I Need Your Help

[cuinthecreek]

Hey guys and girls. I need a little help here. I'm looking to find the best concealed carry weapon for me. I have done loads of research on here and other sights and have narrowed down my choices. I am looking for a wallet carry gun as that is the best way to carry for me. I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

-Ruger LCP

-Kahr P380

-Taurus TCP 380 (I like the look but I know of Taurus' reputation. I have a Tracker 357 that has been great though)

-Kel-Tec P-3AT

I am looking for the best combination of reliability, accuracy, and price. I might also consider a J frame or something similar if I can find a wallet holster for them. Do you think that the revolver would be the way to go due to reliablity? Like I said, I have done loads of research and am looking for opinions on the qualities of each of these guns. Thank you very much for your time.

-Parker

 

[scaatylobo]

I voted for the LCP as it is much easier to conceal.

I prefer the snubbie for its inherent ability to have more }stopping power" due to the .38 special being a heavier and faster round thatn the .380.

I have pocket carried both and the snub is a bit thick to conceal and be comfortable with.

I am pocket carrying a LCP due to the ability to access it ASAP when my primary is under coat/jacket.

 

[Girodin]

If one is pocket carrying in pants the LCP. I have one (I also have a J frame) and like it for what it is. It is very easy to carry. When I bought my I compared it to a P3AT side by side. The fit finish, and overall quality of the LCP appeared to be notably better and well worth the small ammount for that I paid.

Another advantage to the LCP is the fact it has a slide stop. If one experiences a double feed that feature can be a notable advantage in clearing the malfunction.

That said I do not think the LCP is a very good primary carry gun. Nor do I believe pocket carry is a great way to carry a primary weapon. Obviously both are preferable to nothing. However, rarely is the choice true between that and nothing. Rather, it is a lot of huge compromises for some added convenience.

If I were going to only carry a small .380 I'd rather have a mustang/p238 than a LCP. They are more expensive but having shot both the mustang/p238 is a head and shoulders better shooter. Of course once you get to that size, weight, and price range the question becomes is there any reason not to be getting a Kahr PM9 or CM9 instead.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned two P3ATs and two LCPs. I currently own an LCP. I have owned half a dozen different j-frames and currently own none. Does that tell you anything?

That said, I don't carry a .380 more than about twice per year. If I were to do so more frequently, I would buy the Kahr P380 in a heartbeat.

IMHO, the Kahr PM9 is a far better choice for pocket carry. It is slightly larger, but carries a more potent round with more choices and better ammo availability.

As far as Taurii go, my momma raised me by the rule "If you don't have anything nice to say..." I cannot always abide by that, but I try. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Steve CT]

Out of the box, LCP. I've owned P3AT, and it needed some polishing and tweaking, but that was several years ago, and it was a pretty good gun.
No Kahr experience, but $300 price difference buys a LOT of ammunition.
Taurus? A good Taurus can be a decent gun. A bad Taurus can put you in Customer Service "Never-Never Land"

 

[rodinal220]

What type of "wallet" holster are you looking for.The style that you can fire the gun in,or the type that merely breaks up the outline of the gun and the weapon cannot fire from inside the holster??

These types of wallet holsters are subject to the NFA of 1934 due to them being classified as AOWs once the gun and wallet are combined:

http://www.atf.gov/graphics/firearms/weapons/fullsize/wallet-holster.jpg

http://www.atf.gov/graphics/firearms/weapons/fullsize/wallet-holster-2.jpg

These types of wallet holster/gun combos are just a gun in a holster and not subject to the NFA:

http://www.andrewsleather.com/pocket.htm

http://www.bearcreekholsters.com/back-pocket.php

http://www.pocketholsters.com/Ruger...t_Ho/ruger_lcp_380_pocket-wallet_holster.html

 

[wlewisiii]

I'm a revolver guy. There is no better self-defense option, to me, than a S&W x42 loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC +P. Far more fire power than any .380 (and I like the .380, the PPK is a damn fine firearm) giving you many more options over the long term.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm wondering why so many people are recommending the LCP over the Kel-Tec? The LCP is a copy of the P-3AT but bigger and more expensive. While I voted for the revolver if the revolver wasn't included in the poll I would have chosen the Kel-Tec. The P-3AT was before the LCP, it's less expansive, it's smaller and easier to conceal and it works very well. I own a P-32 and wouldn't be without it for those times where only very small will do. (I bought the 32 before Kel-Tec came out with the P-3AT)

 

[Quiet]

In regards to the Ruger LCP v Kel-Tec P-3AT...

I find that some people...
... don't like Kel-Tec due to past negative experience with other Kel-Tec products.
... prefer Ruger over Kel-Tec, because Ruger is a well established manufacturer and Kel-Tec is a small start up company.
... prefer Ruger over Kel-Tec, because the Ruger is more "polished" (fit & finish) than the Kel-Tec.
... like having a slide release.

I would be happy with either the Ruger LCP or the Kel-Tec P-3AT.

 

[BADUNAME37]

The LCP is an excellent little gun, I have put just about every type of bullet through mine without one hiccup.

My second choice for you would be a J-Frame 442 or 642. The J-Frame, you most likely will NOT get into a wallet-type holster, however it rides extremely well in a Robert Mika Pocket Holster!

 

[csa77]

J frame -340pd. small, very light and very powerful. IMO its the very best concealed carry gun there is.

 

[RussB]

I voted LCP because that was the choice I made. I carry in my front pocket. Look at the Recluse holster.


http://www.recluseholster.com/

 

[BADUNAME37]

That Recluse Holster, does the holster come out of the pocket when the gun is drawn? If so, what is there to prevent a possible snag of the holster to the pocket lining and/or the pocket opening on the way out?

I went to the site and watched the video, answering my own question!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqusn1SUMR4&feature=player_embedded

 

[SleazyRider]

I, too, am a revolver guy. But when my pants started getting snug a few years ago (they must have shrunk!), I turned to the LCP because it fit me a little better, and thus gave it my vote. Now I'm on Weight Watchers, and I'm slowly returning to my old, relatively svelte, self. And when I do, you can bet that I'll shed my LCP in favor of my Colt Detective Special.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Of the five you listed I like three, but it doesn't really sound like you are looking for a revolver, so the j-frame is out. Out of the Ruger and Kahr left I would have to pick the Ruger because the Kahr is so expensive for what it is in my opinion. And I really like Kahr.

Shawn

 

[Skribs]

Desantis

I got a package deal with my LCP that came with a spare magazine and one of these holsters. I've tried the big nylon holster which was a total fail, but for this size weapon it actually works really well.

They have a version that comes with a package deal for the LCR at Cabellas, and the size 6 should fit a j-frame. Personal opinion, I'd go with an LCR over a J-frame. The j-frames with a shroud MSRP for about double what an LCR does.

That said, for pocket carry, I'd prefer a pocket semi-auto to a small-frame revolver. It's going to be smaller on all three dimensions and carry an extra round. I love my LCP.

 

[Nushif]

I voted TCP because of all those listed it is the only one that fits my hand and that I can realistically wallet carry. The Kahr is too thick for that in my case.

 

[Gingerbreadman]

I carry a Taurus 605 routinely. I also have a Kel-Tec P3AT that I carry on occasion. I've run both through the ringer and I trust both.

Neither pistol is perfect however. The DA trigger pull on the Taurus is horrible and the Kel-Tec loves to rust (a day is all it takes sometimes).

 

[Dr_2_B]

I voted LCP. I own the P3AT, and I like it. But if I were buying now I'd buy the Ruger for its ruggedness and it's polish.

 

[45crittergitter]

Rohrbaugh, or maybe LC9.