Concealed Carry Help - What to Purchase

[Taurus 66]

Ok folks, I really need your help on this one. This year I'm going to be doing a lot of riding my new mountain bike on trails and roads, and I'm going to want a compact, very reliable, durable handgun for less than $400. I've been reading reviews on the Bersa vs P3AT and it looks as if the .380 achieves around 200 ft/lbs ME. I want at least a hundred more.

It's frustrating to Google this and that and not find something that will make me happy and I know will be there ready if I ever need it. If you know of any manufacturers with compact .38, .40, .45, or whathave you, please post it here.

Thank you

 

[hit or miss]

Check out Kahr. They have the cw line in 9 and 40. I checked them out at the last gun show I was at and they are light and compact. They were priced at $400 and I have seen them in the gunshops for over $500. If you shop around you might find a deal.

 

[gbran]

Get a 9mm. There are lots of very small ones available.
G26 Glock is pretty small, 10+1, but not quite a pocket gun.
Kahr PM9, very small, fits in your pocket, but only 7+1.
KelTec also makes a 10+1 small 9mm.

 

[Taurus 66]

Compct 9s deliver 300+ ft/lbs ME? What's the barrel length? It will need to be a pretty small handgun since I will have it tucked away in my waist pack and this pack will probably hang either front of me or slightly off to the right. The pack will also need to accomodate 2 or 3 extra magazines, ID, house keys, small flashlight, and cell phone.

 

[F4GIB]

S&W 642 - the gun you'll ACTUALLY carry all the time. Put it in a Comp-Tac C-T.A.C. iwb holster and it just disappears under a sport shirt.

 

[marshall3]

Kel-Tec P11

For the money, you won't find a more durable reliable pistol than the Kel-Tec P11 (about $260).

http://www.mouseguns.com/ideal.htm

 

[jobu07]

I'm a big fan of the P3AT for it's shape and size. It's not too bad to slip into a pocket, coat or pants. It will definatly fit the bill for a small pack with a few mags.

 

[tylor reimer]

maby a s&w modle 327 .357 powerfull. 7 shots to it depends if you want full size or compact.compact would probably be a..... glock or h&k full sized probalbly a sig .45 .40 or 9mm or maby some kind of hiigh cap revolver

 

[ceetee]

Check out the Taurus Mil Pro lineup. Here's an example... 11 rounds of .45 ACP that will fit in lots of fanny packs:

 

[hagar]

For outdoor use on a bike, I agree that 380 is too small. You might have to shoot at an aggressive dog, rabid raccoon, maybe even a mountain lion depending on where you are. Not to speak about the 2 legged predators you might encounter. And in AZ, it was common for people on bikes to get shot at by gang banger wannabees (little rats that should be drowned in the closest river). To be totally honest, whenever I went outdoors or rode my motorcycle, I carried a Glock 20 or a Sig 229 in 357 SIG, but they are a little big for a bike.

 

[MRIman]

Glock 26(9mm)or 27(.40) in a fanny pack should do a biker fine.

MRI

 

[Taurus 66]

For outdoor use on a bike, I agree that 380 is too small. You might have to shoot at an aggressive dog, rabid raccoon, maybe even a mountain lion depending on where you are. Not to speak about the 2 legged predators you might encounter. And in AZ, it was common for people on bikes to get shot at by gang banger wannabees (little rats that should be drowned in the closest river). To be totally honest, whenever I went outdoors or rode my motorcycle, I carried a Glock 20 or a Sig 229 in 357 SIG, but they are a little big for a bike.

Yeah, .380 would require the full dump of a magazine into a drug crazed lunatic. A rabid animal would need a .40 or .45. Gang bangers are not a problem. I live out in the sticks and do a lot of night riding where there are no street lights and no gangsta wannabes or real gangstas.

My means of protection are compact semi-auto (coming soon), folding knife (4 1/2" blade), and a homemade baton w/wrist strap (made from an old broom stick.

The pistol I currently have is a Taurus 66 .357. It's a bit too heavy and not going to be a comfortable fit if strapped to me and probably not state legal if somehow strapped and concealed on the bike frame.

 

[dcoop]

I second the Taurus PT-145

 

[Soybomb]

$400 should be easy, look for 9mm's. The keltec p11 is a good suggestion. You can probably fund a used glock 19 or 26 locally for something around that. I'd consider one of these http://www.summitgunbroker.com/1658555.html Your options are limitless.

 

[bogie]

I think that Taurus makes a nice compact .357... But then again, I'm really no expert on the line...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Another vote for the Taurus PT145. It's a very small package but still gives you 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP. It's a lot of punch in a small pistol with a small price tag.

Blue http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=39&category=Pistol
Two Tone http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=40&category=Pistol

Personally, I would carry a revolver in .357 Magnum but you seen to want a semi-auto.

 

[hagar]

I see you live in Rochester, NY. I lived there from 84-89. Thanks for reminding me why I left.

 

[the lone gunman]

For my money ,the Kel-Tec P11 in 9mm is hard to beat. Also my wife totes a very nice Taurus model 85 in 38 special.

 

[1BLINDREF]

S&W 642. Under $400.00 out the door, 15 oz, 38spl +P, wheel gun reliability. Be carefull, it might end up being your "always" gun.

 

[Dorryn]

I see you live in Rochester, NY. Thanks for reminding me why I left.

Im from Rochester. Ive been to South Carolina. Cant see why you could even think Rochester was a step DOWN. Ugh.

S&W 642 - the gun you'll ACTUALLY carry all the time.

I veto this suggestion. THR members love to kiss the 642's (metaphorical) ass, but it is absolutely not a weapon to carry concealed on a vibrating, moving mountain bike. You'd lose it in a week. If you absolutely wanted to carry a 5-shot weapon with as small of a round as a .38, then a 637... but stick with a Glock instead.

 

[Taurus 66]

I see you live in Rochester, NY. I lived there from 84-89. Thanks for reminding me why I left.

And what was it I said exactly that brought back memories to you?

My location places me somewhere in Monroe County, certainly not in the city of Rochester.

I thought about Kel Tec's P11 and was gaining interest up until I read that there is no firing pin block or other safety preventing an accidental discharge if the gun is dropped with a live round in the chamber. Taurus Millennium Pro lines are slightly more expensive (just over $400), but do offer that protection. The trigger pull is also lighter.

 

[03Shadowbob]

in South Florida you can get a PT145 or PT140 MilPro NIB for $329 +tax at gun shows. You should be able to find them in your area for similar price. For mountain biking and carrying it in a pack, I would go with the KT P11 or the PT145. the PT 145 will be bigger and heavier so consider that but it offers .45 peace of mind.

 

[bobbytm]

You can try Taurus model 605B2,2"barrel,5shoot,357MGN.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I'm partial to the Taurus Millennium Pro PT-140. However, I suspect riding a bike might be similar to riding horseback in terms of bumps and jolts and such. If that is true you may want to consider a revolver as I've had some of the damnedest things happen to Semi-Auto pistols while on horseback.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Bersa Thunder 9 Ultracompact. Should run about $300-$350. 13+1, not much bigger than the Bersa .380.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

Edit to add, they also make a .40 and .45 as well.