What's the best "true" pocket pistol...?

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Tacbandit

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Guys, I know this has probably been done to a crisp... However, not to start a war over opinions (pistol -vs- revolver, etc...) I seriously want to hear from those who have tried more than one of these... I'm asking because I'm finding myself more and more tempted to not want to carry a larger weapon for concealed carry. I've been well protected up to now with the likes of a Glock 23, and Kimber Pro Carry II in .45 cal. This would not replace those, but it would substitute at times when I just want to carry literally "in the pocket", or carry a 2nd gun as back-up.
My newest fixation is the Ruger LCR... I have also been considering the Kel Tec PF9, for it's size, and caliber. I really have determined that I don't want to go smaller in caliber than .380 or .38 cal. There are so many new offerings out there...Please..again, I would really like to only hear from those who have tried more than one pocket gun, and would like to hear why you would choose what you choose, based on experience....Thanks in advance..By the way, I wear jeans 90% of the time...
Tac
Edited for more info... In light of the fact that the Kel Tec pf9 isn't a true pocket gun (with jeans),
does anyone have experience with one of these using the belt-clip...seems that might be the next best thing to "pocket" carry, as it would at least be holster-less... just a thought... Thanks...
 
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For me at least, it is a Kel-Tec P3AT .380.
The Ruger LCP copy of the Kel-Tec P3AT should be fine too.

I have a whole raft of S&W snubbys, a PPK/S Walther, and other medium small guns.

An alloy J-Frame S&W is the only one light enough, but just a little bigger then some of my jeans pockets to carry without printing.

The PF-9 is too big too unless you wear cargo pants all the time.

rc
 
I've pocket carried the KelTec .32, North American Arms 5-shot mini revolver, and a KelTec P3AT (.380). IWB, I've carried a Springfield 1911, Kahr P9, and Glock 23. Open carry, a Ruger Speed Six and a USAF Colt .45 single action. My most frequent combo carry is the Kahr p9 and a fairly new Kahr .380. The Kahr .380 is a much nicer pistol than the KelTecs, although the KelTecs get the back up call if I'm working in a dirty or dusty environment. So, my vote for best pocket pistol is the Kahr .380. I guess you love them or hate them, but mine have been reliable.
 
I am madly in love with my Ruger LCP. In about 500 rounds it has never ever failed in any way with any ammo, and I have tried my darndest. I've given it dirty range ammo, lead bullets, aluminum casings, steel casings, hollowpoints from all different makers etc...

My friend brought his P3AT to the range along with some ammo that "it won't shoot." It was some Russian garbage. Green box with Cyrilic all over the side. Not a word of English anywhere. Steel casing, copper washed. He loaded it into the P3AT and had two failures in the first mag. Loaded a second mag, and had another 3 failures.

I put the ammo into my LCP, and it shot right through the first mag. loaded a second and the same thing. I gave him a box of my S&B ammo, and he gave me the rest (a box and a half) of the Russian stuff. I went through both boxes without one failure.

I can also shoot it very accurately for having almost no sights at all. Smooth, accurate, reliable, and tiny. Doesn't get better than that.
 
I use a Kahr PM9 in the jacket pocket or IWB. I plan to get a Kahr 380 at some point. Although my PM9 has only been mine for about a week...I have dumped 250+ various styled rounds downrange with no malfunctions. It is also easier to shoot and less recoil (at least gentler on the hand) than a PF9. The Ruger LCP is a great choice if the Kahr is not in your budget.
 
I'd pick a S&W 642 or Kahr PM9.

I still carry a "real" gun, tho.
 
Seecamps are good and they take up less space in your pocket than a J-frame. J-frames are good too.
 
+1 on the Kahr, I have a P9 which is just barely too big for pocket carry (grip is too tall). I would imagine the PM9 would work well. I also have an LCP, it works, but the fit and finish is not nearly as nice as my Kahr. The slide on the LCP is kind of skinny, slick and snappy feeling to me, which could lead to issues if you were to need to use it in a defense situation and you had to go through a TRB (or if you carry chamber empty).
 
The PF9 is indeed a good option... very light and slim though perhaps a bit long/tall for jeans. I usually pocket a P32 or a S&W AirWeight J-Frame. I wouldn't hesitate to carry a P3AT/LCP, or LCR/UL85/other light snubby.
 
FWIW:

Different strokes for different folks, but I'm happy as a clam with my LWS380.. :D

Best Wishes,

Jesse

100_1364.jpg
 
I have tried to carry a j-frame Smith

as well as a Colt Mustang and, most recently, a Ruger LCP. I liked the LCP so much that I bought a second one for my daughter. One of them is in my left front pants pocket as I am typing this. It usually is. I routinely forget that it is there. This from a guy who can't stand having a set of keys in his pocket. I used to poket carry a Colt Mustang, I should never have sold it. Even a J-framed revolver is too bulky for pocket carry in my opinion. I also doubt that I could comfortably carry a Kel-tec P9 comfortably. Right now the good news is that there a lot of good choices for pocket carry.

Ruger LCP-380
Kel-Tec P3AT-380
Sig 238-380
Taurus 738 TCP-380
NAA-380 or 32 NAA

As much as I love the LCP I am sorely tempted to buy the Sig 238. I am currently carrying a Kimber 45 as my primary and carrying a gun that functions the same way makes good sense to me.
 
This is good stuff, ya'll... I appreciate all of the input. And thanks for not flaming me on bringing up a"beat-up" topic. We think that way until we're facing that situation. There's a lot to choose from, for sure. Does anyone have any carry experience with the Ruger LCR /Crimson Trace?
 
Tacbandit said:
CZ, I too want one of those Sig 238's...But I won't carry that "cocked and locked" in my pocket...
Click to expand...
When I looked at the P238 I liked it but not for my pocket. Maybe it is my build or dress style but it would not work for me. I usually pocket carry my PM9 in leather jacket. It's stiff enough to offset any weight issues and thick enough where it doesn't print in an uncle mike's I got for 10 bucks. I will probably get something even smaller around summer time for front pocket carry. I like the LCP but if my budget allows I will get the Kahr 380 to have similar controls and trigger on my carry guns.
 
You are living in the Golden Age of Pocket Pistols. All these can be carried comfortably in jeans, all work as intended and any one of them will make you happy. Smallest first...

Seecamp LWS380
Micro Desert Eagle .380
KahrP380
LCP/P3AT
 
Seecamp LWS380
Micro Desert Eagle .380
KahrP380
LCP/P3AT
Click to expand...

Add the Taurus TCP and that list is getting near complete for true modern pocket .380s. The P238 is a bit bigger but would work in some pairs of slacks depending on what you wear. I'd say that and the mustang are the largest pistols that I would consider to be a pocket pistol. The Micro Desert Eagle feels pretty heavy in the pocket but it fits. I don't consider the the PF9 or any Kahr pistols bigger than their little .380 to be actual "pocket guns". Sure they are small, but there's a heck of a lot of pockets that they won't ride in correctly.

Oh, and the 238 doesn't exactly have a hair trigger on it. The one I tried felt like it was somewhere around the 5# mark. If it's in a holster and the safety came off somehow (which isn't going to happen with a good holster anyways), it wouldn't be that easy to trip that trigger. I'd carry one cocked and locked in a good holster no problem.
 
Although technically not a pistol I have carried a S&W airweight for years. I've tried other guns but keep coming back to that one. I think the cylinder bulge helps in pushing the candle away from the body enabaling (sp?) a faster draw. It is light, comfortable,reliable and accurate, in fact the only thing it isn't is fun to shoot.
 
S&W M&P 340 13.3 ounces, night sights, .357 capable, DLC finish. I have Crimson trace grips on mine.
Alternate to this might be the Ruger LCR or S&W 442/642 or stainless bodyguard series.

P1010003-3.jpg
M&P 340 with Mika Roundcut Pocket Holster

P1010002-1.jpg
642 with CT 405 grips. My wifes companion. Standard pressure BB 158 gr SCHP.

Seecamp LWS 380 Seecamp recommends only Federal Hydra Shocks and Winchester Silver Tips in these.
Consider a Seecamp .32 if you are comfortable with the round, Ruger LCP, SIG 238 in .380, Kahr in .380, NAA .380, but quite heavy compared to some of the others mentioned.
On a budget? BERSA BT CC in .380 yet decent quality.

P9110038-3.jpg


Kahr PM9 DLC finish.
Alternatively a Rohrbaugh R9 (pricey like a Seecamp .380) and only slight smaller than the PM9.
No slide lock on last round and mag release is like the Seecamp. Forget about a quick reload.

P2140017-2.jpg

Pretty much carried in that order.

Here is a Seecamp 380 or 32 (they are the same size and the 32 is half the price) compared in size to a S&W J Frame Centennial format.

My top choice for a "true pocket" pistol if you can live with .380. The Seecamp. It's a masterpiece in stainless steel.

LWS-J-3.jpg
 
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...I always demanded my rookies buy one...for backup on duty and to have something off-duty at all times...and always suggested steel or stainless Jframes...I've carried the M60 2"...hammer bobbed...these days my backup is the 649 Bodyguard stainless...a lot of the young officers carry the lightweight Jframes...I like to practice a lot and the steel frames are easier to shoot a lot and carry just as easily in pocket, boot, or on vest strap or inside pocket....
...a pocket gun is for grab-and-shoot in a situation where it must be adequate to stop the threat...and to grab a backup suggests you've lost control of the situation and are fighting for your very life...so you want something simple and ultra-reliable...I've carried .22Mag revolvers in J-size....22Mag derringers(DA), .380 PPK....380 Beretta doublestack, .357 derringer, .44Spl. 3"...as well as full-sized...none of which beat the simplicity of a 5-shot Jframe snub...
...lots of .32 and .380 and 9mm pistols in pocket size...no experience with the new sub-sized ones...whatever you choose...you need to practice more with it than you do your primary...if you need it...you really need it....
 
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