How small a carry?

C

cluznar

New member
I understand some people like having a pocket gun and that's fine. But for an EDC gun how small does it have to be? Seriously, I believe a gun from 3.125 to 4 inch barrel will conceal with no problem. I feel a 3.5 barell is the perfect carry size.

As for width, how slim must it be? IMHO some of the guns are too slim. I have a Bersa Thunder .380 which I really like, but would not want a carry gun any slimmer than it is. Another of my guns, the Ruger SR9c is ideal on it's width.

So how much more do you really need a cary gun compacted? I have no problem concealing the guns mentioned above in an IWB holster. But it seems people keep wanting smaller and smaller guns.

How small is necessary?

:big_boss:
 
i think i'd stick with the biggest that conceals and carrys well ..i don't like a really small gun as i have pretty long fingers and large hands for a woman so the smaller guns just don't fit or feel right to me and i like a good grip so that also adds bulk .......
so it's a personal preference how comfortable you are and how well you can conceal it
best wishes
 
cluznar said:
I understand some people like having a pocket gun and that's fine. But for an EDC gun how small does it have to be? Seriously, I believe a gun from 3.125 to 4 inch barrel will conceal with no problem. I feel a 3.5 barell is the perfect carry size.
As for width, how slim must it be? IMHO some of the guns are too slim. So how much more do you really need a cary gun compacted? I have no problem concealing the guns mentioned above in an IWB holster. But it seems people keep wanting smaller and smaller guns.

How small is necessary?

:big_boss:
Click to expand...

I used to think exactly as you do...

I was pretty much okay with just carrying my Glock 27 or Glock 19 everyday until I finally decided to give the LCP a look.

Which sidearm would I prefer in an actual shootout situation? The Glocks of course, but the LCP is just so damn easy to carry around with almost no bulk whatsoever, especially when making a quick run to the local Redbox to rent a couple of movies.

Whenever I just want to jump into my shorts, t-shirt and sandals, the LCP is truly ideal for me personally, because an ultra compact .380 on your person is way better than a larger framed firearm left at home.

Until Glock offers an ultra sub compact .380, the Ruger will serve me well for now.
 
that lcp looks pretty good to me too .....i just dont' have the money to spend on one right now especially since the gun show.. ccwp class and application money set me back about 200 usd already and some other unexpected and costly stuff come up this month but i will certainly look into that lcp when i get a bit more spending cash looks really easy to conceal too
 
The lcp (kel tec 3at?) is real easy to conceal. I just could not shoot it accurately, and hated the way it felt in hand. Now it's larger cousin the pf9 or lc9 size is perfect "pocket gun" size for me.
 
cluznar:312910 said:
I understand some people like having a pocket gun and that's fine. But for an EDC gun how small does it have to be? Seriously, I believe a gun from 3.125 to 4 inch barrel will conceal with no problem. I feel a 3.5 barell is the perfect carry size.

As for width, how slim must it be? IMHO some of the guns are too slim. I have a Bersa Thunder .380 which I really like, but would not want a carry gun any slimmer than it is. Another of my guns, the Ruger SR9c is ideal on it's width.

So how much more do you really need a cary gun compacted? I have no problem concealing the guns mentioned above in an IWB holster. But it seems people keep wanting smaller and smaller guns.

How small is necessary?

:big_boss:
Click to expand...

how small is necessary is all situationally and personally dependent. What's ideal for you is not ideal for others. I bought a p238 to pocket carry when I wore no shirt at the river and wanted to conceal a firearm still. That is just one reason and example.

Now that I open carry, I'm not restricted to a certain size. Granted, there are a lot of members here who conceal full size firearms just fine. The ideal firearm for me is the one with the most firepower that I can shoot precisely.i
 
The_Outlaw:312926 said:
cluznar said:
I understand some people like having a pocket gun and that's fine. But for an EDC gun how small does it have to be? Seriously, I believe a gun from 3.125 to 4 inch barrel will conceal with no problem. I feel a 3.5 barell is the perfect carry size.
As for width, how slim must it be? IMHO some of the guns are too slim. So how much more do you really need a cary gun compacted? I have no problem concealing the guns mentioned above in an IWB holster. But it seems people keep wanting smaller and smaller guns.

How small is necessary?

:big_boss:
Click to expand...

I used to think exactly as you do...

I was pretty much okay with just carrying my Glock 27 or Glock 19 everyday until I finally decided to give the LCP a look.

Which sidearm would I prefer in an actual shootout situation? The Glocks of course, but the LCP is just so damn easy to carry around with almost no bulk whatsoever, especially when making a quick run to the local Redbox to rent a couple of movies.

Whenever I just want to jump into my shorts, t-shirt and sandals, the LCP is truly ideal for me personally, because an ultra compact .380 on your person is way better than a larger framed firearm left at home.

Until Glock offers an ultra sub compact .380, the Ruger will serve me well for now.
Click to expand...
I also find myself going for the LCP in the safe more and more for my EDC. You really just can't go wrong especially for summer carry.
 
The_Outlaw said:
I used to think exactly as you do...

I was pretty much okay with just carrying my Glock 27 or Glock 19 everyday until I finally decided to give the LCP a look.

Which sidearm would I prefer in an actual shootout situation? The Glocks of course, but the LCP is just so damn easy to carry around with almost no bulk whatsoever, especially when making a quick run to the local Redbox to rent a couple of movies.

Whenever I just want to jump into my shorts, t-shirt and sandals, the LCP is truly ideal for me personally, because an ultra compact .380 on your person is way better than a larger framed firearm left at home.

Until Glock offers an ultra sub compact .380, the Ruger will serve me well for now.
Click to expand...

I really have to agree...........I have carried a couple smaller guns Taurus PT 111 and a Springfield XD40 Sub, If I really needed it I would hope the XD40 was there but I found there were many times when I couldn't carry and would leave the gun locked in the car, I would find myself going into places I could carry that I wouldn't because getting the gun out of the glove box and undercover wasn't practical. With the LCP I have a Talon wallet holster that can easilly be shoved i a back pocket and ready to go. I have also found that the LCP is so light and comfortable IWB that I am carrying it more and more as summer approaches.
A small gun (or any gun) is better than the big one at home any day, and besides.........if you had a choice to be shot by a .22, a .380, or a .45, which would you choose?
 
I CC a full sized HK USP .45, (strong side pancake) a dual mag pouch, and a TLR-2S no problems or issues....

bottom line you can hide almost anything you want with just a little effort....
 
Today there are so many lightweight/Airweight options available in .38 Spcl and 9MM that I personally don't see any need to go smaller. Yes, I know that the smallish .38/9MM guns kick like a mule, but that is a small price to pay for comfortable ability to conceal combined with a healthy knockdown power factor. IMHO there are just too many quality revolvers (S&W J Frame Airweights) and high quality small 9mms from many top manufacturers today to be carrying .22LRs, .32 ACP or .380 ACP as SD guns. I feel the high quality, single stack 9MM "pocket guns" have made the "mouseguns" obsolete. I used to carry a PPK .380 and even a BERSA Thunder .380 for some time. With the options available now in almost the same size I would definitely opt for a small 9MM if I were still carrying a semiauto. As it is, I carry J Frame .38 Spcls exclusively.
 
i don't have much a choice right now as all i have is an old browning .380 it weighs about 2 pounds fully loaded it's all metal and has a thick 13 bullet mag and good rubberized grip on the butt which adds thickness too

i not sure how well it will be to carry or conceal just yet but i'm hoping to win that giveaway which will solve all that for me but if i don't win i'll invest in a crossbreed iwb holster and a good gun belt and make do until i can get a slimmer gun and gear to carry it
being new to all this i'm reading this forum to get any ideas i can and i've read some great ideas on this forum so thanks again to all who post here
 
People choose sub compact guns mostly for comfort, not because they're a "good choice" for self defense. It's so much easier to stick a sub compact .380 in their pocket than it is to put on a belt & holster and carry that compact 9mm. Self defense is a personal choice as is what you choose to defend yourself with. My running to the corner store gun is a S&W 6906.
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I have carried a ruger LC9 and a taurus TCP both are very small. Carrying was no problem but I don't like to shoot anything that small. My wife told me she would rather get shot then shoot that ruger LC9 again. So we got her a glock to carry.
 
I'm a two gun guy. For most of my carry needs, an IWB with my Kimber Custom Compact does fine. Those times when I need to be really light, the LCP is hard to beat. I've found that most of the time I have both guns on me. Can't be too prepared.
 
I would think it would be easier to have the "element of surprise" when you pull out a gun out of your pocket than with a larger firearm. I carry a sig220 but often find myself carrying the lcp I bought a while back. It's less bulky, would hide really easily when when pulling it out, and definitely would surprise the hell out of someone if it came out of your pocket.

The very big plus of drawing it out of your pocket may save your life
 
No one can really argue with many of the replies. This issue really comes down to "will you carry it if it is a relatively heavy load of metal?" No matter how small it gets (and there is a limit just based on having an adequate number of cartridges at what the purchaser feels is an adequate calibre)--leaving aside a derringer-type firearm), if, after the excitement wears off and you just do not want to have a large hunk of metal in your pocket or hanging on your belt etc, you will not bother with it. Isn't that what this explosion of mouse guns is really all about?
 
elmuelmu:313104 said:
I would think it would be easier to have the "element of surprise" when you pull out a gun out of your pocket than with a larger firearm. I carry a sig220 but often find myself carrying the lcp I bought a while back. It's less bulky, would hide really easily when when pulling it out, and definitely would surprise the hell out of someone if it came out of your pocket.

The very big plus of drawing it out of your pocket may save your life
Click to expand...

I still pocket carry, but I definitely understand the disadvantages of carrying in that way. The element of surprise you speak of in pocket carrying will only work when he demands your belongings, expects you to move to your pockets, and you bring a firearm out. There is no way you will be able to draw out of your pocket faster than someone can pull the trigger of a firearm all ready pointed at you. If you have the ability and opportunity to draw from your pocket and "surprise" the bad guy, you better be ready to get shot yourself as it's still not nearly as fast to draw in "surprise" before he pulls the trigger of a firearm all ready pointed at you. Going with a pocket carry has it's purpose, but the purpose of "the element of surprise" definitely is not one of them.
 
Some very good responses in this thread. Any gun will do, if you will carry it comes to mind.
I like my Colt LW Commander. Very thin, but not as thin as an LCP. (I have a Glock 19 as well.)
Like I said, it is all about what you are willing to do.
 
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