Small auto

Im trying to stay away from the micro 22s, 32ACP, AND 25 Autos... but the Sig P938, and similar sized .380s, and 9s are really what im lookin for.
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In that case, I still stand by what I said about .380s...If you are looking PPK sized, and you really want a PPK, maybe you should get a PPK. However, if it was me and I wanted a PPK sized .380, I'd save money and get another Bersa Thunder .380 or spend about the same for a (preferably nickel) CZ 83 or SIG P232 or older P230.

As for the 9s however, my suggestions will change a bit.

I'd still suggest checking out the SIG P239 and the Glock 26 since you are used to the larger versions and they will be significantly smaller and lighter, but these may be bigger than you want for this purchase after all.

I'd also more strongly recommend some of the guns I more just threw out there thinking you were looking larger. I'd strongly suggest the P290RS (I absolutely love mine), and the Kahrs, though I'd more strongly recommend the smaller MK9/40, or the lighter P9 or PM9 than I did in my first post. Many companies make solid guns in this class: the PPS, Shield, etc., but the PM9, MK9 and P290RS are my personal favorites in this class. I would suggest not going too light or small though- my Kel Tec Pf-9 is no fun at all at the range and follow up shots suffer from the rather stout recoil.
 
Call me crazy but I like my Taurus TCP. It shoots great, has last shot hold open and it weighs under 11 ounces. Best under $200 gun I have.
 
Wearing lightweight shorts and T shirts,
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Where I live, lightweight shorts typically means those nylon basketball shorts or Columbia PFG fishing shorts which have all of a drawstring for a belt. In THOSE cases, a micro is the only answer and the best is the Ruger LCP
 
I recently switched from a Ruger LCP to a Diamondback DB9, which I carry in a "wallet" of Kydex in my right rear pocket. Routinely wear it in shorts with a T-shirt out here in Sunny Arizona! Nobody ever seems to notice I have two wallets! :eek::cool:
 
I would advise to avoid the .380 if possible. There are plenty of pocket sized guns chambered for 9mm. This is the smallest/lightest caliber that one should carry for self defense. Look at the Glock 43 or Glock 26. As a .40 fan, you may wish to look at the Glock 27. The S&W Shields are very nice as are the Springfield XDS's. Heck, take a look at the Walther PPS. Really nice!
 
Jay - I bought my first Glock, a Model 42, about six weeks ago. Arthritis in my hand, moan whine etc., and I needed something easier on the hand than the Sig 239 or Ruger revolver I'd been carrying. After about 400 rounds of various make and styles, I really like it so far. Easy on the hand, fits in the pockets of my shorts or pants and just about disappears in an iwb holster. Give one a look.
 
I'd like to add to the comments raised earlier in this thread about the Walther PPS, mine is the newer "M2", which I've heard is replacing the original PPS. It meets all of the OP's criteria, it shoots like a bigger gun, and you can get 8rd. mags for it, in addition to the 6 and 7rd. mags that come with the gun. This one is definitely worthwhile to at least give one of these a tryout!
 
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Jay - I bought my first Glock, a Model 42, about six weeks ago. Arthritis in my hand, moan whine etc., and I needed something easier on the hand than the Sig 239 or Ruger revolver I'd been carrying. After about 400 rounds of various make and styles, I really like it so far. Easy on the hand, fits in the pockets of my shorts or pants and just about disappears in an iwb holster. Give one a look.
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Agree . I would also look at a Glock 43 ,Similar size but in 9.

Bought mine for warm weather CC . I like it so much and shoot it so well it may replace my 23 as my EDC.
 
Glock 42 .. just the ticket for pocket carry. and a very easy shooter. easy .25s splits on target.

My walther ppk/s lives in the safe. not nearly as fun to shoot as the g42 and weighs twice as much.
 
Considering you plan to carry IWB the P938in 9MM, and only slightly larger [than the P238 in .380], and less than an ounce heavier would be an even better choice.
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Agreed. I limited my comments to the P238 because that is what I have first-hand experience with (an unusual concept for the internet, I admit :D) but the 9 mm version has identical features and would be a great choice.
 
I seem to have acquired bunches of the smaller auto pistols, for carry I prefer the Sig series----P 938 and P 238 or a bit of a clone the Kimber Micro. Then one of the easiest to carry is my G 42, for the pocket ---S&W Bodyguard. I have a PPK in 7.65, .22 and .380 but they are heavier and a little more bulk than the others for carry and some of those USA produced have functioning problems. My P3at is easy to drop in a pocket but ugly to shoot and if the pistol is hard on the shooter practice won't follow. Last of the modern pistols are my Star DK's which are my all over favorites and the new Remington RM 380 another fine pocket pistol.
Wow those are just the ones i shoot most often, the safe has another pile that would work just fine for concealed carry.
My latest acquisition is a Remington R 51 ( gen 2) which is a bit bigger but in 9mm and designed for concealed carry. I have a running account of the almost 500 rounds through it so far and I am confident Remington did a good job on the reissue.
 
I have a ppk (interarms version) in 380, I carry owb in a don hume open top 721, I think, but don't quote me. Shorts and a t-shirt are no problem to cover it up. I usually appendix carry and its quite comfortable. You can get a lighter and smaller .380, but you can't get a sexier pistol!

I've been carrying it for quite a while, but I'm thinking about picking up a p290rs cuz they cheap.
 
been doing a similar search for my gf....something easier and smaller to carry than her g26. I personally pocket carry a keltec p32 pretty much year round and its hard to get a more convenient easy summer carry (if you want 380 they make the 3at of course). We rented some small guns at the range...the sig p238 is a very sweet little gun (little pricey for me but nice)....also shot the g43 in 380. Coming from the sig to the glock i was initially underwhelmed because the sig is just so nice....but i shot the glock better and i was supremely impressed with how accurate it was for me. If i was looking for a smaller carry id be looking at the glock
 
I keep returning to my Kimber SOLO for carry, everywhere and all seasons. Conceptually, I think the HK p7 is ideal. Practically, it's a tad heavy. Over the past couple of years I've carried a Kahr 9mm, SIG p232-.380, SIG p239 9mm, Sphinx Alpaha compact 9mm, a HK p7 and the SOLO.

My shooting buddy carries a CZ compact, can't recall which model. He loves it; I've fired it several times and am tempted to buy one. I was shooting my CZ75 SP-01 Shadow Target II yesterday and thought to myself: What a great handgun, wish they made it in a sub-compact.
 
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