BUG Help

[Emmett]

I am looking for some good ideas on a Back Up Gun. Or a smaller gun I can carry when my regular carry is a little to big for what I am waring.
I curantly carry a Smith & Wesson M&P 9c. It is a great weapon and It conseals real well in most cases. I am looking for a 9mm or a .380. I was looking at the new Ruger LCP, but I don't see it really being available for a while now.

Thanks for any help and advise,
Emmett

[Kalrog]

If you are looking at the Ruger, what about the KelTec P3AT? Or a Kahr PM9?

How about a wheelie in .38Spc (I love my airweight S&W)?

[Greybeard]

Methinks the Rugers are out there - with some legwork and willingness to pay a primo price. And speaking of a primo price, I've been quite pleased with PM-9.

The new Ruger mouse gun will likely come down in price here in a few months - maybe about the time that Kahr starts shipping their new .380 ...

Another +1 on a wheel gun. Tough to do much better than S&W 442, 642 or similar breed ...

[Lumberjack98]

Try to get the 9mm. It's quite a bit more powerful than the 380.

Have you considered the Walther PPS or a Ruger SR9. They are pretty small (although larger than a typical bug) but are very slim and sound very easy to carry.

[asleepatthereel]

Cant go wrong with the Bersa Thunder. Mine is a .380 but I hear they are making a larger caliber now. Either 9mm or .40 if what I have heard is true. I would try to verify it, but the IT folks here at work have blocked gun related websites.

I posted something a while back about this little gun, if you do a search you can read it. Its been through alot of abuse, and its still tickin.

I have to say though, those airlights do look appealing. If you like revolvers, thats the way to go.

[ELB]

Random suggestions

As noted above, any of the J-frames.

SP-101

Also, depending on budget, the Rohrbaugh R-9. Very small 9mm. Pricey.

The Kel-Tec PF-9 is supposed to be pretty light and small, but I have no experience with that one.

Have heard many good things about the reliability of the Bersa Thunder .380s. Only drawback I know of is you can get some 9mms that are as small. If Bersa is now making a 9 that is as good as the .380, I expect you'd have a winner there.

I have seen the Ruger LCP available locally (Seguin) for $270, that is not a bad price, I think. Keep looking or order one if really interested. Some would recommend not getting a gun from the initial production run, let others find any problems, probably some merit to that.

NAA Guardian in .380 is also pretty small.

[Emmett]

Thanks for all the info guys. I do want to try and keep this one under $500.00, also some of the guns mentioned above will be to big. Like I said I carry the S&W MP 9c, which is a fairly small and easy to conseal gun that handles veery well. I need something smaller then that for a Back UP and to carry when I am wearing clothing that wont caonseal the 9mm. That why I was looking at the Ruger LCP, but as mentioned above, it would probably be best to wait untill the bugs are worked out of the gun (if any). I was thinking about the Bersa Thunder .380, but, I don't think it is much smaller then the MP 9c.
Thanks for all the suggestions, Please keep them coming,
Emmett

[thankGod]

Emmett,

I starting looking for a Ruger LCP yesterday. If you care to drive to Houston, then Carter's Country on I-10 has some in stock. However they are charging full suggested retail. I opted for the waiting list at Tomball Pawn.

I'm 10th on the list, and Tomball Pawn indicated that they are receiving 1 LCP a week. I suspect shipments will increase in short order.

[DoubleJ]

I need something smaller then that for a Back UP and to carry when I am wearing clothing that wont caonseal the 9mm.
Emmett

I think this is the key here. you want an "instead of gun," not necessarily a BUG. if you were wanting something to carry WITH the M&P, I would say go small, really small. maybe even .32 small. (I think that's the smallest you can test for on the CHL, so that's what I would limit it too, but you can go .22 if'n you want.)
for my "instead of and/or BUG," I went with a 2" revolver in .357. as far as power, well, it's squared away. as far as concealability, looks like my wallet in my pocket.
that's just me.
my opinion, you want an "instead of gun," go with something similar in power. you carry a 9, I'd try to stay with a 9. I've fired the Kahr pm9, and it's rather concealable. or the 2" revolver. good luck.

[Keith B]

I have a 3", a 4" and a 5" gun that I can carry depending on clothing.

My main carry is a Kahr PM9 that works great overall. I usually carry OWB in a Don Hume JIT slide at about 5 o'clock with a cover shirt. I also have a Comp-Tac Shirt Tucker or Don Hume waistband clip-on if I need to carry IWB. Most of the time if I can't carry OWB I will put it in my Desantis Nemisis and pocket carry. It fits fine in the front pocket of jeans and great in either pocket of a pair of cargo shorts. It doesn't present as fast that way, but beats having to wear a cover shirt or not carrying when hot.

As for the Kahr PM9, I love mine. Just be aware that like any small S.A. it like a firm wrist and no extremely flat nosed ammo to hang on the feed ramp.

[Emmett]

Some very good tips and info from ya'll, Thank you. I think I will look at some wheel guns in Smith & Wesson, in a 357. Besides it will be cheaper at the range. I can run 38s through it most of the time.
Thanks for all the imput,
Emmett

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

For a 9mm the size of most .380 BUG's, check out http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com. I'm itching to get one myself.

[Emmett]

I have never heard of Rohrbaugh Firearms. Although it looks like it will conseal pretty easy, it also looks to weak to be a 9mm. And the recoil on it has to be tough.
Thanks for the info though. I think I am going to go up to Sportsmans Warehouse and see just what is available that will suit my needs.
Emmett

[carlson1]

I can't make myself pay that much for something as small as a Rohrbaugh I did however just pick up a Ruger LCP to take the place of my Kel Tec. I think I will feel more comfortable with the Ruger or at least I hope I do.

The new Ruger mouse gun will likely come down in price here in a few months - maybe about the time that Kahr starts shipping their new .380 ...

They will now that I bought one and made the top price. It is just like wash your car it will rain.

Another +1 on a wheel gun. Tough to do much better than S&W 442, 642 or similar breed ...

I carry a 340PD all the time. It is either a back up or a primary, but is never left home. I feel comfortable with 5 rounds of .357. When it is primary I carry a speedloader with another 5 .357's

[pt145ss]

My BUG is a NAA guardian .380. I have it with me 24/7. it cost me around $400 but well worth the price. I trust it's reliability 100%.