Need help finding a CCW pistol for a skinny guy!

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Colt117

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There are several important factors that I want in my CCW pistol but I am unsure whether or not I will have to sacrifice certain things in order to have others.

-I'm a skinny guy who lives in florida. It gets kind of hot out so I typically don't wear very baggy clothing. I fear that my thin bodytype and lighter clothing will make it difficult to find a weapon that is both easily concealable on the hip and....

-handles well. I have a lot of experience in IPSC and I would like to carry a weapon that I would feel confident in regards to its ease of handling and ability to fire double taps in quick succession.

In short, I am looking for a smaller, thinner handgun that handles well (in 40 or 45 if possible). Can anyone help me out? Thanks!
 
Bobtail commander 1911?

Officer 1911? Doesn't get much thinner than a Colt New Agent. Avoid the big beavertails and ambi safeties and that makes for a pretty compact item.

I'm partial to the 1911 platform and I carry a parkerized government size 1911 IWB with an untucked loose short sleeve button down shirt in the summers here in AZ. I would carry the new agent but that's got to wait for purchasing approval from the wife.

I would also lean towards something stainless in florida, and the new agent has a blued slide, which might give you some trouble there. Here in AZ rust is less of a worry as long as everything gets a wipedown with some Eezox at the end of the day.

-J.
 
Kahr PM40 is tiny, although I've heard it's a bear to shoot being so light. Others to consider are the Glock 36 (single stack), 1911s (as mentioned above), Kel-Tec P-40 (you'll have to find used) and I believe Bersa is coming out with a single stack .40 this summer.
 
If you like Hawaiian shirts you can pretty much get away with packing any size pistol :p
(the combination of loud patterns and loose fit really hide a gun)
 
What firearm do you use in IPSC ?

What ever you use in IPSC, I would recomend going from there. Most firearms have compact/sub-compact models that are similar (in handling) as their big brother.

From there, it may take a change in wardrobe in order to accomodate the pistol. Last time I was down in FLA, I carried a Glock 30 IWB without any issues . Shorts, t-shirt, and a button up short sleeve shirt (preferably made of a thin material) should be an even compromise. Some holsters will assist in concealment more than others. You may even try out a shoulder holster if you have a friend that will loan you one to test out.

Another option that you may want to look into is the new pocket pistol craze. It is a good option for those that either can't accomodate a larger pistol or do not like the weight/size of a larger pistol.
 
I'm in Texas with similar hot summers. I love my PM40 for IWB carry; it is light and small. It is not for the recoil sensitive but I shoot it very well. I also carry a Keltec P3AT in my pocket a lot.
 
I have the Kahr PM9 and the PM45. Either is good for IWB and the PM9 can go in a pocket. The PM45 is a little more recoil but still very controllable for follow up shots. I don't have the PM40 but most people say that the recoil is more than they care for but it is almost the exact same size as the PM9.

If you want better advise: include price range, trigger action, polymer vs. steel vs. stainless, sight preference. But hope you find something you can carry everyday down there in the heat.
 
I am in FL and carry the Kahr PM9 daily. The PM40 is the same size. Kahr even has a PM45.

I carry in a Crossbreed Minituck or a Desantis Nemesis. The pocket carry works well as long as the pants are fairly loose or have long pockets.

I really like the minituck but it still shows the two clips and not all shirts do well with tucking and hanging out alot without showing the clips too much. Often I wear a undershirt and a shirt that is not tucked.
 
The Kahr "P" and "CW" models come in .40 and .45. They are small, slim and the butt is long enough that your pinky has a place to perch. The Walther PPS is similar in size, and a bit thinner.

The SmartCarry holster works well with a wide range of clothing; from jogging shorts to suits.
 
How about a skinny pistol for the skinny guy? You should most definitely give some hefty consideration to the Walther PPS -- and the last S is for Slim. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better and more easily concealed carry piece. You also can get it in both 9mm and .40 S&W, so you'll have sufficient firepower at your disposal. And, of course, you'll have the Walther heritage of excellent craftsmanship behind you as well -- a tough combination to pass by.
 
I used to live in Florida and carried all the time while wearing just shorts and a T-Shirt. I carried a G23 in an IWB holster. The shirts I wore weren't baggy but weren't tight either. Would you consider going up a size on your shirts?
 
The PPS is a good pistol and is about as thin as it gets. It's very nice. A Kahr in 40 is very small as well.

For me, as of this week, I have returned to a 380 (SIG P238). I loaded it with buffalo bore and it hits like a brick through a plate glass window. Plus, it's teensy and shoots with almost no recoil nor muzzle flip in any direction. It's a confidence inspiring little gun.
 
SIG P239! in .40S&W / .357SIG, both work in the same pistol and can use the .40 magazines with just a conversion barrel. It aint bright or flashy, just the best shooting, most reliable compact available. It is a well tested, well thought of pistol, that performs as advertised. A 1911 is a great competition pistol but that wonderful trigger could mean serious legal trouble if it is used for self defense. You really do not want a carry weapon to have a 2.5-3.5lb trigger pull, nice at the range though. Just a thought, but I would really consider the SIG, try one you will love it. It is a single stack so the grip is thin, 7+1 should get the job done.
 
Polish P-64 seems pretty good. I haven't fired mine yet, but it gets good reviews and I'm very impressed with the fit and finish. My father and I both bought P-64's for conealed carry just last Saturday.
 
whatever compact single frame 40 or 45 is most similar to what you shoot in IPSC.

btw, whoever said the PM40 is a handful is exaggerating. i've fired one. it's not bad at all.

really, concealing a gun is more about what holster you choose and how you dress than it is about the gun. if you pick a iwb holster that holds the gun tight against your body, and low with respect to your waistline, and make sure you wear shirts that are a bit baggy, you can pretty much conceal anything.

you can also pocket carry more gun than you think if you choose pants / shorts with large pockets. i wear a size 32, and have some shorts and slacks with pockets large enough to hold my G27. a slimmer gun would be even easier.
 
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