[Pitt_Guy]

Howdy,

I currently attend the Univ. of Pittsburgh and am entering my senior year. Which also happens to be the first time I will be going back to the city with my carry permit. I am already taking a pistol course in early august so I will know my stuff before I start to carry.

I already own a CZ-75 and a Ruger SP-101. I figure I will carry the Ruger almost all of the time. However I think that the heft of the ruger won't allow for pocket carry when I really need to deeply conceal it among the sheeple.

Also, sometimes it gets hot in Pittsburgh or maybe I need to runout quickly so a big thick belt for a good holster may not be a viable option.
More realisticly, I often return to my home in the city during the night after spending time for night classes or studying on campus. So I would want a piece that is small yet very potent so I could "carry and not even know it's there" until I need it of course.


So here are the criteria that I can think of:

-Under 25 oz.
(my ruger is listed at 27oz but I don't think that could be toted in a pocket
holster)

-Under $400 (collge budget of course)

-100% reliable

-Min. Caliber
Revolver: .38+P
Pistol: 9mm


I think I already have a good idea of what I want but I am asking for everyone's $.02

-thanks

[pogo2]

The S&W J-frame airweight snubby .38's fit your spec pretty well. The 442 (blue) and 642 (stainless) have enclosed hammers for no snagging in the pocket. They weigh about 15 ounces empty and hold 5 rounds of .38 special.

[Havegunjoe]

It's about the least expensive, light weight semi-auto you can purchase new. You may find a used Kahr P9 for under $400. The Kahr is a much better gun, but more expensive.

[Bravo11]

Another vote for Kel-Tec P11.
Easy to carry. Easy to uncarry. I have to go places where my weapon is restricted and I found that the Kel-Tec in a IWB clip holster is easy to put on/take off.

[magsnubby]

My vote goes to my favorite snubby. The S&W 642 loaded with 125 gr Silver Tips or the new Gold Dot 135 gr +p's. It carries easy in a pocket.

[Sunray]

I suspect you'll find you college won't let you on campus with any firearm. Best you find out before you go back. Then carry which ever firearm you can shoot best.

[RonGoode]

The Bersa/Firestorm Thunder 9mm or .40 S&W, or, .45acp if affordable. I've owned several Bersa/Firestorms and I love them.

[Safety First]

CZ rami 9mm or Sig P-239 both excellent CCW guns, a little over your target price but either would be a gun you will enjoy for years.

[sevenpoint62mm]

Keltec p9at

.380 ACP (on power with a 9mm) and very very compact and light. I hear it looks liek a pack of cigs in a shirt pocket

[Landric]

I'd go with a S&W Airweight, 442, 642, 638, 38, or a 37 or 637 with a bobbed hammer. Same function as the Ruger, totally reliable (which is often not the case for pocket autos), and easy to carry in a pocket. The 642 is an excellent pocket gun. I've carried one in my pocket for years.

[MikeJ]

I vote for the S&W 642. IMHO it is the best all around concealed carry gun out there. I have a NAA Guardian .32 and one thing I have noticed is that eventhough the Guardian is considerably smaller in size than an Airweight J frame it feels like a little rock in my pocket where the J frame's weight seems more evenly distributed. I also find a J frame's shape to conceal much easier than a small auto, like a Kahr or KelTec 9mm.

[justice4all]

Since you've already got a snub nose revolver, what you need is a mousegun for those ocassions when anything else is too big. Right now, the best combination of small size and decent power is the KelTec P3AT.

[Lone_Gunman]

OK, I will make a wimpy recommendation and suggest the Kel Tec P3AT.

It is less than your minimum caliber requirement of 9mm (its a 380), but if you have a P3AT there is absolutley no situation where you cant hide it. Its very light and thin. You can carry it without having to change the way you dress. Just stick it in a pocket holster and you are good to go.

One word to the wise with the Kel-Tec is that it is prone to getting rusty. I sent it off to Kel-Tec to get the slide hard chromed. This costs $20, but the corrosion resistance is worth it. The bluing on the Kel_Tec doesnt offer much corrosion protection. Mine got wet when I fell off a boat into the Gulf of Mexico (long story), and it had rust on it the next day.

Confucius say, 380 in pocket beats 9mm in sock drawer.