I love my Ruger P95 BUT...

Which one for concealed carry

  • Ruger LCP

    Votes: 29 23.8%

  • Kel Tec P-11

    Votes: 12 9.8%

  • Kel Tec P-3AT

    Votes: 14 11.5%

  • Keep my Ruger KP-95PR

    Votes: 36 29.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 31 25.4%
  • Total voters
    122
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M

mickeydim468

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
700
Location
Oregon Coast
As I said already, I LOVE my Ruger P95. Yes there is a BUT. I bought it as my concealed carry gun. It is heavy and bulky. I am going to have to either trade it or sell it to get the new pistol.

Here is why: If I carry it in my pants, they fall down; Even with a belt.

I need something smaller/lighter and I do not have one of those cool gun stores near me that have a range that you can rent pistols etc...

What I am wanting to know is this. Which of the three choices above would best fit my carry needs if the below criteria are considered?
  1. Reliability
  2. Weight
  3. Size
  4. Cost between $250 to $350

I know I could buy something for less money, but I don't want to gamble my life on a cheap pistol, and my Ruger only cost me about $350 new, and it has never FTFire/FTFeed/FTLoad, since the second shot my wife fired in it, which was round number 12 ever fired through it. She limp wristed it, and since showing her why it happened, it never happened again. It has been the best firearm in my collection. Never needs work, and I grab it and never have a second thought about whether it will go bang if I pull the trigger. That is a great feeling, and I am looking for something like it in light weight.

If you have any other ideas that I should look into based on my criteria that I may have overlooked, please share that info too.

I mention keep the Ruger in jest really, as I cannot afford the new carry gun without its sale, and I can't use it for its intended purpose. It is almost like buying a sledge hammer to drive in thumbtacks. Don't get me wrong, for a house gun it would be a fine pistol!


Thanks in advance!

Mikey!
 
Springfield XD, Sub Compact .40S&W for me. I love this gun fits like a glove!
 
The p95 is a great pistol. But I would keep it. You might get $20 for it if you trade it in. They just don't move like they used to. Noone is taking mine as a trade. But since i polished it's ramps it's been 100% reliable. Hard to get rid of a reliable pistol thats as durable and corrosion resistant as a p95dc.

For CCW I'd look towards a Glock 19,23 or 26, Kahr PM9 or p380, S&W M&P, S&W J-frame revlover.

I ignored you cost requirements on purpose. :neener:
 
Your P-95 is a fine weapon. Use your money to buy a top tier holster and proper gunbelt.
Click to expand...
This should have been a poll option, because it is the correct answer to your problem.
 
I'll agree that your P95 is a fine weapon. I confess I have shot them before, but do not yet own one...but in the same breath I know one person who carries a P95DC daily, another that carries a P89, and know of one more that also carries a P95. So it can be done, but it takes the right carry equipment (good, thick, stiff belt and good holster).

JLaw
 
I had the same problem. I liked my P95 but it was too bulky. I have since gone to an XD .40 SC, 2 M&Ps compacts in 9mm and .40 and a .380 LCP. I have found there isn't one gun that is perfect in every situation.

While The M&Ps and the XD SC can fill the same roles (but half the fun of owning guns is owning more than one) the little LCP is perfect for those times when the other guns are just too big.

You could keep the Ruger for a good range gun and go out and get a couple of different sizes so that you are armed in every situation regardless of destination (where permitted of course) or mode of dress.

There now, you have a good reason to add to your firearm collection.
;)
 
I agree with them a good holster along with a good belt makes a huge difference. I have a hard time letting go of a gun that works well. I usually carry a XD-40 but I have a Ruger P944 (.40 caliber P94) and do carry it sometimes.
 
I voted for keeping what you already have. It's not the ideal but you could carry it in a shoulder holster under a concealment shirt. You may look into a Crossbreed supertuck IWB holster and a gun belt 1.5" wide. The supertuck has a very large weight distribution and wraps around your waist with the gun. Very comfortable and concealable. You could also look into a belly band for under your shirt. That would also keep the weight off your hips.
 
What type of belt and holster are you using now? How big are you? Might want that info before a recommendation. I voted for keeping it though. The resale and trade in on it would not go very far toward a new purchase. Good holster, good gun belt, and put some money away each month as a "new present for me" fund.
YMMV, I get attached to mine way too easy. They don't have to be fed everyday, and usually do what you tell them to.
 
Keep the Ruger (seller's remorse will usually always follow otherwise, eventually).

Perhaps purchase something inexpensive and reliable. Notice I didn't say "cheap". There are plenty of quality pistols out there that can be had in your listed price range, especially if you buy used.

I will also point out that you might want to focus on 9mm's unless you're bent on the .380acp for some reason.

At the risk of sounding like one of "those guys", I suggest you consider adding another $100 to your price limit as it will also open many more opportunities for you; $100 isn't much of an investment if you consider what you're planning to use if for.

If you're willing to holster carry, the Ruger SR9 seems to be a decent choice for carry if you are loyal to the Ruger brand. A Bersa UC9 is another winner but at about $50 less.
 
I would keep the P95 for now (you wouldn't get much in trade anyway) and save up my pennies until I could afford a Glock G26, G27, or G33.
 
Thanks guys! It must have been too late last night for some of you :)

The problem with a better belt and holster idea is my physique. I am 5'9" and weigh 305lbs. I have a big belly and a little butt. My pants have a tendency to fall down with a wallet and cell phone and keys sometimes, even with a good belt. Since my belly is so big, when I sit the belt will cut off the circulation to my legs.

I am a t-shirt and jeans guy and really don't wear overshirts, so a cross draw shoulder holster would not be hidden very well by my shirt. I wear a 3X or 4X shirt as it is and it is hard enough to find clothes that big. If I had to go larger I do not know where I would find the clothes.

I know I know, Lose some weight you fat SOB! Well, I have actually finished up some physical and occupational therapy and am feeling so good I have been exercising daily. I will lose weight, but it took a little over a year to put on 100 lbs after my accident. I do not expect it to go anywhere very fast. What I really need is something I can use in the meantime. By the time I have lost all of the weight I want to, I should have more income to support buying another P95. My physical impairments only allow me to work 6 hours a day right now.

After the first reply to this thread, I looked closer at the Ruger SR9C. I like it, but I really can't scrape the money together right now and it is still heavier than even the Kel Tec P-11. I also looked at the Kel Tec PF-9, which is an interesting piece too. Does anyone have any experience with it? Or the P3AT? I really like the looks of the PF-9 in all black.

Also, what is the difference between .380 and .380 ACP?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the local gun shop who will be getting me whatever I want said she would give me $300 for my Ruger, and booked it for me at $350. She knows my situation, and wants to help me. We have known each other for about 2 years now and have become friends. She has a little store as she is just getting started, so she doesn't stock too many different pistols, but she can get me whatever.

Thanks,

Mikey!
 
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The 380 and 380acp is the same thing. Personally If it was my only centerfire handgun and had to handle all needs I would go with the PF9. It is much more concealable and light than the P95 but is still a 9mm.

I went with a P3AT with crimson trace laser grip and a Glock 26. The P3AT allows a pocket gun to be with me at all times but when I can carry it I use the Glock with a ten round magazine and when that is not carried it's on my nightstand with a fifteen round magazine and grip spacer.

If you are going to also purchase a second handgun (eventually) for carry/nightstand/range use then get the P3AT.
 
Yes, I will eventually get a second handgun. Just for my "Right now" needs, I require something smaller. I think I am leaning towards the 2 smaller pistols (LCP and P3AT, because I think they will better serve my needs right now. Also, when I do get my weight off and do eventually buy another P95, I can still use the smaller pistol for those times when I am wearing shorts or something like that. Or my wife could inherit it and I would have to buy another! LOL

Since we are narrowing this down a bit. Which is the better bang for my buck? Pun intended!

Is there another pistol I do not know about in the same price range, that is small like the LCP and P3AT?

What about reliability of these smaller pistols. Anyone have one and never have any trouble?

Mikey!
 
There are a bunch of new pocket .380's. Taurus, Desert Eagle, S&W, and some others I'm probably forgetting have recently released pocket .380's or will soon.

As I said I have a P3AT and got it before their were many on the market, I think the LCP just came out and was not waiting for a used one to come around. With the crimson trace laser I can effectively hit COM at 5 yards very quickly from a quick-draw hip shot. I can quickly hit head shots at ten yards and center mass at fifteen yards. Slow firing it hits 25 yards if I can see the red dot. With the sights it comes with I'm not making effective hits past twelve yards and those are much slower to make. I have never had an issue with it and it has seen probably five hundred rounds. Not a gun I shoot much at all after testing for reliability, more just to stay proficient.

If this is handling home defense as well you may want to look for a used 12 gauge pump. You can usually find a used Mossberg Maverick for a hundred bucks or less. The power upgrade for home defense is unmeasurable in my opinion between a .380 and a 12 gauge. If this is unable to be done then the pistol can be with you all the time and you will need money to become proficient with these pocket guns considering the current scarcity of .380.
 
I have been looking around for a short barreled 12 Ga for home defense purposes. I only have hunting rifles and the one pistol. I haven't come across any that were not junk for less than $150-$175 though. I will just have to get proficient with the .380 and see what happens. Hopefully soon I will have some more money to put towards a shotty. It won't be too long anyway. The car is paid off after this months payment and things should start looking up for me and my family!

Mikey!
 
What about reliability of these smaller pistols. Anyone have one and never have any trouble?
Click to expand...

My Ruger LCP has given me no reliability problems. It drops into my pocket (front OR back) in a Desantis Nemesis holster with no issue.

That said, if you enjoy shooting at the range - at all - then these little guns are not really suited for that purpose. They're tiny, hard to hold, have absolutely PATHETIC sighting systems, and very limited capacity. It's a gun you take out just enough to keep in practice with, but otherwise it's just no fun to shoot.

IMHO, you want a gun like this, buy one separately and keep your P95 for the times when you don't need compactness. As an owner of both, aside from CCW specifically, for every other task I can imagine I'd rather have my P95 over my LCP.
 
I'd recommend a Taurus 709 slim or Kahr CW9 for comfortable IWB CC. They can both be had for about $350-400. I prefer single stack for a CCW.
 
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