[chetrogers]

I'm thinking down the line I'm going to be getting my ccw and was curious to what type of gun anyone would suggest that is small.I'm thinking .380 or something that "I" would not notice as much as a .45 or something but would do the job if needed.Thanks for any suggestions.Price range I'm hoping to be under $400.

[bad_dad_brad]

The Kel Tec line would fit the bill and your price tag. The P11 9mm is a nice little light and thin gun. If you want to go really light and tiny, the P32 in .32 cal might be something to check out. Both guns are much under 400 and they do have a cult following. I have a P32. Some folks bemoan their reliability, others swear by them.

If you had the extra dough (a bit over 500), the new Kahr PM9 in 9X19 is a much better option than a .380 but is having some teething problems. A little heavier but the same size, the Kahr MK9 is an outstanding little pistol. I have one.

I would skip the .380 unless it fits into a micro sized handgun, and go with a 9mm, or a .32 if you want something really small. Most older .380 designed are no smaller than modern compact 9mm pistols like the Kahr. And most .380's are of blowback design and can kick a bit.

The 9X19 is a much more powerful cartridge than it's little cousin, and modern .32 caliber ammo approaches the .380's power.

[tbeb]

I suggest a Smith & Wesson J frame airweight revolver in .38 special. It holds 5 rounds and empty weight is 16 or less. One you might want to look for is a nice used model 38. Cost will probably be around $250.

[bad_dad_brad]

tbeb,

I thought about suggesting that, but it is the Autoloaders forum - still, a good suggestion nevertheless.

But if I could find a used Airweight for $250 I would snatch it up. Most around here go for more.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I have a few of the smaller guns and were I determined to go with a .380, I'd go with the little Bersa Thunder in a pocket holster. You'd need to have docker type loose pockets for this to work. You can get .380 pistols smaller, but as the barrel drops below 3.5 inches, velocity drops pretty good, too. Between the 3.5 and a 3.83" .380, Corbon's +P JHP lost about 100 ft/sec on average...at least for me. So far, the little gun's proven utterly reliable, but I have personal long-term durability experience with it although that's being worked on.

You might look at the smaller Kahr P9 pistols and variants. They're thinner than a Glock 26 and work well for pocket carry. The Glock 26 is the largest pistol I can somewhat conceal in a pocket holster and to me if going to a belt holster, I'd go with something a bit larger, but belt holsters abound for the G26. Mine's proven utterly reliable.

All that said, there's an S&W Model 642 in my pocket as I right this.

Best.

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'm not you but if I could carry -- only guns I'd want to pick from are the Glock 19, 26, and my beloved Beretta M. :D

[Rich357]

The SIG P232 .380auto is reliable but it may be a little larger than you want. It's also accurate.

Rich

[WonderNine]

I would recommend the Kahr MK9 if you find a NIB for a decent price. You usually can if you look around the net a little. I can't recommend the PM9 because of the teething problems. I'm not sure if it's yet been properly corrected and if it has I wouldn't know what serial numbers to look for. Email Kahr about this if you like the PM9 over the MK9.

Personally I think I would go with the MK9 at this point, but I haven't decided for sure.

The upcoming Rohrbough 9mm (which is smaller and lighter than even the Kahr's) looks like the ultimate, but it's very pricey. I'd almost be afraid to carry a $1,000 pocket gun, but it looks awesome.

[PCRCCW]

I know of a very clean but used MK9 for 350$ in SLC.....in case your local.
Its the best wittle itty bitty gun in my book....then a M60.
The Kahr conceals better than a snub...mostly anyway.
Shoot well

[David4516]

Get a Makarov. They come in .380 or 9mm Makarov (aka 9X18 ). 9mm Makarov is the way to go if you ask me, it is more powerful than .380 (but it isn't a 9mm Luger, thats for sure). The gun is 100% dependable, thin, and best of all, it won't cost you an arm and a leg. They go for about $150.

My Makarov is my carry gun and I have been very happy with it. I think it would serve you better than a .38 snub, because it is much thinner and you get an extra 2 rounds (3 if you carry with a round in the chamber and a full mag, the Mak has a 8+1 capacity).
In terms of foot pounds of energy, a 9mm Makarov is equal to a .38 +p fired from a snubby, so the snub doesn't have a power advantage either. You can also reload an auto faster than a revolver.

www.makarov.com

[CZ-75]

I like the Makarov too, but a S&W snubby would be a strong consideration as well.

[denfoote]

Nobody is a bigger fan of Pistolet Makarova than I am!!!! :D
However, in this case, I also would look very closely at the Kahr MK9!! That is what I carry and it fits in the pocket better than anything I have, including the Grrrrrr-yuck 26!!!! :evil:

[mini14jac]

I had a MK9 that I would give a thumbs-up to.
I traded it when I found a PM9.
Mine is about 6 months old, (I think) and hasn't had any "teething problems".
Light, accurate, reliable, and very shootable.
But ,either of these is going to run $400 - 500.

The Airweight is an excellent choice, with a few negatives, depending on your needs.
(We have one.)
1. High cost.
2. Not much fun to practice with.
3. Takes a lot of practice to get accurate with.

The KelTec offerings are also good.
The 9mm P11 trigger takes a lot of practice to get used to.
If you take the time to learn it, or you're not really interested in a range gun, this would be the way to go.
The P32 is an excellent choice, if you like the .32 caliber.
(I do. :) )
The P33AT -.380- has a lot of promise.
It will probably be a year before they are debugged, and readily available though.

Also, the Bersa .380 stands out as a value winner in this category.
So, there are some good choices, even in the under-$300-range.

Don't overlook Taurus revolvers, or the Beretta Tomcat .32.
These guns are well made, and closer to the $300 mark.

[puppage]

"the P32 in .32 cal might be something to check out"


Boy, I'LL SAY!! Great deep concealment gun. I love it.

[tlhelmer]

Glock 26/27/33:D

[sig970]

Sig P232

[Rock45]

I must echo a few others and recommend the Thunder 380...Mine is very easy to carry in the Fobus paddle. It's a good little shooter, and I feel very comfortable with it. To those that would call the 380 an insufficient round, may I remind you that not too many 300 lb crack-heads would survive a half-dozen head/neck shots in quick succession...just my .02 cents worth.

[Rock45]

Practice is the key here...If you can't practice enough to be able to pull off the head shots, and I understand a lot of us simply Can't...may I suggest a stick or a big dog?

Sorry, folks, I couldn't resist...

[Pilot]

I like the Beretta Model 85 Cheetah for this role, although a Makarov or Bersa would also fit the bill for a lot less money.

[OEF_VET]

Love my P32. It goes everywhere with me (except school that is). And no one can tell it's sitting in the front pocket of my shorts.

Frank

[concerned citizen]

Hey Flyer..

"I've posted some pretty good pics of both it and the P-32, it's younger brother."

Can you tell me where you posted these pics?
I am very interested to see them but can not find the thread they are posted in??

[tiberius]

RE Flyer's pics.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26204

http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4117

If you are intersted in this pistol (I love my P-32) check out the KTOG site: http://www.ktog.org/

[Erik]

I'm fond of my Kahr MK40. Too heavy for your tastes? Try their little polymer 9mm.

[txgolfer45]

"I would recommend the Kahr MK9 if you find a NIB for a decent price. You usually can if you look around the net a little. I can't recommend the PM9 because of the teething problems. I'm not sure if it's yet been properly corrected and if it has I wouldn't know what serial numbers to look for. Email Kahr about this if you like the PM9 over the MK9."

What do you mean by "teething" problems with the PM9???

Scott

[concerned citizen]

I have two pm9's.

One is in the 1k serial range and 1 in the 3k range. No teething problems on either.

There is a difference between the two though, The 3k appears to have a hard chome frosted finish and the 1k slide is just flat stainless. The 3k looks much nicer, Both funtion 100%


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