Check my logic

ok here goes.

Looking for a very light CC handgun.  I've got a few pistols already picked out as potential candidates, all 45 caliber to include the Kimber Tactical Ultra II and H&K USP Compact.  However, these are some seriously expensive pistols.

I've been carrying a loner S&W J frame 38 special and have really enjoyed it.  Used to have a Bersa 380 as my CC but that's another story. 

My logical next purchase is for a 38 5-shot revolver.  Specifically I'm looking at this one:

It's a taurs model 85 in 38+P.  I came to this conclusion for the following reasons:

1.  38 caliber because in such a small ultralight package, anything larger would be a little rough to shoot

2.  Stainless because let's face it it's going to get dirty, sweaty and  all sorts of dirt on it if you carry it all the time.

3.  Inexpensive, compared to the highly desireable S&W scandium alloy models which run 2-3X more in cost.

Got the old man a Taurs CIA in 357 and it shoots well but it's got a bit more heft.  I want a feather model to carry around in my pocket, holster, or tucked inside a jacket.  A full size 1911 45 isn't really a good CC weapon (flame away if you must).

Any comments?  Is there a comparable model I'm overlooking?

It will probably be a while before the new Ruger LCR .38 is available? A buddy of mine had a Titanium Taurus in .357. A fierce kicking gun. I remember being unable to hold it in a two handed grip. It would tear off my weak hand every time. He had a lot of problems with the bullets pulling out of their crimp and jamming it up so the cylinder wouldn't rotate. Never happened with the .38's though.

DD

i have a 5-shot smith j-frame airweight for carry. i like the gun well enough but agree w/ cb regarding the girth.

so, i am on the hunt for a better mousetrap, and have narrowed it to a couple choices. chambering i want is 40. i need thinner than the j-frame. brings it down to a couple of choices. glock, rorbaugh, and kahr.

i've dismissed the rorbaugh due to cost. i am really liking kahr's options, but i think the best compromise for me is going to be the glock. thinner than a j-frame, and magazine commonality w/ my glock 35. plus, i really do like feel of glock. it isn't near as nice as my sig, but is lighter and thinner, and provides a much better feel than the xd-series. since i don't own a kahr, i couldn't tell you how that feels in comparison to the glock, but the kahr and glock 27 are on my short list and i'll likely own one or both within the next month or so.

that said... the j-frame and j-frame sized guns are great for carry, but i think there is a better option available because the autoloader platforms are more compact and pack a bigger punch. 'course, that all discounts the 357 and the 327 (if it is even available in a j-frame?).

i've heard lots of folks lean towards a light revolver as a concealed carry weapon.  as has been suggested in earlier posts, comfort with the cylinder has always been my issue against it.

certainly not interested in changing your mind from your revolver plans but you mentioned Bersa in your original post.  did you have a bad experience?  one of my cc semi's is a bersa thunder45 acp.  it's a nice little handgun.  a little under $400.  i like my sig for cc, too.  these i wear in various belt holsters.  if it's cool or going somewhere where jacket or coat is worn, some of the larger frames stuff like glock or tanfoglio in shoulder holster is worn.

never really considered carrying something in a pants or jacket pocket as a concealed carry.  guess to many visions of that nut football player carrying his in his pocket last year and the darn thing going off.  thought i heard that was a semi-auto, though.  either way, cc floating around in a pocket isn't for me.  i prefer in a holster and solidly attached to my person.  maybe for your desires, a small revolver would be the way to go.

looking forward to pics of your decision.  klallen

Mountaineer;

Is it possible to lay hands on another Bersa?  I thought I saw that Timberghozt got one after he returned.  Another canidate might be the Ruger LCP in .380.  They've got the bugs out I guess & are shipping again.  Retail's supposed to be something around $275.00.

I'm seriously thinking of getting a hot weather gun myself, along the lines of the one's I just mentioned.

900F

Mountaineer, Have you looked at the .32 Federal magnum? Smaller frame than the .38. Equals Muzzle Energy of a .38 special, more than a .380. I don't have one but am considering one for my wife. RD

Fella's;

Well, I went & bought the little Ruger LCP myself.  True it's a .380, but all I'm lookin' for is a let-me-get-away gun.  The H&K is a stopper, this one's a run-away gun.  Sometimes, due to social situation, weather, whatever, it's nice to have a small light, easy to conceal alternative to the larger platform.

And it didn't hurt that I was able to buy across the counter, not on sale, for $259.00 either.  I've seen 'em going for over a hundred dollars more on the e-sites!

900F

Congrat's on the Ruger there CB.

Be sure to give us a range report when you can.

Fella's;

The range report on the Ruger LCP may take awhile.  Nobody in town currently has .380ACP ammo in stock!  I even went to the Midway site & they don't have .380ACP ammo in stock!

Since it's not critical to me to get this little booger up & runnin' tomorrow as it were, I'll just wait till I can buy ammo locally for it.  No need to pay premium hazardous material fees & all that crap for ammo for a no big hurry gun.  But damn!  Don't that tell ya something about how popular the itty-bitty .380's have gotten.

900F