I need a new carry firearm

[TonyT]

I have carried a Glock36 and S&W 642 before finally opting for a Kahr PM-9.
The Gllock 36 was my first carry pistol and it is a reliable and accurate pistol which is very controllable. I found that I could not readily conceal it at all times so I tried a S&W 642. (The G36 is still in the truck).
The S&W 642 was more readily concealed but I want to practice with my carry gun and I found that putting 50 rounds through the 642 was not very pleasant.
I finally opted for a Kahr PM-9. It is very concealable and I can put 50 rounds through it without enduring any pain whatsoever. As bonus it is very accurate as I can place all seven shots within a 3 inch group at 7 to 10 yards.

 

[hariph creek]

I long carried snubs. I found I didn't like the light weight ones. An all steel snub is great though.
Like Tomac, i've switched to the Sig Sauer P290RS. It has a very nice double action only "revolver like" trigger. Weight puts it more than a Airweight, less than an all steel. Recoil is less than .38's through a steel snub. Higher capacity, faster reloads and real sights. But mainly, it carries so nice! Thin, smooth and quite small. Not so small and light that it's unpleasant to shoot though. It looks big, shoots big and carries small. Highly recommend the "RS" variant over the original.

 

[CopperFouling]

Just curious, what kind of gear are you using to carry that SP101?

I was using a Crossbreed Supertuck with a belt from Crossbreed (I think it's 1.5"). The holster seemed to work just fine.

 

[cwl1862]

It's true that S&W air weights like the 442, 638, and 642 have horrendous recoil with the stock boot grips, but if you change them out for the Pachmayr compacts it's totally different gun and the recoil is much more manageable. and the Pachmayr compacts are not all that difficult to conceal either, unlike the Hogue grips which are longer and tend to print a little more.

 

[tomrkba]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEHNZFTfSD8

Jerry Miculek has some recommendations for holding the small J-Frames.

 

[CopperFouling]

Thanks for the link. I'm going to watch it this afternoon. Miculek's videos are usually pretty informative, and I have not seen that one.

 

[CopperFouling]

Okay, let me change this up a bit. I think the Smith is out. It's too heavy compared to the 238, and as much as I like revolvers, it might end up at home too much.

My neighbor showed me his LCP the other day, so it's down to either an LCP or a 238 (or perhaps LC9 or 938, but this is less likely).

I have a couple of questions:

1.) How do the triggers on the two compare? (I am guessing the 238 is better, but is it really a noticeable difference?)

2.) How does one go about pocket carrying a little semi like these? Are there holsters (or something similar) that people have found work well?

 

[tomrkba]

What is your experience level with handgun shooting? Approximately how many rounds have you fired annually for the past three years? How many defensive handgun courses have you attended in the past 10 years? Do you attend action pistol shooting competition regularly?

The LCP is shootable with a reasonably heavy trigger pull. I have dry fired the LC9 enough to know I will never buy one without some serious trigger tuning. The SIG 238 is nice and the trigger is decent. I have not tried a 938, but I am sure it is fine.

Choose 45 ACP or 9x19mm over 380 ACP if at all possible. Have you looked at the XDS in 9mm and 45?

 

[ID-shooting]

Okay, let me change this up a bit. I think the Smith is out. It's too heavy compared to the 238, and as much as I like revolvers, it might end up at home too much.

My neighbor showed me his LCP the other day, so it's down to either an LCP or a 238 (or perhaps LC9 or 938, but this is less likely).

I have a couple of questions:

1.) How do the triggers on the two compare? (I am guessing the 238 is better, but is it really a noticeable difference?)

2.) How does one go about pocket carrying a little semi like these? Are there holsters (or something similar) that people have found work well?

The trigger on the LCP is LOOOONG and heavy. It is supposed to be for safe pocket carry. I added a Kel-Tek P3AT belt clip and carry in my front pocket. This works well with jeans, dockers, summer shorts, swim shorts with pockets, and scrubs.

There are no sights to speak of like mentioned above but it is not a range gun nor are you supposed to shoot past say 15 feet so no real sights is not an issue. With plenty of high-performance ammo, I feel very comfortable that it will do it's intended job if needed. I carry Hornady XTP's in mine.

As mentioned above, it is so light, thin, short, it is easy to forget you are even carrying it. Wardrobe isn't even a consideration except having a pocket to put it in.

As for lint and other stuff, nothing else goes in that pocket and I keep a can of compressed air nearby and blow it out once a week. Every month I take it down and put fresh CLP on the lube points but that is probably overkill. Every time I go to the range, I bring a small box of range ammo and shoot a couple mags through it to keep proficient.

 

[CopperFouling]

What is your experience level with handgun shooting?

I've been shooting handguns for a little more than three years. I learned to shoot with a .38 and a .22 and moved up to the .357 and .45 after about a year.

Approximately how many rounds have you fired annually for the past three years?

Beats me. I would estimate about 150 to 200 centerfire rounds per session. And if I am shooting rimfire, it's probably around 400 to 500 rounds per session. I shoot as much as my two jobs and family and budget allow me to, which means usually about once twice a month, less during winter and more during summer.

How many defensive handgun courses have you attended in the past 10 years? Do you attend action pistol shooting competition regularly?

The answer to these are somewhat related. I don't make the kind of money nor have the kind of time that would allow me to shoot competitively or take many courses. If you know of a course that is useful and reasonably priced in St. Louis, by all means, let me know. I would be interested.

I have looked at the XDS. It's fine but the ergos aren't my thing.

 

[CopperFouling]

The trigger on the LCP is LOOOONG and heavy. It is supposed to be for safe pocket carry. I added a Kel-Tek P3AT belt clip and carry in my front pocket. This works well with jeans, dockers, summer shorts, swim shorts with pockets, and scrubs.

Thank you. That was quite helpful.

 

[CopperFouling]

I found a slightly used LCP at my favorite gun shop. It comes home on Saturday. Any suggestions for a holster (if that's even the right term in this case) for pocket carry?

 

[doc2rn]

I love my S&W mod 10 3" so I feel your pain, I transitioned to the Ruger LCR and absolutely love that fact that it doesnt hurt my wrist like the scadnium frames. Not to mention they have them in .22lr, .22WRM,.38,.357 with or without red dot and you have an excellent platform.
Desanti makes a pocket holster for the LCP if I remember correctly but I carried mine in a Fobus. The LCP also has mag finger groove extenders for better grip retention and a little neon fingernail polish goes a long way toward front sight acquisition.

 

[shafter]

I usually go with a Smith and Wesson 637 or 37, both with original style grips. I find that they help alot with recoil compared to the Uncle Mikes.

 

[Godsgunman]

If you are wanting a pocketable .380, take a good look at the Taurus TCP. I just picked one up because I, like you, wanted a small easily concealed backup. I looked at the LCP and all the rest but the TCP beats the others for many reasons. 1) Price is quite abit cheaper. 2) Best trigger pull, light and smooth (4.5lbs), compared to the loooong heavy 9 lbs LCP. 3) Last round slide hold open is very nice to have that the others don't. 4) Reliability and accuracy match that of all the others in the class. Of course you'll have the Taurus haters try to attack all that I just said but just try one out and see what you think.

 

[Godsgunman]

Ooops I just read that you decided to pick up the LCP. Well good luck, hope it works for ya.

 

[ID-shooting]

I found a slightly used LCP at my favorite gun shop. It comes home on Saturday. Any suggestions for a holster (if that's even the right term in this case) for pocket carry?

There are lots of options out there. Some for front pocket, some for rear that gives it the profile of a wallet. I don't use a holster for front pocket carry. The belt clip holds it right at the top of the pocket with only the "hump" at the hammer exposed. Resembles any of the clipped pocket knives you see people carry. For belt carry If I choose, I have a Fobus OWB paddle that works for P3AT and LCP.