What is the Smallest, Lightest Defensive Pistol You WOuld Rely On ?

[Mark 40]

The smallest for me has been a Ruger LCR 22LR. Great pocket carry when outdoors doing yard work, around the house, walking, etc. But that said, I'm picking up the 327 version and carry 32H&R Mag to be better armed for the same circumstances.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I have both the LCR9mm and the 22.cal. What is interesting is even though the Snubbie is heavier, it actually carries great for me IWB, I have shot thousands of rounds out of the 9mm and rank it as one of My Fun Guns to shoot. Totally reliable. I use the 22.cal for further practice. I typically load up 40 moon clips of 9mm the day before a range session. Actually she will be going out a couple of times this week.

 

[sean m]

It all depends on what you think you need to defend against.

I was savagely attacked by this long-eared critter. Barely made it out unscathed.

View attachment 794917

Is the barrel threaded? If so what can do you use for the Bobcat?

 

[MedWheeler]

usp9 writes:

The smallest I have carried is a Walther TPH in .22lr when my usual carry, a Seecamp, was out of action.

I'd love to find a TPH. In what caliber is your Seecamp?

 

[GarrettJ]

Is the barrel threaded? If so what can do you use for the Bobcat?

It is. I have a TAC-67 and a Bowers CAC-22. They're both probably 15-ish years old.

 

[usp9]

usp9 writes:

I'd love to find a TPH. In what caliber is your Seecamp?

The Seecamp is a .32acp. I gave it to a family member about a year and a half ago. Hence the new Beretta Pico. I miss the tiny Seecamp though.

 

[Springfeld]

Smallest defense that I would consider reliable would be .380 auto.

 

[psp7304]

Ruger LCP Custom. The accuracy of this little pistol is amazing.

 

[Tallball]

Just for fun, here is the smallest cheapest shabbiest handgun that I own that would probably work for SD. It's a New England Firearms (Harrington and Richardson, basically) in 32 H&R magnum that I got for $140-something. I got it just to try the cartridge out. I get the feeling that it wouldn't hold up well to heavy usage, so I haven't shot it much. It looks like it has never been shot much, actually. It probably just sat in someone's sock drawer for decades. But it has gone bang every time and the cartridge is a decent one.

I would rather count on almost any of my other handguns, but if this were the only one out and loaded and I needed one in a hurry, it would probably do okay.

New England Firearms Model R73 in 32 H&R magnum

• Tallball
• Jul 7, 2018

 

[weblance]

I have a Kel-Tec P32, and a Kahr CM9. The P32 is pleasant to shoot, and very accurate, but 32acp doesn't make me feel very protected. My CM9 is a tad larger, carries seven rounds of 9mm, but is painful to shoot. Both are great, tiny pistols

 

[Kendal Black]

J frame Smith, or another equivalent small revolver. It's a platform that works for me, being big enough to grasp and simple enough for even me to operate under stress.

 

[ilbob]

when I lived in Chicago, my neighbor used to carry an RG 38 spl revolver in his front pocket. he had bobbed the hammer. he swore by the gun's reliability. I think he said he paid $35 for it.

he had carried it during his years as an army MP, despite it being not "allowed". He retired after 30+ years of service, many of those years carrying it in his pocket. it was well worn but still worked.

it was remarkably small. IIRC, while it was DA you had to remove the cylinder to reload it.

 

[Deanimator]

I wouldn't go any smaller than a Walther PPK in .380acp.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I DO rely, quite a bit, on a KT P-32, which is my BUG, and also first rule gun. (Have a gun) Many times, especially during summer, I do not have my primary on me.

 

[oldbear]

"Maybe something between a small NAA .22lr revolver on the low end to a .380 ACP mouse gun on the high end.

What is the smallest, lightest pistol would you choose for self-defense?
In the range of potions you gave, I'll have to go with bigger is better so a quality .380 would be my choice.
To answer your question, any 2 1/2" model 19 or model 66. These just happen to be my EDC anyway.

 

[Rexster]

I have a Seecamp LWS-32, which is reliable enough. I almost never carry it, as the only weapon.

An Airweight or Airlite S&W .38 Special snub-gun is a much-more-preferable minimum.

 

[WRGADog]

I carry 100% of the time unless I am in a prohibited area. My gun of choice depends upon what I am doing that day, the weather, and clothing I’m wearing. I carry either a LCP2, G42, Solo, PM9, G43, PPS M2, P365, Nano, XDS, J frame 38, or Shield.

 

[Godsgunman]

Smallest caliber wise would be a. 38 Spl for me personally. Would love me a nice S&W 36 again.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Sig 230

 

[CajunBass]

Ruger LCP

 

[George P]

Lately, wearing mostly gym shorts out and about, the LCP fits in one pocket nicely. Lightweight, 7 rounds, it will do the job if needed.

 

[SwampWolf]

Ruger LCP-and I do rely on it, on occasion.

 

[Cokeman]

I carry 100% of the time unless I am in a prohibited area. My gun of choice depends upon what I am doing that day, the weather, and clothing I’m wearing. I carry either a LCP2, G42, Solo, PM9, G43, PPS M2, P365, Nano, XDS, J frame 38, or Shield.

Wow. Do you buy every new small pistol that comes out?

 

[Manny]

Ruger KLCR w/ CT grips, loaded w/ .38 +p 125gr Golden Sabre's, Glock G43 Talo, +1 Pearce mag extensions, loaded w/ WW Ranger +p ammo. Both almost identical in size & weight, both dead nuts reliable and very shootable. I've never found anything smaller that I've had any confidence in.

 

[franco45]

I carry one of my NAA minis in 22 mag while walking the dog or around the house. I have my Sidewinder in my pocket as I type this. In most other situations I carry my Pico or my CM9.