Look at the Sig Sauer P232 .380 (DA/SA) loaded with MagSafe. Lightweight, accurate, easy to control, easy to conceal even in a pocket. I carry an earlier version, the P230.
MagSafe ammo gives remarkable stopping power. From their web site:
"MagSafe's .380 beat every .45 ACP slug, every 10mm, every 9mm (including police-only ammo), every .40 caliber - no matter who made it - Cor-Bon, Remington, Glaser and HydraShok.
"In fact, MagSafe's lowest-powered .380 ACP load had an AIT faster than the best manstopper of all time - Remington's .357 Magnum 125-grain JHP!"
Thanks for the suggestions... I can see how the smaller size and the contoured shape of the P232 may make it more convenient and comfortable for carrying in a holster than a P226. At this time I don't have a need to carry other than between my home and the range, although that could change. My immediate interest is in becoming more proficient and knowledgeable about shooting generally, and will probably try out a number of different guns before I actually make a purchase decision. The ultimate goal would be both to have a pistol at home for just-in-case protection, and to learn to shoot with accuracy. A lot to learn...
I've never put much faith in "stopping power" stats. Look at the kinetic energy of the bullet. I believe the 9mm cartridge (which according to some is not powerful enough) has about twice as much energy as the .380.
In fact, MagSafe's lowest-powered .380 ACP load had an AIT faster than the best manstopper of all time - Remington's .357 Magnum 125-grain JHP!"
Remind me to never buy ammo from these guys. That is simply an absurd claim to make.
With so many compact 9mm pistols now available, I just don't see much use for the .380 anymore.
I will take a look at the P232 the next time that I visit my local gun shop. It looks like it is lighter in weight and more easily concealable than the P226, although I suppose that it comes at the expense of limited magazine capacity. Scully and Mulder carried their P226's around all the time, and it seems like they had their pistols drawn more often than concealed. Somehow I don't think that I could get away with pulling off that trick.
I LOVE the Sig P232. But everyone always laughs at me when I talk about getting one for concealed carry LOL. I get snide remarks along the lines of "mouse gun."
However, a gun dealer told me the P232 is a backup weapon for the Secret Service. Can anyone confirm or refute that statement?
Why was the P229 chosen over the P239?