Best small and lightweight handgun

kimi

In your opinion, what is the best small and lightweight handgun for concealed carry?

Butchdog2

Revolver or semi auto?

Ruger LCR's

BobJudy

The one you have with you. 
I second the LCR. Bob

savage170

Another vote for the Ruger LCR
Smith 642 or 637 would be a very close second for me

kimi

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11213114#Comment_11213114

Either one! Thanks to you and Bob!

Horse Plains Drifter

We have two S&W model 36 with Crimson Trace grips. One is a 1-7/8" barrel "Ladysmith", and one is a 3" barrel 36-7(?). I'm an old fuddy, and lean to revolvers.

Here is the Ladysmith.

mark christian

I have an LCR in the car, but only because it is the only handgun I have which is small enough to fit in the center console of my leaded Nissan Altima. For my money, the old S&W Model 37 remains hard to beat. 

Horse Plains Drifter

Mark, is the model 37 the aluminum alloy frame model?

dcon12

I carry a Taurus Ultra-Lite but carry a Colt Agent when I need more capacity. Don

gruntled2

"Best" leaves a lot of questions. I might suggest the most practical small handgun could be the NAA Black Widow in .22 mag. A reasonable minimum level of power & something you can almost always have with you.
I remember when I was taking flying lessons they taught us the  most useless thing for a pilot is the gas you left behind. The same would apply for a handgun.
 

Frogdog

Revolver: Ruger LCRX

Semi-Auto: Kahr PM-9

mark christian

Horse Plains Drifter said:

Mark, is the model 37 the aluminum alloy frame model?

It's aluminum, which means that it won't handle +P loads, or at least not many of them. +P+? Forget about it! 

redneckandy

I picked up a Ruger EC9s recently that  like. Not a single failure to date.

Smitty500mag

I carry 2 of the lightest made.  A S&W 340PD .357 Mag with a Scandium frame and Titanium cylinder that weighs 11.58 ounces that includes a set of Crimson Trace laser grips.   



And a 1st generation Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 that weighs 7.48 ounces.

mark christian

Wow. Those are light. What's worse is that you have a better digital scale than I do!

Mark, it may be time to upgrade 

RobOz

The S&W Shield ain't a bad way to go.

bustedknee

Glock 43 under the belt and/or S&W 360PD on the ankle.

Smitty500mag

mark christian said:

Wow. Those are light. What's worse is that you have a better digital scale than I do!

Mark, it may be time to upgrade 

I use these Amstom lab scales for reloading these days. I was wanting some scales that weighed grains to 2 decimal places and they're a bit hard to find that don't cost an arm and a leg. I wouldn't pay the price they want for these new. I just happened to find a good deal on these and bought them.

jimdeere

redneckandy said:

I picked up a Ruger EC9s recently that  like. Not a single failure to date.

What I carry. I’ve shot a lot of Wolf steel cased 9mm through it.

chme

Have a couple of old school Mdl 36s, a Model 39 (Bodyguard revolver) but I also have a Ruger LCP.  Also have an original AMT Backup in .380- works well, heavier than a boat anchor.  All will (IMHO) serve decently as a "Get OFF me!" gun.  

JimmyJack

I have choices,  but seem to carry the Smith 642 the most.

SCOUT5

I pocket carry a model like this S&W 38  https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878258015
Only mine is a lot older and the new models are lighter than mine.  Mine has wood grips which I think makes the draw smother than rubber grips.  Good pocket gun, draws easy and mine is accurate.   The reason I picked this type over other pocket guns was the fact I can fire it single action for accuracy when I need to yet the hammer can't hang up on my pocket.

If I was going to go with a double action only pocket gun it would be the Ruger LCR in 327 Federal.   Six rounds rather than five  the round is hot and you can run 32 H&R or 32 S&W longs if you want.

Warbirds

The Glock 48 with a few Shield Arms 15 round mags is my current go-to.

Glock 48

Shield Arms 15 round mags (3)

Dawson Fiber Optic sights.

Immensely capable, reliable and accurate package.

montanajoe

SIG P238 .380 auto
or
SIG P938 9mm auto

Smitty500mag

SCOUT5 said:

 The reason I picked this type over other pocket guns was the fact I can fire it single action for accuracy when I need to yet the hammer can't hang up on my pocket.

I carry a S&W 340PD snubby hammer less and I can shoot it like a single action too because I can stage the trigger. As you pull the trigger it has a definite click before the hammer falls and I can squeeze the trigger up to that point and take aim and it's no different than shooting a single action. 

mohawk600

For pocket carry............KelTec P32...............for appendix carry............Sig P365..............or maybe a SW Shield.

SW0320

montanajoe said:

SIG P238 .380 auto
or
SIG P938 9mm auto

+ 1 on these two.

kimi

I appreciate all of the comments and pictures.  Thanks to all who contributed!

SCOUT5

Smitty500mag said:

SCOUT5 said:

 The reason I picked this type over other pocket guns was the fact I can fire it single action for accuracy when I need to yet the hammer can't hang up on my pocket.

I carry a S&W 340PD snubby hammer less and I can shoot it like a single action too because I can stage the trigger. As you pull the trigger it has a definite click before the hammer falls and I can squeeze the trigger up to that point and take aim and it's no different than shooting a single action. 

Yep, you can stack the trigger on a double action and it makes a difference in accuracy.  Certainly a skill to practice which ever type you carry.

redhawkk480

SCOUT5 said:

I pocket carry a model like this S&W 38  https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878258015
Only mine is a lot older and the new models are lighter than mine.  Mine has wood grips which I think makes the draw smother than rubber grips.  Good pocket gun, draws easy and mine is accurate.   The reason I picked this type over other pocket guns was the fact I can fire it single action for accuracy when I need to yet the hammer can't hang up on my pocket.

If I was going to go with a double action only pocket gun it would be the Ruger LCR in 327 Federal.   Six rounds rather than five  the round is hot and you can run 32 H&R or 32 S&W longs if you want.

you can also run 32acp if you really had to , there's enough of a rim on the 32acp to hold it in place , only problem with a double action revolver ejection is hit and miss, probably  have 2 or  3 to pouch out by hand,  in a single action no problem at all 

Wulfmann

Sig P365.
Game changer 10-12 or 15 round magazine options and a micro sized pistol with excellent ergonomics allowing it to be shot comfortably
Everything else falls short

ruger41

I have 5 small guns to choose from and carry them regularly but I find myself carrying the Shield more than anything else these days. It’s an excellent little gun. If I have to go to a place like Seattle then I’ll take my Glock 32 or SIG P250C.

1. S&W Shield 9mm
2. Taurus 850 .38 Special
3. Ruger LCP .380
4. Bond Arms derringer in 9mm.
5. Springfield XD/s .45acp

Chief Shaway

I have the Ruger LCP’s in 9, .380, and .22

The 22 weighs next to nothing.

redhawkk480

NAA revolver 22lr/22mag

Beretta 21a  22lr with CCI stingers

Beretta Tomcat 32acp

S&W Bodyguard 380  with C/T green laser

Ruger LCR 327 mag

Ruger LCP 380

Ruger LC9s 9mm

4205raymond

Great topic here. Have CCL but don't presently carry. Printed this out for future reference when I purchase for carry.

dreher

Since I believe you cannot beat a revolver as a carry gun I have both the Ruger LCR and the Smith 642.   I never know which one I will grab to drop in my pocket.  I like both.  Both are as accurate as can be expected for the closeup distances they are intended for.

The big thing is I don't have to remember to wipe off the safety, I don't have to remember to chamber a round, I don't have to worry about screwing up and short stroking when chambering the round, I don't have to worry about clearing a jamb. 
I draw, aim, pull the trigger.  

badchris

Another LCR fan here. Great DAO trigger for an inexpensive revolver. Fill it with quality self defense ammunition and you’re good to go.

asop

Ruger LCP .380 carry in one of those tiny belt holsters.  Truck gun S&W  36.

mark christian

A quick comparison of the S&W 9 mm Shield and the .38 Special S&W Model 37:

.38 vs. 9 mm can be argued forever, but the calibers are closely matched. 5 shots in the Model 37 vs 8 in the Shield is an issue, as well as the automatic's quicker reloading. Of course I just happen to like revolvers   

As always, my photos and my guns.

Horse Plains Drifter

Wulfmann said:

Everything else falls short

In your opinion.

mohawk600

Don't forget the High Standard O/U .22 mag derringer with the wallet and finger hole. You can put it in your pocket like a wallet and draw and shoot without taking it out of leather..................

I bought one of those for $15 in the '90s from an ex cop. Also got his High Standard 12 ga. riot gun for $50. Best two gun buys that I ever made.