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Looking for a Small Carry Gun

M

Mackie2k

Senior member
Hey All,

Looking for a small carry weapon, something small enough to keep concealed easily and confortably, but large enough to have some effect.

I was think .380 or 9mm........FYI, I don't want a small Glock because they are too "chunky"

Thoughts, personal experience?

Thanks,

Mackie
 
bersa thunder

.380, small, inexpensive, very well reviewed, very similar to a walther ppk

its what i'm trying to get for concealed carry.

 
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
The last time I busted a cap in someones ass, I used this hammerless model.
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Hotlinking not allowed, but I had a S&W .40 too. The Sigma, which is a little too bulky for concealed carry.

I'd recommend a compact .38 special. Preferably from a major manufacturer.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/...&productId=14793&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Or something similar. Check out your local gunshop, they will probably recommend something similar, a compact 38 or 380.
Originally posted by: JM Aggie08
heh, get a small 22 😉. those could fit in a pocket.
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Yes it would, but the absolute minimum any cop or gun dealer would advise for personal protection is a .380.
 
Originally posted by: pontifex
bersa thunder

.380, small, inexpensive, very well reviewed, very similar to a walther ppk

its what i'm trying to get for concealed carry.
Click to expand...

2nd the Bersa.
 
Depends on what you want to spend and how you intend to use it. There are some small autos like the Rohrbaugh 9mm or the NAA Guardian. Smith & Wesson make some nice revolvers in 38/.357mag ruger has the SP101 and Taurus has some also. There is also the CZ Rami in 9mm or .40. The only way to really find out is to go shoot some and find out what you like. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Nyati13
Originally posted by: pontifex
bersa thunder

.380, small, inexpensive, very well reviewed, very similar to a walther ppk

its what i'm trying to get for concealed carry.
Click to expand...

2nd the Bersa.
Click to expand...


Um, 3rd the Bersa. .380 is plenty, and it won't kill your ears if you ever fired it indoors without ear protection. i.e. that guy that thought he wanted your dvd player at 3am.

It's cheap, and I've heard nothing but good stuff, except from the "it's still not a ppk" crowd.
 
Originally posted by: sling
Originally posted by: Nyati13
Originally posted by: pontifex
bersa thunder

.380, small, inexpensive, very well reviewed, very similar to a walther ppk

its what i'm trying to get for concealed carry.
Click to expand...

2nd the Bersa.
Click to expand...


Um, 3rd the Bersa. .380 is plenty, and it won't kill your ears if you ever fired it indoors without ear protection. i.e. that guy that thought he wanted your dvd player at 3am.

It's cheap, and I've heard nothing but good stuff, except from the "it's still not a ppk" crowd.
Click to expand...

I went shooting with a buddy that got a Bersa and it jammed about every third shot.

 
I carry a Taurus Millenium Pro PT140...also comes in .45. It's a little bigger than I'd like for my concealed piece, but it's one of the best weapons I've ever owned or fired. Also dirt cheep.
 
heres a suggestion noone has mentioned: get a gun that you can shoot.

Buying a gun that doesn't fit you isn't going to do you any good. My suggestion is go to the range and rent different guns and see which one you like or fits you best.
 
I use a Ruger Sp101 .357 It?s very small and concealable but also packs quite a bit of power. You can also use .38 special ammo for target practice.
 
I know everyone says that you need at least a .380 for self defense, but honestly, who the hell is going to keep coming at you after you shoot them with anything loud that hurts really bad? If you wanted to rob me and I started shooting at you with a .22, would you still want to rob me?

I understand the concept of stopping power but I just don't understand how many people wouldn't be dissuaded by getting shot/shot at with ANY size bulllet. Is the theif going to be like, ok, I just got shot in the leg, I am bleeding profusely, but hey, that was a .22, this guy is a wuss I am going at him now? come on.
 
Originally posted by: thepd7
I know everyone says that you need at least a .380 for self defense, but honestly, who the hell is going to keep coming at you after you shoot them with anything loud that hurts really bad? If you wanted to rob me and I started shooting at you with a .22, would you still want to rob me?

I understand the concept of stopping power but I just don't understand how many people wouldn't be dissuaded by getting shot/shot at with ANY size bulllet. Is the theif going to be like, ok, I just got shot in the leg, I am bleeding profusely, but hey, that was a .22, this guy is a wuss I am going at him now? come on.
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First, OP do you have a carry permit?

Second, I knew a guy who got shot in the head with a .22 pistol. The bullet lodged in his skull and other than a bump he was walking around fine. If your going that small get at least a .25

Third, why do you want to carry a gun?

 
The pocketable .22s like the NAA can be had in .22WMR for no real increase in size/weight. .22WMR beats out a .25 and a .32 and gets nearly .380 performance, granted in a much lighter bullet.

But rule #1 is have a gun. A .22 is better than nothing. And the worst thing you can do is buy something larger than what you are willing to carry. I'm not willing to generally go with anything over 10 ounces and tiny. Too uncomfortable for anything larger. If it doesn't fit in my pocket, I won't carry it. Depending on the pants (some have bigger pockets than others), I rotate between a North American Arms Mini in .22WMR and a Kel-Tec P3AT in .380.

An honorable mention goes to the S&W 340PD. Damn near perfect, but can't afford it right now 🙁 5 shot .357mag in a J Frame. 11.5 ounces. $650 🙁
 
Originally posted by: thepd7
I know everyone says that you need at least a .380 for self defense, but honestly, who the hell is going to keep coming at you after you shoot them with anything loud that hurts really bad? If you wanted to rob me and I started shooting at you with a .22, would you still want to rob me?

I understand the concept of stopping power but I just don't understand how many people wouldn't be dissuaded by getting shot/shot at with ANY size bulllet. Is the theif going to be like, ok, I just got shot in the leg, I am bleeding profusely, but hey, that was a .22, this guy is a wuss I am going at him now? come on.
Click to expand...

thats usually my argument but everyone on here seems to think that anyone that is going to attack or rob you is so doped up on drugs or alcohol that they won't feel it or something.

 
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