Small and Cheap

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mugs79

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I'm going to be getting my Michigan CCW soon, and I'm looking for my first handgun. I won't be carrying often, as I'm in university and can't carry anywhere on campus, but I will be from time to time, and my handgun is going to be something on the rather small side. As I'm a uni student, I'm also stereotypically broke, so the cheaper the better.

I have a good friend with a 9mm Kahr. I do not like it. I don't have big hands, but my pinky still hangs off and I don't like the feel of it.

I stopped into my local gun shop last week, and handled a Bersa in .380. I wish I remembered more about the gun, and I wish I'd fired it, but I really liked the way it felt in my hands. I also liked the price tag. Are these reliable little guys? What else should I be looking at?
 
.380 seems the caliber to consider

Being a James Bond buff, I always thought the Walther PPK was the ultimate sidearm, yet I always opted for the .45 ACP. Seems a conflict in ideology. Not that I don't think a .357 Magnum could not quell any disagreement, but most .357s create a really noticeable bulge in a CCW application. Seems everyday some manufacturer comes out with a really tiny .45 ACP. First check the ballistics, then make an informed decision. cliffy
 
Small is different to everyone, just as a minimum caliber. A good Security-six, SP101, S&W j frame are all my top picks for self defense in a small frame gun.

In 308 I would look at the new Ruger and the NAA Guardian.
Anther good choice are the small 9mm in S&W, Glock, Kahr, etc.

I would prefer the .38 or 9mm over the .380 for self defense.
 
The Kel-Tec P-3AT is gonna be about 50 bucks cheaper and a whole lot easier to find than the Ruger but either would do good. A .380 will change a lot of bad guys minds.
I usually carry a KT P-11 and its a good size to carry but not in a pocket.
 
If the dangling pinky really bugs you, then the Bersa is about as small as you can get (I think). It's a great gun. My wife carries a Bersa Thunder.
 
presspuller said:
The Kel-Tec P-3AT is gonna be about 50 bucks cheaper and a whole lot easier to find than the Ruger but either would do good. A .380 will change a lot of bad guys minds.
I usually carry a KT P-11 and its a good size to carry but not in a pocket.
Click to expand...
+1. Either the P3AT or the P11 is a good choice. The P3AT is SMALL and extremely easy to conceal.
 
We've had a Bersa for 2 years and it's been a very reliable gun. Bersa also makes a compact 9mm, 40, and 45, but prices will be higher then the .380.
 
If you like the Bersa, buy one. It's a good pistol by innumerable testimonials in here and I do think it's about the smallest you can get without dangling your pinky.

I agree with you about the Kahr (probably a) PM9. It's a good enough pistol but has a weird feeling grip to me too. I sold mine for that very reason.
 
In 308 I would look at the new Ruger and the NAA Guardian
Click to expand...

Aren't those bolt actioned pistols? The guy's looking for a semi-auto.....................yeehah! :D
 
It seems like your best options would be a Bersa or Makarov if you don't want a dangling pinky. Maybe a KT P-11 or PF-9 for a 9mm.
 
1. Bersa .380
a. Standard Model - $269 or less. Small but big enough for that pinky. Quality firearm.
b. Concealed Carry Model - About the same price. Pinky may hang off but I can hold mine just fine. I pocket carry this gun easily with a Desantis holster and docker style pants. After work, I use an IWB holster.

2. Makarov 9x18 - $150 to $180 - Can't buy this caliber at your local Walmart. I order it online. Fairly small. Too big and too heavy to pocket carry. IWB carry is great though.

Edited to add: I have both of these pistols. I like them both.....a lot.
 
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Small size? no way...

As a uni student, I'm sure you want to "fit in", but self defense isn't about keeping some dainty little gun around for "occasional carry". I carry full sized pistols, and just dress so that they are concealed... no sissie pistols with questionable probabilities... usually, high capacity guns and large caliber.

The yaqui-style holsters allow you to carry "flat" guns right up against your body, and with the proper clothing, no one can even tell you're armed. I carry an SR-9, Smith 5903, Smith 4006 and Beretta 92 all the time with no one the wiser... so don't get sold on getting a small gun or small caliber. Figure out how to carry whatever you feel comfortable will protect you, and then how to carry it concealed.

There's nothing wrong with a .380, 9mm, .40 cal, .45 cal.... .38 and .357 are also. The question is "what kind of protection do you want", and "how do I carry it concealed?" My personal favorite is .40 caliber, but until the XDM came out, there weren't many high capacity ones out there... limited to 11 rounds in most cases.

Since you're in school, and money is limited, look for some of the law enforcement trade ins from Smith and Beretta for a bargain... you can usually find them for about $350 to $450... and they'll get the job done. JMHO, but I carry my .380 only as a backup. Whatever you get, get comfortable with it... both shooting it, and carrying it concealed.

WT
 
I have a Mak and like it alot. Handled a Bersa 380 and it feels nice except for some sharp edges around the trigger guard.
 
I have two Kel-Tec P-3ATs, one Kel-Tec P-11(9MM) and two different versions of the Bersa 380 models as well as a couple of 45s. All of these have worked well.KT has the best customer service of any company on Earth and Bersa is right in there...some companies have little or no customer service.
The little KT is smaller and lighter than many vest pocket 25s and not much heavier than the lightest ones. It fits in the watch pocket of certain jeans(take it with you when shopping.) Rides upside down like a extreme version of a holster with a forward cant...very easy draw and almost like open carry but invisible. You can do this in cut-off jeans with no shirt at all if you're young enough and thin enough not to scare the horses. A certain amount of bulge will show at some angles but nothing like gun. These have even been hidden in swim suits and gym shorts.
You can get accessories like clips that let you clip one inside of a belt, etc.. Look up the Kel-Tec web site and look over what they have.
Price is lower than most guns and it would fit your situation probably better than anything. Goes nicely in nearly any front pocket in a DeSantis or other pocket holster... Dockers, dress pants of all kinds.
Your pinkie will hang out but they have a magazine extension hook that will help.
I often carry a 45 that's become my favorite gun but the little KT is still always there. :)
 
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