What is the difference between a compact and subcompact pistol?

A subcompact pistol is the second smallest format of all pistols. Shorter in length, high, and width than the compact size pistol. Subcompact pistols are single stack, carrying between 6 and 7 rounds, while Compact Pistols can be double stack carrying up to 11 rounds depending on the caliber and magazine capacity.

Pistols are categorized into 4 sizes: Full Size, Compact, Subcompact, and Pocket

Pocket Pistols

The pocket pistols are often chambered in 22LR, 25 Cal, and 380 auto. Pocket pistols gained popularity in the early 1900s for their concealability; however, with the advances and understanding of ballistic effects, pocket pistol manufacturing declined in the later years since the caliber of these pistols have insufficient stopping power. Typically a pocket pistol is considered to be ≤4.5 inches in length, ≤3.5 inches high or less

Manufacturer	Model	Caliber	Capacity	Length	Height	Width	Weight	Barrel
LW Seecamp	LWS 25	25 ACP	6 + 1	4.25 in	3.25 in	0.86 in	12.15 oz	2.06 in
	LWS 32	32 ACP	6 + 1	4.25 in	3.25 in	0.86 in	11.5 oz	2.06 in
	LWS 380	380 ACP	6 + 1	4.25 in	3.25 in	0.91 in	11.45 oz	2.06 in
Colt	1908 Vest Pocket	25 ACP	6 + 1	4.53 in	3.13 in	1 in	12.75 oz	2.12 in
North American Arms	NAA-32G-EG	32 ACP	6+1	4.38 in	3.38 in	0.81 in	15.6 oz	2.19 in

Pocket Pistols (not all inclusive)

Subcompact Pistols (Micro Compact Pistols)

The subcompact pistols or micro-compact pistols are typically ≥5.8 inches in the length, and ≥4.5 inches tall. This category of pistols is currently the most used because in terms of ease to concealed carrying it while having a heavier and bigger round than most Pocket Pistols. However, the capacity of the subcompact pistol is limited in comparison to most Compact Pistols. When concealability is the main concern, the subcompact pistol category is the best-balanced choice among all pistols.

Manufacturer	Model	Caliber	Capacity	Length	Height	Width	Weight	Barrel
Kel-Tec	P-3AT	380 ACP	6 + 1	5.2 in	3.5 in	0.77 in	7.7 oz	2.75 in
	P32	.32 ACP	7+1	5.1 in	3.5 in	0.75 in	7.0 oz	2.75 in
Ruger	LCP	380 ACP	6 + 1	5.16 in	3.6 in	0.82 in	9.6 oz	2.75 in
	LCPI II	380 ACP	6 + 1	5.17 in	3.71 in	0.91 in	10.6 oz	2.75 in
Sig Sauer	P238	380 ACP	6 + 1	5.5 in	3.9 in	1.1 in	15.2 oz	2.7 in
Taurus	738 TCP	380 ACP	6 + 1
	Curve	380 ACP	6 + 1
	Spectrum	380 ACP	6 + 1
Karl	CW380	380 ACP	6 + 1
	P380	380 ACP	6 + 1
Remington	RM380	380 ACP	6 + 1
Beretta	PICO	380 ACP	6 + 1
		380 ACP	6 + 1
		380 ACP	6 + 1
		380 ACP	6 + 1
		380 ACP
		380 ACP
		380 ACP

Subcompact Pistols (not all inclusive)

9mm Caliber Subcompact (micro) Pistols

Manufacturer	Model	Capacity	Length	Height	Width	Weight	Barrel
Kel-Tec	PF9	7+1	5.85 in	4.3 in	0.88 in	12.6 oz	3.1 in
Ruger	EC9s	7+1	6 in	4.5 in	1.21 in	18.0 oz	3.12 in
	LC9s	7+1	6 in	4.5 in	0.90 in	17.2 oz	3.12 in
	MAX-9	10+1 12+1	6 in	4.52 in	0.95 in	18.4 oz	3.20 in
Sig Sauer	P365 Nitron*	10+1	5.8 in	4.3 in	1.06 in	17.8 oz	3.1 in
	P938 BRG	7+1	5.9 in	3.9 in	1.1 in	16.0 oz	3.0 in
	P365*	10+1	5.9 in	4.3 in	1.06 in	17.8 oz	3.1 in
Taurus	T.O.R.O. G3c	10+1 12+1	6.3 in	5.1 in	1.2 in	22.0 oz	3.2 in
	G2c*	10+1	6.3 in	5.1 in	1.2 in	22.0 oz	3.2 in
	G2s*	7+1	3.2 in	4.8 in	1.1 in	20.0 oz	3.2 in
Karl	CW380	6 + 1
	P380	6 + 1
Remington	RM380	6 + 1
Beretta	PICO	6 + 1
		6 + 1
		6 + 1
		6 + 1

* Various Models

Pocket Pistols

Subcompact Pistols (Micro Compact Pistols)

9mm Caliber Subcompact (micro) Pistols

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