Help me pick out a gun

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 19:22

I already have a few carry guns for multiple occasions, but I currently lack something ultra-concealable. Here's what I am looking for:

EDIT: These are listed in order of importance

1) ULTRA concealable. This means that I can easily hide it almost anywhere on my person without it printing AT ALL.

2) SMALL. I need to be able to transfer it from pocket to holster to other pocket without it being seen easily. I do have large hands, so that makes it easier. I'd like to stay within the "mouse gun" or derringer category. The smaller, the better.

3) No New Rounds. I'm not looking for a .25 or a .32 here. That means .22LR, .380, 9mm, or .38SPL.

4) INEXPENSIVE. I will not pay more than $400 for this gun, but would prefer to stay in the $200-300 range.

5) SHOOTABLE. I need to be able to practice with it for a bit without my hand falling off. This is less important, I just don't want it to suck so bad that I never shoot it at all.

At the moment my top 2 options are the Walther TPH and the NAA .22LR with the folding grip. The LCP might be an option , though it might be a little big, and I'd look into the new Heizer in 9mm were it less expensive.

Thanks in advance for the help!

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 19:24

I'm leaning a bit towards the NAA route, as 22LR is not known for its reliability.

bear62 · 06-06-2012, 19:26

This doesn't meet your criteria .... but I carry (every day) a .40 caliber Glock M27. I honestly think I would be comfortable with a 9mm G26........... Good luck with your choice.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bear62

This doesn't meet your criteria .... but I carry (every day) a .40 caliber Glock M27. I honestly think I would be comfortable with a 9mm G26........... Good luck with your choice.

Read the first line in my OP. I already have a G17, PPK/S, and SW 66-2 that, between them, I carry every day. What I'm looking for is something for when even the PPK is too big to effectively conceal - such as when I'm shirtless. Also it'd be used as a backup.

ETA: I'll be getting something inbetween the PPK and the G17 in the future. I'm down to the PPS or the G26. That'll turn into my primary, making the G17 be purely for range and home defense.

beatcop · 06-06-2012, 19:34

-pretty sure no tph for <$400.
-NAA is a cool toy...but hard to hit with the original grip

Keltec p3at? small Kahr 9?

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatcop

-pretty sure no tph for <$400.
-NAA is a cool toy...but hard to hit with the original grip

Keltec p3at? small Kahr 9?

LGS has a TPH for $369, and that is a concern of mine for the NAA, in which case i'd be either going with the folding grip or looking at hogue/pachmayr.

I'll check out the Kahr and Keltec though.

Reswob · 06-06-2012, 20:08

I think the LCP is about as small and light as you're going to get while still being in a real caliber.

LApm9 · 06-06-2012, 21:00

Life Rule: Do not argue with drunks.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by LApm9

Life Rule: Do not argue with drunks.

Eh? Wrong thread maybe?

AngryPanda · 06-06-2012, 21:13

So you want something tiny, inexpensive, and shootable, in .22, 380, 9mm or .38 and you say the LCP "Might be a little big."

You find it, let me know. Something has to give.

PsychOfMSE · 06-06-2012, 21:16

Kahr cm9. Do some shopping around and it'll come in at the high end of your budget.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryPanda

So you want something tiny, inexpensive, and shootable, in .22, 380, 9mm or .38 and you say the LCP "Might be a little big."

You find it, let me know. Something has to give.

I said "might" because I've not handled the LCP yet. And the "shootabe" matters less - I'm not looking for a target pistol here.

cluznar · 06-06-2012, 21:53

Ruger LC9 9mm

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by cluznar

Ruger LC9 9mm

That's even bigger than the PPK.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-06-2012, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychOfMSE

Kahr cm9. Do some shopping around and it'll come in at the high end of your budget.

I'd prefer something even smaller, but I like the Fact that its 9mm with *almost* the capacity of the PPK. If I find one locally for a decent price, I might consider that too

AngryPanda · 06-06-2012, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReyFufuRulesAll

I said "might" because I've not handled the LCP yet. And the "shootabe" matters less - I'm not looking for a target pistol here.

It does not get a whole heck of a lot smaller than the LCP/P3AT, it's gonna be a .22.

You are looking for something you can spend a few hours of range time with, just going off of what you posted.

Definitely grab the handle thing like you said for the NAA if that is what you go with. Even though it ads size, and will print it won't print a "gun shape". Hell I bet you could hold it in your hand, folded up, in plain view in front of a lot of people and they wouldn't realize what they were looking at, from a distance at least.I think that is the best option from the guidelines you posted.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-07-2012, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngryPanda

Definitely grab the handle thing like you said for the NAA if that is what you go with. Even though it ads size, and will print it won't print a "gun shape". Hell I bet you could hold it in your hand, folded up, in plain view in front of a lot of people and they wouldn't realize what they were looking at, from a distance at least.I think that is the best option from the guidelines you posted.

That was my thought. I'm still leaning that way, though I'll be looking into the kel-tec as well

Bruce M · 06-07-2012, 09:42

What this country needs is a 9mm sized about the size of the Rohrbaugh that is priced about $350... Best of luck in your quest. My thought is the first thing to do is to rate how important each of your five qualities are to you as finding a gun that fits all five might prove challenging. If for instance, you drop the ability for the gun to comfortable to shoot for multiple hours, there may be several that work. Based on all those five factors, a J frame might be the best choice to come closest to all the desired traits.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-07-2012, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce M

My thought is the first thing to do is to rate how important each of your five qualities are to you as finding a gun that fits all five might prove challenging.

done. Thanks for the tip

Reswob · 06-07-2012, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce M

What this country needs is a 9mm sized about the size of the Rohrbaugh that is priced about $350...

Yikes!

To save $1,000 I will take the slight size penalty of the KelTec PF9!

Sgt.K · 06-07-2012, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychofmse

kahr cm9. Do some shopping around and it'll come in at the high end of your budget.

...+1

medic1213 · 06-07-2012, 18:28

Bought my wife an LCP after shooting one at the range. I got her one with the CT Laserguard attached. Just took hers to the range a couple days ago, and after 20 rounds, my trigger finger was begging me to stop. The way the laser attaches to the trigger guard makes it incredibly uncomfortable to shoot, as the trigger guard is no longer smooth. To get an idea what I mean, imagine taking two small toothpicks and taping them to the left and right inside of the guard. These ridges violently hit the tip of your finger during recoil, and become quite unbearable after just a few rounds. Now, this is not the case with the non-laser equipped LCP. The gun is the perfect size, and is very concealable pretty much anywhere. One thing I notice, you mention it must be cheap to shoot, yet you mention .380 as an option. You haven't priced .380 rounds lately have you? They're more expensive than .40 cal ammo, almost as much as .45. You can expect to pay about $18 per 50 rounds of ball ammo. Definitely not a good plinking round...

Personally, I'm looking at the CM9, as it fits most of your criteria. Found one new for $380 at my LGS.

PimpStick · 06-07-2012, 18:52

DB9 or PF9

Bruce M · 06-07-2012, 18:58

P3AT or LCP then would be my guess.

ReyFufuRulesAll · 06-07-2012, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic1213

One thing I notice, you mention it must be cheap to shoot, yet you mention .380 as an option. You haven't priced .380 rounds lately have you? They're more expensive than .40 cal ammo, almost as much as .45. You can expect to pay about $18 per 50 rounds of ball ammo. Definitely not a good plinking round...

I suppose I didnt word that correctly. I'll fix it. Thanks for the heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by medic1213

Personally, I'm looking at the CM9, as it fits most of your criteria. Found one new for $380 at my LGS.

I'll look into that. My favorite LGS has a lot of Kahrs. I think I'll have to go see how much I like it.