guns

[PharmBoy]

If you are looking for a "pocket pistol" that is small, powerful, and well made, take a look at the Kahr PM40.  It isn't cheap, but it is as powerful as anything its size and has been reliable and easy to carry...Jim

[Gavin_Sons]

If you are looking for a "pocket pistol" that is small, powerful, and well made, take a look at the Kahr PM40.  It isn't cheap, but it is as powerful as anything its size and has been reliable and easy to carry...Jim

Now it is Valk related. I did watch some videos on the Kahrs and everyone seems to like them. One guy compared the kahr 9 with the new glock. The glock is skinnier and a half inch longer. He said out of all the "mirco compact" pistols these 2 were by far the best shooters with the glock with just a hair of an advantage.

[Regis]

any of them are deadly , plus it depends on the round . She only uses Hydroshock ammo.

[Gavin_Sons]

any of them are deadly , plus it depends on the round . She only uses Hydroshock ammo.

I use hydroshocks and the hornady zombie max. You know, just in case 

[Gavin_Sons]

I do like that 27 a bunch too. Not that much bigger than the 42 and you also get 9 rounds in the mag of 40 cal instead of 6 rounds of 380. Plus im a huge 40 cal fan. Think I might have found a winner winner chicken dinner. I need to stop by and check yours out.

[Pappy!]

Also take a look at the Sig P238. That is one sweet piece of machinery. Very well made and with the extended clip it feels natural in your hand. Quite a few LEOs choose this one for a back up weapon.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Im really liking the glock. I use to have a 23 and should have never got rid of it. Still waiting to see how fast my gun guy can get one. Hope he can get it quick.

The Glock is what I was going to mention. As of 2 days ago, I didn't have any distributors who had them. Older shops will get preference on them though.

One other handgun you might consider is the new Remington 9mm. I was talking to a Remington tech on the phone about a customer's 1911, the tech was really impressed with the natural way the new Remington shoots. The recoil spring is around the barrel like a Whitney Wolverine instead of below the barrel which lets the barrel set lower in the frame. Less muzzle flip that way. Can't remember what it weights though.

My Mother-in-law has an M & P in 9mm. It's not my favorite gun but it seems to be a good dependable firearm.

[Jess from VA]

Glock 42

[Trynt]

If you are looking for a "pocket pistol" that is small, powerful, and well made, take a look at the Kahr PM40.  It isn't cheap, but it is as powerful as anything its size and has been reliable and easy to carry...Jim

Now it is Valk related. I did watch some videos on the Kahrs and everyone seems to like them. One guy compared the kahr 9 with the new glock. The glock is skinnier and a half inch longer. He said out of all the "mirco compact" pistols these 2 were by far the best shooters with the glock with just a hair of an advantage.

+1 on the Kahr

[chip]

Gavin_Sons ,I have the .380 BodyGuard, and recently had a chance to carry and shoot the LPC while making a holster for a friend. After having owned and practiced with the Bodyguard I have become proficiant with it. Do not let the laser influence your purchasing it for a carry gun. Its a fun toy to have on the pistol but its not an instant on type and not a great location for the button. I dont believe at close range when the stuff hits the fan I will be concerned about turning on the laser. The LPC fits in my pocket well because of its lack of sights and its softened edges, but I could not shot it nearly as accurate as the bodyguard. Was it the gun or me having not practiced with it? Then on the other hand ,have you ever heard anyone say" I wish I would have brought a smaller gun to gun fight?

[Disco]

Must respectfully disagree with disco regarding the Diamondback pistols.  We bought a 9mm version (DB9).

And I bought the .380.  The OP said "small", and they are both small, but the 9 is about 1/2" longer.  All options mentioned here are compromises for some other consideration.  Diamondback themselves acknowledge some of the compromises of a 9mm that small with their limitations on bullet weight and powder charge.  But, if you're going for small, it is tiny. 

I prefer shooting the DB380 over the LCP and Kel-Tec, and I was going for small and "walletable".  I love the Kahr, but didn't want to spend >$600 for a pocket gun.  Love the 238, but didn't want a mini-1911 - don't want to have to rack it and don't trust cocked and locked in my pocket.  Plus, they are relatively heavy.  PPK and clones are beautiful, but too big for what I wanted.  Never had a Bersa Thunder, but a buddy loves them. 

I love my 23, but it's too big (to me) to be out of a fanny pack, tank bag, or jacket.  I like Dad's 27, but it's still thick and I don't shoot it well.  I can drive nails with my old S&W 659 9mm, but it's as thick as a brick with its Pachmayrs on.  (sorry Jethro)  Revolvers are neat, but I don't want to carry one. 

It all boils down to the right combination of what the intended purpose is, what you can shoot well, what you want, and what you want to spend.  There are lots of good options.  After all, Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors.

[BnB Tom]

  If you're looking to intimidate the aggressor, I suggest the biggest bore you can carry that the aggressor can see.

  If you're looking for a weapon/caliber that kills things . . .    the lowly .22 has been caliber of choice for more assassins than you can imagine!

  I personally have enjoyed the rewards of a 160 lb. mule deer doe which was taken (illegally by land owner's 16 years old son) with a .22 at 30 yards.  (Good venison)

  Personally, I'm too old and too slow to be without something other than a pocket knife.

And, Oh Yes. 

   We DO ride Valkyries.  So we DO like things that are BIG, POWERFUL AND INTIMIDATING ! 

[Jess from VA]

I'm not big on intimidation factor for carry.  The plan is for nobody to see it until maybe they see a muzzle flash.  Felon surprise!

The one certain thing about carry pieces..... it's all about compromise (size, weight, width, caliber, capacity, action, trigger, sights, and reliability).  Having obtained this compromise, you have something that is less fun and accurate to shoot than most anything else you own, yet it may be more important than anything else you own.  Practice (shooting and carrying) with the little bastard is really a good idea, whatever it is.

Here is my constant companion, more often than I carry.

[bigguy]

The one certain thing about carry pieces..... it's all about compromise (size, weight, width, caliber, capacity, action, trigger, sights, and reliability).  Having obtained this compromise, you have something that is less fun and accurate to shoot than most anything else you own, yet it may be more important than anything else you own.  Practice (shooting and carrying) with the little bastard is really a good idea, whatever it is.

True that. The first rule of gun fights is, "Bring a Gun." With all other things being equal, bigger is better. But a .22 in you hand beats the heck out of a .45 in your gun safe WTSHTF.
I've settled for a Ruger SR9c IWB at 3-O-Clock and an LCP in the right hip pocket as my BUG. I don't shoot them as much as I should, but I wouldn't want to be the guy I'm shooting at either. On the day my life depends on a quick draw, I'm screwed. But I really have a hard time imagining a scenario where I could ever be good enough to beat somebody to the draw from cover. If I've got time to uncover, then by definition, I don't need a quick draw.
The most valuable quality you can look for in a defense gun, is it being something you will carry.

[czuch]

SW Lady Smith. .38 and fits good in my 2X hand. Also I was at a gun buy back and had a sign.
The nice lady said she would sell it to a responsible gal rather than have it destroyed.
(I took the wife). She told the nice lady that they were giving $50 Safeway coupons in exchange, and would $50 be good? She took it, and we got a NEW Lady Smith in the box with the zippered pouch. Its my favorite. Cabela's had it on sale,,,,$475.
Private sale, in a Police station parking lot. God I love America.

[Tx Bohemian]

The first rule of gun fights is, "Bring a Gun." With all other things being equal, bigger is better. But a .22 in you hand beats the heck out of a .45 in your gun safe WTSHTF.

True that!!

...I really have a hard time imagining a scenario where I could ever be good enough to beat somebody to the draw from cover. If I've got time to uncover, then by definition, I don't need a quick draw.

Agree here too (I hope to God I never have to find out).

Maybe a lot of us are picturing Matt Dillon at the beginning of "Gunsmoke" where the two line up at opposite ends of the street and the ones that's a quicker draw and better shot gets to walk away.
(from what I understand it never really happened that way ever)

[Gavin_Sons]

People are idiots for giving their guns up like that. If we ever have one here im going with a briefcase full of 50 dollar bills and buying every one of them.

[Jess from VA]

Most gun buy backs are in cities, and most of what shows up is pure junk (often rusted, inoperable, missing parts).  Most times, the amount paid per gun is well over what that junk is worth, but it's paid anyway cause it's all blow and no show: just BS PC PR and a waste of taxpayer money.  However, like the story above, once in a while Grandma (a pauper on a fixed income) brings in a true collector worth real money (like Grandad's original 1873 Winchester), and they give her the same $50 everyone gets.

[NICKYBOY]

XDM....way too big for c & c.   XDS....just right!

Yes SIR

[Crazy Dago]

   If you could find a FI Industries 380 , a copy of the Colt Pony great little firearm . Looks like a small 45. It carrys well, fits on hip in belt. Bought mine back in the 70's. Jacketed hollow points 88 gr. and double tap will most likely get you out of trouble.  Bert

[fudgie]

The first rule of gun fights is, "Bring a Gun." With all other things being equal, bigger is better. But a .22 in you hand beats the heck out of a .45 in your gun safe WTSHTF.

True that!!

...I really have a hard time imagining a scenario where I could ever be good enough to beat somebody to the draw from cover. If I've got time to uncover, then by definition, I don't need a quick draw.

Agree here too (I hope to God I never have to find out).

Maybe a lot of us are picturing Matt Dillon at the beginning of "Gunsmoke" where the two line up at opposite ends of the street and the ones that's a quicker draw and better shot gets to walk away.
(from what I understand it never really happened that way ever)

Thats why I open carry. 

[NICKYBOY]

This is what I carry when I don't take my medication!

[Gavin_Sons]

I have a couple places trying to track down a glock. Im going to head over to the gun store this morning to hold several different models.

[MP]

SW Lady Smith. .38 and fits good in my 2X hand. Also I was at a gun buy back and had a sign.
The nice lady said she would sell it to a responsible gal rather than have it destroyed.
(I took the wife). She told the nice lady that they were giving $50 Safeway coupons in exchange, and would $50 be good? She took it, and we got a NEW Lady Smith in the box with the zippered pouch. Its my favorite. Cabela's had it on sale,,,,$475.
Private sale, in a Police station parking lot. God I love America.

Got my wife one at Friends of NRA years back. Nice gun!

I pd more!  LOL

MP

[solo1]

Primary carry here will be a Glock 22, 40 cal in a OWB.  Alternate carries are .38 Special Centennial, .380 Bersa Thunder, .44 CA bulldog, and a Glock 35, 40 cal. Maybe even a Vacquero .357 Ruger SA.

All of the guns mentioned here are good. We don't pick junk for Carry.

I also use 15-40 Rotella in my bike.  A new thread, maybe?

[Gavin_Sons]

Haha wayne, just got back from the gun shop and said he has 6 glock 42 on order but dosent know when they will start showing up. He did get a used one in but I was too late, got sold on monday. Held a diamondback, a colt 380, kel-tec, springfield xds, ruger lcp, and a glock 26. I like the size of the glock but would want a 27, said he would have one before the end of the week. And the diamondback seemed like a nice gun but could use some work on the trigger. Think im still holding out to get my hands on the glock 42.

[Jetflyer]

If you are sticking to the .380 caliber... hold out and wait for the Glock 42 and see how it feels. All of the other choices will still be available if you don't like it. The chances of you being in grave imminent danger within the next few months are slim (l would hope).

I would expect a 9mm version of this gun to be released next year.

[Gavin_Sons]

Yeah im holding out so I can hold the glock 42. If they do come out with a 9mm next year, depending on how I like the 380 ill probably buy a 9mm as well.

[threevalks]

               This is what I carry. It's small enough to fit in jean pocket, vest pocket, even shirt pocket. If you think a .22 LR is too small a caliber, get shot by one, then decide.

[fudgie]

Twice now due to panics and location 45ACP ran out.  The first time it was bare from the shelves for one and a half years and this time around it was a little less than a year.  40's you'll be real good as it is always on the shelf but I would buy a stash just in case.  I have held back a big reserve for the next panic.

.45 stay on the shelf here longer then anything. Have not seen .380 in over a year. Same for .22 LR

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Here's another new .380 that you might want to consider too. A bud's carry gun is the Nano and it's a great gun. I don't know anyone yet who has the Pico.

http://www.berettausa.com/pico/

[RONNIEB]

Folks think i'm nuts but primary carry is a comander sized 1911 in 45 acp.Back up is either a keltec 380 (p3at) kelt ec 9mm (pf9) or kahr 9mm (cw9). The back up for the back up is a boker or sog tactical folder. used to own one of the baretta model 21 22lr, has no mechanical extractor, relies onblow back pressure to exdtract fired case, same with the 25 and 32 cal berettas. I personally do not trust that.
main thing carry what you can shot best. would rather be shot at and missed 6 times with a 44 mag than hit once with a BB gun

[Gavin_Sons]

People ask ronnie what he is so scared of, hes says not a damn thing. 

[solo1]

Ronnie, I had a Tomcat and never had a problem with reliability. The lack of an extractor was no problem. It's a gun that is easy for weak wrists and grip as there is no need to rack the slide, especially on the heavier main springed .32.

[therapist]

This would concern me a bit- otice: Due to potential cyclical problems involving recoil energy, Diamondback Firearms does not recommend the use of any 9mm SAMMI Specification ammunition in bullet weights exceeding 124 grain.

The use of +P, +P+, reloaded, or NON-SAMMI Spec ammunition will void the firearms warranty.

If you like Glocks, consider one of these.  They are, essentially, mini-Glocks and they are small.



.380 http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com/product?id=23


9mm http://www.diamondbackfirearms.com/category?cat=7

[BnB Tom]

               ... If you think a .22 LR is too small a caliber, get shot by one, then decide.

  Agreed 

And a .22 Mag is even better and sometimes smaller.  (ie North American Arms' 5 shot Pug.)

  Modern .22 caliber ammo available today makes a world of difference.  Makes the ammo you bought 5 years ago seem near obsolete. 

  So get out there and shoot that crap.  Buy some new stuff and help support the economy. 

[PharmBoy]

Those little Beretta .22lr thingies are really a nice little pocket pistol (I mean shirt pocket).  Have one in stainless that I used to carry and never felt that I wanted anything bigger until I saw the Kahr PM 40.  I have really enjoyed the Kahr & one of my sons has a Kahr MK40 Elete which he has had for some time and never said anything bad about it.  However, if I was only going to have one pistol, I think that it would be a .22lr because it is much easier to hit what you shoot at with a .22 rimfire and you can afford to get in a lot more practice...Jim

[Clark]

this thread got me wantin a 380.. but as of now I cant find ammo ANYWHERE..IF and when I do I will buy 500 rounds.. THEN I will figure out which piece I want.

[Gavin_Sons]

Glad we could feed your addiction clark.  im still on the hunt for the glock 42

[Gavin_Sons]

After a long search and holding many different pocket guns I ended up finding a glock 42 online. It should be at my dealer mid week. Cant wait to put a few hundred rounds down range.