Combat pistols

A combat pistol does several jobs in a hunter's life at once. It is a self-defense firearm for the home and a remote homestead, a training tool at the range, and a sidearm on the belt during a hunting day. This category holds 99 models: full-size 9x19 service pistols, compact carry guns, small subcompacts that disappear under clothing, and .22LR trainers. The selection covers Glock, Sig Sauer, Steyr, Canik and Browning, so you can choose by hand size, carry style and budget.

Who combat pistols are for

Combat pistols are for licensed owners who need a firearm for self-defense, sport or professional duty. For a hunter the short firearm has practical value too: some hunters carry one to dispatch wounded game where hunting regulations allow it, and range sessions with a pistol keep shooting skills sharp all year. Regular pistol practice trains sight alignment, trigger control and breathing, and those skills carry over to a shot from the high seat or during a driven hunt. At a homestead by the forest, where help does not arrive in five minutes, a combat pistol is the most serious self-defense option legally available.

Pistol types by size and purpose

The category splits into four clear groups: full-size service pistols, compacts for daily carry, subcompacts for concealed carry, and .22LR models for training. Each group has its place in the field. A large gun shoots more steadily, a small one stays out of the way in a high seat or under a pack strap in thick cover.

Full-size 9x19 pistols

Glock 17 Gen5, Sig Sauer P226 PRO-CUT, Steyr L A2 MF and Canik TP9 SF Elite are full-size guns with a long sight radius and 17-round magazines. The longer sight line gives a more precise shot, and the extra weight soaks up recoil. This format suits home defense, sport shooting and long range sessions best.

Compact models

Glock 19 Gen5, Glock 19X Coyote, Sig Sauer P320 XCarry and Steyr M A2 MF pair a shorter barrel with a full or near-full grip. This is the most versatile format for a hunter: the pistol fits a belt holster next to the knife and still stays steady enough for an accurate shot.

Subcompacts for concealed carry

Glock 26, Glock 43, Sig Sauer P365 and Steyr C are the smallest guns in the category. They are built for daily concealed carry, when a self-defense firearm has to stay invisible. The short grip demands more practice, so plan more frequent range visits with a subcompact than with a full-size pistol.

.22LR pistols for training

Browning Buck Mark pistols fire .22LR ammunition that costs a fraction of 9x19. Light recoil and a quiet report allow long sessions without fatigue. It is a good first pistol for a new shooter and a cheap training platform for an experienced hunter who wants to shoot every week.

How to choose a combat pistol

Choose a pistol by its main job, not by forum popularity. A full-size gun serves home defense best, while a compact or subcompact rides better on a belt next to hunting gear. Before deciding, answer a few questions:

1. Name the gun's main job: home defense, carry in the field, or sport at the range.
2. Decide on the caliber: 9x19 is the universal and cheapest centerfire choice, .45 ACP throws a heavier bullet, .22LR is for training.
3. Check how the grip fits your palm: Steyr A2 MF and Sig Sauer P320 come with interchangeable grip parts for different hands.
4. Consider magazine capacity: from 6 rounds in a subcompact to 17 in full-size models.
5. Think about optics: several models, including the P320 XCarry Spectre and TP9 SF Elite, come with red-dot-ready slides.

If you are torn between two sizes, the compact format usually serves a hunter best: accurate enough at the range and small enough to stay on the belt through a full day in the forest.

A pistol in the field

In the field a pistol lives a harder life than at the range: moisture, dirt and cold test it daily. Pick a model that runs dirty and a holster that covers the trigger guard. After a wet hunt, strip the gun, dry it and oil it, or rust rings will form in the bore and slide rails. In freezing weather thick gloves change your finger's position on the trigger, so run at least a few practice sessions in the same clothing you wear in the high seat. If you manage your scent, store gun oil away from your hunting clothes: strong solvent smell travels far and a deer's nose picks it up before you ever see the animal. Striker-fired designs like Steyr and Glock have no external hammer, so less debris and snow gets into the mechanism.

The holster matters as much as the gun itself outdoors. A rigid kydex shell holds the pistol firmly even when you run across a clear-cut, while leather rubs against a jacket more quietly on a stalk. If you carry a red dot, change its battery before the season, because cold cuts capacity in half.

Licenses and legal requirements

Buying a combat pistol in Lithuania requires a permit issued by the police. Getting one involves passing an exam, providing a medical certificate and having an approved safe for storage. A hunting license does not cover pistols: it is a separate procedure, because short firearms fall into a different category than hunting rifles. After purchase, the firearm must be registered within the legally set term. If you are unsure your documents match a specific model, write to us before ordering and we will help you check.

Brands in the category

The category carries five makers whose guns serve armies, police and sport shooters worldwide. Glock is the benchmark polymer pistol with a simple design and few parts. Sig Sauer offers the modular P320 platform, the small P365 and the classic P226, and its M18 variant serves in the US military. The Steyr A2 MF line stands out with a low bore axis that reduces muzzle flip after the shot. Canik TP9 SF Elite packs many features at an accessible price and often becomes a shooter's first sport pistol. Browning Buck Mark is the classic .22LR name with adjustable sights.

If a centerfire firearm is a bigger commitment than you want, look at gas pistols, which fall under simpler requirements, or air guns for backyard practice. If you prefer a classic action, we also stock revolvers. If you are not sure where to start, write to us and we will advise based on your experience and permits.