I'm in the market for a .32 or a .380 in a small concealable gun .what would you choose?there are so many to choose from I would like a cheaper one that is good

cheap, small or good.... pick any 2....

Walther PPK/S in .380ACP if you must.

New Walther in 9mm is about the same size, so are the small Springfield XD

Welcome redmarlin77!!


Colt Mustang Pocketlite

No, it's not cheap. Neither is quality.

Based on ammo availability and power I'd skip the .380 and pick up a small 9MM. There isn't a hugh gain in power but 9MM is easier to find than .380 lately. Over the past few years several good quality compact 9MM's have come out. It's hard to find "cheap and good". I'd start with Kahr and look up from there.

i have a keltec p3at it is small easy to conceal accurate to about 6 yds . good back up but like the kimber 45 better

do want to try the walther their p22 is a great gun

Redmarlin77, i understand the small part but not the cheap part. If you are going to conceal it then i would guess that plan on useing it for selfdefense. In that case it MUST be 100% reliable, you need to be comfortable with it and also shoot it well. I would suggest shooting a few different handguns if you can and see what you like. For small carry guns i like the Ruger SP101, S&W M36, S&W M386 or the Glock 19. I hope this helps.

I have been carying a Walther PPK/S in 380 for several years. It shoots well and is 100% reliable. At the NRA show in Phoenix I saw a PPK/S in stainless that was a 9mm that I thought would be ok too. I carry the PPK/S in the summer and a fullsized Beretta M96 in the winter.

check out Ruger LCP!!! Clint

I think the CZ83 is a good pistol, and it's not too expensive over here. Mine is in the Euro equivalent of .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning) but it is also available in 9mm Makarov which is a very good round in a small pistol.

Sig P229. A friend's wife wanted light weight and recoil.

Rich

the ruger LCP is really good, and not expensive, shoots right where the sights point
had problems w some really cheap forien ammo
but otherwise blew off hundreds of rounds with no problems, lots better to shoot than J-frame
but it is tiny and about the best thought out pistol ive seen for what its designed for ,

I have been studying this question for some time. SMART MONEY says minimum for safety in combat is the 9mm luger. Now if you want to give up a little of that for conceal ability then the .380 is the answer. GO NO SMALLER! .22, 25ACP, AND .32ACP give up too much. Incidentally, the .380acp is European civil police round of choice with good reason. They call it the 9mm Kurtz(Short). I bought the .380 SIG/SAUER 238M-380-RG. 2-7rd magazines as extras

quote:

I have been studying this question for some time.

I am glad you have decided.

I guess the OP hasn't yet he has not posted 8 in years.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

I have been studying this question for some time.

I am glad you have decided.

I guess the OP hasn't yet he has not posted 8 in years.

About 20years ago I got a P9 KelTec and with my big hands I couldn't squeeze the trigger far enough back to make it fire. Needless to say it found a new owner right quick.

An old friend bought the 380 KelTec and with it I could barely hit a foot square target at 7 FEET. Several us fired it and I had the best group by far and that was about 4 on the target.
For sure a belly gun if there ever was one.

I carry a J frame myself.

George

I don't believe in buying "cheap" tools I might use in a dire circumstance. Put a glock 19 or the compact on lay away. Buy a milt sparks holster. Practice drawing and dry firing empty. Keep your finger off the trigger until the sight covers the target.

I have been amazed by the longevity of this thread!!! So, let me ask: "What about a 22 magnum"? Not really any smaller in dimensions than it's larger counterparts in a revolver, but I would think that penetration would be pretty spectacular. I would not hesitate to carry my Taurus 941 concealed if I had to.
Peter

Hhm. Kind of answered my own question. The American Rifleman says:
"The goal is to make the bad guy stop doing bad things. Handguns stop a threat in three ways. One is by causing enough pain that the bad guy submits or voluntarily decides further violent action is a bad idea. Another way is through incapacitation, which is an involuntary reaction on the part of the bad guy in response to being shot. Incapacitation can be instant or it can take a long time.

The third way handguns stop evil intent is through fear."
Based on their tests penetration of 22 mag. is about 12 inches in ballistic gelatin.
Peter

'tween the eyes'll work dandy!

George