help me choose a backup.

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Ed

Ed

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After 2 months of waiting my permit finally arrived today. I have a full sized 1911A1 with a IWB for carry for a while, but here is my problem. Here in Arkansas it gets warm sometimes. I am 6'3" 190# My normal dress for work is Khakis and tucked in shirts, usually shortsleeved buttonup in the summer. I would like to have a basicly"pocket" gun for those ocasions where the 1911 is tough to conceal. I have around $300 to spend on this weapon. So not skimping on quality, and easily concealable in my pocket, what is my best choice? thanks
 
You looked at the Taurus 9MM wheelgun? I don't think much of small pocket pistols myself. I would think that giving up round count and a smaller caliber is not best. I CCW my 5" 1911 with a loose shirt over a mesh shirt.
 
Kel-tec p32
Kel-tec p3at
Guardian 32
Guardian .32naa
Guardian .380

I have carried these myself and love them...although the p3at gave me some problems but that has been fixed
 
I can't have an untucked shirt. I work outside most of the time. I deal with tractor trailers, and maintenance stuff. So what I need is something that is easy to hide in the summer.
 
then you need a pocket holster front or rear...it is what I carry in the summer when I cant pack my Taurus pt145 or my XD-9 compact
 
Desert Eagle .44 in a pocket holster.:D Just kidding!
A J-frame S&W works for me, preferably a lightweight model. The titanium models are great, but I don't think they are in your budget. I carry a 342PD in a Don Hume pocket holster, and it's so light I barely know it's there.
 
For a pocket gun, when I cannot manage to carry anything else, I went with the Kel Tec p3AT. There are many other options and I am sure opinions but this one worked for me... and the price was right for your $$$ range.

Pat
 
given this a little bit more thought....go with the P-32 or P3AT from Kel-tec
Both are under 250.00 and are decent guns for the money

Under $200?? Naa mini revolvers in .22 mag.

One of the small Beretta .22's or .25's?

Me I use the P-32 or p3at almost 100 % of the time loaded with FMJ's with a spare mag in my pocket.

My further .02 cents
 
I like a small revolver for a pocket gun, BUT the many versions with little tiny grips don't seem like the best idea for point-shooting under high stress - at least not for those of us with large hands. So I've got the full combat grip on my Chief's special, which means it won't conceal in just every pair of pants. (It does fine in baggy work pants though.)

So what I finally went to was a DERRINGER in .44 Mag. Bond Arms makes a very good quality gun, it's a very solid grip in my hand, and it's accurate enough for short range.

.44M is a handful, but I keep .44S ni the first barrel.

It's not the firepower of some, but:

the worst possible carry gun is the one you don't carry.
 
Id look at the bersa .380 or a jframe smith like the 642, I have a 642 right now, and im planning on picking up a bersa later this month. I view the jframe as a excellent close quarters gun, and the bersa as a slightly less powerful, but capable of a little farther shots to balance it out. I have a keltec .32, and while I respect the .32 round, the keltec never gives me that warm fuzzy feeling I want from a gun I stake my life on.
 
If I were you, I would invest that money in a nice inside the waistband, tuckable holster for your 1911. This way, you are carrying a weapon you are already (hopefully) familiar with (nothing changes for manual of arms and shooting instincts), is accurate and is a good manstopper.

My problem with pocket guns is that they are generally not ideal for killing people (as compared to large caliber bullets fired from long(er) barrels), are not very accurate (the small size does not lend itself well to accurate shooting, especially under duress), and do not carry very many rounds of ammunition in the primary magazine or cylinder (do I need to explain why this is bad?). They also tend to have more felt recoil (again, bad under stress) which means you practice less wether you admit it or not.

I live in South Carolina and it gets very hot (and humid) here as well. I change what I need to, so that I can carry the gun I feel is ideal for self defense.
 
I recommend a Smith & Wesson Model 642 (or 442 which is blue finish). This is a lightweight, double action only, 5-shot, .38 special revolver. Load it with +P 158 gr. lead hollowpoints. Practice with non+P 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutters. I'd also get a pocket holster. I use, and recommend the very inexpensive Mika pocket holster.

I personally carry an old style Charter Arms Undercover .38. It's same size and weight as 642/442. It has a hammer spur. (The 642/442 doesn't.) You could find one of these in excellent condition for about $150-$175. You can tell the old style because ejector rod was usually not shrouded.
 
I paid $300 new for my S&W 642 about 2 months ago. I like it even though it is a violent little cuss and not terribly pleasant to shoot. It fills the bill and does what I bought it for. A nice pocket holster and you're set to go.
 
Another option might be a Kimber Ultra Carry. They are accurate, reliable and will slide into a pocket and not be visable in looser pants. I suggest you use plastic followers in magazines used with this pistol to avoid scoring the feed ramp. Ammo will be the same as your 5" and the fullsize mags will lock in place and feed, but stick out of the grip a bit. The Kimber seems to be better IMHO than others of it's size. Downsides are weight and cost. Otherwise J-frame Smiths are good and seem to be popular. Good Luck!
 
my colt defender compliments my kimber very well. its comforting to know the full size mags will work in the defender in a pinch. I KNOW, I KNOW, people tell me not to seat the mag too deeply. I've tried to do that with no luck. I'm not convinced it really is an issue.

ken
 
Airweight 'J' frame 642 Centennial. I cannot give higher praise to a small light handy gun that is stone reliable and fairly powerful. Mine will ride with me till the day I part this earth (or it's steel framed brother, my 640!) With Secret Service grips they are both dandy guns. They backup my Glock 26.
 
:rolleyes: We're talking, 'backup' here, right? This is NOT the same thing as carrying two guns. 'Backup' implies a primary, and a secondary weapon; usually the primary is full-sized, and the secondary may be, something, less. Any, 'J' frame Smith would be a good choice for backup. After trying numerous smaller-sized guns, I went with the Beretta Alley Cat. I did this because: It feels the most like a full-sized handgun; it points well; and it fits into the palm of my hand and my front left pocket, too. After shooting several different, 'backup' type pistols, I found that I was able to score the best hits with the Alley Cat. I do, however, have two complaints about it: It is not, praticularly, well-made - I doubt that it will last a lifetime. (10,000 rounds) The safety-lever is, also, a miniscule little thing with an even smaller spring driving it. Wait, make that three complaints: I regret that this little pistol lacks a blocking-type firing pin safety. Still, the Alley Cat shoots straight; and I trust it. I've got, about, 800 rounds through mine, so far, without a hitch. ;)
 
Hard to beat a J frame Centennial for a pocket gun.

642_2r.jpg

I paid $330 for this one last fall.

Good Luck...

Joe
 
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