Referring to a particular handgun by a handy term -- “full size,” “compact,” “subcompact,” and so forth -- is handy for purposes of comparison. We mean to compare size, weight, capacity to help determine whether a handgun is convenient for carry.

Some of the elderly, hide-bound types will scoff. “Dress around the gun,” “… comforting, not comfortable,” and other instruction will be thrown about. Regardless of the attitude of the “get OFF of my lawn” types, in the current age of manufacturing the reality of handgun size vs. capability is getting expanded.

I checked in on the major video hosting site over the weekend and saw a headline alleging that the GLOCK 19 is now “obsolete.” I reflected about the old friend whose current carry gun is a seven-shot 357 Magnum revolver backed by a five-shot 38 and shook my head. “Obsolescence” is not a term that comes to mind.

“Capability” is a term that comes to mind.

(SIG photo) The SIG P365 was the first slim, subcompact 10+ round capacity pistol. The downside is blast and muzzle jump -- not significantly more than the slim, subcompact 6-7 shot guns ...

Now we have the new ‘micro’ carry pistol products. The first slim, 10+ round, full-caliber pistol example is the SIG-Sauer P365. Likely one of the most popular concealed carry pistols of new manufacture, it’s a striker-fired narrow-format pistol with a largish cargo hold. Significantly shorter in the gripping surface than the GLOCK 48/43X for the same capacity, it became a darling of the “look at the new gun!” crowd …

Previous ‘micros’ were confined to single stack magazines and a six-to-seven round magazine capacity, with an extended mag yielding eight. I recall carrying a Colt National Match in police uniform in 1978. With the magazines of the era, it was a seven + one sidearm.

Better than the 18-round loadout of my revolver-armed comrades, I didn’t feel particularly nervous about having only 22 rounds of ammo to feed the holster gun on the job.

I shouldn’t confess, but off-duty, I carried a S&W M60. The ‘dehorned’ five-shooter was backed by a single Bianchi Speed Strip … yes, they were available back then.

The SIG P365 is appropriately popular; I know a number of people who swear by them.

The G19 compact (left) is the same general form factor as the G48 -- which is slimmer, less weighty and has less capacity in factory trim. Below, the G43X on a retiree qualification range.

Much slimmer than the GLOCK 26, the G48/43X guns are ten-shot pistols. The frames are longer to accommodate. This is a handy size to carry. I elected the discreet G43X for holster compatibility, some weapon-retention advantage and a tiny bit of speed advantage for the first hit out of a holster.

The Springfield Armory Hellcat pistols are of the 'new subcompact 10+ capacity guns. Below, the newest rendition is the Hellcat RDP. Both images from Springfield Armory.

The Springfield Armory Hellcat was introduced on the heels of the SIG P365. An eleven­-shooter, it took the “most ammo” label for tiny guns – so far. I recently picked up the Hellcat RDP, kind of a “Roland Special” that was left in the clothes dryer too long. That gun came with the short 11-round magazine and an extended 13-round magazine.

It’s also issued with the new Springfield Armory “HEX” red dot sight.

We’ve come a long way in a short time. What comes next?

Who knows? I feel that, with the federal leviathan leaning toward cartridge capacity restrictions, giving up 2-3 rounds beats giving up five+ rounds per magazine.

The ‘new’ size guns don’t render previous efforts “obsolete.” They may drain the purchasing popularity of previous guns but it’s not likely in the current crazy market.

But how well do the small ‘semi-service’ pistols shoot? In my (limited, so far) experience, they tend to be snappier. The SIG gets high marks from people I trust and I’ve made some use of the GLOCK 48/43X family. I’ll be trying the Hellcat soon enough.

In addition, I’d doubt that other guns of this general form factor are not forthcoming.

We’ll keep our eyes open.

-- Rich Grassi