Non Plastic smaller carry gun

[osteodoc08]

I've been considering adding another carry gun to the stable. One for the warmer nights in GA. Currently I have a Kimber Pro CDP that I'll often carry when I have an outer garment to wear like a jacket, but now that summer is here, I'm looking for something smaller and lighter.

I've had my eye on Sig's P238 but am not 100% sold on it. First is all the problems I've been reading about. Second is the caliber. I do like the similarities to the 1911 platform though.

What other options are out there? I'm 6'1" and 265# and am looking for either a IWB or OWB holstering options.

What say you? Go for the P238 or....

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd skip the autoloader and look revolver. For a light package, I prefer a Colt Agent or Cobra. They are alloy framed 6 shooters in gun about the size of the competitons 5 shot guns. I'd even forget the holster. You can drop one in your front pants pocket and carry it all day long without it bothering you, unless of course you are still wearing skin-tight 505's from the 80's....LOL.

 

[PabloJ]

Kimber 'Solo'.

 

[Bruce Aman]

s&w642--glock mod 33

either gun can be carried in the front pocket,unnoticed,the glock in 357sig hae ballistics as a 125gr 357 mag.

 

[memphisjim]

Seecamp lwc 380 the "rolls royce" of pocket guns

 

[Remo223]

kahr mk40

S&W 945-PC

colt new agent defender

colt pony

colt mustang

colt tac Nine

STI black shadow

Bersa mini thunder

baby browning

walther PPK

walther P5 compact

 

[s12.aaxtell]

If you want a smaller all metal frame gun I would recommend a makarov. Shoot great, and nice small package but is still a little heavy.

-Alex

 

[chicharrones]

If you were to consider pocket carry, there is the Micro Desert Eagle.

 

[snooperman]

Plus ONE on the Colt Agent-six shot snubby...

very light and more reliable than most semi-auto pocket guns. If you must go with the small pocket autos then the Seecamp 380 would be my choice. I shot my brothers and it is a well made gun and quite reliable. I am sure there are others as well out there now, that I have no experience with that would work for you.

 

[2wheels]

I own a P238 and love it (zero problems with mine). I'm a 1911 guy myself and that's why I fell for it. It's basically a miniature 1911, so no retraining necessary.

It's accurate, the recoil is manageable, and carries in a pocket or IWB all day comfortably.

My ONLY problem with it, the same problem you mentioned, is that I'm not a .380 fan. But I only carry mine as a BUG or when I ride my motorcycle, or on those rare occasions when I don't feel I can conceal anything bigger.

 

[rellascout]

Kahr MK9 would be my choice is I wanted an all metal small carry. Proven platform unlike the Kimber Solo or P238.



Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 22.1 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Wraparound, textured hard nylon
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Matte stainless steel
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip

 

[PcolaDawg]

If you want a really small, true pocket gun that you can take anywhere check out the S&W Bodyguard 380.

Oops. Just noticed you said 'non-plastic'. My bad. In that case - +1 on the Kimber Solo.

 

[Magoo]

Springfield EMP?

 

[rellascout]

EMP is another good choice as long as you are not going to pocket carry.

 

[2WheelsGood]

Springfield EMP would be my vote, though the Sig P238 is also really nice, and a lot of the problems have been worked out. And the Sig is much smaller than the EMP. Then again, the EMP is a 9mm. My Dad just bought a P238 HD, and it shoots a LOT nicer than my LCP. Though it's also bigger and heavier.

 

[jawn]

How small are we talking? CZ makes compacts (PCR, P01, and 75B Compact) and a subcompact (Rami) in varying types of non-plastics.

 

[osteodoc08]

Thank you for all the responses so far. I currently carry a Kimber Pro CDP, so I am looking for considerably smaller than that. I do like the 1911 platform, which is why I liked the P238. For a CC gun I do prefer new even though bargains can be had on the used market. I am looking for around the size of the P238, maybe a little bigger but not by much. I have considered revolvers, but prefer an autoloader, which is why I posted it in the autoloader section. I do appreciate the offer to look at them however.
Definitely have to find a Kahr MK9 and Kimber Solo to fondle. I'd also liek it fun to shoot as well so some of the offerings might be out on that regard. Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[gbelleh]

Try a Rohrbaugh R9. An all metal, true pocket gun in 9mm. I carry mine in the back pocket.

 

[bobnailer]

Osteodoc08,
Have you tried the Ruger LCR in either .38+P or .357?
I live in FloRiDuh where it gets a bit hotter than Georgia, and I've carried the LCR in Miami mid-Summer and forgot it was in my pocket... no IWB either... in my cargo shorts pants pocket... the extra pockets hide the outline of the revolver.

I know you don't want plastic but the much vaunted Glock is referred to as combat tupperware, so the Ruger LCR is polymer, aluminum and stainless steel and I bet my life on the one I own.

Bob

 

[czhen]

If it fit you, 9 mm S&W 6906.

Henry FL

 

[NG VI]

Have you considered different holsters? I just can't really think of a time where a gun the size of an Officer's 1911 would be too big. I mean the Glock 27 is about the same size, a little thicker, a little shorter, and I carried that in a FIST ultra-thin Kydex IWB holster every time it got hot out.

Really I was thinking Kahr MK9 or CZ RAMI if you were looking for all-metal sweet carry gun that hopefully is more powerful than .380. I was also thinking Springfield EMP, but all of those are roughly the same size. The Kahr is probably smallest, RAMI probably biggest, but really I think if you want "significantly" smaller than your current Officer's 1911, you are going to have to go super small .380.

Or you could go with better holsters and other roughly similiar guns, so you could have more choices that fit a wider variety of wardrobes. Personally I'd get any of the following-

Glock 26 or 27, actually 33 or 39 too, or 30
CZ 2075 RAMI
Kahr, PM9, MK9, any of them, especially the ones that fit the dimensions of the PM9
SA EMP, either caliber
Sig C3 .45
Walther PPS


I know half of those guns either have or can be had with polymer frames, but I also think poly frames are not a problem in a gun. Most of the really outstanding guns in this size range have to be either upsized in metal (under-calibered), like a .380 or .32 the size of a perfectly good 9mm or .40, or they are just way too heavy for what they are.

Most of the new guns in this category have poly frames. Might help you to learn to appreciate them, or come to terms with the reality that a officer's 1911, Kahr, or CZ RAMI is the best you are going to be able to get as far as small and light service caliber guns goes.

 

[BrainOnSigs]

Kahr MK9 would be my choice is I wanted an all metal small carry. Proven platform unlike the Kimber Solo or P238.



Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 22.1 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Wraparound, textured hard nylon
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Matte stainless steel
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip

An excellent suggestion Rellascout.

 

[harmon rabb]

lots of good choices. if you're not looking for a pocket gun, like the 1911 platform, and don't mind spending some coin, the EMP is one of the better choices listed. every time i take mine to the range i love it a little bit more because it is just such a sweet shooter.

for something smaller, the kahrs listed are great.

 

[txhoghunter]

The P238 gets my vote. Its small, but very accurate and the recoil is next to nothing. If you are familiar with the 1911, then it will not take long to become comfortable with the 238. And, its a Sig

 

[Winkman822]

Springfield EMP or Sig P239