Size, weight, power....

JERRY

JERRY

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Joined
Jun 5, 2003
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Pictured in that order.

What are your smallest, lightest, and most powerful small guns? I mean that you actually carry to save your life...

I've yet to weight out my 351C but I imagine it'll be about the same as the other J frame here.
 

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I don't think I have ever saved my life with a side arm, hard to know for sure.

Smallest and most powerful would be a 45 Colt derringer, FWIW NOT what I would want if I wanted to carry something to save my life. Makes a fine "fishing gun" loaded with #12 and reduced loads though.
 
I'm 6'2" and fat, so small takes a back seat to lightweight. I carried a Glock 23 and stainless Walther PPK/S at different times, but after a period of one-handed disability I find that I now prefer a revolver.

Tried and gave up on two different LCRs, then settled on a S&W 637 Airweight in .38 Special as my lightest carry piece. My 3" Model 60 is carried much more often, though.

S&WCCW.jpg
 
Revolver-S&W Model 638-Smallest (6.3 inches), Lightest (14.6 oz.), and most Powerful (.38 Special).
SlSg8OH.jpg

Semi-Auto-Kahr CM9-Smallest (5.42"), Lightest (14 oz.), and most Powerful (9mm.).
hUvdtcf.jpg
 
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jar said:
You asked about smallest, lightest and most powerful. Just following your orders boss.
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Smallest, lightest, most powerful small guns
 

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My other "noisy cricket" is the Glock 29.

20230320_170228.jpg

It's compact and powerful, but fully loaded is a solid chunk of weight. I was carrying it in my running vest, but the weight was really noticeable - this gun is actually why I bought the 340PD. So it's now relegated to hip carry at work and while traveling - and I often find myself looking at it while dressing, and deciding that my back would really rather pack the 340 today...
 
I don't EDC anything super light at the moment. My lightest is a Ruger 357 LCR @ 17.1 oz. Followed by a Springfield Hellcat @ 18.3 oz. Then my Kahr MK40 @ 23.1 oz.

I'm more worried about size and concealment than I care about weight. A pound and a half or so handgun is very light as it is IMHO especially while wearing a belt. The only time I may want/require lighter is when I'm wearing shorts or pants with a draw string or elastic holding them up and when working or out or jogging.
Polish_20240307_124551225.jpg
 
Kahr PM40 is going to be a strong contender in the size, weight, power game especially if capacity factors.
Here is the PM40 with a snub - the PM40 is smaller, has less felt recoil, more power, and greater capacity of 6 rounds.
The PM40 is not my idea of a preferred primary but is suitable as a 2nd gun, AKA "back-up".
PM40a.jpg
 
The smallest handgun I own is a Ruger SR22. Certainly not the smallest to be found and nowhere in the powerful category. Still it's dependable as a rock with CCI HV ammo and I would certain use it if necessary. 11 shots from it should get someones attention.
 
Now that my hands are both working correctly, I can shoot my Kahr PM40. Different sources list its weight at 16-20 oz, depending on the magazine.

Shooting 40 caliber S&W from such a small and light pistol will get your attention. :)

Kahr Model PM40

Kahr Model PM40

 
I have owned a NAA mini .22lr, NAA Guardian, Keltec P32, Hungarian PA-63, LCP, LCPII .22, Taurus 94, S&W 642, and a Glock 26.

It seems like anything other than the Glock is a Talisman. I still own the J Frame but I am losing confidence in it despite putting about 2500 handloads through it. I shoot it accurately but only having 5 shots is concerning. I do like how safe it is to operate, accuracy, and ability to shoot hardcast SWC.
 
My smallest EDC is a NAA .22 mag in the summer in shorts. My lightest is a toss up between a star pd and a sig p365xl. And most powerful is a Kimber TLE II chambered in 10mm. And yes I would and do rely on them to save my life or life of a loved one if the situation were to dictate. Now I limit the carry of the NAA to the times when I'm not able put a belt on or extremely deep concealment is necessary.
 
The lightest, smallest, most powerful guns I carry on a regular basis are a 432PD, Glock 43, and Micro9 ESV. I don't carry anything that's uncomfortable to shoot on a regular basis for practice. Even stiff 32 mag, like 100 grain Buffalo Bore, is pushing the limit of fun practice for me.

Occasionally, I'll carry a 296, 44 special. Light, but not small. And no fun to shoot. It's loaded with 44 Russian.

I have a 340PD. I shot 20 rounds of S&B 158 gr 357 through it and never fired it with 357 again. I carried it with 38 special for a long time.

Another neat one is an AMT Backup 45. But I can't hit anything with it.
 
wayneinFL said:
The lightest, smallest, most powerful guns I carry on a regular basis are a 432PD, Glock 43, and Micro9 ESV. I don't carry anything that's uncomfortable to shoot on a regular basis for practice. Even stiff 32 mag, like 100 grain Buffalo Bore, is pushing the limit of fun practice for me.

Occasionally, I'll carry a 296, 44 special. Light, but not small. And no fun to shoot. It's loaded with 44 Russian.

I have a 340PD. I shot 20 rounds of S&B 158 gr 357 through it and never fired it with 357 again. I carried it with 38 special for a long time.

Another neat one is an AMT Backup 45. But I can't hit anything with it.
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Yeah those BB 100gr +p are like 327 mags in my 431PD. Well they're moving at 327 velocities anyway.
 
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