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

[Blue Feather]

My Glock 23 Gen. 3

 

[Water-Man]

Ruger LCR.

 

[jmorris]

My NAA mini revolver makes my LCP seem like a target pistol and a hand cannon both at the same time.

The NAA is a better conversation piece though.

 

[Cump]

My lcpii shoots well and can be carried in nearly any pocket or waistband. Don't see a reason to go smaller or lighter, and often don't feel the likely need to go bigger...

 

[Twiki357]

From all the previous posts, it looks like I’m in the minority with a S&W Model 37.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

.32 acp

 

[rskent]

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

Which is lighter, a Glock 42 or a Sig 238?

 

[bannockburn]

Smallest, lightest defensive pistol I would rely on- KelTec P3AT.

Not quite as small, lightest defensive pistol I would rely on- Kahr CM9 or S&W Model 638.

 

[rbernie]

G42, which took the place of a 637.

 

[Tallball]

View media item 1714

 

[amd6547]

The smallest? Occasionally it is a Bauer 25, the tiny Browning Baby copy. But more likely is the P3AT.

 

[Sistema1927]

I don't like to carry smaller than 9mm (Kahr PM9) or .38 Special (S&W 442), but there are a couple of times each year when I have to wear a suit (weddings/funerals), and then I find that due to thin pocket material and the fact that these are "hugging" events, that the largest I can carry is a Kel-Tec P32.

 

[chicharrones]

My NAA mini revolver makes my LCP seem like a target pistol and a hand cannon both at the same time.

The NAA is a better conversation piece though.

Same with my NAA Guardian versus my Taurus TCP. The Taurus can actually shoot for groups at 15 yards. The Guardian shoots patterns at 3 yards. Still, the Guardian is the smallest I will carry when I feel I can't pocket (and draw) the TCP.

 

[Hangingrock]

S&W 9mm Shield and or a S&W M640 38Spl.

 

[Old Dog]

SIG P-938.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

A Taurus 85 UL, 17 ounces in .38 with Plus P loads, and I dont mean any Taurus 85 UL I mean mine, its seen over 10k rounds and its been fired from the holster with lint covering it and still firing true. The Taurus beats out the Smith J frames on one small detail many people do not take into account, the hammer design, it is made in a way that does not snag on clothing as easy as the smith counterparts and I dont have to hide the hammer in a camel body style either. It just works.

 

[rpenmanparker]

I agree with some others on the LC9s. When you can get 9mm in a package that small, why bother with a mouse gun?

 

[Milt1]

Ruger LCR and .38 Special +P's

 

[buck460XVR]

While I would love it if my Deagle .44 or any of my 1911s were always the most convenient to have on me, but that ain't how it works in my life. Thus, there are times when I have either a J-Frame .38 or a LCP in my pocket.I have the confidence that they will be adequate for the job, and that I can use them with sufficient proficiency, if and when I need them.

 

[dickydalton]

LCP with Galloway modification parts. 8 rounds of 380.

 

[someguy2800]

I guess it would be my LC9s since its the smallest gun I currently own and it is what I carry. I recently shot a Kahr CW380 and liked it. I would have no problem carrying that. I'm considering buying one.

 

[MedWheeler]

Got here late and haven't read the all of the responses. I've never had reason to go smaller than my Kel-Tec P32, and it's carried alone while traveling to and from my no-carry job site. Those are the only times it's carried without another, bigger gun. So, I guess that's as small as I go. Incidentally, when it is so carried alone, it's holding eleven rounds of .32 ammunition. I prefer its easier-handling, faster followup, and greater capacity to what's offered by my similarly-sized Taurus TCP.

I do own three guns that are inherently "smaller", and carried one of them decades ago once in a while, before the current crop of polymer-framed, recoil-operated "mouseguns" came on the market. That one is a Jennings J22. Neither it nor my Bauer .25 are carried these days. The third, a NAA mini revolver in .22LR, only does occasional BUG duty, and usually only in the woods or at the river.

 

[TTv2]

Kel Tec P-32, Beretta 950 .25 ACP, Taurus PT-22 (it's DAO, which means second strike capable which IMO is a necessity in any .22 LR handgun you may ever possibly use to defend yourself from people or animals.)

NAA's would never be my primary carry, but they'd always be a good BUG to have with you. Given their size, unless you're completely naked, you'll always find a place to conceal them on your person. If you disagree, put some pants on.

 

[Legionnaire]

Mine is a LCP .380 acp ; )
Y/D

Ditto.

 

[Armored farmer]

Every day.
Every where.
(Almost)