Kel-tec PF-9 vs. Snubbie .38 vs. Ruger LCP

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Lcp is not imposible to find.Show up at a gun show 1 hr early wait in line and you can get one I got mine for 330.
I was carrying a 38 snub but the LCP is so easy to carry.
I also have a taurus mod 85 that I carry
 
the ruger lcp is a pocket pistol. pretty small for a iwb pistol. you would want a single stack small frame 9mm or 40 s&w for what you are speaking about. lots of makes / models out there. go to a good gun dealer, or show and check them out. a good iwb holster is probbable the thing you need the most. i preffer the bianchi 6 holster. midway, amongst many others carry it. i have a right and a left hand one, so i can vary where i carry.
 
Pocket carry is something I try to avoid. What do you do when your seat belted into your car? I can't carry on the job (where I need it most) as I work in and around $hitcago. Most of the time I carry a Cobra or a 2.5" S&W 66 on my hip with my shirt out to cover it.
 
I vote for the 642. I carry mine mostly in a MIKA roundcut pocket holster. Whether I carry it in the pocket, IWB or ankle it simply disappears. It goes bang EVERY time.
 
I own all three, plus a few more, and I find myself carrying the 340PD more than the rest when wearing cargo pants or shorts.

I also have a Kahr PM9 that is proving itself to be a wonderful shooting gun which will more than likely replace the 340PD most of the time.

My LCP is reliable too, and will end up in the rotation especially when maximum concealment is required.

I bought my PF9 used, and have not been able to shoot it yet. It needs a new magazine release, the current one will not hold the magazine in place.

Good luck on choosing, lots of good options.
 
All the Kel-Tecs are good weapons. I like the PF-9 and would probably go for the P3AT before the Ruger just because it has been out longer.
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Sorry, having owned a P-32, a P-11, and two P3ATs, I could not disagree more. I will not own another.
Nothing beats the 642 for pocket carry.
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Again, having owned at least five, I cannot agree with that one either.
I also have a Kahr PM9 that is proving itself to be a wonderful shooting gun which will more than likely replace the 340PD most of the time.
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Now this one I agree with. Three years worth of carrying and shooting--smaller than a j-frame, more accurate, easier to shoot, better capacity, quicker reloads, and a more powerful round (9mm+p+).

That said, I am still waiting for the price of LCPs to attain a sane level, and then I may try one. :)
 
To get a snub nose without a lock you'd either have to get one made before they started putting them on, or get one of the 4,000 642s they just made without locks.
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Or buy either a vintage or a new S&W .38 Model 40 "Lemon Squeezer" with walnut grips, no exposed hammer, no lock, and a grip safety on the back strap.

Add a Tyler T-Grip and carry it in one of Chief Robert Mika's one-of-a-kind pocket holsters.

Oooh...

P.S. I think a vintage all-steel model of the Model 40 should be fine with +P - I'm not sure about the new version.
 
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Taurus Junk?

Not mine - My M85 has 1300 rounds through it (mainly +p) without any issues at all. I'm more accurate with it than my 642, which I am STILL dialing in after 400 rds.

In fact, if I can't achieve a reasonable level of accuracy with after 1000 rds with the 642, it might go into the safe and I'll get one of the new 6 shot Taurus .38 spl +p rated revolvers.

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=615&category=Revolver
 
My taurus (titanium, 12 ounces) has also been reliable with commercial loads. I've even shot an IDPA match with it. It has failed to ignite some of my handloads with CCI primers. I've put a laser grips on it and love to carry it. I've tried several small autos and found reliability lacking, but I haven't tried them all.
 
i own a j-frame, old school model 38 humpback and the LCP. the LCP is nice and small, but i still enjoy carrying the j-frame more. i like the having 158 grains of .38 more than 95 grains of .380. the LCP usually ends up in my wife's purse, but i hope to buy her a PM9 sometime soon.
 
The experts say the most powerful weapon you are comfortable with, this really makes it the PF9 from your list of possibilities. I personally have the snubbie but only because of the reliability issue, otherwise a well stoked 9 out performs a .38


Should I consider a Taurus in .38 spl or are they junk?
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I wouldn't use that term, but I have noticed that there are only a few die-hard Taurus fans on THR that would pick a Taurus over a Ruger or Smith. Even many Taurus owners carry a Smith or Ruger when it comes down to reliability.

If you could buy a new AMC Pacer or a used Volvo 240, which would you?
 
Pocket carry is something I try to avoid. What do you do when your seat belted into your car? I can't carry on the job (where I need it most) as I work in and around $hitcago. Most of the time I carry a Cobra or a 2.5" S&W 66 on my hip with my shirt out to cover it.
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Personally i take the gun out of my pocket when i'm driving around and set it in the storage compartment in the center console....then just toss it in the pocket (in a Mika roundcut) when i get outta the car


I bought one of the new 642's with no lock....so far i'm pleasantly surprise that it's easier to shoot then i thought it would be
 
I'd suggest (like a few others here) taking a look at the Kahr PM9 as well.

When I absolutely can't afford to be "made", I carry a S&W 642 on my ankle and a Kahr PM9 IWB. That's still two guns. :)
 
I am sorry to post so late on this. I dress in a shirt, tie, and dress pants. I have a job in which I do not need to be seen carrying. I do not have the luxury of having a shirt I can leave untucked. I have, for several years, carried a Kel-Tec. I carry a P3 AT on a daily basis in a front pocket holster. I have tried, and experimented with all the pistols and revolvers mentioned, but this one is a gun to have with you always. It is the ONLY one that meets the needs you and I have. Given modern ammunition, it will do the duty of a .38 Special in a small package (Try testing and you will see). I use the clip that Kel-Tec provides when wearing shorts or jogging, rather than a holster. I hope this helps.
 
Xanderzuk, I am sorry to post so late on this. I dress in a shirt, tie, and dress pants. I do not have the luxury of having a shirt I can leave untucked. I have, for several years, carried a Kel-Tec. I carry a P3 At on a daily basis in a front pocket holster. I have tried, and experimented with all the pistols and revolvers mentioned, but this one is a gun to have with you always. It is the ONLY one that meets the needs you and I have. Given modern ammunition, it will do the duty of a .38 Special in a small package (Try testing and you will see). I use the clip that Kel-Tec provides when wearing shorts or jogging, rather than a holster. I hope this helps.
 
I had the most recent model of the PF9, and then sold it for a 642. The PF9 was a gun that I really wanted to like, but couldn't because it requires an absolutely perfect grip to function properly. I wanted a gun that would work with a compromised grip, an injured grip, or a rolling-around-in-the-dirt grip--hence, the 642.

No opinions on the LCP.
 
Can't comment on the Keltec, as I don't own one (yet), but I can say that the 442/642 line up are quality. I have a lock model and though I don't have too many rounds through it, it has yet to malfunction. During the first 75 rounds I had thought I made a mistake, I changed my grip a little bit and I now love it! My groups really closed up at the 7-10 yard range, I can't wait till I get to take it back out to the range.
 
I have the P3AT and a S&W Airweight. I have formed the opinion the P3AT is almost too small. By that I mean if I ever had to get it into operation quickly from a pocket carry it is not easy to get the right grip and your finger in the trigger guard.
 
From a "best compromise" perspective, you can't beat the 642. It's "almost" small enough to be a pocket pistol for some, and it makes a great IWB pistol when you really need to conceal with lighter clothing.

For my part, I've gotten to like pocket carry and my first choice for that is always the R9S Stealth. When I go IWB, I'll carry the 642 when dressed light, but with a sweater or oversized t-shirt, my first choice is always my stainless Commander.

But if you have to make a choice of which one to get first, the 642 would have to get the nod.
 
The J frame really isn't that fat. The cylinder is the widest part. Everything else is thin. Budsgunshop has new NO-LOCK 442s in stock for $391 shipped which IMO is a great deal.
 
I use a LCP for summer carry, I have never found something that I cant carry in...shorts, T-shirt (or not) and flip flops are no problem.
 
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