The Micro-Compact Gun Phenomenon

A Little History

Concealing small firearms for personal defense is not a new idea. From the early days of derringers in the 19th century to modern micro-compact handguns, the evolution of pocket guns to micro-compacts has been influenced by technological advancements and changing societal needs.

Henry Deringer first introduced the palm-sized, muzzle-loading Philadelphia Deringer in 1825. Production of these guns later evolved to shoot modern-day cartridges. Still, we all know these boot pistols as small, easy-to-conceal firearms that became synonymous with personal defense, outlaws, and gamblers.

Bond Arms (Booth #72617) is now the largest manufacturer of derringer firearms. Owner and president Gordon Bond says, “The small compact size to conceal and usually inexpensive price tag are the primary reasons for the continued popularity of derringer guns.”

These small-capacity pocket pistols are typically single- or double-shot firearms. Their ease of concealment made them popular among gamblers, ladies, and others who kept them as a last-resort weapon in the often-dangerous Wild West. (John Wayne as J. B. Books famously used a concealed derringer up his sleeve  to ward off an armed robber in The Shootist.) Despite their limited capacity, gun aficionados then and now search after these guns for a variety of reasons.

Bond says his company’s derringers “have evolved and are now modernized in design, materials, and features.” Bond Arms developed its derringers by making them modular, allowing for barrel and grip customization. In 2018, they introduced the rugged, cost-effective Rough series. The Stinger followed in 2020, a slim, lightweight model designed for deep concealment. And, in 2023, Bond Arms unveiled the Cyclops, a powerful single-bore derringer with advanced 3D-printed grips for enhanced recoil management. The Cyclops showcases Bond’s commitment to innovation while preserving the iconic style.

These original pocket guns are simple in design and operation, contributing to their reliability and ease of use. However, their limited capacity and short effective range make them primarily suitable for up-close defense. As firearms technology advanced, the limitations of derringers became apparent, leading to the development of more sophisticated micro pistols.

Seeing a need for more than one or two shots, Samuel Colt patented the first successful revolving-cylinder handgun in 1836. Then, in 1847, Colt released the Colt Model 1849 “Pocket” Revolver, known to have been the first gun marketed with the word “pocket” in its name. This version of the pocket gun afforded the user five shots from the revolving cylinder.

Still relatively easy to conceal, small-framed revolvers are sought after by those looking for an easy-to-use self-defense tool or collectors who admire days of old.

The 1993 film Tombstone portrays an era sometime around 1880. In the movie, Doc Holliday’s girlfriend, Big Nose Kate, draws down with a Forehand & Wadsworth British Bulldog on a saloon keeper when Doc stabs Ed Bailey. The revolver, chambered in .442 Webley, has a short 2.5-inch barrel, but holds five rounds, affording the lady an easy-to-conceal means of protection with firepower and more than a couple of rounds.

Although the British Bulldog is no longer in production, the modern-day Kimber K6s (Booth #11421) with a 1.39-inch barrel and the smallest cylinder capable of holding six rounds is an ideal pocket gun. Fully loaded, it weighs in at 23 ounces. Wouldn’t Kate be impressed by modern-day women who holster this little ditty under their Sunday best dresses?

Compact revolvers offer a balance of size, power, and ease of use, making them ideal for concealed carry. Their traditionally small grips sometimes made it challenging to control shots. However, their reliability makes them a favorite among those who value a firearm for critical situations.

As customer demand increased for more sophisticated personal defense systems, manufacturers saw a need for better ergonomics and higher capacity and answered the need with semi-automatic handguns, which have become more reliable and concealable.

Around the time of the first “Pocket” pistol, we also saw significant advancements in firearms technology, particularly with the introduction of semi-automatic pistols. The Model Vest Pocket pistol, introduced by Colt in 1908, is a prime example of this evolution. This small, semi-automatic pistol significantly outgunned derringers in capacity and firepower.

Chambered in .25 ACP, the Colt Model 1908 featured a 6+1 round capacity, a significant leap forward from a derringer’s single or double shots. The semi-automatic action allowed for quicker follow-up shots, making it more effective in self-defense scenarios.

These early pocket pistols were compact and offered greater firepower, but users still looked for higher capacity, ease of concealment, and smooth ergonomics when shooting.

In the late 20th century, we continued to see innovations in the materials and design of micro-compacts. The introduction of polymer-framed pistols marked a significant advancement in compact firearms. The Glock 26 (Booth #12411), referred to as the "Baby Glock," combined a 10+1 round capacity with a compact frame. Its double-stack magazine design allowed for increased firepower, yet with their pinkies hanging out, shooters claimed it had a short, “boxy” grip.

With new and veteran shooters complaining about derringers, .38 Specials, and LC .380s jumping out of their hands, manufacturers had to find a balance between conceivability and ease of use, and that meant more than a pinky extension on the magazine.

With a desire for even better ergonomics and ease of use in the micros, features like better grip textures, enhanced trigger systems, and more intuitive mechanics became standard. These micro-compacts are now easier to shoot accurately and comfortably, plus we’ve seen the size and weights shrink, making them even more concealable.

The evolution of polymer micro-compact handguns has steadily progressed toward greater concealability, capacity, and user-friendly features. As manufacturers refined their designs, the focus shifted to increasing round capacity and improving ergonomics without enlarging the handgun, leading to the development of polymer models that pushed the boundaries of what micro-compacts could offer in terms of firepower and comfort.

When introduced in 2018, the SIG Sauer P365 became a game changer in the concealed-carry market. It has a remarkable 10+1 round capacity in a smaller package, and at 23 ounces, it is lighter than many earlier compact pistols.

The P365’s success lies in its innovative design, which incorporates a double-stack magazine in a frame that is just one inch, compared to the Glock 26’s 1.26-inch frame. Many users rave about the slim frame and grip design, which still allows most users to acquire a full-hand grip yet remains easy to conceal.

Building on this foundation, we recently saw the introduction of the Ruger Max-9 (Booth #72327), which significantly impacted the concealed-carry market. Like many of its size, the Max-9 offers a 10+1 round capacity in a compact package, weighing just 18.4 ounces, considerably lighter than many earlier compact pistols. Its innovative design features a slim .95-inch frame that provides excellent concealability without sacrificing comfort.

The latest Ruger micro-compact’s grip design allows most users to achieve a full-hand grip while remaining easy to carry discreetly. Modern features like an optic-ready slide, integrated night sights, a smooth trigger system, and enhanced grip textures make the Ruger Max-9 a functional choice, meeting the demands of today's firearm users. Other handguns in this field include Smith & Wesson’s M&P Shield (Booth #12427), Springfield Armory’s Hellcat (Booth #11217), Taurus’ GX4 (Booth #13038), and Canik Arms’ MC9 (12260).

Modern micro-compact handguns are now equipped with features unheard of in early pocket guns. Many come optic-ready, allowing for the easy addition of red-dot sights. Improved trigger systems, enhanced grip textures, and integrated night sights offer a level of sophistication and functionality that meet the demands of today's firearm users.

This progression from derringers to poly-micro-compacts reflects the ongoing innovation in the concealed-carry handgun market, meeting the growing demand for versatile, high-performance options. We'll see additional improvements as time goes on, but one thing is for sure: whether you call them pocket pistols or micro-compacts, this design has real staying power.