Buckhannon
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- Jun 11, 2009
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Smith & Wesson 432 PD 32 H&R MAG --Small revolver that will stop someone.
What's the smallest pistol you'd trust?
- Thread starter Tom Servo
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DarthCalvin
Member
Tough question...Sometimes I carry an old pre-WWII Czech .380 fits in my pocket but I'm not to impressed with the stopping power...but
I prefer my SW 66-2 .357 or my Sigma .40 both of which provide adequate stopping power.
I prefer my SW 66-2 .357 or my Sigma .40 both of which provide adequate stopping power.
My Choice, Your Solution!
Based on 30 years of experience, my choice will work well for you. Everyone would like .50 Cal balistics, recoil of a .22, chain gun capacity and minimal cost of acquisition...in the real world of Oakland and Watts, my world of concern, this is what I did:
AMT Back Up single action loaded .380, leather wallet holster that fits in the back pocket of Levi's or Wranglers, can be carried in the top front jacket pocket of a tuxedo, 5+1 rounds of Hyrdashok and a philosophy of if it ever came out, it would be used effectively. Never came out; as Cooper says, an armed society is a polite society. Just knowing I had a choice made my conversations more effective. Had a few conversations over the years.
This was and is I believe a cost effective solution that meets all of your criteria and will exceed your expectations. It will also make you appear about one foot taller when you walk in the valley of death, no idea why...
Based on 30 years of experience, my choice will work well for you. Everyone would like .50 Cal balistics, recoil of a .22, chain gun capacity and minimal cost of acquisition...in the real world of Oakland and Watts, my world of concern, this is what I did:
AMT Back Up single action loaded .380, leather wallet holster that fits in the back pocket of Levi's or Wranglers, can be carried in the top front jacket pocket of a tuxedo, 5+1 rounds of Hyrdashok and a philosophy of if it ever came out, it would be used effectively. Never came out; as Cooper says, an armed society is a polite society. Just knowing I had a choice made my conversations more effective. Had a few conversations over the years.
This was and is I believe a cost effective solution that meets all of your criteria and will exceed your expectations. It will also make you appear about one foot taller when you walk in the valley of death, no idea why...
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
during the years I followed construction welding I carried a double bbl derringer in .22 Magnum on a chain around my neck. never had to pull it but had some close calls.
now I've got a Beretta .32acp that shoots better than a pistol that size should that I'm confident in, just to carry when very lightly dressed or in my trouser pocket.
I'm confident in my Makarov 9mm in a vest or jacket.
now I've got a Beretta .32acp that shoots better than a pistol that size should that I'm confident in, just to carry when very lightly dressed or in my trouser pocket.
I'm confident in my Makarov 9mm in a vest or jacket.
QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW
Member
something is better then nothing, i do carry my great grandfathers beretta .22LR with CCi mini-mag HP's
christcorp
Member
Buy a P64 Polish chambered in 9x18 9mm Makarov. Ammo is cheap and plentiful. it's really small. It's more powerful than a 380. On the low end of a 9mm luger. Shoot accurate as hell. And you can get one for $150; plus S/h and FFL is right at $200. A very good military/police pistol. The next step up in size, same caliber, is the FEG PA-63. Easier to shoot. Still great for concealed purposes. Ammo is the best. Going price is around $180. Next step up, same caliber, still easy to conceal, is the CZ-82 or one of the makarovs. Best of all the 9mm makarov calibers. Price is in the $220 for th CZ-82, up to around $300 for the bulgarian makarov. For self defense, you're talking about one of the best calibers ever. Been used by police and military for years in most eastern european countries as well as the soviet union. And again, ammo is inexpensive online, with some really good hornady, corbon, and others for defensive ammo.
I'm on the same page as quick draw.
something is better than nothing. and after seeing how accurate and lethal my .17HMR is on animals, I wouldn't have a problem carrying a revolver in that caliber. 7 rounds to someone's head with a .17HMR will do some ugly damage.
now if I could have anything then I think I'd try to stay with a .38spl or more.
something is better than nothing. and after seeing how accurate and lethal my .17HMR is on animals, I wouldn't have a problem carrying a revolver in that caliber. 7 rounds to someone's head with a .17HMR will do some ugly damage.
now if I could have anything then I think I'd try to stay with a .38spl or more.
more forty fives
Member
I have to say a 9mm.
Could you please point me to the penetration data on the Gold Dot 135 grain? Do you mean the short barrel version? This is what I'm carrying in my J-frame and I would like to check out the data. Thanks.
Fleetman
Member
To me it doesn't matter how old the post is....still interesting!
My answer would be "the one that is 100% reliable". Let's face it, there are always those times when you have to carry something much smaller than you would really care to but circumstances/situations sometimes dictate.
I regularly carry a 9mm for most outings but also grab the LCP when limited carry options present themselves. In a pinch, although not my preferred carry, a .22LR is better then nothing. You just gotta aim a lot better!
My answer would be "the one that is 100% reliable". Let's face it, there are always those times when you have to carry something much smaller than you would really care to but circumstances/situations sometimes dictate.
I regularly carry a 9mm for most outings but also grab the LCP when limited carry options present themselves. In a pinch, although not my preferred carry, a .22LR is better then nothing. You just gotta aim a lot better!
SwampWolf
Member
Why not? I suppose it may all depend but a given topic doesn't necessarily lose its relavancy over time.
still waiting for the anti 380 guys, or 32's for that matter, to come up with some news articles where the bad guys kept coming after being shot at by a 380 or the 380 "bounced" off of them leaving them unharmed. Until there is real world data showing different I will continue to count on my 380's, which have done just fine to this point, far better than my 45's in my safe.
Subcompact Glock for a service-type auto, I think they really nailed the subcompact with the 26/27, I think they are the archetype of the subcompact version of a service pistol, and they shoot at least as well as their bigger brothers.
I've got a Taurus PT-22 that is pretty good, not as sterling reliability as my 27, however it really isn't bad so long as I feed it well, it doesn't mind bulk stuff either. I have been surprised with its reliability, so something of a similiar size in .32 would probably be a fun gun to shoot, without the possible ignition problems of a rimfire. When I've carried the Taurus as a backup, it was usually loaded with Aguila 60 grain, might as well launch the most lead you can out of it, and that stuff has been exemplary in the reliability department.
I would really like a S&W 432 PD that was mentioned earlier on the page, seems like a great, lower recoil, six(?) shot J frame, sounds like a winner to me.
I've got a Taurus PT-22 that is pretty good, not as sterling reliability as my 27, however it really isn't bad so long as I feed it well, it doesn't mind bulk stuff either. I have been surprised with its reliability, so something of a similiar size in .32 would probably be a fun gun to shoot, without the possible ignition problems of a rimfire. When I've carried the Taurus as a backup, it was usually loaded with Aguila 60 grain, might as well launch the most lead you can out of it, and that stuff has been exemplary in the reliability department.
I would really like a S&W 432 PD that was mentioned earlier on the page, seems like a great, lower recoil, six(?) shot J frame, sounds like a winner to me.
Here is an account of an incident in which a 380 was highly effective: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_146_24/ai_61861505/?tag=content;col1
earlthegoat2
Member
I would trust a 380 pocket gun to deliver when things get dicey. I just prefer the 38 Special snub for the heavier bullet weight.
jackstinson
Member
While Cooper and many others have said it, the quote is from Robert A. Heinlein;
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
Robert A. Heinlein / "Beyond This Horizon" 1942
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Occam's Razor
Member
The smallest pistol I would trust would be the biggest one available to me at the moment I needed it.
personally i won't go with anything smaller than a 9mm for personal defense. i carry a keltec pf9 or glock 26 daily and couldn't be happier with either one. the trigger on the pf9 leaves a bit to be desired and took alot to get used to for me, however if more than makes up for it with how concealable it is. the subcompact glocks are some of the best ccw pistols available as well as the subcompact xd and khars.
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