Top 10 Lower-Recoil Carry Handguns for 2026

Published: September 30, 2025 Updated: May 1, 2026

shooting S&W M&P 5.7 13348 5.7x28mm 15 — The Smith & Wesson 5.7x28 doesn’t have the best handfit of any pistol we have tested. Low recoil makes up for that. The 5.7-chambered handgun was likewise a blast to fire.

Over the years, Gun Tests Magazine has reviewed hundreds of concealable pistols chambered in 22 LR, 22 WMR, 32 H&R Magnum, 327 Magnum, 380 ACP, 38 Special, and 9mm Luger. While we don’t endorse the two rimfire rounds for carry, we do recognize a lot of folks choose to carry those small chamberings rather than do without. So we assembled this list of lower-recoil handguns in those two rimfire rounds as well as several centerfire chamberings for people who don’t, or can’t, deal with a lot of recoil in their hands. Some are current manufacture, and others available on the used market.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 10 Lower-Recoil Carry Handguns for 2026 in the listicle below. Generally, these are midsized or larger pistols whose recoil is less than smaller pocket guns. Of course, we haven’t tested every handgun on the market, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite in the comments below. If your favorite isn’t in the list and you wonder how your pick may have fared in our tests, log-on to Gun-Tests.com and search for it. Many of the archived reviews are free to peruse without a subscription. As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Expect the prices of new or used guns to be different. — Todd Woodard

Taurus Model 85 2-in. 38 Special, $345 (March-April 2026)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The Taurus 85 is a good revolver in the snubnose category. We liked the fit, finish, and smoothness. The piece performed well, but we prefer the Heritage. Overall Length, 6.56 in. Weight Loaded, 23.9 oz. Barrel Length, 2 in. Capacity, 5.

Fired offhand, the Taurus did well, largely due to a smooth action. The Taurus double-action trigger cannot be faulted for its smoothness.

CZ 83 380 ACP, $330 (January 2022)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

This is a perennial winner in our 380 wrap-ups. Long out of production, this specific model is absolutely worth looking for at gun shows, pawn shops, and on line, but be prepared to pay more for one in tiptop condition. In our test, it did not suffer any type of stoppage. It was reliable, well made, and perhaps even overbuilt. Overall Length, 6.8 in. Weight Loaded, 32.0 oz. Barrel Length, 3.8 in. Magazine Capacity, 12 rounds.

The CZ’s sights are not huge, but they are useful and properly regulated. While the pistol is military grade, there is a very nicely grooved top section between the sights.

Smith & Wesson Model 351 PD 160228 22 WMR, $766 (April 2021)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The double-action M351 revolver offers light weight, 7-shot capacity, and a bright Hi-Viz fiber-optic front sight that we really liked. Accuracy was good for the length. The smooth grip allowed easy pants-pocket carry. Overall Length, 6.2 in. Overall Height, 4.75 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Loaded, 15.4 oz. Barrel, 1.87 in. Capacity, 7. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 12+ lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 4.2 lbs.

Gotta remember those cylinder gaps when shooting snubbies such as this Smith & Wesson Model 351 PD 160228 22 WMR.

EAA Girsan MC 14T 380 Auto, $387 (February 2025)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The Girsan knock-off of the Beretta 86 is unusual due to the tip-up barrel, which makes loading and firing the gun easy, especially for those who find racking the slide difficult to manage. The Girsan MC 14T is an unusual pistol that allows easy loading without having to rack the slide. This would be a good choice for those shooters lacking hand strength to rack a slide. Accuracy was great. Overall Length, 7.6 in. Weight Loaded, 26.6 oz. Barrel, 4.5 in. Capacity, 13+1.

Taurus TX 22 Compact 1-TX22131 22 LR, $329 (November 2023)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

A friendly, reliable, and accurate firearm. We would choose this handgun for training anyone in need of hands-on instruction. Compact makes runs on steel plates and multiple targets faster than the others. As for bench accuracy, the Taurus TX 22 Compact is slightly behind the SIG P322, but not by much. The smallest group at 15 yards was 1.65 inch. This is quite an accurate pistol, and it is a Best Buy. Overall Length, 6.7 in. Weight Loaded, 18.92 oz. Barrel, 3.6 in. long. Magazines, (2) 13 round.

KelTec PMR-30 PMR30TACGY 22 WMR, $490 (April 2023)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)

The KelTec PMR-30 is the only pistol that did not fail to fire at least once, and while we really can’t count that against the Walther, it happened. The KelTec feeds everything, and even the non-recommended load worked fine. We feel that the light weight, ready accuracy, good handling and reliability of the PMR-30 make it a good choice. Not to mention 30-round magazines, even if loaded to only 25 rounds. Also, it features easy red-dot mounting and an accessory rail. We did not notice any loss in speed with the heel-type magazine release. Overall Length, 7.9 in. Weight Loaded, 17.8 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 12.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.3 in. Magazines, (2) 30 round.

Heritage Roscoe HR38B2W 2-in. 38 Special +P, $325 (March-April 2026)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The Heritage Roscoe is a nicely finished handgun, among the nicest examples of factory blue we have seen. Very smooth. Accuracy is outstanding for the type. Overall Length, 6.55 in. Weight Loaded, 22.9 oz. Barrel Length, 2 in. Capacity, 5.

The Heritage Roscoe is a good, smooth shooter with decent sights and a good action. Compared to many other 38 Special snubbies, the Roscoe is enjoyable to fire.

Glock 42 U14250201 380 ACP, $360 (June-July 2025; November 2020)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (November 2020)

The Glock never failed to feed, chamber, fire, and eject, although it did fail to lock open on the last shot with one ammunition. The pistol handles well and offers the best accuracy of the test. We cannot fault choosing the Glock as a small carry piece or backup. The most recent test of this specific model moved it up a half grade.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A (June-July 2025)

Our Team Said in the June-July 2025 issue, “We could not find anything to complain about with the Glock this time around. The pistol seems to have had a spring upgrade that now handles hot-for-the-caliber ammunition.” Overall Length, 5.94 in. Overall Height, 4.13 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Weight Loaded, 13.8 oz. Barrel Length, 3.25 in. Magazine, 6-round detachable box. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.4 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 6.0 lbs.

Utilitarian and simple to operate, the Glock is a great defense handgun. Current production pistols are more reliable than in our previous testing. Disassembly is simple enough.

FN Reflex 66-101408 9mm Luger, $499 (February 2024)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

Ranked our best-in-class pistol for 2024. After the smoke had cleared, the Reflex 9mm had exhibited no misfires, failures to feed, or failures to fire. Recoil is modest for the pistol’s size. Cocking serrations and grip treatment are well done. This is a well-designed pistol. Overall Length, 6.0 in. Overall Height w/flush-fit magazine, 4.5 in. Overall Height w/extended magazine, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Barrel, 3.3 in. Magazines, (1) 11, (1) 15.

The FN Reflex 66-101408 was our best-in-class pistol for 2024.

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Series 13348 5.7x28mm, $579 (April 2024)

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

Easy to use and fire accurately. The magazine loader is an excellent design. The magazines are robust and reliable. Recoil and muzzle blast are negligible. While it didn’t make small groups on paper, it hit targets well past common handgun range. The real drawback compared to a 22 LR or the 22 Magnum plinker is ammunition expense. Overall Length, 8.5 in. Overall Height, 5.25 in. Maximum Width, 1.1 in. Weight Loaded, 32.3 oz. Barrel, 5.0 in. Slide Retraction Effort, 13.0 lbs. Magazines, (2) 22 rounds. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.8 lbs.