Smallest, most concealable gun powerful enough for defense...

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For pocket carry I use a Kel-Tec P3AT. In the ultra small guns, I wouldn't want a larger caliber due to recoil management. And the 380 is a suitable caliber, shot placement is the key.
 
PokerPro,

Just another option to toss your way.

I'm 6'5", 320, and have the same "gut"
and "spare tire" issues that you're probably
dealing with. IWB's and OWB's gouge into
my sides or are simply uncomfortable when
held tightly against me.

My solution was pocket carry with a j-frame
equipped with a Barami Hip Grip and Tyler
grip adaptor.

90% of the time it's in my pocket in a holster,
the other 10%, I have the option to tuck
it in my waistband in a comfortable area.

I sometimes think everyone wants to be
armed for "war zone" battle with the highest
capacity guns they can get, when in reality,
ccw use is last ditch, save your life, all else has
failed use.

For that purpose, 5 shots of 38+P LSWCHP
is enough for me.


BigMak
 
++++++++++100 for Rohrbaugh R9 ultimate pocket carry in 9mm auto!!!:banghead:
 
You'll find that most pocket autos will appear similar in size, even smaller than a snubby when looked at side-by-side. But they carry differently. Size matters, they say but so does shape! The autos are more square which, IMO, makes them more likely to 'print' in your pocket. (Unless you're carrying a P3AT or P32, which are so small and light, your pockets look and feel empty!) I had a P3AT for quite a while and carried it everywhere, a real advantage. But I haven't carried it since I got a lightweight .38. (Mine is actually a M37 with a bobbed hammer.) I feel that the shape breaks up better and is less obvious in your pocket. I also feel like it draws a little easier because of its rounded lines. They are becoming so common they are almost boring but there are reasons for that. They work, every time. In my opinion a heavy +P 38 is preferable to a lighter .380 or .32 and, although they don't carry quite as easily as the KelTec mini's, they are still small, light and carryable enough to have with you all the time.
Good Luck with whatever you choose.
 
IMHO - you have two levels:

1. The real deal and small:

Kahrs
Glocks
Rohrbaughs
J frames in >= 38 SPL

2. The intermediate little guys:

a. The 380s - little Colts, Kel-tecs, NAAs
b. The 32s - Seecamp, Kel-tecs, Berettas, NAAs
c. The forthcoming NAA 32 HR revolver and the SW and Taurus 32 HRs

3. The tinys:

a. NAA 22 Shorts,LRs/Mags
b. Beretta 22s and 25s
c. Taurus similar guns (note I've found them unreliable but YMMV)

There are crappy derringers in these calibers also - they have worked for folk.

My suggestion is one from Column one and one from Column Two as a BUG!
 
I believe that you said you wanted this to be a semi-auto. If so,I greatly favor the KAHR pistols for concealed carry,with the PM9 and PM40 being PERFECT for pocket carry. If you have very large hands you may have to go with the "full size" KAHR, which is still a HIGHLY concealable pistol.
Also, don't neglect the use of a belly band in addition to a good pocket holster. It adds a lot of versitility to whichever gun you chose if you have several ways in which to carry it.
Regards,
Justin Moon......uh...I mean...SKIP
 
I recommend the Kahr PM9 or the Rohrbaugh R9. I prefer the PM9 because it can shoot +P ammo and can have night sights installed. If you can't conceal these two guns, I suggest a Kel-Tec P3AT.
 
pocket carry

i would like to carry a larger caliber but the kel-tec .380 seems to be as large as i can go without feeling like i am carrying an anvil. i also carry a freedom arms.22. i own a j frame .38 and a colt gvmt mod. .45 the j frame loaded with + p .38s is my night stand gun, the .45 is my range gun. love them both but not for carry. i am 66 years old 5' 6" 170 # bad back and cataracts. but can still hold my own.
 
Try a Kahr. I had my P-9 on today while I was getting a haircut. After the barber was finished we started talking guns and I asked if he would like to see my 9mm. He asked something like "You have it with you?"
I popped the mag out, pulled it out of the IWB holster behind my right hip, checked the chamber (I carry with an empty chamber), and handed it to him. He was suprised to see that I was carrying any gun at all.
Although the P-9 isn't really THE MOST power you can fit into that size of package, it is enough for me. It has completely replaced my P-225 as a carry gun. It also beats the crap out of both J-frames that I owned and carried.
Try a Kahr.
 
I'll Echo Goon

The KAHR P9 is a joy to carry..sometimes I forget it's in my pocket..but always glad it's there! Less than an inch wide with 7 - 124 Gr. JHP's.

I love my S&W model 65, but she's primarily for bedside protection.

Re the KAHR..you get what you pay for, and the P9 is worth every cent I paid..can't beat it for concealment.

Take Care
 
>Smallest, most concealable gun powerful enough for defense...<

If you want concealability and plenty of power the Glock 29 seems to fit the bill. The 10mm is at the top of the pile power wise, but it might be a bit much in the recoil/noise department. The best part is that your backup mags can be from a full size G20 and have 15 rounds each.
 
There are a lot of great responses here.

I'll pile on with a recommendation for:

1. Officer-sized single stack 1911.
2. Para Warthog looks pretty interesting, but no experience with one.

I'm thinking a list of all the responses would be an excellent resource, but I would have to do it by hand.

Anyone with better technology or less laziness than I willing to compile a list from this thread?:)
 
*


I carry a KelTec P-11 in the right front pocket of my khakis. It's about the minimum quality of pistol that I would trust my life to. I've put about three hundred rounds through it with no malfunctions except for once with a bad aftermarket magazine. It is about the largest pistol that will conceal well in my pocket, and it carries 10+1 of 9mm. It is small and light and powerful and comfortable and stealthy enough that I am not the least bit inhibited from wearing it everywhere. The small size is both good and bad: it conceals well, but the light weight makes it a bit difficult to recover rapidly from recoil and get back on target. The long, heavy trigger pull is no help here, but it can be improved. The accuracy is easily "minute of bad guy", rapid fire, at a range of fifteen yards. Adequate, in other words.

It takes S&W double stack 9mm magazines, so if you want to carry more hardware, like a S&W 6906 or 5906 as I do sometimes, it will accept their magazines. The vice versa won't work though; the KelTec magazines are too short for the S&Ws. My chief concern with it is not reliability, but durability. I would expect it to start wearing out after a few thousand rounds. For my money it is a better pocket pistol than the Kahr or Rohrbaugh.

If you dress around the gun, that is, wear clothes that are a size large and generously cut (this is considered stylish these days), you can conceal a lot more gun in your pocket than if you wear skin-tight blue jeans. Khakis like Dockers or Land's End come with a pleated front which increases concealability. They also have a pocket opening that runs along the seam, making it easy to get at the pistol. These days, you can wear them out to dinner almost anywhere without looking like a bum. Use a pocket holster to cut down on printing, to keep the gun free of pocket lint, and to keep it properly positioned for easy access.

I guess it boils down to what is simultaneously the largest pistol you can conceal well, the smallest pistol you can shoot well, with the most powerful cartridge you can tolerate?

*
 
I spoke with Nick at Charter 2000 yet again this morning. He said that he was looking into obtaining an "I" frame for further investigation. I spoke to him of the 9mm and the .38 Super as well. If he is a thinking man, (as I believe he is) he will look into producing the diminuitive "I" frame size in the following 4 calibers: 22 WMRF, .32 H&R Magnum, 9mm Parabellum and .38 Super.

These should be manufactured with both 2", 3" and 4" barrels. The 4" barrel should have the option of adjustable sights. This revolver will "fill the gap" left when S&W discontinued the "I" frame in 1961, and provide more potent chamberings in the frame size to boot! What could be more desirable than that?

By the way, Nick said that he believes that the 9mm version would, in his words, "sell like crazy". I believe that he's right! Either way, anyone that wants a potent "pocket" revolver is going to benefit from these developments, don't you think?

Scott
 
My Smith 940 is an excellent small carry. 9mm internal hammer J-frame. Difficult to find and worth it for Smith to bring back with the current trend of CCW.

"I" frame sounds interesting.
 
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