[tailbuster]

Hi everybody,

I will be getting my ccw in a couple of weeks and need some advice. I want a pistol that is very light, barely noticeable and easy to carry. My questions are.

1. Are there significant differences between manufacturers in accuracy with 2" barrels or are they all pretty similar because of the short barrel? If there are differences what models have the best accuracy -but see question 2?

2. Most likely caliber would be similar to a .380. I was thinking a revolver because of the possibility of an accidental discharge with a semi. Do all the small semi's have a built in grip safety to help eliminate that? For you semi folks, do you carry with one in the chamber? I'm concerned about the time to chamber a shell in a time of extreme need. Am I not thinking correctly on this?

3. For something very light, what is your preferred carry method? Pocket or elsewhere?

4. Finally what would you choose that meets what I want?

Thank you for your time and help. Your opinions and experience are appreciated.

all the best,
john

 

[Dave375hh]

John,
Given your description of what you would like in a CCW handgun. I'd suggest a Kel-Tec P-3AT. It's a 380acp that weighs 7.7 OZ empty, it's double action only and is no more prone to accidental discharge than a revolver. The DAO is the only safety on the pistol. I use mine in hot weather carried in a nylon pocket holster that will conceal in even jogging shorts and a t-shirt. When I'm wearing more clothes I carry a Glock 32 in .357Sig. I've carried just about every type of gun from derringers to 1911's to S&W mod 29 .44mag. The autos are easier to conceal because they're flat and don't have the cylinder bulge of a revolver. I have 3, 2" snubnose revolvers a S&W 60, Colt Det Spl, and a S&W 317(this ones the wifes) but I don't carry them anymore. The autos won me over.

 

[uglydog]

I'll give my impressions on your questions:

1) I feel accuracy with the various small revolvers to be fairly comparable but that is not true regarding quality. S&W, Colt, and Ruger are the one's I would trust and I shy away from the others, especially Rossi and others of that ilk. Some talk well of Taurus but I have not been impressed with them in the least, the fit and finish seems to vary per gun and I prefer more consistency in a weapon. A small gun, regardless of caliber, requires more practice to learn to use than a larger one as the small size actually works against using it effectively. A light gun falls into the same category with a small, light gun being one of the hardest to gain proficiency with.

2) Semi-autos come in a huge variety of designs and in a particular model, you may find some that have safeties and some that don't. Those that are double action or striker fired frequently come without safeties as they are not any different than a revolver. A gun carried for defense should always be carried with one in the chamber as it takes too long to ready the gun for action otherwise. The only way to prevent an accidental or negligent discharge is familiarity, training, and most importantly, using one's head. Just as one goes through various procedures and practices while driving a car to avoid accidents, one has a similar routine to e safe with a gun. If you have concerns, talk to your CCW instructor as to where to get additional training. A revolver chambered in 38 Special is the most common and is also the least expensive to purchase ammo for.

3) For the vast majority of all my concealed carry use I use an inside waist band carry holster. I don't care for pocket carry as I carry a ton of junk in mine and the gun just gets mixed up with everything. I also find the gun helps to balance out the phone, work pager, spare magazine, and Leatherman or lock blade knife I carry on the other side of my body. Occasionally I'll carry a very light gun in an ankle holster but that is mainly in a back up role to the regular gun.

4) Already mentioned, for revolvers look at Smith & Wesson, Ruger, or Colt (no longer produced so would have to find a used one).

My carry gun is most frequently a Springfield XD Service model with 4" barrel. I pick a full sized gun as with a good quality IWB holster, good belt, and a slight bit of thought given toward the clothes I wear, it is as easy to conceal as many smaller guns. Its larger size and weight is much more controllable to shoot and the slightly larger capacity gives me greater piece of mind. When I feel concealment is very important, I carry a much smaller Kel-Tec P-40 or P-11, again in an IWB. This is mainly when I have to wear tighter fitting clothes which might cause a larger gun to print. I haven't carried a revolver in years as I find them to be more uncomfortable to carry than a flat semi-auto. That cylinder just digs into my side too much. I also do not care for the size and shape of the grip on most small revolvers as they just do not fit my hand all that well.
Before buying a gun, try out as many as you can before hand. If you can find a range that rents guns, that would be very helpful or you could talk to your CCW instructor and he/she might be able to get a few different models for you to try.

 

[Captn66]

I carry a Glock 39, and yes there's one in the chamber. There's no grip safety or thumb sweep safety to get in the way or fumble with . . . . very similar in that respect to a revolver. I use an IWB holster. Its small, farily light, and accurate enough for the range in which it would most likely (hopefully never) have to be used.

I used to carry a 92FS, but I had to put way too much thought into clothing to conceal it. It ended up staying home most of the time.

 

[rjf32]

In regards to carrying one in the chamber make sure to check your state law. My CCW instructor told me that in Utah we are not able to carry one in the chamber. My brother-in-law in Colorado (state trooper) said that there you can carry one in the chamber.

 

[Roadkill Bill]

Small and light. Two popular options:

1. Kel-Tec P3AT in .380. My wife bought one. Loves the size. It was supposed to be a backup for her SP101. However, it jams after every 2 or 3 shots. Most folks love them, and never have any problems with them.

2. Smith & Wesson Airweights in .38+P. Hammer, hammerless, or shrouded hammer. Points great, NEVER jams. Proven design. I carry the Bodyguard (shrouded hammer).

Both will fit in any pocket with a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster. Those are my suggestions for small and light.

Small and powerful (not light):
1. Ruger SP101. (.357)
2. S&W 2.5" K-frame. Models 13, 19, 65, 66 (.357)
3. Glock 36. (.45 ACP)

 

[UncleFudd]

A couple of thoughts from my point of view.

Your accuracy regardless of gun choice will be based soley upon the time you put into your practice. Shooting and dry-fire.

Go to your local range if they have a rental program and try as many of the types of concealeable guns as you possibly can to remove what the other guy is comfortable with. There are many brands and styles revolver and auto that will work and will make great conceal guns. What is best for you is based probably on your physical size and what you wear most of the time you will be carrying.

Everything from 22 up will work if you pracrice and none of them will if you don't. Whatever you choose, make sure you have a plan and stick to it for training and for constant practice.

One thing I'll bet everyone on this forum who has carried on a regular basis will agree on is accuracy with a hangun is like algebra. If you do it all the time you will remember/retain your proficiency. If not it will go away faster than your last memory of your algebra class.

As for the people who say you cannot or can carry a round in the pipe.
There are currently no states that regulate whether you can or cannot carry a round in the pipe, period.
UncleFudd