Looking for a new carry

[jackleman14]

Howdy all.

I'm currently carrying a Bersa Thunder .380 Auto. Unfortunately I think I am too skinny to carry it, its just not concealed as much as I would like. I can wear it just fine on my ankle but I would much rather have something I can wear at my side without notice.

Any suggestions? My price range is pretty flexibly, it defiantly has to be reliable though. The Bersa has an overall width of 1 and 7/16" so I'm looking for something significantly more thin. Thanks!

 

[Bob Loblaw]

you want slim? Walther PPS 1.04" thick, currently in 9mm, should be in .40 soon. Over 500rds on mine and not a burp, but mine is cleaned religiously.

 

[mac79912]

Bersa is small.I carry my 45 and it is not visable.You might want to consider a fanny pack or vest to conceal your weapon.The only gun I know that is smaller would be a Keltec 32.

 

[jackleman14]

My brother in law suggested two guns to me today, the North American Arms 380 Guardian and the Kel-Tec 380

His sentiment was that the gardian is basically solid, but expensive, and that some people swear by their Kel-Tec's and some people hate them.

 

[mac79912]

Keltecs are cheaper than the NAAs ,and are reliable.

 

[Shorts]

Howdy all.

I'm currently carrying a Bersa Thunder .380 Auto. Unfortunately I think I am too skinny to carry it,

I'd eat more BBQ and fix that problem. That way you can carry an array of guns

 

[longtooth]

Rather than looking for a smaller gun I would like to suggest a few things.

My background:
I have carried since shortly after the legalization of CC in Texas. Am Range Safety Officer at our local range. Prior to CC I would carry a side arm while hunting, on my own property & of coarse at the range. Prior to legal CC I made a few of my own holsters because there were not many options due to not much of a market. I teach many locals how to carry on body because they, as you, feel they cannot conceal very well. Some say as you did that you are too slim. I have really heavy folks tell me they cannot conceal because they are too big. If they were smaller & more "my size" they could conceal as easily as I do. Waste size restricts number of items possible on a carry belt more than concealability.

I have found the problem is usually not size but gear, clothing, & cover garments.
Gear. I will encourage you to get a high quality gun belt & holster if you want to carry anything the size of your Bersa or larger. (I will also encourage ou to "gun Up" some from the .380) Many of us carry on a daily basis & guns much larger than you are talking about. I carry a full size 1911 on a regular basis. My small daily carry is a Kimber Pro CDPll. Full size frame & 4" barrel.
My Sunday carry is a Ruger SP101 on my belt. I am a baptist preacher at a small country church that is really close so there is a lot of Hugs all the time. I have no trouble concealing or keeping it from being felt because I have a quality gunbelt that holds it tight & keeps it from moving. I rig up my lapel mic in front of everyone w/ no problem or worry about "flashing" anyone.
My gear is the key not a tiny gun.

You can cover your Bersa or a larger gun w/ polo shirt if you have a quality "Inside the WasteBand" (IWB) holster. OWB I cover w/ a vests. Summer it is a light vest & when I wear my shoulder rig I still use a vest. Gear clothing, & cover is the key not the size of gun. I know a few that carry a Baretta 92. That is a large frame hand gun. Many that carry a double stack .45 w/o problems. One friend is quit slim, late 30s & carries revolvers. K-Frame smiths w/o any trouble. Much thicker than your Bersa or my 1911s. We all dress quite neat. None are sloppy w/ way too big & baggy clothes or hot coat & tie.

Am at work early so cannot access my pics from this computer. If you are interested in seeing, learning about holsters that will conceal well, I will be glad to help.
If your desired direction is summer shorts, tight T-shirt, or no shirt then the really small guns are your option.

I have a good list of quality holsters & makers I will be glad to share. If I can help I will be glad to.
Have a great day.
LT

 

[justin81]

I like my Kel-Tec .380 so far. If you have the money the Kahr KP3833 is a great pistol, and about the same size as the P-3AT. But coming in at a little over $300 more than the Kel-Tec, it's hard for some to justify spending that much.

 

[jackleman14]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

I think I will probably pick up a new Ruger LCP .380 when they are available. Any suggestions for a good conceal holster for this gun? I'll need one at the hip as well as a good ankle holster probably.

 

[Roadkill Bill]

Uncle Mikes pocket holster. Forget the silly ankle holster.

 

[CallMeTex]

Coming from the HKPro forums, I'm a little biased, but it seems everyone can't sing enough praises for the H&K P7--you should look into it. Here's an image from someone on the HKPro forums:

 

[justin81]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

I Any suggestions for a good conceal holster for this gun?

If you ever decide to pocket carry, this holster is great for the P-3AT. Since the LCP is basically the same, I'm sure it would work great for it too.
http://www.desantisholster.com/n38.html

ETA: They actually have the LCP listed now.

 

[ironman45693]

Coming from the HKPro forums, I'm a little biased, but it seems everyone can't sing enough praises for the H&K P7--you should look into it.

+1 for a P7; now is a good time to get a PSP referb also. I hear even the grade B's (graded by Hk) are in great shape. I bought a grade B P7M8, and it was in good to great shape. There is a pic of it in the pistol pictures thread.

 

[Hobie Dog]

Longtooth:

I would love to see your list of quality holsters and any photos you wish to share. If you want please use private email or via forum.

Thanks for the good input.

 

[plexreticle]

Keltec's are way small for .380.and would be one of my first considerations.

Unless someone made your CCW I wouldn't sweat it to much. I think a lot of people would be surprised what people notice and don't notice.

 

[JoeLeft4Tx]

Howdy all.

I'm currently carrying a Bersa Thunder .380 Auto. Unfortunately I think I am too skinny to carry it, its just not concealed as much as I would like. I can wear it just fine on my ankle but I would much rather have something I can wear at my side without notice.

Any suggestions? My price range is pretty flexibly, it defiantly has to be reliable though. The Bersa has an overall width of 1 and 7/16" so I'm looking for something significantly more thin. Thanks!

I carry a Glock 19 OWB with an untucked shirt. I’ve carried a Glock 17 and a 26 and on occasion a Beretta full size 45. If nobody gives me a second glance, I can’t imagine anyone noticing your Bersa. Great gun by the way. Whenever I went with a single stack pistol it was easier to carry. But I don’t shoot those as well. I figured if I ever need to use it I want to have a larger pistol that I shoot well. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

11 year old thread.
Holy afterlife batman...

 

[sidebite252]

11 year old thread.
Holy afterlife batman...

See! Some people do use the search feature.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Were you searching for someone asking about new carry guns?

The person you replied to hasn't been back since 2008.

ETA: And I don't think any of the guns you mentioned are thinner than what he had.

 

[JoeLeft4Tx]

Were you searching for someone asking about new carry guns?

The person you replied to hasn't been back since 2008.

ETA: And I don't think any of the guns you mentioned are thinner than what he had.

Forget thin that’s for wimps. See after we are all buried and gone some advanced race will dig up this forum and say “that joe guy new his pistols”. That is all.