chaim
Member
I live in a non-carry state so I don't have the ability to thoroughly test out my carry theories. I do carry at home often but there is a difference between a couple hours and all day. I am getting a FL non-res permit, but it isn't finished yet. Even when it is, there is also a difference between carrying all day a few times a year and day in and day out.
Anyway, I have been thinking that I'd want to carry a primary and a backup as much as possible. Because a J-frame or Bersa sized pistol can fit fairly easily in a pocket I had pretty much planned on those as my backups (no ankle holsters for me since I am on the large side right now and I don't know of a ankle holster that will fit comforably over my calves). However, just because it can fit in a pocket doesn't necessarily make it an ideal pocket pistol. Sure, when I am going a bit lighter and only carrying one (and the pocket gun is it) then it should probably be at least my Taurus 85 or Bersa, but as backup to something else is it even realistic?
I've been thinking on and off over the past month or so that I might want to consider a true pocket pistol of some kind. Of course that brings a couple questions:
-Is it really needed? For most people, once day to day carry begins, is carrying two guns really realistic or is it too heavy and just too much for most people to bother? If it isn't realistic to think that I'll carry two then when I go with pocket carry for deeper concealment I'll probably want at least a .380 or .38spl since it would be the only gun carried.
-Similarly, is carrying a J-frame (or Bersa) along with a larger gun easier than I might think?
-This might be where smaller is truely better and the only real criteria (since I'd be carrying something bigger already). I probably would want something around .32acp power levels, though I suppose I might consider .22lr or .25acp. What is your (collective) take on this?
Also, what are some suggestions? Most aren't legal for new purchase here anymore since few have internal locks, but I can probably find most used. I also may wait until I move out of MD, but since I'm really not sure how long I'm stuck here I will probably not put off anything until I leave (if I find what I want I'll probably get it). Anyway, here are some of the guns I'm considering (more or less in order):
-Beretta Tomcat. It is pretty small, fairly light, and in the fairly decent .32acp.
-NAA Guardian in either .32 or .380. A little on the expensive side, but a top choice if I can afford it. I seem to recall the .32 is a bit more reliable and it should be much more controlable, but the .380 is a pretty decent cartridge and great in this size gun. I think these might be a bit on the heavy side for this class of gun though.
-NAA mini-revolver. Probably in .22mag (even out of a 2" or slightly shorter barrel these should be close to, or above in the right loadings, the typical .32acp power levels), possibly in .22lr (easier to control and with proper load selection it is more powerful than a .25acp even out of these short barrels). Very light, very small, virtually disappears. One potential drawback, rimfire ignition issues, is less of an issue on a revolver (just pull trigger again) and with CCI I've never had an issue in my rifles.
-Kel-tec .380. Very small and light. Probably a bit harsh in this size gun though. Also, I'd have to wait until I left MD since none are MD legal (no lock, none made before Jan 1st). I'm a little worried about Kel-tec QC.
-Kel-tec P32. Very small and light. Fun little gun and surprisingly accurate (I had the chance to shoot one once). Inexpensive, and some should be on the used market. Only drawback is possible QC issues in a class of guns that must work every time.
-Beretta Jetfire or 21A. Yeah, these are only .25acp and .22lr respectively, but they are classics and typically very reliable and accurate (for pocket guns).
-Taurus PT22 or PT25. Small, but weak calibers and these are probably the least reliable Taurus pistols made. Also, while small and inexpensive they are probably the biggest in their class and caliber. The biggest advantage is that this is the only one mentioned so far that has the built-in lock and is thus MD legal for sale new. That means I could buy new and that it would be the easiest to get (no worries about trying to find one locally or bother transfering and possible quality issues with a sight unseen internet purchase).
Wild cards:
Get a lightweight alloy snub since the weight would probably be the biggest issue against using the snub along with another gun. If I do this I'd probably go lower powered for controlability, the 6 shot .32H&R mag Taurus 731 in aluminum or titanium, the 8 shot .22mag Taurus 941 in aluminum or titanium or the 9 shot .22lr Taurus 94 in aluminum or titanium. If I went aluminum I might go .38spl or 9mm too, though the aluminum along with another primary gun still might be too much weight. Also, how important is bulk in a backup or am I right that weight would be the primary impediment to carrying two? These all have the internal locks (as would the equivelent, new, but more expensive S&Ws in similar configurations) so if I couldn't find what I wanted I could always order them (new) from any local dealer if I so desired.
Anyway, I have been thinking that I'd want to carry a primary and a backup as much as possible. Because a J-frame or Bersa sized pistol can fit fairly easily in a pocket I had pretty much planned on those as my backups (no ankle holsters for me since I am on the large side right now and I don't know of a ankle holster that will fit comforably over my calves). However, just because it can fit in a pocket doesn't necessarily make it an ideal pocket pistol. Sure, when I am going a bit lighter and only carrying one (and the pocket gun is it) then it should probably be at least my Taurus 85 or Bersa, but as backup to something else is it even realistic?
I've been thinking on and off over the past month or so that I might want to consider a true pocket pistol of some kind. Of course that brings a couple questions:
-Is it really needed? For most people, once day to day carry begins, is carrying two guns really realistic or is it too heavy and just too much for most people to bother? If it isn't realistic to think that I'll carry two then when I go with pocket carry for deeper concealment I'll probably want at least a .380 or .38spl since it would be the only gun carried.
-Similarly, is carrying a J-frame (or Bersa) along with a larger gun easier than I might think?
-This might be where smaller is truely better and the only real criteria (since I'd be carrying something bigger already). I probably would want something around .32acp power levels, though I suppose I might consider .22lr or .25acp. What is your (collective) take on this?
Also, what are some suggestions? Most aren't legal for new purchase here anymore since few have internal locks, but I can probably find most used. I also may wait until I move out of MD, but since I'm really not sure how long I'm stuck here I will probably not put off anything until I leave (if I find what I want I'll probably get it). Anyway, here are some of the guns I'm considering (more or less in order):
-Beretta Tomcat. It is pretty small, fairly light, and in the fairly decent .32acp.
-NAA Guardian in either .32 or .380. A little on the expensive side, but a top choice if I can afford it. I seem to recall the .32 is a bit more reliable and it should be much more controlable, but the .380 is a pretty decent cartridge and great in this size gun. I think these might be a bit on the heavy side for this class of gun though.
-NAA mini-revolver. Probably in .22mag (even out of a 2" or slightly shorter barrel these should be close to, or above in the right loadings, the typical .32acp power levels), possibly in .22lr (easier to control and with proper load selection it is more powerful than a .25acp even out of these short barrels). Very light, very small, virtually disappears. One potential drawback, rimfire ignition issues, is less of an issue on a revolver (just pull trigger again) and with CCI I've never had an issue in my rifles.
-Kel-tec .380. Very small and light. Probably a bit harsh in this size gun though. Also, I'd have to wait until I left MD since none are MD legal (no lock, none made before Jan 1st). I'm a little worried about Kel-tec QC.
-Kel-tec P32. Very small and light. Fun little gun and surprisingly accurate (I had the chance to shoot one once). Inexpensive, and some should be on the used market. Only drawback is possible QC issues in a class of guns that must work every time.
-Beretta Jetfire or 21A. Yeah, these are only .25acp and .22lr respectively, but they are classics and typically very reliable and accurate (for pocket guns).
-Taurus PT22 or PT25. Small, but weak calibers and these are probably the least reliable Taurus pistols made. Also, while small and inexpensive they are probably the biggest in their class and caliber. The biggest advantage is that this is the only one mentioned so far that has the built-in lock and is thus MD legal for sale new. That means I could buy new and that it would be the easiest to get (no worries about trying to find one locally or bother transfering and possible quality issues with a sight unseen internet purchase).
Wild cards:
Get a lightweight alloy snub since the weight would probably be the biggest issue against using the snub along with another gun. If I do this I'd probably go lower powered for controlability, the 6 shot .32H&R mag Taurus 731 in aluminum or titanium, the 8 shot .22mag Taurus 941 in aluminum or titanium or the 9 shot .22lr Taurus 94 in aluminum or titanium. If I went aluminum I might go .38spl or 9mm too, though the aluminum along with another primary gun still might be too much weight. Also, how important is bulk in a backup or am I right that weight would be the primary impediment to carrying two? These all have the internal locks (as would the equivelent, new, but more expensive S&Ws in similar configurations) so if I couldn't find what I wanted I could always order them (new) from any local dealer if I so desired.