Concealed Carry Purse for Glock 43, P365 or Shield: Which handgun fits which Cakes bag?

A concealed carry purse for glock 43 fits when two internal numbers clear the pistol: internal height must beat the gun's length plus holster by 0.5 in, and internal width must beat its frame height plus adders by 0.5 in. With GLOCK's published 6.26 in length and 4.25 in height, a stock setup in a Kydex holster needs at least 6.76 in of internal height plus any holster length and 5.25 in of internal width.

This page works like a worksheet. Each section below fills in one line of the calculation, and by the end you will have your own minimum internal height and width written down. You can then take those numbers to the Does It Fit? tool, which knows each bag's internal size, and get a yes or no for your exact setup.

What Two Numbers Decide Fit in a Concealed Carry Purse for Glock 43?

Internal height and internal width decide fit. Every other spec on a bag (depth, strap length, material) affects comfort and looks, but these two decide whether the pistol goes in, comes out and goes back in without binding.

The Cakes Does It Fit? tool states the fit rules in one line each. Here they are, quoted exactly:

• "Firearm + Holster Length must be 0.5 in less than the bag's internal height."
• "Frame Height + Optic must be at least 0.5 in shorter than the bag's internal width to allow clean draw and re-holstering."

Number 1: internal height

Internal height is the usable vertical room inside the firearm compartment, measured from the bottom seam up to the opening. In a crossbody bag the pistol rides muzzle down, so the gun's overall length (back of the slide to the muzzle) runs along this direction. The first rule says that length, plus whatever the holster adds, must come in at least 0.5 in under the internal height.

Number 2: internal width

Internal width is the usable side-to-side room in the same compartment. Because the pistol hangs muzzle down, its frame height (top of the slide to the bottom of the magazine base plate) lies across the bag. The second rule says frame height plus any optic must be at least 0.5 in less than the internal width.

Why the margin is 0.5 in and not zero

A pistol that only just slides in still has to come out under your hand. The 0.5 in of clearance gives your fingers room to wrap the grip inside the compartment and gives the muzzle room to find the holster on the way back in. A zero-margin fit forces you to wiggle the gun, and wiggling is when people look away from the muzzle or let a finger drift.

Why the outside size on a product page misleads

Product pages list dimensions such as 5.6 in W x 8 in H x 2.16 in D, and those pages do not label them as internal. Treat them as the outside of the bag. Leather or nylon, lining, seams and the wall between compartments all use part of that space, so the room left for the pistol is smaller than the printed figure by an amount the page does not state.

That is the whole reason the worksheet exists. You can do the gun side of the math at your kitchen table. The bag side, the true internal height and width, lives in the tool.

How Do You Measure the Glock 43?

Start from GLOCK's own numbers, then check them against your pistol. GLOCK's product page lists the G43 at an overall length of 159 mm (6.26 in), a height including magazine of 108 mm (4.25 in) and an overall width of 27 mm (1.06 in).

GLOCK notes that these figures are rounded. That matters at the margins: a few hundredths of an inch will not change most answers, but if your result lands within a whisker of a bag's limit, measure your own gun and use the larger figure.

Glock 43 measurement	GLOCK's published figure	Worksheet line it feeds
Overall length	159 mm (6.26 in)	Line A, internal height
Height including magazine	108 mm (4.25 in)	Line F, internal width
Overall width	27 mm (1.06 in)	Not used by the fit rules; a comfort check against bag depth

Glock 43 figures from GLOCK's product page as of October 2026. GLOCK states the figures are rounded.

Measure your own pistol safely

If you want to confirm the numbers yourself, work only with an unloaded, verified-clear firearm, on a clear table, with the muzzle pointed at something that would stop a round. Ammunition goes in another room before you pick up the ruler.

1. Clear it. Remove the magazine, lock the slide back and look and feel to confirm the chamber is empty. Check a second time. Only then treat it as your unloaded firearm.
2. Point it somewhere safe. Keep the muzzle toward a wall or backstop that would stop a round for the whole session, even with your unloaded firearm.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger. Rest your trigger finger straight along the frame and leave it there.
4. Measure length. Lay the ruler from the back of the slide to the muzzle. Write the figure to 2 decimal places on worksheet line A.
5. Measure frame height. With the magazine you carry inserted (empty), measure from the top of the slide to the bottom of the base plate. Write it on line F.
6. Measure the holster. Seat your unloaded firearm in your holster and note how far the holster extends past the muzzle. That figure goes on line C.

If your measurement and GLOCK's figure disagree, keep the larger number. A worksheet that overestimates by a tenth of an inch costs you nothing; one that underestimates can put you in a bag where your unloaded firearm binds on the way back into the holster.

What about the 1.06 in width?

Neither fit rule uses the gun's width. It still tells you something: the listed bag depths run from 2 in to 2.16 in overall, and a holster adds bulk on both sides of the slide. A thick holster in a slim bag can press the slide against the outer wall and print through soft material, so note your holstered thickness on the worksheet as a comfort line.

How Much Does a Holster, Optic or Light Add?

The Does It Fit? tool adds a fixed amount for each accessory: a Kydex holster adds 0.5 in to height, an optic adds 0.5 in to height, an extended magazine adds 1.5 in to height and a weapon-mounted light adds 1 in to length.

Here "height" means the pistol's frame height, which lies across the bag, so 3 of the 4 adders land on internal width. Only the light adds to length and so to internal height.

Setup option	What the tool adds	Worksheet line and bag dimension
Kydex holster	0.5 in to height	Line G, internal width
Optic	0.5 in to height	Line H, internal width
Extended magazine	1.5 in to height	Line I, internal width
Weapon-mounted light	1 in to length	Line B, internal height

Setup adders as shown on the Does It Fit? tool as of October 2026.

The holster

A holster that covers the whole trigger guard is not optional in a bag, where keys, pens and lip balm share the space. In the tool, a Kydex holster adds 0.5 in to frame height. If your holster also extends past the muzzle, measure that extra length and put it on line C, because the first rule counts firearm plus holster length. Cakes sells IWB Kydex holsters that you can wear on your body or use inside a bag in its holster collection; check it for a style molded for your model.

The optic

A red dot sits on top of the slide, so it raises frame height. The tool adds 0.5 in for it. If you plan to mill your slide or buy an optic-ready model later, run the worksheet with the optic now; a bag that fits today and fails after an upgrade is an expensive surprise.

The extended magazine

An extended magazine is the biggest single adder at 1.5 in, and it lands on width, which is usually the tighter of the two dimensions. On a Glock 43 that one change moves the minimum internal width from 5.25 in to 6.75 in with a Kydex holster. If you carry a flush magazine in the bag and a longer one as a spare, size the bag for whatever sits in the gun.

The weapon-mounted light

A light hangs under the muzzle end of the frame and extends the pistol's length, so the tool adds 1 in to length. That moves the Glock 43's minimum internal height from 6.76 in to 7.76 in before any holster length. A light also changes which holster fits, so check that the holster you plan to buy is made for the light as well as the gun.

What Does the Math Say for Each Cakes Bag Size?

Fill in the worksheet below, and you will have two minimum internal figures to compare against each bag in the tool. The Glock 43 columns are worked from GLOCK's rounded figures and the tool's adders; the last column is yours to fill.

Part 1: Minimum internal height (Rule 1)

Worksheet line	Glock 43, Kydex holster	Glock 43, Kydex and light	Your setup
A. Firearm overall length	6.26 in	6.26 in	______ in
B. Weapon-mounted light (tool adds 1 in)	0 in	1 in	______ in
C. Holster length past the muzzle (measure)	______ in	______ in	______ in
D. Clearance margin	0.5 in	0.5 in	0.5 in
E. Minimum internal height (A + B + C + D)	6.76 in + line C	7.76 in + line C	______ in

Worked from GLOCK's rounded Glock 43 figures and the Does It Fit? rules as of October 2026. Arithmetic only; it does not say any gun fits any bag.

Part 2: Minimum internal width (Rule 2)

Worksheet line	Glock 43, Kydex	Kydex and optic	Kydex and extended magazine	Your setup
F. Frame height including magazine	4.25 in	4.25 in	4.25 in	______ in
G. Kydex holster (tool adds 0.5 in)	0.5 in	0.5 in	0.5 in	______ in
H. Optic (tool adds 0.5 in)	0 in	0.5 in	0 in	______ in
I. Extended magazine (tool adds 1.5 in)	0 in	0 in	1.5 in	______ in
J. Clearance margin	0.5 in	0.5 in	0.5 in	0.5 in
K. Minimum internal width (F + G + H + I + J)	5.25 in	5.75 in	6.75 in	______ in

Worked from GLOCK's rounded Glock 43 figures and the Does It Fit? adders as of October 2026. Arithmetic only; confirm every gun and bag pair in the tool.

The bag side of the worksheet

Cakes makes 3 crossbody lines that each come in a Compact-M and an XL-M size. The table lists each bag's dimensions exactly as its product page prints them, which are outside measurements. Use them to see which size is in the running, then let the tool supply the internal figures.

Bag	Material	Dimensions (as listed)	Gun compartment access	Price
Madeline Compact-M Leather CCW Bag	100% naturally milled cow hide leather	5.6 in W x 8 in H x 2.16 in D	Magnetic closure and pull tab	$185
Madeline XL-M	100% naturally milled cow hide leather	6.6 in W x 9 in H x 2.16 in D	Pull tab attached to a magnetic closure	$205
Millie Athletic Compact-M Nylon CCW Bag	Nylon	5.7 in x 7.8 in x 2 in	Dedicated firearm compartment	$175
Millie Athletic XL-M Nylon CCW Bag	Nylon	6.7 in x 9 in x 2 in	Magnetic pull tab access	$190
Chiffon Compact-M Leather CCW Bag	100% naturally milled cowhide	5.6 in W x 8 in H x 2.16 in D	Dedicated firearm compartment in the back of the bag	$185
Chiffon XL-M Leather CCW Bag	100% naturally milled cow hide leather	6.6 in W x 9 in H x 2.16 in D	Magnetic pull tab; dedicated firearm compartment in the main body	$205

Dimensions as of October 2026, as printed on the product pages; dimensions are as printed, not labeled internal. Prices as of October 2026, in USD; check the product page for the current price and availability.

Reading line E against the bag heights

The Compact-M bags list 7.8 in to 8 in of overall height, and the XL-M bags list 9 in. A stock Glock 43 needs 6.76 in plus line C. That leaves room on paper in both sizes, but the gap between 6.76 in and 7.8 in has to absorb the bag's own construction plus your holster's extra length, and the product pages do not say how much construction takes. The tool does.

Reading line K against the bag widths

Width is where the numbers get tight. The Compact-M bags list 5.6 in to 5.7 in overall, and a Glock 43 in a Kydex holster needs 5.25 in of internal width. That is a difference of only 0.35 in to 0.45 in for leather, lining and the compartment wall, so the outside figures cannot settle the question either way. Run it in the tool.

Add an optic (5.75 in) and the internal figure you need is already wider than the Compact-M's printed outside width, so expect the tool to point you to the XL-M size, which lists 6.6 in to 6.7 in. Add an extended magazine instead (6.75 in) and the internal figure is wider than any listed bag width in the table. Treat that as a strong signal to change the setup or the bag, and confirm in the tool before you decide.

Will my gun fit if it barely clears?

If the true answer to will my gun fit is "by a hair," treat that as a no. A pistol that squeezes in leaves no room for a full grip inside the compartment, and a tight re-holster tempts you to rush. The XL-M in the same line lists roughly 1 in more width and 1 in more height than its Compact-M sibling, which is the usual fix for a close result.

Size also brings weight onto 1 shoulder, so balance the extra room against how many hours a day you carry. All 3 lines are crossbody bags, and if a larger bag swings when you walk fast, the Waist Belt for CCW Bags clips onto either D-ring on the sides of the bag and goes around your waist.

One more thing about how to read this section. If your worksheet tells you no Cakes bag suits the setup you carry, that is a useful result and we would rather you have it before you order than after. Giving you the numbers is part of what we make, and we do not judge this page by whether it ends in a sale. Bring the same worksheet to any brand and ask that seller for the internal size of the firearm compartment.

What About the SIG P365 and S&W Shield?

The worksheet is identical for every handgun; only the numbers on lines A and F change. For a concealed carry purse for SIG P365 or a purse for S&W Shield, the extra step is picking the exact variant, because each family includes pistols of different sizes.

We do not print figures for these 2 families here, because we only publish firearm dimensions confirmed on the manufacturer's own product page. The Does It Fit? tool fills in length and frame height once you choose your make and model, and that is the better source for your worksheet.

SIG P365 family

SIG Sauer sells the P365 in several configurations, and they differ in slide length, grip length and optic readiness. A longer slide raises line A and so the internal height you need. A longer grip or a taller magazine raises line F and so the internal width. Choose the make and model that is printed on your slide in the tool, not the closest family name.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and Shield Plus

The M&P Shield name covers several models and calibers, and the Shield Plus is a separate model. Select the one stamped on your pistol. If you have changed the base plate, added an optic or switched to a longer magazine, enter those on lines G to I just as you would for a Glock 43.

Comparing more than 1 gun

If you own 2 or 3 of these pistols and want 1 bag for all of them, fill in a column for each and size the bag for the largest line E and the largest line K. A bag that passes the biggest setup will pass the smaller ones; the reverse is not true.

Where Should the Firearm Live When the Bag Is Off?

Whenever the bag leaves your body, the firearm moves into a locked container or gun safe. Add that as the last line of your worksheet: the bag is where the gun rides, and the lockbox is where it lives.

A purse is the first thing a child investigates, because that is where phones, snacks and keys turn up. Set on a sofa, a kitchen chair or a car seat, a bag is within reach of anyone who picks it up, and a guest has no way of knowing what is inside. Pick a spot for the lockbox near the door you use most, so the move from bag to box happens the moment you walk in.

Choose a lockbox sized for your largest setup from the worksheet, including any light or optic, so the gun goes in holstered and nobody is tempted to leave it out because it does not fit. Project ChildSafe, a National Shooting Sports Foundation effort, supplies free gun locks and safety kits along with storage guidance for families. If you ever have to leave a firearm in a vehicle, look up your state's vehicle storage rules first.

Is It Legal to Carry This Way Where You Live?

It depends on your state and on where you are going, and the rules change. This section is general information, not legal advice.

States and venues differ on where you may carry, how a firearm must be stored in a vehicle and how carry in a bag is treated. Schools, government buildings, airports and private businesses can set their own rules on top of state rules. Accuracy note: check your current state law and any local rules before you carry in any bag, and ask a certified instructor about the specifics where you live. The Cakes instructor directory lets you enter a zip code to find firearms instructors within 200 miles, with Cakes Certified instructors, vetted and certified by the Cakes team, listed first.

FAQ: Glock 43, P365 and Shield Bag Fit

Does any Cakes product page say a Glock 43 fits?

No. As of October 2026, the Cakes product pages list overall dimensions and do not name compatible firearm models. To check a concealed carry purse for glock 43 setup, fill in your worksheet, then select the Glock 43 and your accessories in the Does It Fit? tool, which compares them with each bag's internal size.

Are the dimensions on a product page internal or overall?

The product pages list dimensions such as 5.6 in W x 8 in H x 2.16 in D without labeling them as internal. Treat them as outside measurements. Leather, lining and the compartment wall take up part of that space, so compare your worksheet totals with the tool rather than with these printed figures.

Will a SIG P365 with an extended magazine fit a Compact-M bag?

We cannot say without the tool. An extended magazine adds 1.5 in to frame height, which raises the internal width the bag needs. Select your exact P365 variant in the Does It Fit? tool, add the extended magazine plus any holster or optic, and it will show which bag sizes pass both rules.

Is it legal to carry a Glock 43 in a purse?

It depends on your state and your destination. Some states and venues limit where and how you may carry or store a firearm, including in bags and vehicles. Check your current state law and local rules before you carry, and ask a certified instructor. This answer is general information, not legal advice.