Subcompact and compact- define the difference

[OliveCookieMonsta]

I'm not sure how silly this question is but can anyone tell my the difference between subcompact and compact. For example: there is the XD-9sc and the M&P 9 compact which is very close in size and some say the XD is actually wider.

Thanks!

[ocabj]

Full size, compact, and sub-compact are relative terms to each individual manufacturer. So what is considered compact by one manufacturer, might be considered subcompact by another.

Glock considers their 5" barrels full size, 4" barrels compact, and 3" barrels sub-compact. i.e. in 40S&W, the G22 would be full size, the G23 compact, and G27 sub-compact.

[Cokebottle]

Springfield XD is 5" - Tactical, 4" - Service, 3" - Sub-Compact. No "Compact" in 9, .40, or .357sig

Except for the .45ACP...
4" with short grip is Compact, 4" with standard grip is Service.
5" with short grip is Compact, 5" with standard grip is Tactical.

IOTW... it means whatever the heck the manufacturer wants it to mean.

[bobfried]

A picture says it all:



As far as I can tell most manufacturer name their size based on the grip length more than the barrel length. This has the most major impact on area to grab on to, amount of rounds it is able to carry and how concealable it is.

[johnrunner89]

Full size is considered to be full in size, a compact is a compact version of the full size and a sub-compact is smaller than the compact

[Cokebottle]

Originally Posted by bobfried

amount of rounds it is able to carry and how concealable it is.

Bahh... maybe on those anorexic Glocks, but the strapping XD's still hold 10rds in their short mags. Doublestack FTW!

[SJgunguy24]

Marketing mainly.

If you can stash it and nobody knows, that compact enough in my book.

[Steve-O]

Originally Posted by Cokebottle

Bahh... maybe on those anorexic Glocks, but the strapping XD's still hold 10rds in their short mags. Doublestack FTW!

Hehe, my subcompact Glock holds 10 rounds. Oh, and those rounds are 10mm to boot!

[Greg-Dawg]

It's all about size.

[rromeo]

Government Model= Full Size
Combat Commander= Compact
Officer's Model= Sub Compact

[Cal4Me]

If your talking xd's the sumcompact comes in the 3" barrel and the compact is in the 4" and 5". The compact stock is a 1/4" taller. The sizes and options for the xd's far surpass any other gun type out there. My wish is to but one of each including the 1911's. Go to the springfield's web site and go to the catalog take your time their is a lot to take in. I own the subcompact .40 OD green its my favorte and my trusty bed side protector.

[HCz]

In my general observation, barrel length of 4-5 inches in considered fullsize, 3-4 is compact and anything below 3 is sub-compact

[shovel88ci]

regular, little and littler.

[rromeo]

Originally Posted by shovel88ci

regular, little and littler.

Or wee, not quite so wee, and fricking huge!