So July is here. As a Floridian, I hate this time of year. It’s insufferably hot and humid, the weather changes on a dime, and the tourists are in full swing. I’ve recently accepted a few things about myself. First, I don’t mind mowing anymore. Second, New Balance shoes are pretty comfortable. Third, pocket pistols aren’t all that bad. I used to be a hardcore bigger is better. Give me a CZ P09, and let’s call it a day. As it gets hotter, I’ve come to accept lighter clothing and lighter guns. Today I figured I’d break down my favorite summertime carry guns.
While normally I’m a P365XL man, I’ve found that it can be even difficult to carry in light shirts and pants. Call it lazy, but if it’s just me, no wife, and no kiddos, then I don’t mind carrying a smaller, lighter, easier-to-hide handgun.
My Summertime Carry Guns
Keltec P32
A recent favorite of mine. This is the lightest sem-auto I have. At 6.6 ounces, it disappears into my pocket. The little gun holds seven rounds of .32 ACP, and I always commit to a +1 with it. The little .32 ACP isn’t much, but I can put rounds where I need to, and I’ve become selective with my ammunition and use 71-grain FMJs to ensure proper penetration.
It’s not much, but it’s light, flat, and easy to carry. This gun rides dirty with me the majority of the time.
Seecamp LWS 25
The Seecamp LWS 25 is for when things get tight. I have these uber comfortable 5.11 shorts that my wife refers to as my hoochie shorts. They aren’t for the faint of heart. They are super short, super small, and the pockets are shallow. The only gun I can carry while sporting these bad boys is the micro-sized LWS 25, which is the smallest semi-auto out there.
This gun works perfectly at water parks, summer rains, and pools. It’s stainless steel and fits into the pocket of my swim trunks. With that being said, I’m not swimming with the gun, but everyone gets a little wet at a water park. I also use 50-grain FMJs for max penetration, but admittedly 25 ACP doesn’t have excellent penetration.
Ruger LCP 2 (In 22LR)
The Ruger LCP 2 in 22LR is my summertime yard gun. When I’m mowing, picking up sticks, and cleaning up my ten acres, it’s always at hand. It’s perfect for wild dogs, snakes, and popping pests like mice without wasting pricey .25 ACP and .32 ACP rounds. The little LCP 2 has a ten-round magazine and is super reliable. The LCP 2 is easy to shoot, and the modern design ensures it can get dirty and gross and still work reliably.
It’s also light and small. It has real sights, so it’s easy to aim, especially when your prey is a mean cotton mouth with ill intent. If you’ve never pulled a drive-by on a zero-turn mower on a venomous, aggressive snake, then you haven’t lived.
Beretta 3032 Tomcat
My summertime, lightweight, micro-sized pistol that I like to show off is the Beretta Tomcat 3032. It’s the biggest, heaviest, and thickest of these guns, but it’s also the coolest. C’mon, look at this little fella. It’s so cool, and it’s touched off by the tip-up barrel design. The Tomcat is fun to shoot but not the best shooting option.
It bites the hand, has rough recoil, and doesn’t seem to be all that efficient in size. Still, it’s accurate, even with one of the heaviest double-action triggers I’ve ever handled. The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is my summertime BBQ gun, if you will. It’s more style than substance.
Summertime Carry Blues
It’s hot. Terribly hot. Humid, and if it’s not, then it’s raining. This made me choose a few alternatives to my normal carry guns and my normal carry philosophy. Sometimes it’s okay to cool it down, provided you’ve been realistic about the threats you potentially face. This is how I’ve focused on beating the what while packing some heat.
