[innerpiece9]

Hi folks!
looking for some opinions on a subcompact Carry pistol.

Id like it to be thin, less than an inch..
nothing less than a .380..
under $300 bucks
Reliable......

I given notice to a couple different lil'ones :rolleyes: the keltec pistols, and I saw a nice looking 'skyy cpx1'..
but Im open to what will fit the bill. Id even be interest in a wheelgun with some concealability..

any recomendations are appreciated.

Thanks, ip9.

[MatthewVanitas]

If .380 is your minimum, then the Kel-Tec 3AT is one of the few pistols that meets your requirements. Extremely thin and light, good pistol overall. I see the .32 versions for $250 or so, so I imagine you can find the .380 version for under $300.

There are tons of reviews of that pistol on THR, just use the Search engine to look them up. If you're going for pocket carry, a lot of us use the DeSantis Nemesis holster: costs $20, durable as heck, doesn't slide in the pocket, etc.

-MV

[10-Ring]

Currently, I like the Kahrs :D

[Big Gay Al]

Currently, I like the KahrsI could be wrong, but I believe the Kahr pistols are OVER $300.00 in price.

You might look at the Bersa Thunder .380. Sort of the poor man's PPK.

[loki.fish]

I have a Kahr, and new ones are over $300. If you can find one under $300 I suggest it over the Kel-Tec for the simple fact that the Kel-Tec has a very heavy trigger pull. If it wasn't for the heavy trigger on the Kel-Tec, it'd be the perfect pocket pistol for me. I'd have gotten it over the Kahr hands down.

[MachIVshooter]

.380 ACP?
< 1" thick?
Under $300?

Looks like you just described the primary attributes of the Kel-Tec P3AT. I don't think any other handguns fit all of this criteria.

[Green Lantern]

Bersa Thunder .380 is a great gun, a steal at around $220, but IMHO - it sucks as a pocket gun.

Get ye a Kel-Tec P3AT!!! :D

[Scottmkiv]

How about a makarov? It's a little bigger, but still works for pocket carry for me.

[Frog48]

Bersa Thunder .380 would be my choice if I was limited to under $300.

[CraigJS]

P3AT, 380, 6+1 rounds, 11 5/8 oz. loaded. The right holster, the right cloths, no one will ever know. Heavy trigger,yes, it's a bad breath close gun, not a target pistol.. Bersa or Mak, better sights, better trigger (?), bigger and heavier, harder to hide (you are talking CCW here right?). The P3AT is a great LITTLE gun (it does have it's quirks though) for carrying lite. When it gets cooler, I'll be switching back to my primary carry a CZ75 PCR.. Any of these guns will do the defence job (the P3, Bersa,Mak), one will do it easier..
Be safe, CraigJS

[Wilson 17&26]

PF-9s will likely retail about $300 when initially introduced. By next spring the price should drop to $260. I have one on order for $229.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Calibers: 9mm Luger 9x19mm
Weight unloaded (no magazine) : 12.7 oz. 360g
Loaded magazine : 2.8 oz. 81g
Length : 5.85" 149mm
Height : 4.3" 109mm
Width : .88" 22mm
Barrel Length : 3.1" 80mm
Capacity : 7 + 1 rounds

http://www.wilson-genealogy.com/pics/pf9frontanglesmall.gif

[longeyes]

Makarov...depending on the size of your pocket.

[MCgunner]

I like my P11. I like the long DA trigger for safe pocket carry, yet ready to rock and roll. I know how to shoot DA, do just fine with it. I practice with it.

However, for overall any pocket carry, the P3AT is DA ONE! It's very small, DAO with a better trigger design than the P11 (most believe, anyway). It's as compact as the P32 and fires a better round. That's the one it sounds like you might want for a pocket gun. JMHO, though. Forget the Kahr, too high priced for your $300 limit and I don't much care for 'em anyway, too light a trigger at least on the K9 I tried. Never handled a PM9. That K9 was way too light for my piece of mind, though. I prefer a revolver like DA pull, especially on a pocket gun. To each his own, though. I like to err on the safe side.

I'd skip over the Skyy, too, from what I've read about it on the boards for quality reasons. Kel Tec is a good manufacturer, good guns with a good design and they back 'em with one of the best lifetime warranties on the market.

[Soybomb]

I have a Kahr, and new ones are over $300. If you can find one under $300 I suggest it over the Kel-Tec for the simple fact that the Kel-Tec has a very heavy trigger pull. If it wasn't for the heavy trigger on the Kel-Tec, it'd be the perfect pocket pistol for me.
Fwiw the pull on the p11, their 9mm is pretty heavy, the pull on their .32 and .380 is about 5-6 pounds. It is however a long DAO pull.

[KI4LIV]

If you shop around, you can probably find a Taurus Mil Pro for $300 or less.. Probably in blue at that price.. all are just a hair over 1" thick. I guess it depends how big your pockets are - if I am wearing cargo shorts, I can carry mine in my pocket!


9mm - 1.125" - 12 round capacity
40S&W - 1.125" - 10 round capacity
45ACP - 1.25" - 10 round capacity

I have the 9mm version - extremely reliable and accurate as can be!

[kokapelli]

The black pistol is one of my P-3ATs and the stainless pistol is my 9mm, Mil Pro.

The P-3AT ,IMO is the perfect pocket deep concealment pistol.

By the way, the Millennium Pro is 1-1/4 inches thick and the P-3AT is just over 3/4 inch thick.

There is no way the Mil Pro will fit into my pocket, let alone conceal easily, but I do like the Millennium Pro very much.



http://www.wtv-zone.com/jnib/images/ktog/milpro_p3.jpg
http://www.wtv-zone.com/jnib/images/ktog/milpro_p3_2.jpg

[longhorngunman]

I'll chime in here with same recommendation thats been said 100 times already: Kel-tec .380, the smallest(seems to be the most important in your query), most powerful for it's size, lightest, simple design, good reliability and lifetime warranty( if you actually shoot it to pieces kel-tec will give you another one), very cheap, decently accurate for it's size( but remember these are the definition of "belly guns" for a reason, and the only gun that an anti-gun woman told me "Aww, that little thing is cute!":p

[Alan Fud]

I had bad luck with the P-3AT. Consider a Skyy CPX ...

http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f159.jpg

... under $300, compact size, 9+1 rounds of 9mm Parabellum, DAO with a repeat striker capability, manual safety and reliable with the proper ammo.

[ecureed]

my pt111 pro rode to the ATM in the pocket of my cargo shorts this evening...however, it would probably be too big for my jean pockets...i love my my mil pro

[ksnecktieman]

I agree, the Keltec is great, and if a woman thought it was cute?? It does come in pink, and sky blue, and green:) No one thinks a light blue pistol is real,,,, YMMV

[Wilson 17&26]

No one thinks a light blue pistol is real,,,,

My wife expects to get off two rounds while the BG is still laughing :rolleyes:

http://www.wilson-genealogy.com/pics/p32pbwnaa.gif

[MCgunner]

Uh, if I get one, it won't be in pastel colors...:rolleyes:

ROFL

[innerpiece9]

Hi folks.
thanks for all the input! lots of good opinions.

currently Ive got a Taurus PT111SSP MilPro, and CharterArms Police Undercover 6 shot .38 Snubbie, '85circa. for ccw..
hence the need for something just a bit smaller.

and Ill add both are 100% reliable.. my PT111 has over 4,000 rds thru her. NO hicups what-so-ever.
The Charter is exceptionally proficient for a .38 snubbie.. just a lil wide for anything other than properly placed IWB carry.

Im understanding KelTec is quite reliable overall.. but alan fud, what ammo is the skyy more reliable with,...?

I think Id have the KelTecPF9 if they would actually come out with it... but since its not even on the market I dont consider it,.. especially as a recommendation. no offence keltec fans.

thanks much all of you!
good thread!

later, ip9.

[MR.G]

Hard to beat the Kel-Tec for a pocket gun under $300.00. I use a P-11 most of the time, and a P-3AT when dressed light.

[weregunner]

The Makarov for slimmness.Somewhat that is.A money saver too. Decent power level.Good accuracy.OR.The Taurus PT111 MIl/pro.12 rounds of 9mm.+P in a small package.Trigger pull is light and crisp.Choices ,choices.Try em all.

[kokapelli]

Are you sure about "Plus P" in the Mil Pro?

[weregunner]

The manual reccomends 124gr at 1225fps.If that is the case and standard loads are at approx. over 1100fps then yes. There are +Ps that are that fast. I wouldn"t use 1300fps ammo but one can find out the feet per second on a given load and go with that.I do use 115 and 145yes 145 grainers that are at standard load velocities.The+Ps I do use are rated at the 1200fps level.I switch loads from time to time.