best compact or subcompact gun for personal protection?

Question

looking for something to conceal without anyone knowing i have one on me besides myself

looking for something to conceal without anyone knowing i have one on me besides myself
(will be dressing with the climate)

Answer 1

This question needs a little research by you. Go to a shooting range and try different guns... Find one to suit your body style and experience.

Also, choose the largest caliber you can handle. the 9mm would be the smallest I would recommend. I prefer the good ole .45ACP.

I own several carry weapons. I have carried for over 12 years. I prefer the Springfield V-10 or the Taurus P-10 because of their ability to be concealed easily. I can carry either in my shoulder holster. The P-10 is the stainless version of the Warthog.

Good Luck and be SAFE !!!!!

Answer 2

My personal favorite is the Smith and Wesson Safety Model revolver. It comes in 32 and 38 caliber versions. Mine is a 32, but the barrel is only 2" long (and it's even shorter than it sounds because Smith counts the cylinder as part of the barrel, which makes it a 1" barrel in reality) and while it may look puny, it belches fire like it was a .357 Magnum! What I like most about the Safety Model is that it's hammerless (actually, it has a concealed hammer inside the body of the revolver), so there's nothing to snag if you have to whip it out in a hurry. Also, it's not called the Safety Model for nothing. There's no possibility of accidental discharge, even if you drop it. There's a transfer bar on the back of the pistol grip and unless your hand is around it, it's impossible to pull the trigger. It doesn't take much pressure, just the normal human handling will suffice, but if a hand isn't wrapped around that pistol butt, Arnold Swartzenegger couldn't pull that trigger. This is the safest handgun ever made. It doesn't have the large capacity of the newfangled automatics (it holds 5 rounds), but for personal protection, I figure I'm going to be at REALLY close range, and one shot ought to do it. I've never had to use it yet, Thank God!, but knowing it's there has been a great comfort over the years.

Answer 3

You do not provide enough information. The answer depends on our experience, time available to practice, size, height, weight, gender, etc. Also, what climate do you live in, what is your dress style?
A large man in a suit can conceal a 44 Magnum. In hot weather though, you will look conspicuous never taking off your coat. A petite woman wearing a dress will have difficulty concealing any weapon on her person.

A .45 is great, but not if you don't have the size to conceal or handle it, much less the time to practice with it - ammo isn't cheap.
Standard answer, a .38 revolver, by Taurus or Ruger. A .357 Magnum (Ruger SP101) is perfect because the same revolver can shoot .38s or .357 ammo. The Taurus Protector or S&W Bodyguard are great revolvers to carry.
A small semi-auto (.32 or .380) is easy to carry, but a challenge to use effectively.
A small 9mm is a good compromise. Example, the Taurus PT111. However, a very light gun that is easier to carry is harder to shoot well because it doesn't have enough weight to absorb the recoil.

Key point: a .45 that you leave in your car or at home because it is too big or heavy will not protect you as well as a .32 that you carry in your pocket.

Answer 4

I'd go with a Glock 21 or Glock 21SF for my handgun. I'd use a pump action shotgun for my primary defensive firearm and use the handgun for a backup to the shotgun. This is called "layering your defense." Viet Nam combat veterans understand this technique rather well. Use the shoulder mounted firearm as a primary weapons system and the handgun as the secondary system. Both the primary and secondary firearms are also backed up by a good, sharp sheath knife or some other kind of impact weapon or close range hand-to-hand combat weapon system for those really close social occasions.

Answer 5

You have stepped into an area of ongoing and raging debate, congratulations. Do you want a portable hand cannon or what? For something that only you know you have get a little Beretta Model 21A; stainless 22LR semi auto that you can carry (about the size of a pack of cigarettes). A very surprising little package. For general purpose get any quality stainless 9mm semi-auto compact. For light weight go with a polymer frame. Something you aren't going to shoot very often and the weight difference makes it easier to carry. Keltec make a nice little double action only 9mm polymer frame model that you don't even know is there, 10 shot mag. Stainless won't rust but they are definitely heavier at the end of the day. Taurus makes a nice little 38/357 stainless 2" revolver in stainless. See what I mean? The area open to debate is endless, and the reasons also. Good luck.

Answer 6

I started to suggest the Glock Model 19 or the Model 26 .9mms, but these may not be the easiest to conceal particularly in very hot climate when you 'dress for the weather.'

How about a Beretta Tomcat in .32 auto? You can get this one in stainless steel, blue steel (aluminum) or titanium (for extra light weight). Loaded with Silvertips or Fiocchi hollow points it offers decent protection on the level of the standard .380s or .38s but it is easier to conceal.

I am bulky enough to where I can conceal my Glock Model 20 .10mm in an inside-the-pants holster under a loose-fitting T-shirt, but I know that not everyone can, hence the Tomcat recommendation.

H

Answer 7

I would say the Glock 26. The Glock 27 is what I carry because I don't have a problem with the recoil, but it is too much for my wife..I have looked at and shot the Kahr's but do not own one. I have read some problems with it..You can go with any number of guns, but you wan't something that's going to work when/ if you need it..I would say buy a glock, simple, reliable, accurate..I also own a Kel-Tec p-3at, which if you want something real small, I would reccomend, it's real small, but the thing can jump a little bit, so hold on...

Answer 8

A good .22 auto is a good choice.Very concealable with plenty of power.My personal choice is an ADC .38 special derringer 2 shots is plenty and its small and simple easy to use.This design has been around for so long for a reason.

Answer 9

As long as it is concealable, the best one is the largest caliber you can consistently shoot with. Consult an expert- they will probably give you several carry options, and have you shoot several guns to find out which works best.

Answer 10

Kimber pro-carry compact 1911