Small handgun

Ruger SP 101, Smith & Wesson J frame in 38 +P, Springfield XD in 9mm, Kahr compact pistols any of these are excellent and you should be able to find one for $500 or under if you look around. The Springfield XD is nice because you can get one of the compacts which is close to the same size as a Ruger SP101 and can use the 10rd clip or get one with the extension to hold 16rd and have a full size grip.
 
I checked out the SP 101, Sig 220 & 229, and the Kahr 9mm today. The one that felt the best in hand was the SP 101, the Sigs were really nice, but damn pricey at the shop I went to. The Kahr Whiskey River pointed out was over $630 :eek:, online it is just a tiny bit over $400, FFL fee was $100 for new. I did see a few nice ARs that I want too.

The subcompact XDm 9mm was really nice at a decent price. Considering the 2 clips, gun lock, holster (junk), and the case not too shabby.
 
FWIW the Crimson Trace laser grips make the S&W 642 both easier and more pleasant to shoot- of course, the tradeoff is that they're just slightly larger.
 
MVF said:
FWIW the Crimson Trace laser grips make the S&W 642 both easier and more pleasant to shoot- of course, the tradeoff is that they're just slightly larger.
Click to expand...
I was looking at the Crimson Trace grips too for the SP101, they run around $200 at the store. The clerk told me that me that they are less expensive online at some places or other gun shops in own. He wasn't sure that the price was correct, they all seemed over priced to him.
 
SP101 is a champ. I've been carrying mine on my woods outings since hogs have become a problem. It is a bit on the heavy side, but that is truly an advantage when shooting it with 357 mag loads. A couple of "improvements" I'd recommend is a Wolff reduced power hammer spring, and a meprolight tritium front sight.

The reduced power hammer spring will not reduce reliability. I've run mine with a 14lb spring (factory is 16lb) for years and never had a problem with light primer strikes or had any malfunction of any kind. It greatly improves the d/a trigger pull quality of the revolver. 16lb springs are more for liability than reliability.

The meprolight sight drops in, but you will need to drill a small hole to install it. It's no biggie at all, but a gunsmith could probably do it for you for $25 bucks or so. It is about a 5 minute job. I like tritium sights on my carry guns.

IMG_0819.jpg


Made this holster for IWB... You can see the meprolight tritium dot sight here...

IMG_4368.jpg


I'm also a huge fan of the Kahr pistols. I have one for each hand and my wife has one as well. Great carry pistols. My most recent is the CW45. It is one of the softest shooting 45's I own despite the light weight. It's a pussycat... love it. The 40 cal kahrs buck a bit, but the 9's are gems. If you decide to go with one, there are some break-in procedures I practice that that have worked 100% for me. All of my kahr's are flawless performers.

Here is my diminutive PM9:

KahrSwarden-1.jpg


A Smith and Wesson J frame airweight 442 is also a great option. Again, some wolff springs can really enhance the trigger pull without sacrificing reliability.

IMG_1713.jpg



Good luck in your search. Shoot me an email if I can help...
 
That holster is perfect kd, it solves the riding high issue I've read about with most holsters. I appreciate the offer for assistance too. ;) I just got off the phone with another gunshop, they will charge me $40 for the FFL transfer, when I told the guy what the other place wanted to charge me, he offered me a 3% discount if I paid with cash. While not much, it was a nice gesture. I've heard that Meprolight is the way to go, so that is on the list too.

My wife really liked the SP101 and the Kahr CM9. I told her I would get both and she could have the one she wanted :), as soon as she completes her CCW class. Although it is not needed in AZ anymore, I would like her to get it taken care of anyway, any questions she might have can be properly answered. I am lucky she likes guns & knives and is not frightened by them.
 
Kel-Tek P-3AT (.380 cal) tiny and flat. You can carry it in your back pocket!
Or Glock 26 ;-)
 
Had an FBI agent talk to our Kiwanis Club many years ago and some of us gun guys chatted him up..he had no use whatsoever for small handguns EXCEPT for one five-popper in the hands of a Chief of Police in his jurisdiction who took out a multi-bank robber with it. Guess was one less job he'd have to do.

In my dotage I've settled in on IWB carry...45 Commander, Mod 66 3"..have carried pocket pistols as backup - .380 AMT, TP 22 and High Standard .22 mag derringer..while better than nothing, not much in my opinion - last and best was Mod 60 w/de-horned hammer. Carry was always in homemade roughout leather pocket square in R front uniform pants pocket or jacket..very occasionally R rear pants pocket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top