Your choice for pocket pistols?

[Jeb Stuart]

I am not comfortable carrying a pistol with potential energy stored in the firing mechanism. Hence, for me, DA/SA revolvers or DA/SA semi-autos are the order of the day where it requires a trigger pull to "cock" the hammer to fire the gun.

For pocket carry, I'd use a S&W J frame or maybe something like a Kel Tec P-32 or a P3AT.

There may be other guns that fit my specifications, but I have not investigated them yet so do not take my choices to be the "be all to end all".

I'm open to alternate options, but I'll tell you up front that Glocks ain't it.

FYI, my "fuller sized" carry gun used to be a Walther PPK. I recently upgraded to an H&K P30SK.

I Hear ya, and I do not want a short light crisp trigger. I have no problem with a longer, heavier double action. Simply do not want one, or NEED on. Personally I believe it is all about frequent training. Look at the snubbie. You hear comments all the time that they are hard to shoot. Actually they are easy to shoot, just takes time to learn them. I also believe that all of these small pocket guns should not be for beginners. The internet is fond of saying they are not range guns. Well they should be. Mine are all range guns to me.

 

[BigBL87]

When I can't carry my Shield IWB, I have a Ruger LCP II that I pocket carry in a DeSantis Superfly holster. Not my ideal choice as I'd prefer a 9mm, but I can't find one that is small enough that I feel comfortable pocket carrying it. With the Superfly, it looks like a wallet or phone in my pocket.

 

[AABEN]

I carry a Bersa 380 shoulder hoister 15+1 Think I will start to carry my 22 mag 30 round,s

 

[franco45]

I have quite a few pocket pistols. I usually carry a Beretta Pico or a Remington RM380. I have pocket carried my CM9 but I have been carrying it owb since I got a Galco Stinger.

 

[kemikos]

I love my Bullpup9 in a pocket (with a quality pocket holster of course). I realize it's not for everyone, and it's heavier than a lot of other options, but if it's going in a pocket it's hard to beat a pistol with 8 rounds of 9mm+P that's shorter than an LCP...

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I love Pocket Pistols. The Pico is top Dog. Maybe not for a beginner shooter. For 9mm the Mild shooting, low recoil, Nano at 5.63" OAL has won my heart. For semi 9mm the Little Nano takes the Mildness of the Pico into 9mm. Handles Plus P better than my LC9S handles standard ammo. And for the LCR9mm, just a fun gun to shoot and so easy to CCW. Concealability, reliablity, and easy shooting.
My Kahr has CW 380 has broken in Nicely. Also well made, sweet shooter.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who things the .45 Backup is a good firearm. I figured out that most folks who panned them only fired it a few times and since it wasn't comfortable just stuck it in a drawer. The complaints of reliability come mostly from not breaking in the pistols.

Yup - a bit of common sense polishing and a bunch of shooting along with factory mags and a well selected round and it is VERY confidence inspiring. Heavy to be sure but I'm not complaining.

 

[Bandit67]

Glock G43 in a Sticky Holster. IWB or pocket. Both work for me.

 

[TarDevil]

No need to add further suggestions, you've got a barn full.

Ditto to carrying your SR9 tucked. It was a year before I told my boss I was carrying, and he's a gun guy.

I frequently pocket carry my LC9s in all types of clothes, including jeans (back issues have parked the SR9 on the night stand). Only have one pair of jeans and one pair of shorts that are too snug.

I wasn't crazy at the thought of pocket carry until I did, and I wonder why some folks here think it is something to avoid. Unless seated, it's my quickest and cleanest draw yet, with the advantage of discreetly maintaining a shooting grip prior to draw.

Again, seated is an issue, but sounds like you'll be on your feet if the weapon is needed.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Here are some more pictures of the R9:

Here is Olga with an R9:

COuntzerO, tell me more about the R9, sure is a fine looking gun. Didn't another manufacturer copy the design?

 

[kemikos]

COuntzerO, tell me more about the R9, sure is a fine looking gun. Didn't another manufacturer copy the design?

The Remington RM380 is pretty much an exact copy, but chambered in .380. I've heard good things about it, but of course it's not 9mm.

 

[herrwalther]

I carry my PPS M1 in an appendix holster probably 95% of the time. For when I cannot waist carry or have severe body pain it slides into a pocket holster. It bulges quite a bit in some jeans so I have to be selective. Eventually I will get a smaller/deep concealment/BUG/running carry gun. Likely a NAA Sidewinder.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Almost bought a Taurus Spectrum the other day on sales at Brownwell's for $149.00. Was going to get it for just the novelty. Although I have heard they are actually not a bad gun compared to the standard Aluminum Sub-chassis guns that are out there. All of which just do not hold up to frequent range use.

 

[someguy2800]

Almost bought a Taurus Spectrum the other day on sales at Brownwell's for $149.00. Was going to get it for just the novelty. Although I have heard they are actually not a bad gun compared to the standard Aluminum Sub-chassis guns that are out there. All of which just do not hold up to frequent range use.

If you do make sure and get this one so it will match your sneakers. Way to make a gun a fashion accessory Taurus.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

If you do make sure and get this one so it will match your sneakers. Way to make a gun a fashion accessory Taurus.

View attachment 797425

Not my color, Personally would get black or grey. Regardless, Bravo to them for going to a modular-grip where you can change out parts, work on the gun or just replace the grip if one cracks rather than sending it in.. I give them points for that.

 

[jmace57]

Another vote for a 642 Smith. I have been carrying in a DeSantis holster in my front pocket for years. It has never even come close to printing in jeans, slacks or shorts.

 

[fat toney]

DB9 Gen2 front right pocket. Slightly bigger than a 380 bodyguard

My guess...mental health crisis counselor/social worker/CPS

 

[John Joseph]

Mine would be either a Colt 1903, FN Model 1910, Mauser Hsc, or a Beretta 1934
For a revolver, a S&W Centennial

 

[WeThePeople76]

I mostly pocket carry due to living in a relatively warm weather state.. Not too hot though. My Springfield XDS 9mm hides well enough and never leaves me feeling under gunned. The flush fitting mag is 7+1. I’ll carry an 8 rd or 9 rd factory spare. I’ve been looking at the classic S&W Airweight as I used to carry it as an on duty backup. Carry a 9mm. Min.

 

[C0untZer0]

The R9 is probably as small as a 9mm firearm semi-auto can be made and still be reliable. I have no faith in Remington's ability to make the R9s and have them work.

It really makes use of the spring so those get used up pretty fast - they're good for about 200 rounds. I have used my springs out to 250 rounds. It really wants to jump out of your hands when its shot, and the trigger guard almost always thumps my trigger finger on the recoil. The sights are pain black fixed sights milled into the slide.

I have 2 Remington RM380 pistols, one I carry as a backup to my R9 and the other I picked up for $99.00 and is my bathroom gun.

I was going to get a Hi-Point for the bathroom. I go out of my way to make sure the humidity from the shower doesn't go into my bedroom where I have some firearms, and I don't take a firearm with me into the bathroom because I don't want to expose it to all of that humidity. But I really hate it when I'm in the shower and I hear a noise. Every so often I'll be in the shower and I'll hear a noise and I'm not sure if it is the thump of a truck outside putting down its lift gate (or something similar) or someone kicking down my door - I mean I'm in the shower and I have no clue what the noise is. I figured of the stuff on a Hi-Point that can rust most of it is interior and can have oil or light grease on it all of time, so I don't think the guts will be much susceptible to rust and I don't think the ZAMAK rusts from simple humidity and contact with the air. I wanted to get a "bathroom only" Hi-Point, since I don't think there is much on a Hi-Point that rusts, and if a part were to get rusty I'd just scrub the rust and for $175.00 I don't care if it gets a little rust on it.

Illinois has had a melting point law on the books for a while but I would see Hi-Points in gun shops anyway. I don't know what happened - maybe there wasn't enforcement in the past or whatever but now there is, and no one is selling Hi-Points in Illinois.

A lot of people responded that if I just kept a normal steel gun lubricated, it wouldn't rust - even if it was in a bathroom that got steamed up from showering.

Then the Remington RM380 went on sale for $99.00, so I purchased another RM380 for my "Bathroom Gun"

I took it apart, waxed the slide and put grease on the internal parts and now it sits on the tank of my toilet, right next to the shower, been there for 7 months now and not a spot of rust on it. I took it apart today, and the pin would not fall out. I shook it, I tapped it, jiggled it and the pin would not come out. I had to get a toothpick and push the pin out. I did have Lubriplate on the pin, and I think any little bit of grease on the pin means you'll have to push the pin out from the other side.

I don't have any faith in Remington's ability to reproduce the R9 but the RM380 works. I haven't had any problems with the little guns.

 

[C0untZer0]

It does OK for accuracy, at least IMO. This is two handed slow fire of 147gr Winchester RA9T at 21 feet:

 

[d'zaster]

Kahr P380 w desantis pocket holster is perfect. Too bad the reliability of the gun is not.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

My Kahr is very reliable with the right ammo. I buy a lot of PrecisionOne and it runs great. It really is a nice smooth little shooter. I did call Kahr yesterday as I thought they had a new extractor that eats any ammo as the current extractor is what causes some ammo to not feed. But they just have the same one. There is a simple fix if you are interested on Youtube. Simply filing down the extractor a little. Also when talking to the tech at Kahr, he was quick to ask if I wanted to send the gun in. I declined, but nice to know they will work on it.
These guns run smooth, very little recoil, nice sights etc. Here is a good video of the Kahr. I also placed Mag guts into my 7 round mags. And as I said, my Perfered ammo is PrecisionOne Plus P.

 

[bluecollar]

Formal clothes, pocket carry, not picky about caliber? Keltec P32

 

[paulsj]

(How can you not love a G19?
Steve)

I know how you feel Steve.

I carry G19 4th Gen TruGlo night sights, extended slide release (I know Glock does not call it that!)
Cold weather, Sweater/Coat. Otherwise Florida Shirt. So, Same place/Same gun always. Plus spare g17 mag. and Surefire flashlight. Kydex OWB Holster, just behind the right hip bone.

Always carry, in the house, or outside. Just now, right pocket, track pants, left Cell Phone.
Not paranoid in the least, but you never know when you might need a loaded pistol (With lots of BULLets!)

The G19 is a large handgun about the same size as G29. I laughted when someone on here was looking for ankle holster to fit the G29. Nice ankle weight. I would look at G42 or G43.