Pocket Gun

Ruger LCR .38 Special (13.5 oz) or .357Mag (17.1 oz)

yikes

I own an LCP first version and just traded my 442.

The advantages of the LCP are small size and 7 rounds vs 5. A spare magazine is easier to carry vs a speed loader or two. I think most people can reload the LCP faster without fumbles than they can with speedloaders or loose cartridges with the 442. It’s surprisingly accurate and took me by surprise too.

The 442 is quite a bit larger and harder to conceal. The 442 handles +P loads which should be noticeably more potent than 380. I personally have more confidence in an all metal gun vs plastic. And again just personal bias based on many of shooting both revolvers and autoloaders in competitions, revolvers are less likely to malfunction.

I do like my LCP when I want to really conceal a pistol. Although I sold my 442, I still have my 640 no dash. I got rid of the 442 because my 640 is much more pleasant to shoot due to weight and the same size. No need to keep both and there’s no way I’d get rid of my 640.

I’d say if you’re really wanting something small then the LCP is the way to go but if you want something more potent and don’t mind larger then I’d go the 442. They’re both very fine guns.

PS: both guns functioned 100% with any kind of ammo that I ran through them.

I haunted my LGS for months to find a used 642. It was LNIB for $299. I can’t shoot small .380 guns well, I just prefer a revolver. The 642 does hurt my hand when I shoot it. The way the back of the frame goes nearly straight up pounds the web of my hand.

Guns are not expensive now. GrabAgun has 642s for $299. One would have to add transfer fee and $7.99 shipping.

I have been carrying a no lock M442 in my front pocket since they came out. I don't see myself changing it anytime soon.

A 442 is in my pocket, always. Usually a second is in my waist.

An LCP is a frequent companion of mine along with a 642, I shoot the smith better but the Ruger is more thin in the pocket. The LCP is also accurate just shoot revolvers better. The main issue I have is the size of my hand. I can only get two fingers on the LCP, I can get (with certain grip styles) a full grip on a j frame style revolver. The reloads are a moot point to me since either of them are a back up and not a primary. However reloads are carried for each. There are both pros and cons, I do prefer the revolver more for being able to carry different bullet shapes and even snake shot but to each his own.

If you're willing to pocket carry a gun the size of a 442, why not consider something like the Kahr CM9? It's smaller but only 1oz heavier than the Smith. Costs less and it's a 9mm that can handle +P SD ammo.

Are you looking for two pocket guns? I ask because you have two threads running on this.

I pocket my S&W 360 but I just got a charter arms boomer that may take over pocket duty. I’m going to have to shoot it some to get comfortable with it but I think for me it may be the perfect pocket gun.

Something to consider, I've pocket carried a lot of guns and if you can pocket something like a J-frame, you could pocket something the size of a Glock 26/27/33 just as well, I do it quite frequently in my cargo shorts. I sometimes even slide my Glock 30 into my pocket (usually with 9rd mag), it's not difficult but admittedly it's not as good to pocket as the baby Glocks. Either one makes a much better option than a revolver.

I posted the same post twice because I didn't realize the OP had posted the same thread twice. My answer in the first thread applies to the second thread too.

LCP is a good starter for a pocket gun.

Not much use if you aren't carrying it.

sean m said:

Not much use if you aren't carrying it.

Click to expand...

That, exactly. My Taurus 85 is great for jeans and personal clothes, but once I started work that involved tucking a shirt into slacks and making deliveries down alleys at all hours, occasionally in areas with people that are interested and believe we might carry medical supplies--and deciding that wearing my blazer permanently in Florida isn't happening--I went and bought an LCP because it just disappears into a pocket.

After researching the ballistics of the 9mm, 38 special and 357 Magnum out of a short barrel revolver I switched to the 9mm. It beats both of them in velocity with similar Bullets weights

here in a soft smartphone case is my only true pocket ccw in that it really is suited best for a pocket. once i’m able to carry outside a pocket i can ccw something bigger.

IMO the grip angle and contour of a j-frame is more conducive to pocket carry than the angle of the slide and grip on a pocket nine. Overall length and height on a j-frame may be comparable, but the slide length on a pocket nine (specifically the rear of the slide) generally adds bulk. The slide or grip often protrudes from my pockets. The j-frame is thicker at the cylinder, but with boot grips fits nicely.

That said, I don't carry in cargo pockets, and an lcp or similar is smaller yet.

Choose what you shoot best.

Check out a 640 no dash

My PC revolvers
S&W's 442-2, 638-3,M&P BG .38 SPL+P's & Ruger LCR .38 SPL+P.