Concealed Carry Pistol

[Takis48]

Does anyone know of any Semi-auto pistols that are great CCW's for around $300? I'm trying to do some research on this while I wait for my LTC-A. I was looking at something between a .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and a 9mm, that I can carry everyday and go to the range with (and that's not a bear to shoot). I like Glock and Walther, but the prices are outrageous for a 21 year old. Must be MA compliant too.

 

[Boy Named Sue]

There's a bunch out there, Ruger, Taurus, KelTec. If you go used there's even more options. For starters I'd use the search feature here. Then I'd check an online gun store like Buds or Able Ammo to get a feel for what you can afford/conceal, then research from there.

 

[Karl]

Whatever you do, buy name brand. A quick look at GunBroker.com shows 345 pages. I saw a couple of Ruger P series and a S&W Sigma... If you're okay with revolvers, that's a possibility. Go to a gun shop and hold a few things. I'm not a fan of Hi-Points but that's me. Whatever you get reliability is the most important factor in a concealed carry gun. I'm not sure what's MA compliant... I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[jkeeley1]

I would say don't get hung up on MA compliance, some of the best mini pistols (P32, P3AT, LCP, G26, etc.) are not MA compliant but can easily and legally be obtained through FTF sales. The compliance thing is really only for dealer sales. if you want to go through a dealer, since you are in randolph I would suggest a trip down to the easton/brockton border to visit Zero Hour Arms. You'll get good advice and good selection.

 

[mousegunfan]

I would say don't get hung up on MA compliance, some of the best mini pistols (P32, P3AT, LCP, G26, etc.) are not MA compliant but can easily and legally be obtained through FTF sales. The compliance thing is really only for dealer sales. if you want to go through a dealer, since you are in randolph I would suggest a trip down to the easton/brockton border to visit Zero Hour Arms. You'll get good advice and good selection.

Sure, at outrages prices.

Sigma will be the best price but not great to conceal. I think you may need to up your budget a little. Go to 4 seasons web site and look at used handguns, it will give you a good idea of whats available in your price range. You can get a new pk380 for around $350. Used snubnose .38's go for around $350 also. Good luck in your search. When you find what you want jump on it, or it may be gone.

 

[Dziner]

there was a decent write up in the february issue of american rifleman that compared 9 "mouseguns" the cheapest being the kel-tec p3at for around $318 MSRP

 

[Coyote33]

there was a decent write up in the february issue of american rifleman that compared 9 "mouseguns" the cheapest being the kel-tec p3at for around $318 MSRP

That is roughly the amount for a new P3AT in MA.

 

[mousegunfan]

delete

 

[btnh6668]

To be quite honest when it comes to getting something that is being used to possibly save my life i would not go the cheap route. Id find what i like and trust and stick with that. I would not set a budget. If 300 is all you can afford right now i would possibly wait a tad longer to get something you will trust. In the other hand, the time it may take you to come up with more funds something may happen and you will be defenseless. After reading this post i guess i was not very helpful.

 

[Coyote33]

Well, the beauty of the Kel-Tecs are not only the price, but also the small size and light weight. Allegedly, they used to have some quality issues, but some were able to overlook those, and others say the quality is better now. All agree the service is excellent and if quality is a concern, they will take care of it. I think it is a real good design, and they try to shave costs on the manufacturing, which compromises quality.

Another one not mentioned nor seen much in MA is NAA (North American Arms). The Guardians are pretty compact, but again the same thing as the Kel-Tec with quality concerns, from what I've read.

 

[DJ_2]

Someone has a m+p 9c for $350 in classifieds


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[imstuner]

Ruger SR9C it's 9mm and cost around 400 bucks.

 

[Takis48]

Ok guys, I was looking at Kel-Tec, and was wondering who in MA sells them. I like the PF-9 and P-32. How much would a used PPK (.32 ACP) go for? Was thinking about a Beretta 84/85 too, does anyone know more about those? What about Bersa Thunder .380???

 

[ASHDUMP]

Ok guys, I was looking at Kel-Tec, and was wondering who in MA sells them. I like the PF-9 and P-32. How much would a used PPK (.32 ACP) go for? Was thinking about a Beretta 84/85 too, does anyone know more about those? What about Bersa Thunder .380???

I own the Beretta 85 and Kel-Tec P3AT. I carry both of them but the Kel-Tec is waaaay smaller and easily concealable. I usually carry the 85 in the winter time with a leather OWB holster. Both guns kick pretty hard but thats expected. A brand new 85 goes for around $600+ and a Kel-Tec in MA is around $450-$550. I've seen come people on NES selling P3AT's for that price.

 

[NFD9]

Ok guys, I was looking at Kel-Tec, I like the PF-9 and P-32. What about Bersa Thunder .380???

I have the Kel-Tec PF-9 and it kicks like a mule (definitely not a range gun), but very easy to conceal (great for summer carry) and will handle 9mm+P, it's a keeper.
I had a Bersa Thunder .380 very mild recoil, functioned perfect and also easy to conceal, I should have kept it.


Gary

 

[Takis48]

Went to Four Seasons recently and saw a Glock 26. The guy wouldn't let me handle it, but it looked sweet. Does anyone have any feedback on one, I'm strongly considering buying one sometime in the future. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Coyote33]

I own the Beretta 85 and Kel-Tec P3AT. I carry both of them but the Kel-Tec is waaaay smaller and easily concealable. I usually carry the 85 in the winter time with a leather OWB holster. Both guns kick pretty hard but thats expected. A brand new 85 goes for around $600+ and a Kel-Tec in MA is around $450-$550. I've seen come people on NES selling P3AT's for that price.

See post #7

 

[wolf223]

used:

Smith and Wesson: "Airweight" as in a 442 or 642. I don't recommend these because the triggers tend to be heavy, the short barrel, the 5-shots and they aren't pleasant to shoot. I'll stop there because there are MANY NESer's who love them.... whether it was after a "extensive" training or just luck of the draw

Smith and Wesson: "SIGMA" series in 9mm will run you about that. same thing though, trigger is NOT as bad as the airweights, it's a little bigger than a Glock 23, holds 10 rounds. IF $300 was ALL I had to spend for a while, I'd go with the SIGMA.

Smith and Wesson: 4000 / 5000 seriers. the actual numbers vary (4996, 4232 ect) Nice guns, double / single action, pre-ban mags are available... steel frame, so they MAY be a little heavy....

only other option is to save up some more. get into the $400 to $500 hundred dollar range and you'll see that your options will open up drastically.

lastly, you CAN get a Walther PK 380, or other used "wheel gun" such as a Taurus, Ruger, maybe even an old colt or SW... but the thing may be hideious, beat up, or both...

*note: generally speaking from what i always see at MA dealers*

 

[imstuner]

Went to Four Seasons recently and saw a Glock 26. The guy wouldn't let me handle it, but it looked sweet. Does anyone have any feedback on one, I'm strongly considering buying one sometime in the future. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

You might want to look into a Glock 27. It's a 26 in a 40 S&W cal. It's pretty easy to shoot and does a bigger kick. The only issue you might find is the price in MA for a Glock. I would also look at a Ruger SR9c if you wanted to go with a 9mm like a Glock 26 but way cheaper. You are more then welcome to shoot my guns at BRP club when i'm down there.

I have them both and just showing you size of the 2 guns side by side.

 

[bob68]

check out the ruger p345. new is around 500 and ive seen used for about 350 which isnt bad for a .45. its a good gun and is very accurate.

 

[pernox]

How about a Sig P6? For that price it won't be pretty, but the thing will run forever and shoot straight.

 

[b79holmes]

I'm trying to do some research on this while I wait for my LTC-A. I was looking at something between a .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and a 9mm, that I can carry everyday and go to the range with (and that's not a bear to shoot). I like Glock and Walther, but the prices are outrageous for a 21 year old. Must be MA compliant too.

My son is only 8, but when it's time his instructions will be as follows:

1. While waiting for your LTC-A you should be reading the Kenik book and all the Ayoob books.

There are a lot of tough guy/yahoo comments on all the gun forums regarding 'what I'd do' in certain situations. 99% of them will get you face down on the pavement and handcuffed. You need to REALLY understand the definition of self-defense. (See Kenik & Ayoob). Follow the case of the developers son who shot the (now ex) Boston firefighter, he didn't read those books.

Lesson one from those books, If, God forbid, you are ever involved in a SD shooting, you will end up handcuffed. Accept it.

2. Shot placement is everything in a self defense situation. If you can't already shoot pretty well, say an entire box of ammo in an 8 inch paper plate at 7 yards your not ready.

3. Very tough to learn to shoot with the super small guns. I have a 642CT and with the laser on, it's amazing, but it would be a tough first gun.

4. With the right belt and "dressing around the gun" it's not that hard to carry a short barreled N frame S&W or Glock 20. Lot's of variables here but all the suggestions of medium framed guns (M&P9C and medium Glocks, etc.] are good if you need a range gun and carry gun in one.

5. In MA, any new gun that is not a single action will need trigger work.

6. In addition to the practice you do on your own, IDPA or IPSC are great to give you a little stress (v. the clock) while shooting. It's amazing how bad things can go in the simplest stage under a little stress.

On the used gun hunt Four Seasons (Woburn) A.G. Guns (Lowell) Collectors (Stoneham) and K&R Target (Hudson) all list their used gun inventory on their web sites. Check them often.

Bill

 

[GSG]

Went to Four Seasons recently and saw a Glock 26. The guy wouldn't let me handle it, but it looked sweet.

Why wouldn't he let you handle it?

 

[Jose]

I'd much rather carry a S&W Airweight (642 or 637), which packs a serious punch in .38 Special +P, than some unreliable POS chambered in weak-ass .380 Auto just to say I carry a semi auto.

If you want to put in the work, an Airweight is deadly accurate. But then, I have ALWAYS found revolvers easier and faster to shoot than semis. Don't ask me why or how. It just is.

 

[Tim94gt]

Why wouldn't he let you handle it?

Probably because he doesn't have an LTC yet. I have been asked for mine every time I wanted to handle a gun in there.

OP: I would try to save a little more cash. There is so much more to choose from in the $400-500 range. I would also consider revolvers, they are reliable and easy to conceal.

 

[Mass-diver]

I'd much rather carry a S&W Airweight (642 or 637), which packs a serious punch in .38 Special +P, than some unreliable POS chambered in weak-ass .380 Auto just to say I carry a semi auto.

If you want to put in the work, an Airweight is deadly accurate. But then, I have ALWAYS found revolvers easier and faster to shoot than semis. Don't ask me why or how. It just is.

+ a million. Cheap autoloaders are not for self defense. Buy a quality snubby instead.

 

[GSG]

Probably because he doesn't have an LTC yet. I have been asked for mine every time I wanted to handle a gun in there.

That's what I was afraid of. It's always great to see FFL's thinking up imaginary new laws to turn off new customers. There's some moron FFL's who do this in my state, and down here you don't need an LTC to buy a gun.

OP: I would try to save a little more cash. There is so much more to choose from in the $400-500 range. I would also consider revolvers, they are reliable and easy to conceal.

This seems like the best advice to me, assuming there's not an immediate pressing need to be armed.

 

[drgrant]

Stick with a 9mm. The other calibers are stupidly expensive to shoot and are anemic. I'd try to save up $600. Then this gets you into a lot more choices.

-Mike

 

[abomb60]

Went to Four Seasons recently and saw a Glock 26. The guy wouldn't let me handle it, but it looked sweet. Does anyone have any feedback on one, I'm strongly considering buying one sometime in the future. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

For everyday concealed carry I usually go with my Glock 26. It's small enough to put in a smart carry or an IWB holster with just a tshirt in the summer and doesn't have the problems of true pocket or mouseguns (smaller caliber, questionable quality/reliability/etc). If you want something in a larger caliber i'd try to find a Glock 33 (same as 26 but in .357 SIG). I personally don't like the .40cal but if you do a Glock 27 is a great choice as well. Best thing to do is get your paws on them, shoot them and find out what works best for you.

The biggest problem with Glocks is that they are $$$ in MA but you can find a decent deal here now and then on them. As others said save up some more cash if possible and keep an eye on the classifieds. You will eventually find what you really want around your price range if you look and have reasonable expectations.

 

[yanici]

I'd much rather carry a S&W Airweight (642 or 637), which packs a serious punch in .38 Special +P, than some unreliable POS chambered in weak-ass .380 Auto just to say I carry a semi auto.

If you want to put in the work, an Airweight is deadly accurate. But then, I have ALWAYS found revolvers easier and faster to shoot than semis. Don't ask me why or how. It just is.

What Jose says is dead on. For the $300 you want to spend you can get a reliable, used, accurate revolver. It may not look sexy, although I like 'em, but it goes bang without failures to eject or failures to fire.