It's a simple fact of life that smaller guns are easier to carry and easier to keep out of sight, which makes a micro-compact-sized pistol a popular choice for concealed carry. Here's what's new in this market for 2025.
Canik | Mete MC9 Prime
The popular Mete line gets a useful makeover in this new model sporting many features normally found on much more expensive pistols. New grip stippling, a new trigger design, a comped barrel and slide and MRDS compatibility add meat to this Mete, which is also available with MeCanik MO4 optic pre-installed (for an additional $200).
▶Lightening cuts in slide
▶Flat-face trigger
▶Compensated barrel
▶Night Fision tritium night sights
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.64 inches
Overall Length: 6.73 inches
Weight: 23.38 ounces
MSRP: $649.99
(561) 908-7993 canikusa.com
Glock | G43X Aimpoint COA
Available in several standard-size Glocks as well as Slimline models, the Glock’s Aimpoint COA pistols are a package resulting from a collaboration between Glock and Aimpoint. Utilizing the A-CUT interface allows the COA ultra-compact red-dot sight to sit lower on the slide for strength and durability, as well as to co-witness with the polymer sights.
▶A-CUT interface
▶Aimpoint COA red-dot sight
▶Gen5 trigger
▶Hexagonal bore
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.43 inches
Overall Length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
MSRP: $1,002
(770) 432-1202 us.glock.com
Kahr | X9
Kahr, a brand long known for its excellent single-stack carry guns, has now moved into the double-stack market with the X9, a polymer-frame, DAO pistol with a 10-round capacity. It brings with it Kahr’s reliability, ergonomics and compactness, but also adds an optics cut, making it ready for an MRDS.
▶Blackened stainless steel slide
▶Deep-inset backstrap
▶DAO trigger
▶Accessory rail
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.54 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 17.8 ounces
MSRP: $549
(508) 795-3919 kahr.com
Kimber | CDS9
Featuring a slim-line design for discreet everyday carry, the CDS9’s slide is optics-compatible with all MRDS having an RMSc footprint and features custom serrations front and rear to provide ample purchase.
▶Ambidextrous controls
▶Reversible magazine release
▶VZ grips
▶Flat-faced trigger
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 6.2 inches
Weight: 21 ounces
MSRP: $1,075
(888) 243-4522 kimberamerica.com
Rost Martin | RM1S
After the debut of its full-size pistol, Rost Martin has followed up with a compact version for easier concealed carry. Despite its size, it retains the top-shelf feature set of the full-size pistol with things like aggressive stippling, fully ambidextrous controls, built-in magazine well and a trigger pull of slightly less than 5 pounds.
▶15-round magazine available
▶Pre-cut, optic-ready slide
▶Funneled magazine well
▶Two-slot Picatinny rail on frame
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 12 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.6 inches
Overall Length: 6.7 inches
Weight: 19.8 ounces
MSRP: $469
(844) 237-2890 rostmartin.com
SAR Arms | SAR9 SC Gen3
Building on the Gen2 improvements to the SAR9 series of firearms, the Gen3 shaves weight from previous models while adding an accessory rail and an optics cut for mounting a micro-red-dot sight.
▶Lightening cuts on slide
▶Single-slot accessory rail
▶Pinkie rest magazine floorplate
▶Ledge-style rear sight
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
Overall Length: 6.42 inches
Weight: 19.37 ounces
MSRP: $479.99
(833) 727-4867 sarusa.com
Savage | Stance XR
Continuing the success of Savage’s line of polymer handguns, the company’s new Stance XR refines the design by slimming the frame for enhanced concealment and improved overall handling. Two interchangeable backstrap enable a custom fit.
▶Available with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red-dot sight
▶Ambidextrous fire controls
▶Snag-free night sights
▶10- and 13-round magazines
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 13 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Overall Length: 6.2 inches
Weight: 23 ounces
MSRP: $659
(800) 370-0708 savagearms.com
Smith & Wesson | Bodyguard 2.0
Doubling the capacity of the original Bodyguard while staying extremely close in size, the 2.0 version also adds an improved trigger, better sights and excellent ergonomics. It ranks with the best micro-compact .380 ACP pistols yet created.
▶Tritium front sight
▶Aggressive slide serrations
▶Flat-face trigger
▶Flush-fit 10-round magazine
Specifications
Caliber: .380 ACP
Magazine Capacity: 12 rounds
Barrel Length: 2.75 inches
Overall Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 9.8 ounces
MSRP: $449
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Smith & Wesson | CSX E-series
Listening to consumer feedback, Smith & Wesson redesigned the CSX platform. Featuring interchangeable backstraps to better fit the pistol to the user’s hand, the new CSX E-series also has an improved trigger and grip texture from the original, as well as now having the capability to attach an electro-optic.
▶12- and 15-round magazines available
▶Modular grip adaptor
▶Holosun K-series optics cut
▶Enhanced E-series trigger
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 17 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Weight: 19.7 ounces
MSRP: $699
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Stoeger | STR-9 Thinline
The new “Thinline” series for the STR-9 offers a slim, 1-inch width while maintaining significant magazine capacity. In addition, it allows a direct-mount option for RMSc-footprint optics.
▶14-round flush-fit magazine
▶Night sights
▶Tactile loaded-chamber indicator
▶Compensator cuts in slide
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 16 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.29 inches
Overall Length: 6.77 inches
Weight: 21.69 ounces
MSRP: $529
(800) 264-4962 stoegerindustries.com
Taurus | 22TUC
Lightweight and user-friendly, this rimfire pistol sports a tip-up barrel for easy loading without racking the slide, making it a great choice for new shooters or those with minimal hand strength. Easily carried and concealed, it proves that the .22 you have on you is better than the .45 you left at home.
▶Tip-up barrel
▶Orange-dot front sight
▶Double-action trigger
▶Also available with stainless finish
Specifications
Caliber: .22 LR
Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.6 inches
Overall Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 11 ounces
MSRP: $333.99
(800) 327-3776 taurususa.com
TriStar | Protégé X Sub Compact Tungsten
In addition to an overall snag-free design, the Protégé X Sub Compact boasts a handful of concealed-carry-oriented features, including a wide and scalloped ejection port and broad slide serrations to facilitate easy racking.
▶Grip with attractive vertical ball-mill flutes
▶Ambidextrous fire controls
▶Snag-free sights
▶Magazine contains an integral pinky extension
Specifications
Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
Overall Length: 6.2 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
MSRP: $549
(816) 421-1400 tristararms.com
