Ladies CCW

[Oldgringo]

Mrs. Oldgringo performed her obligatory Wally-Walk today around downtown Gunnison, Gunnison's 'SmallMart' and City Market (Krogers) today with her KelTec P3-AT in a leather CCW Fanny Pack. She didn't like the FP and wants a purse or a handbag (not too big) for CCW. Furthermore, she doesn't like her KelTec DAO as it's too hard to shoot (trigger pull).

Mrs.Oldgringo ain't no spring chicken but she is my chicken and I want to keep her alive, well and happy . Any of y'all ladies have any ideas on reasonably priced CCW purses/handbags and/or handy, light handguns (.380 acp, 9mm parabellum and/or .45acp[?]) for granny carry?

Thanks,

[HerbM]

Mrs. Oldgringo performed her obligatory Wally-Walk today around downtown Gunnison, Gunnison's 'SmallMart' and City Market (Krogers) today with her KelTec P3-AT in a leather CCW Fanny Pack. She didn't like the FP and wants a purse or a handbag (not too big) for CCW. Furthermore, she doesn't like her KelTec DAO as it's too hard to shoot (trigger pull).

Congratulations to the kind lady!!!! Tell her we wished her, "Stay well, stay safe."

I predict you will get a lot of recommendations for "revolvers" but my wife has trouble with trigger pull to the point they just don't work for her either. She has trouble with slide springs too. For now she uses a Pony Colt 1911 in .380. The slide is not so stiff, and (once cocked and locked) the trigger is all single action.

I doubt this (a mini 1911) is what Mrs. Oldgringo will end up likely the best but consider it and consider that you may have to look at a LOT of firearms and fire quite a few at a swap shoot or rentals in the gun ranges.

My wife universally hated all subcompact 9mm handguns, including Glocks even though she can fire .45 just fine (go figure.) The point again is you cannot fully predict what WILL WORK for your wife without:

a) try a lot dry at the sales counter or from friends

b) shoot all the ones that seem like possible candidates

I am not overly thrilled by the .380, but the key is finding the best gun that she (or anyone) WILL use and WILL carry.

_))
Mrs.Oldgringo ain't no spring chicken but she is my chicken and I want to keep her alive, well and happy . Any of y'all ladies have any ideas on reasonably priced CCW purses/handbags and/or handy, light handguns (.380 acp, 9mm parabellum and/or .45acp[?]) for granny carry?

Best prices on carry handbags (I have bought several) was the guy that travels the gun shows who has the "voice box speaker" (laryngectomy) device. Don't know his name but I think of him as a friend when I see him at the Austin show (I stopped going because I will not cross a 30.06 sign boundary except under duress) and he has always sold me good stuff at a great price.

However, all such must be tested with the actual gun in question -- the biggest such purse has trouble getting the smallest gun into and out of the pocket completely correctly.

Even smalls guns are bigger than they seem -- think how hard it is to get one into and our of most pants pockets in a condition that is both safe an ready to use -- not impossible but it does take care.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks Herb,

I think I know of whom you speak with the voice box. If so, we'll look him up this fall at the Tyler gun show as well as handle a lot of handguns. In the meantime, we'll just have to make do.

[HerbM]

Thanks Herb,

I think I know of whom you speak with the voice box. If so, we'll look him up this fall at the Tyler gun show as well as handle a lot of handguns. In the meantime, we'll just have to make do.

He sells all sorts of nylon holsters, cell phone holsters and other stuff -- usually a pretty big display. It he doesn't have the purses displayed then ask him. He used have them there every time, but I am not sure he still does that.

My wife wanted a BIG purse. He had a quality item (looks good and is study) that was also a gun (interior pocket accessible from the END of the purse) for much less than similar non-gun purses at the fashion shops or department stores.

He makes some stuff too so tell him what you, er, Mrs. OldGringo really wants.

[eric]

Hard trigger pull for anyone is a problem. First of all it will pull anyone off target unless you are a true expert. Semi-auto single action is the only way to go in my opinion.

[Oldgringo]

I tend to agree with the SA semi-auto solution. I (we) have a Browning Hi-Power, PT 1911, Berretta 92FS and a Sig P-230. I (we) also have a S &W 638 Airweight in .38 Spec that she should try a little more.

She likes the size and weight of her Kel Tec P3-AT. Anybody got any suggestions along those lines ? She told me to trade her Kel Tec .

[HerbM]

I tend to agree with the SA semi-auto solution. I (we) have a Browning Hi-Power, PT 1911, Berretta 92FS and a Sig P-230. I (we) also have a S &W 638 Airweight in .38 Spec that she should try a little more.

Some people mentioned single action and I agree as long as we include "strikers". Glocks and such.

She likes the size and weight of her Kel Tec P3-AT. Anybody got any suggestions along those lines ? She told me to trade her Kel Tec .

My daughter wanted a pistol and knew that I have a Glock 30 in .45. She decided on a Glock 36 -- single stack, smaller grip, thinner also in .45.

It's no mouse gun, but it is getting pretty close to the lower limit for a "big caliber" gun. I tried it for a while and it was great -- I would rather more rounds but it isn't bad.

Already mentioned the Pony Colt .380 which works ok for the trigger pull issue.

Personally, I would be delighted if we keep this discussion going for a long time -- this horse is not going to die for me.

[Oldgringo]

Anybody know anything or have any experience with a:

Taurus PT58HCSS 380 PLUS 19RD FS SS
SA/DA
19+1 capacity (too many)
18.7 oz
$450 +/-

It looks like it might work for my darlin'?

[LarryH]

Don't know about the Taurus, but the Beretta Cheetah (84FS) would be worth a look in .380

The CZ 75 D compact 9 is a good prospect, too.

[HerbM]

Anybody know anything or have any experience with a:

Taurus PT58HCSS 380 PLUS 19RD FS SS
SA/DA
19+1 capacity (too many)
18.7 oz
$450 +/-

It looks like it might work for my darlin'?

This auction has ENDED:
$417 (add $20 or so for FFL and about $20 for shipping I supposed)
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewIt ...
Same gunship, their web site, DELIVERED @ $441 (add FFL)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ...

The Model PT58HC is truly a down sized 92 in every aspect---but in a .380 caliber. A mere 18.7 ounces, the PT58HC features a 3.25" barrel and an impressive 19 + 1 round capacity, combined with the hammer forged steel slide and forged ordnance grade alloy frame with a three position frame mounted ambidextrious safety that allows for a classic single action cocked and locked mode, as well as functioning double action decocking lever. Available in a choice of blue or stainless finish with fixed sights and checkered rubber grips.

I like that it is a scaled down 92--right down to the ambidextrous safeties. My wife like to work left handed (which I didn't mention before.)


Watch out for Taurus PT-58 .380 (Old model, 12 round, no decocker) unless this is something you want.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... m=95042391 Current bid $305

Here is a Google search that you might find useful: [ Taurus PT58HCSS | PT58hc | "PT 58 cc" | "PT-58-CC" .380 | 380 | PLUS ~pistol ]

BTW: My business 800 number is one-off from Taurus USA so if you ever call them and mis-dial you may be talking to me direct.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks Larry,

Those are both good suggestions. I have dies for both of those calibers plus the guns themselves are of a smallish nature. Truthfully, I'd like to stay with a 9mm parabellum for economy of shooting as well as it has more stopping power than its little brother, the 9mm kurz (.380 acp)...if I can find one that she's comfortable and reasonably proficient with. Actually, she enjoys shooting the Browning Hi-Power but it's like carrying around an anvil...to her.

Hello, come in Herb?

[CompVest]

Purses: (Google below for websites) I do pruse carry and these are very nice.

Galco Gunleather - first choice for top quality selection
Conronado Leather - second choice
All other tend to be less then well made. - my opinion

Purse guns:

I like my M&P9c - no mechanical safety - this maybe an issue for Mrs. Oldgringo
Taurus 24/7 9mm - all kinds of safeties and can do single or double action
Kimber Ultra Carry 45 - slide tends to be stif until broken in but I really like mine and it
is easy to carry and light.
Springfield EMP 9mm

[Oldgringo]

Thanks for the input everybody.

We're in Colorado for the summer so we can't do much out of state. We now have some ideas to pursue at the Tyler Gun Show in October - unless we run across an individual who wants to trade in the meantime.

[Vic303]

...........

[Oldgringo]

I wouldn't attempt to purchase a purse for milady in 300 years. That just wouldn't work - at any price.

The Coronado and Galco suggestions are appreciated and their websites depict nice looking (what do I know?) handbags. We're both retired and don't do the 'get dressed up, go to the office and do lunch thing' anymore. That's the good news, the bad news is that we don't have the disposable income we once had. Also, being retired usually indicates one has reached an age that makes lifetime warranties, etc. a rather moot point.

Are there any second or third choices for CCW handbags to carry/wear shopping and to the store, etc?