minnesota oldie
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- Dec 4, 2003
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- 154
How about used S&W 36 snubby in .38 special. There a lots of them around for $200-250.
Suggestions for a small carry gun
- Thread starter Stand_Watie
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The notion of a carry gun is very difficult to pin down. I discount this as a "duty" question, which automatically ups the ante to something that's just not comfortable. Now, to many people "comfort" sounds like a sissy concept- but it it ain't comfortable, sooner or later you're going to take it off when you shouldn't or not have it with you that one time....and you know the rest. You think it doesn't apply to you, but it does, baby, it does. That means concealable AND comfortable.
So what's "comfortable?" Since I live in a non-carry state, I've never been able to deal with that question personally, but I did deal with it with two people. One was a friend in a CCW state who wrestled with this problem endlessly, tried a half-dozen different guns. The gun he actually ended up carrying was a Beretta Bobcat .25 ACP. Although he tried larger guns (he also tried the Tomcat, in .32, as well as all the others), he discovered that the tiny Beretta was the only one he could wear and forget about.
The second guy is a cop, and his concern, as he has been given more investigative duties, was a fairly concealable gun that still had respectable stopping power. "Respectable," in this case, and this is supported by some authorities on the subject, he took to be .380 (9mm Kurz). After reviewing the choices, he decided that the only acceptable candidate was the current manufacture Walther PPK stainless.
{Note: I realize the whole idea of "small" is relative. I also think the criteria presented here are relevant, and the solutions, for the individuals involved, are reasonable. I also realize there are people on this forum who could make a .454 Casull seem reasonable as a "-small concealed carry gun." Nevertheless.}
So what's "comfortable?" Since I live in a non-carry state, I've never been able to deal with that question personally, but I did deal with it with two people. One was a friend in a CCW state who wrestled with this problem endlessly, tried a half-dozen different guns. The gun he actually ended up carrying was a Beretta Bobcat .25 ACP. Although he tried larger guns (he also tried the Tomcat, in .32, as well as all the others), he discovered that the tiny Beretta was the only one he could wear and forget about.
The second guy is a cop, and his concern, as he has been given more investigative duties, was a fairly concealable gun that still had respectable stopping power. "Respectable," in this case, and this is supported by some authorities on the subject, he took to be .380 (9mm Kurz). After reviewing the choices, he decided that the only acceptable candidate was the current manufacture Walther PPK stainless.
{Note: I realize the whole idea of "small" is relative. I also think the criteria presented here are relevant, and the solutions, for the individuals involved, are reasonable. I also realize there are people on this forum who could make a .454 Casull seem reasonable as a "-small concealed carry gun." Nevertheless.}
Frenchy
Member
IMHO...if I'm going to trust my life to something cheap, it's going to be a good used wheelgun.
Stand_Watie
Member
I have heard a lot of good stuff about the Makarov, and the price definitely seems right - are they only in 9mm, and is 9x18 the standard 9mm cartridge? Are these 10 round magazines? I see them sold as 'Russian', 'Polish' and 'Bulgarian", are all of these of decent quality or is there one or more I should stay away from? Are there any other nationality Makarovs and if there are are they also of decent quality?
Reliabilty is really my main concern, this is not going to be a target pistol.
Reliabilty is really my main concern, this is not going to be a target pistol.
The Makarov is a great little pistol. Mine is the Russian commercial IJ-70 "Baikal" model in 9x18. Makarovs can also be had in 9mm Kurz (.380 Auto, 9x17). The actual 9mm Makarov bullet is a bit different, as iit has a larger diameter than the other "nines." It absolutely does not handle the 9mm Para. (9x19) as this round is a more powerful beast entirely, and requires a locked-breech pistol. The smallest 9mm Parabellum pistol I know of would be something like the Glock 26. The Makarov is about at the upper end of blowback operated pistols. As a concealment weapon, though, it is not all that compact. It's pretty flat, but is bigger than a PP or PPK.
stand go to www.makarov.com lots of good info about makarovs. i have a bulgarian military model. from what i hear they are the brutes of the bunch.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
Beretta type M
Cosmoline
Member
A Walther PP or (if you have the $$) a PPK is a great choice. They're little pistols that shoot like big ones. Very, very accurate and well engineered.
CZSteve
Member
I'll through another vote in for a Makarov.
Picked-up a Bulgarian for Christmas for $143.00 total TT&L.
If you don't mind dropping down to a 9x18 as opposed to a 9x19, the Mak is hard to beat.
Reliable, Accrurate, Reliable, Fun to shoot, Reliable, Cheap Ammo ($), and Re...; sorry
I personally love the look and feel of the gun also.
Kinda unique w/ character.
Can't believe I was torn between a KelTec P-11 and the Mak at one time.
(no disrespect to KelTec; just really love my Mak)
Picked-up a Bulgarian for Christmas for $143.00 total TT&L.
If you don't mind dropping down to a 9x18 as opposed to a 9x19, the Mak is hard to beat.
Reliable, Accrurate, Reliable, Fun to shoot, Reliable, Cheap Ammo ($), and Re...; sorry
I personally love the look and feel of the gun also.
Kinda unique w/ character.
Can't believe I was torn between a KelTec P-11 and the Mak at one time.
(no disrespect to KelTec; just really love my Mak)
DontShootMe
Member
Well since I think no one has mentioned it...
I recommend the Bersa Thunder .380
It's a 9mm short (.380)
It's cheap (got mine used for under $200)
It's reliable (no jams yet, other people say the same)
It's small (jacket pocket is where mine goes)
Bonus:
It's not a bad looking gun - a look similar to the Walther PPK
Holds 7+1 (more than a standard revolver)
and... loaded with Cor-Bon or Gold Dot rounds, this puppy is NO JOKE.
I recommend the Bersa Thunder .380
It's a 9mm short (.380)
It's cheap (got mine used for under $200)
It's reliable (no jams yet, other people say the same)
It's small (jacket pocket is where mine goes)
Bonus:
It's not a bad looking gun - a look similar to the Walther PPK
Holds 7+1 (more than a standard revolver)
and... loaded with Cor-Bon or Gold Dot rounds, this puppy is NO JOKE.
I'm surprised it took so long for someone to mention the Bersa.
I've got a KelTec .380 which is way tiny, but I would still love a Bersa.
The looks of a Walther, the reliability of a Glock, at a better price than a KelTec.
Around here, new nickel ones can be had for $189 before tax.
CZsteve,
If I could find a new Mak that cheap, I'd probably have to go sell a pint of blood or something.
As a matter of fact, outside of gun shows, (double the price you found) the major dealers near me don't even carry Makarovs.
What gives?
I've got a KelTec .380 which is way tiny, but I would still love a Bersa.
The looks of a Walther, the reliability of a Glock, at a better price than a KelTec.
Around here, new nickel ones can be had for $189 before tax.
CZsteve,
If I could find a new Mak that cheap, I'd probably have to go sell a pint of blood or something.
As a matter of fact, outside of gun shows, (double the price you found) the major dealers near me don't even carry Makarovs.
What gives?
Unless you are planning to strictly pocket carry, go with a Glock 19. 16 rounds of 9mm in a very compact, but very handy package. The thing is stupid accurate and as reliable as a handgun can get. If compact is a consideration, the 19 wins in more ways than one everytime. If it is subcompact only, a 26 works and holds 11 rounds of 9mm. If pocket carry is what you are after, a PM9 is the way to go with 7 rounds of 9mm.
Got my Russian IJ-70 "Baikal" model Makarov, which is a commercial model in the "pretty good" category of fit & finish, adjustable sights, back a few years ago when they could be had for $125 NIB with extra magazine and cleaning rod. It's been a good gun, as dependable as a rock, quite accurate, and a small step up from a .380 in power (although none of these blowback pistols are even close to the 9x19 Parabellum round). I suspect, since Makarovs come from so many sources (military surplus, East German, Bulgarian, Russian, and probably some I've never heard of), that they're where you find them. A brief stroll through AA showed new ones in the $180 range. Guess I should have bought a six-pack; not sure I'd buy today at these prices. It may be that the Bersa is a better deal.
M2 Carbine
member
ponyexpress
Member
If I can throw in my .02 worth on this, I have a friend with a CCW who use to carry a Makarov but stopped because he felt to was too heavy. He said it was a great gun but being all steel it was just too uncomfortable at the end of the day. He now carries a Kahr or a Glock, depending on the time of year.
Stand_Watie
Member
Well I had it narrowed down to the Makarov and the Bersa and I wound up with the Bersa at about the same price. Even though it's less of a cartridge - I really like the looks, and I really like the decocker and the safety. The one I got was the bottom tier priced one just like the one pictured below
entropy
Member
Win75
Member
I vote for the Kahr PM9. Light weight, small, great trigger, and goes boom every time I pull the trigger. It does not get any better than that.
David.
David.
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