Back up gun for a female sheriffs reserve. Please help.

[El Rojo]

One of my customers is looking for a back up gun to carry along with her Glock 22. I guess she is going to get her back up holster sewed onto her vest and the gun will actually ride right in between her cleavage, high on the chest, just out of sight (it sounds like someone who knows what they were doing set this up and its not her idea). The Glock 27 is out because it is just too big. She also would like to have a handier gun to put in a smaller purse for any under cover work they might put her in.

I guess the boys at work said nothing less than a .32, which sounds good to me. Someone mentioned to her or she saw at a local shot a Beretta Tomcat in .32 auto and I can get those for a decent price.

I told her I would post this on my discussion board and send her a link so she can take a look at it. Lets use that THR knowledge and give her some other recommendations. Keep in mind small. Any thing mini-Glock or larger is too big. That pretty much means something between a 32 auto and 9mm.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Squidward]

The first issue is the weapons policy of her dept.?
If the policy is liberal as to mfg and caliber, I'll suggest the Kahr PM9.

 

[JamisJockey]

Absolutely no autos. This gun has to function and work no matter what. I vote an alloy .38 or .357 snubbie. Can't beat it.

 

[dzimmerm]

Makarov?

What about a makarov? They have more punch than a .32 and they are small enough to conceal as mentioned. They are also very reliable. If she has to buy this for herself it would not break her bank.

The downside is incompatable ammo.

dzimmerm

 

[El Rojo]

This is Kern County! I don't think there are rules. Plus she is reading this so now she knows to check with the department. I don't think there are carry rules otherwise they would have told her. She has been going without a BUG for a year or more.

 

[JamisJockey]

I forgot to mention, if its going to be kept that close to her skin its going to be exposed to sweat and moisture. Alloy or tupperware for sure!

 

[El Rojo]

I like the looks of that PM9. I think that is only .4" longer than the Tomcat.

And she confirmed the only thing they said was nothing under a 32 auto. So the sky's the limit on choices.

Keep those replies coming, I appreciate it.

 

[jsalcedo]

S&W airweight. Corrosion resistant and rated for +p

 

[Black Majik]

I agree with the PM9 or the P9.
Theres also the P3aT
S&W airlight .38's or 340/360PD
Colt .380 Pocketlite Mustang
Colt .380 Pony
Rohrbaugh R9
SIG P232
Walther PPK or PPK/S

 

[grimjaw]

The NAA Guardian in .32 or .380 is smaller than the Tomcat by a little bit, but weighs more (which to me is a plus, less recoil).

Pistol, H/L/W/barrel length/weight
NAA Guardian .380/3.53"/4.75"/0.930"/2.49"/18.72 oz
Beretta Tomcat/4.9"/3.7"/1.1"/2.4"/14.5 oz

The NAA Guardian in .32 is even smaller than that, only 0.85" in width, weighs 13.5 oz. Neither is much more expensive that the Tomcat.

In revolvers, one of the J frames might work, although there would be an issue with printing if it's between her chest and neck. They are lightweight and sufficient for BUG's.

There are also KelTec pistols, but I have shied away from those and have no experience with them.

jmm

 

[psyopspec]

Another vote for the PM-9.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/vest.htm

In case she's still at the "weighing options" stage for concealed BUG holsters. Lots of designs like this out there, relatively easy to access through a button up shirt (unbutton, or tear away and grab).

 

[coylh]

It will be fun practicing disarms!

 

[entropy]

S&W 642. Or the Kahr PM9 if she absolutely must have an auto.

 

[IV Troop]

An S&W Airweight Centennial 38 would be ideal. I have carried one on my ankle or attached to my vest for years. Simple and reliable.

 

[El Rojo]

Thanks everyone. Keep them coming. This is good information. I appreciate it.

 

[magnumcarry]

S&W 642 .38 or a Kel-Tek in .32 or .380

 

[mnrivrat]

Without the opportunity to take personal measurements

I would say an alloy J frame 38. If that doesn't fit, then maybe a Kel-Tek .380 or simular size weapon.

 

[Bane]

S&W Airweight 38 special +P. Much more powerful then 32ACP. Don't get me wrong 32ACP has its place but it is way behind 38 Special +P. If she has to have a 32 get a Kel-Tec not the Beretta. The Beretta is to heavy and bulky when compared to a Kel-Tec.

 

[El Rojo]

What about Kel-Tec's trigger pull? I have a friend who has a Kel-Tec 9mm and the trigger pull on it is somewhere around 2000 lbs. I also have a friend who has a Kel-Tec .40 and that thing is quite tempramental with ammunition.

I am not sure if she is going to be into revolvers or not. We can have her try a couple out I suppose.

 

[Ala Dan]

I agree, that a S&W 642 hid underneath a vest could prove too be
a very valuable life insurance policy~! But, if it must be of slim design
and compact it would be hard to beat the LWS-32 from Larry Seecamp.

 

[mnrivrat]

What about Kel-Tec's trigger pull? I have a friend who has a Kel-Tec 9mm and the trigger pull on it is somewhere around 2000 lbs.

I have found that the trigger pull is much better on the small frame Kel-Tec's . There is very little difference in size between the .380 and the .32 auto in this gun and therefore I personaly carry the .380 for the extra power and recommend it over any of the other Kel-Tec's.

They are an OK gun , having a bit of a mixed history out of the box , but improving as time goes on and customer service is very good if needed. Most will recommend a breakin period on them to assure reliablity. Some will tell you they are a POS . I have found mine to be reliable out of the box and enjoy their light weight and compact size for carry. ( Just my opinion )

 

[sgt127]

A 642. I have carried one for 12 years as a back up. A revolver doesn't care if you limp wrist it, doesn't care if you have a crappy grip with only your weak hand, upside down or sideways. It will feed anything you put in the cylinder and can't get pushed out of battery if you need to make a contact shot. The magizine spring won't get weak. If you have the strength to pull the trigger, its the odds on favorite to go bang five times. I have lots of autos to choose from, but, I think so highly of my first generation 642, I found a nearly new one at a gun show and snatched it up so I will always have a spare.

 

[eastwood44mag]

FWIW,

I would opt for a Ruger SP101 in .357 as a carry gun. It would serve fine as a purse piece, although I've never seen anyone try to use it in a cleavage holster, so I can't say about the fit.

 

[Medusa]

Try Walther P99C

Perhaps Walther P99 Compact? it is polymer, after all, and thus more resistant to sweat.

http://www.carl-walther.de/englisch/defense/defense-103.html

Perfect for concealed carry or as a backup weapon for law enforcement.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

I've got a Tomcat in .32, and while it is reliable and fairly accurate for a mouse gun, the DA trigger is roughly .25 Metric Ton. My girl cannot pull it. Other than that it is great.