What's the smallest/lightest handgun (any caliber) that you shoot well?
- Thread starter idek
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I shoot about equally well with a S&W 442 and a Kahr MK9; I shoot somewhat better with a Walther PPS. While the PPS is very concealable, it isn't as concealable as the 442 or MK9.
Note that since I consider these to be BUG type guns, mostly, I do most of my practice shooting with them weak-hand. (My main pistol is set up for strong hand, although I will practice with all guns weak-hand to some extent; but I carry the small guns typically pocket or IWB weak side, so I mostly shoot one-handed weak when those come out at the range.)
Note that since I consider these to be BUG type guns, mostly, I do most of my practice shooting with them weak-hand. (My main pistol is set up for strong hand, although I will practice with all guns weak-hand to some extent; but I carry the small guns typically pocket or IWB weak side, so I mostly shoot one-handed weak when those come out at the range.)
Tactical Jackalope
New member
Hey there! Long time no chat lol
What's your main CCW again?
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Main carry varies.
It is typically either a Les Baer UTC that has been slightly touched up by Bob Hunter, or (lately) a CZ P01, tuned by Matt Mink. If you can get either of these gentlemen to work on a gun for you, you should be pleased with the results.
Bob is modifying one of his Commander pistols for me, while I'm overseas. You can see it on his website. Blued slide over hard chrome frame, magwell, built on a Caspian setup. He's changing out the safety for a mil-spec, and putting in a Novak gold bead front sight, both at my request.
I'm adding a set of Ryan's black rayskin with silver diamond spine grips from thefinergrain.com to it, when I get home.
Can you tell I like 1911s? (and also Bob's work?) I also like CZs. Before I left on my current trip to the sandbox, I was doing a lot of experimenting with shooting from the draw, shooting one-handed, and shooting from unusual positions (for example, weak-handed unsupported while standing on one foot and leaning to the side) to try and determine which type works most instinctively for me. (They all work for me, from a standard stance and at a controlled rate of fire...) So far, it was kind of a wash. I can't really go wrong with either a 1911 or a CZ75 variant. (Or, for that matter, a K frame.)
But on the small gun side, having owned both, I prefer the MK9 over the PM9 for actual shooting, especially using unsupported weak hand. Yes, the MK is heavier; yes, the MK is probably too heavy for pocket carry. However, I carry a gun because I may conceivably have to use the gun, so for me shootability counts.
It is typically either a Les Baer UTC that has been slightly touched up by Bob Hunter, or (lately) a CZ P01, tuned by Matt Mink. If you can get either of these gentlemen to work on a gun for you, you should be pleased with the results.
Bob is modifying one of his Commander pistols for me, while I'm overseas. You can see it on his website. Blued slide over hard chrome frame, magwell, built on a Caspian setup. He's changing out the safety for a mil-spec, and putting in a Novak gold bead front sight, both at my request.
I'm adding a set of Ryan's black rayskin with silver diamond spine grips from thefinergrain.com to it, when I get home.
Can you tell I like 1911s? (and also Bob's work?) I also like CZs. Before I left on my current trip to the sandbox, I was doing a lot of experimenting with shooting from the draw, shooting one-handed, and shooting from unusual positions (for example, weak-handed unsupported while standing on one foot and leaning to the side) to try and determine which type works most instinctively for me. (They all work for me, from a standard stance and at a controlled rate of fire...) So far, it was kind of a wash. I can't really go wrong with either a 1911 or a CZ75 variant. (Or, for that matter, a K frame.)
But on the small gun side, having owned both, I prefer the MK9 over the PM9 for actual shooting, especially using unsupported weak hand. Yes, the MK is heavier; yes, the MK is probably too heavy for pocket carry. However, I carry a gun because I may conceivably have to use the gun, so for me shootability counts.
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Tactical Jackalope
New member
O_O nice nice nice! ^^^^
Bob's going to work on my 70 series Colt 1911 actually. Sent it up to him. I wanted to completely customize everything on the gun to my liking. Still do. But it's just a bad timing thing with the accident and all that. So may just have him tune the extractor and do other reliability work. However if you remember my 70 series thread...remember that grip safety it had on? Insane. May go for his custom GI style grip safety that's swept up.
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Bob's going to work on my 70 series Colt 1911 actually. Sent it up to him. I wanted to completely customize everything on the gun to my liking. Still do. But it's just a bad timing thing with the accident and all that. So may just have him tune the extractor and do other reliability work. However if you remember my 70 series thread...remember that grip safety it had on? Insane. May go for his custom GI style grip safety that's swept up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2
Smallest would have to be a Taurus PT22 copy of the Beretta. Silky smooth, natural pointer. Got stolen when my truck was broken into a few years ago.
We've convinced the city that some areas shouldn't be CCW free for this reason.
City park rule sign. Sorry for the shaky phone pic.
We've convinced the city that some areas shouldn't be CCW free for this reason.
City park rule sign. Sorry for the shaky phone pic.
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Lost River
New member
I look at it from this perspective:
What guns am I willing to get into a gunfight with?
Generally speaking those are not little mouse guns. The smallest I am willing to go is a Smith 442 J frame, and that very rarely is a primary arm. Usually it is a BUG for work. Normally the smallest I am willing to go and that I shoot well is a Glock 26 9mm.
That being said, I have found that it is an extremely rare situation that a Glock 26 can be carried, that a Glock 19 cannot. So, for the majority of my needs, a Glock 19 is the smallest day to day tool that I shoot very well and I am willing to duke it out with X amount of adversaries with.
While the G26 and 442 make great BUGs, the G19 is the choice when the chips are down and I need to makee hits fast under stress.
What guns am I willing to get into a gunfight with?
Generally speaking those are not little mouse guns. The smallest I am willing to go is a Smith 442 J frame, and that very rarely is a primary arm. Usually it is a BUG for work. Normally the smallest I am willing to go and that I shoot well is a Glock 26 9mm.
That being said, I have found that it is an extremely rare situation that a Glock 26 can be carried, that a Glock 19 cannot. So, for the majority of my needs, a Glock 19 is the smallest day to day tool that I shoot very well and I am willing to duke it out with X amount of adversaries with.
While the G26 and 442 make great BUGs, the G19 is the choice when the chips are down and I need to makee hits fast under stress.