Researching for new CCW - Future purchase

[Bhamrichard]

Tax return is in the works and I'm looking for an alternate concealed carry gun. Currently I've got a .45 semi auto that I can usually conceal quite nicely but for those times I need a smaller footprint, I'm doing some searching ahead of time.

I've been looking at a couple of the newer offerings that S&W is coming out with, and I'm liking the looks of the .38 that was introduced at the SHOT show http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=754501

I'm thinking 38 is the smallest I'd prefer to go with, though I admit the 380 looks interesting too. I wasn't at SHOT so haven't seen these first hand, there some video on youtube about them however that I've reviewed.

Anyone get to see these first hand maybe?

 

[Yo Mama]

Here's my advise: let them fix all the bugs before you buy...unless you want to send back to the factory. Every manufacturer that has recently released a tiny gun has had issues and recals.

If you want tried and true go with something that has been around for a while, I'm partial to keltecs. Don't think because it's a Smith that it will last forever, these guns are shoot little carry alot.

Also, I'd advise you to look at 9mm, as it's much easier to find right now, and not much bigger.

One last item. Revolvers are not easy for my to conceal, so I'd put one in your pocket first if you decide against an auto.

 

[philpost]

As I mentioned in another thread, yesterday I purchased a S&W 642 model that came with stock (but upgraded) wood grips for my first CCW. I have a 686 in the house, and generally feel more comfortable with a revolver. But keep in mind that the (knowledgable and very nice) gentleman at another gun store who carries a large Glock, recommended, unsurprisingly, a large Glock. Not my speed at all. Even a smaller Glock was not comfortable FOR ME. Someone else at the range who knows his stuff recommended a Sig Sauer P238. If you go to a range that rents, I'd try out a few and see what seems comfortable to you. But I've always felt that the classics got there for a reason, whether you're talking about guns, cars, or guitars.

 

[wgp]

I usually carry a .45 or 9mm auto in a IWB holster. That said, I recently bought a S&W 442 Airweight .38, and I have already found that it is so easy to slip into a jacket pocket, I have begun carrying it much more often than I expected I would when I bought it. I also have a .380 Beretta and the 442 is almost exactly the same size and at least as concealable. I prefer it for pocket carry to the auto.

 

[BossHogg]

S&W mod. 638 j-frame for pocket, mod 60 3in 357 j-frame for belt carry. Two of the best,IMO. Good luck.

 

[searcher451]

From the FWIW Department: Don't buy anything without first trying it out. Rent or borrow and then head to the range and run some ammo through the guns that you might have an interest in; then select the one that best fits your hand and eye and run a bunch more ammo through it until you are absolutely certain that it's the one for you.

Were it me, I would not buy a brand-new offering from any manufacturer that I was considering for concealed carry use; as Yo Mama correctly pointed out, let the manufacturer run the bugs out of it before you plunk down your hard-earned tax dollars.

One other note: Have some fun at the range.

 

[KBintheSLC]

You might enjoy a J-frame .38 for a more practical carry piece. I'm not sure what is on your link, because it failed to work for me. But I would advise caution on any radical new designs until they are proven. The new airweight j-frames are tried and true, and if you can find an older, steel framed version you will love it forever.

 

[230therapy]

Tiny guns that seem to work:

Kahr PM9 or MK 9 (or the 40 caliber versions)
Walther PPS (also a 9mm)
Keltec PF9
Keltec P380 and P32
Rohrbaugh

(Help me out, I cannot think of any others)

The most reliable will be a small revolver. Why not go with one of the very light S&W's? The S&W 442 and 642 are considered to be excellent guns. I compared a 442 to a Ruger LCR and was unable to feel any difference in weight. The LCR is a brand new design and has yucky plastic parts. As the other responses stated...go with a gun that has a proven track record. The S&W J-Frame has many decades of history. It's also made from metal...which is better to hit people with if you cannot reload.

You could also try an older Colt, but they're not in production. The Ruger SP101 is too large for carry in the standard sized pocket. Taurus seems to be "hit or miss" in quality and reliability...better to save up for an S&W.

Overall, it's probably better to go with 38 Special +P or 9x19mm. Think of 9x19mm as more efficiently loaded 38 Special. 38 SPL uses a longer, rimmed case. The advantage is a wider variety of bullet types and weights. The disadvantage is that you're shooting a 9mm bullet at lower velocity. 9x19mm gets you a shorter case and generally results in a smaller gun. The 380 Auto, while only 1mm shorter in case length, offers reduced performance. However, Kahr and Keltec have some significantly smaller sized guns. Compare a Kahr PM9 to the 380 version...the 380 version is significantly thinner.

38 Special, 38 SPL +P vs 9mm

38 Special:

.357" 110 grain JHP @ 900ish-1000ish FPS
.357 125 grain GD HP or JHP @ 840ish to 1050ish FPS
.358 158 grain L-HP @ 700ish - 960ish FPS

38 Special +P:
.357 110 grain JHP @ 1150ish to 1200ish FPS
.357" 125 grain Gold Dot Hollow Point @ 1000-1050 FPS
.357" 140 grain JHP @ 1000ish FPS
.357" 146 grain JHP-SWC @ ~830ish to 1000ish FPS MAX

9x19mm

.355" 115 grain Gold Dot HP @ 1000-1250ish FPS
.355" 124 grain GD HP @ 890ish to 1250ish FPS
.355" 147 grain GDHP 860ish - 1000 FPS

You can push around 125 grains around 200-250 FPS faster than the equivalent 38 SPL +P (depending upon the load). As you can see, the standard pressure 38 Special loads are much cooler than the 9x19mm and the 38 Special +P.


Citation: All loads from Speer Manual #13. There are significant variations between Speer manual versions and between manufacturers. You should research all loads you're considering using.

 

[Bhamrichard]

Someone said the link didn't work so here's a picture.. Looks like a j frame 5 shot 38 so it's not some radical new design. Only thing that might be off for me is the hand grip seems pretty small. I appreciate all the advice.. I already have a 15-3 S&W .38 but it's just too big to comfortably carry which is why I'm looking for a smaller footprint.