Your advice on concealed carry....

[emilianoksa]

.....would be appreciated.

The law being what it is here, I have a choice of semiauto in 380, and 38 sp in revolver - no especially hot rounds and no hollow points.

I have three handguns for self-defense: two semiautos; a Glock 25 (15+1 rounds) a Mak (8+1) and four inched barrel Taurus six shot in 38 sp.

Normally I carry the Mak, even though it's only in 380 acp, and I had been thinking about buying a snubbie revolver for cc. However I have recently been reconsidering.

I don't carry often - only when I'm outside the city, or in urban areas I normally avoid - and I feel I can't really justify buying the snub. Yes, I'd like one, but I'm only allowed to have five handguns here, and I also have two rimfires for most of my recreational shooting, so I'd have to lose a gun in order to acquire another one.

I know that my Glock and Taurus are a bit big for cc, but there are plenty of people who carry even bigger guns. If they can do it on a daily basis, I should be able to do it for occasional use.

Which would you prefer to carry given my limited choice:

A five shot snub.

A larger six shot revolver.

A nine shot Mak in 380.

A 16 shot Glock with a four inch barrel in 380.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the 16 shot Glock would be more comforting to carry. The Glock is exactly the same size as the 9mm Glock 19 by the way.

 

[gallo]

If you are limited to round nose, I would rather have 16 rounds of 380 out of a 4" barrel than 5 out of a snub.

 

[David E]

Given those choices, I'd have to go with the 16 shots of <gasp> .380

A lot of little ones beats the snot out of a few little ones. I'd practice fast, multiple face/neck shots.

Would Federal Expanding Ball rounds be legal there?

 

[KodiakBeer]

A Mak is a lot easier and more comfortable to conceal. I'd stay with the Mak, and practice quick reloads.

If you can't use hollowpoints, I'd look for something without a jacket - just lead slugs. You might get some expansion, or at least deformation that might do more damage.

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[David E]

A Mak is a lot easier and more comfortable to conceal. I'd stay with the Mak, and practice quick reloads.

A Glock 19 size gun isn't at all difficult to conceal comfortably. It requires a good holster and belt, but it can be easily done.

And the fastest reload? is NO reload!

You take your 9 shot Mak, I'll take a 16 shot Glock. Let's see who gets to shot #10 first....ready..........set............GO!
I win!

 

[emilianoksa]

Thank you all for your advice.

How about flat nosed 380, as opposed to ball? Anything to be gained there? I suspect I'd be better off with the ball for greater penetration.

I agree with you though. The semiauto makes more sense, given my predicament.

I'll just have to practise fast reloading, and shooting fast strings of shots.

 

[c919]

Personally, I'd go the snubby route.

Here's my logic: If you can't get any JHPs or hot FMJs, then I'd guess the .380 rounds available are pretty puny. I wouldn't want to be shot with one, but I'd still rather have a normal old .38sp SWC. It's just a more powerful round.

But, and there is a but here, if you don't feel that you can shoot a snubby with decent precision, then stick w/ the G25. It obviously wouldn't be wise to change to a gun that you aren't as accurate with that only has 1/3 the amount of rounds as the G25.

I often carry a Ruger SP101, and I find myself to be equally as accurate with it as either of the autos I carry.

 

[Snowdog]

I would probably opt for the G25. If that's a locked breech, that has got to be one smooth shooting pistol. Though I'm not a fan of the .380acp for defense unless for deep concealment, I think 15 + 1 of .380acp hardball will serve you well.

Are you able to obtain and carry SWC for the .38 special or jacketed flat points for the .380acp there in Peru? I believe either of these would be preferable over typical rounded ogive FMJ or LRN.

Edited to say: Sorry, I didn't see your last post. Yes, I would personally choose a flat-nose anything over round nose simply to achieve a slightly better permanent crush cavity (increase blood loss) as long as it doesn't affect feed reliability. I don't think you'll be losing much in penetration, especially with the .38 special.

 

[KodiakBeer]

How about flat nosed 380, as opposed to ball?

Yeah, as long as it feeds well, I'd think a flat nose would be better than ball.

 

[KodiakBeer]

A Glock 19 size gun isn't at all difficult to conceal comfortably.

I don't consider any double column pistol a good choice for carry, but if it works for you...

 

[David E]

All it takes is the right holster mounted on a good belt.

Easy Peasy

 

[meytind]

My vote goes for the Glock as well. A pistol of that size is very easy to conceal under a loose t-shirt or button down shirt if you buy a quality holster and belt. 16 shots of .380 sure beat 9 shots as well. If I was forced to carry FMJ rounds exclusively, I would definitely want as many as I could fit in the magazine. Good luck.

Would you mind if I asked what the process for getting a carry permit is in Peru? Are there other restrictions besides caliber and ammunition type?

 

[jem375]

not me, I would take the 38 special with +p ammo and a speed loader any day over a 380... I had a 380 that wouldn't even penetrate a piece of tin, got rid of that one in a hurry...

 

[smallbore]

Is Peru a country that does not allow it's citizens to carry a handgun in the same caliber or greater than it's police or military? Are you also limited to the type of ammo you can have? If so, I would choose the Glock.

 

[ATBackPackin]

With that round I say shot placement is key, so which ever one you shoot the best is the one you should carry. If there is a tie, the tie breaker goes to higher round count.

Shawn

 

[TexasBill]

The .380 is a decent round and 16 of them is even more decent, especially if there are multiple assailants. Oh, and if it's legal, carry a spare magazine. Chances are remote you'll ever need it, but it's best to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. If nothing else, it can buy you the time to escape the situation.

 

[Gouranga]

I'd echo the guys here on the Glock. Having the extra capacity without reloads is big. If you can shoot it accurately that caliber will be good.

Get yourself a good holster and you can carry concealed easily. I do with a S&W M&P 40 fs with an IWB holster. The very few people who I have mentioned i was carrying (part of a general conversation not bragging or nothing stupid like that), were very shocked I had a weapon that large concealed from them. Once the holster was broken in I barely realize it is there anymore.

 

[emilianoksa]

Thanks again.

Yes, Peru is one of those countries where the public aren't allowed any military or police calibers.

All handgun licenses come with concealed carry permission - even 22lr.

Apart from background checks and the paper work, you have to pass a psychological test, and get three out of five shots in the black at 15 meters inside a minute in a shooting test.

The whole process generally takes between two and three weeks.

The real problem is that you are restricted to five handguns (unlimited for long guns and no shooting test), and you have to have a separate license for each gun.

You also receive a card for each gun on which the number of rounds you purchase is recorded. Maximum rounds per gun per month= 600.

Center fire ammo is extremely expensive, so I only use it once a month. The rest of the time I shoot rimfire.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Since the Glock is .380 and you indicate outside the city/ urban.

I'd go with the 4" Taurus in 38 special and 158gr JSP when outside the city and the Glock with 90-95gr FMJ in the urban areas. If concealing the length of the Taurus and the width of the Glock is something you can work out.

Hope you find what works for you

 

[meytind]

At least look on the bright side. You live in a country with better gun laws than NYC. Rejoice and never let them take away what you still possess.

 

[BullfrogKen]

My advice is the same, no matter who asks or the circumstances.

Whatever you shoot best and can make work. All other considerations are subordinate.

 

[Erik M]

Which ever weapon that you feel most comfortable with and are most accurate with.

My best advice is never by a cheap holster for CC. you will regret it quickly.

 

[cxm]

I assume from your post that rounds such as .40 and 357mag are either police only or not available.

Not knowing what ammunition is imported I'm a taking something of a chance in making a suggestion, but if you can buy any of the high performance jacketed soft point 38 Special ammunition I would suggest that in a revolver... a small 6 shot such as a 2" barrel S&W Model 10 or similar has much to commend it. It also works with the lead semi-wadcutter ammunition. In fact, the 38 historically has done pretty well with plain old lead full wad cutter loads at short ranges.

After that I'd suggest you carry which ever automatic you shoot best and shoots most reliably for you.

FWIW

Chuck

 

[beeenbag]

I carry a Glock 19 iwb with a cheapo holster and a cheapo belt and find it very comfortable. Ive even "dont hit me" carried it with no holster before, just for a moment, and it still was comfortable. I love it and wouldn't carry anything else.