Hoey]

Ever heard of a Sundance Boa? I have one in .25acp. Tiny gun, easy to conceal, fun to shoot but good luck hitting anything with it lol. If you have to scare someone away or if they are 10’ away it might be effective.

 

[Caseknife]

My wife has an Sig P322 that is a blast to shoot. It typically winds up in my range bag every time I go to the range. If your confident packing a .22 concealed it’s super accurate and a ton of fun to shoot.

Have one also, the mags can be a bit finicky to load correctly is the only issue I have had.

 

[MtnSquach]

Have one also, the mags can be a bit finicky to load correctly is the only issue I have had.

Luckily I haven’t had any issues with mags. I have found it does not like some ammo. With the ammo it does like I have no issues running mag after mag.