[kjaniak]

Reading the thread on pocket guns got me thinking. I would love it if someone would come out with a revolver in-between a J frame and a NAA mini in size. Maybe something in a .32 H&R caliber. I know there are alot of small pocket autos but I wonder why no revolvers. You would think the demand would be there just for another deep concealment choice. Any thoughts?

[carpettbaggerr]

I think Casull's pocket revolver is that size.

http://www.casullarms.com/images/ca2000sm.jpg

I do wish he'd bring out the .32 version the website's been promising for so long.

[SapperLeader]

Taurus is unveiled a I-Frame 9mm and 17 caliber revolver last year at SHOT. I heard a lot about it a the begininng of the year but not anything recently. Seems like a cool idea, and a I-frame would be nice for dress clothes with shallower pockets.

[RON in PA]

Too small and a weapon becomes too difficult to manage. J-frames are easy to stuff in one's pocket esp. in a pocket holster.

[Vern Humphrey]

My Detective Special goes in my pocket very well-- I use a handkerchief to cushion the bottom of the pocket and prevent wear through -- as well as to break up the outline.

To draw, I simply put my thumb on the hammer as I grip the gun, to prevent snagging on the way out.

[Bob79]

Kjaniak-

I think that would great if there was something in between a J-frame and NAA mini size. I currently have both, but its a matter of personal preference really. I just can't understand how people post frequently saying "my J-frame just sits so nice in my front pants pocket", where they heck do these people buy pants? You shouldn't have to purchase your wardrobe working around your guns. I personally think small autos are problematic, unlike mid-full size which function better, & overall I would rather have a wheel-gun ALL DAY.

I would rather have a .32HR revolver over any "pocket-sized" auto any day, and with the slightly over-sized grip that NAA sells (GSO-M) you can get a good grip on the little NAA mini. So mechanically I think it would be very easy to make a gun smaller than a J-frame, but larger than the NAA mini. Obviously you'd be limited on caliber, but heck like you said .32HR would be great, just as good if not better than any .380 round, and to have 5 or 6 "for sure", that would be kick a**! :p :)

[HiWayMan]

You could always try to find a Colt Banker's Special. I believe that is a D-Frame. My Buddy used to have one, but sold it at a show. I cried when he told me. I wanted that colt so bad.

[MrMurphy]

I carried an allsteel S&W 649 Bodyguard .38 in an Uncle Mike's holster, front pocket of my Wranglers for nine months. Never had a problem. And I had the Wranglers before the S&W. Standard Walmart pairs.

[Joe Demko]

There are NAA minis and then there are NAA minis. The grip on the .22lr frame is rather too small. The magnum frame, OTOH, I have found to be just about ideal in size. I never did hear any details, but apparently NAA experimented with producing one of their minis in .32acp, but discarded the idea. Never handled one, but I've read in a couple different places that the Casull mini has a trigger pull that only Godzilla could love.

[bigmike45]

Please dont leave out the Ruger SP101 in .357mag. Its a 5 shot revolver that can be had in SA/DA or DAO(hammer spur gone) mode. It has fixed sights and drops into a pocket cleanly.

[Bob79]

I can't believe that more people aren't piping up on this topic. Seems to me the biggest complaint I hear about people who don't carry or don't want to carry revolvers is their size, even the snubbies. I know the other complaints are number of rounds & reload speed also, but I still contend the #1 beef is their size/bulkiness.

So why not make a smaller revolver frame??? I like my NAA mini (which no one can argue is too big) but if there were a revolver smaller than a J-frame that fired a decent round I'd own that instead of the NAA mini. Heck if they made a .32 HR mag that only held 4 rounds I'd carry it, even though I can't see why they couldn't make a 5-shot.

I don't know, I guess the J-frame is small enough for enough people that a smaller wheel-gun isn't that in demand :( :( :( :(

[B36]

That's a way of life for me. I like to carry more than one gun, usually two primary, and one backup.

Not hard to do if you want to do it. :)

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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Please dont leave out the Ruger SP101 in .357mag. Its a 5 shot revolver that can be had in SA/DA or DAO(hammer spur gone) mode. It has fixed sights and drops into a pocket cleanly.
---------------------------------

I bought an SP101 for my daughter. It's a bit stiff for someone with weak hands, but a fine gun. I don't really see that either a hammer or a slightly longer barrel hurts, either.

Personally, I sometimes simply drop a Colt Detective Special in my right front pants pocket. Cushion it with a handkerchief, and practice putting your thumb on the hammer spur as you draw.

[Bart Noir]

Off Topic but I live dangerously! B36, I sure like your sig line. Sorta wish I could have seen & heard one fly over. Did they shut down the jets for cruise? Musta been a flight engineer's headache to keep track of two different fuel systems.

Bart Noir

[Skofnung]

I wouldn't want to go less than .38 caliber, so do you think it would be possible to make a 3 or 4 shot revolver on a smaller frame? I never had a problem with my model 36 when I had it, but just for the sake of argument...

[fastball]

Okay, it is supposedly a J frame but is so small and light it is more "I" in my HO. Yes, it is just a .22 but what a fine little piece of 9oz. 8 shot She-Devil it is. And 8 Stingers is better than a sharp stick or a dirty look. Pocket carry is a breeze. A set of Hip Grips and you never know its there. :rolleyes:

[22luvr]

I found a J-frame revolver just fine for pocket carry in the right holster, as long as I wore pleated Docker-style pants. I found that as soon as I sat down or kneeled, the gun seemed to double in size and got very lumpy in a hurry.

My NAA .22 mag mini-revolver has NAA's oversized rubber combat boot grips on it and I carry it in an Uncle Mike's size 1 pocket holster. Sure, the round is not a man-stopper but I'd sure hate to step in front of one of those CCI Maxi-Mag Plus-V rounds. And talk about concealment; the gun is all but invisible, regardless of what I wear.

Since I live a fairly sheltered, quiet life, I find myself toting either my NAA mini or my Kel-Tec P-3AT.

I'll bet more than one manufacturer is investigating the possibility of developing such a concept but the technology isn't there just yet.

[Fletchette]

I just picked up a S&W scandium. Extremely light - very easy to carry. It is still the same physical size of a standard J-frame, though.

.357 kicks like a mule; I will probably use .357 cases downloaded to .38 special loads. I would love to see S&W make a scandium .32 H&R Mag! It would seem to be the perfect caliber for the light frame. I know it isn't as powerful as their current .38/.357 but it would be much more user friendly. I would think a scandium .32 H&R mag would see a great market with woman gun owners (or anyone who really doesn't like excessive recoil).

[The Rabbi]

Flechette,
Smith Model 431 (hammer) or 432 (hammerless). 6-shot 32H&R at 13.4 oz. Ask and ye shall receive.

To draw, I simply put my thumb on the hammer as I grip the gun, to prevent snagging on the way out.

DRAW?? One of the reasons I carry my bodyguard in my left front pants pocket is so I can shoot through the pants if I need to without drawing.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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DRAW?? One of the reasons I carry my bodyguard in my left front pants pocket is so I can shoot through the pants if I need to without drawing.
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Have you noticed what's hanging right next to your left front pants pocket? :D

[The Rabbi]

For all the use it gets..... :D

But point well-taken. I always worried the shot would deflect off the zipper and....ouch. Still, the ability to point the gun at a potential assailant without anyone knowing it it worth a lot to me.

[Vern Humphrey]

An overcoat or jacket pocket would be better -- if you intend to shoot through it. Personally, I like to carry my M1911 and my Colt DS in holsters -- the gun in the pocket is a sort of afterthought thing, when the wife calls "I'm going out the door now." If I'm not wearing a gun, I drop one in the pocket as I leave the house.

[Bob79]

I'm glad we're getting more people posting here :) .

I agree with Fletchette 100%, a 32 HR mag would be truly awesome in scandium/titanium from S&W. There's no reason though that they couldn't build it right now, if the current J-frame can handle .357, then it could handle the .32HR mag.

But they need to scale down the frame size some more, make it DAO, have it end up at like 8 or 9 ozs unloaded, make it a 5-shot, chambered for .32 HR mag, and you've got the perfect CCW. I'm sorry but, the J-frame is just still a little too bulky/big, and I have a 342PD that I love to death! But there are times that it is still too big! Believe I'm full of BS about the J-frame being too big??? Hhhmmmmm......I wonder why NAA is making a nice profit on their minis? Maybe because people want/need a smaller gun?

And with the oversized Hogue rubber slip-on grip, the NAA is very controllable, I just shot it last night for the first time ever, and was able to keep 90% of my shots on a paperplate at 15-20 feet. I'm not talking about making a "new revolver" tiny like the NAA mini, but make it smaller than the J-frame.

[Vern Humphrey]

I repeat, having ridden Cyclos in Vietnam, and fired extra light-weight snubbies, I have come up with two rules; never ride in a vehicle that wants to use you for the bumper, and never shoot a gun that weighs less than the bullet. :D

[Bob79]

Yes there is an obvious increase in recoil with the light weight snubbies. But they are still solid guns with their place in Concealed Carry. Shooting the 342PD I find I just grip a little tighter, and the recoil isn't too bad. But to each is own, one shouldn't simply dismiss the gun because its so light, you should try it first. I have now shot 300+ rounds with zero problems.....pull trigger, gun go bang, every time.

And no one is saying build a smaller gun, but keep it the same caliber. You'd obviously have to use a smaller caliber. But theres thousands of people right now who carry a .32 or .380 for SD, and .32 HR mag is slightly better. I know the whole caliber argument "I won't carry anything less than.....", fine if you're willing to sacrifice size/comfort/concealability I've got no problem with that. I'm sure we'd all carry .357 mag, 45 auto, or 10mm if we could, but the fact is you can't always do that, so it would be nice to have a gun with the reliablity of a revolver to complement other guns.

[Vern Humphrey]

As I said earlier, in the furture it will become common for the grandkids to go trough grandpa's effects after his funeral and find his ultra-lightweight snubbie, with the original box of shells, only six rounds missing. :D

Ultra lightweights are truly expressions of the "carry a lot, shoot a little" philosophy. But guns are carried to be shot -- in extreme danger. So going down in caliber and power doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. I carry a full-size M1911 with no problem, and at times a Detective Special. Neither of those represent any great burden.

[B36]

Bart, the J47 engines ran on 115/145. Normally used for takeoff, climbout, hi altitude..40k up, and landing.

A great bird :) ..had about 2000 hours in the B36 as Radio/ECM operator.

Vern, have you practiced shooting from a pants pocket? What were the results?

[carebear]

Again, please name the frikin' brand of pants you guys wear. :eek:

I wear mostly relaxed fit Levi's 505's and Carhartt single panel jeans (fitted but not tight) and can't get either my 85Ti or Mustang in or out of the front pocket (and the butt of the Ti still sticks out) unless I'm standing upright and have time to work at it. Sitting down? Fuggidaboutit.

And shoot out of a PANTS pocket? How do you turn the gun to face forward? Heck, how do you get your wrist cranked over? How big of a pocket and how oversize are your pants?

I don't disbelieve any of you but (except for the pleated Docker option) I just have never been able to functionally pull off front pocket carry with anything resembling practical access. I do dress around my belt gun but I am not gonna wear parachute pants or stuff an all-steel pig like the SP101 in any trouser I can think of.

Pictures or brands maybe? This little Bear can't figure it out. :confused:

[kjaniak]

Good discussion guys.....

My thinking was this. A gun being light does always mean it is small. Like someone else said, NAA mini's sell for a reason and I don't think it is to target shoot with....HAHA. I love the J frames don't get me wrong but sometimes conditions just warrent something smaller. A in-between NAA mini and J frame, IMO, would fill a niche market that is there. The revolver would be a choice for the people that have had bad luck or are uncomfortable using a small auto. Kel Tec's, Tomcat's, Seacamp's, etc.. all sell fairly well. How about a 4 shot .32 mag, moon clipped .380.....heck even a .25. I know if it was put out by a decent maker, and was reliable, I would by one in a second.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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Vern, have you practiced shooting from a pants pocket? What were the results?
--------------------------------

Nope, I was only issued two cojones, and I want to keep them both. :D

Quote:
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Again, please name the frikin' brand of pants you guys wear.
-------------------------------------

I mostly pocket carry with something like Dockers. But I buy my jeans (Wranglers, not Levis -- Levi doesn't support the 2nd Amendment) for comfort and I can conceal my Detective Special in a front pocket.

[carebear]

I still think "Dee-wight Yoakum-style Strangler's" when I think Wrangler's. I guess it is time to give them another look-see.

Still don't see front pockets giving reliable, speedy access when seated tho. Maybe I still want my pants a little too tight.

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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Still don't see front pockets giving reliable, speedy access when seated tho. Maybe I still want my pants a little too tight.
-------------------------

They don't give good access when sitting -- pants like pleated dockers are a bit better than jeans, but a good holster is a better option.

If you have to carry in a pocket, carry in a jacket pocket. A gun in a jacket pocket is far more accessable, even when sitting.

[The Rabbi]

I have to admit I wear the pleated Dockers exclusively. Maybe if I wore jeans I'd have problems.
Anyone looking for smaller may want to consider the oooold Smith top-break in .32S&W. I'll bet they're even older than Vern. It is smaller than a j-frame, cheap, pretty accurate, and while a .32S&W isnt anyone's idea of a one shot stop I'd rather have that than a .22 or nothing.

[Vern Humphrey]

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Anyone looking for smaller may want to consider the oooold Smith top-break in .32S&W. I'll bet they're even older than Vern.
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I resemble that remark!

Come around here where I can get you with my cane, you young whippersnapper! :D

[GEM]

There was discussion on the NAA site's board that there was thought of or demand for a scaled up mini in 32 HR or maybe a tip up.

There was also talk on the Smith board of a 639 type in Sc and 9mm.

Haven't seen either yet :(

[MICHAEL T]

Bob 79 I carry the following in my L/front pocket. (not at same time of course )

PPK/s
Colt Mustang
Charter Arms snub.
All are carried in a pocket holster in regular Wal Mart jeans and no one has notice yet.

[SapperLeader]

I would love two different "new styled" pocket guns. I have no issues pocket carrying when Im wearing my 5.11 pants, but jeans and dress pants ahve different issues. My jeans have large pockets, but they are not very deep. A i-frame in 9mm would be great, as it would sit lower in the pocket, not just below the top like my j-frame does now. I also would like the scaled up mini NAA could develop. Still singleaction and simple like the .22 version, but built beefier for .32 h&r. Something like this could drop in a dockers or suit pocket with ease.
Too Recap - smaller DAO j-frame type gun - most probally a I frame in 9mm or maybe .32 h&r.

A NAA mini in .32 h&r

[sgt127]

Ya know....If Smith came back out with their little frames again...made out of Ti and SC and all that other cool stuff..And chambered it for .38 S&W...and somebody loaded up a bunch of +P+ .38 S&W (.38 S&W Magnum?)....you could sure use a shorter frame and cylinder than the current J frame..Maybe belt the .38 S&W Magnum so some idiot doesn't load it in grandpa's H&R Topbreak.....? With current hotter powders and good bullets....Of course, we would have just reinvented a 9mm revolver if it were properly sized....

[tim71]

I have the perfect gun for you guys. It is smaller than a J frame and even though it's no longer made, it's still very plentiful. RG .22! 6 awesome shots of .22 short and quality that's, well....legendary we'll say.

Tim

[MrMurphy]

Wrangler relaxed fit jeans fit a J-frame just fine. And yes, you can draw seated with a little practice... lean back a tiny bit and yank it hard. Hammerless design being needed.