What's the thinnest small handgun for CCW

S

Solitar

New member
For hot summer days wearing shorts and a t-shirt, or maybe not even the shirt, several of us are looking for something as thin as possible, preferably thin enough to look no thicker than a fat wallet. Even the look of a fat wallet is bad since it may imply lots of stuff in the wallet.

Derringers are one option, but at least 9mm in a semi-auto with several rounds in a magazine would be much better.
 
You must have read the posts that describe the Kel-Tec P-32. It's a .32, but it's flat as a pancake, light as a feather (almost), and very easy to conceal. I was very lucky. Just walked into a gun shop, and there one was. Normally they're quite hard to find.

Will

------------------
Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
The Kel-Tec P-32 is probably the thinnest semi-auto available, much thinner than the Seecamp, and far easier to shoot. It has the added advantage of being a locked-breech design, allowing for the use of +P ammo.

If you've got to shoot a "mousegun," the P-32 is the way to go.
 
I agree with the Kel-Tec suggestions. The P32 is about a half an inch thick (I haven't measured) and it is a nice gun.
 
An American Arms .380. Large but VERY flat. hard to find now that they are out of production, but about as thick as a Walther TPH.
 
Thanks all for the recommendations. I read the archives and links on the P-32, Guardian, SeeCamp, and others and the P-32 sure seems to be the best to fit the bill. Too bad its only a .32 but at least it has twice the punch of a .25acp {which has been known to be effective when used just right}.

As has been said again and again here, the first rule of a gun fight is to bring a gun. Yes my .45acp Ruger may be the better to have, but not if its left behind because it is too big for the occasion.
 
My Kahr E9 (9mm) is thin, although a little heavy. While I shoot a .45 in competition I carry a 9mm (which seems wimpy in comparison). Don't know that I'd trust anything smaller for carry. It's important to bring a gun to the fight, but it's also important to bring one that will stop the threat.
 
If it's thin you want:

Walther PPK in .32
Colt M1903 in .32

Both can be had, used, in the $350 range at most gun shows since their bigger brothers in .380 draw a larger price.

See previous discussions on the .32 for hot new loadings.

Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
 
Large .32 pistols (PPK, 1903) are easier to shoot accurately than their tiny brothers (Guardia, P32)...but for that much weight and size, wouldn't a Colt .380 (Mustang/Pony) be a better choice?
 
A year ago, I predicted the P-32 would be the hottest-selling firearm of the year. I don't know if I was right, but there are a lot of satisfied consumers with one.

I'll probably eventually get another to carry and shoot, and save my low SN# (1XX) as a collector's piece.
 
Seecamp has just brought out a .380 version of their LWS, it's supposed to be almost exactly the same (tiny) size as the famous .32 but you get a jump in ballistic effectiveness. In a pocket holster the Seecamp is no thicker than a wallet.

Only problem is the waiting list is forever.
 
Obviously, in the CC world, there are always trade-offs. That said, the Kahr line-up is probably the best of all compromises (ie, stopping power, controllability, concealability, reliability).
 
Even the smallest 9mm (MK9) looks like MORE than a fat wallet. The P32, OTOH, in a pocket holster, looks like a checkbook or longish wallet, not thin but not too thick either. Get the P32.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by David Scott:
Seecamp has just brought out a .380 version of their LWS, it's supposed to be almost exactly the same (tiny) size as the famous .32 but you get a jump in ballistic effectiveness. In a pocket holster the Seecamp is no thicker than a wallet.

Only problem is the waiting list is forever.[/quote]

Actually, the other problem is the .380 in that small of a blowback action is bound to be a handful. The .380 isn't a .357Mag, but in a gun the size of the Seecamp, it's not going to be fun to shoot. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top