Most people here don't get to wear jackets, even in the winter. So it definitely gets attention when someone wears a coat or something.

In the few times I have OC'd I haven't had much of a reaction yet. People that do notice probably just think I'm a cop. Contemplating carrying a box of donuts around wherever I go for full effect.

Personally, I never open carry...too much potential for misunderstanding when the inevitable MWAG call goes in.

From what I have been reading on the open carry forums, most of the time when a MWAG call comes in the police just go to the scene to educate the caller on Virginia's laws.

But yeah, I do prefer to CC.

So the gf wants to start carrying, and thankfully she decided that she would like to carry on her person instead of in a purse... so we are looking at the little .380s. Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, and Kahr p380... all small enough to carry mostly unnoticed IWB for a female.

I am pushing for the Kahr, even if I have to pay for it.

The Kahr CM9 is also an option... just have to get our hands on one first.

That "most of the time" concept is what bothers me. At the very least, those episodes will end up with a time-consuming discussion with a police officer. And IMHO, a not-uncommon result, even in this open-carry state, is that it's the police officer that ends up getting educated. Another possible result however is that the MWAG, even if completely legal, ends up in the back of a police car while the officer finds out from his sergeant that open carry is legal. And...even if completely legal, the County Attorney still may elect to file Disturbing the Peace charges.

Seen it happen. Enough for me, in this venue, to keep the pistol under wraps.

Good points.

I can't remember if this has already been discussed.

My wife carries occasionally. She's very slim and there's just no way for her to carry a pistol with a long grip, or grip thick enough for a double-stack magazine without printing (she did not want to carry a .380 after years of carrying a Colt Mustang). She looked at the Kahr's, but I have a buddy that's a police firearms trainer and he has one he bought as a BUG. It's been difficult for him to keep running, been back to the factory twice, and he advised her to get a Walther PPS. That has really been an excellent firearm.

http://SSEquine.net/PPSvsPM9001.jpghttp://SSEquine.net/nitelite.jpg

http://SSEquine.net/ppss.jpg

We looked at the PPS a while back but she didn't like it. I have done some extensive research on the Kahrs (I wanted a P9/CW9 a while back and still look at the CW9 from time to time) so I know they need to be thoroughly tested before you can really rely on them. And in some cases they have to go back. Those issues were what really pushed me towards my Glock. I didn't own a carry gun and just wanted to get started with something I knew I could rely on.

Anyways, seems like the woman is really set on the LCP with the Crimson Trace laser.

We are going to go check them all out again sometime soon to see what she likes best.

How does your wife carry the PPS?

Speaking of Walthers... I may actually get a P99 soon.

walther is one of the guns I've seriously been considering for a carry gun.

On my short-list:

Glock 17
Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Glock 9mm
Walther P99
Ruger LCP
AR-15
A 1911

It's a disease :(

Glock is sold. New owner taking delivery tomorrow.

My short list:
Walther PK380/P99
1911 (still haven't decided which maker)
AR-15

Oh, and a mossberg 500

I also want a Walther PPK.

Ya know, never got into the look of that one.

I think it's beautiful. The only reason I want it is so I can look at it. And maybe reenact some Bond scenes in the house. Doesn't even need to work.

I think I like the piece of ****, durable look. The kind that looks like you can throw if off a mountain and it will retain its looks.

The only exception I can think of are some well done 1911s, and the tiger-striped desert eagle, of which I would LOVE to own.

http://www.magnumresearch.com/images/finish_DE_TGTS.jpg

Why the PK380? Seems a little too big to be a .380, IMO.

Oh, re: the PK series... I wouldn't mind a P22 for plinking.

Kind of torn, I like the looks of the 380 much more than I do the p99, but would prefer the 9mm cartridge of the p99. I will probably end up with the p99 because performance trumps looks.

It does look great.

But yeah, the only time I am going to go below 9mm in caliber is when it's limited by the overall size of the gun... like the LCP.

Though I don't discount the .380... I'd never want to be on the receiving end of one.

Have you read any reviews on the ruger lcp vs the keltec?

The craftsmanship on the Ruger is a bit better than the Kel-Tec. Better fit and finish and overall better out of the box reliability. I have read plenty of issues with all of the Kel-Tec handguns. If you check their forums the diehard owners recommend some intensive "fluff & buff" sessions before you fire your first shot... including a dremel, sand paper, filing...

They all definitely require some sort of break-in/testing period before you decide that they are worthy of carrying. I myself don't think I'd ever get the P3AT.

Rofl, the ONLY thing I expect of a gun is to shoot well out of the box.

Love my glocks but I want a black chrome 1911, polished .50 AE and maybe a benelli in the future...

There are so many guns I want. :icon17:

Kel-tec's love to jam. My P32 brand new did it constantly, the feed ramp needs to be filed down.

Yeah, it's a little disconcerting when you hear that a gun needs a "break-in" period, though I do believe you should run at least a couple hundred rounds through before you deem it reliable.

But I sure as hell don't want to buy a gun that I need to polish/file to make it so.

I have a weird OCD thing about 1911s that if I finally purchase one, I must have a matching one. 1911s have to be in pairs.

:icon18:

I gotta say, I love my Glock but I am not in love with it. I love that it's dead reliable, shoots well, and really just does whatever I ask of it... but aside from that it's really boring. It will remain my primary carry gun and it and my future Glocks will be my workhorses, but **** me if they aren't boring! Love 'em for it, though.

Raven Concealment OWB or maybe a belt slide. She had a holster maker fabricate a leather SOB belt slide with reverse cant. It's pretty clever. She uses a Blade-Tech drop/offset on an instructor belt at the range. The Kydex light-carrying holster in the photo above is one that I made for a low-light course she took a couple of months ago. She never uses it otherwise.

http://ssequine.net/ppss.jpg

Yes a pair of 1911's! Shoulder holster with no jacket and a large mustache is required :tiphat:

:roflpuke2:

Out of the box, yeah they're pretty plain. The limits are nearly endless with them, here's some of my toys Nissan 370Z Forum - Glokwork's Album: Toys

Seems even worse with my M&P. M&P owners' idea of customization is stippling :icon14:

The KelTec will require a fluff n' buff. Ruger should be good to go out of the box.

Hmm those Raven holsters look really nice. They hold nice and tight to the body. I think I might give one a try with my Glock.

Ruger's LCP is nice, it's easy to control for beginners and mechanically sound.

KelTec sounds good for a paperweight. These aren't competition weapons where a problem will cost you a trophy. Carry guns are meant to save lives. Aside from being small, carry guns must be as close to 100% reliable is a gun can come.