Pocket .380 vs. Sub-Compact 9mm

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The_Armed_Therapist

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This question has to do with my wife; she is small and petite. She really likes the Glock 26 and the XD sub-compact. Actually, she LOVES them. However, even with their smaller sizes relative to the compact and full-sized versions of these pistols, concealing with her normal dress is a bit of a stretch.

If we lived in a more friendly state, she wouldn't be so worried about it and would probably just buy one of these models--BUT, here in Ohio, guns are banned in a LOT of places. In Idaho, from where we came to Ohio, basically placed the burden on business owners to ask you to leave or charge with trespassing if you don't. In Ohio, for those unfamiliar with it, stores can kind of "opt in" to a state gun ban where carrying in Papa John's can be equal in magnitude to carrying onto a College campus or hospital.

It isn't about her wanting to carry in places where they are banned, but if you're not paying close enough attention and you miss the sign, you will be charged as a criminal if the thick Glock or XD shows through somehow.

With a pocket .380, such as the Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP, Kel-Tec 3A-T, Kahr P380, and Sig 238, no one will ever see it if she makes a mistake (3 small kids can be quite distracting).

So my question is whether or not adjusting wardrobe and taking the chance on the sub-compact 9mm is worth it or if the safer route of a pocket .380 makes the most sense. I know a lot of it simply has to do with what she's more comfortable doing, but I want to know if there is anything we may not be considering.

Ideally, I'd get her both... But that isn't very realistic right now. In fact, part of the reason getting just one is a possibility is because her pro-firearm Father wants to contribute to a special Christmas present for her.

Also, right now she carries a Kel-Tec P32... But is obviously not satisfied.

Kellen
 
I think you almost answer your own inquiry. A weapon that is natural and effortless to carry is better than one that is not comfortable IMO. My wife went through this exact same thought process with her revolver. She ended up not carrying it much because she didn't like the weight/size/trigger control. The day she first tried a friends Sig P238 at the range, I couldn't believe the groups she shot without having ever touched a gun of that type or size before. It was uncanny. I became a believer in the concept of ... The gun you can control and place accurately, and that makes you comfortable with carry, is the right one. This takes precedence to caliber and capacity. I became convinced in her case.
 
Common piece of advice for concealed carry is change your wardrobe to suit. Yeah, easier said than done in some cases, but worth some thought.

.380 took a hit lately in the caliber wars with the bone plate/gelatin test that got posted.

Have a look at the Kahr CW9 while you're at it.
 
The LCP is so easy to carry, so small and light it disappears better than any of the rest. Downside - doesn't have very good sights like the heavier P238. I find I carry the LCP much more. It isn't a target shooter, but more than adequate for self defense.

In the cooler months, I am more likely to pack the LC9, but had to stick with one, pick the LCP. The money saved over a 238 puts you 1/2 way towards a LC9.

My PF9 was not reliable. Drop by ktog.org and you will see tons of people complaining about the PF9 for various reasons. Dumped it for a LC9 which has been 100% reliable.
 
I personally don't feel under-gunned with a .380, but there are plenty on this board who do.

A good compromise might be the LC9: 9mm power in a package that's only slightly less concealable than an LCP. But unless you're going down to a Derringer or something like that, it's really tough to beat the concealability of the LCP-class of pocket pistols.
 
Pocket 9's

So if she is not recoil shy why not a pocket 9 over a .380? I don't get it.
 
Another vote for her to try the P238, have one for the wife and she really likes it.
.380 isn't my ideal CCW caliber but it's way ahead of nothing and better a .380 she likes & is willing to practice with than something more powerful she doesn't like & won't use.
Haven't decided between FMJ or CorBon's DPX (the only .380 expanding load I'd consider) yet but for now it's loaded w/DPX.
Tomac
 
The pocket .380s and the pocket 9mms are not really that comfortable. The ones that are the most comfortable to her are the Glock 26 and the XD sub-comp. So, it is either those (that she is uncomfortable carrying all the time and in all places) OR one that she WOULD feel comfortable carrying all the time (never ever ever be seen). Only the small .380s fit this latter mold... So to her, the smaller 9mms are too big to feel comfortable carrying 100% of the time AND not comfortable. Hence, one category up and one down.
 
I know a lot of people love the P238, but I'm not crazy about it as a pocket gun (and I'm a huge Sig fan).

I think the best .380 pocket gun is either the Ruger LCP or the S&W BG 380. She'll be happy with either one. The S&W BG 380 has decent iron sights as well as a laser sight. Of the two, I'd go with the S&W BG 380. Ask me tomorrow, and I might say the Ruger. They are both excellent pocket .380 pistols.
 
Glock 26, XD sub-compact, Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP, Kel-Tec 3A-T, Kahr P380, and Sig 238
Click to expand...
Were these her choices? If so, I would personally recommend the largest sized pistol of these. During light clothing months, she can carry in a purse or bag. During heavy clothing months, on her person.
The reason I recommend the largest: When a male reaches for a weapon, no matter what it is, it is perceived as a serious weapon. When a female reaches for anything, a small black object can be confused as a lipstick case, keyfob, etc. Carry the one that looks like a gun! It's just my opinion...
 
I have both the lcp and a glock 26 and almost always carry the lcp due to size. Both are great guns but it is just easier to pocket my lcp compared to having to attach a holster to my belt w/ the glock 26. Also I think it is more likely that you would get busted wearing the glock due to the size compared to the lcp since that is an issue in Ohio.
 
The young lady on You-Tube has done some great videos on practical concealed carry for women. My wife loves her videos as she's about the same size and dresses the same. My wife has been packing a Bersa or Kel-Tec .380 for quite some time and is now wanting to go up a little in caliber. I secretly picked up a Ruger SR9c that she like the feel of, but I may go back and look at the LC9 or Kel-Tec PF9. She really needs a single stack for her carry methods and attire. With a simple low hanging, sleeveless sweater she's really opened up a lot of carry options (much easier in the cooler fall/winter temperatures).

Concealed Carry For Women

ROCK6
 
The Sig P238 has a great trigger, and by all accounts is very accurate and an easy pistol to shoot.

Has she looked at a Kahr MK9 or K9? Very concealable, but all steel frame, so recoil is kept under control. The MK9 is pocketable, the K9 is not. (And although heavier, the steel Kahrs in general tend to be more reliable than the polymer-framed ones, according to what I've heard/read.)
 
I'm in a similar situation because my workplace has a no guns policy and I'll be fired if my gun is discovered.

I had a Taurus 709 slim in a fanny pack and could have carried something larger that way but I got fed up with the low quality of the packs I had available because I kept busting zippers. The disadvantage of a fanny pack is that you look like a dork and for a lot of women that's too much of an obstacle. The advantages are that you can carry a physically larger gun than you can conceal and very, very few people would ever think that a woman wearing a fanny pack might be carrying a gun in it.

Currently I'm carrying an MPA Protector in a bellyband -- worn on my ribs below my bra positioned for a neckline draw. Since I'm generously gifted there's plenty of space there and that tiny gun doesn't print at all as long as I wear shirts made of woven fabric rather than knitted fabric. (I would have gotten that Sig but I couldn't afford it).

My bellyband is from Ace Case and I'm so happy with the white one that I'm going to get a black one too. I wear a tank top or camisole underneath it and find it as comfortable as my bra and more comfortable than some of the various control garments that women often wear.

If she's otherwise comfortable with her current gun and current carry method except for the fear of printing, a switch from knit tops and t-shirts to woven shirts may do the trick.

Is she familiar with www.corneredcat.com?
 
Get a bersa .380 and be merry.

Get a used one so if it does not work for her you can sell it and not loose any money.

It takes forever to pick the right gun ...
 
Some good advice on here, but after carrying for years now I have a different philosophy. I have a P32, it is my BUG every day. Iprefer it over the P3AT I traded away for several reasons. With quality fmj ball ammo it does well enough in a pinch.

I would go a different route and recommend this, get the G26 and when she is in the mood and wardrobe allows carry it. When she cannot then she is still not unarmed with the P32. There will be days she does not want to fuss with it and that is fine. The glock or xd make fine range and HD guns as well, much more suitable than a pocket 380.

One last thing, check out smart carry. It is a quality solution that may sometimes fit your needs.
 
Went through the same thing here. Wife is thin and wears nice form fitting close, not trashy, just not sloppy/bagging looking stuff......Gentlemen you're not going to convince too many ladies to change their wardrobe for conceal carry.

We tried the belt side holsters with compact pistols and unless she was wearing a large winter coat they didn't conceal worth squat so against my better wishes we bought an LCP.....LCP still looks rather large in a small ladies pocket. She has settled on Mexican carry in the front waste band, in a Desantis Nemesis holster. The little LCP completely disappears this way and she claims it's the most comfortable for her.

It must be comfortable because it has brought her CC up from 9% to 90%......She certainly likes shooting the bigger pistols better but that's irrelevant if she won't carry them.
 
Not necassarily

Only the small .380s fit this latter mold..
Click to expand...

Have you looked at the Rohrbough? Same size as a .380, more horsepower.
 

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