Came to a realization this morning

S

Steelers252006

New member
while taking the dog for a two mile walk around the neighborhood on a brisk morning. I was dressed in sweatpants, a T-shirt, and a flannel jacket. I do NOT want to wear a holster while dressed like this. I want something that fits comfortably in my pocket; and if I have to holster it, I don't want to notice it much and want it probably in a pocket.

This narrows down my choices. Would the G27 still fit this bill, Ruger SR9c, Springfield XD Subcompact fit this bill. I KNOW the S&W 642, Ruger LCR, and Ruger LC9 would. I know the Sig P238 (I believe??) would. I want quality, somethign I will want to shoot and practice with, as I plan on practicing at least once a week at the range, and easy conceability on this purchase. Down the road I can purchase different sorts of conceal guns depending on the season or whatnot. I miss any good ones here? I plan on making my purchase hopefully next weekend at the gun show. Glock 27 right now remains the front runner...
 
I will comment on three of your possible choices.
(I own the LC9, XD9 Service, G36 .45, and Smith 36).

First, there really is a fairly big difference in the LC9 and the XD9 sub-compact. The XD sub is a great pistol, but it is not really that compact. Also it weighs in at about 26oz plus loaded. In this case I would pick the LC9 with 8 rounds and 20oz loaded.

The Smith 5 shot revolver is always a good choice. The one you mention is light weight version so should be good for carry. Same with Ruger LCR. Good for CCW and light weight.

The G27 is a good choice, but again not really sub-compact like the LC9.

Can't comment on the P238, not enough personal knowledge.

I think in your situation weight is the big issue. So about 20oz would be my max. The LC9, Smith & Ruger rev. fit that limit with no problem.
 
pocket gun

I currently have an M&P40c (very similar size and weight to G27) and a Ruger SP101 revolver for my "go with me" guns. The weight difference between the two is nil. The size is very close, the Ruger just a tad smaller. Both of these require a belt holster IMO. The Ruger can fit in the front pocket of loose jeans but it's too heavy. I've looked at lightweight revolvers from S&W and Ruger. I like the Ruger LCR because it has a better trigger. I'll probably get the .357 version because I'll take it on overnight kayaking trips in black bear country.
 
for that kind of attire i would think you would want as small and light as possible, in the summertime you probably wear shorts. if it were myself looking for this niche gun i would look at the LCP or one of keltecs small offerings.
 
I live in a touristy beach area, safe neighborhood, and I read a lot of posters on here getting carry guns, even open carry guns depending on the state, for trips into the woods or kayaking trips, etc. Honestly, up until recently I would have never thought I'd even need ONE gun, much less to carry one around with me where I go. But in my job talking to people, from observing the "culture" or our younger society (pre teens on up to mid 20s), and just from keeping an eye on the news every blue moon, I feel it's wise to take a preventative step now. I may never need it; in fact, I'm banking on it. But the one time I do need it and I reach in my pocket or on my side and nothing is there, well, I don't even want to think about that scenario.

I thought a lot about it while just walking around my subdivision this morning. It's a great subdivision, gated but the gates are not closed yet, and yet we just got robbed a few weeks ago in the middle of the night. Nowhere is safe from this type stuff; and with the economy the way it is, people are willing to take more risks than ever. I believe people do exist that will hurt you and not blink an eye doing so to take whatever you have, and I just cannot give the benefit of the doubt anymore.

So I will practice, get proficient, and I take this serious as can be. I am not looking for a fancy pretty gun or bragging about it. Not many, if any except my wife, will know I carry. This is for me and my family, and that's it. I just hate that it's come down to this honestly. Now THAT'S the scariest part of all...
 
I have a Sig P238 and I LOVE IT! its great when dressed like you described. Shoots great, has great sights on it. I can group very well with this gun, even in rapid fire i get good results. Its way smaller and lighter than my glock 26. Its not a 9mm, but it will get the job done. Plus im not leaving the house looking for a showdown, otherwise id take my AK. I would say go with the p238 if you are comfortable with single action, remember to drop the safety. They have some nice pocket holster options as well. There were some problems with the p238 when they first hit the market. The one i bought had a weak recoil spring, (it was bought used), I called Sig and they sent me a new one for free. I have put 500 rounds through it since and have had no FTF's or FTE's.

The ruger lcp is nice too. I havent shot it but its very concealable. Im not a double action type of guy. Kahr has a very small 9mm PM9. Looks nice but i havecnt played with it yet.
 
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I love my Ruger SR40c (I believe it is just a tad larger than the SR9c or the same size) but there is no way it is going to 1. fit in a pocket without being noticed or 2. be light enough not to beat the crap out of you while jogging, or even walking.

I live in Rhode Island. Rhode Islanders literally pass out when they see a firearm not attached to a cop's belt. Rhode Island would probably have some of the strictest guns laws in the country except for that fact that Rhode Islanders are fortunately some of the laziest people I have ever met. The Rhode Island state statutes are about 1/3 the size of the CT state statutes and it has nothing to do with a libertarian bent. They are just too lazy to write all the laws they want or too lazy to check the statutes to see if they actually already exist (the ban on Class III's is particularly painful, but I survive).

As a consequence, I have to be VERY careful not to print. I solve this problem by carrying a Kahr P380. I am actually way more accurate with the SR40c but I chalk that up to the small size of the p380, the DA pull and low mass. That said, it is the most comfortable .380 I have ever fired. But with night sights, it's a costly weapon. I got mine used for $500 but the NIB price is well over $600. If I were on a budget, I would I would stick with an LCP. I don't know about the LC9 but that might be another option if it were light enough

People are going to tell you the .380 is a worthless caliber than cannot penetrate the skull of a pig and thus cannot protect you in an SD situation, but keep in mind, internet opinions are just that that: internet opinions.
 
Kahr's p380 is a small little pistol. I think its a awesome little gun, I just prefer to have a safety on my guns.
 
"I live in a touristy beach area, safe neighborhood, and I read a lot of posters on here getting carry guns, even open carry guns depending on the state, for trips into the woods or kayaking trips, etc. Honestly, up until recently I would have never thought I'd even need ONE gun, much less to carry one around with me where I go. But in my job talking to people, from observing the "culture" or our younger society (pre teens on up to mid 20s), and just from keeping an eye on the news every blue moon, I feel it's wise to take a preventative step now. I may never need it; in fact, I'm banking on it. But the one time I do need it and I reach in my pocket or on my side and nothing is there, well, I don't even want to think about that scenario."

I live in N.California and whitewater kayak mostly in the Sierra's. Although black bear and mountain lion attacks are rare I still feel better having a gun, especially in a wilderness camp far from roads. Also, the mountains of California have become infested with a couple of non native invasive species; the Meth Head and the Cannabis grower. While neither are generally aggressive species they are both occasionally prone to unpredictable behavior.
 
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I do NOT want to wear a holster while dressed like this. I want something that fits comfortably in my pocket; and if I have to holster it, I don't want to notice it much and want it probably in a pocket.
Click to expand...

Given that, my choice would be a snub of your choice in a good pocket holster.
 
LOL, and I REALLY thought this was going to be somewhat easy on the wallet here, just pick up a one gun do it all and be done with it. I guess if you want more power, enough to feel comfortable stopping somebody, your gun isn't going to fit in your pocket. And if it does, it will just have five shots. Is that about the crux of the case? Of course, if I find a P238 in good shape at the gun shop, I may just jump on it and be done with it. Or buy two guns. Or more...
 
I have a recomendation that is easy on the wallet. I actualy own, and carry one also.

Polish P64 9mm Mak. It is slim, and fits in the pocket of a normal fit pair of jeans in an Uncle Mikes #2 Pocket holster. (Holster is neoprene, and weighs roughly a couple of ounces.) Keeps lint out of the barrel, or anthing from getting into the trigger guard.

It is not super light. It is all metal, though it is consideably lighter than my G26 when fully loaded. It is dead nuts reliable. Niot unpleasant to shoot, Though the first DA shot is heavy, all follow up shots with the under 2 pound SA trigger pull are a breeze.

Oh the kicker is you can buy one for under $200. Probably closer to $175 if you shop around. Also through the worst of the Obamanation ammo craze there was plenty of ammo for it online at less than $12 per 50 round box. I still carry mine with steel cased Wolf Military classic. It goes bang, and hits what the sights are lined up on every time.
 
I recently looked at a S&W model 351 PD. It's an airweight, 7-shot, .22mag., snubnose revolver. I was looking at it for a pocket/boot self-defense gun to use in place of my Ruger MKIII for close to home fishing, hiking, or just evening walks after supper. The advantages of the 351 to my mind are that it's much easier to conceal and chambered for a more powerful round than the MKIII. I understand that a lot of people consider the .22mag completely inadequate for SD, in my case the worst I can expect during such outings would be bad-intentioned people, aggressive canines, and rarely a rabid fox or raccoon. I have enough experience and confidence to believe I could handle all of them with the MKIII.
The 351PD has remained on my "maybe" list because of it's lightweight and compactness. Couldn't hurt to take a look at it.
 
I live in central FL.For the last 29 yrs of cc.I have narowed it down to 3 types of GUNS .a SEECAMP 32 . MP 40 C ,& RUGER SP101 357. As my carry guns .I NEVER leave the house without out one of them .
 
Steelers252006
I would recomend you check armslist.com for firearms, there are private and dealer sellers on it. I bought my p238 for $380.00. I buy most of my firearms of this site. Just be careful not to get robbed or ripped off. I have the seller meet me at a gun range so i can test out the firearm.
a .45acp is only a man stopper if it hits its target, I have a p12.45 which is compact, I never carry it anymore. My p238 is way more comfortable, light, and easy to fire followup shots. If i had to pick one for sd it would be the sig. If i was worried about bears or other wild animals i would go with the .45acp.
 
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When wearing the wardrobe you describe, I carry a Kahr p9 with a galco bellyband holster. Very comfortable, hardly notice it being there and it has the added benefit of keeping my sweatpants up.
 
I dress much as you describe when home and around the local area and I have been pocket carrying for 3 maybe 4 years now. For me I have found the S&W 642 and a Kel-Tek P 11 the most comfortable in a pocket holster. Not to bulky, no printing problems , and the Nemissis pocket holster keeps them upright and in the same place ( no rolling over and getting the pistol butt peeking out of the pocket) I tried a few different small pistols and found non exposed hammers or spurless hammers most comfortable and easiest to draw from pocket. I'm sure others have their own favs. but those seem to work best for me.
 
I have a Glock 26 that works well for that. However, what ever you decide to chose I would highly recommend at least a pocket holster to keep the lint bunny's out of the action and guard the trigger. Good luck and nice choices.
 
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