chartreuse wrote:Even if you do decide you want a smaller handgun when you start carrying, there's no rush to get rid of your current one. Plenty of folks take the test with a full size sidearm, and you'll have weeks between the test and your plastic arriving to find a good deal.
This is great advice. You already know how to shoot your PT92, so use it to qualify. Then if you really don't think you can adequately conceal it and don't have money to keep it and ALSO buy a more concealable gun, then sell it and buy something else. BTW, I'm sure you already know this, but Champion Firearms in CS has some good prices. I always stop in there if I'm in B-CS. Better selection and prices than most gun stores in Austin.
As for alternatives, you need to decide how you want to primarily carry this gun?
If it's primarily pocket carry, then go try different guns at a gun store slipping them into the pockets you would normally use - there can be significant difference between what will carry comfortably and not print obviously in Dockers vs. jeans vs. cargo pants vs. dress slacks etc. Most gun stores will allow this (just don't start walking toward the door)
LCP/TCP type in .380 is as small as you want to go, and most consider it only a BUG or last resort gun (yours truly included). But it's better than nothing.
Also definitely try a snub-nose revolver, S&W J-frame, Ruger LCR, Taurus 85s etc. Unless my pockets are very small or pants too tight, I actually think a snub-nose carries BETTER in a front pocket, conceals better (doesn't print like a classic semi-auto gun outline - the cylinder breaks up the "gun pattern"), a .38 is a bit better defensive round than a .380 because while it's moving at roughly the same speed, typically the bullet is heavier (about 95 grains for .380; 115 and up for a .38)
Lastly, if pocket carry is your primary mode of carry, there are the 9mm and .40 pocket guns like Taurus 709 Slim, Kahrs, and depending on size of your pockets possibly even baby Glocks, XDs etc. There are also some .380 guns in this same size range, but why carry a .380 when a 9mm is same size gun? Caveat to this being if price is a big factor, a Bersa .380 (either the Thunder or the concealed carry version) are both very good guns at reasonable prices in this size range.
But if you just want a smaller/lighter gun for belt carry (inside or outside the waistband), then you have a huge range of options. First thing I'd point you toward are any of the good polymer-frame guns - Glocks, Springfield XDs, S&W M&P, Sig makes a few, H&K makes some, Beretta, Taurus, Ruger, Walther, you name it. And of course others will tell you to look at aluminum-framed 3-inch barrel 1911s.
I was in your same situation almost when I lived in B-CS 12 years ago. I didn't want to try to conceal a large gun, so my first CCW was a Colt Mustang .380 (a "baby" 1911). I carried it IWB and in pocket depending on dress. Colt hasn't made that gun in years, but Sig just came out with a nearly identical clone in the P238. Of course, after a year I traded in my Mustang for a Glock 23
(a great move up in caliber, but lost a lot of $$ when Colt stopped making the Mustang and it became a $900 collector's item)