Concealed carry gun advice

[KnghtAzrael]

So it's getting close enough to spring I want to look for a concealed carry gun. I have a CZ P-01 but
it's to bulky for me for spring/summer carry. I've considered snub nose revolvers because they are
just the most reliable eaily maintained handguns but I like carrying on my hip (in wasit band) or
pocket and the cylinders buldge a bit for my likeing so I'm not going that route. So I'm back to
considering a .380, I know some people feel it lacks power but I'm not to worried with that as long
as I can hit what I aim at. I also am trying to avoid over penetration.

I've looked at the S&W Bodygaurd 380 and love the built in laser sight but it uncomftably small in
my hand. I'm worried if I'm not comftable with the grip it will be useless. So trying to balance costs,
reliability, comfort and concealability, I'm leaning towards a Bersa Thunder 380. I'm torn between
the standard Bersa Thunder or the Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry model. I've handled the standard
Bersa and like the feel but no one has the concealed carry model in stock. I'd love to get peoples
opinions or ideas on this before I put down money on one.

[TonyU]

Have you looked at the Ruger LCP.
Very concealable. Thay have a good write up.
Two people at my department own it and they seem to be very happy with it. Also while they had it at the range I have not seen any reliability issues with them them.

[Cliff Hargrave]

I sold my Bersa to buy my Ruger LCP. Here is the trade off. Bersa is bigger, heavier, harder to conceal. LCP is small, light, and you can conceal it anywhere. Bersa was much easier to shoot and held more rounds. The LCP is harder to shoot and has almost non existent sights. I carry real guns every day and bought the .380s as a second gun. Because of that, the LCP fits my needs. Sometimes when I am real lazy I will just grab the LCP when I run to the store or something, when in reality I should not. I have a Kel-tec clip installed on my LCP so it fits in the waistband easily. I personally would not want to carry a .380 as a primary gun but my needs are different than a civilian. Plus I have been carrying for a long time so my entire wardrobe and way of life has conformed around it. I have gone through many many different guns and holster combinations until I finally have the ones I like.

[KnghtAzrael]

I did look briefly at the Ruger LCP and LCR. My concern with the LCP is that it's the same size as the S&W bodygaurd 380. I love the concealability that the size affords but it feels really awkward in my hand. I don't feel I would hit much if I'm not comftable holding the gun. I know Bersa is a bit big but I'm thinking it's a balance point between to big like my CZ and to small Like the LCP and Bodygaurd. I'm leaning toward the .380 caliber for two reasons. The first being that in a small gun it will be pretty controlable and the second I'm hoping to get my wife shooting it. So far she sticks only with 22lr. I'm going to be giving this some thought untill I beleive I've made the right choice. Mainly right now I'm not sure how much the additional .5in and 5oz matters between the standard bersa and the CC model.

[Don Roley]

What about going with a Springfield or Glock sub compact? I own the Glock 26 and it can pretty much be concealed just as well as a PPK in .380. I even carry it in a pocket holster or down the front of my trousers. As for recoil, in 9mm it is not bad.

[Michael J. Bray]

There's not a lot I can add here. My Kimber Ultra Carry CDP .45 has served me well for the past eleven years. I've looked at the Ruger LCP and think it's a very good package. I often long for a smaller, lighter pistol, butI just can't seem to let go of the confidence that .45 gives me.

[Jon-Bhoy]

I got a sig 230 for christmas, great conceal and carry choice.

[southernrock]

Frangible ammo, like Glaser Safety Slugs, or CORBON, would address over penetration concerns, while allowing you to carry a weapon chambered for a more powerful round.

[TonyU]

I agree with Cliff. What I carry on duty I carry off. The only times are when I wear sweats to the gym or dojo then I carry my snubby.
I do not feel comfortable carrying anything less than a .38. If I can't wear the clothing because of concealment issues then I don't wear it. For example, I don't wear basketball shorts. If I wear shorts they have to have belt loops. It's a small price to pay for a tactical advantage.

Also, while over penetration is a concern do not stress over it too much. Worry about good tactics and shot placement. I have yet to see or read about a round going through someone and hitting someone else. I'm talking about pistol calibers here.

Anyway, another pistol that I know few people that are happy with is the Sig P238. It's a Browning action (1911) and comes with three dot night sights.

[KnghtAzrael]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I see I have a few more gun options to look at before I make my final decision. Maybe I can find a range that rents smaller guns and see if the uncomftable two finger grips wont bother my shooting. Luckily I live in a fairly safe area but part of this towns downtown has seen a rise in muggins, armed robberies, Drug crimes and a murder in the last few years. I carry a variety of things depending on where im going, weather ect so I'm not always armed with a gun. Sadly the most effective deterent seems to be a 44in long jo staff turned into a walking stick with a carbide tip *L*

SouthernRock yeah I've considered those. I have Glasers for my .357 mag it's usually loaded with those or Federla Hydra-Shock. My 9mm I keep loaded with MagTech Solid Copper Hollow points.

Tony I've always liked larger calibers myself too but with not being in LE or since being laid off even in security I find it harder to justify for my concealed carry purposes. I honestly wouldn't have even bought my 9mm except I wanted something that was also less expensive to shoot. However when it come to calibers I'm not a fan of the 40 cal. Unfortunately for me I'm a little over weight and have issues finding pants that fit me let alone pants that give me room for a good size gun in the waistband. In the winter I just use a shoulder rig under my coat. I do have some trainging in tactics and such and will be trying to take some courses when they are offered again. As for shot placement it's one of the reasons I was worried about the small grips on a lot of concealed carry guns. They just dont feel natural or comftable and I'm affraid it might throw my aim off or in a hurry cause me to drop the gun. I guess I'll take the advice you've all given me and look around a bit more try some things out if I can and hopefully find a good fit for me.

[Chokushin]

HI Ray

I must say I agree with Don..I think either the Glock-26 or the PPK in .380 are both excellent options...depending how small you need to go ..the Kimber Pro Carry II in .45 ..is a great CCW pistol. The Kimber is a bit larger, about the size of a Glock-19 which is another good choice.

But for super concealment ,which you seem to be looking at...I reiterate the G-26 and PPK are outstanding.

[ride57]

Hi, I have a keltec PF9 as I needed something that would fit in the pocket of my motor cycle jacket. I had read about the external extractor screws coming loose so I put locktite on it when I first got it. A little over 100 rounds and no issues . My Glock 19 is to big for the pocket, same with the glock 26. I have a herniated disc, so inside the waist band holsters are a big no-go for me

Doug

[DragonMind]

May I offer another option? My daily carry is a Springfield XD Compact in 45 ACP. I use a SmartCarry holster for it and have not been spotted carrying even when they knew I was. For those few occasions where that wasn't practical I have a Colt Govt 380 I carry in a Cell Pal holster. You might want to have a look at the US Concealed Carry Assoc site. Lots of good info on concealed carry.