Sometimes it seems that the folks who may need a handgun the most are those who also have physical challenges, sometimes making it difficult to hold a full-sized service pistol, much less operate one effectively. Whether it’s old age, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or any other malady that affects manual dexterity or hand strength, not everyone is up to the task of wielding something as basic as a SIG P320 or a Glock 19.
The solution often provided by well-meaning relatives, instructors, or salespeople has been to recommend a handgun that’s easily manageable and in a smaller caliber.
Over the years, we’ve seen everything from .22 Short derringers to .41 Magnum revolvers come out of the purses of older women.
We took a broad look at what kind of pistols have ended up in this role since the early 20th century. We couldn’t fit them all here, and we excluded revolvers because they could probably fill a book of their own.
COLT MODEL 1908 VEST POCKET
The Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket Pistol is a scant 4.5 inches
