Some pistols just hit a strange middle ground—they’re tall enough to be awkward to carry but still too small to shoot comfortably. These guns end up in that weird zone where they print more than they should and don’t offer enough grip to manage recoil well. Plenty of shooters have picked up these models thinking they’d be the perfect compromise, only to regret it later. Here are twelve pistols that don’t really deliver on comfort or control, no matter how you try to carry or shoot them.
Glock 43X
The Glock 43X has a tall grip for a single-stack pistol, making concealment trickier than expected. Even though it’s marketed for carry, it prints more than you’d like under a T-shirt. At the same time, the short slide and narrow profile mean recoil feels snappier than it should. It’s not the worst gun to shoot, but it doesn’t feel as controllable as a bigger gun or as easy to hide as something smaller.
Smith & Wesson SD9 VE
The SD9 VE sits awkwardly between a compact and a full-size. The grip feels long enough to poke out when you carry, yet the slide stays short, making recoil feel more pronounced. Many people complain about the trigger pull making follow-up shots difficult. It’s a pistol that doesn’t completely deliver on control at the range or comfort inside the waistband. For daily carry, it’s one of those guns that often leaves people looking for better options.
Springfield XD Sub-Compact
The Springfield XD Sub-Compact has a bulky grip for such a short slide. Even with a flush mag, it doesn’t really disappear inside the waistband like you’d hope. Then you take it to the range, and the short slide and stubby barrel make recoil management a challenge. It’s too big to carry like a pocket pistol and too small to handle like a range gun. A lot of folks end up adding extensions—defeating the purpose entirely.
SIG Sauer P250 Compact
The SIG P250 Compact is an odd mix of a tall grip and a short slide. It sticks out more than you’d expect for a supposed compact but doesn’t offer the balance or handling you’d get with a full-size. The trigger is long, the frame feels chunky, and it doesn’t quite settle in for comfortable shooting. It’s awkward to carry and even more awkward to control, especially when you’re trying to run fast follow-ups.
Taurus G3C
The Taurus G3C has a surprisingly tall grip for a compact pistol, which makes it print under lighter clothing. The slide length keeps it compact, but that short barrel means muzzle rise is noticeable, especially with hotter loads. Many people like it for the price, but it’s hard to ignore the awkward handling and carry feel. It straddles the line in a way that leaves you wishing it was either more compact or a little easier to control.
Walther PPX
The Walther PPX is a tall, blocky pistol with a relatively short slide. While it holds a good amount of rounds, the grip length makes concealed carry tough. When shooting, the high bore axis doesn’t help with control, and the balance feels off. Many shooters complain it feels top-heavy with a grip that’s almost too chunky to get a solid hold. It’s a pistol that’s hard to carry comfortably and doesn’t feel as steady as other full-sized options.
Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact
The Bersa Thunder Pro Ultra Compact tries to squeeze in high capacity, which makes it taller than many expect. Unfortunately, the short barrel and light slide mean recoil feels abrupt. It doesn’t ride well inside the waistband due to the tall grip, and it doesn’t give you the smooth shooting experience of a true duty gun. For a gun labeled “Ultra Compact,” it feels more awkward than comfortable, especially after longer range sessions.
Canik TP9 Elite SC
The Canik TP9 Elite SC is a good shooter, but its tall grip pushes the limits of what’s comfortable for carry. The short slide doesn’t offer much extra weight to control recoil, making it a bit flippy for its size. Some shooters like it for range time, but the grip makes it tough to hide under regular clothes. If you’re after something easy to carry and shoot, this one ends up feeling stuck between two roles without really nailing either.
Ruger Security-9 Compact
The Ruger Security-9 Compact comes with a grip length that feels like a full-size but a slide that keeps recoil sharper than expected. It’s one of those pistols that doesn’t carry as easily as a subcompact and doesn’t shoot as smoothly as a duty gun. Many shooters notice it’s hard to get a proper balance between concealment and control. You either struggle to hide it or wrestle with faster strings of fire at the range.
Beretta PX4 Storm Compact
The Beretta PX4 Storm Compact has a chunky grip paired with a relatively short slide. It’s surprisingly tall for a compact option, making concealment tougher than you’d expect. The rotating barrel helps a little with recoil, but many people still mention a balance issue when shooting. It doesn’t quite have the slim feel for daily carry and doesn’t offer the steadiness of a full-size. You end up compromising on both comfort and control.
FN 509 Compact MRD
The FN 509 Compact MRD tries to pack in optic-ready features, but the grip height makes it ride taller than most compacts. It sticks out more when carrying, and the short barrel still delivers noticeable muzzle flip. While it’s feature-packed, it’s not the easiest gun to conceal or shoot quickly. For folks who want something streamlined, this one ends up feeling bulky and awkward both on the belt and at the range.
KelTec P15
The KelTec P15 boasts a slim profile but comes with a surprisingly tall grip. For a pistol aimed at concealment, it tends to print more than you’d like. The lightweight design combined with the short slide makes recoil feel sharper than expected. It’s easy to carry in terms of weight, but the tall frame makes it awkward to hide, and it doesn’t offer much help with fast follow-up shots. Many end up wanting a little more balance from their carry piece.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
