chaim
Member
(If you don't like long posts, go ahead and skip this intro and skip to "Criteria" and "...the guns...").
Quite a while ago I ruled out small .380s. I don't really trust the caliber, especially with the small 9mms out there. They are best as pocket guns, but I carry a lot in my pockets and thus I hate pocket carry (where am I going to put the stuff that goes in my right pocket when the left is already full).
So, while checking out holsters for my new S&W M&P40c, I came across the Sneaky Pete holster.
It is one of those hide in plain sight type concealment holsters. Kind of like a nicer, leather, fanny pack. It is supposed to mimic a phone case or small tablet case. To those who know what they are looking at (cops and CCWers) it screams gun, but to the average person (and probably the average bad guy) they have no idea what they are looking at. I hate fanny packs, but a nice leather belt pouch, well, I started thinking.
They have to be big enough to cover the gun, so I figured one for the M&P40c, or even for my SIG P290RS would probably be just plain too big. Even for a small .380 it may be a bit large, but the combination will probably work. I may not want a small .380 as a primary or pocket carried, but as a backup and carried outside a pocket, why not? Of course, if I decide against the Sneaky Pete, even in a standard tuckable IWB holster, these small .380s will disappear (my primary will be strong side, so maybe put the .380 weak side or AIWB).
How often will I carry a backup? Probably not much, but it will be nice to be able to. Admittedly, I'll probably use it mostly as a range toy.
Criteria:
It must have usable sights. I'd prefer a DA/SA or DAO (manual safety or not doesn't matter, I wouldn't use it) rather than a SAO with manual safety. I know many don't have a last shot hold open feature, I wish my LCP did, so it is a preferred feature but not necessary. Given what it would cost to get a laser for my existing LCP, or to replace it with a S&W Bodyguard, I don't want to spend too much. Since most of its use will be at the range, something a little more comfortable than the LCP would be nice (but not needed).
So, the guns (more or less in the order I'm considering)...
1) Keep my Ruger LCP. I don't like it much and I had put it for sale. My biggest issue with it is the nearly non-existent sights. So, by spending $80-200 (depending up the brand) I can get a laser and improve practical accuracy greatly. However, I don't love the idea of relying on a laser sight (Murphy's Law) plus it would add bulk to the gun. To be a bit more comfortable at the range, I'd add a Hogue grip sleeve.
2) S&W Bodyguard .380. They actually have decent sights despite being a pocket gun, and they have one with the laser built in without adding much bulk. With the rebate they are pretty cheap right now, and considering that I can sell the LCP for around $150 plus the added cost of the laser in order to keep the LCP, it won't cost much more money to get the Bodyguard (probably close to a wash).
3) Kahr CW380
Or I may go a little larger (probably with a tuckable IWB/AIWB only) and go with:
4) Kahr CT380
5) Bersa Thunder .380. I used to have one, it wasn't a bad gun, just a little large for a .380. However, that means it is more comfortable to shoot and gives quicker follow up shots than the pocket .380s.
I'd love to get the SIG P238 or one of the 1911 based .380s, but I prefer a DA first shot as my "manual" safety and don't really want to spend the money. Maybe in the future (just for fun). If I was to spend in the $600+ range on a gun right now, I'd rather spend a little more and get my 1st 10mm (1911 type probably) or a 3" S&W 686 Plus, though it is possible I might be convinced.
I am open to suggestions (keep in mind decent sights and some comfort at the range are probably my #1 and #2 criteria).
Quite a while ago I ruled out small .380s. I don't really trust the caliber, especially with the small 9mms out there. They are best as pocket guns, but I carry a lot in my pockets and thus I hate pocket carry (where am I going to put the stuff that goes in my right pocket when the left is already full).
So, while checking out holsters for my new S&W M&P40c, I came across the Sneaky Pete holster.
It is one of those hide in plain sight type concealment holsters. Kind of like a nicer, leather, fanny pack. It is supposed to mimic a phone case or small tablet case. To those who know what they are looking at (cops and CCWers) it screams gun, but to the average person (and probably the average bad guy) they have no idea what they are looking at. I hate fanny packs, but a nice leather belt pouch, well, I started thinking.
They have to be big enough to cover the gun, so I figured one for the M&P40c, or even for my SIG P290RS would probably be just plain too big. Even for a small .380 it may be a bit large, but the combination will probably work. I may not want a small .380 as a primary or pocket carried, but as a backup and carried outside a pocket, why not? Of course, if I decide against the Sneaky Pete, even in a standard tuckable IWB holster, these small .380s will disappear (my primary will be strong side, so maybe put the .380 weak side or AIWB).
How often will I carry a backup? Probably not much, but it will be nice to be able to. Admittedly, I'll probably use it mostly as a range toy.
Criteria:
It must have usable sights. I'd prefer a DA/SA or DAO (manual safety or not doesn't matter, I wouldn't use it) rather than a SAO with manual safety. I know many don't have a last shot hold open feature, I wish my LCP did, so it is a preferred feature but not necessary. Given what it would cost to get a laser for my existing LCP, or to replace it with a S&W Bodyguard, I don't want to spend too much. Since most of its use will be at the range, something a little more comfortable than the LCP would be nice (but not needed).
So, the guns (more or less in the order I'm considering)...
1) Keep my Ruger LCP. I don't like it much and I had put it for sale. My biggest issue with it is the nearly non-existent sights. So, by spending $80-200 (depending up the brand) I can get a laser and improve practical accuracy greatly. However, I don't love the idea of relying on a laser sight (Murphy's Law) plus it would add bulk to the gun. To be a bit more comfortable at the range, I'd add a Hogue grip sleeve.
2) S&W Bodyguard .380. They actually have decent sights despite being a pocket gun, and they have one with the laser built in without adding much bulk. With the rebate they are pretty cheap right now, and considering that I can sell the LCP for around $150 plus the added cost of the laser in order to keep the LCP, it won't cost much more money to get the Bodyguard (probably close to a wash).
3) Kahr CW380
Or I may go a little larger (probably with a tuckable IWB/AIWB only) and go with:
4) Kahr CT380
5) Bersa Thunder .380. I used to have one, it wasn't a bad gun, just a little large for a .380. However, that means it is more comfortable to shoot and gives quicker follow up shots than the pocket .380s.
I'd love to get the SIG P238 or one of the 1911 based .380s, but I prefer a DA first shot as my "manual" safety and don't really want to spend the money. Maybe in the future (just for fun). If I was to spend in the $600+ range on a gun right now, I'd rather spend a little more and get my 1st 10mm (1911 type probably) or a 3" S&W 686 Plus, though it is possible I might be convinced.
I am open to suggestions (keep in mind decent sights and some comfort at the range are probably my #1 and #2 criteria).