A mineature 1911 in 9mm....

[AJMD429]

My daughter has found the KelTec 9mm to her liking, actually more pleasant to shoot than the Ruger LCP in 380, and the light weight and slim nature makes it almost as easy to carry.

I prefer her to start her CCW years with something that has a manual safety, and can potentially be carried safely in hammer-down mode, as well. Sig makes an exposed hammer 1911-clone in both 380 and 9mm, so I decided to see what she prefers...

Here's some photos KelTec 9mm vs the Sig 9mm:

Overall about the same size. Weight a few ounces more (less recoil but heavier to carry)


Width about the same but grips flare some on the Sig.


Top view shows very slightly wider and squarer Sig profile.


Length identical, although profiles of rear differ due to exposed hammer of the Sig.

[JerryB]

My grandson has a Kel Tec P11 that is sure a fine carrying little gun. Once in a while I slip it in my pocket when I don't have my .44spl on for a quick trip to town. With a spare 10 round mag in my back pocket I feel like 21 rounds of Golden Sabre should get me back home. It is a good shooter.

[jhrosier]

I had a P11 for a while. It absolutely would not function if limp-wristed.
I would pick the Sig.
My own choice was a snubby .357 for carry and a PPK for show.

Jack

[Catshooter]

Doc,

No criticism intended, but in tiny little mind hammer down on a single action auto is a very dangerous way to carry.

Not in the accidental discharge way of dangerous, but in the way too slow/cumbersome in getting the pistol into action way.

I grew up with the 1911, maybe you did too. Few to no double action only pistols in those days. Your daughter will live her life in a world awash in them. So my inclination would be to emphasize strongly the trigger finger as the only real safety you can count on with her.

The Kel-Tec is of course no SIG, but they are usually quite reliable and accurate enough. Of course there is the cost thing too.

Good for your daughter in that she is carrying. It is what a responsible adult does, isn't it.


Cat

[crs]

A miniature 1911 in .380 with an even smaller .25 auto:

[rjohns94]

I'm a huge Sig Fan. I carry a 227 in .45acp daily. With your choices, I would choose Sig

[OldWin]

While certainly not what I'd call an "heirloom" category pistol, I've packed a PF9 as a "deep cover, summertime 9" for about 4 years.
It took a while before I trusted it, but I can't fault the little thing. Mine works great for such an inexpensive pistol. It runs 100%, clean or full of pocket lint, and shoots to POA at 10yrds. I've tried it with different ammo but always 115gr. I settled on Critical Defense.

While I'd hesitate to carry another one without extensive trial, my example has earned my trust.

[jnyork]

I carry a Sig .380 in a Galco pocket holster, works great, even when wearing jeans it's easy to get out . Cant speak for other brands but sure am satisfied with it, have shot it quite a bit and has never stuttered.

[JB]

Unless she's comfortable with "cocked and locked", and I'm not in a purse or pocket pistol, I'd vote for the Kel Tec of those two choices. Carrying the Sig with the hammer down and then cocking it under stress might be a bit much for her. You might look at the Ruger LC9 or LC9S. You can get both with a manual safety.

[tman]

Kel tec got the Minnie 9 right with the PF. Easy to shoot and conceal. You can pay a lot more and get less gun. Like others, I started out with the Colt .45 ACP, but the Keltec is faster to get into action and pretty much foolproof.

[elmo123]

I picked up a new P-11 last month and have fired it about 500 times without any malfunctions. I can use me S&W 5900 magazines in it also which makes it more versatile for me.

[Blaine]

You're right about "uncomfortable" with the Ruger LCP, but it's definitely the smallest/lightest. I tape my trigger finger with a bandaid when I practice. If you need it, you won't care how bad it hurts.
(I think Sigs are over priced)

[Grizz]

my wife has no problem shooting her lady.concealed.pistol. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, reload, repeat.

I think small hands are a benefit here, the gun has never bothered her hands. I think Blaine has large hands. I wonder if Ruger would consider a man.c.p with larger trigger aperture. could set off another gold rush to prescott.

she shot the ar pistol for the first time. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, etc. but got tired of holding it up. it out-weighs the ruger by a couple orders of magnitude. it is a delight to shoot, for sure.

[Streetstar]

I have the 380 version of that little SIG (the 238) - it is a dandy carrying little pistol , and as accurate as some of my larger "service grade" firearms.

I'm no expert on available models but my grip panels are much slimmer than the one you have pictured , with no finger grooves --- Likely a set of wood, G-10, or aluminum panels would take care of the Sig's thickness issue

[Blaine]

my wife has no problem shooting her lady.concealed.pistol. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, reload, repeat.

I think small hands are a benefit here, the gun has never bothered her hands. I think Blaine has large hands. I wonder if Ruger would consider a man.c.p with larger trigger aperture. could set off another gold rush to prescott.

she shot the ar pistol for the first time. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, ding ding ding ding ding ding ding, etc. but got tired of holding it up. it out-weighs the ruger by a couple orders of magnitude. it is a delight to shoot, for sure.

Not really...Beefy, and muscular, but short fingers.

[AJMD429]

You're right about "uncomfortable" with the Ruger LCP, but it's definitely the smallest/lightest. I tape my trigger finger with a bandaid when I practice. If you need it, you won't care how bad it hurts.

I'd rather shoot my Bisley gripped 44 Mag with hot loads than her LCP 380....with 'normal' grips on the 44 it would be a toss-up.

[rock-steady]

Have you seen the Browning 1911 in .380acp?

http://www.gunblast.com/Browning-1911-380.htm

[Grizz]

I think this might be just the ticket:

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/02/05/br ... -1911-380/

browning_blacklabel380_3108.jpg

I could really like this shooter.

[Old Ironsights]

Have you seen the Browning 1911 in .380acp?

http://www.gunblast.com/Browning-1911-380.htm

The old Colt Series 80 Mustang/Government .380 was pretty much that already... but smaller

[Mescalero]

Bigger and heavier than what you guys are talking about, but I have a Llama mini max that fills that niche for me.