Best Concealed Carry Guns for Skinny People in 2023

best concealed carry gun for skinny guys

Photo by WickedVT / CC BY

Choosing a gun is hard enough just for recreational use. When you’re preparing to purchase a new firearm, you probably feel like a kid in a high-caliber candy store. Even more daunting a task is trying to choose the perfect firearm that you will also be able to conceal comfortably when you possess a thinner body type. Without getting too hung up on brands or specific models, we’ll go over some of the better options that can be easier to conceal if you’re on the more ectomorphic side.

Compact 1911’s

This may come as a surprise to some but the 1911 is an excellent choice when it comes to a weapon for concealment. Even better still is the 1911 in compact form, a four inch barrel versus the standard five inches.

The 1911 has a slender profile as is and in the compact form still retains its great handling. Even better is nowadays there are plenty of 9mm options built on this platform. Its single-stack nature means you won’t be dealing with an extra thick handle making it harder to conceal. 1911’s are among the two best ergonomic handguns I’ve ever shot (the other are CZ-75’s).

However, there are some negatives to be said about the 1911 platform, some subjective, some not so much. A more subjective feature would be the thumb safety. In a defensive scenario where every move matters and time is of the essence, flicking the safety off, or forgetting to disengage it altogether, could cost you your life. So if this is your preference, training is even more important than usual to make disengaging the safety as natural as breathing.

Another issue some may have, is the fact that the 1911 platform is inherently a single action only gun. This means if the hammer isn’t fully cocked then your weapon won’t fire. Although a single action hammer fired pistol will have a lighter trigger than double action weapons, this is something you’ll want to try out by renting or borrowing one if possible.

Finally. A 1911 I Would Actually Buy (and Maybe Carry)

Subcompact 9mm Pistols

Subcompact pistols are going to have a smaller overall size and be much easier to conceal than their larger counterparts.

When it comes to large capacity in a small package there’s not much better than a subcompact 9mm. All of the big brands have an offering in this platform so there’s no shortage of options. Normally subcompact 9mm pistols have a magazine capacity ten or more for double stacked magazines and at least seven plus for single stack (the Glock 43 and M&P Shields are popular models).

If you want something slim like a 1911 but smaller in stature with more features, then look for a single stack subcompact firearm. You might lose a round or two in capacity compared to a double stack, but chances are you’re planning on carrying a spare magazine that can make up for the loss and make a more comfortable carry in the long run.

On the other hand, some prefer the double stack for the simple fact they don’t want to worry about carrying a spare magazine. Either way you’ll be able to enjoy striker fired or double action models if you’re looking for something hammer fired with the ability to fire with the hammer forward.

While subcompacts are easier to conceal than compact or full-size, they have shorter grips and can be harder to control the recoil of. Decreased handling shouldn’t deter you from considering them, though, because with a little practice you’ll have no problem shooting them efficiently.

Micro Compact 9mm Comparison

“Pocket” Pistols

Regardless of your size or body type, these are easiest pistols to conceal. After all, it’s what they are designed for! Smaller even than subcompacts you can hide these pistols just about anywhere whether it be in your waistband, on your ankle, or in your pocket.

As with subcompacts handling recoil becomes harder since you’re losing more mass to absorb said recoil and less surface area for you to grip for control. Pocket pistols are normally available in .380 auto or 9mm. Given their smaller size .380 is definitely the recommended caliber due to less recoil.

Maybe I Was Wrong About Pocket Pistols

Lightweight Snubnose Revolvers

Yes, revolvers can be thicker than semi-autos due to the cylinder, but they’re among the lightest handguns you can buy. There are snubnose revolvers weighing in at just over 11 ounces, and if you buy a baggy enough pants, you can easily slip one into a pocket holster inside said pants.

Depending on the caliber, you can even have more rounds than a lot of other small semi-autos. Say, eight rounds of .22 Magnum. Or 6 rounds of .32 Long. And considering most self-defense shootings are resolved in under 3 fired rounds (most with zero rounds fired), even the standard 5-round capacity in .38 Special revolvers is plenty for the vast, vast majority of situations.

Yes, they might be harder to shoot than semi-autos, but revolvers also come with a plethora of advantages, not the least of which is extreme reliability. Watch any police-related Youtube channel, and you’ll see plenty of jams or even magazines falling out of service pistols in the middle of dangerous situations. You won’t have this problem with revolvers, and if you keep a snubnose in your pocket, you’re about as incognito as you can get.

Snub Nose Revolver-10 Reasons Why it is the Handiest Handgun Ever Made

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to it as long as you aren’t trying to conceal a Desert Eagle, you, as a skinny person, should be able to find a way to carry a gun. Of course, the smaller the weapon, the easier it’s going to be. Period, full stop. Every firearm has pros and cons to consider. Single stacks tend to be slightly thinner than their double stack brethren but at the cost of a few rounds. Subcompacts and pocket pistols are smaller but at the cost of mass and grip surface area costing you handling. Revolvers are bit chunkier and harder to aim well, but then they’re more reliable too.

If you’re looking for a recommendation with the best all-around capability and features, I would say something with a single stack magazine and in the compact or subcompact size.

If concealability is your primary concern, then a pocket pistol might be what you’re looking for. This includes pocket-sized snubnose revolvers.

No matter which way you go, proficiency is and will always be key. Practice and then practice some more. Regardless of your weapon of choice you’ll want to ensure you are accurate and efficient at handling any type of malfunction under pressure. No amount of aftermarket parts or a pricey red dot will substitute for old fashioned range time. If you think I’m wrong just look up Bob Munden or Jerry Miculek trick shooting. Do you need to be able to do what they do? No. But it should stand as proof enough that practice can make perfect, and no amount of equipment will change that. Good luck!

Pocket Pistols vs Snubnose Revolvers

  • Stephen Ball is a former U.S. Marine, blog writer, and gun enthusiast. He has 20+ years of experience hunting and handling firearms. He’s had the opportunity to work with nearly every caliber and model available on the market from 1911’s to P90’s. His favorite carry gun is the Glock 26.

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