Need Advice on A Carry

[seniorshooteress]

Okay, I have a Kel-Tec P-11 (9mm) This has stopping power but I have a problem with pulling the trigger and I am not very accurate with my shots. I have a Kel-Tec P-32 (32) that doesn't have as much stopping power but I can pull the trigger easily and am very accurate with it. My question is: which one should I use as my carry gun once I get my CHL? Do I opt for the stopping power and just hope like heck I hit what I am aiming at with the 9 or do I just buy 3 more clips for the 32 and use them all up in one instance if need be? The size of both these guns is small which I am wanting as I don't want to carry an extra bag that is the same size as my purse. My Bersa 380 and my Ruger SR-9 are a little big for my taste in a carry. Also the Glock-26 is a tad larger than my little belt purse to be totally concealed. (I don't have the Glock 26 yet, but a friend had one and I tried it in my little belt purse). I would like an opinion on the stopping power of the 32 and if anyone would consider using it for a carry.

[gemini]

wow. Be prepared for a WIDE variety of opinions. If you are only comfortable and accurate with the .32, then carry the .32.
No need to carry the 9mm if you're shooting technique is "spray & pray". I personally do not think a .32 is adequate as
far as stopping power, but it's better than nothing. I suggest you reconsider carrying the Bersa .380 (if you have any accuracy shooting it). Lastly, practice. Practice. Practice.

[Skydivesnake]

You might find you have to experiment with a number of firearms before you find your ideal carry combination.

But in the meantime, I would recommend 'dry firing' with plenty of range practice (9mm is back to 7.99/box :-)) - and bear in mind you are just trying to get reasonable groups at short distance, not draw a smiley face at 25 yards.

It's allllllllll about trigger control; a nice constant rearward press of the trigger while holding that front blade on target.

Dry firing is easily done while watching tv or whatever - stick a 1in square bit of dark tape on the wall somewhere above/behind the tv where you can see from the couch, then the 'game' is to keep that front blade on that bit of tape as you preeeeeessssss that trigger all the way through and feel the hammer/striker drop. Do that for a couple of evenings and your groups will come in.

(Of course - please check, double check, triple check your gun is clear before dry firing excercise !!)

Your 9mm is going to be much more effective than .32ACP - and it's not difficult to get groups that translate to hitting a man-sized target at intruder-distances with a little practice.

[karder]

I would recommend carrying the .32. You need to have a gun you are confident with and can fire accurately above everything else. Personally, I think that the small calibers are underrated. .32 and .22 caliber weapons have been used effectively many times and I would not be opposed to carrying one myself. Bear in mind, I am currently carrying a .44 mag, so I certainly support the larger calibers when all things are equal. If you can shoot the 9mm as accurately and effectively as the .32, you should carry the 9mm. If you can't the .32 is the better choice at this time. Just one opinion of many.

[mr surveyor]

several years ago, I bought my wife a P32 (I've had all the various KT carry pistols over the years), and she loves it. She would not shoot more than 3 rounds with a P3AT, but I could get her to shoot a full magazine with a PF9... but she still wanted her P32. She is an excellent shot (aimed) with her P32, but only because she doesn't anticipate the recoil... and the lighter trigger is also a plus. Between the P11 and the P32, IF you can accurately and confidently place shots, and handle the P32 properly, then by all means CARRY IT.

surv

[LarryH]

To loosely quote Dr Piazza of Front Sight, you should carry the largest caliber you can shoot effectively. If that's a .32, then that's it.

It's my humble opinion that you can probably comfortably conceal a larger pistol than either of the Kel-Tecs you mentioned.

If you want to try other guns, most of the women who attend the Ladies Day events at Pearland Shooting Club (PSC) on the first Saturday of each month would let you try a magazine's worth through their guns to see how you like them. I know, for certain, that my wife would let you shoot any of her guns, assuming she's there on any given day.

At least one of the ladies who instructs at Ladies Day owns enough guns, in many different calibers, to equip a small army and would let you try ANY of her guns.

[CompVest]

I love my P32 and I always have it with me even if I am carrying something larger. I can't say I enjoy shooting it but it is easy to shoot and gives me a good tight group out to 15 yards.

I enjoy shooting full size guns and their compact counter parts. The M&P series are my favorite handguns. Yhey are fun to shoot, accurate, the compact conceals easily, and they don't have a bunch of safeties to mess around with.

[JJVP]

Okay, I have a Kel-Tec P-11 (9mm) This has stopping power but I have a problem with pulling the trigger and I am not very accurate with my shots. I have a Kel-Tec P-32 (32) that doesn't have as much stopping power but I can pull the trigger easily and am very accurate with it. My question is: which one should I use as my carry gun once I get my CHL? Do I opt for the stopping power and just hope like heck I hit what I am aiming at with the 9 or do I just buy 3 more clips for the 32 and use them all up in one instance if need be? The size of both these guns is small which I am wanting as I don't want to carry an extra bag that is the same size as my purse. My Bersa 380 and my Ruger SR-9 are a little big for my taste in a carry. Also the Glock-26 is a tad larger than my little belt purse to be totally concealed. (I don't have the Glock 26 yet, but a friend had one and I tried it in my little belt purse). I would like an opinion on the stopping power of the 32 and if anyone would consider using it for a carry.

If you have problems pulling the trigger, why don't you get another 9mm gun that is SA rather than DAO like the Kel-Tec. I have a Taurus Millenium Pro PT-111. It has a very light trigger. Just slightly larger than your Kel-Tec. Another one would be the new Taurus 709, which is also SA. I have not shot the 709 but I would imagine it has a similar trigger pull as the PT-111.

[grumble]

Amen - and get some snap caps

Dry firing is easily done while watching tv or whatever - stick a 1in square bit of dark tape on the wall somewhere above/behind the tv where you can see from the couch, then the 'game' is to keep that front blade on that bit of tape as you preeeeeessssss that trigger all the way through and feel the hammer/striker drop. Do that for a couple of evenings and your groups will come in.

(Of course - please check, double check, triple check your gun is clear before dry firing excercise !!)

[surprise_i'm_armed]

JJVP:

You feel that your PT111 has a very light trigger.

Maybe I haven't shot as many pistols as I'd like, but I feel like the
trigger in my PT111 Millenium (non-Pro, I guess it's 1st generation)
is rather heavier than would be optimum.

Do you, or anyone on the forum, know the exact pounds of pressure
that a PT111 trigger takes?

And how that compares to a smooth SA 1911's trigger, from the factory?

SIA

[nmartine]

Carry whatever gun you are most comfortable handling, shooting and most importantly handling. You really don't want to be shooting your foot off by accident. I carried a PT140 for about a month and a half and got rid of it, didn't like the way it shot after awhile ( I had the gun for a year), didn't feel great pulling in and out of a holster. Ended up with what I carry now, my PX4 sub 9mm which now after having it for a month feels perfect in my hands whether at the range or locking up in the safe, holstering whatever. You can carry a 32 auto, just carry the heavier shells give you more stopping power. Like it has been said before, if you can't hit the target you're aiming at having a bigger caliber weapon really isn't going to help you that much is it?



Nick

[The Annoyed Man]

Do you, or anyone on the forum, know the exact pounds of pressure
that a PT111 trigger takes?

Here, Let me google that for you. All the results come back with people complaining about the stiff trigger pull on the PT111. So, I couldn't tell you what the number is, but it would have to be above 6-7 lbs, maybe higher, to get so much bad press.

And how that compares to a smooth SA 1911's trigger, from the factory?

SIA

Almost any reputable 1911 will come from the factory with a trigger pull of 5 lbs or less. Plus, it's not just the pull weight. The 1911 has a very short trigger trigger pull too, which breaks crisply — with very little creep or overtravel compared to other semi-auto pistols.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

TAM:

Thanks for your comments about the PT111 vs. 1911 triggers.

It supports my contention that my PT111 has a hard trigger,
as opposed to JJVP's experience with his PT111 that it has a light trigger.

Vindication is mine, ha ha ha!! (Cue Mike Meyers' Dr. Evil laugh. :-)

SIA

[seniorshooteress]

I am happy to say that the place I bought that Kel-Tec P-11 from was most kind and let me trade it in for a Glock 26 (which he had to do a search to find cause he didn't have one in stock). Guess he took pity on a little ole lady that couldn't pull the trigger on that P-11 and gave me a full price refund and then only charged me a couple hundred more for the Glock. Now all I have to do is get an extension put on the slide stop and I will be ready to rumble with a good carry. Got the size I wanted, fits in my waist pouch nicely, can carry my extra clip and also the loader that came with the Glock. I know you were all worried about this little ole lady trying to protect herself with a 32, so all is well now. It is really nasty weather here so I won't be going to the range this weekend to try it out but I know I will just love this Glock (after the minor adjustment on the slide stop). Appreciate all the input from everyone on my original question. All I need now is a good shotgun. To my hubs relief, I am now through buying handguns. (Unless, of course, I see something else that really grabs me. This 1 handgun for my xmas present had turned into several. Can you ever have too many guns? I think not). Any one got a suggestion as to a shotgun that would be compatable for me? Something that won't rip my arm out of it's socket when I shoot it?