I own a M&P 40c and I did it too bulky/heavy to carry comfortably on my small frame. I am approx 5'8" and 120 lbs. I am looking for something slimmer/lighter to carry and since the shield is practically impossible to get, I am forced to look elsewhere.

I am thinking LCP, LC9 or something similar. I'd like to keep it $350 or less. Any thoughts on those?

I've been reading quite about about them so I know a lot of the pros and cons, I just need some personal experiences/opinions.

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M&P Shield 9

Eric, I carry a Ruger LCP in my back pocket all the time. If I have my pants on I have my wallet, keys, pocket knife and the LCP. To put it in few words, It works. Not picky on ammo. Only thing I have to do is take 5 min to take it apart and clean it after I have grunged it up. Bailing and getting in hay will fill all my pockets up with dirt and grass and have actually poured grass out of the De Santis pocket holster the LCP stays in and have had to dry the sweat from the pistol and holster several times. Heck, it is even in my back pocket when I go to the range with my Smiths.
Larry

I have a Diamondback DB380 and a Kel Tec PF-9. I am happy with both, but frankly, i bought the Kel Tec because I was concerned the .380 wouldn't do what I needed. .380 costs more than 9mm and is much weaker. I will say for a .380 you will like the Ruger LCP. Since the 9mm pocket pistols came out the .380s are a lot less popular. My Kel Tec has the aluminum trigger. With a spare mag and the trigger I have just a bit over $300 in it. I can carry it in my front pocket in a pocket holster. It is a bit snappy.

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Luke 22:36

I really want to adapt to my M&P. maybe I just need a different holster. I bought an infidel holster from comptac and it just seems bulky. Maybe I should try something like a soft tuk or versa carry.

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M&P Shield 9

My wife has the LC9, and I hate it. If you need it, God forbid, It will work at close range. I prefer real guns with real triggers. I end up shooting very low with the LC9 because it takes so long for anything to happen when pressing the trigger. It would probably be fine with some practice, but I hate shooting it too much to practice. I've heard others say good things about the model, so maybe it's just my shortcoming.

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

X2. Pretty easy to keep with you no matter the weather, etc.

I have a LCP in a wallet holster, it stays in one of my coat pockets. Never leave a good coat (and gun) in the coat check. At 5 yards it grouped about 6" your results could vary.

The only center fire semi I own is a LC9, traded a S&W .380 Bodyguard for it. The LC has a better trigger, if you can call any pocket semi something with a "good" trigger. For an up close and personal pocket gun, it's OK for what it is. I mostly use it for a warm weather carry gun when I am out on the Harley. Groups "OK" at 5 to 10 yards, useless at anything over 20 yards, but that's what I have a S&W 19-4 4" for,my preferred carry gun most of the time..No one gun is "perfect for everything, that's why they make so many for us to chose from , lucky us. :-)

I have and very much like an LCP for deep concealment - it is a 372-series, and it's been flawless in reliability. I also find it to be pretty amazingly accurate.

I passed over the LC9 in favor of the similar (but slightly smaller) Kahr CM9, another gun that I'm very happy to own. Not a lot more money, but notably better performance (in terms of carryability, accuracy and ability to use powerful +P+ ammo) in an easy-to-conceal gun.

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Now go make God proud...

I also have the LCP, and loaded with Hornady Critical Defense loads I don't feel too under-gunned. The best thing is it "will" be in your pocket rather than being left behind because it is too big. I am always amazed by the accuracy of it, 10 yards into 3" for such a small gun isn't hard to do with the LCP. Just practice occasionally with the trigger pull because it is a little longer than others, think more like a revolver.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have the 380 S/W bodyguard--good concealment, accurate and very reliable, no ftf or ftf (250 rounds or so fmj and jhp), the only complaint is the long trigger pull and weight--if I encounter a situation for defense then I wont even feel the pull weight--good luck

I had an LCP Talo, but my old hands with the arthritis made it almost impossible to rack the slide. The recoil hurt my hand, too, though the gun always worked and was really very accurate. I sold it here to a fellow forum member and I tried to give him a great deal on it with several different holsters.

I have an LC9 which I don't use much, but which, again, always works and is pretty darn accurate (15 yards is about the only distance shooting I have done with it).

I like both even though I am not a Ruger fan. I like either far better than the new Smith 380 or the new 38 revolver Bodyguard.

Bob

I have one of the first crops of the LCP. It went back on the Ruger recall. I got an extra magazine and Ruger hat for the inconvenience.

Most popular gun sold in the US.

Don't leave home with out. In fact it's in my pocket at home also.

Great little gun.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I'm sure I'll get flamed 20 different ways for saying this; but I prefer the Beretta Bobcat in .22LR vs the LCP in .380. It's totally reliable, made of metal instead of plastic, weighs the same or less, has a fine trigger, is both DA AND SA, and is the cheapest thing on the planet to practice with. You can get them online at Bud's for 256 beans.

Will it stop a drug-crazed, zombie-pocalypse mutant? Probably not any less likely to than the .380 wouldn't. Oh, but in about a week - you won't be able to find any ammo for your LCP for roughly two years. A couple bricks of quality .22 will set up your Bobcat for the duration...

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But then, what do I know?

Carry my LCP everyday. I think it's a great little gun. It's just easy to carry. Hope it will be enough if I ever need it.

Today I was also recommended a Diamondback DB9 and a Taurus 709 slim. I am still thinking about size mostly here. The DB9 sure seems like a nice small size. Anyone shoot those?

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M&P Shield 9

LCP is a fine carry piece. If you want another option for your 40c, give thought to a Ramora holster. I carry much larger hand guns in the small of my back with a Ramora (not condition 1 1911's though)! I like the draw and it is infinitely comfortable all day IMHO.

Save a few more dollars and buy a j frame 38.

I have an LCP and also a TCP, I typically carry one of them when I wear shorts and an inside the belt holster is too bulky. Just drop it in my pocket and its always there when I need it. In regards to the comments about .380 being too small, shot placement trumps caliber every time. A .22 to the eye is going to do more than a .45 to the earlobe. In all seriousness though, the .380 is fine for anything up close and personal.

No revolvers, they are bulkier than a semi auto.

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M&P Shield 9

I owned a Taurus 709 Slim, I sold it though. Not because there were any quality issues, it worked fine, it just wasn't for me. Size wise it was good, concealed nicely with a tuckable holster. I carried a spare mag in a small cellphone pouch.

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Proverbs 14:7

The one thats really getting my attention of late ...
Springfield XDs in 45.
worth taking a look at .. its about the same size as a Kahr PM9

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it just needs more voltage

I'll put any one of my Airweight J-frames up against the multitude of pocket semi-autos. Weight-wise, reliability-wise, performance-wise, there's a reason J-frames have been the preferred pocket protector by LEOs and civilians for decades. With a slim profile grip, a lightweight J is not bulkier than a pocket semi-auto.

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I'm with the banned ...

I have the LCP and a J-frame 38. Have concealed carried both but favor the lcp in either a leg or pocket holster. I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy of the lcp out to about 7 yards with fast fire. With the proper ammo and practice it will do the job.
I would rather be firing my 38 but it simply does not conceal carry as easily as the lcp and you come back to the simple thought that a gun left behind is less effective than the one you have.

BAH
Numbers dimensions don't lie. Not saying J frames are not popular or reliable but the LCP conceals way better than a J frame.

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

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Still Running Against the Wind

If you can't conceal a j frame, then your not doing something right.

My EDC is a Shield 9. For pocket carry I borrowed a friend's J-frame for 4 months and decided in the end to buy a BG 380. It's thinner and lighter and shoots great. I prefer the slightly larger grip and better sights of the BG over the LCP.

First of what are you carrying the mp40 in? What is your setup? I ask because im not far from your size/weight and i carry a G17. (6ft 165lbs) i had the same problem with comfort until i bought a real holster (crossbreed) and a real, thick, gun belt. After that the discomfort went away and i sold all my sub compacts.

But if you still want a small gun take a look at Kahr CW9. Very good guns for under $400. I'd stay away from Taurus polymer guns. They dont have a rep for longevity and durability.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

For the record, we are blessed with some pretty small pistols these days:







I am not sure it's helpful to suggest that any one gun is right for all people. For true deep cover, an LCP is significantly easier to conceal than a J-frame (and with the Buffalo Bore ammo throwing 95-gr projectiles at just south of 1100 fps, not a weak sister, either) - whether in pocket (even with tight jeans) or IWB in a holster or even without a cover garment using an attached clip or a Pistol Wear Trump Card or SmartCarry belt/holster. While the experience of shooting the things will vary between individuals due to hand size and other variables, I actually find the LCP groups better for me than does a J-frame (and I've been shooting and carrying those since the mid-'80s).

Anyway, they're all small. What works for a given individual is going to depend on that individual's physique, preferences - and circumstances.

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Now go make God proud...

I'm sure I'll get banned for this but:

The wife started out with j-frames, like a 642. A DAO didn't work because of hand weakness and, let's face it, j-frames are hard to hit with and are not a"beginner's" gun (beginner to ccw). Went to a Chief's, still hard for repeated shots and hard to hit with. She had an inherent fear of autos ("too complicated"). After going through several, she ended up with a 438. Same problems, compounded by the snub hammer.

I convinced her to try my Walther PP in 32. Liked it, although a bit heavy. Being a WWII German-made, I worried about her losing it. Also 32 ammo isn't cheap. I got her a Bersa in 22, so as to have something similar to practice with. Loved it! So, last Christmas, I got her a Bersa 380. She loves it. Carries in a CCW purse, 24/7.

The Bersas are well made, function fantastic, have a low "felt-recoil quotient" (did I just make something up?), fit most hands. When we picked it up, the clerks were all asking to handle it and all commented on how well made it was. My SIL has had one for over 25 years with no problems. Besides, for the cost of one Ruger or j-frame, you can get a 380 AND a 22!

Now I carry a Colt Commander or a 649 but I would have no qualms abouyt recommending or carrying a Bersa.

I apologize if this has already been said;

Regarding any Semi-Auto CCW gun; if/when you leave the magazines loaded for an extended period of time, the mag springs will wear out, lose their 'pushiness', and you MAY have a misfeed of some type.

For those unfamiliar with this situation, they may buy a CCW, load the mag that comes with it. Leave it loaded for several months. Then they could then have their gun not work for that reason.

I would not want anybody comparing CCW revolvers and SA's to think they are apples-to-apples. The revolver can be left loaded for years at a time, while the SA would need to have the mags 'rotated' fairly often. Plus those SA mags are NOT cheap! So it might just even out over time if the revolver costs more up front but the SA 'eats' mags.

...just sayin.

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But then, what do I know?

After almost three years of pocket carry with a bobbed hammer model 60, I switched to a LCP for pocket carry. I dont' find that it any harder to shoot well than any of my j-frames (it's go the long trigger pull too). It carries well in all formats (pocket, IWB, OWB).

Need to say something lest someone get the wrong idea.

This is just incorrect, with all due respect. Consult any mechanical engineer: With good springs, it's cycling that wears them out, not compression over time. Don't just believe me - anyone who doesn't know about this should really consider reading up on the subject. Google is your friend; call the local university and talk to an engineer.

Many of our members here can probably tell you of leaving magazines loaded for decades, and having them work flawlessly nevertheless. This is not a valid reason to scare someone away from semiautos.

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Now go make God proud...

For those with the LC9, have you ever tried the trigger kit from Galloway?

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M&P Shield 9

I suggest you read up on the .32 autos. From my experience and what I have seen and read it is a vastly under appreciated caliber. It is not for getting into a gunfight with someone across the street for inside 12 or 15 feet it will keep the punks off you just fine. Mine is small and flat and carries 7+1.

I have a KelTec P-32 that I carry in a De Santis Nemisis pocket holster and I also have a leather IWB holster for beachwear.

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Absolutely!! In the very early days of magazine fed Semi autos the springs were made of cheap steel. The tendency of this steel to loose it's springy quality is known as "creep". All the Modern pistol magazines that I have any knowledge of all use steel that won't creep over time.

You can load up all your mags with confidence and when you go for them they will be ready to go. There is absolutely NO NEED to unload modern magazines because they have been loaded for a while.

I dislike the idea of polymer frame guns, and much prefer shooting a fine Smith and Wesson revolver to just about any semi auto. That being said, 95% of the time, the gun that goes with me is the lowly Ruger LCP. In my front pocket, it feels half the size of a J frame. It is reliable, accurate, lightweight, and thin.

Disagree on the blanket statement above. I'll trade a little bulk (not weight as some revolvers now are very, very light) for the confidence that a revolver won't jam, stove pipe, etc.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

You disagree with the statement although you state you will trade bulkiness (revolver) for confidence and reliability.

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M&P Shield 9

My reference to bulkiness was in keeping with the poster's vernacular. I don't find a SW Chief or Bodyguard to be bulky at all.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

I bought a Diamondback DB9 about a year ago and like it enough that I bought a second one a few months ago. (If a gun is good enough to have, it's usually good enough to have more than one of!) I love its flatness for carrying, and the grip construction allows you to get a very high hold on it compared to most pocket pistols. The web of your hand winds up just under the slide - it might not work well for someone with a beefy hand. Regardless, the low bore axis reduces muzzle flip which is always good.

Unfortunately there's no slide lock, but I think that was a tradeoff they made to get it so thin.

I also like the Kel-Tec PF-9, and the Kel-Tec P-32 is my anytime gun.

I'd like this post twice if I could.

I bought a ww2 p-38 that was still loaded with the 9mm ammo it had in it when it was brought back and the mag/gun functioned flawlessly.

The lcp is a great take everywhere piece. Even when I carry a larger firearm I often still carry it as a bug.

A couple of additions:
1) Nobody says you can't rotate mags if you want I might be hesitant about keeping cheapo mags under constant tension. So, if it worries you: buy good mags or rotate them. Your call.
2) During WWII, many OSS operatives chose the 32 over the 380 due to reliability and accuracy. Now, that was then and ammo was more limited but.....just saying.

I'm not sure any of the small 9mm's are truly pocket pistols, though many are indeed pocketable. I think the .380s are in the sweet spot for pocket pistols with some power behind them.

I have a SIG P290, Kel Tec PF-9, and a .380 Ruger LCP. My best friend used to have a Kahr PM9 for many years. I didn't believe him when he said it wasn't really a pocket gun until I bought my pocketable 9mm's. I truly believe, even when a little bigger, the J-frames are better for pocket carry. My aluminum 442 conceals well in a pocket. Yes you see lumps in the pocket. However, the several rounded humps just look like a bundle of stuff in your pocket. The small 9mm's fit nicely in my pockets, but the lumps you see through the pocket are squared off like a gun and to me they just scream gun (even with a decent pocket holster, though a good holster does make a difference). On the other hand, my little LCP completely disappears in my pocket (even with a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster), and conceals every bit as well as the smaller .32ACP NAA Guardian I used to own or the little .25ACP Beretta a friend used to own.