Recommendations on a compact or sub-compact...: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 16, 2010 9:04 p.m. rebelgtp SuperDork

Concealed carry that is. I have the 1911 and Glock 17 which on my large frame are reasonably easy to conceal during the colder months (like now) however I want to start looking for a compact or sub compact that can be concealed easily during warmer months when I may only wear a lite weight shirt over it. Also it would be nice to have something a bit more "discreet" for certain occasions than a full frame auto.

Currently I'm considering the SIG P232, Walther PPK (in .380) or the PPS, and one of the Glock sub compact series (leaning to the 26 or 36 mostly). The P232 I am already very familiar with as my dad had one and its a good solid little shooter. The Walther I have never got a chance to mess around with and I'm going purely on reputation (I hear the old German ones are better?). And the Glock is obvious since I have the 17 already and I've fire the 19 and 26 as well and I could use the 17 mags in the 26 in a pinch.

Any others that I should consider? For a subcompact I'm not as concerned with the caliber as I am the accuracy and reliability. I would prefer a single stack/slim auto (I know the 26 is a double stack), not really looking for a wheel gun for this. Also the smoother the sides are the better.
Nov. 17, 2010 2:48 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

I really like my 19, even though it's double stack it's still slim enough. Heard that it's not recommended to carry smaller than 9mm for personal defense although I don't have any experience or expertise in the matter.
Nov. 17, 2010 5:15 a.m. MisterWrigley New Reader

The 26 is pretty hard to beat. Not quite small enough to fit in your pocket, but you can hide it anwhere. Plus, as you obviously know, it shoots like a "real" gun. Some subcompacts feel more like toys than anything else, the 26 does not. And being a Glock, reliability will never be an issue and it should be comparitively cheap.
Nov. 17, 2010 8:50 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

What about a smaller version of the 1911? Something like an officers model or a Kimber Pro-Carry? I'm partial to 1911's and wheelguns.....
Nov. 17, 2010 9:12 a.m. rebelgtp SuperDork

I'm actually looking for something smaller than the 19, though I would like to add one of those at somepoint as well. This purchase will be about the small form factor which sadly would eliminate most of the smaller 1911s aswell I believe though I will look into the different models.

The Judge is hardly compact though it is fun to shoot.

The great debate on caliber choice is not something I want to get into right now. I don't want anything smaller than a .380, one of those in the form of a hydrashock will do plenty of damage. From there it is all about shot placement.
Nov. 17, 2010 10:15 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

someone on Expo just posted that they picked up a ruger LCP in .380 auto, and quite likes it.

link to thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51742
Nov. 17, 2010 12:20 p.m. rebelgtp SuperDork

Hmmm I will have to see if the local shop has one of those Rugers so I can see how it feels in the hand.
Nov. 17, 2010 12:47 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

Save a couple of bucks and buy the gun Ruger copied: the Kel-Tec P3AT. Mine's a little tackdriver.

.410 revolvers are pointless. Even with multiple pellets, you're still dealing with less total energy than a .45 LC. Well you could put rat/snake shot in there as a backup gun when hunting. But for people-shootin? Nah.
Nov. 17, 2010 12:56 p.m. rebelgtp SuperDork

In reply to Osterkraut:

Yeah my girlfriends brother carried a Judge exactly for the purpose of dispatching snakes when up in the mountains and the like. We get a fair few rattlesnakes around here, scorpions are not unheard of either.
Nov. 17, 2010 9:56 p.m. M2Pilot Reader

I like my PPS a lot,but it's not as concealable as the Kel-tec.
Nov. 17, 2010 10:53 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

Walther P5?
Nov. 17, 2010 11:16 p.m. joey48442 SuperDork

Keltec pf9. Very thin. I think there's none thinner.

Joey
Nov. 18, 2010 12:03 a.m. joey48442 SuperDork

Plus, my pf9 is much thinner than my ppk/s.

Joey
Nov. 18, 2010 12:15 a.m. digdug18 HalfDork

I instantly was thinking a derringer. The bond arms gun has interchangeable barrels, .410 and .45 Long Colt are stock, but you can get .357 MAG/.38 Spl .357 MAX, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, Only, .45 Glock Auto, .44 Special, 44-40 Winchester, .40 S&W, 10 mm, 9 mm Lugar, 32 H & R Mag, and .22 Long Rifle

I'd stick with the .410 and .45 LC though.