CCW Gun -frustrated need suggestions

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bimmerland

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I am in the process of getting my CCW in a couple of months. I recently purchased a bodyguard 380 and could not take the recoil after about 50 rounds. My friend loaned me his taurus model 85 but I do not like the trigger pull in DA mode being much heavier than the BG. Need some suggestion for a pocket carry SD that has a decent trigger pull and a moderate recoil. Hope I am not asking too much. I would like to stay with DA if possible but willing to try a different route. My primary is a glock 19 and I am very comfortable going to the range and running a couple of hundred rounds without my hand hurting. I was even thinking of a 26 just to stay with 9mm. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
The Glock 26 sounds like a great option for you, since you're already used to the 19... and the mags from the 19 will fit the 26. However, if you are wanting something slimmer than the 26, I always recommend the Kahr CW9. I have had a good experience with mine and everyone else I've talked to who has one likes it...
 
Hmm...First since everyone has a different threshold for pain and has hands and fingers of different sizes it's at times hard to make a suggestion that will work for a recoil sensitive individual.
I have never fired a Bodyguard the 380 but do own a Diamondback 380 and can easily fire 100 rounds at the range without experiencing discomfort.
On the other hand 25 rounds from my J frame S&W model 37 Airweight revolver is more than enough for me.
Perhaps in the interest of keeping a pistol about you that is truely pocketable is to fire only 25 rounds at a time at the range and concentrate on being as accurate as possible in the 25 round session.
 
Recoil in a .380 self defense pistol won't even be noticed it if you need it to defend yourself as your attention should be on not getting killed or injured by an assailant. If you can hit with the first shot and get in a quick follow up shot or two then that is all you need for self defense. These little guns like the Body Guard are intended to be shot little and carried a lot.

You want to practice, get a .22 LR with similar trigger mechanism like a Walther P22 where you can practice and learn accuracy with the DA type trigger these guns have. Shoot the .380 a few times every so often to gain confidence and learn to ignore the recoil as its just something that happens.

Another method would be to borrow or rent a S&W .50 Mag revolver or one of the titanium framed magnum featherweights and shoot a cylinder (5 rounds) of ammo through it. After shooting one of those you won't complain about the recoil of the little .380.

The only way to reduce recoil is to go to a lighter caliber or a larger and heavier pistol. If you get a larger pistol like a Glock, Springfield XD or S&W M&P in 9mm you will have a more powerful pistol that will have less felt recoil but you give up some conceal ability. Keep the little Body Guard for those times when you can't carry the larger pistol due to clothing you are wearing.
 
Is there a reason to go to a pocket gun?

It makes much more sense to get a good carry holster for that 19 and carry it.
 
That's kind of discouraging to hear. I've been looking at the bodyguard 380 is an option to carry over my M&P40c...

That might be an option for you, M&P9c, if you're intent on staying 9mm. I love mine, I went from carrying a G19 to the M&P40c and have been carrying it consistently.

There's a lot of options out there in 9mm.
 
I am in the process of getting my CCW in a couple of months. I recently purchased a bodyguard 380 and could not take the recoil after about 50 rounds.
Click to expand...
The odds are that you aren't going to need FIVE rounds in a self-defense situation, never mind fifty. If you need more than ten, you're in so much trouble that you won't even THINK about the recoil.

I won't carry anything less powerful than .38 Special or 9x19mm, but reaction to recoil from SUSTAINED firing is not a reason not to carry that gun.
 
Like some others, I think you should consider carrying your 19. Some folks, like myself, prefer to carry full sized guns. I carry a 5" 1911 usually IWB and have had great success with it. I'm a big fella, but some slighter and shorter folks do it too without trouble.
 
I'm going to get flamed for this but you've taken the devil's deal: giving up weight and decent grip size to pack a pistol in your pocket. Most of the mouse guns have snappy recoil and terrible ergonomics making them unpleasant to fire which makes people reluctant to practice with them. That's bad because it takes a lot of practice to master them.

A snubnose revolver can be a good answer. Dump the silly little grips that come with it and get some grips that allow you to use all your fingers. That little finger plays a surprisingly large role in grip strength. Since it's a revolver, it doesn't depend on recoil to function the action. This means you can practice with lighter loads, like wadcutters.

i have a Smith & Wesson Model 637 Airweight (exposed hammer); you might prefer a Model 638 (shrouded hammer) or Model 642 (hammerless - double-action only). The trigger pull is very smooth. Another choice is the Ruger LCR.

The above revolvers are all chambered for .38 Special +P but full-house +P loads in these lightweight revolvers can quite a handful and don't even consider the LCR 357 or scandium S&W: it's easier and less expensive simply to pound your hand with a hammer.
 
I carry an LCP and have shot it enough to get comfortable w/ it and break it in...other then that it is a pocket gun and not a range gun. I can shoot my G17 all day but not the LCP about 50 rounds is all my finger can take! If you want a range gun you will most likely want to get a bigger piece, If you want a pocket gun don't expect to get a pleasant shooting range gun...they are made for a purpose and do it well.
 
bimmerland said:
I am in the process of getting my CCW in a couple of months. I recently purchased a bodyguard 380 and could not take the recoil after about 50 rounds. My friend loaned me his taurus model 85 but I do not like the trigger pull in DA mode being much heavier than the BG. Need some suggestion for a pocket carry SD that has a decent trigger pull and a moderate recoil. Hope I am not asking too much. I would like to stay with DA if possible but willing to try a different route. My primary is a glock 19 and I am very comfortable going to the range and running a couple of hundred rounds without my hand hurting. I was even thinking of a 26 just to stay with 9mm. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

The 19 is easily concealable with a Crossbreed Supertuck or Shielded Holster. Try that before spending another $500 on a gun.

62e757ea-5103-9dc9.jpg


62e757ea-5115-773f.jpg
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. My regular SD is a G19 and I practice often to keep my sharpness. I will probably use my G19 on occasions where I can carry concealed but in the summer or on a trip I wanted a more compact SD that could be carried in my pocket or glovebox. As they say pratice makes perfect and the BG would have been a good choice if I was stronger but it was a bear for me because of only a 2 finger grip. It is a nice gun but not for me since the recoil is more than I can handle. I like the idea of a .38 SN and may got that route. Wish the SIG P238 or 232 was a little smaller but they seems to be that same size as my G19. I'll keep looking.
 
Yes. The crossbreeds are IWB. They are molded for whatever you have, so it holds good and snug, are comfortable, and will carry it close to your body making for good concealment.
 
As far as super-concealable pocket guns go, you could look into a NAA mini revolver in 22 mag. Good penetration, but I don't have any experience to tell you what the trigger is like. I've got a Beretta 21A in 25 Auto that's been mechanically 100% reliable, but the round isn't very energetic. Hornady ammo is a must for decent penetration.

These are both the sort of weapon I'd only carry if I didn't have the option of a bigger, more powerful gun.
 
The S&W 442/642 is very well-liked in this capacity. The 38sp isn't far off from the 9mm.

I like the 9mm. If the G19 is a bit chunky, consider an HK P7 (my carry). Very thin, much more concealable.

That said, I carry the 442 more often.

my 2 cents,
David
 
Shooters vs. toters

Pocket carry is not all that great for me if going beyond the mailbox. I feel it every step in the cargo pocket. I scrunches up in the front pocket if I sit, and I don't like sitting on it in the rear pocket.

I can (and you can) belt carry OWB, 4 o'clock, an all steel S&W J-frame (2" 36 or 3" 60FL) and make it disappear with a FIST kydex pancake style holster and cover it with a loose shirttail.

By the way, there is an art to concealment and you can effectively conceal more than you may think. If you are interested, start another thread.

I frequently carry K-frames, so the exra weight of the all steel J-frames has never bothered me and they are more comfortable to shoot than the Airweight version, never mind the Air-Lites.

A set of Pachmayr grips will improve the shooting comfort considerably. I like the Compac version - it covers the backstrap and provides a place for the pinky. If ultra deep concealment becomes the order of the day the Pachmayrs can be quickly replaced with the origional wood grips and a Tyler T-grip adaptor or a set of "boot" grips.

Some things boil down to personal preferences and differences. It will help if you can arrange to try before you buy through friends or a range that rents guns.

Best wishes in your pursuit of happiness!
 
My two CCW guns are a Beretta Tomcat (32 Auto).
Great double and single action trigger pull, light recoil.
Yes, it is just a 32 Auto, but it carries so easily.
And a Glock 26.
I can shoot both of these guns very well.
I also have a Glock 17 and a Springfield Operator that I use for plinking and tactical matches. I don't carry these guns though.
 
Have you tried a grip extension for your .380. You mentioned that only having two fingers on it may be causing the issue. Also, from what I'm told, most 380s are blowback designs, and the compact 9mms actually have less felt recoil because they are built better. They also cost a lot more.

I agree that you will not need 50 rounds for SD, but you obviously want to practice and be proficient with the gun, 100 rounds at the range a week or a month is never a bad idea, but if your having issues then you can't. I hear ya. Everyone is going to chime in and say, get this gun, get that gun, get a holster for the g19, yea. Go at your own pace, if you think it may help your current selection, find and try some grip extentions, or maybe an extended mag if they make one. If you are set on a new gun, I would keep your shopping confined to 9mm.

JMHO
 
My usual SD gun is a very light .44 SPL Charter Arms Pug, 2.5" barrel. Yes, the recoil is savage with full-load CorBons, but all I want is for the other guy to feel it more.

A "target" load of 3 gr. Bullseye/200 gr cast isn't something to be shot much, and I've only fired ONE CorBon. I have a pretty good idea where the bullets hit at 20', but in a 50'+ encounter I'd be praying.
 
I don't own a pocket pistol but surely the point is how well you can shoot 7 rounds at close range rather than 50 at the range. If you can fire 7 shots quickly, keeping them on target at 0-7 yards that is what matters.
 
I love my sig p238. It's small, but still a joy to shoot. I put 100 rounds through it the other day without any problem whatsoever. The recoil is very manageable.
 
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