I have two larger guns (one .40 and one .38) that are suitable for some carry situations. I'm interested in adding a smaller gun to my collection for specific carry situations where I may not feel comfortable carrying the larger guns. Although I'm open to alternatives, I'm currently looking at this smaller gun falling into a .380 or 9mm category. I'm looking for suggestions on models in these two calibers that you like.

I have a friend who owns a Kel-Tec that he carries. He is "okay" with it, but I have read and heard of problems with these guns, so I'm somewhat hesitant to get one. The price is attractive, but maybe you get what you pay for. Price is a factor, so I would prefer to get something priced reasonably.

Thanks.

what is a reasonable price?

I highly recommend the North American Arms .32NAA Guardian. It is the .380 ACP necked down to .32 caliber and rocks. It shoots the standard 60 gr. HP (Cor-Bon) to 1250 fps and packs more energy than the .380. All the while it fits in your pocket. I normally carry a HK USPC .45 but as you said, there are times when you cannot carry something so large so the Guardian .32 NAA gets the nod.

Reasonable Price: Well, I'd rather not spend $700 on it. Something like $400 sounds a lot better. I'm not that familiar with this class of handgun, so I'm doing some guessing here.

I've been researching:
- Kahr 9mm
- Walther PPK
- Berreta Cheetah

and a few others, but I haven't gotten a handle on the costs yet. The reasonable cost thing was a "desirable".



what is a reasonable price?

Mine is a S&W 637 airweight in .38 special. I can't help you with the semi-auto's, but what I'm using works great.

I can carry it in a Kramer Confidant Vest under a light western shirt and no one's ever noticed it.

Drifter

P239 is a pretty nice accurate gun used you can find one for about $400 doing alot of looking, new are about $500-$600. It can come in a 9mm.

you have to look for a PPK or sig232 or get the plastic beretta 9000s, glock subcompact 26, 27 or 33 I think all af them are in the $400 to $600. and they are very good ones.

Everyone is going to have an opinion, here are some points to consider. I've carried a KT P11. Not a bad gun for what it is designed for. Have a somewhat spotty QC reputation, but factory fixes seem to work. Never had a glitch with mine. Mrs. Charleyt carries a KT P32. Again, no problems.
If you are looking for a PPK, take a look at the PM...Pistol Makarov in 9x18. Somewhat more power than a .380, 100 percent reliable, and almost dirt cheap . Wholesale is $119 to $129 right now, retails range from $159 to $249. Shop around. Good self defense ammunition is available from Hornady.
No, it isn't a SIG. Not going to elicit ohhs and ahhs from your buddies. Just an inexpensive (NOT CHEAP) handgun that you won't need to worry about leaving in a vehicle at times, not going to worry about what your sweat is doing to an expensive finish, and if TSHTF and you do use the weapon, when it is taken as evidence, you won't be out of a large sum of money for months or years.

How about the glock 29? 10mm packs a punch, the gun is sub compact but isnt bad to shoot. I picked it up for the for the first time and had no problems what so ever. A friend of mine carries it and loves it more the longer he carries it. A small gun that is a blast to shoot.

You might want to check out the Glock 26/27. The 26 is a 9mm and the 27 is a .40 S&W. I have the 26, and it is ultra reliable, and near indestructible. The only drawback I find is the grip is too short if you have larger hands, but the addition of a Pearce Grip extender, in either the +2 or +0 configuration works well in addressing this problem. With the +2 option you get 13 rounds of 9mm in a pretty compact package.

I also have a Smith 640 in .357, and a Smith 332 in .32 H&R Mag. The 640 is a stainless 5 shot, and the 332 is a Titanium 6 shot. I find myself carrying the S&W 332 alot in the summer, as it is very light, and very compact, both important in FL, where shorts and T shirts are SOP in the summer.

In the end, it's your choice. Just be sure that it's light enough, and compact enough that you'll carry it all the time. The first rule of gunfighting is that if you can't avoid the confrontation, at least have a gun.

My P-11 has been flawless for 2,500+ rounds. Never had a failure to feed or function, period. The trigger is pretty poor, but it's not a Bullseye piece. You can get a snub .38 used for way under $400 and get a better trigger, but I like those 11 rounds of 9mm.

There are many excellent used .380 ACP and 9mm handguns on the market within the price range outlined. While checking out the used guns and I have seen Walther, Browning, Beretta, Colt, Taurus, Smith & Wesson and other makes. All the best... Gil

This won't be popular, but stay away from autos if you want a really small, powerful gun. Huh?

It's hard to make a small, lightweight auto function well. Recoil springs have to be heavy, trigger pulls have to be heavy so you don't shoot yourself in a sensitive area :eek: pulling it out of your coat pocket (if you can have a holster, might as well have a bigger gun), and they are going to be more sensitive to being limp-wristed if not held perfectly.

Hey, I like autos, perfectly happy carring a 1911 in a paddle holster on my hip. But that's not possible at all times.

Make them too light for the cartridge and they'll batter themselves to death, quickly :(

I've shot the Kel-Tecs (the .32) and it's neat, but the .32 isn't a real powerful cartridge. Haven't seen the NAA that is reference further up, sounds interesting, though.

My titanium Taurus is very little larger than the Kel-tec .32, carries 7 (!) shots of .357 mag, drops in the pants pocket without fear of catastropic, unexpected removal of reproductive organs, and isn't at all prone to jam if I don't have a pefect grip. Also it won't rust - huge advantage. Some small autos don't even carry as many rounds, although certainly a reload is quicker.

If you don't want to shoot .357s in a snubbie (and it's honestly not a real fun thing to do), ammo choices abound.

The other scandium (and who knows what else) revolvers are worth considering too, as are the .38 Specials (even smaller guns), the occasional 9mm (Smith 940, for example, but it's heavy), and surely some other things I've forgotten.

Cost - definitely on the side of the revolver.

That's not to say that the revolver is perfect, or there aren't any small autos that will work, but it's my outlook. In fact I like my Taurus so much I bought another one (used) just like it in stainless :D , the two of them together adding up to about what a new Glock would run.

That little Makarov is interesting...last one I saw they said they would pay you $50 to take it home! :) They do seem to be reliable and you can't beat their price ($125-249)...a nice little 9mm. I have the Taurus PT-111 in 9mm (10 rnds)...a nice gun but a bear to clean, but reasonably priced. It is also VERY easy to conceal. I often carry it in my pants pocket, a suit coat pocket, or in a Smart Carry holster.

S&W 642

.38spl (+P rated)
2" bbl
5 shot
hammerless
airweight
stainless

8 years later and I'm still happy with mine.

The best pistol that I could think of is the Kahr Arms in PM9 9mm. They also make in 40 cal, same small size. It is a true pocket pistol in major caliber. I have the PM9, reliable, holds 6+1 and fits nicely in my back pocket of my jeans. Made in the USA

Speaking as a retired LEO, and having considered this very question for many years, the closest to perfect gun for concealed carry is the S&W 640-1. I had considered every parameter possible, and this gun has only two flaws, weight and the fluted cylinder.

If the gun will be shot frequently, then the weight is not such an issue as it will be much more comfortable than any of the Titanium or Titanium/Scandium guns which are plain brutal. The issue with the flutes is in the event you needed to fire it from inside a pocket, the flutes could conceivably catch fabric and cause a stoppage. Shooting from a pocket is an issue which should be seriously considered when evaluating a self-defense handgun, as it is a very real possibility that this may be necessary. The 640, and similar concealed hammer guns are the only type in which you have a good likelyhood of being able to get off more than one shot if needed. Bobbed hammerguns do not share this advantage.

If you want a deeper explanation, send a PM.