Small CCW Weapon?

[wanderinwalker]

Hey all. I've been looking and thinking lately about getting a small pistol or revolver for concealed carry. My Glock 17 and S&W 629 are just too much gun for me to have along all of the time. I'm a small-framed guy and the butt of the Glock is too long and thick. The Smith is just plain ol' big.

Anyway, I'm looking for something I can carry either in a holster, a pocket or even dropped into my fishing vest in the summer. Caliber isn't an issue so long as it is 9mm or bigger. I'm thinking about something like a Kahr MK9, a Ruger SP101 or similarly-sized firearm.

Had a baby Glock 26; it was too thick to ride comfortably in a pant pocket and the short barrel and slide didn't stabilize well in an OWB holster for me. And I'm not terribly comfortable just putting a Glock in a pocket without a holster, though I know it won't fire unless the trigger is pulled.

My father has a Kel-Tec P-11 in 9mm, which I have fired a little. It has possibilities, as long as I remember to keep in mind it is NOT a bullseye pistol.

What all does anybody else recommend?

 

[marklbucla]

I'll second the MK9. It shools alright as long as I do my part.

The CZ RAMI is nice, though I think it might be as thick as the Baby Glocks. There's also a shortage of decent Kydex for it. (No C-TAC!)

The one I've had my eye on for awhile is the STI LS9. It looks even slimmer and shorter than the Kahr, but I think the Barrel was a tad longer. That's fine, since the concealability seems to come from the thickness and the grip.

 

[thatguy]

There are a number of compact 9MMs on the market but I've never tried one. I don't like to carry a gun because I find it uncomfortable so when I do it's usually something small and light. I know I am giving up some power but that's the trade-off.

One of my favorite carry pieces is a FEG .380 that looks like a PPK buy has an alloy frame and is much, much lighter. An inexpensive gun but it has worked well for me over many years. Never failed to feed, fire or eject at any time.

I also like the older S&W M40 Centennial revolver in .38 Special. I load 125 JHPs to around 1100 FPS so it's more powerful by far than the .380 but only carries five rounds. Another trade-off. The 42 in alloy is lighter but with that one I would stick with standard pressure ammo.

I'm not personally familiar with the newer generation Centennials but they seem very popular.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

What all does anybody else recommend?

If you are prepared to drop down to a .380, look at the P-3AT. It’s ¾” thick, weights 8oz and holds 7 rounds of Cor-Bon or Santa Barbara.

 

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

Practical Suggestion

I'd suggest the following:

1. The world's smallest .45 is the Para-Ordnance Warthog. Good stopping power, plenty of rounds in the most common scenarios.

2. For concealment, use the Galco Sky Ops holster. It allows you to wear your CCW sidewarm under a tucked-in shirt and tie in the office without anyone (other than you) knowing it.

 

[marshall3]

P3AT

Wilson is right. The Kel-Tec P3AT is the ideal pocket gun for CCW.
http://www.mouseguns.com/ideal2.htm

 

[MICHAEL T]

Colt Mustang or PPK both ride in pocket or go with a Khar in 9mm.

 

[Lou22]

Definitely the Kahr PM9. Mine is accurate and reliable after the 200 round break-in. I carry 115gr +P+ Rangers and find them reasonably accurate and controlable in such a small gun.

Lou

 

[magyvor]

If your considering 380.....Bersa thunder......$200 bucks NIB and as reliable as they come.

I love mine and carry it daily. A little bigger than the KelTec, but the extra weight for me is a plus, still slim and very concealable. VERY acurate lil bugger too

 

[wanderinwalker]

I'm seriously thinking about that P-3AT. It has potential, especially for ~$250. Not a bad deal. .380 ammo is relatively available and not too expensive. I like the idea of the PM9 as well. Probably end up with both eventually!

I don't feel the need for dealing with critter threats with this gun: just to keep in case of bad people. There have been times out fishing and hiking when I have run into iffy people. Nothing like walking back to your car after fishing to see another vehicle with multiple people and darkened windows pulled over in the same spot, just sitting there and realizing all you have is a fly rod and a pair of clippers.

 

[WVleo]

Small CCW

Hi, For pocket carry I go with My Colt DS II . 6 shots of .38 and it's dead on out to 12 ft. WVleo

 

[scubie02]

to some degree its a matter of how much you want to spend, likes and dislikes etc. You've got the pocket revolvers such as the j frames, tauri etc in 38 sp or 32 H&R mag, hammer or hammerless. These can be fairly light in the alloy versions. For ultimate concealment there are the keltecs, which have the light weight and thin-ness, actually about the lightest you'll probably go. For more money there's the kahr's. There's also the Beretta 21's, which are small but comfortable for their size, though fatter and heavier than something like the keltec.

 

[Lou22]

Good choice on the P3AT, as well as he PM9. I have the P3AT, which will go about anywhere the PM9 won't. I try to carry the most powerful gun, but there are those times you carry what you can.

Lou

 

[Richard]

wanderinwalker, look at a good belt and then good holsters before you come to conclusions. I am a big guy and I can carry just about anything with the right holster. I find IWB holsters easiest to use followed by between the belt and pants. I would look at Kahr K9/K40 pistols, the Glock 26/27, Bersa Thunder 45, etc. and carry them in an Alessi hard Shell Talon, Ken L. Null UNS, or Milt Sparks Summer Special. The attached holster is by Mitch Rosen between the belt and pants model, it is expensive but it works well with my G27. Regards, Richard

 

[wanderinwalker]

I suddenly find myself looking in a different direction: Trading my Blo...err, Glock for a smaller though still "service sized" weapon, such as a Glock 19 or a Walther P-99.

 

[bulbboy]

I the combination of Glock 27, Kahr MK9, and a Walther PPK/S for my CCW. Since you don't like the G26 I would suggest the MK9. I find it to be a great gun and its fun to shoot!

 

[El Tejon]

I recommend a good holster and belt. Many of my friends are on the smaller build end of the male bell curve yet carry 1911s, BHPs and Glocks.

However, based on what you describe, the Kahr P9 may be what you want.

 

[No Quarter]

I highly recommend the Kahr MK9 as a pocket gun. I carry mine daily in an office environment. After having to actually present a P32 in a dangerous situation, I realized that a P32 is not the gun to have when out and about.

I also use a G26 for summertime IWB or OWB carry and a G19 for cool weather carry when I can use a cover garment.

Depends on the environment, but all three guns suit my carry needs for any imaginable scenario. All handle +p+ Ranger ammo and I am deadly accurate with all of them.

NQ

 

[dairycreek]

For situations such as you describe I have found a S&W Model 60 with a 3" barrel to be really ideal. I carry either 357 or 38 spcl. +P depending on the place and time. It is also somewhat lighter than the comparable Ruger which is something I appreciate a lot after a long day of carrying.

 

[chief]

I have carried J-frame S&Ws' for years and used them to good effect a time or two. This not withstanding I believe the Kahr to be a better choice simply for the increase in firepower and reloadability. If a true small weapon is desired the Kel-Tec .32 or .380 is hard to beat, much better than the mini-revolvers, derringers and .25 acps'. I am an old dog but I still believe in learning new tricks.

 

[Cueball]

I'm currently debating between the P3AT Kel-Tec and the Kahr PM9. I would make it one of those two if it were me.

 

[BADUNAME4]

 

[greg531mi]

What about the Rohrbaugh? the smallest 9mm.....

 

[Cueball]

What about the Rohrbaugh? the smallest 9mm.....

Their R9 and the Seecamp 380 are both, at least in my opinion, WAY overpriced right now. The Seecamp 380 is over $800 from what I have seen and the R9 is over $900, very close to a grand for that little pistol. I'm looking at the Kahr and Kel-Tec for now, hoping that the other two might come down a bit in price over time to a more realistic price point.

 

[84B20]

This is what I've been carrying off and on for about 12 years, either in a shoulder holster or the paddle holster shown. I'm about 6' and weigh about 160 and haven't found it uncomforable at all. It's a Smith & Wesson 4516-1. I liked it so much I recently bought a second as a backup. This time it was a 4516-2, only slight differences including some updated parts. It, as the name indicates, is a .45 ACP it's all stainles steel and has enough weight to reduce the recoil but not enough to make it uncomfortable to carry. Besides, what's a little discomfort compared to the alternative.

I found my second at http://www.kyimports.com for about $350.00 and after receiving it I took it to a local gunsmith and had him strip it down completely, polish the ramp and clean it as a precaution.