Basic CCW gun weights/sizes for a possible beginner.

[Ignition Override]

I avoided the fact than I'm a lefty because there are few choices designed for lefties and know what the usual response will be. Do many lefties decide to shoot right-handed, or do most insist on learning to shoot with the left hand on a 'right gun'?

FMF Doc said that a friend almost died from using a .380 instead of a larger round, if I understood his intent. Was this in the US against a single attacker etc, or against an aggressor "over there" wearing some protective gear etc?

Somebody brought up the lack of quality jhp Makarov ammo.
Due to the very unique spare parts needed etc, that might not work.

Does jhp .380 ammo normally feed extremely reliably into a PPK, Sig 232 etc?

 

[FMF Doc]

I avoided the fact than I'm a lefty because there are few choices designed for lefties and know what the usual response will be. Do many lefties decide to shoot right-handed, or do most insist on learning to shoot with the left hand on a 'right gun'?

FMF Doc said that a friend almost died from using a .380 instead of a larger round, if I understood his intent. Was this in the US against a single attacker etc, or against an aggressor "over there" wearing some protective gear etc?

Somebody brought up the lack of quality jhp Makarov ammo.
Due to the very unique spare parts needed etc, that might not work.

Does jhp .380 ammo normally feed extremely reliably into a PPK, Sig 232 etc?

It was here, stateside. He worked at an upscale deli in Oregon. He was making a delivery for a catering party, and on his way back, got attacked by a druggie, looking for money, food or both. He usually does a lot of cash business, so he would carry for protection. On this day, he was in formal chef's attire and was just carrying a Keltec P3AT. The guy that attacked him was wearing a hoodie under a leather jacket. My friend shot him until the magazine was empty. The druggy fired back twice. Luckily the druggie missed before running off, but none of my friends Hornady Critical Defense .380 acp rounds penetrated the layers of clothes. When police picked him up at a hospital the druggie had bruises and some singed clothes stuck to his skin. That's it!

Now, I used to carry a Sig P232 myself. It has a longer barrel than the micro .380s that most people think of when the caliber comes up. It would feed anything I gave it, and my usual carry was the same Hornady round my friend used. I had confidence that if I did my part, it would probably do its. I only carried it in the warmer weather, and switched it out for a SP101 in .357Mag when things cooled down, just to make sure my rounds went deep enough. All the same, though, I can get 9mm in about the same size package as a 232 or PPK. Now, if I was living in south Florida or somewhere that clothes are near optional, I might consider carrying a .380 as my primary, but I will won't carry a micro sized gun.

There are plenty of guns, most really, that can be shot left handed. Many are fully ambidextrous with all controls on both sides, and many more can have the mag release switched to accommodate. I just about never use my slide lock to release the slide. I use the slingshot technique. That is the fastest was to do it in an emergency and requires less fine motor skills, which tend to leave all but best trained when the flag goes up. My father is a lefty, and actually finds the push-button cylinder release on Ruger revolvers to be easier for him that it is for me. He can use his off hand to operate the release and has his dominate hand free to reload.

 

[Pilot]

If you are looking for a lefty friendly gun about the size of a Sig 230/232 consider an HK P7 variant. Either the still reasonbly priced used, German police surplus pistols commonly but inaccurately called the P7 PSP, or the more expensive commercial P7M8. I carry a PSP as I prefer the heal mag release but some prefer the M8 for the "America" style mag release.

These are both high quality 9MM pistols that carry nine rounds (8 + 1 in tthe pipe). Yes, they are a bit heavy being all steel, but with a decent holster they carry very well as they are slim.

 

[steve s]

most of the people who carry started out with larger pistols and all have moved to small 9mm or J frame sizes. This may not be what you want to know but size matters.