Small caliber automatic mouseguns....what's the attraction?

[WonderNine]

I'm not talking about 9mm Kahr MK9's or derringers or my Cop Industries .357 that I absolutely love....

I'm talking about the small .22-.380 caliber mouseguns. Why carry such a small caliber piece nowadays when 9mm's and .357's are the same size?

Honestly I'd much rather carry a 9mm two barrel derringer with reloads (that I know won't jam, or break in my pocket and that will fire) than a P-32 or a Guardian or Seecamp ect......

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

Why carry such a small caliber piece nowadays when 9mm's and .357's are the same size?

I'm not aware of any 9mm or .357 that is as small and light as the Beretta 950 Jetfire..... and if there is one, I don't want to fire it.

A 5-shot, snub nosed, .38 Special Airweight with +P ammo is the optimal weight/size/power combination for me.

 

[Wildalaska]

I carry a NAA 22 every day, every day, every day. Its so small and light I forget I have it. The only other thing that compares IMHO is the Seecamp or Kel Tec (orr NAA magnum).

The beauty of a mousegun is that you can carry it anywhere there isnt a metal detector. That way you are always armed (not that I would ever do anyhting like that, ie carry where Im not supposed to).

I have never had a KelTec or Seecamp jam. Id rather not limit myself to two shots.

WildwhateverfloatsyourboatthoughAlaska

 

[MikeJ]

When it comes to pocket carry, which is the only way I can sometimes have a gun with me, my Guardian .32 does the trick. I find that anything larger just doesn't always work. I'd prefer to always have something larger but its not always possible.

 

[WonderNine]

A weapon being extremely light is not the main deciding factor on whether or not I go armed. I always will. However, the size factor is of major concern. That is why I love my Cop Industries .357 4 barreled derringer so much. There is no place I can carry this gun and have to worry about being made unless there is a metal detector.

The Kahr MK9 seems to have similiar size proportions with slightly less weight! If there's anyone out there that can't carry an MK9 (9mm) in all situations that truly baffles me.

The new 9mm Rohrbaugh will be even smaller and lighter with (I believe) the same capacity as the MK9 and PM9.

 

[WonderNine]

I'm not aware of any 9mm or .357 that is as small and light as the Beretta 950 Jetfire.....

I'd rather have a heavy rock than a .25 auto.

Come to think of it, I'd rather have one .22 rimfire auto than five fully loaded .25 autos.

 

[WonderNine]

I carry a NAA 22 every day, every day, every day. Its so small and light I forget I have it. - Wildalaska

I agree that a (longer barreled) NAA .22 magnum five shot revolver is a neat self defense tool as they are so small, light and disapear in your pocket..............

But they take forever to reload and the .22 magnum (out of a tiny revolver barrel) is not exactly a .357 Remington Golden Saber or even a .32.

 

[WonderNine]

Id rather not limit myself to two shots. - Wildalaska

Well, I can't blame you, however as well all know most self defense situations require two shots at the most to resolve. I'm not going by personal experience, just statistics.

I don't carry for the average situation though, I carry for the extraordinary situation. I prefer to always have AT LEAST 15 rounds on me at any time with two or more shots ready to go. Typically I have four (one in each chamber) with my Cop derringer that I carry 24/7 every day of the week guaranteed.

I know how weird this sounds after what I've just said, but I'd rather carry a 9mm auto than a revolver. And I'd rather carry a two shot derringer 9mm/.357 derringer than a automatic .380 with 8 shots.

 

[WonderNine]

Btw Wildalaska, I carry a .357 everyday, everyday, everyday. At work with just a shirt and blue jeans even. That's why this whole .380 and less mousegun thing vexes me so.

 

[Wildalaska]

I'd rather have a heavy rock than a .25 auto.

As I said on another thread with respect to a different caliber, if you think a 25 auto is ineffective, let me shoot you in the face with one...

But they take forever to reload and the .22 magnum (out of a tiny revolver barrel) is not exactly a .357 Remington Golden Saber or even a .32.

Ditto my previous statement...

.

don't carry for the average situation though, I carry for the extraordinary situation

The purpose of carrying a gun as an armed civilian is to defend your self against the imminent use of deadly physical force in a situation where you reasonable beleive your life is in danger and you have no other alternative. That being the case, I question whether under any circumstances, one needs more than a pocket pistol.

WildimalmostalwaysarmedAlaska

 

[arinvolvo]

I purchased my Autauga 32 because it was cheap, small and 32 cal seems like enough to get the job done...

It has also proven to be very reliable, which is a plus...I live in a wam climate, and wearing a holster on a belt is not always feasible....I am not willing to wear jeas and a vest just to conceal my piece when it is 115 degrees out...id much rather toss the 32 in my shorts pocket, and still feel like I am better armed than a thug with a knife...

 

[Tamara]

I'm just finding it amusing to receive lectures about weapon reliability from someone who in the same breath then brags that he carries a C.O.P. .357.

 

[railroader]

"And I'd rather carry a two shot derringer 9mm/.357 derringer than a automatic .380 with 8 shots." What if there are two guys you are having to deal with? The reason I ask is I use to to have a double barrel 38 derringer that was accurate out to about 7 feet, I could shoot any other gun I own better. You miss and you SOL. Don't rounds like 357 and 38's lose alot of velocity out these very short barrels? Most of the barrel is taken up by the brass. Mark

 

[ruger357]

Love my Jetfire 950.

 

[George Hill]

COP .357. Isn't that what Leon carried? Personally, I'd much rather have Dekkard's pistol, being a .44 Bulldog and all.

Oh, where was I?

.32 NAA is about the most reliable automatic mouser I've ever tried. 200 rounds and not one fumble. Even ejected the last rounds in the mag, something other Guardians don't always do.

I wouldn't hesitate packing one of those. Of course, I'd probably rather have a small lightweight Colt in .357 Mag, but sometimes even that is too big. In those cases, a Guardian would be my choice.

 

[cratz2]

Well, I have a Kahr P9 Covert which is on the very small and light side for a 7 round 9mm but it pretty much dwarfs my KelTec P32.

If someone will carry a P32 all the time, it's more effective than a 1911 that gets left at home.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Mode of dress determines what size of gun you can conceal.

Wondernine, I see you are from ND, as in North Dakota? I have heard it is kind of cold up there sometimes, and I bet you wear more clothes, or bulkier clothes, than someone in the south east. So you therefore have more choices.

How would you carry your Kahr while in 100 degree heat and 95% humidity wearing say normal jeans (ie, non-rapper style) or shorts and a tucked in shirt?

 

[MoNsTeR]

If there's anyone out there that can't carry an MK9 (9mm) in all situations that truly baffles me.

You must not have much of an imagination!
I think people who've been carrying for some time lose perspective, bigtime. As someone who's gearing up to start carrying for the first time, it amazes me how anyone can carry more than a mousegun under even ideal circumstances. It seems some people prefer to integrate their life into their carry, rather than the other way around.

 

[TheMariner]

Lone_Gunman, I think wondernine is smart enough to not live where it gets that hot AND humid. One or the other isn't bad but both isn't my idea of pleasant.

 

[p35]

Well, my Beretta .22 drops into my pocket like a Zippo lighter and I can rapid fire 8 stingers into a pie plate in about 2 seconds. Not ideal, but easy to carry when there's no way to carry anything heavier.

 

[Old Fuff]

W9:

I'll admit it - I'm a wimp. Worse then that, I'm a wimp with an attitude. I actually believe that if I have to defend myself I can do so with a -less-then-major cartridge/pistol. Oh yes, I know that "bigger is better," but "better" may not be necessary if you know what you're doing.

I got this way after hanging around a Brit. SAS Major during my younger years. His experience far exceeded mine, and he didn't exactly feel "at risk" if he was carrying a smaller gun. If you watched him shoot (anything) you'd know why.

But all of this really doesn't matter because you have a right to pick what you like and I can do the same. If you feel more secure with a "little gun/big cartridge" by all means go that way. At least no one will think you're ... well ... wimppy.

 

[Gerald McDonald]

If someone wants to carry full size or for that matter if you can conceal a Smith 29 with 8 3/8" barrel, more power to you. Here by July the humidity will be a bear and the temp will be bumping 100 every day for the next 60 days. Work calls for jeans or slacks with shirt tucked in. I've been the sport coat route and when its a hundred and your climbing in and out of the car all day and half of your customers are unairconditioned, your miserable. I went with the Beretta tomcat in a Galco deepcover IWB and while it was concealed it dug into my gut or pressed against the seat belt release and left a bruise on my love handles. Off work its no big deal to carry full size as long as the shirt tail is out and I am not sitting all day. Normally its jeans/shorts, aloha shirts or black tees with an IWB carry/BHP. But if I will be sitting or climbing in and out of a car all day its a mouse gun in a front or back pocket.
Gerald

 

[Darrin]

I'd rather be shot at by a .45 from a bad shooter than a .22 from a good shooter.

If that makes any sense...


edit: btw, my Walther P22 is just damn fun at the range!

 

[Dr.Rob]

Why? Because pocket guns hail back to a time where every gentleman's vest pocket held an equalizer and even a lady's coin purse might contain a fist full of fight-back.

That and the hig noise/fire ball bark of my 1908 Colt Vest Pocket spouting .25 cal Fiocchi FMJ is just somehow amusing, and suprisingly accurate.

Sure there are better ways to skin a cat, preferably with a bigger faster heavier rock than the average mouse can throw, but the mouse tries his best and we have to applaud him, and show him support.

Besides, aren't they cute?

 

[Mute]

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