go to carry gun

[Paladin]

Since you're used to a revolver, you might want to check out the Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum. I'd load it with .32 H&R Magnum. (Think of the .327 Fed mag as the .32 equivalent of the .357 mag and the .32 H&R mag as the .32 equivalent of the .38 spl +P) The .32 LCR will have 6 shots vs 5 for a .38 (20% more rounds) and will have less recoil and will be effective with modern ammo, like the Hornady Critical Defense load. If you want the version with the exposed hammer (vs hammerless), that's the LCRx.

https://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5452.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_H%26R_Magnum

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/32-h-r-mag-80gr-ftx-critical-defense

...

Revolvers can be bulkier, but their bulk has curves, so it is less obvious what it is, whereas the straight lines and sharp angles of a semi scream "gun!" Plus, if you have to draw and fire while pushing the muzzle of the gun against a Bad Guy, a revolver will still work whereas most semis will get pushed out of battery and will not fire. Last, a little hammerless snubbie like the Ruger can fit in your coat pocket with your hand holding it while you walk and you can even shoot it through your coat without even drawing it. (Saving your life, but ruining your coat.)

Wish you the best!

ETA: since I see you're a newbie, (1) avoid problems by obeying the 4-Stupids Rule (avoid being around Stupid people, going to Stupid places, doing Stupid things, or being out at Stupid times). (2) remember to carry pepper spray because most "problems" do not call for deadly force. I could say a lot more, but just those 2 things will save you a lot of needless drama and headaches.

Seems like Lucky Gunner has come to the same conclusion re. the .32 H&R Mag.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz_m4M8CAe0

[movie zombie]

thanks, Paladin. very informative. definitely worth watching through to the end. I note the chart towards the end that also includes .22 data. my point is and to echo his comment, accuracy re shot placement is greatly important no matter caliber. and if a smaller caliber gets one to that place of accuracy then so be it. again, thanks! if he updates I hope you post it here.

[kennymallory1]

[BadKitty]

My Glock 42 isn't really working out for me. I was looking into the Shield 9mm and one of my coworkers just suggested the Sig P365. The sizes all seem comparable; but, I did note the Shield is much heavier. That is a consideration for me with CCW. I was planning to rent a Shield to try it out and now I think I'll add P365 to the list.

[Stumpfenhammer]

I carry every day and in my opinion the P365 is the be all and end all of easily concealable guns. I started my "easy to conceal" journey with a G26, then an M&P 340 AirLite .357 (miserable to shoot so I loaded it with .38 spl...still not fun), then a Shield, then a G43, and finally, the P365, which is my current EDC and the only thing I would consider replacing it with would be the P365XL simply due to my XL-size hands.

I've shot the Shield and the P365 in USPSA matches just for fun, and have run both of them in "tactical" training courses where full-size guns were recommended. Both of those pistols (and the G43) are as accurate as full-size guns and will run with the big boys if you invest the training time to be able to do your part. That said, the P365 is the best of the three in magazine capacity, out-of-the-box trigger, ergonomics and fit and finish.

If money is no object I recommend a P365 -- the G43 and Shield are good lower cost options, with the Shield winning on performance per dollar (in California). The G43 and the Shield will need better sights, the P365 sights are good to go out of the box.

A revolver is a simpler option with less of a learning curve than a semi-automatic. The downside to a snub nose revolver is of course ammunition capacity, ease/speed of reloading, and placing accurate shots beyond 7-yards (revolvers are not inaccurate, but the sights and small grips of the ones most people use for pocket/purse carry do impose limitations that the P365/Shield/G43 are not constrained by).

Lastly, please forgive me if you are already well-versed in the benefits of appropriate training, but if you are not, the right type and amount of training will make much more of a difference to your safety and self-defense capability than the difference between any of the pistols you may be considering.

[krb]

Hi. So what did you choose?
I am now looking for a carry weapon. I am leaning toward Sig P365 (+/- SAS), then between Springfield EMP (which feels great in my hand) and Glock 26 (which is probably the most reliable but feels lousy in my hand).
So what did you choose?