Suggestions needed for a good CC pocket gun

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Therapydude

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I just bought an HK USP .40 Compact for CC. It's a great size for the truck, but a bit large for carrying on my person. I'm torn between compactness and caliber. I want something small, simple (preferably without a manual safety), yet with decent power. I'm leaning towards the stainless Sig P232, but I'm not crazy about carrying a .380. The Sig P239 series seems a little too big. Several salespeople have suggested the Kel-tec (in 9mm or .40), but I don't really know their track record as far as reliability goes. I'd prefer to stick with a brand that has proven reliability. How about the Glock 36? Is it small enough to be carried in a pocket? Anyone have any suggestions that are better than the Sig P232?
 
I shot a Kel-Tec P11 in 9mm the other day and I was impressed. It's a DA only pistol with an enclosed but visible hammer. It was a tight little gun that slipped easily into my jean pocket. To me, it handled a lot better than the Glock 26 I used to shoot, but I have small hands. I was able to shoot 3-5" groups at 25' using PMC 115gr. No match gun, but fun, reliable, and good protection.

Good Luck
 
How about a S&W J frame pistol in 38 Special? I often carry my Airweight Bodyguard when wearing shorts and t-shirt around the house. It is comfortable to carry and disappears in the front pocket when I use a pocket holster.
 
Therapydude, I have a Kel-Tec P11. I carry it and love it. It is utterly reliable. I have never had a misfire or stovepipe, ever. It has a very long trigger pull which takes some practice to get used too, but I think this make it very safe for pocket carry. I can put mine in shorts, pleated or Jeans front pocket without anyone knowing it is there. I like it most for concealability, cheap purchase price and the 11 rounds of 9mm HydraShock Personal Protection ammo that it holds with one little magazine. Kel-Tec P11, you can't go wrong. Go to www.Kel-Tec.com or www.ktog.com to find out all you wont to know about the little pistols. --plinker2--

[This message has been edited by plinker2 (edited April 30, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Therapydude:
I just bought an HK USP .40 Compact for CC. It's a great size for the truck, but a bit large for carrying on my person. I'm torn between compactness and caliber. [/quote]

I carry one of three regularly:
A) Taurus 85UL (in a pocket holster). Light, reliable (after a trip back to the factory...light strikes on the primer) and fits well in a pocket. This is my primary carry gun, mostly due to weight (13.5 oz.) and "+P" rated Triton rounds.
B) Kahr MK9...a tad heavy for pocket carry (in trousers, a coat is a different story). However, a good belt will allow for pocket carry. I carry this one IWB mostly. Capacity is 6+1 "+P" 9mm.
C) Glock 19 carried OWB holster. Well concealed with a "Hawaian" style shirt outside the pants. Glock reliability, '+P" Tritons, high capacity...

For realistic self defense, I think all the pistols above work great.
I can't say exactly when I started, but I realized a while back that when I buy clothes I do consider carry issues. Reckon I was doinfg it unconciously for a long time before I noted it.


[This message has been edited by Ezeckial (edited April 30, 2000).]
 
Check out a Makarov, compact, reliable reasonably powerful (9 x 18m) slightly more powerful than a .380. Reasonably priced, $130-200.
 
Glock 26, 27, 33.. But you need real baggie dockers and an "in the pants" holster. If you want something bigger than 32 or 380 then the best choice would be a (Name of the gun company we can no longer say) model 60 or something in that series.
 
I carry a Keltec P-11 almost all the time,for me it`s the perfect everyday CCW. I have well over 4000rds. through it with NO jams or breakage of any kind and it still shoots as good as the day I bought it(actually better). It`s not for everyone,some can never get used to the long DA trigger pull or the extreme lightweight and two finger grip. I carry it IWB with the factory belt clip(you have to try it to appreciate it) and I find the long trigger pull comforting for this type of carry. Also there is no way some lawyer is gonna be able to use the "hair trigger- involuntary manslaughter" trick on me if I ever (God forbid!!!!) have to use it to defend myself. If you seriously consider one see if you can rent one somewhere and put at least 100rds. through it to get a feel for it. It might be just the ticket for you too. Marcus
 
I concur with most of the above. While I haven't shot the Kel-Tec, it looks good. I also think the Glock 26/27 series are a little bulky for pocket carry.

What I will add is two suggestions: the Walther PPK (which is as close a direct competitor to the Sig 232 as you can get) and the new Taurus Millenium Titanium.

Both myself and James Bond have had PPK's, and they are great guns, shoot reliably, and are more compact than the Sig 232. They fit nicely in a pocket, waistband or ankle holster. While the PPK has a safety/decocker, you don't have to use it if you don't want to.

While I haven't shot the Taurus Millenium Titanium, I have a S&W Titanium which I love. The Taurus just looks like it's a whole lot of firepower in a very light and compact package.
 
While the .380 is on the lower end of the spectrum for defensive rounds, it is not inadeqate. The round has been performing its job for quite a while. I do carry a .380 when weather dictates it. I carry a Bersa Series 95 in a Roma fanny pack. The round I currently use is the Winchester SXT.
 
I'm not a fan of the Sig 232. It's a fine gun, but it is not size efficient. Take a look at the Kahr Mk9 -- it is just about the same size but gives you 9mm power.

Jared
 
My wife likes her Kel-Tec P40 quite a bit...long LONG trigger pull, but smooth. A gun with a value in hand far more than price in the wallet.

Thinner and lighter than my Glock 27, but the same number of .40 Liberty rounds on tap. And half the price...

Alex
 
I just went thru a similar search and ended up w/ a S&W 908 in 9mm. Alloy frame, single stack 8+1 which is very slim, extremely accurate even on the 1st dbl.action pull, and controlable. Check it out. I really dont like the Keltec long trigger pull but it's a good pistol for the money.

Good luck,
Dave
 
Therapydude,

Being a person that owns a Glock 19, Glock 26 and a Kel-Tec P-11; the P-11 usually is the one that comes along with me anymore. So far it has been 100% reliable out of the box and is noticeably lighter than the Glock 26. I shoot the Glocks a little better but I think additional practice with the Kel-Tec will cure that. The P-11 seems to be almost as accurate as my Glocks when fired from a rest. Also, I have no problem hiding the P-11 in the pocket of my jeans.

--Dean
 
I *am* a fan of the P232, for the precise reason M1911 isn't. :)

I'm looking for shootability first and foremost in any gun, and of the options available to me, the P230/232 was as small as I could go and still feel comfortable and accurate shooting the gun. I tried the PPK. Didn't like the way it felt.

On the downside, the P230/232 IS a little big for a true pocket gun. The PPK is a hair slimmer and a bit-more-than-a-hair shorter. more of a pocket gun.

I second the advice given above- shoot a bunch of the guns you are considering. Base your choice on that experience. I surprised myself...I was leaning heavily toward the PPK (shaken- not stirred, Moneypenny) and discovered that the P232 was the winner. Utterly reliable, smooth trigger, nice, gentle recoil...

To each his own. :)

Mike

------------------
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
 
Kahr MK9 Elite.

A little heavy but very reassuring trigger and reliability in 9mm.

Fits fine in a pocket. Just cinch up your belt a notch.
 
While Coronach may disagree with me on the PPK vs. the P230, at least we can both agree on Bond.... James Bond
 
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