G27 is NOT small enough!

[jakemccoy]

The only reason I've been considering a Glock 27 is because of the possibility for concealed carry with such a powerful gun. It is a great CCW...in theory. After test driving the G27, I hate to say it, but it's not small enough for me.

The first rule of a gun fight is that you bring a gun. I've read several articles about concealed carry techniques. I realize now that I would have to completely makeover my lifestyle and wardrobe to carry a G27. The G27 .40 caliber power will do nothing for me if it must be tucked away in my car or nightstand. A full sized Glock would do in that case and would be more fun at the range.

I need to get over my fear of being placed in the girlie-man category and start looking at smaller calibers, like .22 and .38. I've heard good things about the Black Widow:

http://www.naaminis.com/bwmm.html

Does anybody have any other ideas?

 

[helpless]

lots of very small 38 specials that will reliably shoot +p out there that will fit in your front pocket and disappear when carried in a owb holster.

I found that my perception of size changed after I actually started to carry daily.

good luck.

 

[copaup]

J frame 38 in a pocket holster. Its what I carry most of the time, and I have more than a few options available to me.

 

[Quiet]

If you consider the Glock Model 27 (which is considered to be a subcompact) to be too big, then you need to be looking at pocket/mouse guns.

Check out...

Beretta Model 21A (.22LR)
Beretta Model 3032 Tomcat (.32ACP)
Kahr Arms PM-9 (9x19mm)
Kel-Tec P-32 (.32ACP)
Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380ACP)
North American Arms Guardian (.32ACP/.380ACP)
Seecamp LWS32 (.32ACP)
Seecamp LWS38 (.380ACP)

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

 

[Quiet]

The first rule of a gun fight is that you bring a gun. I've read several articles about concealed carry techniques. I realize now that I would have to completely makeover my lifestyle and wardrobe to carry a G27.

When you make the decision to CCW, you do realize you will have to adjust your lifestyle to accomadate the fact that you will be carrying a deadly weapon around with you on a constant basis. There are additional responsibilities you need to adhere to that you may normally would not abide with.

 

[RNB65]

Kahr P9 or K9.

 

[Alphazulu6]

I bought a G23 for a CCW and though it is THE BEST tactical firearm on the market it did not fit with my wardrobe.

Try the Kel-Tec P3AT. I have to wear suits and slacks alot in a very professional setting so unfortunately the width is always a problem with a Glock or other similiar firearms. With .380 Cor-bon ammunition I feel you will find the ballistic coefficient acceptible as it does pass the FBI 11" standards.

Is a .380 a substitute for a .40 or .45? Not really. But for those of us who cannot wear a "hello Im concealing a 1911" vest, or worse yet "fanny pack".... no I am not even going there, its what I have found to be the best.

If you cannot bear going down to a 9mm short then take a peek at Kahr's lineup. Though they are no where near the compact or thin size of a Kel-tec (.76" wide reciever and gun that has a loaded weight of approx 10oz)...the Kahr (approx 1" wide reciever and has a loaded weight of approx 20oz) packs a PM9, PM40, and now a PM45 that will be hitting stores this month. You could also take a peek at the S&W airlight .38 special+P series but they are wide (1.2 at the cylinder) and "5 shots-for-sure" is limiting.

Remember that the function/reliability, width, and weight of a pistol are what matter the most when selecting one that works for you and your wardrobe.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I realize now that I would have to completely makeover my lifestyle and wardrobe to carry a G27.

Yep...

That's what it takes.

I used to carry a NAA.. then I carried a Kel tec.
Then I realised how BAD it would likely go if that was all I had.

Look into a S&W J frame revolver....

 

[glockman19]

Get a S&W J frame. You have your choice of .38 or .357

 

[Prince Yamato]

When you make the decision to CCW, you do realize you will have to adjust your lifestyle to accomadate the fact that you will be carrying a deadly weapon around with you on a constant basis.

If what you're saying is that you need to wear a fanny pack or one of those fishing (sorry, "tactical") vests everywhere you go, then that's not an accurate statement. I think it's an absurd notion that one must dress like a bubba to CCW. I'm sorry when you're wearing pants that are two sizes too large and a camo vest with pockets stuffed like you're going on safari, you look like you'd be unable to pass that Brady Form question about having been committed to a mental institution.

The problem is you're focusing on guns with double-stack magazines. You need to start thinking single stack and probably military surplus or pre-68. For instance, older berettas in .380 are quite thin. Try the Polish P64. It's in 9x18 makarov and THIN. You can carry it IWB and it's unobtrusive. Actually, many of the 9x18 guns have thin barrels and do not create a massive buldge in the pants or gauge your leg (the original Makarov being the noted exception). Have a look at a Walther PPK (note, NOT the PPK/S but the PPK which is smaller). They can also be easily slipped into a coat or sportcoat pocket. If you're a dress shirt and pants guy with no over-coat, then you pretty much have to go with pocket carry. In which case, the Kel-tec is what you pretty much HAVE to go with, if you have normal fitting pants.

I'm sure I'll get flamed by people telling me I'm being unwise and "when I face a melee in the urban jungle I'll be sorry I didn't have my extra 20-round clip", but in all honesty, if you live a fast paced life and move around a city a lot, being strapped to the nines isn't very practical. Also, you don't want to stick out like a bubba. As a gun owner you are an ambassador of gun culture. Do you want people thinking we're all a bunch of rural bumpkins who don't know that our belts are supposed to match our shoes or the difference between a 5.11 tactical vest and a Burberry one? I'm not saying we all need to read GQ while sipping Bombay Sapphire, but I really do think if we want to mainstream ccw, we need to have a more practical approach than, "Well, I can fit my Longslide Kimber Ten-two under my sportin' vest from Academy".

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I've heard good things about the Black Widow:

I would definately pass on the a .22 LR or .22 Mag for CCW. While NAA makes a fine product, you'd be better off with a larger caliber.

As mentioned above, I would look at one of the thinner .380-9mm models or one of the smaller .38 revolvers. Chances are that you can find something that will more closely fit your lifestyle.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would strongly suggest you look at the Kahr line. You might just find what you are looking for.

I carry a Smith 442 because it is easy and I don't have to adjust my lifestyle to carry it.

I looked at the G27 with the same idea as you. The width of the gun is the same as the G22 and G23. So, it was not a viable carry option for me even though I really favor Glocks. If I want something a tad larger, I go with the G23. It is a fine firearm!

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

Have a look at the Kahr MK40 or PM40. A good inch shorter than the G27, and you can use the same .40 S&W ammo that you like...

Street price will probably be a little above $600 for the MK (stainless steel), a little above $500 for the PM (polymer frame).

I agree that there's no point in buying a gun that stays in the drawer. That's why I bought the Kahr MK9 (9mm). It was between that and the G26 for me -- and I just couldn't see stuffing that big ol' Glock in my pants every time I wanted to carry.

(Nothing against Glocks--I'll probably buy one for home defense one of these days. But for carry, it'll always be the Kahr. Pocket or OWB under an untucked shirt/jacket and it just disappears.)

 

[cookekdjr]

Get a S&W J frame. You have your choice of .38 or .357

Or .32 magnum, which is what I carry. There are still some new ones left on dealer shelves, and you can find a used one on gunbroker.
Its nearly impossible to beat a S&W j-frame for concealed carry. I carry one in my pocket every day.
-David

 

[mlandman]

PM9 hides well under an untucked tee shirt, polo shirt of button down. The PM40 is basically the same size.

 

[Morglan]

I agree.

I had a G27, and it was like carrying around a brick. I still laugh when I read about trying to pocket carry a mini Glock.

I usually carry a full sized Government model IWB with no problem, and lately have been carrying a S&W in either .45 ACP or .357 OWB when the mood hits.

With the Glock, despite it's shorter barrel and grip, you still need a holster for it. Since I find double stack handguns uncomfortable to carry IWB (with the lone exception of my Browning Hi Power), that left OWB.

If I was going to be dressing to cover an OWB holstered gun, I might as well be carrying a full sized model.

I'm in the 'j-frame for pocket carry' camp. It can be had in the calibers mentioned above, as well as in 9mm.

 

[Nikdfish]

I often carry a Kel-Tec PF-9 in my front trouser pocket in a DeSantis O2 pocket holster. Less than a pound fully loaded. It's a DAO 7+1 single stack chambered for 9mm Luger (I carry a couple of spare mags in a pouch in my left back pocket). I'm still waiting on the belt clip for it to be released. The PF-9 would also be a good candidate for carry in a IWB or other deep concealment holster.

Nick

 

[uzimon]

its all about what you wear

i packed a 26 in my front pocket, with long shirt covering it, for 3 yrs.
if you find jeans the fit just loose enough you can get away with it.
for deeper concealment it went behind my right rear hip, under an untucked shirt, tail tucked in rear pocket. if you experiment with the angle you can stash it good enough to ride a motorcycle, which i did 3 years too

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

its all about what you wear
i packed a 26 in my front pocket, with long shirt covering it, for 3 yrs.
if you find jeans the fit just loose enough you can get away with it.
for deeper concealment it went behind my right rear hip, under an untucked shirt, tail tucked in rear pocket. if you experiment with the angle you can stash it good enough to ride a motorcycle, which i did 3 years too

True enough, but I think the OP didn't want to rework his wardrobe....

What's the point of pocket carry if you're going to have to cover it up with a shirt anyway?

 

[Onmilo]

G27 is too big?
Do you go to work dressed only in a g-string??

I carry a G-26 while on my property and it isn't any bigger than a snub .38 several posters have listed as an option.
Fully loaded it is actually lighter in weight than a fully loaded steel frame J-Smith or Detective Special and they only offer five and six shots to my eleven in the Glock.
I have carried this gun loose in the pocket of a winter parka without issue and usually carry it in a Kydex OWB belt slide holster.

If you really must have a serious caliber small lightweight gun consider one of the Titanium Smiths in .38 Special.
Forget the Magnum blasters in these lightweight guns this is purely more novelty than practicality.
The .38s are unpleasant enough but they are controllable enough to make reliable hits to 25 meters under pressure.

I found that 140 grain jacketed bullet loads at around 800 feet per second worked best in the guns I had the opportunity to try.

 

[Wedge]

I can carry my Glock 17 under an untucked t-shirt. You need to have a decent belt and a good holster. What was your main issue with the concealment of the 27?

 

[BigG]

I think a Glock 23 is as easy to carry as a Glock 27.

 

[Breakdaddy]

As others have stated, you might look in to the Kahr PM9, which is single stack and smaller overall than a J Frame. 6+1 rounds of 9mm +P is nothing to sneeze at. It's my primary carry during the summer, and fits in the pockets of all of my pants and shorts easily.

 

[Rexster]

A G27 is just as thick as a G22, and the rear portion of the slide extends to the rear just as far as any Glunck. I sold my G27 rather soon after buying it, as there were other weapons I could hide more easily on the hip, such as a full sized 1911, and my duty G22 was almost as easy to hide in the same place. A G27 obviously fits some pockets and other places well, but for carry on the hip, it has no real advantages. A 1911 is not for everyone; try the Kahr K9. My present duty pistol is a SIG P229, and it is easy to conceal compared to any Glunck, baby or otherwise, as there is no extension on the rear of the slide to enclose the striker mechanism. I have only mentioned autopistols with which I have personal experience.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

You can get a mousegun if you want something that will offer deep concealment without having to get your pants a little larger. Keep in mind though that you never know what you'll face, and it could be a very large drugged up person that doesn't feel pain (get a big enough cartridge), and you may only have one arm free and not much time at all to get your weapon into action (size and carry location). After carrying for a week with a proper gun belt and decent holster you won't notice it much, but carrying does involve some sacrifices, especially in terms of dress (unless you want to lose an inch or two at the waist so you don't need to buy new pants).