The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: MandoFire42 on April 14, 2013, 07:54:09 PM
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I've been looking for a pistol I can carry. Im not a small person, but im not that big either. I tried a friends .45 if remember correctly rockwell did it with a hip holster under a shirt. It didn't look right.
My question is. For stopping power/concealablity I have 3 in mind.
Walther ppK
.380
P22
22 cal
P99
9mm
Or any other suggestions on a pistol would be very helpful
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Whatever you carry becomes a personal thing. I carry what the season allows in the Northeast. Lately, it's a snub nosed .38 but it could also be a Sig 9mm or small .45! I have access to all of the above. There are so many variables in ammunition today that most anything is viable with the exception of the .22 lr but if that's what you have it's better than a rock!
You're leaning towards the Walther brand, any particular reason?
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Owned a glock before. Didn't really want another. Ive seen a couple in the stores have a good feel. But I have been looking at other brands. Not just Walther.
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A big part of concealing a handgun comes from being comfortable with the gun/holster combo combined with a good belt. A good gun can be a pain in the butt if the holster/belt are of cheap materials. I'm a minimalist when it comes to holsters, it's gotta retain the gun and I want something light and leather but I always have a quality gun belt to support the weight of the gun.
For me, .380 is a light as I'd go for a defensive sidearm with a preference to 9 x 19 or .38 spcl as a minimum. Others will disagree I'm sure!
I've shot both the PPK and the P22 extensively and though I like the PPK but it's not something I'd want to carry every day when there are 9mm on the market that are lighter and easier to shoot. The P22 isn't something I'd own personally! My daughter has one and it's been a problem gun from the start. I have no experience with the P99...
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I will agree on the belt/holster combo. I think im going to have to do more research on this. I see an advertisement for ruger on here. Also saw one for the S&W bodyguard line. Thank you
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PPK is heavy and terrible trigger for a .380 platform... TPH is another story...especially if you like mouseguns... as I do...I carry off body with a full size 9mm in a JanSport bag when in the car... for pocket carry, the latest in a pretty long line of mouse guns is a Ruger LCP in an Andrews Pocket Holster, with a kydex flap I added to break up the outline... it rolls up and out of the way when the pistol is gripped... the SW M442 with Fobus paddle is for evening walks when the weather here in Florida allows a light jacket
(http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz180/LesSnyder/DSC00269.jpg) (http://s825.photobucket.com/user/LesSnyder/media/DSC00269.jpg.html)
I'm just a doddering old man with a very low perception of need
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I consider the .380 light, but folks love the LCPs. Lets start with this. What's your realistic budget? Then, how do you dress on most days? If we know those two things it makes it easier.
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Hello,
I think you've received some very good advice so far.
MandoFire42, it might help us to make a good suggestion if you could explain what you didn't like about the Glock. We could avoid recommending other designs that would give you the same problem. Was it grip angle? Trigger system? Something else?
V/R
Mike
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I've tried several different setups from full size pistols to the LCP but find my 9mm XD subcompact in a crossbreed holster to be my best combination of comfort, round count and concealability. YMMV
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Check out the Sig 938! Very accurate for a little 9mm. I have an LCP and am hoping to add the 938. Also carry an Officers ACP LW and a S&W Shield. Had a no lock 442 and sold it.
FWIW
Richard
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While I have a love of Walthers, there are better alternatives to the PPK. Smaller and lighter, like the LCP. The P99 is anything but small. While I owned one and loved it, there are better alternatives for concealed carry.
Look at the S&W Shield and the Bodyguards, as well as others mentioned here.
Personally, I carry an LCP on my body when I'm away from the house because it is so small and flat. Around the house/yard I tote a S&W M66 stainless in .357. It's also what I carry if I'm going in the woods where 4 legged encounters are a likely.
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I am liking what I see. The only reason im not going with another Glock is just want something different. I liked one I had. Never had any problems with it.
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I have three teenage daughters so "extra" money is rare as hen's teeth right now. I ratholed enough money two years ago to get a good pistol, wanted a FNP 45 but liked the XDM 45 and bought it. Its all I carry (I also shoot USPSA Limited with it), IWB kydex/leather hybrid. Years ago I carried a H&K USP IWB in a Milt Sparks holster which was just not very comfortable but like Clint Smith says "it ain't suppose to be comfortable, its suppose to be comforting." That being said my current holster is very comfortable and the fullsize pistol conceals pretty well on my big frame (I carried every day for 6 months before the wife noticed ;D ). My point is-take your time and find the right gun that fits you, has enough energy to deal with the threat and is something you will carry everyday because the coolest gun in the safe is worth less than a roll of nickels in your hand.
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My 2 favorite carry guns are my Glock 36 and my Ruger SR9C,I carry them in a good leather holster supported by an Uncle Mikes instructor belt.The belt is good and less than half of what a Wilderness cost.
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If you are looking at a .380, I would take a hard look at the Khar line. I have used one as a back up and deep consealment piece for years. They have the best D.A. type trigger going and have been utterly reliable. They can be pricey, but ya get a good value.
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:D I like Rugers LCP with a Hogue grip (takes away the bite for $8.00) and a Crimson Trace loaded with a 7+ Ruger magazine ($36.00 yes they are available if you know where to look) totalling 8 rounds of Hornady Defense.
Very Easy to Carry every day with any wardrobe.
BUT, you have to shoot it regularly to get hits on target. It has a VERY long trigger that takes time to master.
My wife has a LC380. Easy to shoot. A little bigger, not quite as easy to carry, also 7 +1 (8's are coming but not yet, $56 ouch!)
NO significant recoil and lots of Galloway trick LC9 parts are available to make it even better.
http://gallowayprecision.com/ (http://gallowayprecision.com/)
Shots on target right out of the box (after thorough cleaning). Still doesn't always lock back on empty.
LOOONG trigger so you have to get used to it.
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My 2 favorite carry guns are my Glock 36 and my Ruger SR9C,I carry them in a good leather holster supported by an Uncle Mikes instructor belt.The belt is good and less than half of what a Wilderness cost.
If you go to www.hanksclothing.com you will find an Amish-made leather belt that is virtually indestructible and the price is around $30. It's available in black or brown and can be ordered plain or with eagles embossed along its length. The belt is made from very robust steer hide and is just about bullet-proof.
I bought one many months ago and it is my daily wear supporting either my Glock 27 or my Rossi 971 .357 mag. usually in either a Fobus for the Glock or a leather pancake holster for the Rossi. Both guns are significantly weighty when loaded and the belt has enough gumption to support either of them.
Offered FWIW
Crusader Rabbit
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I went off the reservation for a BUG. I got a CZ-83 European Police surplus. More accurate than I, not much bigger than my hand, recoil is negligible as this is an all steel firearm (just don't go limp wristing). 12+1 Gold Dot's. Primary is a 1911 Gov't. Both in leather IWB's on a Hanks belt. That Hank's belt might even stop a bullet, it is that tough.
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Love my PPK/S Walther, but it is heavy, especially for S. Florida climate attire....Shorts/T-Shirts. Many options, however, my P3AT in a Nemesis holster with Speer Gold Dot, or Cor Bon SD ammo fits like your wallet and has stood the test of time with reliability, and wear.
My Colt Mustang Pocketlite .380 does also, but if involved in a SD shooting, it may get confiscated and mysteriously "lost"....
The pocket 9's seem to be the new thing, and plenty of options available.
It comes down to your comfort level. Remember higher capacity means more weight. Warm climate/cooler climate, makes a difference. Kahr and Sig make great concealed carry pistols. So does Charter Arms with their micro .22 magnum. However, as has been posted, it's a persona; choice.
My M&P compact .40 in a Galco Summer Comfort rig works great with jeans, but not with shorts. My Taurus Ultra-Lite .38 snub works in shorts with Remington Golden Saber +P's also...
Celebrate diversity. As I've posted, sometimes the right "one" finds you...
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MandoFire42, I'm curious to know how you plan to carry your firearm, since I think that has a lot of bearing on the recommendation. If you plan on limiting yourself to pocket carry, for example, that eliminates a lot of possibilities and pushes others higher up the list.
V/R
Mike
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I like the Kahrs. Pick a caliber - they're all good. (I love my K40). I also like the Kel Tecs. I have a P11. Hard to beat 11 rds of 9mm in a gun that weighs only 14oz empty. They have a lifetime no BS warranty. Put that in your pocket and you're good to go.
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I rotate between an S&W 442, Ruger SP101 & Glock 26. I use the DeSantis Nemesis & the Old Faithful IWB holsters.
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I own a Walther PK380, would strongly recommend a different .380. There has been a recall on some models due to safety no working properly. Mine was not one of those, but it does have some user friendliness issues I do not like: you have to have an empty magazine to lock the slide, the ejector does not eject well unless there is a magazine behind it sometimes allowing it to fall through the grip and 8 times out of 10 after chambering a round and dropping the magazine the next round will come loose. Customer service was a pain, haven't sent it off yet though... not looking forward to seeing how they handle that process. I don't care for the safety location, very awkward to disengage while drawing or while in grip. However, the little guy is incredibly accurate.
My eye has been on the Ruger LC9 since it is a very similar in size to it's .380 equivalent, and since the diameter of the bullets are the same ammo capacity should be similar.
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I've been looking for a pistol I can carry. Im not a small person, but im not that big either. I tried a friends .45 if remember correctly rockwell did it with a hip holster under a shirt. It didn't look right.
My question is. For stopping power/concealablity I have 3 in mind.
Walther ppK
.380
P22
22 cal
P99
9mm
Or any other suggestions on a pistol would be very helpful
This thread seemed to go off on a tangent , but I am going to reply to this post .
I'm not a big fan of the PPK ( I have shot 2 different PPKs neither were mine , but both had triggers that weren't to my liking & pistol is a large .380 )
.22 is not what I would recommend as a primary carry item for self defense
Brings us to the P99 ..,looks like an interesting piece .
Other
You have ruled out Glock
So my other suggestions would be
.380 COLT mustang ( I have an older 80s era Colt .380 Govt ) these are very accurate say to shoot . They have safety features and a lever for "safe" mode - I cannot say enough about this pistol . I carry this is a Desantis holster
Polymer striker fired pistols are popular for a reason . Don't fight it
Look at XDm 3.8, or new XDs in 9mm. ( I own a full size XDm 5.25 9mm - very high quality )
SIG makes a small .380 & 9mm single stack ( never owned either but hey give me time )
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To keep it back on topic:
I own and carried a PPK .380 for about 25 yrs. Mine is German, bought new in '67 and would only work with hot loads - my own handloads (4.2gr Unique on 90gr Sierra JHP), Super Vels and later CorBons (Hydra Shoks are too long OAL for my mags). Standard loads would stovepipe and i didn't want to get a replacement spring. Upside - coolness, and, with modern loads, probably reasonably effective. Downside - heavy"ish" gun, heavy DA trigger (but a nice SA letoff) and the slide would put "railroad tracks" on the web of the hand occasionally. Sights are OK. You can get modern technology DAO 9mm/.40/.45 to do exactly what the PPK does. Mine goes to the range periodically just to exercise it. I carry other guns now.
.22 cal - nope. not enough punch (except, possibly, .22 Mag in the Ruger revolver)
P99 - good option, but not small. Apples and Oranges comparison with a PPK.
It kind of goes full circle to the Kahr, KT, or Solo, Shield, XDs, etc for a carry gun. Go shoot a few and decide then.
Then buy a GOOD GUN belt and a decent holster and don't try to hide it under a tight T-shirt. ;D
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Then buy a GOOD GUN belt and a decent holster and don't try to hide it under a tight T-shirt. ;D
But how else would I show off my "guns"?
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In one of the threads, which I can't seem to find, we were posting pictures of our carry rigs.
Here's the 3 rigs for my LCP. One is IWB, one inside pocket and one is for ankle carry.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bBOqOkXrEYs/UcXjp6iHE3I/AAAAAAAAw30/wyBpC-rr3b8/s800/IMG_8481.JPG)
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My XDM was my everyday, everywhere carry for the last year. Here it is next to my Father's Day present an XDs both wearing their Concealment Solutions Black Mamba
(http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y445/Magoo541/C6CBA7E3-2DFB-49EF-A48E-6A3DC910B2E3-18075-000019C27A6CCA3B_zps996867a2.jpg?t=1372379707)