A smaller gun for carry

[KahrGuy9]

From packingpretty.com, hardly a stellar review.... However that will be true of any smaller frame handgun especially in a more powerful caliber. My opinion is the Glock 26 is the only small frame gun that shoots like a full size gun.

Regards carrying cocked and locked, that's only been going on since the beginning of the 1911 until DA/SA/striker designs appeared. In the days before Glock I carried a 1911 with a pinned grip safety. You never have a 1911 without a holster to cover the trigger, and I found that even in a fanny pack the thumb safety can get pushed over.

"packingpretty.com All in all, I think that unless the shooter is in love with the 1911 design, he/she might want to take a look at other pistols in the sub compact category that offer a larger caliber at a lower price point. Alternatives worth looking at might be the Springfield XDS in .45ACP, the Kahr PM9, or the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. Seeing the issues I have seen with this gun in the hands of new shooters, I would recommend extensively handling and possibly renting or borrowing this gun before purchasing it for a beginner."

[Glock Girl in CA]

I did read Packing Pretty's review and was really surprised by it; the gun gets so many other positive reviews. Hers was one f the only reviews I found to be this negative. Most others were positive, save for one caveat: the early models had FTE issues that were later corrected by the company. The dealer I'm working with has two daughters; ages 10 and 13 and this is the gun they each have in their bedrooms. Can't be that bad, right?

[KahrGuy9]

OP, have you considered S&W J frame revolvers? I have carried a S&W640 since they first came out. All stainless with a full size grip so the recoil is verey manageable. Although it only has 5 rounds, they can be extremeley powerfull hunting loads, 180 grain .357 magnum.

[BeFrank]

he thought "a loaded Glock with NO safety was less dangerous than a cocked and locked 1911"


The safety on my P238 has never budged in my pocket. I use a nemesis or the Sig pocket holster. Either one will cover the trigger and protect the controls. I carry front pocket, wide side pocket on cargo shorts and in various bike packs with no issues. I haven't heard from any other P238 owners of inadvertent safety lever movement. I have had the mag release operate when handling the holster (Nemesis) and since the CA version has a magazine safety (easily removed) That] could be a concern.

[code_blue]

You lefties really have it tough, don't ya?

[MrsR]

It can be frustrating to get help from men with guns. Even the most friendly salesman just doesn't always understand the how a woman's needs differ. Figuring out how to conceal something in a dress or with most woman's clothes can be a challenge. Being cute while packing is a real issue for some of us!!
I've had my 938 for about 1.5 years. I carry with a round chambered and the safety on. Never had an issue with the safety coming off. Also, I've never had a FTE issue with it. The recoil is not unmanageable at all, but it is noticeable. I certainly shoot a tighter grouping with a full size 1911 then I do with the 938, but I can't hide a 1911 under the bulkiest of outfits either.

[Glock Girl in CA]

It can be frustrating to get help from men with guns. Even the most friendly salesman just doesn't always understand the how a woman's needs differ. Figuring out how to conceal something in a dress or with most woman's clothes can be a challenge. Being cute while packing is a real issue for some of us!!
I've had my 938 for about 1.5 years. I carry with a round chambered and the safety on. Never had an issue with the safety coming off. Also, I've never had a FTE issue with it. The recoil is not unmanageable at all, but it is noticeable. I certainly shoot a tighter grouping with a full size 1911 then I do with the 938, but I can't hide a 1911 under the bulkiest of outfits either.

MrsR, I'm still deep into studying "cocked and locked" and the platform of the 1911. You seem to have experience with these guns; do you feel ok carrying C&L with only the thumb safety? There's no grip safety on our little P938 and 238, if memory serves... Thanks for your help.

[Kit]

If you are considering a Glock 42 or any small CCW pistol one of the first things to consider is will I be able to buy in CA. The G42 and many of the CCW pistols you may consider may soon be unavailable to purchase in CA as many of them require purchase as SSE or Single Shot Exemption. The SSE will no longer be an option after 12/31/2014 so if the gun you select is not on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale you will have to purchase before the end of the year. The Roster can be found at http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/ and be sure to check the expiration date.

I am a small woman, 99 pounds, but shoot USPSA regularly and I want to use at least a 9mm that is small. For two years I shot Glocks in competition so my first thought was the G42 which I rejected because of trigger pull and caliber. I have also shot 1911’s in competition so the safety was not of concern as I have practiced enough that taking a safety off was second nature. I went to the gun store and looked at about 35-40 different guns. Wanting a 9mm that was small and had a good trigger pull I decided on a Ruger LC9 striker fired. Ruger makes the LC9 in striker fired and also with a hammer but I found the trigger pull on the striker fired version suited me perfectly. It is the required 9mm plus it is 7+1 and easily concealable. I carry this gun in a FlashBang holster most of the time.

Whatever you decide on it is important to practice, practice and practice more. Practice the draw, practice shooting and importantly practice reloading.

[Go Navy]

Swoon. Drool. It's the most lovely gun ever! You lucky dog!

I'm a Sig owner (P226 not for concealed carry) but you can't go wrong with a Sig. I say get it if you like it. You'll quickly learn to like the controls on it.

You might also check out the Ruger SR-9 or SR-9c (both 9mm). I don't own one, but I'm really impressed with the ergos and relative thinness.

[kaligaran]

MrsR, I'm still deep into studying "cocked and locked" and the platform of the 1911. You seem to have experience with these guns; do you feel ok carrying C&L with only the thumb safety? There's no grip safety on our little P938 and 238, if memory serves... Thanks for your help.

I'm not answering for MrsR, but I wanted to mention my personal opinion on it. As mentioned before I will never carry a gun with the safety engaged. This is my personal preference because I want to minimize the amount of 'motions' I have to make in the event that I ever need to use the gun for self defense. Same reason I carry with one in the chamber.

In fact, my fear is the exact opposite, I am always nervous I accidentally ENGAGED the safety.

Regardless, however you decide to carry, make sure you dry fire drills until the disengage of the safety is second nature when you unholster it. If it's not happening without thought, then you won't have the muscle memory needed to do it in a defensive situation.

As a note: I will always carry with a good kydex holster made for that gun so the trigger is properly and securely covered.

[code_blue]

We must remember that OP is in the free state of NV and can get her hands on whatever she wants.

How about the Beretta Nano? It comes in pink also? Reversible mag release, no slide release to worry about and single stack.

Hickok45 review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXxpkM7q_2E

[MrsR]

GG--No issues carrying with a round chambered and the safety on. All of my holsters cover the trigger, so I have to draw the weapon, safety off, then fire. That was definitely something that I had to get used to, because my first pistol was a XD9 (before I got my CCW).

[BonnieB]

I'm a lefty, right eye dominant, so I just shoot righty. I don't need the gun to be ambidextrous, because I am.

And I advise everyone who carries to practice all the combinations (right-hand-right eye, right-hand-left-eye, left-hand-left-eye, left-hand-right-eye. You never know where the BG will be or where your cover will be. You just can't count on your favorite position. If you're "very right handed", as many righties are, you really should practice the skin off your left hand. It might save your life.

(Yah, I know the spent brass ejects at you when you shoot lefty. But you did say you wanted to save your own life, right?)

And welcome to Anbu Yoshi, who is adding a whole lot of good sense to the thread and the forum.

[Glock Girl in CA]

I'm a lefty, right eye dominant, so I just shoot righty. I don't need the gun to be ambidextrous, because I am.

And I advise everyone who carries to practice all the combinations (right-hand-right eye, right-hand-left-eye, left-hand-left-eye, left-hand-right-eye. You never know where the BG will be or where your cover will be. You just can't count on your favorite position. If you're "very right handed", as many righties are, you really should practice the skin off your left hand. It might save your life.

(Yah, I know the spent brass ejects at you when you shoot lefty. But you did say you wanted to save your own life, right?)

And welcome to Anbu Yoshi, who is adding a whole lot of good sense to the thread and the forum.

Yes, I'll second that - Anbu Yoshi has a really nice way about him and he is a welcome presence. Actually, I have to see I feel the similarly about everyone else who chimed in here; I've explored many of the suggestions given to me here and I've learned a lot in the last few days since posting this thread.

Today I'm going to visit 2 LGSs and chat with them just a bit more. I do think I'm becoming very much more comfortable with carrying a 1911 cocked and locked. In fact, I wanted to pass on this video by the internet authority LimaTunes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzGCX-HClc

She is absolutely an expert in the firearms world, and I hold her in similar esteem to Kathy Jackson, the lady of Cornered Cat fame.

Anyway, I'm armed with a list of questions - I actually wrote them all down and want to discuss with the LGS - and I'll update this thread about what happens later.

[DavidR310]

Well. I went to yet another gun store today, where they actually had a P238 in rainbow for me to see in person. It's just so lovely; every bit as beautiful as the internet images portray. Feels so good in hand, but of course, no ambi on the model they had.

Anyway, I was underwhelmed with the sales guy who ended up assisting me. I told him my issue and why I wanted a little .380 or a 9. I told him I was heavily leaning toward the P238. He said he was very experienced and that he did not think it would be safe for me to carry a 1911 type gun cocked and locked. He strongly urged me to just go to the range and practice more instead of buying a new gun. I emphasized that while, yes, I can always use more practice, I still needed a new gun, as the Glock was being left home because it was just too large, esp in the summer. He said if anything, I should get the G42. He said he would nudge the safety off his 1911 and then just a single action trigger was left, which he thought dangerous. I asked why he thought a loaded Glock with NO safety was less dangerous than a cocked and locked 1911. He said since the 238 has no grip safety - only a thumb safety - it was too dangerous with the single action trigger. I later discovered the G42 has a 5.5 lb trigger pull and the P238 has a 7.5-8.5 trigger pull. So, ?????

I think (but am not certain) this may be a case of being unfairly treated as a silly woman. One of the first things he said was, "You like this gun because it's pretty." I WAS wearing a girly summer dress with hair braided up and bright red lips. So, yes, I do like my things to be pretty, but I would never purchase a gun ONLY because it was pretty. Why does he think I'm asking him these probing questions?

He does make the good point that I'm already familiar with Glocks, so why not consider their little gun? I don't think he's wrong about that; but I don't want to be limited to only Glocks for all my days, though they are great guns.

Above all else, he scared me into thinking that this is not a safe choice of gun for me to carry, which is my Achilles' heel - there isn't anything I want more than to be safe with the gun I carry. Truly. So, if anyone has words of wisdom regarding the safety of carrying cocked and locked with a single action trigger, I'll be grateful to hear them.
Thanks, GG

Wow, I went to the Range 702 across from Excalibur, wearing a 5.11 hat and shirt while carrying my maxpedition murse and the gun sales man and I were talking about the Sig P238, which I own and the new Glock G42. He told me I already own the better pistol. I never told him what state I was from and I even brought all my own guns and safety gear with me so I am assuming he thought I was from LV.