Recommendation for small carry gun

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Jackthelad

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Well, I have $600.00 to spend on a compact pistol for concealed carry. I have a RAMI and a full size XD9. This was my bonus from work and SWMBO told me I could get another gun. I really want something very small in .25 or .32 for another carry option when I cannot carry the RAMI or XD due to wardrobe or otherwise. Any suggestions? I was thinking along the lines of a small Beretta.
 
Have you considered a revolver? I have a 642 that fills the bill for small pocket carry nicely. There are other options too, but a hammerless revo is best IMO. :)
 
I really like the NAA Guardian in the new .32 NAA caliber. It's basically a necked down .380. Its about $400-450 in my neck of the woods.

If you want cheaper try a keltec in .380 or .32. They run in the $250-300 range.
That said I haven't shot a little beretta so I can't say what's better. But as I said above i really like the NAA's.

It's kind of hard to try these guns before you buy because most ranges (around me) don't rent pocket guns.
Good luck!
 
I have a Keltec P32 and love it. The trigger takes a bit of getting used to but over all it fits the all around concealed bill. I wear mine all the time. With jeans and a tee shirt, tucked in you can't see anything.
Other than that I would vote for the small revolver, a S&W or Taurus.

How do you like the RAMI?

jojo
 
S&W Model 332 Revolver

.32 H&R Magnum - Light weight J frame - Hammerless- 6 shots - with Georgia Arms round 100 gr x ~977 fps out of a 1 7/8" barrel it hits harder than a .38 special and almost as hard as a .38+p. (very slight difference). 14 Oz. loaded. I put it in the pocket of my loose jeans and forget it's there.

just mho

oh, it goes bang quite loudly and spits out the sweetest little ball of fire you ever saw too

:)
 
If it were my money and I already had something like the Rami, I'd look first at the Kahr PM9 (never shot one though), then the K-T P3AT (I've shot this) or NAA Guardian 380, and finally the K-T P32 (long time owner).

I left out the NAA 32 because it's too small for my hand and the NAA 32naa because ammo is too scarce (though I do like the idea of the 32naa).

Chris
 
I was interested in the Kel-Tec P3AT but I've since heard too many stories of key parts just falling out.

Now I'm interested in the NAA Guardian .380. I'll probably end up eventually getting one of those or one of the small-framed hammerless S&W snubbies.

I looked at the smallest model made by Kahr and IMO it was just too big for a pocket gun for me. I guess some people just have bigger pockets than I do. It was just too bulky for me.

brad cook
 
Another recommendation for the S&W 642. For $600, you can get the gun, a set of Crimson Trace LG-205 laser grips (the small "boot" grip, not the larger LG-305 rubber grips, that won't fit a pocket well), a pocket holster, and some decent CCW ammo.
 
I know "everybody" wants a NEW gun, but have you considered some of the older models out there? I'm not going to try to sell you my Thomas (a wonderful small .45 ACP that will bite off your hand) but will recommend you look at an AMT Backup - they come in either 9mm or .45 ACP and are running about $300 - $350.
I have two in ,45 ACP- one that I diamond-stoned the sharp edges off of, and one that is pure stock. I'm saving that for something, but not sure what. The smoothed one does fit in my front or back pocket, as well as riding is any of several (all right, 5) IWB- and OWB-style holsters in leather or kydex.
AMT is out of business, so there is no warranty. Most 'smiths I have asked to look at these say any repair would be possible even though they have never worked on one before. If needed, I suppose I could canabalize for parts from my backup Backup.
I have not done any chronograph work to get fps and from that footpounds, but I can say with certainty that watermelons, pumpkins and bowling pins go down gloriously. OK, I would not expect good groups out more than 7 yards, but everything you listed falls into that category as well.
My point being, there are alternatives you may be overlooking just because they are "used".

stay safe

skidmark
 
JoJo- I love the RAMI and it is a great gun. Some really good suggestions here. I had not considered some of the small revolvers and think that may be a good route. The local gun shop by me is a SW dealer, but seems to have the same few models. I purchase just about everything there, and I guess it is easy to forget or overlook all the models offered. I would always consider some of the "older" guns, and I think AMT is a good quality product. Looks like I am going to have to jump over to the SW web site to see what is out there.
 
The S&W 642 is (or was) on sale at a reduced price, around $350, because Smith has had some "issues" with the coating peeling when people used Gun Scrubber or brake cleaner on them. My dealer ordered a new one for me (it arrived in 2 days). I couldn't be happier with it.
 
Kel-tec

If you want to stay above the sub calibers [32 / 380] try a Kel-tec P-11.
Smallest & lightest 9mm on the market. DOA and totally dependable. I have carried one for 5 years.
 
Lorcin .380. Best gun out there for the money. With $600 you could buy about 10 and always have back-up.

No, I second 280Plus's suggestion for the Smith in .32H&R magnum. Heck of a round, heck of a gun.
 
If you think a Kahr is to big for pocket don't even look at a revolver . Get the Keltec in 380 that should fit in those little pockets. :D
 
I definately intend to check out the SW offerings. Great suggestions, and I think they have a used Kahr in the shop that is pretty small. Any thoughts of the size difference between a tiny Kahr and the XD9 in Sub compact?
 
From my experience in searching for an all the time pocket pistol, I discovered that;
1. Airweight J frames conceal more easily than sub compact pistols such as the small Kahrs etc.
2. The only guns that I could always carry in a pocket regardless of the pants I was wearing were the very small semi-autos. After buying and experimenting with both the KelTec .32 and NAA Guardian .32 I kept the Guardian simply due to personal preference.

I know that there are many others that never have a problem pocket carrying larger guns but this didn't hold true for me. Since you already own a Rami I would go into a shop wearing pants with the least forgiving concealability; pocket size, fit etc. and try the guns you are interested in. You might be surprised at what you can and cannot carry comfortably in a pocket. If it fits, I highly recommend the S&W 642. IMHO, the best pocket revolver out there. If not, the NAA Guardians are a great choice. You asked for ideas and these are mine.
 
My only caveat with the Kel-Tec P32/P3-AT would be to make sure you get one that's reliable. I've owned three P32's and two P3-AT's, and every time have had to get rid of them because they would not pass the reliability test (two hundred rounds of your carry load through your carry gun and carry magazines without a single malfunction of any sort). Not one would get past 100 rounds without some sort of malfunction. I know others have had better luck, but for myself, I'm afraid the Kel-Tec's are off my recommended list.
 
I have had better luck with the KT's than Preacherman...

Naa's are better than most for pocket carry although they are a bit heavy..

Smith J-Frame's are a REALLY good choice, for those that like the "Wheelies"
 
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