Here's what I've got to play with...



Top to bottom...

• 91/30 Mosin Nagant
  
• Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 7mm08
  
• Marlin 795 with Tech Sights and USGI Sling (for Appleseed) x 2
  
• Remington 870 Wingmaster
  
• Sig P226 40S&W
  
• Beretta Neos with $30 Red Dot

What's next? I want to do an AR at some point; I've also had an itch for a nice .380, suggestions?

Nice collection!

I've seen that Mosin . . . it's a nice rifle, with some character and a hex receiver.

"A nice .380" . . . hmmm. For me, the only reason to get a .380 is if you're going to carry it. I don't think they're terribly fun range toys, and they're not cheap to shoot. I have a P238 that I use as a carry gun once in a while, and I like it, but I wouldn't buy one just for the hell of it.

Just my two cents.

I've been thinking about it as a "lighter" carry option I suppose. I've been carrying my P226 more and it's still kind of bulky. Might help if I adjust the holster a bit and try some different positions.

Have you seen the Micro Desert Eagle? http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009 ... 80-pistol/
That thing just looks sexy.

The bersa .380's have gotten great reviews. So has the LCP. Both are great pocket pistols.

Personally, I had a KelTec P3AT. Great little gun, but hated hollow points and kicked like a .45! lol

nice collection I need to post mine up soon

I'd give the P226 a chance . . . maybe a better holster and yes, different positions. And perhaps a better belt too.

EVERYONE who is new to carrying thinks that their pistol is huge, heavy, and blatantly obvious to anyone within 100 yards. They're only correct about the first two things, however.

I have two carry guns, an XD9 subcompact (roughly equivalent to your P226) and the P238. I carry the XD 95% of the time; I have a good holster (Supertuck), a couple of good stiff gun belts, and I have learned to carry it. And as long as I'm comfortable carrying it, 14 rounds of 9mm beat the hell out of 7 rounds of .380 -- especially since I'm a much better shot with the XD.

As for the little .380s, I've owned two -- a Ruger LCP, and then the P238 which replaced it. I just DESPISED the long trigger pull on the LCP, and most of the other micro .380s on the market are very similar. I bought the P238 simply because of the short trigger pull, which means (for me) that I'm much more accurate with it.

Not everyone has the same experience that I did, however . . . YMMV.

I've been meaning to get a better belt, are there any in particular you would recommend?

5.11 reinforced belts are really nice. They have a poly inner strip that stiffens the belt. You NEED a 1.5" belt to carry a decent pistol. The carry feel is worlds apart when you have a good belt.

Should I just order that from Midway or is there a better place?

I have a couple of 5.11 belts like this:

http://www.opticsplanet.net/511-leather-casual-belt-15-plain-59501.html

Except I paid less for them . . . wow. I guess they've gone up!

The pro:

- They are VERY stiff and are GREAT for carrying!

The con:

- The finish seems to get damaged pretty easily, and after a short time I can see marks on the belt where the outer layer is breaking. My two have functionally held up well over the last 2+ years, but they don't look all that great.

After reading some good reviews of the Amish Belt, I bought one of these:
http://www.hanksclothing.com/amish_belts_black_buy.html

The pro:

- It is holding up much better than the 5.11 belts.

The con:

- It's not nearly as stiff as the 5.11 belts. It works okay as a carry belt, and generally I'm happy with it, but it's definitely not as good as the 5.11.

I've read RAVE reviews of the belts from The Beltman and Crossbreed. They are expensive (maybe $75-ish?) but apparently they are great carry belts and will last a very, very long time. If I had it to do all over again, I might just buy one of those.

Check with Dave Workman (site member). Well known name in gun leather.

Edited: I thought he did leather belts too, but after looking at his site again I didn't see them.