Compact Carry gun

[Running Arrow Bill]

I'm another one of those 135 lb skinny weaklings...lol. Anyhoo...

For warm, hot weather I carry a S&W M&P9c (compact) with 10-12 rounds. Shirt always tucked. When I'm out in the morning (cooler), I'll wear an unlined denim vest...conceals very well. When on our ranch, I carry open...my place, my rules. IF, by chance someone comes by that I'm unsure of (friendly person), I'll toss on the vest in case they're a sheepie.

In cool, cold weather, I carry a Baretta 96 (.40 with 10 rounds) and the denim vest, down vest, or ranch coat...depending on temps. Never a problem concealing.

Of course, when I go to post office or other govt building I hide my handgun in vehicle and re-holster it when I'm back in truck.

In other "emergency" cases, I'll untuck my Western shirt until the sheepie "threat" is gone...lol.

[5thGenTexan]

Tucked light summer early fall Kahr CW40, PM9, or 3" Ruger SP101. A little cooler or untucked shirts Ruger in belt slide, Taurus PT140, occasionally Taurus Judge if heavy coat is needed. Preferred guns in accuracy Judge, SP, Kahr, then the Mil Pro. Considering trying 1911 platform or steel frame Kahr I find heavier gun equals better shooting. Even with it's pathetic sights my old Mauser HSC out shot the newer Tupperware.

[Katygunnut]

I got a tactical shirt like this one http://policehq.com/Products/RR-TSS511. Between this and a Supertuck holster, my Glock 19 disappears. The only problem is that the shirt is pretty heavy weight (which is OK for the winter, but will be way too warm in the summer.

As for a pocket pistol, I have a Kel Tec P3AT that I could conceal anywhere (the thing is tiny). I have had no issues with that gun, other than the fact it is a .380. I also have a Kel Tec PF9 that has given me nothing but problems. It would be a great size to carry if it actually worked for more than one shot at a time.

[G.A. Heath]

I live in west Texas, drive a pickup that has no AC at least 40 miles 5 days a week and I often conceal a full sized (5 inch) 1911. My normal carry is a mid-sized 1911 (4 inch barrel, full length grip) in an aluminum frame. The reason I normally carry the smaller 1911 is because of weight. If I was carrying only the 1911 the weight wouldn't bother me, but the other stuff adds up and as the saying goes: "Ounce turn in pounds and pounds turn into pain."

For the record some of what I normally carry daily is:
Kimber Pro Covert (4 inch barrel) or Kimber Custom TLE II (5 inch barrel) in a Crossbreed super tuck Deluxe.
Ruger LCP w/ CT laser guard, or Ruger LCR with CT laser grip in a good pocket holster.
A good large folding pocket knife (I have a enough that I simply grab one them and go).
a number of other objects which can add weight (long list).

The thing is that a good holster makes all the difference, and you really should dress around the gun not carry based on the clothes.

[KahrGuy]

I would highly recommend you seriously consider the Kahr PM9 for smallest AND lightest 9mm options. It is expensive, but I'm estatic that I bit the bullet and gave my shirt, shoes, & socks to GT Distibutors on this one! This, of course, isn't GT's fault that I came out half naked - they have much better price than most others! This is just alot to pay compared to a .380 option such as Ruger LCP. Well worth the price (thus far) to me though.

[drjoker]

Smartcarry holster will allow you to tuck in your shirt and carry a big gun. It conceals well with pleated pants, but you get an unsightly bulge with flat front pants and double stack guns such as Glocks. I carry a full size G19 with pleated pants with no problems. I'm sure it will work for you, too. The draw is fast, too. With a bit of awkwardness, you may even draw while seated in your car. The only down side is that it is impossible to reholster your gun without taking off your pants. Also, get high quality pants. With real thin, cheap pants, it will look like you have adult diapers on.

[zero4o3]

Thanks for everyones responses so far. I went to the range yesterday and shot my friends Taurus slim 9 and then held the lcp keltec and p238. And while I'm in love with the p238. Just not sure yet my friend let me borrow his keltec with the clip built into it. Which makes it very easy to hide I kind of like seems like it might be the perfect thing for what I am looking for

The other thing that came to min is the way I am dressed when I have trouble with the p239 may make am ankle holster an option. Would rather have something on my ankle then in the car.


Maybe I should just put on some weight

[G.A. Heath]

I have a friend who can turn sideways and hide in the shadow of a toothpick with room to spare. He often carries a compact 1911 (3.5 inch barrel) or an XD-40 service (4 inch barrel) as his daily carry. I can say for a fact that he has conceal carried my 5 inch Kimber just as easily as he has carried the other two guns. The trick is to dress around the gun: Wear pants that are about 1 inch larger in the waist, get a good gun belt, and wear shits that fit loosely. I assure you that its actually easier to carry a as a skinny guy than it is to carry if your body shape is more like mine.

[Divided Attention]

OK - I am still waiting on plastic.... just started the journey, but had a comforting revelation today.

Hubby got his M-tac in for his M&P 9C (he copied me) and I tried it out! I was shocked at how well it hid! I am NOT a toothpick, and some would say "blessed" in the feminine department - I don't always feel blessed... but I put it on at about 10 and without adjusting anything out of the package (he won't share the smarties by the way), it disappeared in jeans and an untucked sleeveless polo. Surprisingly comfortable. I was worried about IWB and daily activities, but this was amazingly comfortable, I could see with a little practice it could become very "normal" feeling. I squatted down, sat and twisted without pinches or pokes!

Now, that being said, I can see how in tighter fitting outfits, dress slacks and the like, a smaller weapon would be beneficial and am drooling over a Sig P238 Liberty! JMPO

DA

[zero4o3]

OK - I am still waiting on plastic.... just started the journey, but had a comforting revelation today.

Hubby got his M-tac in for his M&P 9C (he copied me) and I tried it out! I was shocked at how well it hid! I am NOT a toothpick, and some would say "blessed" in the feminine department - I don't always feel blessed... but I put it on at about 10 and without adjusting anything out of the package (he won't share the smarties by the way), it disappeared in jeans and an untucked sleeveless polo. Surprisingly comfortable. I was worried about IWB and daily activities, but this was amazingly comfortable, I could see with a little practice it could become very "normal" feeling. I squatted down, sat and twisted without pinches or pokes!

Now, that being said, I can see how in tighter fitting outfits, dress slacks and the like, a smaller weapon would be beneficial and am drooling over a Sig P238 Liberty! JMPO

DA

yeah I have a super tuck and a blade-tec holster that work very well for me , with a un-tucked Tshirt or polo and jeans most people dont notice it, some of the pairs of shorts I wear are kind of hard for an IWB holster but my buddy let me try on his little OWB leather strap type holster thing today and it actually might be the solution for that type of dressing, (I have trouble finding shorts that fight right and are not baggy but have room IWB)

after wearing the kel tec (anyone not familiar with it, its basically a LCP with a clip bolted onto it so it just slides right into the waste band) the size was perfect in my slacks and tucked in shirt today, but I stopped by academy and played with a gun I had not heard of before, its a diamondback 380, same size as the LCP same price the trigger just felt a little more smooth to me.

but I also found out they sell the P238 for 449 when you can find them in stock

[ELB]

Two other suggestions:

1. Rohrbaugh R9 or R9s. 9mm, six round magazine, looks very much like a Seecamp. Similar in height and length to the KelTec P3AT or Ruger LCP, but wider, and of course heavier (steel) to deal with the 9mm. Meant to be a backup/short range pistol. Not cheap, bring both your piggy banks.

2. Try IWB appendix carry (i.e. just to the right or left of your beltbuckle) for whatever size pistol. Having a gun on the hip or just behind at 3 or 4 o'clock does stick out a bit, even IWB, and I can see with a slim person like you how that might be more noticeable than on, say, um, me. For slim folks without a gut, it seems to work very well. It is a very fast position to draw from, and there are people who make holsters specifically for this.

[bnc]

2. Try IWB appendix carry (i.e. just to the right or left of your beltbuckle) for whatever size pistol. Having a gun on the hip or just behind at 3 or 4 o'clock does stick out a bit, even IWB, and I can see with a slim person like you how that might be more noticeable than on, say, um, me. For slim folks without a gut, it seems to work very well. It is a very fast position to draw from, and there are people who make holsters specifically for this.

I'm finding this to be true, and, like zero, I'm not a big guy either. I just picked up a some inexpensive Uncle Mike's IWB holsters for my CZ and LCR. They seem to fit best just to the left of the belt buckle so that the end of the grip ends up close to the navel. Drawing is pretty quick and reholstering easy as well since it is easy access for both hands.


For guns, aside from all the great suggestions already posted, maybe take a look at some of the surplus ComBlock guns chambered in 9x18. The Makarov and Polish P-83/P-64 are fairly compact, affordable (~$200 give or take), accurate, and reliable; they're made out of steel though, so not the lightest. The FEG PA-63 is a prett slim one as well, but harder to find.
More about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9x18mm_Makarov

[zero4o3]

regardless of of what I end up doing with a 2nd gun, I think one thing I am taking from this thread is that I need to find me a better IWB holster then attaches to the belt with a single clip, I find myself not able to carry the gun in some of the places yall are recommending because of how wide the 2 clips are on the super tuck they just seem to always end up right on the belt buckle

[.45mac.40]

You can be honest with us !!!

YOU JUST WANT A NEW HANDGUN !!!!!

Been mentioned here already ... I also like my Kahr ... (CW40) it's not a holster queen, and I don't mind if I sweat all over it.

Good luck in your choice.

Thanks for being here !

Mac XD45 > > > >>>>>> ## %%%%% ##

[aaangel]

You can be honest with us !!!

YOU JUST WANT A NEW HANDGUN !!!!!

I admit, problem with my present carry option was one of my MO also.

yeah zero403, curious what your 2nd gun would be. keep us posted.