Simple question... but I dont know

[schr8er2000]

Could someone tell me the definition of COMPACT gun compared to FULL SIZE ???

I am looking at a gun and it doesnt say if its compact or full size... but over all length is 7 1/2 inches......

Thanks for the info....

[SteveXD]

My Springfield XD was about 7.25" or so. and I think my HK USP is about the same. They are both compacts.. What gun are you looking at?


My EMP is 6.5" and it is a "micro compact"

[RandomTask]

I would call an overall length of 7.4-7.5" the cutoff between compact and full-size, but I suppose height could also be taken into consideration for borderline pistols.

[Xringshooter]

I suppose a "compact" is in the eye (or hand) of the beholder. For someone 6'6", 350 lbs a full size Colt 45 acp might be a compact gun to them. I think that for a normal size person, an OAL of 7" or less and a height of 6" or less probably would be considered a compact. My Taurus PT745 is a compact (6 1/8 x 5).

[Brown-Bear]

I guess it all depends on your personal preferences. I think my bersa .380 is a complact gun, but it is a full sized bersa .380. My glock 36 was a subcompact to me, but way to big for my petite wife. I guess there really is no clear cut definition.

BB

[sjl127]

It's just a marketing ploy.

If you can hide a full sized 45, then it's compact.

Fat people hide them well in rolls.

[wryekid]

It's just a marketing ploy.

If you can hide a full sized 45, then it's compact.

Fat people hide them well in rolls.

Easy on the fat guy... I conceal my Service XD-45 rather well and I am not really fat. I am rather large though. 6'4" - 280 lbs.

I don't know the actual length, but I can tell you the XD-45 compact is the same size as the Service Model except the grip. That particular gun has a full size mag. option with a grip extender. It makes it identical in size to the Service Model yet it's a compact.

[Buckster]

I always thought that the sizes came from the barrel length. like full size is around 5", compact about 4" and subcompact 3" or less. Thats what I based it on.

[sgser]

Generally it's a similar model with a shorter barrel and a reduced ammo capacity. Glock 22 and Glock 23 for instance. Or the Sig 229 and 239. see below

SIG SAUER P239 The compact)
Specifications
Operation Semiautomatic, mechanically
locked, recoil operated
Trigger Double-action/single-action
or double-action only
Safety Patented automatic firing-pin lock
Caliber 9mm Luger .357 SIG .40 S&W
Length, overall 6.6" 6.6" 6.6"
Height, overall 5.1" 5.1" 5.1"
Width, overall 1.2" 1.2" 1.2"
Barrel length 3.6" 3.6" 3.6"
Rifling twist 1 in 10" 1 in 16" 1 in 15""
Rifling grooves 6 6 6
Sight radius 5.2" 5.2" 5.2"
Weight, w/o
magazine 25.2 oz. 25.2 oz. 25.2 oz.
Weight,
empty magazine 2.3 oz. 2.3 oz. 2.3 oz.
Trigger pull DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs. DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs. DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs.
Magazine capacity 8 rounds 7 rounds 7 rounds







SIG SAUER P229

Specifications
Operation Semiautomatic, mechanically
locked, recoil operated
Trigger Double-action/single-action
or double-action only
Safety Patented automatic firing-pin lock
Caliber 9mm Luger .357 SIG .40 S&W
Length, overall 7.1" 7.1" 7.1"
Height, overall 5.4" 5.4" 5.4"
Width, overall 1.5" 1.5" 1.5"
Barrel length 3.8" 3.8" 3.8"
Rifling twist 1 in 10" 1 in 15" 1 in 16"
Rifling grooves 6 6 6
Sight radius 5.7" 5.7" 5.7"
Weight, w/o
magazine 27.5 oz. 27.5 oz. 27.5 oz.
Weight,
empty magazine 3.0 oz. 3.0 oz. 3.0 oz.
Trigger pull DA 12 lbs.,
SA 4.5 lbs. DA 12 lbs.,
SA 4.5 lbs. DA 12 lbs.,
SA 4.5 lbs.
Magazine capacity 13 rounds 12 rounds 12 rounds