best auto w/a slide less than 1'' wide...

[SkaerE]

need something very low profile.

prefer something that shoots a real bullet (380-9mm, 380 on the low side - may consider a 32 as well if theres nothing else, its better than a knife )

needs to be for a very small person who cant conceal anything much.

so far ive got in mind:

- Keltec P32 or 3AT (but im worried since the 3AT just came out)
- Kahr MK9 or K9, maybe the PM9 - had a MK40 once, it was too much bullet in too small of a gun, the 9mm should be better?
- NAA 380 or 32 Guardian

revolvers are out since there arent any out there that are under 1'' wide (except the 22's which are out)

anything i missed?

i'm worried about spotty reports of the P32, i see the same people bashing it every thread, and the same people touting it as the greatest thing ever... so its tough

does anyone have a picture of a MK9 next to a P32? Or a guardian next to a P32?

thanks

 

[Zundfolge]

Here's a pic I found of a Kahr MK next to a KelTec P11

and here's a site with several comparison pics
http://www.ballistics-experts.com/Law Enforcement/Back-up guns/Back-up guns.htm

Oh, and how could I forget Oleg's site
http://www.a-human-right.com/RKBA/p9vsg26.html

 

[SkaerE]

thats a great site for this.

wish it had more of the other 380's and 32's though.

thanks!

 

[usnavymasterchief]

Without a doubt, if you want quality and reliability go with Kahr! Although they are heavier, the all stainless ones seem to behave better than their polymer brothers. I can't explain why but if you search this and other forums, you'll find the all stainless to be much more trouble free.
I carry my K40 most of the time, it really isn't too much pistol in too small a package. it's just right and less than 1" wide. Great gun but does require the factory recommended 200 shot break-in to loosen things up. My Kel-Tec P11 may carry four more rounds of 9mm but IMHO I prefer the more powerful .40 cal and I hate to admit it but I feel more secure with the Kahr than with the P11, sorry KTOG'ers but that's just me.

 

[David4516]

How about a Makarov? I haven't measured mine, but it's pretty thin, I'd guess it was about an inch, maybe a little less...

 

[Zundfolge]

A Makarov with the stock Red Star grips is about 1.06" thick, at least thats the thickness of the grips. With the Pearce (like pictured above) they are 1.33" (which is why I sold my Pearce grips and have ordered some ultrathin wood grips made of African Blackwood at 1.05" )


Overall size of a Makarov is a hair longer and about as tall as a Kahr K9

Biggest advantage of the Makarov is price and reliablilty.


Another gun to look at is the South African made RAP401 (but I hesitate to bring it up because I want one and am afraid I've helped to hype them enough that supplies are getting lower and prices are getting higher :banghead: )

 

[SADshooter]

STI LS? www.stiguns.com

.765" across slide and 1.065" stocks.

More expensive than other options. 9mm. 1911 controls.

 

[10-Ring]

Less than an inch wide & shoots a real caliber? I'd think he Kahrs are your best bet in this niche

 

[Jim Watson]

My Commander is 0.91" across the slide.
Next question?

 

[PCRCCW]

STI and Kahr.......
Shoot well

 

[hksw]

HK P7M8.

0.97" across side.

Unfortunately, up tp 1.12" across mag release and slightly heavy.

 

[HankL]

Full Race Delta Elite Longslide. .911 across the slide. Baby Browning is only
.671. Alas the mini Glocks won't fill the bill my 26 measures 1.15.

The Colt Officer's model I recently got back from pistolsmith C.T Brian would fill the bill. It's a bit wider than the Delta measuring a whopping .914" wide but it is much smaller over all and very concealable. It shoots a real cartridge, 45 ACP and is very reliable. You didn't say you were on a budget.

 

[clubsoda22]

380's are completely acceptable with the right ammo. I say this because i think you're looking more for 1" maximum width more than 1" slide width. I would buy the Kel Tec P3AT just because Kel tec has some of the best customer service out there. Buy 200 rounds of FMG 380 and go to the range. Put them all through your new gun. Then buy another 40 rounds of CorBon 380. Put 20 of them through it to test for function. If anything breaks, send it back to kel tec, they'll send you a new one. If you still don't like the idea of the little kel tec, i recommend the bersa thunder. It's a walther PPK clone. It's very accurate, has a sweet trigger (10X better than walther) and will never break no matter what you put through it. If you want a 9mm, the kahr is great.

 

[Coffee357]

My S&W 3953 is less than an inch wide in the slide and almost exactly an inch accross the grips. 8 rounds of 9mm and picked it up cheap. The Kahr probably beats it out for size, though.

Coffee

 

[Gordon]

Remington Mod 51 in .380 . .725" and the grips not much fatter!

 

[SkaerE]

you're correct, i guess i should have said pistol that is less than 1'' wide.

slide width is deceiving

hmm...i'll have to think on this one.

thanks

 

[CWL]

I'd have to go with the HK P7M8/P7PSP, or an Officer's size .45.

You did ask for "Best".

 

[nemesis]

OK, less than 1.0 inches wide? How about a .45?

My Para C7.45 LDA is .911 inches through the slide and just about perfectly matches a Sig P-239 on length and height but, at only 1.1 inches through the grips, it's much slimmer. It's actually a double action Officers Model.

Eight rounds of .45 ACP in a skinny full stainless package is a great carry gun for our year round hot environment where shorts and a shirt is typical dress. We don't wear all those extra clothes that folks in other places do and we don't have the ability to hide those fat double stack guns.

I don't think you need to skimp on caliber to find a good carry gun.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

Rohrbaugh R9
STI LS9 or LS40
Kahr PM9 or P9 Covert

 

[clubsoda22]

The R9 is gonna bee like the seecamp was, way too much money for what it is for a long time. Kahr mk9 or 40 is probably your best bet out there right now if you want a 9 or a 40

 

[faustulus]

I have an LS and I love it. It is one of the slimmer guns out there.

 

[DW]

Go with either a Kahr PM9, P9 Covert, or P9. They are slim, light, and reliable.

 

[DDGator]

You wont beat the Kel-Tec P-3AT for width. Don't be afraid of them -- mine was one of the first 100 released and operates flawlessly. Check out www.ktog.org -- others are having similar success.