[Usmcfox]

Ok so my girlfriend works night shift as a nurse, and often times has to stop and drop off blood work, tests etc. she expressed to me she would like a pistol to cc. Me being the firearm enthusiast / firm believer in cc took her shopping and me being a glockophile showed her the g26 first she said it was too big. Then the ruler lcp I believe in .380 and she said it was small and asked to see what the ammo looked like. So I showed her and she said " wow that looks like a baby compared to your 10mm. She shoots my g20 just fine so not a huge concern about recoil. But my question does anyone know of a decent semi-auto or hammer less revolver smaller than a g26 that still packs a punch?

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by Usmcfox

Ok so my girlfriend works night shift as a nurse, and often times has to stop and drop off blood work, tests etc. she expressed to me she would like a pistol to cc. Me being the firearm enthusiast / firm believer in cc took her shopping and me being a glockophile showed her the g26 first she said it was too big. Then the ruler lcp I believe in .380 and she said it was small and asked to see what the ammo looked like. So I showed her and she said " wow that looks like a baby compared to your 10mm. She shoots my g20 just fine so not a huge concern about recoil. But my question does anyone know of a decent semi-auto or hammer less revolver smaller than a g26 that still packs a punch?

Many medical institutions are prohibited zones for concealed carry, so that's the first thing you might want to keep in mind.

I'd look at a 642 or 442 S&W J-frame, with a respectable quality pocket holster (especially if she's handy enough to sew it in place inside the purse), and loaded with quality JHP. I'm partial to the old FBI load (158gr LSWCHP in +P), but the Short Barrel Gold Dot load from Speer is supposed to be quite nice, as well

[Bucky89]

Something like the Ruger lc9 would be the natural choice.

When she said the G26 was too big, I assumed she meant the grip/width was too large.

[mdsn969]

this looks like a fun (expensive) little gun

http://heizerfirearms.com/

[knoxrocks222]

Originally Posted by mdsn969

this looks like a fun (expensive) little gun

http://heizerfirearms.com/

AHHH THE TACTICAL BULL MOOSE HAS RETURNED!!!!!

[gator378]

Originally Posted by Bucky89

Something like the Ruger lc9 would be the natural choice.

When she said the G26 was too big, I assumed she meant the grip/width was too large.

Take a look at the new Sig Sauer 380. Much better than Ruger LC9. My neighbor just got the Sig Sauer 380 and is dumping the Ruger 380. The Ruger IMO is no

[manonmars]

COMMENT...

Last summer, on a hot morning, I was walking on a BLM road with my Big Dog (NO, not my g-30)

I was carrying my Kel-Tec P-11, which I rarely carry, because it is not fun to practice with..but it was hot................ already.

My dog flushed a fawn, chased it, got it by the neck, and was convinced that this was breakfast.

This was about 30 yards ahead of me, so I knew I was too far away to Physically do anything in time......

I am not into killing fawns.

So I grabbed my P-11 and fired off a round into the dirt about 20' in front of me, hoping to shock my dog into releasing the fawn.

He did, but not because of shock, but because I was yelling at the top of my lungs!!!!

Afterwords, in thinking about it, I did NOT even feel the recoil from the P-11,................... which I do very much when I am plinking with it.

SO............conclusion.............get a reliable gun you feel comfy with, and practice until you get good with it.

If you ever actually need to use the gun to defend anything, any recoil/uncomfortableness/etc. is meaningless...you won't feel it in real life...

...But get something with capacity. 22's have killed a lot of people. (NOT endorsing a 22 for Pers. Prot).

You never know how many ZOMBIES might be attacking at one time................

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by Usmcfox

But my question does anyone know of a decent semi-auto or hammer less revolver smaller than a g26 that still packs a punch?

A hammerless revolver such as an S&W 442 will be lighter in weight than a G26, but it will not be smaller. The footprint is shaped differently, but length/width/height will be about the same. And too, the only ones that will pack a substantially bigger punch than a good +p 9mm HP load would be the small .357's, which are rather punishing to shoot.

You might consider the small 9mm and .40 semi-autos, which are substantially smaller than a G26. Good modern hollow-point loads in these two calibers pack plenty of punch for self-defense. The Beretta Nano has just become my favorite of this group, but other very good choices are the Kahr CM9 or the slightly larger CW9, and the Sig P290.

[manonmars]

Can't conceal a 26?

Does she have a really small purse?

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Originally Posted by Caladan

A hammerless revolver such as an S&W 442 will be lighter in weight than a G26, but it will not be smaller. The footprint is shaped differently, but length/width/height will be about the same. And too, the only ones that will pack a substantially bigger punch than a good +p 9mm HP load would be the small .357's, which are rather punishing to shoot.

You might consider the small 9mm and .40 semi-autos, which are substantially smaller than a G26. Good modern hollow-point loads in these two calibers pack plenty of punch for self-defense. The Beretta Nano has just become my favorite of this group, but other very good choices are the Kahr CM9 or the slightly larger CW9, and the Sig P290.

The 642 is a lot smaller than the G26. But not as small as a LCP, of course. For similarity in size, the 642 should be compared to the Kahr PM9.

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by ithaca_deerslayer

The 642 is a lot smaller than the G26. But not as small as a LCP, of course. For similarity in size, the 642 should be compared to the Kahr PM9.

If you actually owned both a 642 and a G26, you would see that the difference in length is less than one-quarter of one inch. And I seem to remember than the 642 is actually taller than the G26. Most people would not consider less than 1/4" to be "a lot" smaller.

And in fact, the 642 is much, much closer in size to a G26 than it is to a PM9 (which I also own as well). Why is this? Because the J and the G26 are both wider than 1", while the PM is less than 1". Both the J and the G are longer than the PM by close to an inch, and they are both taller than the PM too.

Sounds like you need a tape measure....

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Originally Posted by Caladan

If you actually owned both a 642 and a G26, you would see that the difference in length is less than one-quarter of one inch. And I seem to remember than the 642 is actually taller than the G26. Most people would not consider less than 1/4" to be "a lot" smaller.

And in fact, the 642 is much, much closer in size to a G26 than it is to a PM9 (which I also own as well). Why is this? Because the J and the G26 are both wider than 1", while the PM is less than 1". Both the J and the G are longer than the PM by close to an inch, and they are both taller than the PM too.

Sounds like you need a tape measure....

I own all 3, have carried all 3, and also own a ruler and a scale. The 642 is a lot smaller than the G26. There's much of the 642 that is more than 1/4" thinner than the 26.

The 642 and PM9 are similar in size and weight, but of different shape. My own opinion is that the 642 conceals better than the PM9 in IWB, but I am carrying the PM9 as I type this.

[Ahmid]

Hands down short barrel light weight 38 special. Either Ruger or S&W.

[IndianaMatt]

Every girl I've shown my PPK/S to loves it.



Chicks seem to dig them. Good stopping power and small enough to purse.

[hogship]

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

Every girl I've shown my PPK/S to loves it.



Chicks seem to dig them. Good stopping power and small enough to purse.

You know, I've never really thought of the PPK/S as a "gender specific" firearm, but now that you mention it.......Yeah, women do seem to gravitate to it for whatever reason...........(It unquestionably has very refined style and is small enough to be thought of as "non-intimidating"......women seem to pick up on these things.)

I've heard some people complain of the recoil because of the fixed barrel, but to my way of thinking, it's not bad at all. It's all steel, and the 380 does not have that much recoil in the Walther frame. I suspect with some who comment in the negative, it's more anticipation than real sensitivity......


ooc

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Originally Posted by hogship

You know, I've never really thought of the PPK/S as a "gender specific" firearm, but now that you mention it.......Yeah, women do seem to gravitate to it for whatever reason...........(It unquestionably has very refined style and is small enough to be thought of as "non-intimidating"......women seem to pick up on these things.)

I've heard some people complain of the recoil because of the fixed barrel, but to my way of thinking, it's not bad at all. It's all steel, and the 380 does not have that much recoil in the Walther frame. I suspect with some who comment in the negative, it's more anticipation than real sensitivity......


ooc

The PPK does have snappy recoil, and the potential for slide bite, and is heavy for it's size. It also is traditional double action, which some prefer and some do not, so the user has to consider if they want that.

Because the PPK/S has the longer grip, that version might reduce the recoil a little.

Personally, I prefer the lighter polymer LCP that is double action only, no safety, a little smaller than the PPK, and has about the same or less recoil.

[hogship]

Originally Posted by ithaca_deerslayer

Personally, I prefer the lighter polymer LCP that is double action only, no safety, a little smaller than the PPK, and has about the same or less recoil.

That's what I carry almost every day....LCP.

The LCP definitely has more of a "shock wave" in the recoil than the PPK/S.....and I have carried both, so I'm not just repeating what I've heard.

The recoil on the PPK/S is much easier to handle than the LCP.

The size and weight of the PPK/S is why it's just not that good an option, compared to the current market offerings.......but, if anyone chose the PPK/S for ccw use, it's still a good choice.....and, a personal choice.

ooc

[writwing]

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

Every girl I've shown my PPK/S to loves it.



Chicks seem to dig them. Good stopping power and small enough to purse.

Terrible trigger and a lot of recoil for the caliber.

Go LCR. Light weight, great trigger, reliable. They even have'm with pink grips.

[Gunshine]

Kahr PM45

[ChicagoZman]

J-Frame Airweight (442/642). Loaded with Speer GDHP 135gr +P. Purse or pocket carry in a Galco Pro 158. It's not smaller than a 26, but feels smaller (don't know how that's possible, but it is) and is absolutely reliable.

[Usmcfox]

Well first thing is the glock 26 was too wide should have said that. The double tap eh just seems like an expensive gimmick. Plus she is a good shot but I've seen her when she gets scared before and I think in a pinch 2 rounds isn't enough. The walther looks good well have to check that out, and the j-frames are nice I have one in my car but she hates shooting it says it's uncomfortable. Thanks for all the ideas you guys are good people.

[shockglock]

Try a Kahr CM9 or PM9. 6+1 of 9mm in a small but controllable package.

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

Every girl I've shown my PPK/S to loves it.



Chicks seem to dig them. Good stopping power and small enough to purse.

.32 and .380 are not what I would call "good stopping power."

[hogship]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

.32 and .380 are not what I would call "good stopping power."

Certainly, there are more powerful cartridges, but I'd say "adequate" would be a satisfactory description of the performance that can be had from the 380acp.

ooc

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by hogship

Certainly, there are more powerful cartridges, but I'd say "adequate" would be a satisfactory description of the performance that can be had from the 380acp.

ooc

I've always thought of anything under .38 Special +P as a "dump the mag and run like hell" caliber. I've never seen either as adequate for a primary defense gun, unless situation or physical ability prevent use of something heavier. Depending on the skill of the shooter, even .38 +P can fall in that category. However, I'd have no problem carrying .32 or .380 in a backup gun.