380's

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ok, now i'm confused... i went today and handled a few of the guns suggested, though i never could find any kahr's or ppk's or ppk/s's - unless the s&w 99 is similiar? anyway, i didn't care for any of the true pocket guns however.

so... i rented a sig p-239 in 40 s&w and liked it, but there weren't any other sub-compacts available to rent. i handled a glock 26, but i figure if i am going to step the size of the gun up, i'm going to step the caliber up, too, meaning i want a 40 or 45...

anyway, i'm kind of confused now. i liked the p-239, but the glock was smaller, but not so small that i would really dislike it. saw a springfield xd compact, which appeared to be bigger than both the glock and the sig, but i didn't look at it real hard. i originally wanted something remarkably smaller than my sig p-229...looks like i have some more research to do. thanks for the help thus far fellas.
 
Try the Kahr PM9.

Aesthetics be (&!(*ed..... it's about having a reliable weapon.


As to having two, the fastest reload is a second gun. With only six or seven shots in the gun, having a quick reload is good.

The P3AT is so tiny you could hide eight of them.
 
My "hole" gun is a S&W model 340pd .38/.357. It weighs 12 ounces when empty and will hold 5 rounds. I carry it concealed in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II IWB holster and it is undetectable with just wearing a T-shirt. Some may say they don't like them - but these scandium/titanium jobs are powerful, small, and lightweight (and really expensive, too!).
 
dakotasin
anyway, i'm kind of confused now. i liked the p-239, but the glock was smaller, but not so small that i would really dislike it. saw a springfield xd compact, which appeared to be bigger than both the glock and the sig, but i didn't look at it real hard.
Click to expand...
Looks can be deceiving. Every person is different in what they feel comfortable with, and how well they can conceal it. But what I have learned from a lot of trial and error is that for me the hardest part of the gun to hide is the grip, and the most difficult aspect of the grip to hide is the thickness.

I also find that I end up carrying my Colt Mustang more often than any other firearm. I have tried heavier weapons, but my tolerance limit in pocket is about 15 oz. loaded, and most everything out there in .380 or above is heavier than that, with the exception of the Keltec P3-AT. And while the P3-AT is a consideration I find the Mustang easier to grip and shoot accurately than the Keltecs I have tried.

When I do carry something larger, it is a single-stack compact 1911 because I could never seem to keep any double-stack from being a lump on my side, and I could never quite master the DA/SA trigger. The Officer sized grip is thin and just enough shorter than a full-size grip to make a difference in concealment, while the trigger is easier for me to be consistent with.

Of the guns you said you liked, I personally would consider the P-239 an excellent choice for some of the reasons I stated above. I would buy one myself if I wasn't a southpaw and didn't find DA/SA a struggle. Can't wait for them to put their new DAK trigger in the 239, but right now it doesn't look like that is going to happen anytime soon.
 
That is a tough order to fill because you don't like Kahrs and they make the most sense for what you want. If a Bersa is too large, you are even in bigger trouble. Stay away from the Kel-Tecs. They are just not realiable enough for self defense. From what I can see, the best option for you may be an ultra light S&W snubbie. They are kind of fat in the middle so that might not work either.

I would say go with the Bersa if you want .380 or go with Kahr if you want 9mm or .40S&W. I have no experience with the plastic Kahrs but the threee steel 9mm have been outstanding. You should shoot a Kahr if you think you might learn to live with it. You should shoot them all to see what works if you can.
 
yeah, you're right... the more i think about this, the more i think i need to re-visit the kahr and give it a chance to shoot a little. i'm thinking my list of guns to give serious looks at are down to 4: kahr (40), sig 239 (40), glock 27 (40), and springfield xd compact (40)... not sure there is a bad choice in the bunch, but i do think there is one that will work better than the others as a carry piece... i want a chance to really look at the springfield and the kahr.
 
Springfield would be tough to conceal in a pocket (but easily done IWB or ankle carried, among other things). If you're looking at Kahr's, they go retail in these parts for $539 (Fargo, ND). Can be had on gb or other auction sites for sub $500.
 
What about an NAA Guardian? http://www.naaminis.com/380.html
I am looking into buying one of these. I want the new .32 NAA caliber. It is a necked down .380 but it is hard to find ammo for which is a big drawback. I have shot the .380 and I like it (for a pocket gun) so I will probably end up with one. I want to shoot the Keltec 1st to make sure I don't want that instead.
 
This thing about Kel-tecs being unreliable is a bunch of BS!

Sure you can find an occasional one that needs you to spend 15-20 minutes on it, but once it is running right, it will be as reliable as any pocket gun out there.

I have two P-3ATs. One has over 2000 rounds through it and other than replacing the recoil springs it is flawless. The othe one (the one I carry) has 600 rounds through it and it has been totally reliable.
 
I'd like to enter yet another recommendation for a Kel-Tec P11. I've never found a S&W 59xx magazine that fed correctly with my P11, but I don't recall ever having any reliability problems when using a factory (Mec-Gar) magazine.

My P11 is of an early vintage. About two years ago, I sent it in for a hard chrome upgrade. Instead of refinishing the slide, they just replaced it. The newer slide appears to be cheaped slightly in the number of cuts used to machine it, but the extractor is better machined. I experienced no change in reliability with the slide change, however.

Yes, the trigger pull is a chore, but it is smooth. A factory trigger shoe helps a lot. I know some authorities warn against trigger shoes on carry guns, but the pull is so long and heavy on a P11, accidental discharge when using a properly fitted holster is a remote possibility.

And yes, a sizeable fraction of new P11 buyers send their guns to the factory for tuning. Rest assured, if you need to deal with Kel-Tec service, you'll be treated very well, you will get your firearm returned to you in a timely fashion, and it will spin like a top. Without naming names, I've read accounts of more prestigious gunmakers, who make guns prettier (and more expense, by far), than Kel-Tec, who treat their customers very poorly. To make a largely innacurate, yet amusing analogy, a Kel-Tec is like a mousy, bookish girl. Well, maybe that analogy is function of one's taste. I've always had a thing for mousy, bookish girls. :D

The P11 is my primary carry gun. I trust it to be the tool I use to defend my life, if forced to. I can't think of a better endorsement than that.

---

I also like the North American Arms Guardian 380. When it comes to weight, it's a brick, but it's built to last, and by a great company. Again, you'll be treated right in dealings with the factory. I sent my in for an extractor problem, and keyholing with my choice of defensive ammo, and haven't experienced a single FTE or keyholing round since I got it back. They included, at no charge, a feed ramp and chamber polish, as well as a lot of other extra work, when I sent it in for the extractor repair. They didn't have to do that, and I didn't ask for it. Also, I got it back three weeks ahead of schedule! :what: After being treated so well, I've considered getting one of their tiny revolvers, if only for the novelty of it.
 
Re:

Just got a flyer from Gander Mountain...they are having big sale until March 5th....Guns, reloading supllies etc....I saw in the ad a Bersa Thunder .380 for sale $199.99. I may go pick one up for mrsmack.....mack
 
Ive shot damn near every 380 out there....I love the CZ83. But I love the Mak chambered one. :D
For a pocket gun.....teenyweeny, the KT 3at is very accurate almost surprising how accurate and reliable. The first ones werent but thats history.
The bigger pocket the P11 and Kahrs are a great choice....mine have been 100% all of the time.

All of the 40's you mention are all worthy of carry....just shoot them if you can.
Guns can be comfy to hold and carry, but shooting them will tell the real story with them..and whether youll want to keep it or not.
Shoot well......
 
Another vote for the Kel-Tec P3AT. I carry one 60% of the time, when IM not carring my CZ RAMI in .40

I have over 1000 rds thru my P3AT with not one problem.

I also live in Florida.. and it is perfect with a pair of shorts.
 
The only justification for a .380 is an inescapable requirement for SMALL--VERY small.

Very small also means a short range capability (7 yards or less). With these constraints, I highly recommend the Kel-Tec. I've put 200 rounds through mine so far with absolutely no failure to feed or fire. The gun shop where I purchased it says that the Kel-Tec has a significantly lower return rate than any other .380--excluding the giant-sized ones such as Browning and Beretta.

The Kel-Tec is well suited to both my wife's tiny hands and my large (12 1/2 glove size) fist. It is comfortable enough to shoot that extended practice sessions are not a problem.

For ANYTHING larger than the Kel-Tec get a 9mm or larger caliber.
For anything smaller, get a knife!
Just my two cents worth--your mileage may differ...
 
Last week I picked up a Kel-Tec P3AT and PCRCCW and I put some rounds through it the other night at the range. At about 10 yards, PCRCCW put all of them in the black. I had a few flyers, I will get the hang of it. These guns are capable of some nice accuracy. Recoil was not bad at all with a Hogue Hand-all JR. on it. I was impressed!
Tonite I stopped by HBE Leatherworks and picked up a VERY nice pocket holster for it.
The P3AT is a fantastic back up gun and also makes a nice primary weapon when needed.
 
I carry a Colt Pony....Mustang if you want single action....if you can find one. If you have the money, buy the Rohrbaugh R9S, with sights.... Guess I am not a tupperware man.
 
Pocket Carry

COLT
Mustang PocketLite .380 single action or Pocket Nine 9mm double action only.Neither are still made but are two of the best IMHO and readily available if you're willing to watch and wait.I typically find 4-20 at gun shows in our town. Parts availability is the only downfall of the Pocket 9 ;parts are plentiful for the Colt .380 series.
 
I love my bersa .380, but my kahr p9 is the same size only thinner. Take half an inch off height and length for the pm9. The bersa is more comfortable to shoot, but for serious work the kahr packs more punch and conceals better. It did take me a little longer to warm up to the kahr, because it is a handful.
For .40 I like the glock 27. It is thicker, but that helps absorb the recoil.
All of these are nice guns. Each one has its plusses and minuses. The thing to do is take a careful look at how you are going to use it. :)
 
Bersa

I have a Bersa Thunder. I like it, its small light, concealable, ( I carry it in my front pocket of my baggy shorts) and is fairly accurate since its a fixed barrel, plus it was inexpensive. I got it for my wife, but I only refer to it as her gun, its mine all mine. I only wish I bought one when it was being offered for 170, I paid 200.
 
I had a Bersa but sold it to get a Colt Gov't .380. I had a Kel-Tec but sold it to get a NAA Guardian .380. Great trades in my book. ;)

Here's the NAA and Kel-tec
 

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I sold my (heavy as a brick blowback) NAA Guardian to buy a (thinner, lighter) locked breach P-3AT!
Liked the P-3AT so much, I purchased a second one.
 
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