smallest and lightest 380 or 9mm pocket pistol

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tekoontz

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I’m looking for the smallest and lightest 380 or 9mm pocket pistol I can buy ?
 
The smallest and lightest .380 I think is the Kel Tec P3AT.
The smallest and lightest 9mm is probably the Diamondback DB9.
 
The Seecamp is dimensionally smaller than the P3-AT, but certainly not lighter.

It does appear that the best answer to "smallest of the lightest" is likely in Post 2. The DB9 beats the Kel-Tec PF9 by giving up a round in capacity.
 
Might be a safer bet to figure out which ammo you either already have, or have access to...then decide which caliber.

If ammo is abundant, the P3-AT is pretty little.
 
Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Bond Bullpup (Boberg XR9-S Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Double Tap Defense Douple Tap
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.665 in
Weight: 15 oz Titanium, 13 0z Aluminum
Capacity: 2

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Remington R-51
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.4 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Width: .96in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Smith & Wesson Shield
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 6.1 in
Height: 4.6 in
Width: .95in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Taurus 709FS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.24 in
Height: 4.52 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.04 in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Glock 43
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.39 in
Length: 6.26 in
Height: 4.25 in
Width: 1.02 in
Weight: 17.95 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Round

Taurus Millennium G2 PT111 - G3c
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.28 in
Length: 6.24 in
Height: 5.1 in
Width: 1.22 in
Weight: 22.0 oz
Capacity: 12+1 Rounds

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: 1.18 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Walther PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Springfield Armory XDs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 23.0 oz w/empty 7rd magazine
Capacity: 7+1

Bersa BP9CC
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.35 in
Height: 4.8 in
Width: .94 in
Weight: 21.5 oz
Capacity: 8+1

HK P2000SK
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.26 in
Length: 6.40 in
Height: 4.55 in
Width: 1.37 in
Weight: 24 oz
Capacity: 8+1
 
Don't know if it is the smallest and lightest but my Kahr P380 is pretty small.

Decent sights as well and last round hold open.
It was on CAs "Approved" list if that matters.
CM380 is the "budget" version but is not on CAs list.





Edit - Heavier than the Kel Tec Micro .380 by a couple oz, lighter than the Ruger micro .380 by a couple oz.
 
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In 380 the Kel Tec and copycat Ruger is the lightest and thinnest, as well as easily manageable to shoot The Seecamp is smaller, heavier, and no fun to shoot by most reports.

For 9mm, two guns cover the most parameters; the DiamondBack DB 9 and Rohrbaugh R9. Keep in mind that these super micro nines are for advanced shooters. If not held correctly they will not be reliable or fun to shoot.

The DB9 is a bit lighter and thinner. The Rohrbaugh is not as long or tall as the DB9.

The DB is about 1/4 the cost of a Rohrbaugh. But the Rohrbaugh is a basically a custom handmade gun that can be handed down for generations like the Seecamp.

My choice is obvious, at least one if these has been always in my pocket everyday for the past 14 years.

05D3C87D-7080-449C-93AA-D01115B9E617.png 755055F3-7378-4476-B2CA-9743F4883160.png E4E0CBF1-F471-4EB4-AB73-8280FBA207F8.png
 
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You might want to take a look at the Sig Sauer P365. A lot of gun for the money in a small package.

Sig Sauer P365 Specs:
  • Caliber: 9mm.
  • Length: 5.8 “
  • Height: 4.3” with flush magazine.
  • Width: 1”
  • Barrel: 3.1”
  • Trigger: ~6 lb.
  • Sights: XRAY3 Day/Night Sights (3-dot)
  • Weight: 17.8oz. w/empty magazine.
 
My original Ruger LCP (380 ACP) is small and light. Carries easily in a pocket holster. 6-round magazine + 1 in chamber. Haven't had any problems with it.

Ditto. Not a ton of fun for plinking but I think the recoil concerns with them are a little overstated. It's a great little pistol when I just want to stick something small, thin and light in my pocket and it's not a slouch by any means. I like to carry XTP's in mine with a spare mag in my off pocket.
 
I chased the small/light rabbit, and have found that the smallest and lightest semiauto that I can shoot well and still hide nearly invisibly in a jeans pocket is the BG380. Mine has the laser on it, because I dont think it hurts to have the option although I shoot it well with the iron sights with a dab of paint on the front blade.

I found the Beretta Pico incredibly well made and very light. Shot better than you would think for the size, but i was worried about the hammer failing and the warranty isn't as good as the BG.

I really like the LCPs. I had an original that was my edc for several years. I tried the LCP II and love the trigger for the range, but i kinda hated how light it was for pocket carry. Plus both rusted pretty easily.

Most days, I just tuck a Shield in my waistband and roll out the door. The super small pocket guns are for days when I wear a tucked in shirt.
 
Mentioned that a Glock 26 is a nice 'alternative' to a Sig 365..which seems to get mentioned..a lot, is all.
Cannot argue that. The G26 is a real nice gun. I was responding to the OP's question for a small and light firearm. Both the G26 and the P365 address that. I think the advantage that the P365 gives is its smaller grip confirmation.
 
Cannot argue that. The G26 is a real nice gun. I was responding to the OP's question for a small and light firearm. Both the G26 and the P365 address that. I think the advantage that the P365 gives is its smaller grip confirmation.
Yes, the P365 is thinner, why I didn't really like it BUT I really like the G17/19/45/26 grip widths altho I don't have big hands. I think it's because I have a wonky RH thumb(poorly repaired RH dislocated thumb-thanks USN Docs).....
 
I chased the small/light rabbit, and have found that the smallest and lightest semiauto that I can shoot well and still hide nearly invisibly in a jeans pocket is the BG380. Mine has the laser on it, because I dont think it hurts to have the option although I shoot it well with the iron sights with a dab of paint on the front blade.

I found the Beretta Pico incredibly well made and very light. Shot better than you would think for the size, but i was worried about the hammer failing and the warranty isn't as good as the BG.

I really like the LCPs. I had an original that was my edc for several years. I tried the LCP II and love the trigger for the range, but i kinda hated how light it was for pocket carry. Plus both rusted pretty easily.

Most days, I just tuck a Shield in my waistband and roll out the door. The super small pocket guns are for days when I wear a tucked in shirt.

Shooting Pocket guns became a hobby of mine over 10 yrs ago. Have had 4 New LCP's since they first came out on the market.All 4 were replacements for guns sent into Ruger for repairs from cracked frames etc. Later bought a Beretta Pico and became a huge fan of them. Best built pocket gun made. Superior build quality, and MILD Shooting. I now own three of them. My main range gun has gone way past the amount of ammo I ever though was possible for a pocket gun. I also own a CW380 and a P380 from Kahr. Also a lovely well made gun that also is mild to shoot. Still have a Ruger LCP, but seldom shoot it any longer. Just too harsh compared to the others.
Funny thing is, I bought the New LCP22 and can shoot the 380 Pico and Kahr much better on any targets up to 15 yds.

This is my original Pico and present range gun. Darn thing just keeps on trucking with thousands of rounds down range. Small Tank!

The Pico and Kahr are two guns I can easily put 200 rds through in one range session and never even think about recoil.

AjvAXrL.jpg

Range day 200 rds with Kahr

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Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

I have this. In the chart above it is the lightest. I stick it in my back pocket and it doesn't show. It has a surprisingly light trigger for a DAO and is (was) under $200 at Academy.
 
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