A Glock 19 isn’t always the right tool for the job, heck sometimes a P365 isn’t the right tool for the job. Sometimes you need something smaller, much smaller. That’s where pocket pistols come in, and SHOT 2026 gave us five new pocket rockets ready for deep concealment at any time.
Pocket pistols might be a compromise, but they are a tool that’s always easy to carry. They might not always be easy to shoot, but our pocket pistol picks for SHOT 2026 blend deep concealment and shootability.
CZ 92 From CZ Custom
When it comes to pocket pistols, the United States has never been able to get its hands on the CZ 92. It couldn’t be imported because of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which made importing small guns extremely difficult. It’s why the PPK/S had to exist.
The CZ 92 descended from the CZ 45, which descended from the CZ 36. The gun is a semi-auto, box-magazine-fed, blowback-operated, hammer-fired, double-action-only pocket pistol. As a CZ nerd, it’s a gun that has eluded me, until now.
CZ Custom decided to make a small run of these pistols for collectors and enthusiasts. The CZ 92 replicates the original with a trench style sight, although they showed one off with low profile sights, should you want such a thing. As you’d expect from CZ Custom, the trigger is fantastic, the gun shoots straight, and the .25 ACP cartridge ensures you have little to no recoil.
KelTec PR-3AT
KelTec is the king of weird but effective guns, and the PR-3AT is their latest masterstroke. Combining the tiny size of the original P3AT with the rotary-barrel technology of their recent PR57, the PR-3AT is a magazine-free .380.
Yep, magazine free. By utilizing a top-loading, internal magazine fed by 7-round stripper clips, KelTec eliminated the thickest part of a handgun: the magazine well. This allows for a 13+1 capacity in a frame that is thinner and lighter than almost anything else in its class.
The PR-3AT also offers a slightly shorter 10-round model for restricted states or for folks who want a truly micro-sized gun. They are making an optics-ready version in partnership with Viridian Optics.
In the hand, it’s incredibly light, the trigger is double-action, but fairly smooth, and the gun even has a slide release. Do I wish it was .32 ACP? Sure, and maybe that’s an option in the future.
Ruger LCR in .32 H&R Magnum
Ruger has answered the prayers of the revolver aficionados by chambering the iconic LCR in .32 H&R Magnum. This caliber is the Goldilocks of defensive revolver rounds, offering more penetration than a .22 but with significantly less recoil than .38 Special +P.
By using the .32 caliber, Ruger provides 6 rounds instead of the usual 5 found in small-frame revolvers. It’s the perfect choice for those who want the reliability of a wheelgun without the punishing wrist-snap of a lightweight snub-nose.
This specific model is hammerless and drops easily into a pocket. The friction-free trigger design gives you an unmatched DAO trigger. The LCR in .32 H&R Magnum is an outstanding revolver option for the discerning user who wants more lead in the air than fight in the hand.
S&W Bodyguard 2.0 Comp
The Performance Center Carry Comp is the premium upgrade to the already excellent Bodyguard 2.0. S&W added their PowerPort to the top of the slide that directs gas upward and pushes the muzzle down. They did this without ruining the pocketability of the gun.
The ergos are fantastic, though I’ll give my usual warning: if you have 2XL glove hands as I do, watch out for slide bite. This thing can mangle your webbing if you aren’t careful. That said, the striker-fired trigger is lightyears ahead of the old DAO triggers we used to put up with.
I loved the original Bodyguard for the most part. From a practical perspective, it’s a lot of ammo in a little package. The .380 ACP is nothing to slouch at, and this gun doesn’t hit your hand nearly as hard as the pocket .380s of yesteryear. It’s effectively a pocket-sized gun that actually lets you ring steel at 25 yards. Just make sure you use a good holster to avoid filling that port with pocket gunk.
S&W Field Ethos Model 36
This is gentleman’s carry at its finest. Honestly, it’s a shame to put this thing in your pocket and not show it off at every chance you have. This is a Lipsey’s exclusive and another awesome partnership with S&W.
S&W and Lipseys collaborated with Field Ethos to create a Model 36 that’s absolutely gorgeous and practical. It is a 5-shot .38 Special that prioritizes elegance. It’s got a matte-black finish, a gold bead front sight, and a bobbed hammer so it won’t snag on your pocket draw.
The best part? No internal lock. No Hillary Hole to fail or offend the eye. The Field Ethos gun has wood grips made by Tyler Gunworks. The hammer is filed down, but not entirely enclosed. The overall look is that of a vintage carry revolver. It might look vintage, but the gun performs like a proper, modern, defensive revolver. Color me impressed.
SHOT Show and Pocket Pistols
A pocket pistol is always a compromise, but it’s a compromise that ensures you’ll carry no matter how you dress or what you’re doing. Whether you’re going with the tactical hipster choice of the CZ 92 or the high-capacity wizardry of the KelTec PR-3AT, SHOT Show 2026 proved that small guns don’t have to be small on performance.
