Best Mouse Guns: Tiny Guns for Spy-Level Concealment

In the world of defensive firearms, there's compact, subcompact, and downright tiny. We're talking about mouse guns!

When you need something small enough for deep concealment or a backup for your primary CCW, smaller is better.

Hold on to your cheese because we’re about to dive into the world of ultra-tiny handguns. See what they do well, where they fall short, and find out about a few of our favorite mouse guns.

Let's get started!

Best Mouse Gun Comparison Chart

How We Chose the Best Mouse Guns

To find the best mouse guns, we consulted the entire Pew Pew Tactical team of writers, editors, and freelance contributors.

Our picks span a range of cartridges, prices, and intended uses. Everyone is looking for something different, so we included everything from polymer-framed .22 LR pistols to steel-framed revolvers. Maybe you'll end up with more than one mouse gun!

For guns we have reviews on, we've linked to those so you can read even more.

Best Mouse Guns

1. KelTec P32 - Best Overall

Best Overall

KelTec P32

$289

at Classic Firearms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$289 at Classic Firearms

Kygunco (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .32 ACP
• Barrel Length: 2.7"
• Overall Length: 5.1"
• Weight: 7 oz
• Capacity: 7+1

Is the KelTec P32 the ultimate mouse gun? Possibly!

Mouse guns have to be tiny. The P32 is 5.1 inches long and weighs just seven ounces with a mag full of .32 ACP. It's only 0.75 inches wide, for crying out loud!

For such a tiny pistol, the P32 is surprisingly shootable. It doesn’t try to squirm out of your hand, the recoil is minimal, and follow-up shots dependably land on target.

The sights are part of the slide, so you won’t be swapping these out if you don’t like them. Like all mouse guns, this one has a sight radius shorter than a toddler’s attention span. That’s going to magnify shooter error in a major way.

But you're here because you want an ultra-compact pistol, right? The KelTec P32 might be just what you need.

And at this price, it's easier to add to your collection than something that costs as much as a compact 9mm pistol but lacks the performance.

Want more? Check out our full review on the P32!

What do you think of the KelTec P32? Rate it below!

2. Beretta 3032 Tomcat - Best Tip-Up

Best Tip-Up

Beretta Tomcat 3032 Inox

$549

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$549 at Guns.com

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .32 ACP
• Barrel Length: 2.4"
• Overall Length: 4.9"
• Weight: 15 oz
• Capacity: 7+1

The Beretta 3032 Tomcat Inox stands out from our other picks because of its tip-up action.

This feature allows you to load a round directly into the chamber without racking the slide. It's great for people with hand strength or dexterity challenges.

The Tomcat measures a scant 5.4 inches long and 3.7 inches tall. Despite its small size, the pistol weighs just under 15 ounces thanks to its steel frame.

That extra heft, combined with the mild-mannered .32 ACP cartridge, makes this mouse gun shoot like a pussycat.

With the gun’s seriously short slide and lackluster sight quality, getting solid sight alignment can be an exercise in frustration. It also has a frustratingly heavy double-action trigger.

The Tomcat is one of the few mouse guns that will accept replacement sights, though, so upgrading the rear sight is an option.

3. Sig Sauer P238 - Best Trigger

Best Trigger

Sig Sauer P238

$699

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$699 at Palmetto State Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Classic Firearms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel Length: 2.7"
• Overall Length: 5.5"
• Weight: 15 oz
• Capacity: 6+1, 7+1

If you like the idea of a shrunk-down, ultra-concealable 1911, we've got you covered. The Sig Sauer P238 is a micro pistol with everything we know and love about the classic pistol, including all-metal construction, the familiar thumb safety, and gorgeous aesthetics.

It also field strips just like a full-size 1911, so there’s no learning curve at all as long as you're familiar with the platform.

As you'd expect from something inspired by the 1911, the P238 has a very good single-action trigger (even if it's a little heavy at around 7 pounds).

The SIGLITE sights help set this mousie apart from the hordes, too. Most pocket pistols have marginal sights, but this pistol comes with tritium sights from the factory. These things really pop -- day or night -- and help compensate for the short sight radius that makes every mouse gun hard to shoot accurately.

I also love that the P238 is chambered for .380 ACP, which packs a more serious punch than most mouse gun cartridges. It almost puts this pistol in the realm of primary self-defense guns. Almost.

Check out our full review of the Sig Sauer P238 for all the details.

4. Seecamp LWS 32 - Best Deep Concealment

Best for Deep Concealment

Seecamp LWS .32 ACP

$549

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$549 at GrabAGun

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .32 ACP
• Barrel Length: N/A
• Overall Length: 4.25"
• Weight: 12 oz
• Capacity: 6+1

It doesn’t get much tinier than the Seecamp LWS 32 in the world of miniature guns. This munchkin measures less than 0.75 inches wide and a scant 4.25 inches long. It barely tips the scales over 13 ounces with a fully loaded magazine and a round in the chamber.

Despite its almost microscopic size (my keyring and keys take up more space), the Seecamp LWS 32 is surprisingly ergonomic and easy to shoot, even with some pretty jumpy recoil.

This is a last resort, point-and-shoot option for self-defense, and its only safety is a hefty 11.5-pound double-action trigger pull. It doesn’t even have sights -- you don’t need to aim at the engagement distances this gun is intended for.

The lack of sights also makes the LWS 32 wonderfully snag-free, so you can fluidly draw from just about anywhere.

5. North American Arms 32 Guardian - Best Minimalist

Best Minimalist Design

North American Arms Guardian

$446

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$446 at Guns.com

Specs

• Caliber: .32 ACP
• Barrel Length: 2.2"
• Overall Length: 4.38"
• Weight: 16 oz
• Capacity: 6+1

North American Arms, inspired by Seecamps’s ultra-tiny LWS 32 design, put together the 32 Guardian.

Like the LWS 32, NAA’s micro pistol features stainless steel construction. There aren’t a bunch of bells and whistles on this one -- NAA kept it simple on purpose.

Aside from a traditional grip-mounted magazine release and a take-down lever, there are no other controls. It does have sights, but they're barely there.

At 4.38 inches long, the 32 Guardian is smaller than the average hand. However, its relatively substantial weight (almost a full pound) soaks up quite a bit of recoil, so it handles more like a subcompact than a pocket pistol.

6. Ruger Lite Rack LCP II - Best Capacity

Best Capacity

Ruger Lite Rack LCP II

$333

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$333 at Guns.com

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Barrel Length: 2.8"
• Overall Length: 5.2"
• Weight: 11 oz
• Capacity: 10+1

Yes, the Ruger Lite Rack LCP II is chambered in our favorite rimfire cartridge! Critics will rant about the lack of stopping power, but there are legitimate reasons why someone might want a self-defense pistol in .22 LR.

There are factors, like age and physical disability, that could prevent an individual from handling anything more powerful. Those people deserve a defensive firearm, too.

Another bonus is that .22 LR is far less expensive to shoot than any centerfire ammunition. That means it’s easy on the wrists and the wallet, so you can practice to build proficiency.

If you want more stopping power, read our review of the .380 ACP Ruger LCP II!

7. North American Arms 22M-R - Best Revolver

Best Revolver

North American Arms 22M-R

$470

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$470 at GrabAGun

Battlehawk Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 WMR / .22 LR
• Barrel Length: 1.6"
• Overall Length: 5.16"
• Weight: 7 oz
• Capacity: 5

This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one wheel gun, and our pick is the North American Arms 22M-R.

At just over 5 inches long and 1 inch wide, the 22M-R vanishes inside a waistband or pocket like David Blaine’s disappearing playing cards.

The 22M-R's cylinder holds five rounds of .22 WMR or .22 LR. Reloading this revolver is more complicated than it is with a semi-automatic pistol. It can take some practice to master, and replacing those tiny spent casings can take some serious focus.

It also features unique notches cut into the cylinder to lock the hammer away from a chambered round to prevent accidental discharge. Usually, toting a single-action revolver with a loaded chamber is a no-no. This feature allows you to confidently and safely carry the 22M-R fully loaded.

To top things off, it has an attractive bead-blasted finish and a rosewood bird’s head grip that' you will want to show off's almost too pretty to conceal.

How to Pick the Best Mouse Gun

I’m not sure if the term “mouse gun” refers to the adorable appearance of these dainty pistols or to the notion that they are only fit for shooting tiny rodents.

Cartridge Selection

Mouse guns are typically ultra-petite pocket pistols chambered for calibers lighter and less potent than the 9mm. Most mouse guns run .22 LR, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP, and while those cartridges provide pretty paltry ballistic performance, they are meant to be as a last-ditch, close-range, get-off-me means of defense.

Deep Concealment

The minuscule size of these handguns teensy also makes them suitable for situations where spy-level deep concealment is a must.

When you need to carry a firearm and nothing else will fit, a mouse gun is more than willing to go along for the ride. Remember, the mouse gun you're carrying is better than the full-size pistol you left at home.

Challenges with Mouse Guns

Mouse guns might look all kinds of adorable, but don’t let their size fool you.

Pocket pistols are almost always a bear to shoot. Sure, most of them are chambered in softer shooting calibers, but their ultra-low weight and short grips don't help tame recoil.

They can be pretty snappy, muzzle rise can be hard to manage, and they tend to slip around in your hand when you shoot. Honestly, a slimy, wriggling catfish is easier to hold. You’ll need a solid stance, a steady hand, and a firm grip to keep these rodents in line.

It’s important to be realistic.  Don’t expect a mouse gun to do the job of a full-size handgun in a substantial caliber.

Meet the Experts

This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical contributor Alice Jones Webb. Alice is a writer, life-long hunter, experienced shooter, and mother of four up-and-coming shooting and outdoor enthusiasts. She grew up flinging arrows and bullets at Virginia whitetails, turkey, and game birds, but her favorite hunting experience is chasing bull elk in the Colorado backcountry. Never one to sit still and look pretty, Alice is also a self-defense instructor and competitive archer. She lives in rural North Carolina with her children, husband, and a well-stocked chest freezer.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Tiny, ultra-concealable mouse guns may look cute, but carrying a mouse gun is always a compromise.

We usually stuff them in a pocket holster or strap them to an ankle because we need to keep a low profile. Sometimes, we use them as a backup to our primary self-defense pistol.

Basically, mouse guns are reserved for situations that already suck, which is appropriate because their handling and general performance are, shall we say, compromised.

But sometimes mouse guns are just what the doctor ordered. Even a tiny, low-powered gun is better than no gun at all.

Did we miss your favorite pocket pistol? let us know about it in the comments. Looking for moron deep concealment? Check out our guide to all things Pocket Carry!

Latest Updates

May 2025: Added comparison chart. Updated supporting content.