Advice on smaller caliber pistol.

George,

What is the weight of your Guardian? Is it about a pound? How about accuracy and reliability? I like the idea of it but have not seen or read much about it. The most important thing about a pocket .380 for SD as far as I'm concerned is that Triton Ammo makes a personal defense round in .380 !!!:)
 
Tamara,

The earlier KelTecs were horrid! I've had three previously that were POS. A couple of months ago I picked up the P11 in 9mm and it has been fantastic so far -- accurate, dependable and of course small, light, thin and powerful.

Based on the P11 being so much improved, I ordered a P32 and it too has been fabulous. It seems that KelTec has gotten it right, at least on these two fine pistols now.

As far as the TPH, I know what you mean... BUT after three, four, five or six times back to the factory and to the smithy they are fine pistols and before the P32 the FIXED TPH was my favorite little gun. Sadly not one of the 8 or 9 TPHs my sons and I've had were able to go back less than three times. SAD. Walthers as a rule are not high on any of my lists -- with a few exceptions.

The Makarov took me away from hundreds, yes hundreds of PP series Walthers that I previously owned -- trying to find one that worked as well as I wanted.

Now the P32 has almost taken me away from my TPHs but they are not yet sold...

IF the P11 keeps up the way it's going it may go beside the bed and the Makarov may go to storage...

It is the SMALLNESS AND LIGHTNESS that attracts me but, we agree -- they must be reliable and accurate too. My recent KelTecs are both reliable and accurate - very much so.
 
I'm also surprised to see so many pipe up for Walther's toilet paper handgun
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...toilet paper my a$$ ;)
I'm with Ala Dan on this one. I love my TPH. Very reliable, and a sexy little bugger too.
 
I always carry the P32 as a secondary gun in my front pocket. All my friends tell me I'd be better served carrying another extra mag for the primary weapon-of-the-day, but every fully loaded mag weighs more than the Keltec!.....with the exception of a Makarov mag, but those little sharp spring-assist levers can catch on lots of stuff.

Used to carry a NAA guardian32, but it's too heavy and I always 'feel' it in the pocket. Plus the P32 hits where I aim it a lot closer than the NAA. The P32 hides a bit better. Been totally reliable with ~600 rounds through it, though I've seen some Kel-tec junkers out there too. It's kind of hit-or-miss. I love the ugly-factor too!
 
The KelTec P32 may be a good choice for you. I got tired of sending mine back in to be fixed and sold it. I now go with a NAA Guardian 380. It is kind of heavy, but I am willing to give up some convenience for the larger round. The small Beretta pistols that I have owned have all been excellent. I'm no fan of the 25, but I do own a Baby Browning 25ACP that was my fathers. I very seldom carry it. Good luck. Watch-Six
 
Chock up another vote for the KelTec P32. Its easy to carry and mine has been completely reliable. I'm never unarmed away from home ever since I got it. Which was not the case prior to its purchase.
 
Geeze, I should start reading what I write before I post!

Thank you all for all of your comments so far! Jody, thanks for the ballistics link. What I should have said is that I already have a Walther PPKS knock-off in .380 which I usually carry when I have a suit on. I also have a PPK variant (Makrov type), both guns function flawlessly. My primary carry gun is a slightly modified Colt Defender with 3" barrel at 23 oz in .45. I don't always wear a suit and don't wear "droopy-drawers" with big pockets. Having a CCP I am also acutely aware of all the BS rules and laws of where I can or can't carry and don't like the idea of not having some sort of protection, so I guess what I'm saying is I'm looking for a backup, backup. I stopped by the local store this morning to check out the size of the Keltec several of you have recommended. According to the dealer Keltec has improved quality greatly and he even carrys one as backup (actually pulled it out to prove it). I was impressed with the weight and thiness but it's lenth is too big to put in a pocket without printing all over the place. I stuck it in the front and rear pockets of the jeans I had on and it won't do for the purpose I have in mind. To clarify my Walther comment in the original post, I had looked at the .22 version years ago when they were priced "almost" reasonable, they aren't now and are wider and about as long as the Keltek. Not to step on anyone's toes, but for what I am looking for I think Tamera is on target, and since I know she plays with not just her guns but other people's I have to respect what she says (except for that crack about Walthers). At this stage I am leaning toward the Beretta or a Baby Browning (Watch-6, wanna sell?) but I don't like the mag release on the bottom. What ever I get if I don't like it, in a couple of months I can go get something else and the Keltec may be the thing, course I will have to change my whole wardrobe to pants with much bigger pockets. Hey, anyone thought of TFL jeans with one big front pocket? Thanks again everyone.
 
The only mousegun I own is a Makarov!! The 9x18mm is the smallest caliber that I would carry. The Makarov is small enough to pocket carry. IMHO, it is the perfect mousegun!!!:)
 
Possibly... my several Walther TPHs in .22 will be for sale.
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-Jody Hudson

If I only had only bought stock in Satanic Ice Skates Inc.! :) Seriously I used to refer people to your post when they asked about TPH's or quick shocks, never thought this day would come:(
 
I would have BET you that the possibilities of me moving away from TPHs and Quick shock were close to ZERO myself. And they are not for sale yet. Plus I have about 10,000 rounds of QuikShok or more...

So far the little KelTec P32 is the winner however. And, it's replaceable! There are very few TPHs around and parts are hard to find. Both of the ones I have left (my sons have the others) are REFINED as a result of several trips back to Interarms, Smith & Wesson and a local Gun Smith who is very good with them.

I went out again this week and shot the KelTec against the TPHs and KelTec kept beating the accuracy -- not failures with either pistol. Did not have any vegetables to shoot such as pumkins but I think the QS ammo might still win against the .32 there, not certain. But, against some old junk cars the .32 was the clear winner in penetration against steel and glass both.

AND, the KelTec may be a little lighter! It is the same size, almost indentical.

KelTec has really turned my world upside down regarding the P32 against the TPH and shortly perhaps the P11 against my beloved Makarovs. My heart is heavy with the nostalgia of old friends being replaced, to some degree, with new... but I'll probably keep my favorite two TPHs and my favorite two Makarovs just because I have soooooooooooooooooo much ammo for them.

:)
 
Re: KelTec P32

I was impressed with the weight and thiness but it's length is too big to put in a pocket without printing all over the place. I stuck it in the front and rear pockets of the jeans I had on and it won't do for the purpose I have in mind.
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Sumabich,

Are you sure you were not looking at a P11 and not a P32? I (5'7" 145 lbs) can put a P32 in my Wrangler cowboy cut bluejeans which are not known for their large pockets. If you are interested in larger pockets check out Nautica, they are more roomy but avoid the gang banger baggy look.
The use of a pocket holster will help avoid the printing problem. I have had good results with a Don Hume Hip Pocket 002 holster:

002.jpg


Of course if one of the other options you mention works better for you thats fine too. Best wishes whatever direction you choose.
 
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