When it comes to concealed carry weapons (CCWs), small handguns are favored among gun enthusiasts and self-defense advocates. In terms of compactness, these handguns offer a balance of easy usability and effective stopping power.

In the world of firearms, micro compact 9mm pistols have gained immense popularity for their remarkable combination of concealability, lightweight design, and impressive firepower.

As we delve into 2023, it's time to explore the top micro compact 9mm pistols that have captivated gun enthusiasts and concealed carry practitioners alike. In this blog post, we'll highlight five of the best options currently available on the market.

Kimber R7 Mako

The R7 Mako is an impressive addition to Kimber's micro-compact 9mm pistols lineup. Explicitly designed for concealed carry, the R7 Mako offers a combination of compactness, reliability, and advanced features that make it a standout choice for self-defense purposes.

Specs:

• Height: 4.3"
• Weight: 19.5 ounces
• Length: 6.20"
• Magazine Capacity: 11 Round Standard, 13 Round Extended, 10 Round Flush
• Iron Sights: 3-Dot TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights w/ Orange front ring and White Rear Rings

Compact and Ergonomic Design:

One of the defining characteristics of the Kimber R7 Mako is its compact size which optimizes discreet carry. The slim profile and reduced dimensions make it ideal for concealing on the body or in a concealed carry holster. Its lightweight design ensures comfort during extended periods of carry.

The R7 Mako features an ergonomic grip for a secure and comfortable hold. The aggressive texturing on the grip surface provides excellent traction, enhancing control and reducing the chance of slippage. Additionally, the pistol comes with interchangeable grip panels, allowing shooters to customize the grip size and shape to fit their individual preferences.

Optics-Ready Slide:

One notable feature of the R7 Mako is its optics-ready slide. The milled slide accommodates mounting red dot sights or other compatible optics. The inclusion of an optics-ready slide demonstrates Kimber's commitment to staying current with industry trends and addressing the growing demand for optics-equipped firearms.

Sights and Trigger:

The R7 Mako has tritium night sights, providing excellent visibility in low-light conditions. The three-dot sight system assists with quick and accurate target acquisition, allowing precise shot placement.

The pistol features a striker-fired system that ensures a consistent trigger pull. The trigger offers a smooth and crisp break, enhancing accuracy and shot control. The short reset of the trigger enables faster follow-up shots, a crucial aspect in self-defense scenarios.

Capacity and Safety Features:

The R7 Mako features a generous 11+1 round standard capacity, offering ample firepower for self-defense. A single-stack magazine allows for a slimmer grip profile while maintaining a respectable round count. The pistol also incorporates various safety features, including an ambidextrous slide stop and an external manual thumb safety.

SIG Sauer P365-380

The SIG Sauer P365-380 has gained widespread recognition as one of the top micro-compact 9mm pistols for concealed carry. Its impressive combination of capacity, reliability, and compactness has made it a popular choice among self-defense practitioners.

Specs:

• Height: 4.2"
• Weight: 15.7 oz
• Length: 5.8"
• Magazine Capacity: 10 Round Standard Flush Fit, 12 or 15 Round Extended
• Iron Sights: SIGLITE Night Sights

Capacity and Size:

One of the standout features of the P365 is its remarkable capacity. Despite its compact size, it offers an impressive 10+1 round configuration, providing users with many rounds on tap for self-defense. Additionally, SIG Sauer offers many upgrades that increase the capacity to 12+1 or even 15+1 rounds, further enhancing its firepower capabilities. This substantial capacity sets the P365 apart from many other pistols.

The P365's compactness is another notable aspect. It is easy to conceal, with a length of approximately 5.8 inches and a height of 4.2 inches. The slim profile and lightweight construction, weighing around 17.8 ounces when loaded, make it comfortable for all-day carry.

Reliability and Shootability:

SIG Sauer is renowned for its commitment to quality and reliability, and the P365 lives up to that reputation. It has undergone extensive testing to ensure durability and consistent performance. Shooters can trust the P365's reliability, making it suitable for everyday carry and critical self-defense situations.

The P365 offers excellent shootability thanks to its ergonomically designed grip. Despite its compact size, the grip provides a secure and comfortable hold, with texturing for added traction. The optimized grip angle and finger grooves provide a natural and intuitive shooting experience. Shooters with varying hand sizes can appreciate the P365's ability to accommodate different grips while maintaining control.

Sights and Trigger:

The P365 offers high-visibility sights, offering excellent sight picture acquisition, even in low-light conditions. The three-dot configuration aids quick target acquisition and ensures shooters can effectively aim under varying circumstances.

The trigger on the P365 provides a smooth and consistent pull. It has a clean break and a short reset, allowing quick follow-up shots and improved accuracy. Shooters will appreciate the crispness of the trigger, which contributes to overall shooting performance.

Springfield Armory Hellcat 3" Micro-Compact OSP

The Springfield Armory Hellcat has established itself as a highly regarded micro-compact 9mm pistol designed for concealed carry. With its impressive capacity, compact size, and reliable performance, the Hellcat has gained popularity among self-defense enthusiasts.

Specs:

• Height: 4" w/ Flush Mag, 4.5" w/ Extended Mag
• Weight: 17.9 oz
• Length: 6"
• Magazine Capacity: 11+1 Round Flush Plate, 11+1 Round Pinky Extension, 13+1 Extended
• Iron Sights: Tritium/Luminescent Front, Tactical Rack U-Notch Rear

Capacity and Size:

One of the standout features of the Hellcat is its impressive magazine capacity. The standard Hellcat holds 11 rounds, providing users ample firepower for self-defense scenarios. An extended magazine option is also available, increasing the capacity to 13 rounds. This high round count in a micro-compact pistol sets the Hellcat apart from many competitors.

In terms of size, the Hellcat offers a compact and lightweight design, making it ideal for concealed carry. It measures approximately 6 inches in length, 4 inches in height, and has a width of just 1 inch. The slim profile and reduced dimensions contribute to comfortable and discreet carry.

Reliability and Shootability:

Springfield Armory is renowned for producing reliable firearms, and the Hellcat upholds that reputation. It undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent performance and reliability, providing users with the confidence needed for self-defense situations. Shooters can rely on the Hellcat to function reliably, even in demanding conditions.

The Hellcat offers excellent shootability despite its compact size. The pistol features a textured grip, allowing for a secure and comfortable hold. The ergonomics of the grip and the adaptive grip texture provide a positive and non-slip grip, enhancing control and handling. Shooters with varying hand sizes can appreciate the Hellcat's ability to accommodate different grips while maintaining control.

Sights and Trigger:

The Hellcat comes equipped with high-visibility sights, often featuring a U-notch rear sight and a front sight with a tritium insert for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. The sights provide a clear sight picture, allowing for quick and precise target acquisition.

The trigger on the Hellcat offers a smooth and consistent pull. It has a crisp break and a short reset, enabling shooters to achieve fast and accurate follow-up shots. Shooters generally report the trigger pull weight as around 5.5 to 6.0 pounds, balancing safety and shootability.

Glock 43

The Glock 43 is a popular micro-compact 9mm pistol that has gained a substantial following among concealed carry enthusiasts. Known for its reliability, simplicity, and wide availability, the Glock 43 offers a balance of compactness and firepower for self-defense.

Specs:

• Height: 4.25"
• Weight: 17.99 oz
• Length: 6.26"
• Magazine Capacity: 6 Round Standard
• Iron Sights: Line of Sight Polymer, Steel, and GNS Options

Size and Concealability:

The Glock 43's design is compact and easily concealable. It has a length of approximately 6.26 inches, a height of 4.25 inches, and a width of 1.06 inches. These dimensions contribute to its ability to be comfortably concealed on the body or in a concealed carry holster.

The slim profile and lightweight design, weighing around 16.23 ounces with an empty magazine, make it suitable for extended periods of carry without causing excessive discomfort or fatigue.

Reliability and Durability:

Glock is well-known for producing reliable firearms, and the Glock 43 is no exception. The pistol's reputation boasts robust construction and the ability to function reliably even in adverse conditions. It undergoes extensive testing to ensure consistent performance, making it a dependable choice for self-defense scenarios.

Capacity and Shootability:

The Glock 43 features a single-stack magazine with a 6+1 round capacity. While the capacity may be lower than some other micro-compact 9mm pistols, the Glock 43 makes up for it with a slim grip profile, providing a comfortable and secure hold. The textured grip surface enhances control and helps mitigate recoil, improving shootability.

Sights and Trigger:

The Glock 43 typically comes equipped with Glock's standard polymer sights, which provide a clear sight picture. However, the Glock sight system is modular, allowing users to upgrade to aftermarket sights for enhanced visibility and precision easily.

The trigger on the Glock 43 offers a consistent and predictable pull. It has a relatively short take-up and a crisp break, providing accurate shot placement.

Aftermarket Support:

One significant advantage of the Glock 43 is its extensive aftermarket support. A wide range of aftermarket accessories and upgrades allow users to customize their Glock 43 to suit their preferences and needs, including extended magazines, improved sights, enhanced triggers, and various holster choices.

Smith & Wesson CSX

The Smith & Wesson CSX is a notable micro-compact 9mm pistol that distinguishes itself from competitors in several key design features. While most micro 9mm pistols are polymer-framed and striker-fired, CSX deviates from that norm.

Specs:

• Height: 4.6"
• Weight: 19.5 oz
• Length: 6.1"
• Magazine Capacity: 10 Round Standard, 12 Round Extended
• Iron Sights: White Dot

Frame and Grip:

One significant departure of CSX is its aluminum frame, which sets it apart from many competitors. The frame features a grip texture panel on the front and interchangeable polymer grip panels on the back. The grip panels provide a comfortable and secure grip, even in sweaty conditions.

Hammer-Fired Design:

Another distinguishing feature of the CSX is its hammer-fired mechanism, setting it apart from the more common striker-fired micro 9mm pistols. The hammer-fired design allows for a more compact slide and a crisp, short-pull trigger. The external hammer also offers the option to carry the gun in a half-cock position if desired.

Ambidextrous Slide-Stop Levers

The CSX features ambidextrous slide stop levers and can equip a left or right-side magazine catch button. Thumb safety levers are present on both sides, and their operation is reminiscent of 1911-style safety but with a smoother feel due to the rearward pivot point. The safety can be easily disengaged without breaking the grip, making it user-friendly.

Shootability and Trigger Pull:

Regarding shootability, CSX demonstrates significant improvements over earlier micro-compact carry guns. It offers comfortable shooting and excellent recoil control, with minimal sight movement during the recoil cycle. The grip texture and high, close-to-bore-axis grip contribute to its shootability. The CSX's slide design and reduced mass likely help mitigate perceived recoil, making it more manageable than some larger micro-compact pistols.

The CSX features a medium-weight and crisp trigger with minimal travel. The trigger pull weight measured at approximately 5 pounds 12 ounces. Unlike some carry pistols with lengthy take-up, the CSX has a short, crisp trigger pull with a flat, almost backward-angling shape when compressed. Proper finger placement is crucial for accuracy due to the pistol's small size, but overall, the trigger provides a positive shooting experience.

The Technology of Small 9mm Handguns

In conclusion, 2023 has brought forth an impressive lineup of micro-compact 9mm pistols that have captured the attention of gun enthusiasts and concealed carry practitioners. These pistols offer a winning combination of compactness, lightweight design, and formidable firepower for home and self-defense. \

Today's micro compact 9mm pistols demonstrate the advancements in firearm technology and design, providing gun enthusiasts and concealed carry practitioners with reliable, concealable, and effective self-defense options.

Whether it's the compactness of the Kimber R7 Mako, the impressive capacity of the SIG Sauer P365-380, or the versatility of the Glock 43, there is a micro-compact 9mm pistol to suit every individual's needs and preferences in the ever-evolving world of firearms.