DAO or SAO .380 for concealed carry?

[honestlou]

Question for Pookie: I didn't see any direct reference from you about pocket carry, which seems to have been assumed by most of the responses. Are you asking only about pocket carry options? If not, there are many other choices available to you.

I just want to clarify, as there are better choices if not.

 

[Pookie]

To honestlou: Yes, pocket carry. I currently have a Ruger LCR in a DeSantis Super Fly pocket holster. But, as I say, it's still a bit bulky.

I didn't know about the S&W Bodyguard .380, but it looks promising... I'll check into it.

 

[honestlou]

For pocket carry I like the Keltec 3AT or the Ruger LCP. I have no problem putting all rounds center of mass at 5 or 7 yards, as fast as I can shoot it. Not taking any headshots though. If you try one, try just popping off the rounds. For some reason I shoot those better the faster I shoot it--not as well trying to get a nice slow trigger press.

 

[dwr461]

My only requirement in a CCW is that it not have any manually operated safety. Whether it's DA or SA is not as important to me.

Dave

 

[Tulse Luper]

My only requirement in a CCW is that it not have any manually operated safety. Whether it's DA or SA is not as important to me.

Dave

That's about basically my only requirement as well, aside from passing a basic function test (no stupid **** like throwing it out an aircraft or burying it like kimchi).

 

[Globallyoff]

For a pocket gun, I still think the snubby revolvers are King. I carry a S&W 642 with Speer Gold Dot short barrel .38 +P 135gr. HP. With a pocket holster they conceal well, and can be lightweight.

 

[Pookie]

Thanks for the replies. I'll probably just continue with the Ruger LCR for now, and take more time to consider (and preferably try at a range) various .380 autos. After all that's been said (pro and con) about DAO vs SAO, my inclination is to limit myself to DAO... though I enjoyed trying out the Sig p238, the less I have to worry about on the street, the better.

 

[Tim67]

If I did go with a DAO .380 auto, is there any particular model you all would recommend? The only model I've had a chance to try is the NAA Guardian, owned by a friend (who also had the P238). My recollection is that while small, the NAA seemed a bit heavy, and had a substantial kick.

The NAA Guardian is all steel, accounting for the weight you noticed. Given the same caliber, anything lighter will kick even more.

 

[Tim67]

For a pocket gun, I still think the snubby revolvers are King. I carry a S&W 642 with Speer Gold Dot short barrel .38 +P 135gr. HP. With a pocket holster they conceal well, and can be lightweight.

With me, the concealability and drawing speed of pocket carry with my LCR varies from one pair of pants to another. I can do OK in my cargo pants and one especially deep-pocketed pair of jeans. My Yaqui slide by El Paso carries the same gun comfortably and adequately concealed under an untucked shirt in the strongside, appendix, and crossdraw positions.

 

[JBP55]

Kahr P380 Length 4.9" Weight 10 oz.
Ruger LCP Length 5.2" Weight 9.5 oz.
Sig P380 Length 5.5" Weight 15.2 oz.
Your LCR weights 13.5 oz.
The PM9 is 5.3" and 15 oz.
If the PM9 and LCR are too big you May want to look at the Kahr P380.

 

[belmor]

My EDC is a Ruger LCP in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster, I have gotten to the point I feel naked without it, very easy to carry and I don't mind shooting it regularly, it has been 100% reliable so far.

~B~

 

[TigerOnTheHill]

For pocket carry, I prefer a DAO gun. The Sig 238 is a sharp looking gun given its similar appearance to the 1911, but I don't like the idea of an exposed hammer, especially a cocked hammer (I'd think one would need to carry the P238 cocked and locked), on a pocket carry gun. My pocket carry guns are a Kel-Tec 380, Taurus snub nose 38 Spec and sometimes a Kel-Tec PF9.

 

[Pookie]

Kahr P380 Length 4.9" Weight 10 oz.
Ruger LCP Length 5.2" Weight 9.5 oz.
Sig P380 Length 5.5" Weight 15.2 oz.
Your LCR weights 13.5 oz.
The PM9 is 5.3" and 15 oz.
If the PM9 and LCR are too big you May want to look at the Kahr P380.

I'll have to take a look at the Kahr P380 sometime (though it seems a tad too expensive). I've had the chance to try a Kahr PM9 at the range, and liked it... the P380 looks like a scaled down PM9 (have never seen one up close). I did get a chance to look at the new S&W Bodyguard (with built-in laser) recently, but thought it was still too big. And activating the laser with the button on the left side of the barrel seems awkward to me.