Advice on best gun to carry concealed?

while you are in the wrong forum, i'm always happy to help. the keltec pf 9 is a semi auto 9mm that is nice and small like all the pocket 380s with the extra stopping power of a 9mm.
 
Do more research, buy a gun, and go from there, like a lot of people do. Worse case scenario, you sell the gun, and get another.

I did that, and thought before I bought, a S&W 638 Airweight .38spl +P shrouded hammer. Once I got over the hump back look, I love to carry a snag free hammer revolver that weighs 15oz. Of course I have many guns before that, but not for pocket carry like I planed. I picked the .38 over a .357 because if I wanted to carry a .357, I just would have carried my SP101 Ruger.
 
For those that claim the .380 is not a "Stopper" caliber.
Just google (Federal Hydra Shok .380 caliber review).

There are a few videos showing the penetration dymamics of the bullet

I'm confident with it.
 
Well, here we go again. Another thread decrying the worthless .380.

There is a saying that goes along the line that opinions are like *something else* , everyone has one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks.

I'll agree with that sentiment. My stinky opinion is that .380 is fine for defense if:

1. You can hit what you are aiming at
2. You use proper SD bullets
3. You are not a cop (CCW carriers don't generally run into gangs of armed thugs) and the caveat:
4. You stay out of dark alleys at night

If you shot an assailant with three rounds of .380, 99% of the time it will stop the assailant. Often a single round is enough to stop an attack. But nothing is a guarantee, people have walked away from repeated shots with .40 S&W and .38 Special.

I would not waste anymore time or money looking for a different CCW if you are happy with the one you have. Spend your time and your money on learning how to shoot.
 
SwampYankee, I have no problem with a .380 per se. I do think she should T&E her pistol, unloaded, while running to verify its safety systems will work, and to see if her pistol is concealable and comfortable enough for long-distance running.
 
Pf9 gets my vote when trying to conceal but when I just don't care or I'm wearing a jacket of some sort I carry my xdm45 or sw9ve
 
Do you ever get the feeling that people don't read the OP? I get that feeling, in a big way, in this thread.

The OP wants an effective gun that will work for her as a CCW while she trains for half-marathons in SC. It's currently in the 90's in SC...

Is anybody in here seriously suggesting an SP101, or better yet an XD45, for a 13 mile run in a deep south summer?
 
I jog, cycle, play tennis and basketball etc. with my concealed hand gun. I can tell you that it needs to be light, thin and reliable when exposed to pocket lint, sweat and rain. As you know loose change in your pockets becomes heavy when running and a heavy gun just feels stupid.

My pistol has been 100% reliable, as in when I shoot it, when the nephews shoot it, when the nephews girlfriend's shoot it etc., it goes bang. No one notices it in my front pocket whether at work or exercising. I use fmj's instead of hollow points and it holds eight rounds.

Kel-tec P32.
 
MLeake,

I'm not arguing that any SD weapon should be reliable. That's obvious for any caliber you choose, I just have to chuckle when people suggest that a .380 is no better than a paperweight.

Have you had problems with .380's not functioning properly? I've got a Kahr P380 that has never failed in 500 rounds. I've also got a Kel-tec P32 and a Beretta 1935, neither have ever had problem. That's pretty much my only experience with mouseguns but are other's functionally problematic?
 
I have no opinion for or against .380s. I am not too keen on C&L autos for non-traditional holsters and lots of movement. I would be concerned with the safety getting jostled off, and fabric catching te trigger. As .380s go, I would personally be more biased toward an LCP or P3AT for the OP's use. Or the Kahr.

I would also consider a P32.

I would not personally opt for a SIG 238 or Colt Mustang for that type of carry.

Me, I like my 442 for that kind of carry.
 
I am no fan of .380s...let's get that out of the way right off the bat.

That said, I am a semi-retired runner. Doubling the weight of CCW gun for a normal person is substantial. Doubling the weight of a gun you run with? I'd call that monumental.

If I were still running regularly (I do once in a while, although I always reget it afterwards), my LCP is the only possible option. Again, I am no fan of the .380, but that is the only gun I would (do) run with.
 
Stop'em in their tracks

"When I mentioned to my CWP instructor that's what I planned on carrying, he scoffed and suggested I try something with a bit more "stopping power" like the snubnose 38 or snubnose 357, esp. seeing as I'm a woman and would not want to take any chances on the 380 not delivering a "stop em' in their tracks" kick."

We're instructors from TN and 80% of classmates now have a .380. It will absolutely do the job. You can get upwards of 20 brands and flavors of ammo to do just about anything you want to do. You want that kick'em? Get some Cor-Bon HP 380 loads and hold on. These have plenty of power and the ballistics for a true self defense shot are more than enough. By this I mean if you are shooting at an assailant from 42 feet, you could probably just get away from him/her. Your self defense shot is going to be below 6 feet (national average) and the 380 will tear you up point blank.

Plus, most new 380s would fit in your shoe they're so small. Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P3AT, etc. I'd stop in my tracks from near any caliber from 6 feet. Practice your 3Tap shots too, 2 quick to the chest and the last one to the head on a NRA Man-Target (just like the ones you qualified on). No one sues you after taking that...
 
I have a few handguns to include .45, .357, .38 spl, .380, .32ACP, and .22 rim fire. I also have absolutely some of the finest holsters and belts.

Most of the time I carry a KT P3AT in a Fobus paddle holster. I don't care what the instructors say or the "experts" so called. I trust the .380 under most circumstances, and the light weight and size are so much easier to carry.
Few if any cartridges are capable of "one shot stop in the tracks" power. If you like the .380 get it. I doubt the instructor would want to attack you if you were carrying the .380.

Get what you are comfortable with and can shoot well, and pay no attention to the self styled experts. FWIW many CWP instructors are not especially knowledgeable in guns, carrying, or even the law. They just teach enough so that you can get a license, and they collect the money. Very few are truly gun experts. From your post I doubt your instructor is.

Rockinguns has it right.

Best,
Jerry
 
When I mentioned to my CWP instructor that's what I planned on carrying, he scoffed and suggested I try something with a bit more "stopping power" like the snubnose 38 or snubnose 357, esp.
Click to expand...

Very unprofessional, and opinionated comment by a CCW instructor!
Disregard the 380 nay sayers, and listen to the comments of those who said it is a decision only you can make.
Ask what is the best car to drive, the best refrigerator to own, the best TV to have. In the end, it must be you that decides.
 
The Smith and Wesson 637 Airweight is a pretty nice revolver. You can't go wrong with a good snubbie. They might not be easy to shoot, but the certainly aren't as difficult as some suggest. . .at least not at self defense distances.
 
A carry gun?

I do not have a concealed carry permit as of yet, and thus no real experience or advice. I live, visit and work in safe neighborhoods, thankfully. That being said... :D

I have a thing for the Walther PPK/S and the SIG Sauer P239
 
My personal minimum is a hot 38 Special +p or a 9mm. Many carry .380's and granted they are light and convenient, but I question their ability to stop someone. The 38 Special and the 9mm have proven to be not that effective, so how would a less powerful round be effective?
 
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