Conceal carry for ~$300

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

outfieldjack

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2003
Messages
404
Location
Lexington, SC
I am in the market for a conceal carry firearm. (I do have my CWP) I currently have a Glock 22 and a Browning .380 BDA but both seem to be a little to big for me to comfortably conceal carry. I have around $300 to spend on a firearm and was wondering what is out there in that price range that would be a good buy. I realize that $300 is not alot and that I should spend more..... but not buying anything at all would be worse. I have been looking at the Kel-Tec P11..... anyone one else have a suggestion? Right now I am open to auto-loaders and revolvers.

Thanks,
Jack
 
How's the Makarov compare in size to the G22? They are kinda big for a .380 (or 7.62makarov) but relatively inexpensive and totally reliable.
 
The makarov in 9x18 is an excellent pistol, for the price you cant go wrong... guns costing 4x as much cant compete with the reliability. Its heavier than some of the polymer framed handguns out there, but not too bad. Accuracy is perfect concealed carry use. IIRC 90% of all self-defense shootings are at a distance of 7 feet. Makarov is a great choice, cheap ammo, available accessories, spare mags/parts, reloading supplies are abundant.

But if thats not your thing...

Check out CDNN's new catalog...

Steyr M9 or M40 is $299
Kel-Tec P11 $229
Kel-Tec P32 $199
There are a few more autos and some revolvers in that price range as well. goto cdnninvestments.com and download the catalog... if you have dial-up it will take a while... best do it when you aren't busy (or dont need the computer).

Or if you want to go crazy... raise your limit to $400 and get a Springfield Armory XD40/XD9. I've got an XD9 for carry and its by far the best all-around handgun I have encountered.

~Brain
 
What about a used snubby. Should be able to get an SP101 or an older Smith J frame for right around that neighborhood. Extremely conceable with alot of power in .357, .44 special or even a nice hot .38.

http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7599872
http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7715441
http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7676622

I am not slamming Kel Tecs because I know alot of you like them but I have personally seen two lock up tight and malfunction so bad that they had to be dissassebled with tools and force. Not exactly a representitive sample and I know people who swear by them but those two instances were enough to shy me away from the Kel Tecs, well that and they are ugly but one could argue I have no taste.:D

Makarov seems to fit the bill.

Taurus revolver maybe.
http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=7734891



Good Luck
Chris
 
Jack,
I'm reading between the lines that you've recently acquired your CWP.
When I first got mine I ran out and got a P-11 as it seemed like the best
firepower/size/price tradeoff on the market. It does take a little home
gunsmithing to get it really nice, and I carry it a lot especially in the winter
when it goes in a jacket pocket or belt holster. However, it was still too big
to go everywhere, everytime. That roll is filled by a P-32. You'll get one
eventually, might as well start with one.

Steve
 
ABSOLUTE dittos to what stevesmith7 said.

Got the P11 first.
Got the P32 much later.

Get the P32 first!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did I mention...
GET THE P32 FIRST??????????? :scrutiny: :D

Even better, WAIT a month or two and get the .380 P-3AT!
 
I'm with cslinger -- lots of good used J-frames and SP101s for that amount of cash.
 
I carry concealed everyday. I normally carry my main firearm, usually a full size gun in a fanny pack or a shoulder bag with a dedicated holster built in. This leaves me with a backup or smaller caliber gun in my support side pocket. In the price range you are looking at you can go with a NAA mini-revolver in 22lr or 22mag, a compact 5-shot revolver (usually uncomfortable) a slender 32 or 380 such as Kel-tec 32 (nice and light:) ) or a heavier AMT Backup. The Kel-Tec P11 is a nice gun, get the pocket clip for it and a hi-cap S&W 5906 magazine and you have substantial firepower. It all depends on how you plan on carrying. Shop the local pawn shops and you can pick up a good second hand gun. Good luck
 
I agree with Denfoote! Shop around in a lot of shops. You can
find some "buys" out there if you keep your eyes open, and your
credit card ready!
I recently got a S&W M-36 snubby for $200. It had some holster wear and needed some TLC. It was a police trade in. Carried
alot, but shot little! Mechanically it was great.
I cleaned it up in 2 hours. Now, I have a great CCW gun in .38spl.! It's light and with the 2" barrel, it's easy to conceal.
I got a Uncle Mike's IWB holster for under $10. Add a box of ammo.... and you're good to go! For under $225! :D It may not
be the ultimate rig for CCW.......but it sure beats carrying a
pocketful of rocks! Bob
 
Buy a J frame S&W snubby - new or
used (as your budget dictates) first, and don't look back.

A decent caliber, in a most reliable platform that will fill most of your concealment needs. It will always be a keeper.

I wish someone told me that a long time and $$$ ago.

You can always add more of the other fine firearms available later on, but I bet you'll always have use for that snubby.
Shoot safe,
 
Nobody mentioned Taurus! Taurus makes a fine little revolver! I bought my Model 85 for $220.
For $300 you can get a fine little revolver by S&W, Taurus, or Ruger. Go .357. Good luck.
 
Good and concealable guns for $300 or less (in no particular order):
-Bersa Thunder- I love my little .380, very accurate and reliable and I bought it for only $215.
-Makarov- a slightly more powerful cartridge than .380 and a gun with a good reputation.
-Taurus 85- a good snub for under $300 new. Most people seem to find .38spl about the most powerful that can be controllable in a snub.
-Taurus 82- if you are willing to go a little bigger you can have the 4" barrel (longer sight radius) and 6 shots in this medium frame revolver- new for under (in some areas well under) $300.
-Taurus 65- medium framed .357 for around $300 new.
-S&W J-frame- you could get a nice used J-frame in your range. These are the standard all other snubs are judged by.
-S&W K-frame- Again the standard. If you can conceal a medium framed gun well this gives you one more round than the J-frame and more weight and controllability (making .357 an option for the majority of people). With a short barrel (2 1/2" or 3") it should be concealable for most people. You can probably find a good clean .38spl for $200-230 fairly easily and a good .357 for $250-300.
-Colt- used you can get one of their various models of snubs in your range. They are just a tad larger than the J-frames yet have 6 shots. The Police Positive Special is the same frame size as the snubs (and very light) but has a 4" barrel.
-Ruger- the SP101 has very good press and should be available used in your range.

There are, of course, others but these are the ones that most easily come to mind and that are all proven, reliable designs.
 
With only $300 to spend and wanting something smaller than your Browning I'd look at a Taurus revolver in 357, or the aforementioned Pa-63.

I would NOT choose anything smaller than a 380 as a primary defensive weapon.
 
I vote for a used J-Frame Smith. Small, potent, and a Smith!
A revolver can be had for less than an auto. Ammo for 38special is as cheap as 9mm. Lots of practice. Model 36's are everywhere,smooth quality little guns. Load up with some 158grLSWC and you have a great carry package IMO :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Need help selecting a .22 for cc
2 3
Replies
71
Views
4K
rbernie
rbernie
F
  • Locked
$300-$350 price range??
2
Replies
48
Views
2K
tbreed725
T
T
  • Locked
Karh CW9 vs Kel Tec P11 vs Kel Tec PF9 for CCW
Replies
13
Views
1K
rbernie
rbernie
M
  • Locked
If you had $300 dollars to spend...
2 3
Replies
58
Views
2K
millertyme
M
I
  • Locked
Suggestions for first concealed carry gun?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
2K
IrishSeb
I
Back
Top