Sorry if I came across as trying to 'push an envelope' of my liking...
I would say, that whatever the person carrying the gun is comfortable with. With the ability to shoot true with the gun.
Then it is for him/her, the best (pocket, under jeans holster, ancle holster, armpit holster, fanny pack, lady's purce, you name it)consealead carry gun!!!
I guess I came across faulted in my previous try to make this very point.
Personally, I have only got to try a CZ Rami... (or the short version of the CZ-75, I cannot remember which).
And the Makarov-9x18mm. Which I considered to be a pretty compact gun... I dont know how it's classified though... (Does anybody know if the Makarov does fit into the parameters given by bobo)?
I think that it might but the lip that protects the shooters hand from the recoil of the slide makes it too long... (please let me know of the correct terminology, as I dont know the correct names for gun parts. I dont know these in English, as all of my Gun shooting Experience has taken place in Finland, and once at a range in Latvia. Thus making my vocabulary for guns all in Finnish, sorry).
I just came upon the thought that the Makarov would be a pretty good consealed carry gun. It's small, reliable, and has more punch to it than the 9x17mm round that some compacts have as their ammo...
Do you think my way of seeing this is a, 'not really'? Or is there some idea there???
After all, as far as I understand the small compact gun, is something that will be used from close range, so great accuracy isnt a huge parameter to worry about. Having said that, probably regurlar exercise in quick draw, and double taps would be good to do... (I seem to remember that the Makarov had a very agreeable recoil and I didnt notice what kind of trigger it had, which in my case is a good thing)!
And if the 9x17mm is considered ok, then the makarov's 9x18 shurely will be good too...
By the way, does anybody know of expanding (HP or JHP i guess), bullets for the 9x18mm?
All that I ever saw were FMJ's...
I put some pics of Makarov's from various Eastern European countries, as you see, it's quite an attractive gun, once you get past the 'cold war hangover', as I call it...
Also, I found one quality holster for the Makarov (it holds about five other guns too, check it out!
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bianchi-100-professional-holster-plain-tan-right-hand-19230.html )