Suggestions for a summer CC carry pistol

ditto, Aarond, thank you so much, that is an excellent chart. can zoom in until its about 1:1 and see roughly how large it would be in hand. awesome
 
I carry the same Glock 19 and spare magazine in the Appendix-IWB position that I do in the winter.

Bad guys don't vary with the seasons, so why should you?
 
I have 2 that I carry. First one has been mentioned is the Glock 26. Though for me a bit too fat, and weighty for pocket carry for me. Next is a P-64 9 mm Makarov. Even through the worst of the ammo shortage I was able to find ammo for it online. Though it is at my max for pocket carry size. Disappears IWB. DA first pull of the trigger is a bit heavy though SA shots there after are very light. It does the job with a price tag of under $200 at even a high priced gunstore. The P-64 goes with me when all of the others are not practical. I also carry it as a back up.
 
The Rohrbaugh R9 may be out of your price range but it's worth looking at:

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/node/9

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http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi
 
Kahr PM9/CM9 is a great pocket 9mm

Or if you want smaller I can recommend the S&W Bodyguard .380, Kahr P380, Ruger LCP and Sig P238.
 
I carry my Kel-Tec PF9 year round here in TN. I did carry the S&W in my sig, but after getting this for summer carry I am spoiled with how light it is.

But I do really want a PM9 just did not have the money for one at the time.

There are just so many options out there in the market. This sector as really blown up in the part few years. Your best option would be to go to a range that has some of the guns your looking into and rent them.
 
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Been carrying a PM9 since I got my plastic in '04; it has never failed in any way since new and is very accurate at SD distances ... I have it loaded with Hornady Critical Defense rounds ... I pocket carry as soon as I can wear cargo shorts (late March around here) and it really becomes a part of you ... can't recommend it highly enough ... there is NO reason to carry a .380 when Kahr's 9mm guns are available, assuming you are willing to pay the extra cost ...
 
I've been rather happy with my M&P 40 compact. 10+1 rounds of .40 in the front pocket of my jeans is plenty of gun for me. It does bulge out a tad, but with a decent pocket holster, it doesn't print too bad. It carries very nicely IWB also.
 
What typically amazes me is, that summer and warm weather is when more things are likely to happen.... and when people carry smaller, lighter guns with less capacity.

That seems ironically backwards to me.
 
On the other hand, summer weather in many parts of the US is not conducive to wearing jackets, sweatshirts, or sportcoats, all of which are used to conceal larger handguns carried in IWB or OWB holsters.

So lots of gun toters switch to guns that don't need an outer layer of clothing to conceal.


Personally, unless I go with the massive overshirt option, I carry a Kahr P380. At 3'-7' encounter distances it will work just fine.
 
On the other hand, summer weather in many parts of the US is not conducive to wearing jackets, sweatshirts, or sportcoats, all of which are used to conceal larger handguns carried in IWB or OWB holsters.
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It gets pretty hot and humid in Alabama in the summer.

I still carry my G19 under a t- or polo shirt in the Appendix-IWB position with little problem.
 
Pocket carry: Kel-Tec P3AT or Ruger LCP are the easiest to carry, Kahr PM9 is doable, but more noticeable.

Smartcarry: I can have a Glock 26/27 with an extra magazine completely hidden under sweatshorts & a t-shirt.
 
Bersa Thunder 380 Concealed Carry model

2' 5shot snubbie revolver in 38spl or 6 shot in 327 federal magnum

Kel Tec 380 or 9mm

Kahr pm9

glock 27 compact 40S&W


I'd reccomend any of these as reliable and small enough for pocket use
 
Texas summers are long and HOT. My summer carry is a KelTec P3AT. It's just right.
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I agree with the first sentence. :)
I've lived in TX for seven years and had my CHL since shortly after moving here. I've owned and carried a number of handguns since getting my CHL.

I owned several Glocks and half a dozen J-frames. All are gone.

I have owned four Kel-Tecs (two P3ATs, one P32, one P11) and none of them worked correctly, even after new springs, new mags, F&B, various ammo. All are gone.

I currently own an LCP (which has worked perfectly from round one) but don't carry it, because I view the cartridge as marginal. It will probably go one day, but I do occasionally pocket carry it working in the yard or crawling underneath the car.

I own (and pocket carried for three years) a Kahr PM9, which is not going anywhere, and a Kahr P45, which I carried IWB for a year and a half. I could go back to either without reservations.

I currently carry a steel framed Commander sized 1911, because that is what I shoot best. I am neither a young man nor a large one, but carrying the 1911 is nowhere near as difficult as some might have you believe. BTW, summer has definitely arrived--it has been +/- 95 degrees all week. :)

I am currently eyeballing the new S&W Elite series Scandium 1911--a 28 oz Bobtail Commander sized 1911. Looks good to me.

Note that I have had to work my way up to carrying a steel 1911. Few people will not start there, and not all that many end up there...no worries.

Start small, with maybe an LCP or a j-frame. Anything is better than nothing. Try a few others if you can. Find out what fits your hand and what you shoot well. Then figure out if you can carry and conceal it comfortably. Everything is a compromise--larger guns are easier to shoot well, but more difficult to carry/conceal.

If you do it right, you will end up with the perfect compromise for you. It may also take a while. In my case, it took quite a while, and I spent a fair bit of money getting there. But if you buy used (wisely), you will not lose much (if anything) on each transaction.

Have some patience, and figure out what is right for you...and be aware that over time, what is right for you may evolve...it has for me.
 
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