What's the smallest pistol you'd trust?

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DoubleAction: If you don't mind me asking:

I just got my CPL approved and I own a Colt Defender.

How is that pistol for concealed carry in your opinion?

Also, what type of holster do you use for the Defender?

Thanks for any info.

Edit: I forgot to say, I'm right handed and am 6'0" and weigh about 220 lbs.
 
I just got my CPL approved and I own a Colt Defender.

How is that pistol for concealed carry in your opinion?

Also, what type of holster do you use for the Defender?
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I have it's brother, the New Agent, and it carries fine. In fact it's become my EDC, in a Milt Sparks Versa Max-2 IWB. Very comfortable, I can easily wear it all day.
 
DoubleAction: If you don't mind me asking:

I just got my CPL approved and I own a Colt Defender.

How is that pistol for concealed carry in your opinion?

Also, what type of holster do you use for the Defender?

Thanks for any info.

Edit: I forgot to say, I'm right handed and am 6'0" and weigh about 220 lbs.
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Well; I'm using gun leather for my Colt Officer's Model at the moment; Galco Concealable. By way most parts are interchangeable with the Officer's and full size frame components.

It excellent for carry; let me keep touch, I've feeling I can do good.
 
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Thanks for the info. HexHead and DoubleAction. :)

Edit: Just put my order in for the Milt Sparks Versa-Max 2. They said it would take about 6 months.

Thanks again guys.
 
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i carry a .22 magnum mini revolver all the time i have faith in the bullet to solve problems its just that with the smaller the gun the scary factor goes down if u pull a lil gun u better just shoot it before they start laughing lol but after the flash a boom aint nothin funny about it
 
Every year more people are killed by .22’s then any other caliber that’s
According to the FBI, the question should be what you can shoot well, what gun are you proficient with. My buddy loves 1911’s he has a lot of money in them but can’t shoot with them his IDPA gun is a Glock 34 that’s what he shots well.
 
That would be my KT P32 loaded with FMJ, since it's the smallest pistol I own.
 
A .22 in your pocket is better than the .45 you left at home, but for intentionally carrying something with the thought that I was going to rely on it for my life - I'd say a .380 is as small as I'd go and feel comfortable.
 
That would be my Kel-Tec P-3AT. It's the smallest I carry. The other two in my rotation are a 38Spl and a 9mm. The 380 is less potent but much more compact and I can carry in the Texas summer heat. The other two are for the cooler months.

I'm convinced that with the right ammo, the 380 will do what's needed. I like the hardcast Buffalo Bore alternating with Golden Sabers and/or Hornady Critical Defense. I think with the 380, you can choose between penetration or expansion. So, I carry a combo of rounds that will do either.
 
Smallest I'd trust? Colt Officer's Model, with guide rod modification to eliminate problem with bushing breaking.

This is still a .45 ACP, but it is reasonably small. About the smallest .45 ACP I'd like to try to hang onto...

I just don't see a reason to scale down in caliber for the sake of a smaller or lighter carry. It seems like a compromise on principles.

I won't state that anyone who does so is wrong, as I feel that is a personal decision. As has been stated frequently, "Having an xxx with you is better than the .45 you left at home."

I'm just not going down that particular road myself. :)
 
Smallest I'd trust? Colt Officer's Model, with guide rod modification to eliminate problem with bushing breaking.

This is still a .45 ACP, but it is reasonably small. About the smallest .45 ACP I'd like to try to hang onto...

I just don't see a reason to scale down in caliber for the sake of a smaller or lighter carry. It seems like a compromise on principles.

I won't state that anyone who does so is wrong, as I feel that is a personal decision. As has been stated frequently, "Having an xxx with you is better than the .45 you left at home."

I'm just not going down that particular road myself.
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I agree. Modern materials have advanced to the point where small =/= weak.

The older dudes may boo hoo and BAWWWW, then try to stuff an S&W down your throat, but when I carry my mom's PT145 it amazes me how they could fit 10 .45 auto cartridges into the magazine of such a tiny gun. It's also light as all get out, but even my mom has no problem with the kick.
 
Smallest

KT P-32 with Buffalo Bore's new 75 gr HC + P round. I'd favour penetration over expansion and landing 8 rounds of that stuff on a bad guy quickly will at least probably let you run away or hide.

But thats what I carry when it ABSOLUTELY has to be deep concealment (weddings, formal get to gethers etc). Which isn't very often. When out and about in shorts and a t-shirt its my 642 with BB standard pressure .38's with 2 S/L.

I'f I going into or around Houston then its my G19 with at least 1 standard cap mag as backup, both stuffed with 124 gr +P Golden Sabre ammo.
 
I carry my Bersa Thunder every time I am able to carry. Its relatively light and small so concealment is not that big of an issue. I use an in the pocket holster when wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and iwb when weather is cooler. For ammo I am using Hornady's new critical defense.
 
I would HATE to get shot with anything....

obviously, a .45 or a .40 are terrific rounds, but one of the main points of CCW is being able to hide it. Personally, I don't want to "dress for the occasion" every time I leave the house... that's why I think a small .380 is ideal. I don't understand how a 9mm is good enough for a battle gun for the military, but is completely inadequate for personal carry?


although I haven't done it, I've considered carrying my little american arms 22 mag with me... it practically disappears in your pocket, and with CCI +V's, you still get around 1100 FPS with that little 30 grain bullet
 
Half the year I carry a Walther or Clone FEG 32acp. And I feel 100% confident in it's abilities. When I compare what that 32 can compare with the 380, I have no problem choosing the 32.

380acp: Gold dot ammo: 90grain, 900fps, 196 ft/lbs. Golden Saber:102 grain, 940 fps, 200 ft/lb; Win Silvertips:85 grain, 1000fps, 189 ft/lb

32acp: Fiocchi HP: 60 grain, 1200 fps, 205 ft/lb; Fiocchi FMJ:73 grain, 908 fps, 155 ft/lb; Buffalo Bore: 75 grain, 1150 fps, 220 ft/lb

I feel quite comfortable with that 32auto coming out of the walther or FEG. The 32 can almost equal the 380, and the 380 and 32 are quite satisfactorily when defending in public and carrying. Throw in the adrenaline, heart beat, sweating, stress, fear, etc... Then take away the recoil, noise, etc... that the larger calibers provide; and the 32/380 can actually be more effective. Especially if you can pop 7 rounds on target as opposed to 2 or 3 from a larger gun because of all the issues mentioned.

Don't get me wrong. The other half of the year when the weather adds more clothing, I carry a SigSauer P220 45acp. That just happens to be my most favorite gun in the world. Plus, because of winter time and more clothing on the Bad guy, I prefer the capabilities of the 45acp. However; in the summer/warmer months; with a simple shirt or possibly light jacket, the 32/380 does just fine.
 
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