First pistol? Kel-Tec380?

Well I just turned 21 a few weeks ago. Its now time for me to get my concealed weapons permit. I am interested in a small pistol I would be able to carry with me without it being noticable. I asked an older friend of mine. He has over 20 pistols himself. He told me he would sell me his kel-tec 380. He bought it brand new. Black in color. Only been shot about 10 times. So its not even really broke in yet i'm thinking. I'm probably going to shoot it today to see how I like it. I know a lot of police use this as their backup gun. He said $250. Im not sure what all it comes with. But what would ya'll recommend for my first pistol and if this is a good deal let me know please.

thank you,
Matt

 

I have a Ruger .380 that I carry a lot in the summer time because it is easily concealed. I mainly use it when I'm wearing shorts and t-shits. I like the pistol but it takes some getting used to because of the heavy double action trigger pull and the small frame. It is basically the same pistol you're talking about.(250 sounds about right for the price)
If I were you, for your first pistol I would get a sub compact. I carry a Glock 23 (.40) and love it. The .380 is probably the smallest caliber you want to use for personal protection. With a sub compact you have a gun that still can be concealed, high capacity mags. more accurate, easier to shoot, and a lot more confidence in my opinion. I would not buy a .380 for your first pistol. Just my opinion, hope this helps.

 

I think I would stay away from keltec. A small J frame Smith and Wesson or maybe the new Ruger LCP in .380 would do you better. I would maybe go with a sub compact Glock as well. I like the G26 in 9mm, but any of their sub compacts would do well. The best bet is go down to the store, see what fits you and your price range the best. Handle the pistols and see how they feel. If you can, go to a range and shoot a few to see what you like. You need to find a gun that fits you well for your needs. Best of luck!!

 

Your G23 is only considered the COMPACT version of the full size G22... The sub-compacts are even smaller than that. The G27 is the sub compact .40 cal. Not that it really matters, but just so the other guy knows the difference. Happy shooting!!

 

My bad, I meant to say compact. Thanks for pointing it out JT.

 

No worries!

 

Keltec=FAIL. Glocks are good, I like Springfield, I have a 1911 A-1 MIL-SPEC springfield. The Springfield XD and XDM's are sweet too. With guns you def. get what you pay for. My friend's dad bought a Hi-point .45 because it was cheap and he almost lost his hand. It blew up on him. Buy something good and you won't regret it. You want it to work when you need it, not after. I am biased toward Springfield though.

 

They are cheap$$. Mine shoots straight. It's not meant to be a "Take it to the range and run 200 rnds through it" It's meant for concealed carry (personal protection), Not shooting competitions.
I know plenty of L.E.O.'s who carry them as a second firearm.

Is it a first pistol?

 

The line of Springfield XD's are awesome guns. They are similar to the Glock in a lot of ways. I dont think you can go wrong with a Sprinfield either. They have some pretty sweet Sub-Compacts if you are looking for a small size.

 

But wouldn't it stand to reason that you would WANT a gun that you can take to the range and run 300 rounds through and still depend on it? As a last resort weapon maybe, but not as a primary sidearm. I like to know that after the 300 rounds I can still depend on it as I walk to my truck from the range. The more you fire it the better you become as a handler and if you can't shoot it just to shoot it, then why even own it?

 

Mine has never jammed once. And any pistol you conceal on a regular basis is going to collect lint. I clean my on a regular basis. I don't take it to the range where it will be shot 100 + times and wear it out. Then maybe it will jam. but what ever. To each their own.

Anyone that asks me about a first pistol. I tell them get a .22 and shoot the hell out of it. it teaches accuracy, And control. then step up calibers.

 

I love the glock reputation, but I hate them. They are just not comfortable to me. The XDM's have the right feel for me, and the 1911 is perfectly awesome. If a Glock is comfortable to you then buy it, but I suggest going to a range and testing different weapons to find what fits you, don't just jump onto any particular wagon. Hold them, take them apart and then fire them. That is the best way to find what you like.

 

Don't buy the Keltec. It's junk. That's why he'll sell it to you. The price is too high anyway. You are better off getting a small frame revolver that you can stick in your pocket.

 

Well Im chime in as a LEO. I have looked at alot of back ups along the way. I still carry my G27 (.40) when i am on duty. Mainly because We carry the G22's and the MAgs of the 22 fit the 27. That way i am not limited to just 9 rounds in a back up if my g22 fails. The keltec sell around here from 260 to 320. Alot of my brothers carry them off duty mainly for there size. The g27 off duty is a lille big, pending on where you wanna carry it. When wearing jeans its no big deal to put in on your ankle, but in the summer time about the best concealing set up for shorts and a t-shirt is inside the waist band. This is not the most comofrtable due to the width and size of the 27. I agree with the other guys on dependability and function but most consider a personal concealed gun or off duty gun as a "get off me gun" meaning your usually going to shoot close distance, I don;t need a gun i can shoot 30 yards and make a key hole. At that distance I would be able to get way. We have done drills If i take off running from a stand still i can gain about 10 yards before your mind will tell you to aim and shoot. So now we are 40 yards away. LOng winded but heres the point. YOu get what you pay for everytime in life. Most get the keltec or the LCP for ease of carry options and price. are they the most dependable maybe not but we all can't afford a 1200.00 kimber to carry around. Also Think about this ...... If you shoot someone with your personal gun you can bet on the investigators taking that gun from you until all is clear in court. Do you want to lose a 250.00 gun or a 1200.00 gun. I would go with the LCP over the Keltec though.. shoot it enough and you will be ok with the size and control

 

+1000...the KelTec is trash, especially the .380s. I've worked at two gunstores and of all the guns that have troubles its the Kel-Tecs and Hi-Points that lead the pack.

At the beginning of last summer my friend and I were in the market for a compact 9mm pistol for summer carry. Prior to that I carried a compact 1911 year round. I shot and liked the Kahr PM9. I went ahead and bought one for around $600. My friend bought a Kel-Tec .380 and saved about $350. That was good because after a week he gave up and he had $350 to put towards a PM9.

I can't believe the Kahrs have not been mentioned in this thread yet. They are reliable, comfortable to carry, and disappear under clothing. They are not cheap but firearms is one thing you shouldn't skimp on. If you're going to go cheap get a revolver. The revolver is inherently more reliable so if you're going to go cheap go with a cheap revolver.


(this guy has large paws...the gun is a little bigger in an average sized hand)

 

Btw...congrats on turning 21! The day I turned 21 I was in Blacksburg. I went to the Wal-Mart and bought a 100rd pack of Winchester 9mm range ammo for a handgun I didn't have yet, and then stopped by the ABC store to pick up a bottle of cheap Canadian whiskey and Christian Brothers XO brandy. I called up the gunstore I went to back at home and had them set aside a Walther P99. That weekend I was back at home buying my first pistol!