Concealed Carry Help

[vvllbs]

I’m a big believer in concealed carry. Very seldom do I carry on my person, but I need to re-evaluate that. I buy, sell and trade firearms on a regular basis, that keeps me in the loop with the latest trends. While I do own semis and revolvers, I feel more comfortable with a revolver. Being a shade under 6 foot tall and kind of thin, its really hard to conceal comfortably. I’ve tried many guns and only my little KelTec p32 is easy to hide. You’ll find out I’m kind of a cheapskate. While I enjoy my little 32, but should my life and most importantly others lives depend on a $250 semi auto. I’m looking for a rig that functions flawless and is easy to conceal. Prefer a wheel gun but may have to try an auto. Would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.


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[seeker_two]

I’m a big believer in concealed carry. Very seldom do I carry on my person, but I need to re-evaluate that. I buy, sell and trade firearms on a regular basis, that keeps me in the loop with the latest trends. While I do own semis and revolvers, I feel more comfortable with a revolver. Being a shade under 6 foot tall and kind of thin, its really hard to conceal comfortably. I’ve tried many guns and only my little KelTec p32 is easy to hide. You’ll find out I’m kind of a cheapskate. While I enjoy my little 32, but should my life and most importantly others lives depend on a $250 semi auto. I’m looking for a rig that functions flawless and is easy to conceal. Prefer a wheel gun but may have to try an auto. Would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.


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Ruger LCR in the caliber of your choice would meet your needs. If you want an auto, a Ruger LC9, S&W Shield, or Kahr CW9 would work too.

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[BillFairbanks]

I carry a semi automatic S&W Bodyguard. I had to replace the mag release with an after market one because the mag kept dropping. It conceals well and shoots well for it’s size. I like the manual safety. The trigger pull is extremely long.

I also carry a Bersa Thunder. I really like it and it’s been very reliable at the range.

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[Moonpie]

If your little Kel-Tec .32 runs dependably stick with it.
The .32 will do the job.
No, you can't go getting into a long winded shoot-outs but for up close it will do better than you think with modern self-defense ammo. A couple of spare mags take up little room and do not weigh much.
If you're wanting to carry a revolver check out the lightweight alloy framed S&W's. There are a number of choices. I like the 638 Airweight.

 

[Kar98]

Kimber Micro 9, dollar bill for scale:

Fits in your pocket, 6+1 rounds of 9mm, 7+1 available, weighs 15.6 ounces empty.

 

[yakdung]

I own one of these:
https://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5450.html

 

[avvidclif]

Kimber Micro 9, dollar bill for scale:

View attachment 142596

Fits in your pocket, 6+1 rounds of 9mm, 7+1 available, weighs 15.6 ounces empty.

X2

 

[RoadRunner]

Kahr CW380 if you want a lower priced, really small, ultra dependable auto. Or a Kahr CM9 if you can carry one that is slightly bigger.

 

[F350-6]

How do you typically dress? There's a big difference between a trench coat and a speedo.

I'm 6'1" and 175 lbs and don't have a problem concealing just about anything I want to carry. Keep in mind that wheel guns are going to be thicker than a single stack semi-auto.

Now if your problem with concealed carry is it feels like you've got a basketball tucked in the side of your pants and everyone will be able to see it, don't worry. You'll get over that soon enough.

 

[sharkey]

I’m a big believer in concealed carry. Very seldom do I carry on my person, but I need to re-evaluate that. I buy, sell and trade firearms on a regular basis, that keeps me in the loop with the latest trends. While I do own semis and revolvers, I feel more comfortable with a revolver. Being a shade under 6 foot tall and kind of thin, its really hard to conceal comfortably. I’ve tried many guns and only my little KelTec p32 is easy to hide. You’ll find out I’m kind of a cheapskate. While I enjoy my little 32, but should my life and most importantly others lives depend on a $250 semi auto. I’m looking for a rig that functions flawless and is easy to conceal. Prefer a wheel gun but may have to try an auto. Would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.


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Gunbuyer.com just sent me a flyer. The Ruger LCP 9mm was $199. S&W Shield was $329.
I am short but thin and prefer a semi auto to a revolver but to each his own.

 

[BillRedding]

...or the OP can OC instead of CC, then he can carry any size revolver he wants -- even the REALLY large ones. Personally, I think smaller caliber guns are just fine for carry, even as a primary: Mine presently is a Sig-Sauer P238, but a Kimber Micro .380 is almost identical in form & function (BOTH are 1911-based). And no worries about "printing" when one OCs as that doesn't apply anymore. ;-)
Yes, I know ALMOST NO ONE OCs, but I'm adding that option here for the record for a more complete look at carry options -- it's not just the gun (size/type/caliber) but how you're carrying it (CC or OC), and some people DO have trouble concealing a large gun comfortably (I do). If a gun isn't COMFORTABLE to carry it doesn't get carried, which violates Rule #1: Have a gun ON you and at ALL times -- NO excuses! ;-)
As for carrying a $250 gun and depending on it for your life (as someone above mentioned as a negative), it depends on WHICH $250 gun. I prefer the "obsolete" milsurp guns, such as a Tokarev (VERY flat and highly concealable). Or the Zastava M88 compact 9mm (a Tokarev-based design). Those 2 are all steel guns for $250 or even less -- an incredible buy -- and highly reliable given they're combat-proven (guns MUST work in combat!). Or consider a full-size polymer CZ-75 clone (and we all know how good the CZ-75 is) like the EAA/Tangfolio Witness 9mm (mine was $252), or the smaller/compact version of it the Pavona. Or maybe go Turkish (vs. Italian) and get a Canik.
Expand the possibilities beyond AMERICAN guns. Europeans have been making guns long before Americans have and there are plenty of good foreign ones out there -- AND at incredible prices like HALF (at least) the prices of the big-name American brands.
-- BR
(President, Open Carry El Paso)

 

[dsgrey]

Funny since I have 3 pocket guns and I'm 5'10". Keltec P32 for gym shorts or jeans, Kahr CW380 for jeans or cargo shorts and a Kahr CW9 for cargo shorts. The smaller two have armalasers and all 3 function flawlessly.

 

[BillRedding]

Funny since I have 3 pocket guns and I'm 5'10". Keltec P32 for gym shorts or jeans, Kahr CW380 for jeans or cargo shorts and a Kahr CW9 for cargo shorts. The smaller two have armalasers and all 3 function flawlessly.

My "@ home gun" -- the one I put in my jeans' watch/coin pocket "holster" after I change out of my street clothes (into my more comfortable "@ home clothes") and my street-carry gun goes into the safe -- is a Beretta 3032 Tomcat (inox)...with Hornady XTP HP ammo it's PLENTY lethal, despite its smaller caliber/power-factor. ;-)
-- BR
(President, Open Carry El Paso)

 

[oldag]

Printing is overly hyped. 99.999% of the people will not notice concealed carry even if it prints.

If you like revolvers, find a used Ruger Speed Six in .357. I carry 1911's - either compact or CCO. In .45. Either will conceal just fine.

Don't go cheap on the holster. And a good, steel reinforced belt is just as important as a good holster, maybe more so. Bigfoot is one example.

 

[beatnix]

Kahr CW380 if you want a lower priced, really small, ultra dependable auto. Or a Kahr CM9 if you can carry one that is slightly bigger.

+1 here. Kahr CM9 on me every day.


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[BillRedding]

"Printing is overly hyped. 99.999% of the people will not notice concealed carry even if it prints." -- oldag

True...especially since most people don't even notice when you OPEN carry, either. ;-)
-- BR
(President, Open Carry El Paso)

 

[FireInTheWire]

Your Kel-tec is better than no gun at all. But, I understand your progression. I used to rock a SW bodyguard. Hated that gun... but was always happy to have it on me (better than no gun at all). I traded it for a SW shield and a G43. Both fit my big hands & conceal very easy. I've never been a wheel guy, so I can't help ya there.

 

[claymore504]

I would highly suggest the Ruger LCR as others have stated. Mine has been flawless for many years and it is insane light. Very easy to conceal and not bad to fire thatnks to the awesome grips.

For small thin semi-auto I would say the M&P Shield 9. It has a proven track record and excellent warranty if needed. It is small, but it is a gun I could shoot at the range all day.

 

[Jcsprankle]

"Printing is overly hyped. 99.999% of the people will not notice concealed carry even if it prints." -- oldag

True...especially since most people don't even notice when you OPEN carry, either. ;-)
-- BR
(President, Open Carry El Paso)

I couldn't agree more. I was very worried about printing when I first started carrying...but then I realized that most people are oblivious. In fact, usually, the only people that will notice if you're printer are other LTC carriers.


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[Darkpriest667]

I'm 5'4 and 135ish... I'm a tiny man.. I carry a Shield almost everywhere (except inside school buildings I work at) and NO ONE has ever noticed it even under just a t shirt