Best Compact For CCH - Ruger LCP?

onewhippedpuppy · 10-09-2013, 07:33 PM

My Sig P250 Subcompact is proving to be too big and heavy to regularly carry, even with a good IWB holster. I need to get a good "pocket pistol" because I find myself leaving it at home simply because I don't care to carry it. I need to go handle a bunch of them at Cabelas, but what is the Pelican's choice for a ultra compact carry piece? Ruger LCP seems to be an obvious one and reasonably priced. S&W Bodyguard also seems worth checking out. What else is worth a look?

masraum · 10-09-2013, 07:52 PM

Ruger LCP was very popular for a while, a gun that is the camaro to the LCP's mustang is the Taurus TCP. Another pocket 380 is the KelTec P3AT. Here's an article comparing a bunch of them including the 3 above.

The smallest popular pocket pistols are mostly .380 (like those ^), but these days several manufacturers have come out with small single stack 9mm guns. They are bigger, but still small, more powerful, and maybe not quite as pocketable, but still better than most compact guns. Three popular models are the Beretta Nano, the Springfield Armory XDS, and the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. There are also some similar guns made by Sig, Keltec, Ruger and Kahr, and possibly other manufacturers. Here's an article about these super compact 9mm.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Matt.... Check out the sig 938... LCP size, 9mm, and gorgeous looks. I can fit mine in my pocket no problem.

HHI944 · 10-09-2013, 08:04 PM

What about the P938? Great little sidearm with a decent weight and size savings over the 250.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Sig P290.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I'm sensing a trend here.....

onewhippedpuppy · 10-09-2013, 08:49 PM

Nope, you've all suggested a different one! Definitely a brand preference though....

I'm a sucker for the Sigs, especially the 238 and 938. Also like the Walther PPK. I'm a little paranoid about pocket carry with a SA, though a good pocket holster would help. I greatly prefer to shoot a SA vs DAO. I wish there were more DA/SA options in this class.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

It is like a minature 1911 with a funky shaped hand grip. I would like to shoot one.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

P238 = 380ACP
P290 = 9mm

mossguy · 10-09-2013, 09:14 PM

I'm pretty happy with my P238 in a Remora pocket holster. The thumb safety is definitive and trustworthy. I have become comfortable carrying in condition one.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Quote:

P238 = 380ACP

P290 = 9mm

P938-9mm.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

S&W .357 AirLite.....

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

S&W .357 AirLite.....

yep. I drag around a S&W Bodyguard .38. Sometimes I forget it's on me...No BS, pull and go.

rjp

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

When I bought it new.....the gun store thought the shipping box was empty. Five big bangs and a extra speed loader or two.......hammerless.... even.... double action pull.

masraum · 10-09-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Matt.... Check out the sig 938... LCP size, 9mm, and gorgeous looks. I can fit mine in my pocket no problem.

I looked at those a bit, but not too closely. I very much liked the looks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm a little paranoid about pocket carry with a SA, though a good pocket holster would help. I greatly prefer to shoot a SA vs DAO. I wish there were more DA/SA options in this class.

That was what kept me from looking harder at the 938.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

Sig P290.

plastic DA gun, long heavy pull. I couldn't ever get used to that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

It is like a minature 1911 with a funky shaped hand grip. I would like to shoot one.

Yes, I'd like to shoot one too. I'm afraid that if I did, I might want one.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

When I bought it new.....the gun store thought the shipping box was empty. Five big bangs and a extra speed loader or two.......hammerless.... even.... double action pull.

the one I got was from the early 80's- dad gave it to me. Mint condition.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

P938-9mm.

Interesting.

290 - DAO, polymer frame
938 - SA, Aluminum Frame

The 290 is slightly lighter

Steve - I'd prefer a DA/SA like the P226, but that puppy does not exist in the tiny size.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

If the LCP was such a great gun I'd have more than three of them.
jk, 3 CHCL's in the house
You're seeing the light Matt, lord knows I've a bunch of .45's that would be nice to carry but they're just too heavy. The J frames aren't too bad but the new .380's are much smaller.
Jim

Rot 911 · 10-10-2013, 05:57 AM

LCP is what I have been carrying to work for the last 3 years. Matt I wear either a suit or dress slacks to work every single day. With the cut away wallet style holster it slides right into a front pocket. Can't even tell it is there. What is more important than how it slides into your pocket is how easy it is to get out. With the LCP (and the Tarus .380) you reach in, put your hand around the pistol handle, and pull out. Holster stays in the pocket. The LCP and Tarus are double action. Long DA trigger pull, but so what. You aren't competition firing. Yes the .380 is a light round, but you have to have some kind of trade off to get a reduction in size and weight. The LCP is 12.5 ounces fully loaded.

The Sigs are nice, but none of them are going to feel all that comfortable to slide into a front pocket.

I've got quite a few pistols and holsters, but 99% of the time I reach for the LCP simply because it is so easy to just slide in the front pocket.

matt711 · matt711's Garage

Springfield EMP, 9mm or .40 cal. I have a 9mm version and it is a fantastic little pistol.