Posted on 05/17/2018 2:31:51 PM PDT by dirtboy
.380 versus .32? What models? Also, best ammo. Looking for best combination of stopping power, accuracy and recoil. Not looking for this to be primary concealed carry weapon.
Lots of recs for large caliber weapons ... don’t do it. They are heavy, clumsy and the possible collateral damage can be great. Safest pocket carry is a revolver (not pistol) of >.32 and <.45. Remember you said ‘pocket’ carry ...
In a real life situation it is the first guy that gets his weapon out that controls the situation. A perp may have a .50 cal Desert Eagle in his waistband but if you get your pistol out before he does, your caliber won’t matter. Perp will disappear.
Just MHO ...
IMHO the Ruger LCR has a better trigger than the S&W.
While an autoloader may be thinner the shape of a snubby revolver is actually easier to conceal for most people.
The LCR is available in both +P and .357 versions. The .357 is a real handful, but beats 9mm. It can be had with a Crimson Trace laser grip.
Keltec PF9 - the Zimmerman special. 9mm, 7+1 rounds, ultra light, inexpensive.
i have a ruger lcp. love it.
Nonsense. I saw James Bond shoot down a moving helicopter from a moving boat at 200 yards using his .32 caliber PPK.
I agree, carry the PP Walther it can put 5 rounds in a quarter size target at 15 feet. Shoot for the eyes, they can’t see they can’t fight! 8+1 is all you need. Browning was ahead of his times.
Rounds on target, center mass. .32ACP 73gr S&B FMJ: 16" penetration in ballistic gel.
It's tiny, though - almost like a toy.
“but my wife regularly carries an older Walther PPK on her person.”
I bought my wife a Walther PPK as well. But, the slide is a bear to pull back, even for me. Consequently, she is afraid to carry it. Is the slide difficult to pull back in your wife’s PPK? Just curious.
I wouldn’t go with the Ruger LCP — its too inaccurate.
I recommend the Bersa 380. It’s accurate, well-balanced and goes in my pocket well.
I wouldn’t go with the Ruger LCP — its too inaccurate, lots of recoil.
I recommend the Bersa 380. It’s accurate, well-balanced, not much recoil, and goes in my pocket well.
Well, lets just say you can't legally pocket carry.
I had an interesting conversation a while back at a gun range where we can rent pistols to try. I wanted my wife to try some smaller calibers for possible concealed carry, and asked what they had in .380. The range attendant said they don’t feel the .380 has adequate stopping power, and steered us toward a cool little 9mm: the Kahr Arms PM9. It was very compact (6+1), and I could not believe how cool it was to shoot. I shot a better group with it the first try than with either of my regular guns. I’d buy one in a heartbeat if I had not already spent my budgeted allowance for such toys. :-)
My wife keeps a round chambered. She dun screw around. But, honestly, she’s never complained, she’s fired dozens of handguns and that is her favorite (it was Lady Smith before the PPK). I think the weapon she has is from the 50’s, I’m not sure if that makes a difference, we got it from an auction. I’ve never fired another PPK, just the one we have. I say it’s similar to the Taurus 380 we have (but like I said, I think she likes the Walther because she loves Sean Connery).
I personally prefer either a 22 Beretta or or Taurus PT-22 (which is a knock-off of the Beretta) loaded with Stinger 22 long rounds for greater power. They each can hold up to 8 round or 9 if you leave one in the chamber...which you sort of have to do with the Taurus until it gets broke in because it is so hard to cock. Fits nicely concealed in your pock holster. Have several others but prefer this style.
The answer is......it depends.
I collect pre-end of WW1 .32 Auto pistols. I am an engineer by training and have been a long time shooter. So between studying collectibles and my technical knowledge, I think I can provide you with some insights. I have concealed carry licenses in multiple states. I prefer pocket carry.
I have a variety of pocket carry firearms. I will choose a different one for different situations.
Serious deep woods pocket carry; In a big jacket pocket or hiking cargo pants pocket is An Astra .44 Rem Magnum stainless steel snub nose revolver called a Terminator.
Moderate deep woods, Mountain biking or rural exploring. Taurus snub nose .357 Mag. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.
Serious urban pocket carry mostly concealed, in choice of 9mm, Sig 938 nightmare, Ruger LC9s, or Keltec PF-9 after fluff and buff. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.
Ultra concealable or dressing up carry. KelTec AT-3 in .38 Auto, with a good pocket holster (that I made for myself) Doesn't print, holds and extra magazine fits in dress pants pocket.
Now two important topics you should be asking about but haven't.
(1) Small pistol shooting physics. Yes Physics as in mass, energy, recoil. One of the problems with “mouse guns” as some call pocket pistols, is that they are very small, very light weight and at the ragged edge of firearm design.
Anyone can reliably shoot a M1911-A1 as it is big and heavy. It takes talent to shoo reliably an ultra small ultra light weight mouse gun. To reliably eject a spent semi-auto round after firing, the action needs to be fully worked and the slide travel the full distance. If for any reason your hand/arm absorbs some of the recoil that was suppose to cycle the action to eject and then cleanly load a new round, the firearm will potentially jamb. This is called “limp writing” and has nothing to do with wrist strength. It has to do if recoil energy is transferred from the firearm to shooters hand/arm. Practice helps avoid limp wristing, but it is common in small ultra-concealment semi-auto firearms that are over designed.
(2) Ammo selection. While the most favored WW2 French Resistance concealed carry pocket pistol was the Baby Browning FN .25 caliber, which in some circles was known as s stomach belly gun. Very concealable, but unless into the brain through a skill opening not all that lethal.
Also there are probably more bodies that have been put in European cemeteries with .32 Auto pistols than any other caliber. For decades it was used by police, military and civilians. In fact a .32 Auto pistol was the concealed carry favorite that John M Browning liked to carry. If something was good enough for him (and he could have had any pistol in the world), it should be good enough for just about anyone.
While I have lots of .32 Auto pistols, that would not be my first choice in caliber. I would go up to either a .380 (9mm Kutz), 9mm Makarov, or 9mm Luger round. They are 3 different rounds and are not interchangeable.
For ammo you need to choose something that your pocket carry firearm shoots reliably and that is absolutely critical. My Keltec PF-9 likes anything designed by Hornady. It is not reliable with Winchester silver-tip ammo. My Sig 938, Ruger LCPs love Hornady Crtical Defense ammo. My KelTec AT-3 loves Hornady .380 Critical Defense Ammo.
Something you might want to look into for ammo is Buffalo Bore custom ammo. Most ammo is loaded to below SAAMI cartridge specifications. Buffalo Bore loads to SAAMI specs and should be safe for modern firearms in good condition. Because of our litigious society some commercial manufacturers of ammo load to less than SAAMI power levels and offer customers +p and +P+ heavy loads.
Very short barreled firearms whether revolver or semi-auto or prone to huge muzzle flash that can blind you in low light conditions. Some commercial ammo designed for short barreled firearms uses powers that is less prone to muzzle flash. Again, the key is to get some range time in on an early evening to see how the ammo performs.
Good luck, Pocket carry is my favorite form of concealed carry. Enjoy! Just make sure you practice.
A Glock 19 9MM same holster manufacturer (highly recommended) weighs 30 oz+ (11 rounds)- 15 round mag.
Basically it's 2 pounds on your hip unless you always wear a coat and a shoulder-holster you're hauling around 2 pounds on your hip.
A friend of mine ALWAYS carries a tiny little 5 round 22LR in his pocket and calls it a "belly gun". Got that tip from a decorated vet the size of a large bear.
He always has it, very lightweight, put it in your sock if you like but its for up close and personal.
Shoved against a guy's guts and fired will end any resistance on his part along with anything else he may have had in mind.
No chance of missing your target. The bullet makes the hole but the explosive follow-on gases will destroy most nearby organs/arteries/veins.
For women, your bad guy is likely to be up close and personal. Carry what you can use but always carry. After you shoot him do me a favor and say "Surprise!". ;-)
Disclaimer: Newer polymer guns may be much lighter - happy to hear any updates. The belly gun explanation was the point of the post.
For the ladies: I saw this and searched for it in particular - a tie it anywhere "scarf" for carry: https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/01/lethal-lace-concealed-carry-holster-women/
Also this site looks interesting: https://www.gungoddess.com/collections/holsters
No connection whatsoever with listed sites. YMMV.
That’s not true.
There’s really only one pocket handgun on earth, that would be the Smith and Wesson model 642.
Your choice of .38 special loads, whatever you like.
All the others are knockoffs.
JMHO...
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