After years of buying conceal carry guns.

[Will Carry]

I have come full circle. I'm really diggin' my model 36 3" for EDC. It is so easy to grab quickly and get off an acccurate shot. That little grip is like a knife handle, when you grab it you automatically know where the POA is.

Now I need to get rid of my pocket 380s.

 

[jaykellogg]

Regarding the pocket .380s they peaked about 2 years ago and then when the mini 9mms came out the .380s lost popularity very fast. I paid $369 plus tax for a Diamondback DB 380 that you can buy today new for about $50 less. I have so much ammo for it I will probably keep it though. My carry gun today is a Kel Tec PF-9. Stopping power IMO is about equal to the .38 special but much easier to conceal and 8 round capacity. Some of the newer S&W snub nosed revolvers are very light but only hold 5 rounds. Also 9mm is cheap to shoot if you aren't a handloader.

 

[Will Carry]

I have a Ruger PF-9 (LC-9) (I like to joke that Ruger copies Kel-Tec) that I also carry. It's just not as fast to bring to battery as the Chief's Special. I took all my conceal Carry guns out and had a contest to see which one was the fastest to draw and fire from inside the waistband.
The model 36 was the winner over and over again. This was not the results I was looking for but it has made me a believer.

 

[Old cop]

I tried the mini .380's for awhile but sooner or later they all have some sort of problem. My comfort level w/a J frame or Colt Cobra is 100% so I went back to my "roots." The .380 was sold w/no regrets - for my purposes you cannot beat a light weight .38 that fits in a pocket. The fact that they only hold 5 rounds (6 for the Cobra) is of little consequence since I am no longer an LEO and my daily orbits are relatively tame.

 

[Srigs]

You can't go wrong with a mid sized J-frame. I carry my 66-1 2.5" more and more.

 

[federali]

.380 Fading?

Guns are like hit songs: they have their moment of fame and sometimes even make a comeback. I think the .380 is here to stay as they are so much easier to conceal than a wheel gun, even a five-shooter. I personally do not like or own any semi-auto that only allows two fingers on the grip. I love my S&W M65-3" which, in my opinion, is the most practical defensive revolver Smith ever made but it's personal preference.

My go-to guns are a Kahr P-9, Glock 19 and a Browning HP. I'm not wandering neighborhoods late at night where getting mugged is a real possibility. I'm concerned about visiting a local store and finding myself in a robbery in progress against two or more assailants. The G19 wins, hands-down.

My home defense gun is an S&W MP .45.

 

[labworm]

Guns are like hit songs: they have their moment of fame and sometimes even make a comeback. I think the .380 is here to stay as they are so much easier to conceal than a wheel gun, even a five-shooter. I personally do not like or own any semi-auto that only allows two fingers on the grip. I love my S&W M65-3" which, in my opinion, is the most practical defensive revolver Smith ever made but it's personal preference.

My go-to guns are a Kahr P-9, Glock 19 and a Browning HP. I'm not wandering neighborhoods late at night where getting mugged is a real possibility. I'm concerned about visiting a local store and finding myself in a robbery in progress against two or more assailants. The G19 wins, hands-down.

My home defense gun is an S&W MP .45.

I agree with the .380 statement, they were a fad in the 90's.
They still seem to be flying off the shelves in 2012 at my LGS.
Everyone seems to be marketing them and at high prices to boot.

I did buy a 1911 last month.

 

[toyfarmerjj]

1. Colt Pony Pocketlite .380.
2. S&W Model 60 J-Frame .357 with 2" barrel.
3. S&W Model 49 Bodyguard J-Frame .38 with 2" barrel.

 

[wnc wheelgun]

Traded my 380 in last month on a eight shot model 63 3" since I have 3 J frames for EDC. I practice enough to feel more than amply protected with 5 rounds of tried and true 38 special.

 

[loknload]

My first carry piece, the first real handgun I ever purchased was a Md#37 Airweight, carried that for many years until I could afford something else, well the years have come and gone and I'm back to carrying a 2" 36....You gotta love those J frames!

 

[snubbyfan]

My 442 is my constant companion. Lotsa practice gives me the confidence to trust it if I ever need it. I do carry 2 reloads just in case.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

A model 49 (no dash) has been with me every morning when I unlock the old factory gate in a very bad neighborhood. My boss came in early one morning carrying a P-35, Drawn! He thought the gate was open all night and the neighbors were visiting. My LCP lives in my black leather jacket chest pocket, so now on cool evenings I'll have at least 2 on. Tonight is ccw practice night, I think I'll have 3 to 6 guns on, if I fall in deep water I'll sink fast! 380, 38 special or 2, 32ACP, and 45ACP or 2 or 3, and maybe a 22; don't reload, REARM!

 

[Ship Ahoy]

My first pocket gun was a kelTec P3AT. But the trigger on that gun was terrible and I sold it a year later.

Then I bought a S&W442 and have carried it in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster for the last five years.

Two weeks ago I bought a S&W Shield in 9mm and it's a great gun and a keeper.

I'm keeping the 442 also.

 

[Granddad]

Funny how we tend to go back to where we started, isn't it. I recently picked up an old M36 (2") and it is a fun little shooter. My eyes and the small sights weren't a good match, so I've added a CT grip; but accuracy is superb for such a short barrel. My new Lobo holster just came in, so we'll see some carry time.

 

[swsing]

I've got a copy of your M36-1 nickel too! Trying now to figger out the best method of carry...

 

[bluegrassrules]

My 637 went from my leg holster from one job today (wearing a suit) and is now in my pocket as I change clothes for job two. Very versatile. I love my J frame.
Cheers

 

[mc5aw]

I've never met a .380 than can do a better job than any one of my J-frames. I understand past and present trends for firearms getting smaller but still remaining potent, but I think the .380 is a waste of time. It had its place in history, but now it's unnecessary. Go 9mm or .38 Special for a pocket gun. My 2c.

 

[Gary Slider]

My favorite handgun of all I have even held in my hand and shot is my Beretta 84. It is a 380. Just fells like an extension of my hand. Nothing Feels better than it in my hand. I never carry it because it is a 380.

I almost always have a 45 on my right hip but my 442 has a home in my left front pocket. I have 2 of those little snubbies. When putting on the work clothes to do work around the house or for one of the kids that 442 moves to my right front pocket and becomes my primary. I usually have 2 Speed strips to go along with it. It may be my backup most of the time but it does move to primary when you need something just a little smaller that will fit in a pocket.

 

[cluznar]

I disagree on the .380 I believe they are an excellent carry gun with good defense ammo. Bersa is planning on coming out with a striker-fire .380 same as the BP9cc they make.

Bersa Thunder .32
Bersa Thunder .380
Ruger SR9c

 

[Arik]

My "pocket gun" G19! Never liked 380's thought it was too much of a compromise for something as simple as putting on a holster.

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