Wanting to get a small CCW gun for around $300 or so...

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goon

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I already have a SIG P-225 that I sometimes carry. I would like to get a smaller revolver or automatic that I could carry year round with no difficulties because the SIG does take a little effort to conceal at times.
I have been looking at Taurus snubbies in .38 Special. I would like to hear any opinions on them and any advice that you guys can give me on any other handguns that would fit that criteria.
I would prefer to stay with a .38 Special or 9mm but I would also consider a .380 if it fit for my uses. I would like to be able to just tuck it in a pocket and go.
Thanks.
 
I am looking for the same thing. Due to all the great press on this and other forums, I think that I am going to get a Bersa Thunder .380. This has got great reviews from everyone that owns one. The local dealer here has them for $231. I am going to try to get him to due $250 otd. I have seen other people get them for as little as $200 otd, but here in cali dealers are usually more expensive.
 
I have Keltecs in .32, .380, and 9mm.

If I were to carry, I would prefer to carry the .380, of course... As it is so small and light, etc.

However, the P-11 is still very small and ohhhh soooo much more powerful with 11 rounds of 9mm.
 
I vote for a Makarov in 9x18 mm. A little more powerful than a .380, ABSOLUTELY reliable, and $150 for an unissued Bulgarian from Dan Ammo. It's a little on the heavy side, but that's a small price to pay for knowing it will go "bang" EVERY time you pull the trigger!

I find mine VERY easy to conceal, but then, I'm going from a 4" S&W 686+.....

YMMV!
 
one of the use glock minis .... or if you can find it a Star PD - basically a minature 1911 made by the former Spanish firearms mfg. They stopped making them in the early 80s, but they are great - usually around $250 or so on Gunbroker if you can find it.

Kim DuToit had a great write up on them in the fall, and after checking it out, I have to agree.
 
The Kel-Tec P11 is an awesome carry gun. I have it in a nice leather IWB holster and you can't tell it's there. Disappears under a t-shirt. And with eleven rounds of full-power 9mm hollowpoints - cool.

My first post here. Looks like an interesting forum. :)
 
They cost more than your $300 price set but I would save up and look into the new Kahr PM9/PM40 series pistols. I just bought a PM9 and it is only about 3/4" longer, noticeably slimmer width and about the same heighth, as my Beretta Tomcat (.32) but a 6+1 (or 7+1) full power 9mm. and weighs less than 1 lb empty. Very concealable and a true pocket pistol with some power. Very high quality too. JMHO

... or I can sell you my stainless Tomcat for $300 since I won't be carrying it much now.
 
I would love to have a Kahr.
Perhaps I should just stick it out with what I have now and save up for one.
The thing is that right now I live in the sticks so there really isn't any big need for me to worry about carrying all the time. The odds are that I will be moving to a little more grown up area before too long and I want to have a small handgun before I get there. It just seems like a good idea to me.
I did think about the Makarov, but after doing a side by side comparison between my brother's Bulgarian one and my SIG, I concluded that they are nearly the same size.
It just didn't seem logical to spend money on one when my SIG is only about a half inch longer, packs more power, I am already VERY familiar with it, and it is paid for.
I looked over a couple of Taurus snubbies the other day and they seemed like they would be small enough, especially with small wood grips, but I don't know how trustworthy they are.
I also thought about the small Glocks but they are outside what I can spend now and if I am going to go higher I might as well get the Kahr.
The Kel-tecs are also on my list, especially the P3AT. I am pretty sure that I can find a P-11 locally to handle and I am already pretty well stocked with 9mm ammo.
Hmmmm...
The Kahrs and Glocks are probably as good as I could get, but I would really like to have a small, serviceable handgun with me from day one.
Anyhow, thanks for the replies and keep them coming
 
For your price, I would jump on the Kel Tec P-3AT.

If you prefer a wheel gun, you can't go wrong with a Taurus from what I have experienced so far.

I would get the Kel Tec though. More rounds, slimmer, easier to pocket carry, lighter, easier to carry a reload on the belt, and on my P-32, a much easier trigger to pull than a full blown double action on a revolver.
 
Kel-tec P-3AT.....Nothing else even compares....

Have had my CCW for 11 years, and for the first time I now have a gun on me whenever I am away from home.

I also own a Kahr K9 and Ruger SP101. Either of them would take an effort to conceal compared to the Kel-tec.



Steve
 
All gun owners should own a P32 or a P3AT... ;) Very decent power in a lightweight pocket-sized package.

And a used Smith 38 snub if jacket pocket carry is a possibility.

If you found a decent deal on a used P32 and a used Taurus, you just might be able to squeeze both in on your budget.
 
All gun guys (and gals) should have at least one snub. Yeah, they only hold 5 rounds but they are small, concealable (pocket, belt, complete disappearance IWB, ankle), very reliable, etc. As for the Taurus, I've had three Taurus revolvers, and two of their snubs. All have been reliable and I absolutely love my Taurus 85CH that I bought used (made in 1991). In addition to the .38spl 85 you might also want to look into the new 9mm snub (905).

As for other options, and you do mention .380, I have to say I absolutely love my Bersa Thunder .380. Very reliable, very accurate, and quite concealable. It's generally a great gun and an incredible gun when you consider the price.
 
Chaim,
I couldn't agree more, a snubby just belongs in a well-rounded gun collection. I had to give up my SW 642 when my wife's KT P32 crapped out. I sold the .32 and bought a .380 for me only to have my wife tell me that she would rather keep the .38. Oh well just a reason to add a steel framed snubby to my list.

Mino
 
Kel-Tec P-3AT

I got my P-3AT for $239 and after putting a couple boxes of UMC 95 gr FMJ through it with perfect functioning, I carry it every day in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.

It is the ONLY gun (other than my P32) that I can wear full-time, regardless of my attire, and it is virtually undetectable.

Let's see, $239 for the gun, $20 for the holster, $10 for 50 rounds of UMC, and that gets you under $300 for the whole works.


Go for it.......
 
I've gotta also vote for the Bersa. I had to buy another one after the wife stole the first one!!:banghead: :banghead:

It's a big buck type gun for a low buck price!! Besides my XD Sub, it's my favorite handgun. I have several other guns that cost over three times the price and don't shoot nearly as well---Oneshot
 
I'll agree that a 5 shot .38 special snubnose should fit the bill nicely. Taurus M85s are cheap in price but high on value.
If an automatic is what you're after, I'll go with a Kel-tec P11 for the price range you mentioned.

As for the makarov, they are dependable and rugged. However, I once had a buddy do his best to convince me they're smaller than a K9 and thus better for carry. :rolleyes: Um, no....


CCW zen
fcfb637b.jpg
 
Here are the three compact CCW guns that I currently own.

Steve


Keltec P-3AT, Kahr K9 Elite 98 and Ruger SP-101 3"
20041217121154052803563.jpg


Showing the thickness differences.
20041212933587992719544.jpg


Keltec and Kahr.
20041215238795746226338.jpg
 
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