Smaller Guns for Defense?
- Thread starter Talyn
- Start date
Not a fan of single shot sd guns
Lab4Us
Professional
I can see that perspective. Though I load mine with Winchester Ranger 38 Special +P 130g when carrying or using for home defense.
PieterCoetzee
Professional
Well neither am I. Its mostly a novelty but it carries like a wallet and its better than harsh words
Aged_Cheddar
Operator
I've yet to put my hands on a "smaller" gun that seemed comfortable (to me), I'm sure one exists, and I'll eventually find it since I would like some kind of EDC at some point (sooner than later). Maybe a Hellcat? I remember there was a little S&W M&P variant that was pretty comfortable, but I think it had a longer mag that made the grip "feel" bigger...I should have bought that one....
Now, my better half frequently (but not always) carries a Glock G43X MOS, but she's been wanting to add some kind of a smaller caliber "car gun" for the times she's not carrying. She's been eyeballing the Ruger Security 380, she likes that it's basically the same overall size as her Glock, but has a 15+1 round count albeit the less potent 380 ACP round.
Now, my better half frequently (but not always) carries a Glock G43X MOS, but she's been wanting to add some kind of a smaller caliber "car gun" for the times she's not carrying. She's been eyeballing the Ruger Security 380, she likes that it's basically the same overall size as her Glock, but has a 15+1 round count albeit the less potent 380 ACP round.
Biggfoot44
Custom
While a true statement , that's not the full picture .
How so? The gun that’s not with you, no matter how good it is, is useless when it’s not in hand in an emergency. I. Like bigger pistols, but I’d certainly rather have a mouse gun than no gun.
Biggfoot44
Custom
Ok, a .22 Short is better than not having a .44 .
( There is a cognizant argument for big stick , or big knife better than. 25acp or less , but that's for another time .)
I was thinking hard Which gun fora l recently posted something, and it must have been ( other one ) .
Once upon a decade, l came to the observation and conclusion that if * if carried in manner to be quickly accessible * it was no easier to carry Baby Browning Clone , than an Airweight J Frame * .
As small *as possible * has gotten extreme with advances in material science, and engineering. There is such a thing as * suitability & appropriately small * .
Sub 1 pound, but able to be usable in adult human hand is small & light enough to carry , except for the literal Speedo at the Beach . I've literally forgotten l was wearing a 13oz gun .
.38 Spl , 9x19 , are available just under that point , .380 starting there , heading down to " too small for average adult human " .
All of them no effectively harder to carry than a Mousegun , but exponentially better as a Gun .
MiataMinded
Operator
Bodyguard 2.0. 12+1 .380acp in the same size and weight as a cell phone and has not just decent but downright good ergonomics and shoot ability. Very few of the posted guns look like they're capable of getting a decent grip on or have anything close to decent capacity.
Something that Clint Smith said one time is spot on (like most of what he says)
Guns are suppose to be “Comforting” not “Comfortable”
Of course this was before the mindset and em and for minute 15-17 shot 9mm and 380’s took off.
I still hold Clint’s view as practice as the smallest guns I routinely carry are a M&P 45 Compact 2.0, a 3 or 4” K frame they also make the trip to those pesky 10 round states.
But a lot of times I run one of my HK’s (45 and P30L LEM) or
Sig 226 and an occasional 1911 of some flavor.
All that said the best small gun to me is a 2” J frame in either 38 Special, 32 H&R or 22lr/22mag (the downside to rimfire is they generally habe to habe heavier triggers to bee 100% reliable with rimfire rounds. Revolvers they are finger driven not dependent on recoil or a solid grip to keep running. So my one small carry gun that does it all is a wheelgun.
But everyone talks about how effective the 9mm is but has to have 17 rounds in a micro x legion scorpion x ray gun (I know the 9 is effective just some sarcastic poking)
Guns are suppose to be “Comforting” not “Comfortable”
Of course this was before the mindset and em and for minute 15-17 shot 9mm and 380’s took off.
I still hold Clint’s view as practice as the smallest guns I routinely carry are a M&P 45 Compact 2.0, a 3 or 4” K frame they also make the trip to those pesky 10 round states.
But a lot of times I run one of my HK’s (45 and P30L LEM) or
Sig 226 and an occasional 1911 of some flavor.
All that said the best small gun to me is a 2” J frame in either 38 Special, 32 H&R or 22lr/22mag (the downside to rimfire is they generally habe to habe heavier triggers to bee 100% reliable with rimfire rounds. Revolvers they are finger driven not dependent on recoil or a solid grip to keep running. So my one small carry gun that does it all is a wheelgun.
But everyone talks about how effective the 9mm is but has to have 17 rounds in a micro x legion scorpion x ray gun (I know the 9 is effective just some sarcastic poking)
Agree completely. Small (tiny) is typically a good bit harder to shoot well than larger. We’re all hunting for the “perfect” compromise between carry ability, shoot ability and power.. The perfect pistol would carry like a baby Browning, shoot like a .22 match pistol and hit like a Model 29
. Somehow that combination is awfully hard to find
bc22wm
Professional
That a great tag line. A worthy goal to stride for. An accomplishment to be applauded if it is really, REALLY accomplished 100% of the time.
Over the years I have known many that have preached this or something similar, yet you wait catch them at the right time, and they will admit that no they aren't carrying. It's too hot, it doesn't fit in the dress style, (think wedding) too much effort they are just running to get a loaf of bread..... This is where the mouse gun shines. Something you can just drop in a pocket, forget, and go. Something you're willing to put the effort in to be proficient with. Remember it is a last-ditch self-defense not a "go to war" gun, train and practice accordingly.
The next trick is not to become so complacent, that the mouse gun starts creeping into time where a larger gun could be carried comfortably instead. On the other hand if you do, you are still better armed than likely 90% of the rest of the population. We are gun cranks so we get tunnel vision.
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MiataMinded
Operator
Really carrying even a .22 makes you better armed and more prepared than the general population.
Biggfoot44
Custom
The perfect pistol would carry like a baby Browning, shoot like a .22 match pistol and hit like a Model 29
In current era , sub 16oz micro 9mm is sweet spot . ( With proviso to not get obsessed with making it larger for big mag capacity .)
This guy in the video knows his stuff. Give a lot of credence to his doctrine.
Several of you have beaten me to the punch, but I echo the sentiment that a small gun beats no gun at all. The older I get, the more that I value any tool which will allow me to overcome the likelihood of being on the losing side of "disparity of force." Unfortunately, this has crept up on my body as my age progresses relentlessly.
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I wear blue jeans all day every day. It's tough to find those with 1) pockets generous enough to even HOLD a pocket gun, 2) pocket openings which will permit withdrawing your hand while grasping your gun. I don't wear them for style, it's just what I've worn my entire life and I'm not about to change now.
The squarish shape of even the smallest auto pistol makes pulling it from the jeans pocket more difficult than getting a "hammerless" revolver out. Plus, the "curvy" print of a revolver in the pocket is far more "natural" / "organic" in appearance than the squarish line of an auto pistol.
For looser fitting garments (I'm thinking coats, BDU style pants, etc), the auto pistol can work just fine. Just be certain to have it holstered in something that will hold it in the intended position. Nothing is scarier than reaching into your pocket to pull out your gun and finding that it has inverted itself, holster and all, and having to pull it out muzzle first, knowing that there is a "live torpedo in the tube."
The squarish shape of even the smallest auto pistol makes pulling it from the jeans pocket more difficult than getting a "hammerless" revolver out. Plus, the "curvy" print of a revolver in the pocket is far more "natural" / "organic" in appearance than the squarish line of an auto pistol.
For looser fitting garments (I'm thinking coats, BDU style pants, etc), the auto pistol can work just fine. Just be certain to have it holstered in something that will hold it in the intended position. Nothing is scarier than reaching into your pocket to pull out your gun and finding that it has inverted itself, holster and all, and having to pull it out muzzle first, knowing that there is a "live torpedo in the tube."