TexasCHLforum.com

I catch more guff than you would believe from my friends about the size of my carry gun. Its a Springfield XD-40 in the 4" service model size. Grande... I know. But its what I like. My question is, what kind of gun should I be looking at for those times like on the golf course, the boat, etc., where I cannot wear my full rig and need a nice, small, drop-in-my-pocket kind of gun? I want something small, but will not sacrifice power for size.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

TheYoungGuy wrote:I catch more guff than you would believe from my friends about the size of my carry gun. Its a Springfield XD-40 in the 4" service model size. Grande... I know. But its what I like. My question is, what kind of gun should I be looking at for those times like on the golf course, the boat, etc., where I cannot wear my full rig and need a nice, small, drop-in-my-pocket kind of gun? I want something small, but will not sacrifice power for size.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Since you already have a 4" XG, why not a 3"?

Otherwise, it is preference. Here are a few small choices;

S&W J frame
Sig Sauer makes several small guns, 239, etc.
Beretta .32
Kahrs are very small
Kel-Tec makes several small guns

on and on.

personal recommendation:



I really like mine.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I'd like to keep the purchase under $350, $400 being my max.

Taurus with recessed hammer, in .357, Titanium frame is well within your pricerange.

In keeping with your price range, your current semi-auto carry and your need for a decrease in size:
the new Kel-Tec PF9 or a Kel-Tec P11

nuparadigm wrote:In keeping with your price range, your current semi-auto carry and your need for a decrease in size:
the new Kel-Tec PF9 or a Kel-Tec P11

I carry a P11 all the time. If you like the .40 they make it in that flavor as well. I really like how well it conceals cause it is so small. but not to small. I find it shots very well for defense purposes. They are cheap too, mine was 250.00 brand new, although you might want to do somethings right away like finger extension for mags, and a "fluff and buff". Good Luck.

I am fortunate enough to have a Glock 23 in a .40/ my beloved Springfield 1911 .45 GI/ and a Taurus .357 with a 2"barrel--just like the one pictured above. I love all of them, but carry the snubbie .357 most of the time. I carry IWB or in a belly band, and forget it's even there. Kicks like a horse mule, but easy to pack.

9mmGuy wrote: I carry a P11 all the time. If you like the .40 they make it in that flavor as well.

Actually, the P40 was discontinued several years ago. They can occasionally be found used. Might try the ktog.org forum.

Everyone (well, nearly) eventually winds up with a .38 snub. Might as well go ahead and pick yours up now. The Taurus models are within your price range as are Charter Arms.

TheYoungGuy wrote:I catch more guff than you would believe from my friends about the size of my carry gun. Its a Springfield XD-40 in the 4" service model size. Grande... I know. But its what I like. My question is, what kind of gun should I be looking at for those times like on the golf course, the boat, etc., where I cannot wear my full rig and need a nice, small, drop-in-my-pocket kind of gun? I want something small, but will not sacrifice power for size.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Unless you just WANT to buy another handgun, you really don't NEED to. Now don't get me wrong, if you want another handgun and just need some sort of justification, by all means use this as your reasoning. You cannot have too many.

On the other hand, your 4" XD is can be VERY concealable in the circumstances you mentioned.

If you generally tuck in your shirt, there are some very good tuckable IWB (in the waistband) holsters which will make the XD nearly disappear with a tucked shirt. If you do not tuck your shirt in during the activities you menitoned, your options expand further. Just about any IWB that holds the weapon close to the body will work.

I prefer Kydex over leather because it doesn't absorb sweat, the holsters are generally thinner andless obtrusive and other personal preferences, but there are also some top quality leathergoods out there.

You might look up Comp-tac, Tucker and others. I use the Comp-tac Shirtucker for my Glock 30. The Comp-tac C-TAC has an enthusiastic following.

You might consider this option and use the extra $300 for a real gunbelt and lots of practice ammo. What ever you decide, be safe and have fun.

A Taurus PT111 9MM, PT 140 40cal, PT145 45acp, I have a PT145 Mill-Pro and i find it reletivly concealable. They have double and single stack mag versions available. I wear wranglers and find it easy to put in back pocket and hide under a t-shirt
oh yeah... and they only cost 300 - 350 new

I have 4 1911's, a G21, an XD45, a P3AT, and a S&W625. The P3AT is used as a BUG and on a very few ocassions a primary. As you can see, all are large frame and I have no problems.

Who cares what your friends say about your carry weapon. It's your choice.

Although, as mentioned above, this may be another excuse for another purchase. HMMM, think she will believe it?