concealable stopping power?

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buggley

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i am looking for a ccw pistol. i currently carry a 1911 but it is too large for me to carry. it was my first pistol and i wanted to get a simple easy to use pistol to learn on. i am a good shot as far as 25 yards and wanted to move on to a smaller frame but with the knock down close to the .45.
is there a compact easy to cary pistol out there. my wife carries a sig p238, i like the feel of it and am not aposed to a .380 but i am sceptical of the 1 shot drop of a 380. it would have to be a really good shot. the only time i plan to draw is to shoot, so the fear factor isnt in question. lots of people say the round doesnt matter cause you dont want to get hit by ay of them. who ever is on the other end of this is going to get hit period. is there a good concealable pistol with stopping power and still be small enough to carry?
im not too picky about revolver or auto as long as i can sit in the car with out having to readjust when i get out. i got out to pump gas and had to adjust the other day and a fish cop noticed and took down my plate #. i dont like drawing attention to my self.
 
I've carried a full-size M1911 for nearly 50 years. Because it's so slim and flat, the M1911 is a top-notch concealed carry gun. You just need the right holster -- I make my own tuckable holsters that make the M1911 disappear and are so comfortable you don't know you have the gun on you.
 
I carry a Colt Detective loaded with potent and proven 158gr SWCHP +P's. Extremely reliable and plenty of shots on hand ....and much easier to carry and conceal than a full-sized 1911.

953ColtDSRM.jpg
 
I have both a Detective Special (mine was made in the 1950s) and a full size M1911. I find the Detective Special is slightly wider than the M1911 and makes a bigger bulge.
 
The cylinder on a Detective Special is 1.40" and the standard grips are 1.35". The slide on a 1911 is 0.91"...and standard grips are 1.25" wide. Not a very significant difference...especially when you factor in overall weight in terms of carriability.
 
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I have a Colt New Agent. That is a 3" 1911 with an alloy frame. Very light 1911, small enough to conceal easily and still a .45.
 
If your looking for a one shot stopper, carry a 12 gauge. I'd pick something I handled well and work on shot placement.
 
i am sceptical of the 1 shot drop of a 380
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You should be. You should be skeptical of claims of "one shot drop" from ANY handgun caliber. No handgun will "knock down" a man. The vital factors are 1) shot placement (90%), and 2) penetration (10%). Shot placement is up to you, so pick whatever gun you shoot most accurately, fastest. There are plenty of 9mm and .38 loadings that will get you the magic penetration numbers and MANY guns chambered for those calibers in very concealable sizes smaller than a Gov't model 1911.

Look at Khars, compact Glocks, compact M&Ps, compact xDs, and any of the small frame revolvers, just to name a very few.
 
addressing things in no particular order:

1 - Terms like "stopping power", "knockdown power", and "one-shot drop" don't apply to handguns. If you've been counting on those things from a handgun in a duty caliber and size, you've been living in fantasy land.
2 - Even a full size 1911 is concealable, my crystal ball says you have either a cheapo holster/belt or lousy cover garment going on (I carry in a CrossBreed SuperTuck, hung on a BeltMan belt, under a generic camp shirt 99% of the time ... granted that's with an Officer frame, but a full frame conceals OK as well)
3 - The obvious answer is a smaller 1911, RIA makes a nice affordable Officer's size, I'd go with the CS tactical or similar, and take the money you save to put towards a better carry rig.
4 - Nobody is watching you to see if you're printing. Get used to adjusting a bit when you transition into or out of a vehicle, and don't look guilty/furtive/nervous while you do so. Act like you know what you're doing and generally people assume you actually know what you're doing. Act sleazy and (some) people look closer. Body language counts for a LOT and a signifigant fraction of the population is oblivious anyway.
 
I've tried nearly all of the ususal suspects and settled on a Kel-Tec PF9 as the best choice for me.

Inexpensive and very reliable, slender, light (which are most important to me), and powerful. Accurate enough.

Often carried IWB via a spring clip KT sells, the gun is so light and slender a holster is seldom necessary.
 
I highly recommend the Kahr CM/PM line and the P/CW line. 9mm, .40, or .45... Your choice. VERY thin.

If you prefer double stack, go with the Taurus Millennium Pro line... same size except slightly thicker. Again, 9mm, .40, or .45... Your choice. :)

Both options are more concealable than the smallest Glocks and XDs.
 
For health reasons I went to a Colt LtWgt Commander from my Springfield Professional. 26oz's no change in manual of arms, and works just like my other 21 1911's. And still in 45acp. Not necessary but I am comfortable with it.

Many new and interesting thin single stacks being introduced lately. I like a full size grip of the original compact skinny fighting pistol. Just my way.

Good luck with what ever your decision is.

Fred
 
You may want to look at the kahr line . You will have the same look and feel , still keep the 45 caliber but have a revolver like DA pull that may not be heavier than some 1911's just longer. Weight will drop buy up to 50% .

The micro CM45-http://www.gunblast.com/images/Kahr-PM45/DSC04060.jpg

The CW45 & P45http://gunblast.com/images/Kahr-45s/DSC00004.JPG
 
The G19 and G23 are as compact as I'll get. The .40 gets carried more than the 9mm, tho. I do like the Kahr's, but don't see spending the money on one anytime soon. I agree with the other poster about having a good holster. It makes all the difference in whichever firearm you choose.
 
PF-9 with Speer Gold Dot 115 gr (standard pressure) 9mm JHP is easy to conceal, extremely comfortable to carry, and plenty potent.

I carry full time. At work, home, etc. This is easy. I use either an IWB holster, or a Belly Band, with my gun at 4 o'clock. In the Belly Band, the grip sits like it's in an IWB.
 
Um yeah, don't kid yourself. It's a handgun, not a death ray. They all suck. Some suck more than others.

I have carried a full-size 1911 for many years. It's a matter of doing it correctly. Having said that, there is no reason you shouldn't carry any good 9mm or bigger. Use what works, get well-practiced with it.
 
I pocket carry a 15oz S&W J frame daily and I have full confidence it will do it's job if necessary.

I also agree if a 1911 is uncomfortable for you to carry you're not using the right holster. On the rage occasions I do carry a semi-auto it's a 1911 and one of only 2 semi-auto centerfire pistols I own.
 
with the knock down close to the .45...

is there a good concealable pistol with stopping power and still be small enough to carry?
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Glock 29. Amazing pistol. It is definitely "small enough to carry", unless you mean carry in a pocket.

Its "knock-down" might be better than a .45--and you won't need an extended mag to get 11 shots.
 
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Kahr CW9. Svelt, lightweight, and 7 rounds of +P 9mm, should you choose. New, around $350 or so. I got mine used, $300. Their CM-series is also a good choice but about $100 more.

While most comfortable in a IWB holster, I have pocket carried it on occasion in a Uncle Mikes' pocket holster for a fast run to the store or gas station, or if I knew I was going to be going somewhere that I would have to disarm (e.g., hospital; school) before entering.

Q
 
MY main carry is the Glock 36 - 6+1 of .45 "man stopping power":D. I agree, there is no such thing a s man stopping power bullet, unless of course you want to carry a 12 guage weapon. But seriously, the Glock 36 to me is very manageable for such a small gun with high caliber.
 
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