here we go again... CCW!

[david_the_greek]

alright guys, as a disclaimer I'm sorry if this has been covered. I didn't see it, though to be honest I'm running out the door but have been debating this in my head for a while. I'm getting my CCW shortly and for winter months consider myself good to go. I'll use either my 1911 or my CZ PCR. I love both guns and they both have been reliable. Summer though! is another story. I'm a small framed guy, 150-160, 5'8". I was looking at a Keltec though I also saw a S&W 642 airweight. I want the most concealment possible, though every store in my area seems to push the 642 over the P3AT. In fact, they seem to HATE the keltecs. I'm sure some of that could be due to them making more money on the revolvers, but does anyone here have both that would be willing to do a counter point on each? I like the fact that I would have more rounds potentially available and I like the price of the keltec a lot better. I'm a relatively poor college kid (yeah yeah I know, NO CCW ON CAMPUS/BARS! I've got a darn near 4.0 I'm smarter than that) so an extra $200 is a lot, though I take good care of my things and apparently those S&W's last forever. So help me out guys, I need some pointers upon which to make a decision! I'm a frequenter of some pretty shady areas in Detroit, not by choice, mostly because of work and where my grandparents live so I can't just avoid the area. Thanks for any responses and help!

 

[doc2rn]

Ruger LCP, same size, better grip, same $$$ range as Kel-Tec. I like mine

 

[skinewmexico]

I love a Kel-Tec. Only gun my wife will carry on a consistant basis.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Are any of these little guns to be your only armament? Keep in mind that you're dropping way down in both cartridge power and capacity (8- or 9-round .45, 15-round 9mm), as well as "shootability," by selecting any of those. I am about your size, it is plenty hot here and I don't have that much trouble carrying guns the size and weight of a PCR (in fact, I own one). I did find the heavy steel 1911 to drag at my belt a little bit.

A "compromise" gun (in between the two extremes) is the Kahr PM9 - seven rounds of 9mm that will fit in your pocket (a large enough one, anyway), as well as compact, single-stack 9mms.

 

[Dismantler]

I have both...well colse. I have a Model 442 Airweight. Same thing, really. The Kel-Tec is okay for up close. One "problem" that I have had with mine is that it did not have enough oomph to ignite the primers on S&B ammo. (I have a P-32) The weak spring and tiny hammer are disadvantages. I do okay with Remington ammo, however.

I can hit farther and better with the Smith. It is a bigger gun, and I can get a better grip on it. By far the Smith is the better gun. You may want to shop for a decent used Smith. I paid $289 for a used Model 36, which is the all steel snubby. I paid $389 for my Model 442, but it has custom grips, which raised the price. I saw a Model 38, which is an Airweight with a shrouded hammer for $329 the other day. So deals on used Smiths are out there.

Really, comparing a Kel-Tec and a Smith is comparing apples and oranges...but as stated above, I'd take a Ruger LCP if I could find one. Still a DA only pocket pistol, but I'd rather a Ruger.

And since you wanted somebody who has both to compare them...the Kel-Tec is A LOT easier to conceal and A LOT lighter. If you feel that a snubby will be too big to conceal during the summer months, get the Kel-Tec or Ruger as your first gun. We all started with one gun...well, most of us did.

Many members report carrying a 442 or 642 in their jeans pocket. I tried that and I felt like I had an anvil in there. It IS a pound when loaded, and it DOES fill up your pocket. I pocket the Kel-Tec and forget that it's there. I wrap a folded handkerchief around it to prevent it from flopping around. Maybe I'll get a pocket holster.

 

[btg3]

Will hopefully soon have one of each: 642 for my son and LCP for me. We plan to share and compare and ultimately end up with each of us having the preferred gun.

 

[JDGray]

I tried them Keltecs, a P11 and a P32, just cant get passed the rotten triggers. They were both 100% reliable, but unless your belly shooting only, they just didn't do it for me. Some people can hit good with em, but when I couldn't hit a 14" tall target at 25yrds, off a shooting rest with my P11, it was gone. The 32 was better, but I would have to aim at the head, to hit center mass, it was gone also. Shoot them first, if possible, before you buy

 

[GunNut]

The j-frame offers you much more power in comparison to the Kel-tec P3AT or Ruger LCP.

But buy the one that you will carry. Try them in your pocket and see which one you will carry the most.

 

[sdj]

6/442: reliabilty / carryability

6/442 gets my vote.

Good luck!

 

[david_the_greek]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I love by 1911 and would get a 3" if I had the $$. I'm going to try to find some shops with some used guns, I can't seem to find the S&W for less than $425 around me. Tomorrow I'll be taking my course! Maybe they'll give me a little money off since I'm taking the course at their shop, cash always helps too. I think while I'm running errands I'll try to find some other shops. Heck maybe a decent pawn shop has them around here. I'll be moving into an apartment soon so I'm wanting to get this new acquisition quick! I don't feel like having a $1000 handgun taken away from me. God willing, I never hope to have to use ANY gun against someone else, but I'm sure as heck not waiting around for the "authorities" to protect me Thanks so far guys, if anyone has any other advice I'm of course all ears.

 

[bigdaddydan]

you have to go with the gun that you find most comfortable to wear and the one you are most confident in using and the most proficient

 

[MarshallDodge]

My winter gun is a 1911 and in the summer I carry a Kahr E9. They don't make the E9 anymore but the CW9 is a nice gun for the money. I have shot two of them, one of them had a Hogue slip on grip and it was a definite improvement to the ergonomics.

 

[btg3]

I love by 1911 and would get a 3" if I had the $$.

An interesting range report was posted elsewhere about which rental guns gave the most problems and which were most reliable. For whatever reason... be it limpwristing, cheap ammo, lack of maitenance, you-name-it... their 1911's were not among the most trouble-free and reliable.

 

[gallo]

doc2rn,

The ruger lcp is a sweet looking gun. The ruger website has an excellent video of guys shoting it.

Good recomendation.

 

[deputy tom]

Yassou David.I own both S&W 642 and a kel-tec P-32.I'll never sell my 642 but will give up the kel-tec in NY minute.My 642 goes bang every time I press the trigger.I cannot be sure the kel-tec will.I've had five of them before I got one to shoot more than a few mags full before a stoppage/breakage.YMMV.tom.

 

[chris in va]

I have an old J-frame and a KelTec P11. Guess which one gets carried the most...11 rounds of 9mm and thin, hard to beat.

 

[david_the_greek]

well guys, today is the day of truth. I'll be (most likely) purchasing something after my course, I'm going to give both a good look over and stick both in my pants... hehe. Seriously though I guess I'm just going to have to compare them next to each other and think really hard. Conveniently I'm selling some car parts for cash worth enough to get me a keltec and an extra mag.... is fate hinting at me?

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

if your gonna get a kel-tec i recoment the PF-9 or p11, (single stace pf-9 or doulbe p11) i carry my pf9 all the time in my front pocket in a uncle mikes pocket holster. and switch between that with my Rossi .357mag snubbie.

i carry the kel-tec to work because loading boxes in and out of trucks its alot easier to conceal in my pocket. then when i get home or days off its the wheel gun. both i can get 2.5inch groups at 15yards so i think ill be ok there.

 

[david_the_greek]

well I planned on getting the Keltec. I really truly did. I ended up putting my money on the 642! Why? I dunno. I saw it and I held it and I loved it! I still want a keltec, they seem so convenient to carry. I couldn't pass up the 642 and a police officer who is incredibly pro gun and "on our side" so to speak kind of convinced me on the 642. I can always sell the poor thing if I don't shoot it well. I found it at about $430 I think, maybe a little less. Seem alright for a new 642 air weight?

 

[ForneyRider]

Didn't see any Bersa recommendations.

Bersa 380 Thunder duo-tone can be had for around $220. Shoots great and looks great. They make a smaller one called concealed carry, but it is more $.

I like the Kel-Tec P3AT, but some had very heavy triggers. Lot of fun to shoot and super small. I've read Kel-Tec will make it right and has good customer service.

Rossi makes a nice cheap revolver. For limited use, I think it's a good pistol. Not sure it can take a high round count.

I'd love to have a S&W 327. But they are around $800.