(Curious) what kind of handgun for house carry?

[CoyoteSix]

Hey THR!

So I'm pondering what would be a good pistol for me in house carry. It'd be cool if it were concealable and barely noticeable. I'm not real big on open carry in my home in peace time. It'd basically be a gun to deal with something when I can't afford to run upstairs to my armory, Uh, I mean bedroom...

So I'm considering a small pistol carried IWB, or even in a pocket holster. I own a wonderful Glock 27, but I feel it's a little heavy and too thick for IWB, maybe in a nice Galco shoulder holster, but I seldom wear an over shirt in my own home. Usually it's some kind of work pant with deep pockets or jeans with a loose fitting T-shirt. So the Glock stays field stripped in my bedroom and than is reassembled before bed.

I'm very open to ideas. I'd like to keep the price range under $400.

The gun's gotta be: Light, Durable, RELIABLE with careful maintenance, and (Here's the kicker) in a caliber that will be on the shelves by this summer. (Which is when I plan to buy it).

With the way ammo is right it's gotta be in a caliber that I can find and shoot 2-300 rounds through to break in and start getting a feel for the firearm.

A .380 would be preferable, but I don't know if .380 is really available right now. I know 9x19 is definitely out of the question currently.

Thanks THR!

P.S.

For what it's worth, I love the Sig P238. I think the gun looks damned sexy, wanted one but the price makes me shiver for such a tiny little gun . Anything similar?

 

[EBK]

I just use whatever piece I carried that day. It stays on my hip IWB until I crawl in bed at which point it goes on the night stand.

If wearing sweats/shorts I will go to a lighter piece so my sweats/shorts will stay up.

 

[CoyoteSix]

@EBK What kind of pistol is your do you carry when you need to go lighter? EX: Shorts/Sweats.

 

[EBK]

Taurus 3rd gen PT111 MIL PRO
In the holster pictured of course you have to tie the drawstring.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

I'd say the XDS in 9mm or .45 both are very slim guns but above your price limit. Kel tec has some cheaper stuff that is still thin and light.

 

[OptimusPrime]

LCP is perfect for put-in-your-pocket tasks.
Very light and easy.

 

[Landric]

My house carry gun is a Kel-Tec P32, small, light, reliable, .32 ACP has been available, and it isn't nearly as snappy as the .380 versions (P3AT and LCP). The pocket clip works nicely in my waistband or pocket.

Its the small one:

 

[GLI45]

Sig P238, if you can find one anyplace other than an auction site like Gunbroker. There's nothing wrong with Gunbroker, but in the current environment you'll be over paying on any auction site.

 

[Evil One]

Dress for the gun.
I dont wear anything without a belt.
With a belt and pockets your options are much more plentiful.
The P3AT/LCP is a great pocket piece, P3AT in my pocket right now.
You also have the option of the LC9, PF9, S&W Shield in a small and easy to carry pistol.


Jim

 

[chris in va]

So I'm pondering what would be a good pistol for me in house carry. It'd be cool if it were concealable and barely noticeable. I'm not real big on open carry in my home in peace time. It'd basically be a gun to deal with something when I can't afford to run upstairs to my armory, Uh, I mean bedroom...

I don't understand what that means...peace time. Why can't you open carry in your house? Somebody freaked out by the presence of a gun?

 

[golfer_ray]

He could be referring to the relationship status with his wife or s/o.

 

[gscrasher]

I like the Walther PPS. Slim, single-stack 9 mm. Very shootable.

 

[CoyoteSix]

@Chris in VA: My spouse doesn't like it. And honestly, a duty sized side arm is kinda heavy without a duty belt.

I also would rather not answer my door and immediately scare the gentleman/lady there.

Also when I mean PeaceTime, I mean non SHTF/invasion/civil war/zombies scenario. Everyday life.

I'm not appeasing anyone that has a problem with guns, just making sure my spouse and company are comfortable. ... To clarify

 

[CoyoteSix]

The P32, P3AT, LCP, and definitely the Sig p238!


Would you folks say the P238 is worth that price tag? A .380 in DA/SA sounds really nice...

 

[ku4hx]

Generally a Glock 23 for me and a Glock 19 for my wife; both with CTC lasers for low light. But my wife has recently bought three Ruger SR guns and as soon as we can get a laser on her favorite it'll be hers.

Actually neither of us are all that picky for the house and is usually a matter of convenience since all are left cleaned, loaded and ready in the safe. Sort of a take your pick kind of situation.

 

[sean326]

Ruger LCP, first item in my pocket in the morning, last thing out at night.
I'm amazed at the number of of people who carry when they leave the house then dump their gun when they get home.

 

[NYGlock]

For me it is usually my S&W 40 shield or a S&W j frame 642 in the pocket.

 

[bannockburn]

I bought a KelTec P3AT because it was a gun you could carry anywhere undetected, even while wearing something as minimal as shorts and a t-shirt.

 

[curlymaple42]

The peace time thing makes sense. Different guns appear around here when we have a big storm or something similar. I try and carry all the time and a lot of that has to do with practice! If you carry all the time you are not fidgety when you do carry. CCW at home and just tell anyone who notices that you are practicing. Funny story, my mom was up (she is from MA) and she asked at dinner if when I carry if the gun was loaded. Lol! The whole family chuckled just short of a full laugh! Then we explained the whole concept behind being prepared.

Sent from my AT100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ku4hx]

...I'm amazed at the number of of people who carry when they leave the house then dump their gun when they get home.

My wife and I have each had occasion to use a gun in self defense. Both times were at/in our home. Her's was at 11:00AM when she was home alone; mine was at 2:30AM several years later.

If you're going to carry .... carry. Our experience is there's just no place or time to let your guard down. And we live in a rather upscale "low crime area". Clearly that has little meaning to us.

 

[Zombiphobia]

I carry a KelTec .32 with hydrashoks and a 92fs 9mm with gold dots. I usually carry both, but at least one or the other pretty much everywhere.

 

[C0untZer0]

Rohrbaugh R9

Drops in a pocket, super llight and super small:

But tis also super expensive

 

[98Redline]

Another vote for the LCP.

I carry mine in a Galco horsehide pocket holster. Very comfortable and completely invisible in my pocket.

My LCP has been 100% reliable since the day I bought it. Never a jam and goes bang when you pull the trigger....every time. The .380 in this little gun is a bit snappy, but very controllable.

 

[T-Bolt]

Hmmm . . . you mentioned .380. Ruger is also introducing a new .380 this year called the LC380. Supposedly it's the LC9 (a bit bigger than the LCP) modified only as apprpriate for the .380 cartridge. Being a bit bigger it might be more comfortable and accomodating for extending shooting sessions over the LCP, yet be quite concealable. I have the LCP, but the LC380 might be interesting.

 

[MedWheeler]

I carry a Kel-Tec PF9 all waking, non-working hours. It's worn OWB, and typically concealed by an untucked shirt.
The holster and my belt are both black basket-weave in appearance. I go clean-cut, and am in reasonable shape. Anyone who has "made" me has likely assumed me to be still in law enforcement. No one has brought it to my attention.

About a month ago, I answered the door for two female Jehovah's Witnesses while wearing the gun openly. I was wearing jeans and a tucked-in tank top that would have been covered by another shirt had I been out and about. I'm receptive to Jehovah's Witnesses as they do as their beliefs teach them, and don't mind it when they come. The ladies appeared to have no concern whatsoever about the firearm, clearly visible, and they even asked, as is customary, if I would mind any further visits. I said that I would not.

Yesterday, they came back, but I was not at home. They're obviously not afraid of me.