I'm buying a pistol for self-defense. Concealment is the most important factor to me, but...?

Question

stopping power is too. If your gun can't stop anybody, what's the point? However, I'm willing to give up some power within reason for concealment.

I'm thinking about the Kel-Tech P-11 or PF-9 or Glock G26. Any ideas for a person who wears athletic clothing sometimes and needs small yet something that will kill more than a mouse?

Mrs. P with all due respect, I do not "plan" to ever use my weapon (except for target practice) unless a life-or-death emergency arises. There are some situations where "self-defense courses" won't help you. Eg., mall shootings, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and other crazies throughout the world. If someone was armed at Va. Tech and opened fire on the gunman, they could have prevented 30-some-odd lives from being ended. Guess those lives are not as important to you as my 2nd Amendment rights.... oh well, some people will never learn.

Answer 1

The Glock G27 (not a 9mm fan so I'd pass myself on the G26, my personal opinion) in the 40 cal. S&W is a very good choice, it will hold 10rds. plus if you carry a back-up 15rd mag what else could one ask for in personal defense semi-auto pistol.

There is also a very good selcetion of high quality leather items for those sub-compact Glocks like, Gould&Goodrich, DeSantis, or Galco.

Answer 2

Consider also the Glock Model 19 concealed in an inside-the-pants holster. The Model 26 is great if it fits your hand right. Nothing wrong with the nine if you use the right defensive ammo in it. Anything smaller and you're looking at the .380 acp like the Sig 232 or Walther PPKs which are also great little defensive handguns, again, with the right ammo.

Too bad about people who are so afraid of guns that they would ban them in the self-deluded premises that banning guns would make for a safer world. When guns are outlawed only outlaws will possess guns. Then who is going to save you???

Good luck.

H

Answer 3

I will be honest with you !

Kel-Tec = Trash !

Glock = Good gun but over priced for what it is. Im not a Glock fan at all so my opinion is not valued as much you know what I mean !

Im an H&K fan myself and no matter what I sit here and tell you its not going to matter because they are over priced for your cause aswell !

Look, Taurus makes an excellent line of good quality CCW handguns. They are light, powerful & reliable ! The PT745 or somewhere along those lines. I personally have three of them and they make good CCW handguns. If you are looking into shooting at the range, a small CCW handgun is not going to get you any happy range days. It will be fun but dont expect to shoot x-rings all day. If you l;ike revolvers at all I would say check out the Taurus revolvers aswell. If you want to spend some money, by all means check out the H&K's, Glocks & Springfields XD's. I do think you would be happier with the Taurus though !

Either way, Good Luck & Happy Shooting !!!

Answer 4

A word of wisdom told to me by an undercover narcotics cop: don't get a cute gun like a .22 or .25 because unless you hit someone exactly in the right spot, they won't be stopped and will make the criminal so made they will stop at nothing to kill you. Get something that will definitely stop someone such as a .357, 9 or 10mm, etc.

Answer 5

Outside of the caliber concerns, you should pick which gun fits your hand and concealment choice the best. Secondarily, you should decide on a caliber. Please remember that with firearms, you get what you pay for. A Glock is a good choice. I personally use a Glock 26 and with the newer ammunition choices, caliber is almost irrelevant. With the proper ammunition, a 9mm can outperform a 45 and allow concealability as well. I would suggest http://www.topglock.com/catalog/pistols_glock.htm for the best prices for Glock and other weapons as well.

Answer 6

In 9mm go with the Kel-Tech P-11; I own one and have found it to operate without problems on any type of fodder. If you want to see something really cute look at a Taurus Millenium; a 45 acp double action only ten shot; it is called a back-up or concealable pocket pistol and I love it; but it is like trying hide a brick. To be practical go with the Kel-Tech.

Answer 7

Buying a gun to carry concealed is a WISE move in this day and age with all the nutjobs out there. I use a S&W model 642 revolver. I prefer revolvers over pistols because they don't jam. The nice thing about the 642 is you can put it in your pocket and it will fit in it completely concealed. Nothing will stick out. It is .38 special so you have adequate stopping power It is arguably the best conceal carry gun ever. Here is a good article about it:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m642.htm

Answer 8

I would recommend using the largest pistol you can carry everywhere. This usually means a compact pistol instead of a full size one. Even a little 22 pocket pistol will take the fight out of most people. No one wants to get shot.

The key here is to practice often with the pistol you carry.

Ranb

Answer 9

I would stick with reputable manufacturers like Glock, S&W, Taurus, H&K, Sig and Beretta. I wouldn't entrust my life to a Kel-Tech.

9mm is enough. You can get +P+ ammo that will come close to 110 Gr. .357 Mag performance.

Answer 10

Eli,

I consider the 9 mm Parabellum to be little more than a mouse gun cartridge.

I recommend an Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. There are three I most highly recommend:
1 - Model 649 Bodyguard - Stainless steel revolver with a shrouded hammer, can be fired from inside a pocket or bag.

2 - Model 640 Centennial - A stainless steel hammerless revolver. It can also be fired from inside a pocket.

3 - Model 60 Stainless Chief Special - stainless version of the famous Chief Special with exposed hammer.

All can be used with full power .357 Magnum ammo, or .38 +P+, +P or standard pressure loads, depending on your tolerance for recoil.

Revolvers can handle all bullet profiles from round nose to flat wadcutters, with no problem. They will also cycle just as well with very light target loads as they will with full power loads. Semi-Autos require a minimum amount of recoil to operate.

Revolvers are also more tolerant of weak wrist holds, and are more tolerant of neglect than are semi-autos.

Doc Hudson