Everything You Need to Know About Subcompact Pistols

NRA Shooting Illustrated ^ | December 7, 2021 | JEFF GONZALES

[zeugma]

I have an LC9, that looks a lot like that one. Don’t really like shooting it, because the size makes it hard to get any real accuracy with it, but for ranges out to 10’ it’s good to go. Prefer my Sig 226, but it’s a bit bulky for EDC

[varyouga]

There were numerous studies of real world situations showing a .22 handgun is about half as likely to incapacitate an attacker than a 9mm. In some studies a third as likely.

I’d say a 50% chance that you’re likely to piss off an attacker instead of stopping him is good reason to carry at least 9mm for self defense...

Yes, the larger calibers above .40 have diminishing returns and not worth carrying for most people. But all studies do point to 9mm as the bare minimum for defense.

[Chode]

yup, my .32 Tomcat is same size

[FreedomPoster]

Beretta Pico.

6+1 .380

Very thin, carries in a slipcase pocket holster like a 2nd wallet. Actually is thinner than my wallet most of the time. Worth considering.

https://www.beretta.com/en/pico/

[Wayne07]

With modern options, no reason to carry anything smaller than 9mm anymore. P365 gets you 10 rounds of 9mm in a very small, shootable, package.

[Big Red Badger]

Bond Arms in .410 is
a fine choice.
Well made.
God Bless Texas!

[Blood of Tyrants]

I never notice this until a friend pointed it out: On the old Superman with George Reeves, he would stand as they bounced bullets off him and he ducked when they threw the empty revolver at him.

[Reno89519]

Early on, I favored the Glock 42. Then Sig came out with the P365, which was nearly identical size, but 9 mm and larger capacity and easier to shoot. The Glock 43 was a nonstarter in my opinion, too hard to shoot. I do have a Ruger LCP II for when I need a really really small pistol. But I do not consider it as dependable as the Sig.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

“like people did in the old Superman shows.”

I used to laugh when someone would shoot Superman in the chest and he would arrogantly stand there while the ‘bullets’ would bounce off of his chest.

Then, when the criminal would throw his gun at Superman, he would duck!

ROFL

[Old Yeller]

I never notice this until a friend pointed it out: On the old Superman with George Reeves, he would stand as they bounced bullets off him and he ducked when they threw the empty revolver at him.

Aw that's an easy one. The gun contained Kryptonite powder.

[COBOL2Java]

I used to laugh when someone would shoot Superman in the chest and he would arrogantly stand there while the ‘bullets’ would bounce off of his chest.

Then, when the criminal would throw his gun at Superman, he would duck!

Did Superman Really Duck When An Empty Gun Was Thrown At Him?

[PatrioticRose]

With regard to self-defense, I don’t see why small caliber is disparaged so often.

Where I live, I do need something that will discourage a bear or wolf; even in town. Last year a black bear came up the ramp from the harbor floating docks as I was arriving home from work. Just a cub, scampering to get back to...

...Mamma Bear in the parking lot behind the dumpster!!!!

.357 ready. No shots needed. The little fur ball scooted past with Mama scolding as they headed toward Main Street.

OTOH, if your main concern is protection against feral humans, a .380 is probably just fine. I would even go to a .22LR.

[Pollster1]

My Kel-Tec P3AT is no fun at all to shoot. It's way too small to be comfortable to hold, the sights are useless, and the trigger is terrible.
That said, I can put all six rounds in a soup can at 20 feet in five seconds [I cheat - my P3AT has a laser, and I replaced the battery last week.]
I won't shoot it empty twice in a row, because I prefer to enjoy shooting, but that gun will do its job. If you absolutely need the smallest, most concealable semiautomatic, the P3AT in a holster is smaller and less noticeable than my iPhone in its protective case.

[Buttons12]

I’m in bear country too, but fortunately the armed rednecks vastly outnumber the bears.

[smokingfrog]

LoL