Need help from gun guys

[ShadowBolt]

I'm thinking about getting a small 380 to carry in my pocket. I know a 380 is not much gun but a 9mm or 45 is impossible for me to carry wearing jeans and a Polo type shirt (my normal work attire). Jay and I are thinking about the S&W 380 Bodyguard. Jay has found a place with a great price. Just looking on the web I think I like the Sig P238 a little better. I have my dads old Sig 45 auto he carried when he was with the DPS and I really like the Sigs. I have a lot of knowledge about shotguns but know almost nothing about pistols. Anyone have thoughts on a pocket carry pistol?

I know I could be like BL and carry a bigger gun in a fanny pack but I can't pull off the fanny pack look like BL can.


JJ

[edrock96GT]

I'd really look into a compact .45 just for the stopping power. A .380 will get the job done most of the time simply because the psychological impact of getting shot is enough to stop most people, but in some cases where adrenaline takes over, they can continue to function after being wounded (although they might die 10 minutes or so later) and that defeats the purpose of stopping an attack. If you're not dead set on a Sig, the Glock 30 is a nice small pistol that is not too much bigger than the Sig P238.
If you don't have to wear your shirts tucked in you could carry it in the small of your back.
A .357 Sig would be my next choice after a .45 but they don't make as many models in that caliber.

[cobra132]

Look at the sig 938. Its a little bigger than the 238 but holds 7 9mm rounds. FMR

[Crumpacker]

I've been researching carry pistols that I could conceal in work clothes (slacks & dress shirt or polo). Size and weight were definitely a factor (that's what she said?). I narrowed it down to 5 to start with:

Sig P238
S&W Bodyguard (.380)
Sig P938
S&W M&P Shield (9mm or .40)
Glock 26 (9mm)

I took the 'need more stopping power' argument and knocked out the .380s, even though I'm a big fan of the p238 and it's the smallest and lightest by far. Reviews for the Shield and Glock were both great, but the p938 has had a fair number of 'failure to extract' issues. That plus the limited availability and high cost took that out. The Glock and Shield were pretty comparable, but the shield was lighter and came in .40 (although a 3 finger grip on a short barrel .40 makes it difficult to put multiple shots on target quickly). I was leaning towards the Shield, then I read an article that a friend posted on another board:

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866


Now I'm back to the P238. Great reviews, 1911 design, proven, small and light.

The results I got from the study lead me to believe that there really isn't that much difference between most defensive handgun rounds and calibers. None is a death ray, but most work adequately...

I've stopped worrying about trying to find the "ultimate" bullet. There isn't one. And I've stopped feeling the need to strap on my .45 every time I leave the house out of fear that my 9mm doesn't have enough "stopping power." Folks, carry what you want. Caliber really isn't all that important.

Take a look at the data. I hope it helps you decide what weapon to carry. No matter which gun you choose, pick one that is reliable and train with it until you can get fast accurate hits. Nothing beyond that really matters!

[Alien]

I'm with you on the size thing, Jerry. The smaller 9mms are just slightly too big even tho it's better than any .380, but I like the saying about a .380 on you is better than a .45 at home. If size wasn't an issue, I'd carry my Glock 23.

I did some research and handled a few .380s and the smaller 9mm. Only shot a .380 LCP (no thanks). Of the .380, Laura likes the Sig P238 and I really like the Kahr P380. Both have good sights, and I've read they're not a bear to shoot, so you can actually get some range time with them without beating up your hand. Havn't personally shot either yet, but that will happen after we get our CHLs.

Kahr P380 seems very Glock-like. Double action only, no external safety, easy controls. No hammer to get hung up on.

[mitchntx]

I narrowed it down to 5 to start with:

S&W M&P Shield (9mm or .40)

I was leaning towards the Shield, then I read an article that a friend posted on another board:

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866


Now I'm back to the P238. Great reviews, 1911 design, proven, small and light.

I have a Sheild and like it. Easy to carry, conceal and make ready.
It's relatively inexpensive and the accessory market is finally catching up.
I have about 300 rounds though it and its a great shooter for me.

I've seen the article you referenced Sam.
A couple things stand out ... 9mm has by far the most hits and the most fatal shots of any other caliber.
So the percentages, although higher, represent a LOT more hits and fatalities.

And this quote:

One other thing to look at is the 9mm data. A huge number (over half) of 9mm shootings involved ball ammo. I think that skewed the results of the study in a negative manner. One can reasonable expect that FMJ ammo will not stop as well as a state of the art expanding bullet. I personally believe that the 9mm is a better stopper than the numbers here indicate, but you can make that decision for yourself based on the data presented.

Well duh ... RN FMJ is like a small dart going through ... it's not doing much damage on the journey. Stands to reason it would take more rounds on target.


I know a few folks with 238s and like them. But my lobster claw hands just don't work with such a small gun.
I can never cleanly draw it and after the 3rd shot, it begins walking around in my palm making reaquiring the target difficult.

another possibility is the Springfield XDs in 45ACP.

[BryanL]

Did someone say claw?

[BryanL]

Were you talking about Michael "Scissor/Lobster Claw Toed" Mosty? What kind of gun does he need to carry for his toes.

http://vimeo.com/9377621

[jdlingle]

If your looking for a cocealed carry weapon almost any of the name brands will be good choices. The lack of controls on the Glocks and Kahrs of the world is a great thing on a gun in the event you are forced to use it. Your mind will go into sensory overload anyway so you dont want to have to use any fine motor skills.

The 9mm and 380 hollowpoint rounds have come so far since they first came out that they are much more effective than they used to be. I HIGHLY recomend Speer Gold Dot hollowpoints. I carry a .357 SIG but I have carried .380s in the past and was figured I was better off with that than nothing at all. Gun fights always come down to hits so accuracy will rule the day.

Buy something small and light enough that you will carry it! It doesnt do you any good on the nightstand by the bed when you need it. If I had a dollar for every person I stopped with a CHL that didnt have a gun on them I would be a millionare and retired already. It always amazed me that people would go to all the trouble to get the license and then not carry the damn gun!

One warning: I would stay away from the Kel-Tec pistols. They are very small and very easy to conceal, but they are very picky about ammo and one failure is one too many. I have already gotten rid of mine and know three or four other guys who did the same.

[Al Fernandez]

To me the key is having it on you. If its too much of a hassle to rig up the holster, you're going to not do it. Pocket carry is awesome because you grab your wallet, phone, pistola, keys and you're gone. I would imagine even a Shield is too big for pocket carry. My boss has a 238 and loves it. I have a 642 for pocket carry. If I had to do it again I would've bumped up to a snubby capable of 357s. If you miss you'll burn the guy to death.