Looking for compact handgun

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whm1974

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Ok I had some problems in the past with people knocking and asking if "so and so" is there. Then saying got the wrong address. I think what they really were doing is casing my neborhood.

Some homeless guy got offed over the weekend a few blocks from where I live.

My S&W model 10 is too big to anserew the door discretly, so I'm looking for something that I can put in a pocket or carry SOB when I'm at home

I am looking at a Bersa .380 or a snubnose. What about the ruger 345?

-Bill
 
The 345 is much bigger than the Bersa 380.

If I were you I would get a nice holster and just wear the Model 10 on my hip in plain view. No sense in hiding it (at least thats the way I see it).
I would think a nice shiney revolver on your hip would send a little message to anyone knocking on your door.
I don't know your situation, so I can't say that would work for you.
 
I agree with fumbler. If you're not leaving your house with it then might as well advertise. Unless you have people coming over unexpectedly that you don't want knowing. Then I understand.
That said, I just got a Springfield Armory XD-9 subcompact. I love it. They are a great value. Just one more thing to consider.
Just my 2 cents.
 
Glock 26 or 27?
S&W642?
Sig P232?
Makarov?
Remington 870? . . . oops you said discreet, sorry. :D
 
If you don't want too much outlay then consider the 9x18 Makarov: Inexpensive (local shops sells new Maks for $170), rugged, extremely reliable, accurate, solid steel, ammo & parts are cheap & plentiful. I have 2 that I use for CCW:
Makarovs001s.gif
Tomac
 
I've found that my KelTec P3AT in the pocket of my robe provides all the assurance I need for just walking around in the house. If your door security is poor, you might want to follow the advice above with a bigger gun.
 
Big fan of the S&W 642 here. That little bugger just lays in a pocket and you almost forget it is there. Besides, you can use the same ammo that you do with your M-10.
 
Well I don't want to scare the postman or the UPS/Fedex guy. I also don't want the neborhood to know that I have guns. Not to mention that I don't want to deal with the police everytime a nebor calls them when I check the mail or whatever.

Now if I was running a business that would be a diffenct story.

-Bill
 
Any service-sized sidearm, in a hip pocket. Out of sight, easy to reach & draw. A pocket holster is a good idea.

I wouldn't rule out the Model 10, at all.

On the other hand, I'll admit to using a Model 642 in a pocket, myself; not just when answering the door, but all the time in & around the house. Convenient, accurate, decent power, reliable, fast into action.
 
I wouldn't mind having a Makarov anyway. The Makarov and Bersa wouldn't cost me that much, even if I didn't shoot them very often.

-Bill
 
I'd agree with Swamprabbit. The S&W642 is going to be your best bet for a really small. light, compact, relaible, easy to draw from concealment, safe to handle, simple to operate under stress yet powerful handgun you can get. And currently you can get them most anywhere in the country for under $400.

Don't discount that Model 10 though. That really isn't a huge or heavy handgun. It can easily be slipped under the belt in the small of your back - and no one will know it's there (unless you want them to). Good size frame & grips - good trigger - adequately powerful round. Actually, you've probably got a near perfect handgun for the needs you have described - right now.

I'd advise against autos unless you are really into regular practice with them (like an average of 100 rounds per month). Some will argue - but for serious purposes - there really is no better handgun for the "casual" shooter than a double action revolver.
 
In a lockbox near the front door (to keep it safe from the kids) I have a small black fanny pack that I bought at Target for $ 11. In it is a 2 1/4" barrel .357 Ruger SP-101, 12 spare rounds and an ASP collapsible baton. It takes only a moment to open the lockbox and put on the fannypack. Since most of the time, it is a neighbor or delivery person at the door, I don't want to freak them out.
 
You do check through the peephole or a window before opening the door, don't you?

If it isn't anyone you are expecting you may not want to open the door all the way.

You could have anything you wanted in the hand behind the door...
 
Slightly OT, but a good tactic if you decide to open the door after identifying a stranger through the peephole is to plant your lead foot, with weight on it, a few inches inside the door (ASSUMING you're wearing shoes or boots :what: ). Should the visitor have hostile intent, and shove or kick the door, that solidly planted foot will impair his entry, probably surprise the heck out of him, and give you an extra split second to respond appropriately (draw or use sidearm, etc.).

Better than taking the edge of the door in the teeth!

I guess what I'm saying (blatantly paraphrasing the the moderator of a different forum) is, when defending yourself, "YOU are the weapon; anything else is just an accessory."
 
You do check through the peephole or a window before opening the door, don't you?

If it isn't anyone you are expecting you may not want to open the door all the way.

You could have anything you wanted in the hand behind the door...
Click to expand...

Unfortunely I don't have a peephole in either door.

I have thought about getting a good clip on hoster for my model 10 and clip it on the back of my UPS shorts.

Any ideas on a good hoster?

-Bill
 
It isn't a holster, but...

May I suggest you also consider the Barami Hip Grip. I think they make them for K-frames. If so, that allows you to just tuck the gun in your pants, where the "hook" on the stocks holds it. I have this setup on an all-stainless .38 Taurus snubby, and I love it. Easiest concealment system available. It works, even if I'm not wearing a belt.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

Edited to add:
By the way, I don't think you can do much better than a Model 10 for home defense, in the real world. It's the standard that we compare other handguns to. I wear a loose, unbuttoned, short-sleeved shirt at home, over a t-shirt, most of the time. A Model 10 would disappear under that, so you wouldn't freak out the UPS guy.

All my best,
DB
 
My "dorbell rings at odd hours" answering system is a 1911-A1 in my strong hand, held behind my leg.

If it turns out to be FedEx, Gas Company guy, etc, 1911 goes in my hip pocket.
 
Go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a peep hole for each door. They are about $7.00 and take maybe 10 min. to install. This time includes set up and clean up. Drill a hole, put in peep hole, tighten with screwdriver, sweep up mess from drilling. Thats it. Good cheap security accessory. If you rent, ask your landlord first, but do it anyway. It's your life and health we are talking about.

I agree with the Model 10 being pretty darn good for what you want. If you are just looking for an excuse to get a new gun (and there is NOTHING wrong with that), what do you want? There are a bunch of used Ruger police trade in revolvers going around. In semi-autos you can't go wrong with CZ. Even the full size 75Bs are pretty concealable. Go to your local gunshop and look in the used case. There are usually a ton of bargans just waiting to go home with you.

Oh, and 1 more thing, get a peep hole.

Calhoun
 
I do rent, and I have had ask my landlord to install a peephole. He never got around to it.

By the way I am looking for an excuse to pick up a few more guns.

On another note, I keep my .38 loaded with Winchester USA "white box" JHP +P.

-Bill
 
Well, if he is okay with it, then ask him again and tell him it is real simple, and you are willing to do it and pay for the parts. I can't imagine him caring.
 
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