searcher451
Member
I often carry a .25 Beretta Jetfire as a BUG. It's not ideal, perhaps, but the doggone thing works every time. Say what you want, but you wouldn't want to get shot with it.
What's the smallest pistol you'd trust?
- Thread starter Tom Servo
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SwampWolf
Member
Blow the dust off this thread! 
If only they could put a 9mm cartridge in the body of a Kel Tec 3AT... I guess you'd need a shoe horn to pull that off.
If only they could put a 9mm cartridge in the body of a Kel Tec 3AT... I guess you'd need a shoe horn to pull that off.
David E
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There is a big difference between offensive and defensive when it comes to caliber selection.
If the most someone can handle is a .22, then it's a good choice.
But, if they could handle something larger but choose not to, they are ignorant.
Folks like this tend to think that "a gun is a gun is a gun," or, in this case, " a bullet is a bullet is a bullet." That is, they think that ANY bullet (.22) will perform like any other bullet (.45 JHP)
This is simply not the case.
If money is an issue, a used .38 or .357 with a 2 or 3 inch barrel can be found for the same or less than that Walther P-22 (cool gun tho it is!)
Ammo isn't that expensive when .38's are purchased and is far ahead of a .22 handgun for defensive purposes.
The smallest gun/caliber I'd ever carry on purpose as a primary is a Kahr P-9 with at least one reload, if not two, on the belt.
If the most someone can handle is a .22, then it's a good choice.
But, if they could handle something larger but choose not to, they are ignorant.
Folks like this tend to think that "a gun is a gun is a gun," or, in this case, " a bullet is a bullet is a bullet." That is, they think that ANY bullet (.22) will perform like any other bullet (.45 JHP)
This is simply not the case.
If money is an issue, a used .38 or .357 with a 2 or 3 inch barrel can be found for the same or less than that Walther P-22 (cool gun tho it is!)
Ammo isn't that expensive when .38's are purchased and is far ahead of a .22 handgun for defensive purposes.
The smallest gun/caliber I'd ever carry on purpose as a primary is a Kahr P-9 with at least one reload, if not two, on the belt.
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
Taurus PT 145
colorado_handgunner
Member
Kel Tec .32 as smallest.
Ruger LCP .380 preferred.
Both can go in a jeans pocket, and carry 6-7 rounds, enough to stop about 2-3 attackers in my mind, if your shot placement is good.
Ruger LCP .380 preferred.
Both can go in a jeans pocket, and carry 6-7 rounds, enough to stop about 2-3 attackers in my mind, if your shot placement is good.
ScareyH22A
Member
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- Feb 25, 2009
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I jumped in skeptically on my purchase of the PM9. I wasn't a PM9 fanboy or anything. I just wanted a small pistol that I could keep on me concealed while at work.
I was actually about to buy a S&W 642. Now THAT I can say I'm a fanboy of. Mainly because it's a revolver and I believe revolvers are reliable as they get. It's small, relatively inexpensive, hammerless, and just plain legendary.
But last minute, I decided to buy the PM9 when I was told that a nearby store had one in stock. I appreciated the fact that it's smaller and slimmer as well as being able to use 9mm ammo. And since it's a semi, I can carry an extra mag and reload a bit quicker. Not to mention that it held 6+1 in the standard mag and 7 in the extended mag vs 5 in the J-frame.
But the 9mm really won me over on the decision. I really believe that shot placement is key but a 9mm is a much more destructive load. And being able to use ammo interchangeably with my other 9 made it an obvious choice.
Before I ever got to shoot it, I read a lot of stuff online and mine was a newer batch with all the bugs worked out so I didn't expect any problems but everyone and I mean EVERYONE said that I need to break it in for at least a couple of hundred rounds and during those times, I'll definitely have some FTF or FTE.
Well, 500rds later, I still haven't had 1 failure. And with the smooth trigger, I shoot almost as well with it as my fullsize USP. I think at 7yds I shoot 1" groups. At 11yds, maybe about 1.75" and at 15yds, about 2.5". I couldn't imagine ever needing to use the PM9 at a greater distance than that.
Now that the .380 version is out, I'm really reevaluating my opinion on minimum effective caliber.
I was actually about to buy a S&W 642. Now THAT I can say I'm a fanboy of. Mainly because it's a revolver and I believe revolvers are reliable as they get. It's small, relatively inexpensive, hammerless, and just plain legendary.
But last minute, I decided to buy the PM9 when I was told that a nearby store had one in stock. I appreciated the fact that it's smaller and slimmer as well as being able to use 9mm ammo. And since it's a semi, I can carry an extra mag and reload a bit quicker. Not to mention that it held 6+1 in the standard mag and 7 in the extended mag vs 5 in the J-frame.
But the 9mm really won me over on the decision. I really believe that shot placement is key but a 9mm is a much more destructive load. And being able to use ammo interchangeably with my other 9 made it an obvious choice.
Before I ever got to shoot it, I read a lot of stuff online and mine was a newer batch with all the bugs worked out so I didn't expect any problems but everyone and I mean EVERYONE said that I need to break it in for at least a couple of hundred rounds and during those times, I'll definitely have some FTF or FTE.
Well, 500rds later, I still haven't had 1 failure. And with the smooth trigger, I shoot almost as well with it as my fullsize USP. I think at 7yds I shoot 1" groups. At 11yds, maybe about 1.75" and at 15yds, about 2.5". I couldn't imagine ever needing to use the PM9 at a greater distance than that.
Now that the .380 version is out, I'm really reevaluating my opinion on minimum effective caliber.
I consider a .380 and the .38 spl in 2" snub to be the minimum for a carry gun and they have their place when you need to carry something under light clothing in hot weather. I prefer a Glock 19 9mm for personal self defense carry most of the time. When concealment isn't an issue, in the house or vehicle and in cold weather with heavy clothes any 4" to 5" service pistol or revolver 9mm .38 spl, .357 mag, or .45 acp works for me too.
Quilbilly
Member
+1 on the .38 special snub. I carry mine quite often in a Desantis Insider. Also I had a NAA Guardian .380 that was awesome to wear during the summer because it was so small.
chuckusaret
member
Bad statement. Most people hit with a 22 in the heat of battle don't even realize they have been shot and would most likely continue their attack. You pull a 22 on a BG here in SE Florida he would most likely just laugh and blow your head off.
My CCW is a XD40 SC with a NAA380 as backup and are the smallest I would even think about carrying
ScareyH22A
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Noxx said:
Apples to apples... same weight +p and the 9mm will always have more velocity as 9's are always higher pressure SAAMI.
JImbothefiveth
Member
Have you tried a g26? It won't work for everyone, so try it first.
Cannonball888
Member
2.34mm Swiss Mini Gun
but only if I were Gulliver in Lilliput.
but only if I were Gulliver in Lilliput.
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