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I love my 9mm Sig 239. It is beautiful to shoot, carrys well, and has always performed flawlessly at the range. But in some situations it is a little big and bulky. So I am in the market for something smaller as a BUG and a more svelte CCW. I should say, I am trim/athletic, so IWB/OWB tends to buldge out unless carried at 5-7, which is a less than ideal location. I'm also keen on the idea of a slight beater gun. One that I can throw in my backpack (safe and secure) and take out camping for a few days.

So I guess first question is SemiAuto or Revolver. Then comes caliber, I'm a good shot, but don't want to worry about small caliber shot placement, rather I want damage, wherever I hit. Last is price, which is already pretty set for me, cheap (less than 400). I'm fine with used.

This weekend (weather permitting) I am headed out to Pearland to shoot with friends, one of whom has a small .357 I can try out. From there I would love to also try out one of the little 380 autos, maybe a Walther or a Bersa. Alternatively there is also the Keltec 9, to keep everything chambered the same (though my hog gun is a .357 lever, which means I always have .357 around).

So what are your thoughts?

Lightweight, snub nose .38 +P revolver ... S&W, Ruger, Taurus ... take your pic

For what you want, this is a no-brainer.

I have a Bersa Thunder and a S&W BG 380. S&W BG 380 hands down is the winner. Nowhere near as snappy as the Bersa. I did the same thing. I normally carry a G30 (45 acp) in a Comptac Mtac. I know often carry the BG 380 in a recluse front poket holster and I am out the door in a flash.

austinrealtor wrote:Lightweight, snub nose .38 +P revolver ... S&W, Ruger, Taurus ... take your pic

For what you want, this is a no-brainer.

+1 on that.

I've been so happy with mine. It goes everywhere I go.

The other day my wife noticed mine in the pocket of my
bathrobe and said "You even have your gun when you're wearing a robe? ".

I said "Of coarse, crime doesn't take a vacation just because I'm lounging around the house".

Love my snubby as a BUG.
Whether .38 +p or .357, will be able to share ammo with the lever-action. I like my 1894 as well.

Mastodon wrote:Love my snubby as a BUG.
Whether .38 +p or .357, will be able to share ammo with the lever-action. I like my 1894 as well.

I agree on the wheel gun in .357. It just works, but be sure you can shoot it before taking the plunge. .38spl +p or not +p is no big deal even in a snubbie. The main thing is you can hit what you are aiming at with the snub. If you don't want to be as concerned with shot placement then forget the .380acp. I don't think is enough power to STOP the threat in its tracks unless put in just the right spot.

Everyone should own at least one snubnose revolver. It's just the right thing to do. Depending on your budget there are a wide variety of options. In my humble opinion the best choice would be the S&W 340 (TAM has one). Light weight and able to use the .357 magnum or 38 special rounds but they are costly.

I miss my 239. It was to this day my favorite pistol. I loved carrying it concealed. I dont think I ever shot another pistol that was as easy to shoot as that one. I wish I never sold it. It was a .357sig I bought it brand new when they first came out for like 490.00 bucks. Try getting one at that price now. lol

USA1 wrote:

austinrealtor wrote:Lightweight, snub nose .38 +P revolver ... S&W, Ruger, Taurus ... take your pic

For what you want, this is a no-brainer.

+1 on that.

I've been so happy with mine. It goes everywhere I go.

The other day my wife noticed mine in the pocket of my
bathrobe and said "You even have your gun when you're wearing a robe? ".

I said "Of coarse, crime doesn't take a vacation just because I'm lounging around the house".

My 642 is IWB @ 3:00 in my jammies as I sit here watching "Bait Car" with Mrs. RAM. She really thinks cute that I have my 92AFS in the medicine cabinet when I shower

I am going to move up to 9mm from .380 for my BUG as soon as I find what I want at the right price. http://ruger.com/products/lc9/features.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

shootthesheet wrote:I am going to move up to 9mm from .380 for my BUG as soon as I find what I want at the right price. http://ruger.com/products/lc9/features.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Noticed this the other day. Not sure if these are actually available yet, or just a place holder on their web site.

http://www.cabelas.com/semiautomatic-pi ... ol-1.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

USA1 wrote:

austinrealtor wrote:Lightweight, snub nose .38 +P revolver ... S&W, Ruger, Taurus ... take your pic

For what you want, this is a no-brainer.

+1 on that.

I've been so happy with mine. It goes everywhere I go.

I agree, although make mine a .357, but a lightweight snubby is a must have. Simple, reliable, powerful, concealable, pocketable, light. What's not to like?

The Annoyed Man wrote:

USA1 wrote:

austinrealtor wrote:Lightweight, snub nose .38 +P revolver ... S&W, Ruger, Taurus ... take your pic

For what you want, this is a no-brainer.

+1 on that.

I've been so happy with mine. It goes everywhere I go.

I agree, although make mine a .357, but a lightweight snubby is a must have. Simple, reliable, powerful, concealable, pocketable, light. What's not to like?

This guy says you're wasting .357 Magnums in a snub-nose.

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defen ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I dunno what the truth is, but I know my hand (especially my thumb) thank me for firing only .38s in mine

I agree with light weight 38 J-frame 5-shot revolver. Mine weighs 12 oz empty, only it's never empty.