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Best small and lightweight handgun

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67 comments

  • Butchdog2
    Revolver or semi auto?
    Ruger LCR's
    3
  • BobJudy
    The one you have with you. 
    I second the LCR. Bob
    3
  • savage170
    Another vote for the Ruger LCR
    Smith 642 or 637 would be a very close second for me
    3
  • kimi
    Butchdog2: 31544271770651/comments/31544285037723
    Revolver or semi auto?
    Ruger LCR's

    Either one! Thanks to you and Bob!

    0
  • 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.

    6
  • 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. 

    6
  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Mark, is the model 37 the aluminum alloy frame model?
    0
  • dcon12
    I carry a Taurus Ultra-Lite but carry a Colt Agent when I need more capacity. Don
    0
  • 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.
     
    0
  • Frogdog

    Revolver: Ruger LCRX

    Semi-Auto: Kahr PM-9

    0
  • mark christian
    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! 
    0
  • redneckandy
    I picked up a Ruger EC9s recently that  like. Not a single failure to date.
    3
  • 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.


    0
  • 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  :#
    0
  • RobOz

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

    0
  • bustedknee
    Glock 43 under the belt and/or S&W 360PD on the ankle.

    3
  • Smitty500mag
    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.


    3
  • jimdeere
    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.
    0
  • 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.  
    0
  • JimmyJack
    I have choices,  but seem to carry the Smith 642 the most.
    0
  • 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.
    0
  • 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.

    0
  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    SIG P238 .380 auto
    or
    SIG P938 9mm auto
    0
  • 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. 
    0
  • mohawk600
    For pocket carry............KelTec P32...............for appendix carry............Sig P365..............or maybe a SW Shield.

    0
  • SW0320
    montanajoe said:
    SIG P238 .380 auto
    or
    SIG P938 9mm auto
    + 1 on these two.
    0
  • KenK/84Bravo

    Revolver S&W 642 Airweight.

    Auto Kel-Tec P11.

    0
  • kimi
    I appreciate all of the comments and pictures.  Thanks to all who contributed!
    0
  • SCOUT5
    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.
    0
  • 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 

    0

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