-Opinion: Best Pocket Pistol

I've carried a Sig 230 or 232 for years. I never thought about a wheel gun until recently... I shot a friend's Nickel plated 2" chief's special... The one higher in this thread would be what I'm after now

Taurus M85 or S&W 637

Ruger SP101

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Thanks. What caliber would that one be?

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You can get them in either .38 special or .357mag. I think the .357mag version is around the same price, so I would go for that if you should prefer that round for carry. I must admit the .357mag is a bit much in such a small gun, for carry I prefer a .38 special +p round. I would still get the .357mag version, mainly because if you are at the range and feel like shooting something with some recoil. It is heavier than a 642 or other revolvers comparable in size, but it helps make the gun more manageable while shooting. The weight isn't bad at all with a belt on, but others may find it uncomfortable.

Kel-Tec P-3AT loaded with 80gr Corbon DPX.

Everything else is just too big.

The best pocket "pistol" is a shrouded revolver...

such as a S&W 340PD J-frame.

3" 1911.

I carried a Ruger SP 101 for a little while. It is pretty heavy for pocket carry. It is really best served on a belt or IWB.

I currently carry a NAA 22 mini mag. So small i hardly know it is in my pocket.

The NAA in 32 or 380 is excellent as well. It will replace / added to the mini as soon as I can find a good deal on one.

There is NO best pocket pistol, don't care how many die hards there are here for any given platform or model, none, nope, no "best" one. The 642 is great if you want a 5 shot .38. If you want a 13 shot 9mm +P (more power and firepower in a lighter, smaller gun) consider the Kel Tec P11. If you want small, consider the .380 P3AT (I want one of those). If you want to carry a 12 ounce .357 and think you can hit something with it after it breaks your hand on the first shot, go for it. If you want a Kahr, if you have Bill Gates' bank account and want a Rohrbaugh, go for it. So long as you can carry it comfortably in a pocket, hey, who am I to say what's best for you? I know what I like and I don't care what you like, frankly. Even so, I have a selection of carry to fit the situation, the dress, the mood. I ain't stuck with ONE pocket gun and I have more I've yet to purchase.

These Kel-Tecs are awesome for concealed carry , this is the P-11 9mm, needs some practice to get used to that long trigger , but that is also what makes them so safe to carry.

for now, the .38 spec. S&W Bodyguard model 38, all steel, but to be honest, I feel undergunned; not sure why, sometimes I feel a .22 would be better...

I've tried a bunch. I still have a P-32, a 442 and a 649, but I always carry the Rohrbaugh. It's not that much bigger or heavier than a P-32 in my front pocket.

John

bersa thunder .380

My Present Carry Line-up

Seecamp .380
M&P 340 with CT grips (405)
Kahr PM 9
642 with CT grips (405)

McGunner

Hey! McGunner

If you want to carry a 12 ounce .357 and think you can hit something with it after it breaks your hand on the first shot, go for it.

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Why's mine the only one you ragged on in your "everyone does their own thing" answer??

Just kidding - 13oz .357 isn't for everyone - agreed there...

FranklyTodd

I've seen too many reliability issues w/ a lot of diff't semi autos and with enough practice, the snubbies can be every bit as accurate...so, I've chosen the S&W j-frame as my ideal pocket pistol

P3at.

Just kidding - 13oz .357 isn't for everyone - agreed there..

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Yeah, I can't handle full power .357 in a titanium J frame. I guess I ain't man enough. I shoot .44 mags and such, but one of those things gives me the flinches every time. I have an SP101, manageable, but no pocket gun. I stick to .38 in pocket revolvers. I guess you really don't know if you can shoot one effectively until you try one, though.

S&W 442 in front weak side (left side) pocket. Loaded with Hydra-Shoks (110gr low recoil).

Keltec P3AT, which I say is the best only because it is the only real pocket pistol I own, and it is the only pistol I have ever literally carried in my pocket. Subjective, but there it is.

Also, I can't take the recoil on those Ti/Scandium shorties either. I fired a friend of a friend's gun, and it friggin' hurt! I vowed to never fire such a piece again. Right up until I fired that little monster, I had thought of the .357 as a pleasurable round to shoot.

Keltec P3AT, which I say is the best only because it is the only real pocket pistol I own, and it is the only pistol I have ever literally carried in my pocket. Subjective, but there it is.

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It seems in our neck of the woods, it is rapidly becoming the pocket pistol of choice. Just an observation based on what I hear in local gun shops.

Seecamp .380





If I am not carrying the Seecamp I'm carrying the M&P 340 with .38 spl Plus P 135 gr SGD for snubs.



Now that the PM 9 has gone back to the factory, received a complete going over and now has 300 flawless rounds of a variety of
9mm through it I sometimes take it for a ride.

Boy those Seecamps look like well made little pistols. I like the S&W 642, but those Seecamps look like a nice little package.

Boy those Seecamps look like well made little pistols. I like the S&W 642, but those Seecamps look like a nice little package.

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They`re almost handbuilt if a 380. The quality is outstanding IMO, and worth every penny, but then I am a LWS 380 carrier too.

To me, I first have to make a distinction between a major and minor caliber pocket gun. My personal experience:

Minor guns:

1. Taurs PT-22 - very pretty gun - total jammer. It was a horror. Got rid of it. A friend had a Beretta 21 - same story. Thus, you might get a good one but I wouldn't trust it.

2. NAA 22s - haha - bought it because it was cute - very a sub-bug gun. Good if attacked by someone's nose.

3. NAA 22 Mag - a nice BUG, not a primary but a SHTF of the major gun backup. Yes, it's single action and harder to shoot. On the other hand, the 22 Mag round going off, will scare the crap out of the immediate environment.

Majors:

1. What are the 32s? Interesting question. They were used as police guns in semis for a long time. You can get a small one - the Seecamps, Kel-tecs, Guardians, etc. Really just a BUG, IMHO.

2. The 32 HR Mag - I have a nice 432 J frame. Very light and an easy pocket gun. Without getting into a stopping power argument. I wouldn't discount it as the primary pocket gun.

3. The 642 !!! We have a winner in weight and power and shootability. With the new quality +P 38s, that's my primary pocket gun.

4. My PM9 - . Some folks are recommending these over the Js. The advantage is the 9mm round (you can get the 40 SW versions also). Easier to reload. However, mine has been a dog, jams, jams, etc. I know I can send it back and spend the money on shipping, etc. However, that rankles me. It jams with about 5 different types of ammo. That shouldn't be. I have to think about keeping it. To me a pocket gun must be ultimately reliable. The small semis aren't that fast in a tap, rack, bang drills.

So I go for the J's. Clint Smith said so also and he is god - haha.

Seecamp .380 vs S&W Snub



Here is the Seecamp in a DeSantis Nemesis Holster vs a M&P 340 in a De Santis Nemesis.
The 340 has the Hogue Monogrips on in this photo, but I usually have the CT 405s on it.

Seecamp weighs about 13.8 ounces with seven rounds. The 340, about fifteen ounces with 5 rounds .38 spl plus P.