Social media can provide a lot of insight to gun owners. You can jump online and quickly figure out what models are popular for concealed carry, watch videos of said guns being tested and fired, and get a myriad of opinions from “experts.” That doesn’t mean the most popular, whether new or old, is going to be the best option for you, though. We’ve taken a few of the most popular compact and sub-compact carry guns and set up “face-offs” to help you decide which best suits your needs.
Sig Sauer P365 vs. Taurus GX4
The entire Sig Sauer P365 line enjoys some serious positive attention, and understandably so. The original P365 is ideally sized for concealed carry yet remains large enough for comfortable, accurate live fire. They also offer many variants to choose from. As for Taurus, the company has made great strides in quality control and overall performance in recent years. The GX4 is one of its more well-liked models.
Size
The P365 and the GX4 have fairly short barrels, with the former measuring 3.1 inches and the latter only slightly different at 3.06 inches. These are sub-compact guns that share the micro-compact designation. The P365 is 5.8 inches long, 4.3 inches high, and 1.06 inches wide. As for the GX4, it’s 6.05 inches long, 4.40 inches high, and 1.08 inches wide. Yes, these are dimensionally similar handguns, and they’re both chambered in 9mm. So, which one comes out on top? It’s not as simple of an answer as you might believe.
Feel
The answer can be found within their differences, and a lot can depend on your hand size and preferences. The P365’s grip profile is narrower and more uniform in shape. As for the GX4, its grip profile includes a noticeable palm swell, and it also comes with interchangeable backstraps. In addition, the GX4 carries more weight in its slide and weighs in at 18.50 ounces compared to the 17.8 ounces of the P365. That might sound negligible, but the weight difference can be felt in the hands. The GX4’s edge in weight can better mitigate felt recoil during live fire, even if only slightly.
Function
The P365 ships with tritium XRAY3 Day/Night sights, while the GX4 has a factory white-dot front sight and blacked-out rear sight. Also of note, the undercut at the front of the grip on the P365 causes my pinkie to dangle, while the lack of such a cut on the GX4 means my pinkie remains supported.
For shooters with longer fingers, the GX4 tends to be more comfortable and a better fit overall. That said, the P365 does have a slight edge in accuracy. However, both pistols can produce nice groups on paper. Since these are designed for close-quarters use, it’s important to note that they both perform as required for self-defense applications, though the price point of the original P365 remains higher than that of the GX4.
Ruger LCP Max vs. Glock 26/27/33
For this comparison, we’re going to use the dimensions of the Glock 27, but technically, this can encompass the older Glock subcompacts in general. The Ruger LCP Max is chambered in .380 ACP, while the Glock 26 is 9mm. The Glock 27 is a .40 S&W, and the Glock 33 is a .357 SIG. But this is less about caliber and more about performance.
Size
The Ruger LCP Max has a barrel length of 2.80 inches, while the G27 barrel is a whopping 3.43 inches. The Ruger’s 5.22-inch overall length is definitely more compact than the G27 and its 6.5-inch length, but the two pistols have very similar heights. The LCP Max is 4.12 inches high, and the G27 is 4.17 inches high. The width is close but not quite, with the LCP Max at 0.97 inches and the G27 at 1.26 inches. This width difference is greater because the LCP Max is a single stack while the G27 is a double stack.
Weight is where these two vary wildly. In its .380 chambering and with a 10 +1 capacity, the LCP Max weighs 10.6 ounces empty. The G27 boasts a capacity of 9+1 rounds of .40 S&W with a flush-fit mag and weighs 19.40 ounces empty. The G27 outweighs the LCP Max with even greater significance when loaded due to the heavier bullets and a larger caliber.
Feel
For shooters with smaller hands, the slim frame of the LCP Max might be ideal. Of course, shooters with larger hands might discover—as I have—that their trigger finger indexes down the slide to the end of the barrel. While that doesn’t impact live fire, stop and think about trigger distance and finger length. Big hands might have a more difficult time mastering the size of the LCP Max.
Function
The LCP Max shines in concealment. Sometimes, you need deep concealment, whether it’s for a non-permissive environment or the clothing you choose to wear. This gun is small and light enough to work well for that purpose. The G27 is heavier, and although it’s easy to conceal, it does give the owner a greater risk of printing and significantly more weight on the belt.
However, the LCP Max, with its tiny size and .380 ACP chambering, is a snappy little gun. It’s a myth that smaller caliber sub-compacts recoil less than larger caliber models of similar size. In reality, guns like the G27 and its .40 S&W chambering actually produce less felt recoil and muzzle rise than the smaller LCP Max. Take that a step further and consider the 9mm G26; you’ll find it produces less felt recoil than the LCP Max. Also, the G27 is capable of greater precision on target than the LCP Max, a detail that matters less up close but is still worth mentioning (and remember, you can’t predict the distance of a gunfight). When choosing between an older classic like a sub-compact double-stack Glock and a newer model like the Ruger LCP Max, consider what you’re using it for.
Glock 48 vs. Ruger SR1911 Commander
If you’re looking for a striker-fired vs. 1911 face-off, here you go. The Glock 48 is a rightfully well-liked polymer compact pistol. The Ruger SR1911 Commander is also compact and boasts a lightweight aluminum frame. Both guns are chambered in 9mm. Even capacity is similar, with the G48 holding 10+1 and the SR1911 holding 9+1. Yes, comparing a striker-fired gun to a 1911 is a little in the apples-to-oranges category, but these two are about as close as you can get.
Size
The Ruger SR1911 Commander has a 4.25-inch barrel, which is close to the 4.17-inch barrel on the G48. As for other overall dimensions, the SR1911 has a height of 5.45 inches, a length of 7.75 inches, and a width of 1.34 inches. The G48 has a height of 5.04 inches, a length of 7.28 inches, and a width of 1.10 inches. Yes, the G48 is dimensionally smaller than the SR1911, but both are still considered compact sizes within their platforms.
Feel
These two handguns are close enough in size to feel similar in your hands. Both are slim and narrow, with enough grip to prevent dangling pinkies. The G48 has night sights, and the SR1911 has white, three-dot sights. Weight differs a lot, with the G48 weighing 18.48 ounces empty and the SR1911 weighing 29.3 ounces, also empty. This is the lightweight version of the SR1911 Commander, and it still weighs far more than the polymer G48. Where that weight will benefit you is cutting back on felt recoil and muzzle rise, while the lighter weight of the G48 makes it easier and more comfortable to carry.
Function
Because the G48 is a newer Glock model, the trigger and barrel have been improved over older generations. Of course, the SR1911 has a shorter trigger pull and cleaner break because it’s a 1911 platform. Both guns are impressively precise on target. Considering the lower price point of the SR1911 compared to many other 1911s, you might be surprised just how good it really is; its performance is fantastic. The G48 is also durable and enjoyable to shoot. What this face-off comes down to is a bit of a personal preference. Maybe you prefer striker-fired pistols—although you’d better have spent time running 1911s before making that claim—or maybe you prefer the greater weight of a 1911. Other than the weight, the two guns conceal with the same level of ease.
The Choice is Yours
Choosing a gun for EDC (everyday carry) can be a process with a fair amount of trial and error, but it’s not impossible. Spend some time doing your research, get your hands on as many models as possible before purchasing, and remember that the holster and belt you choose matter, too.
What did we miss? Share your favorite concealed carry guns in the comments.
