CCW large accurate/small inaccurate

[flasburn38]

Hey folks, I been carrying an Springfield XD 40 for a few yrs.now. It is very comfortable in its bianchi holster, but at times in the summer it just doesn't hide well. Been thinking about carrying my lcp 380. Just bought a holster for it. Then I got to thinking, what if I have to defend all the way across a room or something similar. The smaller pistols are not accurate enough to feel comfortable engaging a target. I am a pretty good shot with most weapons. Has anybody else ever gave this thought?
Thanks

 

[24ever]

I have a Kel-Tec .380, which is virtually a clone of the LCP (and less reliable). I added a Link Removed (which fits both makes) and it is now incredibly accurate at 21ft. I HIGHLY recommend adding a LaserLyte to your LCP for a confidence boost....well at least in low light. It doesn't add much width to the gun and conceals just as easily with the sidemount laser.
Here's may last visit to the range with my Kel-Tec .380 using the LaserLyte at 21ft...rapid fire (7 rounds each).
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[Purple]

Accuracy can be improved with smaller barreled weapons by spending some quality time with it at the range. I have the LCP, no laser; and can put all rounds into the 9 and 10 rings on a B27 target at 25'. My LCP is my summer carry with a spare mag and a pocket holster.

 

[chapguy]

It's always a fine line between comfort and security. My thought is that you will become comfortable with a gun that you shoot well and you'll find reasons NOT to carry a gun that isn't right for you. I had a Walther PK380 that I never felt I could trust so I didn't carry it, even though it was small and very comfortable for carry. I have carried an XDm and a M&Pc that I feel secure carrying even though they're not the most comfortable things to carry.

If I couldn't shoot it well, I'd just as soon carry a comfortable rock.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Hey folks, I been carrying an Springfield XD 40 for a few yrs.now. It is very comfortable in its bianchi holster, but at times in the summer it just doesn't hide well. Been thinking about carrying my lcp 380. Just bought a holster for it. Then I got to thinking, what if I have to defend all the way across a room or something similar. The smaller pistols are not accurate enough to feel comfortable engaging a target. I am a pretty good shot with most weapons. Has anybody else ever gave this thought?
Thanks

I sometimes carry a Charter Arms .38 special snub-nose revolver. I can put all 5 shots on an 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper at 50 feet. Now. When I first got it, I was hitting .. well, let's just say I thought it was a piece of crap gun. Turns out the gun wasn't where the accuracy problem lay.

And by the way, when I got it, I "thought I was a pretty good shot with most guns" as well. "Hell, if I can shoot Expert with an M-16, this little snubby should be easy." Fact is, when you have a handgun with a short barrel (and short sight radius), light weight, and grip that's a bit too small ... it's MUCH more difficult to shoot than a full size handgun. You have to really have the fundamentals down. And you have to realize you're not likely to be shooting it at more than 21 feet or so.

 

[TheDoaner]

I've given this a great deal of thought and so far its resulted in me acquiring more guns and holsters. I totally agree with your LCP analogy because I can't shoot it well beyond 8 yards. It's become my jogging and sweatpants gun. I have some XD's but I can't seem to comfortably conceal double stacks on my waist. I find that commander size 1911's in expensive custom made leather holsters work best for me most days. I've owned the new M&P Shield for a short time and I think it is one of the most impressive small guns that I have ever shot. It shoots like a much longer gun so I think I just might be done with that whole .380 thing once I find the appropriate rig to carry it in. It seems that members of this site have a landslide preference for the Crossbreed Super Tuck Deluxe so I ordered one for the Shield. Now I just have to hurry up and wait.

 

[24ever]

I've given this a great deal of thought and so far its resulted in me acquiring more guns and holsters. I totally agree with your LCP analogy because I can't shoot it well beyond 8 yards. It's become my jogging and sweatpants gun. I have some XD's but I can't seem to comfortably conceal double stacks on my waist. I find that commander size 1911's in expensive custom made leather holsters work best for me most days. I've owned the new M&P Shield for a short time and I think it is one of the most impressive small guns that I have ever shot. It shoots like a much longer gun so I think I just might be done with that whole .380 thing once I find the appropriate rig to carry it in. It seems that members of this site have a landslide preference for the Crossbreed Super Tuck Deluxe so I ordered one for the Shield. Now I just have to hurry up and wait.

Do you have the 9 or 40 M&P Shield?

 

[bfreak72]

have you ever used a fanny pack? when ever i wear elastic band shorts i usuly use a fanny pack my p95 in he back zipper and disrtibute extra mag and wallet among the other pockets

 

[billiam]

Accuracy can be improved with smaller barreled weapons by spending some quality time with it at the range. I have the LCP, no laser; and can put all rounds into the 9 and 10 rings on a B27 target at 25'. My LCP is my summer carry with a spare mag and a pocket holster.

Totally agree. LCP is my summer carry and if you spend time with it can be accurate enough for self defense purposes.

 

[wolf_fire]

In any given situation you will default to your training. TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN with any and every firearm you will be carrying. When at the range, train at multiple distances. If the range allows, train while in motion. Most encounters are not static. Also, something most people forget, is to train pulling the firearm out of its concealment. The last thing you want to be doing in a situation is fumbling to pull your firearm out.

I have a .38 S&W revolver and a Sig Sauer P238 that I use for summer deep conceal. Both of these weapons I would rely on favorably at 15 yards (45 feet) or the equivalent of twice the size of most rooms. I also can hit center of mass on my targets at 25 yards with these firearms. But, no matter what you get.... TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN!!

 

[AppliedPerspective]

Also, something most people forget, is to train pulling the firearm out of its concealment. The last thing you want to be doing in a situation is fumbling to pull your firearm out.

Make sure that's ok with your range first, or get some snap caps and do it at home. The range I go to most often won't let you practice your draw. I understand why, but it makes me glad I've got a farm not too far away where I can practice whatever I want.

 

[TheDoaner]

I have the 9mm. It was the first to arrive at our store and I was instantly smittened by it's ergonomics. We actually received it prior to it's unvieling at the NRA show. The first customer that saw it wanted to buy it but he ended up getting denied. I took this as a sign that fate wanted me to have this low serial number gun. It was love at first feel.

 

[wolf_fire]

Make sure that's ok with your range first, or get some snap caps and do it at home. The range I go to most often won't let you practice your draw. I understand why, but it makes me glad I've got a farm not too far away where I can practice whatever I want.

Excellent advice. I practice pulling the unloaded gun from my holster at home and I won't belong to a range that won't allow me to practice drawing at the range. I prefer a strong side holster so that I do not have to sweep the gun across areas I do not wish to destroy. Thank you for bringing up a most important safety tip.

 

[SGB]

Small guns are more difficult to shoot well, harder to control, harder to speed reload and use less powerful ammunition. No one ever wishes for a smaller gun in a gunfight.

Try some shooting on the move drills and see how well your favorite subcompact carry piece fairs.

 

[Ringo]

Hey folks, I been carrying an Springfield XD 40 for a few yrs.now. It is very comfortable in its bianchi holster, but at times in the summer it just doesn't hide well. Has anybody else ever gave this thought?
Thanks

Curious as to what your summer apparel is. Living in Arizona, it's T-shirt & shorts almost year round, and I have no problem comfortably carrying and concealing a 1911 in a KL Null Nulvam (Vampire) Crossdraw Driving Holster. Driving, standing, walking, or just siting around it's hard to beat. Personally, I'd keep on carrying the XD.

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[flasburn38]

Thanks everybody for the tips and discussion. I have been practicing with it and intend to practice weekly just like I do with my XD. I do believe if i carry, I must be accurate and efficient using it. Just drawing an LCP is a whole different world also.
I really liked the in front cross draw holster that was shown. Interesting place to carry
Thanks again