Most reliable pocket 9mm or 380.

[psyprofessor]

I need your expert opinion on the most reliable pocket 9mm or .380.

I'm thinking about front pocket carry. If it has a manual safety, that would be a plus.

 

[duewest]

A true pocket pistol or a sub compact? If you go sub then there are lots of ultra reliable ones, the thinest probably is the walther. If you want true pocket pistol I have had luck with my kel tec.

 

[jocko]

My lcp and kahr PM9 have been 100% reliable, both have no manual safety, other than bugger finger off the trigger.

 

[kitsapcharly]

Kel-Tec +1

 

[george29]

Browning BDM, Beretta M 1934, Beretta Cheetah, CZ 83, CZ 2075 RAMI P
The PF9 is lighter and easier to carry, wouldn't bet my life on one if there were other choices although KT owners seem to be satisfied. I just wouldn't carry a gun that wasn't the prefered choice of some Army somewhere or some U.S Police department.
I tried the BDM, couldn't find the trigger, the CZ83 was very comfortable to shoot and felt like a big gun, if they made it in 9mm it would be my main gun. Bersa seems to have a decent rep too! Never shot the RAMi, knew someone that owned one, very nice as a pocket gun I suppose. The P3AT is also a good choice I hear.
All the guns so far mentioned are fine, you just need to break it in properly and burr out the problems before it becomes your lifesaver.
If $ is an issue then a KT or a CZ from J&G http://www.jgsales.com/ would be the right choice.

 

[Claude Clay]

K-T if you get one of the good ones. or send it back until you do. it is worth the effort.
walther--well the so many you see used are the not good ones. so good luck there. (shame that most of them dont function as well as they look)
omc/amt (SA only) the early years--very good chance of getting a good one. downside is 6 rounds and 18 ounces. but they will handle +p loads if you can.
colt 1908--you will not regret spending the $$; spoil yourself & smile a lot. might big for front pocket carry
colt govt/pony/pocketlite--relialibity issues for many, but if it runs well they are a pleasure. pocket sized more so than walther; same as a amt
bursar looks like a walther but works. might be big for pocket but great range/practice gun

 

[Cocked & Locked]

There will be lots of differing opinions I'm sure. Mine is based on what works for me. I would sometimes pocket carry a Glock 26 9mm (in a pocket holster of course.)

It was heavy and felt like a brick.

I bought a Kel Tec P11 9mm...like it so good that I sold the baby Glock. The Kel Tec is lighter, shorter, thinner, and has the potential for a higher mag capacity without adding magazine extensions. It also feels better in my hand than the Glock 26.

I bought a couple of the Kel Tec (Mec-Gar) 12 shot magazines. That gives me 12+1 in a pocket sized 9mm.

I've never had any shooting issues with the Kel Tec...feeds everything I put thru it with no problems. I'm not comparing the quality of it to a Glock, just the size and thus far reliability. The trigger pull is similar to shooting a double action revolver.

Here's some weight comparisons (loaded) and pics of it with a couple of 5-shot J-frame S&W pocket guns.

S&W 642 with 5 .38 specials weighs 17 ounces

S&W 49 with 5 .38 specials weighs 24 ounces

Kel Tec P11 with 13 9mm's weighs 23 ounces








You can go even lower in weight (and magazine capacity) with the single stack Kel Tec 9mm...I don't know that model number. But, I like the thoughts of 13 rounds of 9mm +P JHP's riding in my pocket.

 

[benderx4]

I highly recommend the Seecamp LWS380. Order one from Larry, pay MSRP, and wait about a year. Worth it! Good luck!