NJ was the first place I lived where I could own a gun and since that gun was for either home defense or the range, my choices were always fullsized guns. When I moved and got my concealed carry permit I found that I knew nothing about carry guns, gun belts and defensive ammo for smaller guns. It was a learning experience and I wasted a lot of money buying the wrong guns, holsters and belts. By the end of the first year and after many purchases, I learned what works for me and discovered the wonderful world of concealed carry guns.

 

Now I even have a tiny NAA Mini Revolver that I can hide in my closed fist. Several guns are under 14 oz. and are regularly carried in my pocket with ease. Heck I did not even know pocket holsters existed before moving here and never gave a thought to IWB ones. Gun belts were for competition only but after arriving here I had to buy one that I could wear with my regular clothes that did not look tactical. I now know where on my belt to carry my gun for the most comfort and accessibility, how to get to it under my shirt, how to access a gun while strapped to a car seat and all sorts of different things that I never had to consider before. I learned a lot more about ballistics than just making major or minor for a competition. I use different ammo for short barreled guns than I do for longer ones. I must admit that it has been a fun, albeit expensive, learning experience. I am now in love with small subcompact guns and my full sized 1911 and evern compact Glock 19 seem larger than they did when I lived in NJ and that was all I knew.

 

Even in the many gun stores and Pawn Shops that sell guns, the majority of shelf space is taken up with small guns, especially pocket ones. I have gone through 28 such guns, buying, selling and trading them until I ended up with the few I now own and carry regularly. My favorite is an 11.5 ounce Scandium/Titanium S&W J-Frame. Even loaded it feels lighter than the toy guns I used to play with as a child. I never knew such things existed before. My newest 1911 .45 has a 3" barrel and fits in my front pocket. Did you know they have Jeans made especially to carry guns? The front pockets are like adjustable holsters. In fact, I have a whole collection of bags and clothing items wtih holsters in them. I even have a bag to hold my gun when I go bike riding. It is as if a whole new dimension of the gun world has been opened to me.

 

I have always thought of what I would do if I had to move back to NJ. I would probably sell off all my small guns and just keep my full sized 1911 and Glock 19. The rest are not really suitable for range use and I no longer collect what I cannot use. All my guns are working guns either for carry, car or home defense. I would truly hate to give up these pocket rockets in .357, 9mm and .45 acp but a big part of their allure for me is that I can carry them with me much like a fine watch that you can acutally wear and enjoy daily. I am currently into ordering custom made holsters in exotic leathers. After all, when attending formal affairs you need a suitable holster to feel dressed up properly.

 

Here is what followed me home last weekend and what I carry in my Pocket, IWB and OWB.

 

Great post.

 

I'm jealous.

 

C

Nice...

Me and my dad literally just bought a Springfield xds .45

The lil ones

very nice read, gotta ask what model gun is the scandium/titanium s&w j frame, care to post a pic? I love pocket guns too, I think they are hoot to shoot!

 

 

SA XD 9 subcompact

kahr pm 9

ruger lcp .380

 

 

Great post.

 

I'm jealous.

 

C

Me too!

Hey David, if you can only have one is it the LCP or PM9? I'm torn between these two as pocket carrys for free states.

Easily the pm9, cheaper round, more powerful round, more rounds, extended mags,easier to shoot and not much bigger than the lcp. ..

Oh and the cm 9 is the affordable version of the pm 9... Its just about the same gun seriously.

S&W M&P Shield all the way!

 

It would be nice if they came out with an extended magazine for reloads, and I think it would be awesome to make a .22 conversion for it, or a dedicated .22LR edition, but I doubt that that would happen. I like the trigger a lot, but it could be improved on slightly. The reset is great and I don't mind the trigger that is a little over 6 pounds, but it pulls slightly to the side when being pulled straight back... Anybody else with a Shield notice/feel this?

 

Can't beat a Glock 19/23 for something a little bigger. I think the S&W M&P 9C would be awesome with a Shield-style trigger, too.

My pocket gun is the Sig p238

Thanks for those shots David, I'm dying to get myself one of those Kahrs. Keep hearing so much good stuff.

My Glock 23 works for me. Concealable, reliable and accurate.Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

S&W M&P Shield all the way!

 

Just bought a 9mm Shield the other day . Birthday present from Irishpete

 

I have not shot it yet , this weekend hopefully.

 

It is for carry in free states and for wearing concealed at home when home alone with the beautiful fall breeze whipping through my open windows.

 

I also have a J frame model 60 that is pretty decent for carry and has nice sights that are real easy to sight up quickly. Because of thickness and the typical woman's style clothing it really imprints. Would be more of a purse gun . I have concerns about the higher implication of being purse snatched though ( which I have had my purse ripped off my neck once , and I got punched in the face and had my bag stolen from the center car seat while on McCarter's highway back when my 69 Catalina had no air conditioning and I was too young to think a mugging could happen to me) . I would rather have the gun on me.

 

And no , I do not have the Flash-Bang bra. On me it would be the Flash-Where-The-"F"-Is-It-I'll-Never-Find-It-In-There-Bra .

I acutally just sold a CM9. Didnt care for the sights. I shoot the PPS and Shield much better. If the damn PPS had a regular mag release i would be all over it, but i think ill pick up a Shield..

 

Sandy, what did you pay for yours if you dont mind me asking? you can PM me. Just curious b.c i have seen people pay anywhere from $300 to $400... I have 2 permits, i really want to buy a .22 pistol for the wife/cheap plinker, but i also want to replace my CM9 with one of the options i listed above. Im torn

 

Also the XDs wasnt even on my list, i wish they had it in 9mm or .40, i really dont want to add another caliber right now, trying to keep costs down.

I got my cm9 and soon an xd 9 sc

419.00 out the door .

 

I have not shot it yet. You are welcome to try it if you want to meet at a range sometime .

Me and my dad literally just bought a Springfield xds .45

 

That looks super small when it's held like that.

That xds is pretty awesome looking would like to see side by side to kahr pm9...

Thanks Sandy!

 

Yes it does make the XDs look super small. From what i understand they are supposed to release a 9 and 40 sometime soon. Maybe ill hold off on the Shield purchase and wait for the XDs in 9 to give that a try as well..

Anyone have thoughts on the PX4 Storm? Either compact or sub-compact.

Anytime Wayne!

 

I really really liked the PX4 storm subcompact. I did not get it because it is a double stack and quite chunky. The ergonomics were excellent however. I would just have a hard time " concealing it" .

Px4 Storm SC is relatively fat... Also doesn't have the rotating barrel system like the Compact and Fullsize do.

Taurus 709 slim here and an XDm 3.8 Compact in ,40.

 

XDS is on very short list!

That xds is pretty awesome looking would like to see side by side to kahr pm9...

 

Major points for anyone who can make this happen!