Welcome to TFL, Nolagun!
Nolagun said:
I currently have three handguns, a .22, 9mm and .380. The guns I have are heavy, bulky and too big.
As someone noted earlier, a little more information would be helpful. Just how large are they? There's quite a range of sizes and weights in all of those calibers. Are they steel or polymer? Do you have a preference as to steel or polymer?
Before you get off to buying a new gun, do you have a decent belt and holster now? If you're trying to carry a Ruger p95 on a dress belt, you're going to run into some difficulty. I'm a big supporter of proper belts for carry. A good, stiff belt can support the weight of a full-sized steel gun. A dress belt will sag. If your belt sags, you'll spend the whole day hitchin' up your pants and everyone will now that you're carrying. Sort of defeats the purpose of carrying concealed, if you ask me.
And I'm going to throw my support in behind Cheapshooter's comment:
Cheapshooter said:
Carry in a holster in your pocket. And nothing else in the same pocket.
The last thing you want is for a car key to get wedged into the trigger guard with a loaded gun in your front pocket . . . .
Nolagun said:
. . . .I've been looking at Rugers and S & W but was curious as to what you guys think.
I like the .380's for myself and the .22 for my wife.
I would appreciate some recommendations on which manufacturer/ model would be best. I plan to either carry my gun in my pocket or a small holster and my wife in her purse.
Both Ruger and S&W are solid manufacturers. There are lots of folks with pretty strong feelings about both of them, but IMHO, both companies make a product what will suffice for the overwhelming majority of their customers.
"Which model is best for cc?" is one of our favorite topics around here, and my stock answer is: it depends. It depends on how you plan to carry, what your usual wardrobe is, what your normal activities are like, etc.
Do you have a preference for semi-auto or revolver?
Nolagun said:
I listed two manufacturers but I'm not set on those brands if there is something better.
Budget for both is about $600-$800.
Please do not forget that you will need holsters, possibly belts, ammunition and (hopefully) some training and instruction. Forgive me, but from the sounds of your post, you may have owned guns for some time, but it doesn't sound like you've really been "into guns," perhaps until now.
At that budget, for two guns, are you willing to look at used guns? Do you know what to look for?
I know that I'm peppering you with questions, but I do so in the hopes of helping us help you.
Nolagun said:
Also there are a few gun shops in my area but they have a gun show coming in February and March that I would like to attend. Do you guys feel it is ok to buy from a vendor at a gun show or better to buy from a gun shop or cabelas?
44AMP nailed it on the gun show vs. FFL issue. I would add the following, though. The firearm that you choose to carry is a very particular and personal decision. Gun shows, even if you don't purchase there, are a good opportunity to look at many different models, see how they feel in your hand, and compare prices across vendors.