Jeremiah/Az
New member
If you want a revolver, the S&W 637 in .38 is very light. Consider the Kahr P380, 11 oz., or the PM9, 17 oz. They are semi autos, but small & light. I have all 3 & all are a joy to carry.
Advice on best gun to carry concealed?
- Thread starter runswithgun
- Start date
Carry what is comfortable, so that you will Carry always.
2" Snubby stoked with CorBon 125 gr .38 Spec develops about 900 f/sec and 225 ft/lbs Muzzle Energy ...........
A Ruger LCP loaded with 90 gr Buffalo Bore JHP +P give 1050 f/sec and 220 ft lbs ME ........
ME and MV are a wash....
5 shots or 7?
Flat gun or Round gun?
Nobody wants to be shot with anything, unless they are in a seriously altered mental state..... in which case, you won't likely stop them immediately with 5 rounds of .357 Mag, either ........
I Carry a Springer EMP in 9mm ....... if I were to take up jogging, I'd get a SIG 238, as I like the SA 1911 platform ...... no sense in wasting time learning to deal with a crappy trigger!
MikeNice81
New member
As was already said, no handgun has "stopping power." Getting the bullet to hit a vital organ or interupt the central nervous system is the only "sure" stop. Even then it can take several seconds for the body to realize it is supposed to stop.
A .380 will serve well if you use the right ammo and practice often. I would avoid the Kel Tec and LCP because of the short barrel. In .380 I would want a 3" or longer barrel for velocity. I would also want more than 6+1. My recomendation would be to look at a Bersa Thunder .380CC.
For roughly the same size you could go with a Ruger LC9, Taurus 709, or Kahr 9mm. The "kick" might be a bit rough to you though. I would suggest trying out guns similar to those.
The most important thing is that you are comfortable shooting it and will practice with it on a regular basis.
A .380 will serve well if you use the right ammo and practice often. I would avoid the Kel Tec and LCP because of the short barrel. In .380 I would want a 3" or longer barrel for velocity. I would also want more than 6+1. My recomendation would be to look at a Bersa Thunder .380CC.
For roughly the same size you could go with a Ruger LC9, Taurus 709, or Kahr 9mm. The "kick" might be a bit rough to you though. I would suggest trying out guns similar to those.
The most important thing is that you are comfortable shooting it and will practice with it on a regular basis.
http://www.corneredcat.com/Contents/
Here's a web site that's very helpful. I'm surprised it hasn't already been recommended.
Here's a web site that's very helpful. I'm surprised it hasn't already been recommended.
Not sure what happened to the OP's original thread on this same subject... odd.
Cornered Cat is a very useful website (and it's also available in book form, if you want a hard copy).
But back to guns:
Accuracy is important, but I am going to disagree only slightly with Kreyzhorse: Reliability trumps all. (Kreyzhorse probably doesn't disagree with that argument; he just didn't address it.)
jimbob86 also makes a good point, in that if it is too uncomfortable to carry, you probably won't carry it.
Since the OP plans to carry this gun (I'm assuming in some sort of belly band) while doing some serious long distance running (she mentioned half-marathons), it will need to be light - which to me rules out SP101 and similar; it will need to be relatively impervious to sweat, lint, jostling, and shifting around during muscular exertion - which to me rules out things with exposed hammers, and most small semi-autos, especially anything with an external safety; and it will need to be reasonably easy to grab, under garments, with sweaty hands - which to me screams snubby revolver.
That pretty much narrows it down, for me, to the LCR if one likes Rugers, or the 640/642, 440/442, 340/342 if one likes S&W.
Of those, I'd go with the 642 or 442. Reason being, the AirLites are painful even with .38Special; the AirWeights are still relatively light, and aren't that bad with .38Special; I find .357 painful until one gets up to SP101 weights, and the SP101 is not a gun I'd want bouncing against me while running due to that same weight.
I know a lot of folks think, "I'll just practice with the .38, and use the .357 for defense - I won't notice the recoil when my adrenaline is up." This may be true, but that doesn't mean the shooter will be able to control the gun when the time comes. I'm a believer in practicing with loads that have similar POI (Point of Impact) and recoil to my carry loads; I don't like surprises.
I know I've put 100rds of .38 158gr LSWCHP through my 442 in a single session without any problems. I can even put a pretty good round count of the Buffalo Bore +P loading of the 158 through it with no ill effect.
Small .357's are just plain painful, and it's hard for me to shoot more than a handful through a gun that light.
Note: I can close the 167.5 lb Captains of Crush gripper with either hand, and am now working on the 190lb set. Grip strength isn't the issue. Small .357's hurt.
Cornered Cat is a very useful website (and it's also available in book form, if you want a hard copy).
But back to guns:
Accuracy is important, but I am going to disagree only slightly with Kreyzhorse: Reliability trumps all. (Kreyzhorse probably doesn't disagree with that argument; he just didn't address it.)
jimbob86 also makes a good point, in that if it is too uncomfortable to carry, you probably won't carry it.
Since the OP plans to carry this gun (I'm assuming in some sort of belly band) while doing some serious long distance running (she mentioned half-marathons), it will need to be light - which to me rules out SP101 and similar; it will need to be relatively impervious to sweat, lint, jostling, and shifting around during muscular exertion - which to me rules out things with exposed hammers, and most small semi-autos, especially anything with an external safety; and it will need to be reasonably easy to grab, under garments, with sweaty hands - which to me screams snubby revolver.
That pretty much narrows it down, for me, to the LCR if one likes Rugers, or the 640/642, 440/442, 340/342 if one likes S&W.
Of those, I'd go with the 642 or 442. Reason being, the AirLites are painful even with .38Special; the AirWeights are still relatively light, and aren't that bad with .38Special; I find .357 painful until one gets up to SP101 weights, and the SP101 is not a gun I'd want bouncing against me while running due to that same weight.
I know a lot of folks think, "I'll just practice with the .38, and use the .357 for defense - I won't notice the recoil when my adrenaline is up." This may be true, but that doesn't mean the shooter will be able to control the gun when the time comes. I'm a believer in practicing with loads that have similar POI (Point of Impact) and recoil to my carry loads; I don't like surprises.
I know I've put 100rds of .38 158gr LSWCHP through my 442 in a single session without any problems. I can even put a pretty good round count of the Buffalo Bore +P loading of the 158 through it with no ill effect.
Small .357's are just plain painful, and it's hard for me to shoot more than a handful through a gun that light.
Note: I can close the 167.5 lb Captains of Crush gripper with either hand, and am now working on the 190lb set. Grip strength isn't the issue. Small .357's hurt.
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PipeSmokeMcGee
New member
runswithgun,
What part of SC are you in? I'm in Greenville.
I think the best thing you could do is go to a range that has rentals. Handle and shoot a variety of guns until you find the one that's "right."
What part of SC are you in? I'm in Greenville.
I think the best thing you could do is go to a range that has rentals. Handle and shoot a variety of guns until you find the one that's "right."
As others have stated, there is noting wrong with a .380 for self defense. With modern ammunition it will perform well. You can shoot +P+ in the KelTec without wrecking it, although it is not a good idea to put 1000's of high-pressure rounds through it. A better investment than another, bigger gun might be lessons and practice. A .45 into the sidewalk is nowhere near as effective as a .380 to center mass. Also Crimson Trace makes a very nice laser sight for this gun. I've found that practicing with the laser helps me get used to lining up those tiny sights consistently.
My concern with the .380 would simply be whether it would
be reliable, safe, and comfortable for carry while she runs. If so, then staying with something comfortable has merits.
But I would test any safety by running, jumping, etc with an unloaded pistol to see if the safety would remain engaged. After that, I would check it for function and drawability.
be reliable, safe, and comfortable for carry while she runs. If so, then staying with something comfortable has merits.
But I would test any safety by running, jumping, etc with an unloaded pistol to see if the safety would remain engaged. After that, I would check it for function and drawability.
Pending on your personal budget. The Beretta 85 in .380 caliber is my preferance for CC.
On a tite budget. The Bersa Thunder in .380 is overall an awesome handgun.
Both are compact and ideal for concealment carry. I just like that the Beretta is slightly heavier than the Bersa.
Avoid the cheap stuff like Raven - Jennings - Bryco.
Bottom line is what ever fits your hand the best.
On a tite budget. The Bersa Thunder in .380 is overall an awesome handgun.
Both are compact and ideal for concealment carry. I just like that the Beretta is slightly heavier than the Bersa.
Avoid the cheap stuff like Raven - Jennings - Bryco.
Bottom line is what ever fits your hand the best.
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What he said...
I tend to dislike when someone scoffs about the .380 and you needing "stopping power." You need to shoot what you are comfortable with and will carry. There are plenty of good, defensive rounds for a .380 but if you like wheel guns then find someone who rents them out or find friends who have them so you can shoot them and decide for yourself.
I commend you on getting a CCW permit and for looking for advice picking a gun so my only .02 to you would be to find something you both like to shoot and will carry.
I have a gun nut friend who runs a lot. When he runs he carries a .22 LR semi-auto and a tactical folder.
I tend to dislike when someone scoffs about the .380 and you needing "stopping power." You need to shoot what you are comfortable with and will carry. There are plenty of good, defensive rounds for a .380 but if you like wheel guns then find someone who rents them out or find friends who have them so you can shoot them and decide for yourself.
I commend you on getting a CCW permit and for looking for advice picking a gun so my only .02 to you would be to find something you both like to shoot and will carry.
I have a gun nut friend who runs a lot. When he runs he carries a .22 LR semi-auto and a tactical folder.
dalegribble
New member
the best gun is the gun you have with you.....og make sure it's loaded.
MikeNice81
New member
Jimbob, the problem is you are running an sd round that you can't practice for or with. The +p level is not recomended by any manufacturer and will void the waranty of many. Most manufacturers state that using ammo that isn't SAAMI compliant will void the waranty.
That means you will be practicing with ammo that does not give the same recoil or poi. Not good when you plan on using the gun to save your life. That is just my personal opinion. Your mileage may vary.
That means you will be practicing with ammo that does not give the same recoil or poi. Not good when you plan on using the gun to save your life. That is just my personal opinion. Your mileage may vary.
This question can only be answered by you. Firearms can be so personal that only you are going to know what you are confortable with. I carry a P3AT with me every day, either primary or as a backup, but either way it's with me. I carry it because I practice with it and therefore I trust it to get me out of a bad situation. Some have suggested renting a few different types. This is good advice. Shoot everything you can and as often as you can. You will come to find what you are comfortable with.
Best?
It's sounds like you put the horse before the cart.
Permit first? It should be the gun first. The gun/caliber of choice is just about opinion's.
I'll say one thing, you can drop a human with a 22lr like a bag of dirt. You can aslo shoot a human with a 45acp, and they could just walk away.
It's sounds like you put the horse before the cart.
Permit first? It should be the gun first. The gun/caliber of choice is just about opinion's.
I'll say one thing, you can drop a human with a 22lr like a bag of dirt. You can aslo shoot a human with a 45acp, and they could just walk away.
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Any new person to guns should go to a Range that rents guns, and shoot a lot of different ones. The gun you shoot best should be the one you buy, and carry for SD. You can carry any gun you want to, and if you shoot it good, its worth any extra effort to carry it, even if it is a full size gun. If you're ever in a SD shooting, you had better be able to hit what you shoot at. Can you imagine what a field day the lawyer would have, if you sprayed shots, and shot some innocent bystanders?
With all due respect, the gun you shoot best is not always the best gun for SD or CCW. That is not good advice, without some qualifiers.
It needs to be a gun that will actually function safely and reliably in the conditions in which you intend to use it. Once again, for the OP, this means in some sort of holster or band that is concealable under long-distance, hot-weather running gear, as she trains for half-marathons in South Carolina...
It needs to be a gun that you can actually conceal under the clothes you will wear. Again, she wants a gun for running long distance in South Carolina. Can't get too big, or it won't conceal; can't get too heavy, or it will be miserable for running.
Once those two conditions are met, so your field has been narrowed down (guns that will work reliably and that you can carry in your intended conditions), then you want to go with what you can shoot accurately and controllably, with as much power as you can control while maintaining the ability to fire effective follow-up shots.
Some of the guns people are recommending in this thread really make me think they haven't read the OP's requirements....
It needs to be a gun that will actually function safely and reliably in the conditions in which you intend to use it. Once again, for the OP, this means in some sort of holster or band that is concealable under long-distance, hot-weather running gear, as she trains for half-marathons in South Carolina...
It needs to be a gun that you can actually conceal under the clothes you will wear. Again, she wants a gun for running long distance in South Carolina. Can't get too big, or it won't conceal; can't get too heavy, or it will be miserable for running.
Once those two conditions are met, so your field has been narrowed down (guns that will work reliably and that you can carry in your intended conditions), then you want to go with what you can shoot accurately and controllably, with as much power as you can control while maintaining the ability to fire effective follow-up shots.
Some of the guns people are recommending in this thread really make me think they haven't read the OP's requirements....
Dragline45
New member
Agree 100%. If I am competing in a target shooting tournament then I am going to choose the gun that shoots best for me. When looking for a carry gun I choose what fits my needs and I learn to shoot it well. With enough practice I can shoot any small firearm just as good as the next. Key word is practice.