Looking for a very small, light pistol...

N

Nightcrawler

New member
...for a buddy of mine who wants one for CCW. Now, he's on a college budget, meaning it takes us months to save up for guns we want, so the cheaper the better.

We saw a Taurus PT111 in a shop today, and he was impressed with its small size yet 10+1 capacity. Basically, here's what he's looking for:

-A semiauto small and light enough to carry when he's running.

-9x19mm or better cartrdige, no .380s or .25s.

-A capacity of 9 or 10 would be the best, certainly no less than that. Nothing like 5 or 6 like the tiny Kahrs.

-Reliable, yet affordable.


The Glock line comes to mind, though he hasn't handled a baby Glock yet. What else is there besides the Baby Glocks? What about the CZ100?
 
Search the database and you'll find lots of traffic about the P11. For running, it works OK with a smartcarry holster, but he might be happier with a P32. I'm pretty happy with my P11. I would get the parkerized or hard chrome upgrade.
 
OH! NO! Not another perspective purchaser of
a Tauri PT111? Please read all the negative
thread's on this firearm, before purchasing.
The Tauri PT-111 could be hazardous to your
health; due mainly to flying gun part's after
discharge. I know money is tight, and times
are hard; but please just give me a damn old
Christmas card, instead of a Taurus PT-111.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
I know it hurts to save up-----but just keep your pennies--nickels--and dimes----the money will come soon enough. Get a quality gun---you'll be happier in the long run.

In other words---stay away from the Taurus and Kel-tec junk.
 
Hmm...Rugerfreak, you're the only one that has referred to the Kel-Tec as junk so far. IT seems to me that a pistol that small, with all those accessories, plus the ability (according to the website) to accept higher capacity S&W semiauto magazines, is a great package, retailing for under $400.

More appealing to me than a Glock 26, and cheaper too, but I'll see what he says. I don't think that costing less makes a firearm "junk". A CZ-75 costs less than a Glock 17 or a Sig P226, but it is certainly not junk.
 
Not all quality guns are expensive---as in the the case of Rugers-----but those are too big for your stated purposes.

If you're willing to pay $400 for a Kel-tec--why not save up the extra $100 or so for a Glock.

I've looked over Kel-tec's and pretty much place them in the same class as Jennings or Raven----JUNK. The only thing going for them is that they're light. This is just my opinion and you can take it or leave it----but I also think you'll or your friend will be happier in the long run with a proven quality piece.
 
P-11s sell for around the low $200s. I like mine a lot, has been 100%. Do a search on this forum, you'll find lots of comments, mostly favorable. If there is a problem, KT's customer service is top notch.
 
he's on a college budget, meaning it takes us months to save up for guns we want, so the cheaper the better
Click to expand...
:confused: Why not a revolver in 357 magnum? Taurus snubs are quite cheap but packs a helluva punch! Their polymer semi's have not been up to par and should be avoided :( (do a search for recent experiences by denfoote and skyslash). I'm not quite sure of their PT-911 compact, but it is all steel so maybe its worth a look.

Good luck,


New_comer:cool:
 
kel tec or taurus

I have shot the Kel tec...not the Taurus. The bad info on the Taurus is primarily on the 45 version of the PT series. I have heard alot more good than bad about both guns. They are similar in size , weight and capacity. The kel tec owners I know
and have gone shooting with love their guns. I have a friend
who has the pt111 and likes it alot. You shouldnt pay more than
200-225 for the p11 ....Your friend should get what he likes...

One word of caution...IMO...standard arms and raven make pistols in this same class. Standard arms is a new company and
hasnt been around long enough to establish themselves as good or bad...Raven is also new ...read some tests and played with the guns...good and bad..you may want to avoid these.

Either way with KT or Taurus..they both have lifetime warrantys and the companies are both excellent to work with....shoot well

Oh ya....You should look at the cz 100...bigger than the others
but well worth the look...shoo well
 
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College budget?

Being very fresh out of college, I would like to invest my two cents.....

Why knock a .380? The ammo is dirt cheap so you could practice, since you claim to be on a "college budget". It may be a guy with a .380 who may someday save your life. This caliber also tends to be much lighter and easier to carry than 9mm. Don't make it sound like the caliber is bad, because many people carry it and are satisfied. 71% one shot stop capability isn't too shabby.....

BTW, good luck with your gun search. Don't get a Taurus, they're crap. Go to a gunshow, see what you like. Pick them up (don't yank too hard or you'll break the trip wire and set off the alarm) and see which one you like the feel of the most. Write all of the models down that you like, and then come back on here and ask about each one. You ask 100 people and they give you 100 different answers.....you haven't accomplished much. Do some eliminating of your own. For example....what Fred likes may feel very funny in your hand.

My two cents have just been spent.......
 
Nightcrawler,
If not for your criteria of 9mm at a minimum, I would have recommended the Keltec P32. I have been very pleased with mine. For a lower cost 9mm I would be willing to recommend the Keltec P11 based on my experience with the P32.

Forget the baby Glocks for running. It would be easier to carry an Acme (brick). My Glock 27 is only carried while bicycling.

As for a handgun to run with, I don't. Seems to me that the best tactical response while running may just be to continue running. Although I would go back to recommending a P32 for a female runner.

As for Keltecs being junk: :rolleyes:
 
I find the Keltec P11 reliable and fairly accurate. I prefer my Glock 19 by far but it is far heavier as well.

I also like the Keltec P32 as well. I find it reliable and very accurate.

From what I can tell, Keltec had some Quality Control problems in the past but seems to have them under control now. I purchased a Keltec P40 a few years ago and found it so faulty, undependable and inaccurate that I returned it after a single box of ammo and got another Makarov.

Now, with my two new Keltecs, I could not be happier. So far, theyh have no failures after a few hundred rounds of ammo.
 
brandon_h3
I have a .380 and a couple of 9mm's. Ammo is more for the .380
at least where I live, averaging 2$ a box more for target ammo.
Even more of a difference in $ for defensive ammo.
Most .380's these days have little to no size or weight advantage over a 9mm. I agree with you on the .380 as a good carry size.
I shoot my .380 and 9mm at all kinds of things...they both blow
nice holes in hard, dense and thick objects. I carry both calibers.
Taurus makes a damn good gun....amazingly enough most people who slam gun makers have no or little experience with them and do so out of ignorance. I assume this isnt the case. Being a college guy and stating what you did, I will assume you have had many Taurus guns and they all have failed you. Just my 3 cents........shoot well
 
Ok

Well, I guess from the way you speak you can say that you've owned many Taurus guns. I am simply repeating what I hear. If 100 people tell you that a plane is unsafe to fly in, are you going to argue with the 101 guy to repeat that information?
 
Keltec would be a good choice or a makarov 9x18 in a belly band holster. The makarov is less expensive, hits harder than a 380 with the right ammo, and can be shot more accurately.
 
My jogging/weight lifting gun is a 9x18 Bulgarian Makarov. It is heavier than a Glock, but slimmer. Plus a $150, I can sweat all over it and not feel to bad. Don't go with a bellyband for running, they tend too bounce to much. I've been forced to run with a fannypack holster, cinch it up tight and it tends to stay in place.

In my experience 9mm is cheaper than .380 by quite a bit, and there is a lot more cheap plinking 9mm to choose from. If you reload, it is a moot point.

I've never used a Keltec 9mm.

The mini Glock is one heck of a gun. I'm very impressed by them.

I wouldn't rule out the Kahr due to capacity. It is a slim gun, easy to carry, and easy to shoot. Since my regular carry gun is a .45 with 8+1 rounds I can't seem to get to worked up over the capacity of a hideaway gun.
 
Taurus revolver...don't knock em till you've tried em. The compact framed ones are light, well made and inexpensive. Plus, you can get 357 magnum.
Hey, it's an option :)
 
The Taurus M-85 Ultralite in .38 spl is one good, light and cheap carry gun. Also, take a look at the Bersa thunder 380. It looks cool and very affordably priced.

Keep hunting,

New_comer:cool:
 
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