[marshall3]

Here's my definition of the ideal pocket gun:
a Kel-Tec P-11

http://www.mouseguns.com/ideal.htm

What gun do YOU consider to be the ideal pocket gun?

[GEM]

Not to be a downer but two friends of mine had them and found them unreliable. They were not up to the fluff and buff stuff as it didn't help and they went for snubbie revolvers instead.

[Mossyrock]

Well, the one that gets my attention is the Rohrbaugh 9mm. I haven't had the opportunity to handle or shoot one, but the photos and feedback from owners looks promising. Lower capacity than the Kel-Tec, but MUCH better made....and 4 times the price. Go figure....

[kngflp]

I love mine I will have it back from kel tec on Monday. I sent it in for a hard chrome job. My trigger was also feeling kind of "stagey" so the nice people at Kel Tec replaced all of the internal parts of the gun for me, and have it shipped in less than half the time the quoated. Lifetime warrantys are cool. I have around 2000 rounds through the gun and once you get used to shooting 9mm out of such a small gun you never look back. I still carry a full size CZ .40 but there is always a little bulge in my front pocket.

[Vern Humphrey]

I think it's hard to beat the old Colt Detective Special -- that's what I grab when I need a pocket pistol.

[EghtySx]

I'd have to second the Detective Special. That or a Mustang Pocketlite.

I am a Colt guy though and the Kel-Tec just looks like a pocketlite copy to me

[kimbernut]

Depends on the size of your pockets.

EghtySx quote"...I'd have to second the Detective Special. That or a Mustang Pocketlite.I am a Colt guy though and the Kel-Tec just looks like a pocketlite copy to me."

A lot of folks swear by Kel-tec but personally it was not something on which I'd choose to stake my life or the lives of my loved ones.Granted it is not priced like a Colt,S&W,Browning,Kimber,Ruger,Glock,etc.but this is an area that deserves more.

[SONICMASD]

Many leading firearm self defense experts recomend that pocket guns be revolvers because you can shoot them from the pocket and they work flawlessly. If you are walking around with ur hand in your pocket and a BG holds u up, he wont know what hit him. An autoloader will only get one shot off then jam in the fabric. JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

[CougarRed]

Kahr!!

[harrydog]

I'd have to vote for the Rohrbaugh.
No real negatives other than price, which is an issue with many people.

[Alan Fud]

What do I consider to be the ideal pocket gun?

http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f129.jpg

... The Rohrbaugh R9S -- a 9mm parabellum that comes in the size of most 9mm Kurtz!

[MR.G]

I sometimes carry a KT P-11 in my front pocket. I like the eleven round capacity with the compact magazine. My spare magazine is a S&W 59 series 15 round, which works in the P-11. The gun has been reliable so far, with over 300 rounds fired. You do hear some people complain about theirs failing, and that does concern me. They are not built well as some others. My main complaint is that the P-11 is wider than my other pocket guns and does print in the pocket of some pants.

[Russ]

I have a Kel-Tec 3AT. While only a .380, it fits in my pocket and in a pinch it would do the job. Mine has been 100% reliable and I have had it for over 2 years. If I had bigger pockets and and even larger pocket book I might think about a Rohrbaugh. However, I really like having a gun that weighs in at 10 oz fully loaded if I carry in my front pocket. Since I have to wear tucked in shirts at work, the 3AT works great for me.

My thought is shoot till you run out of ammo and then run the other way as fast as I can with a caliber smaller than 9mm and even then, I don't know. Fortuneatly I have neverr had to shoot in self defense.

[bigmike45]

I started out carrying a Stainless Ruger SP101, then went to the Kel-Tec P11 and have finally settled on the Taurus PT-145 in .45acp. Shoots straight, everytime I pull the trigger and is in my preferred caliber. Just a hair larger than the other 2 but I prefer the 10+1 coming out of that big hole in the business end.

[sm]

The smallest caliber's I am comfortable with is 38spl, or 9mm - depends on platform. While I do have a reliable Keltec P-11, I really feel the J frame, and Det Spls are really hard to beat. The Taurus 85 is another I know folks use.

Still think if the old I frame were made again , it would certainly fill a niche today...

[P95Carry]

I am (of course!) with Alan ... if at all possible to meet the high price then the R9 is IMO the definitive pocket piece.



http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/cb_gun2/r9-2-s.jpg

[Ala Dan]

Seecamp .32 ACP

Made of stainless steel construction which is good for those
persons required to carry 8 (or more) hours a day. A lot more
RELIABLE than a Kel-Tec. Even harder to find, but more
pricey than a Kel-Tec .32 ACP.


FootNote: Kel-Tec .32 ACP = $239.95
Seecamp .32 ACP = $459.95

[Skyviking]

Kahr PM9, followed by the Rohrbaugh, with a S&W M-638 or 642 hard on their heels. What I'd really like to see is a scandium or airweight 940.

[denfoote]

I'd love to have the Seecamp.
My budget ain't gunna stand it, though!!
Sooooo, I plod along with my P3AT.
It's fixed now, you know!!

[3rdpig]

Seems like some here base how good a gun is by either how much it costs or how pretty it is. How many of you bashing Kel-Tecs have ever owned one, and owned one for more than a few weeks? I've heard bad things about the R9's too, unreliability and lack of durability, but since I've never owned one I don't spread it around. What do you folks who say the Kel-Tecs aren't built well base this opinion on? The fact that it's not expensive or not pretty? Or do you have some solid facts to base that opinion on? If so I'd like to hear it. I've got 2, a P32 and a P40 and I've yet to see any signs that they aren't made well. Neither are highly finished or polished to a shine, but the materials used are of good quality as is the construction. And both are very reliable. But that's only two examples, I'd be more than willing to listen to any solid proof that they're poorly made. Please, no anecdotal evidence, it's of no more value than me saying that because my two are good then they all must be good. Oh, and please don't say something like "Dude, just hold a Kel-Tec in one hand and a Kimber in the other and you'll know the Kel-Tec is junk, you can just feel it!". I've heard that before and it's BS.

I've asked this question on more than one gun board and have yet to see any real proof that Kel-Tec's aren't well made.

[RoyG]

Seems like some here base how good a gun is by either how much it costs or how pretty it is.

Have to agree with you. I have seen people with Kimber and Les Beur 1911s look at my RIA bash it for being cheap. Then I watch as they have FTE and FTF. They then blame the ammo. These are the same guys that have put all their money into a high end handgun that are afraid to carry it because it will devalue it. So it becomes a safe queen and they never get it working good enough to depend on it.

The P3ATs are going for a little over 200 here. Take another 100 for ammo and you should have a gun you are not afraid to goto when you need it. Nor are you always worried about scratching it.

[Wilson 17&26]

A Kel-Tec P-11 with flush fitting 12 round (formerly LEO) magazine loaded with +P ammo is my away from home carry. But my pocket gun for around the house is a P-3AT or P-32.
http://www.wilson-genealogy.com/pics/p-3atwmags.gif

[jetman]

I've carried .45's for years and don't feel that comfortable with anything less. I had a PM9 but sold it. I replaced it with a PM40 since they haven't made the new .45 version in the PM size frame.

[deputy tom]

I'll stick with my Seecamp .32acp.I tried several kel-tec's in .32 and 9mm with bad results each and every time costing me a small fortune.I did have a NAA Guardian that I regret selling but needed money at the time.I'll get another one some day.I do,however sometimes carry my S&W 642 or 649 in my pocket,but don't really consider them as pocket guns per say.tom.

[MikeJ]

For me, the ideal pocketgun is the NAA Guardian .32. I am always amazed at the size of gun that some people say they can carry in their pocket or else they have some pants that I have never tried on. I simply can't carry anything much larger than the Guardian without a large unflattering bulge printing. I even find that the small Airweight J frames are sometimes too large. Not trying to argue the point it's just that I don't see how they do it.

[Air,Land&Sea]

Good points with "enjoy shooting it" an important one. I had a Tomcat in my hand yesterday ready to buy, but wasn't quite sure about it. Maybe next time.

[Norm357]

They allready make the perfect pocket pistol. The S&W 442 carried in a Hedley holster of course. :D

[Dr.Rob]

Colt's Pocket Nine was pretty dandy... apparently TOO dandy accodding to Kahr... though I did shoot a friend's Kahr mini in .40 cal that was a hoot.

Then coolest pocket gun I ever saw was a Colt Pocket Positive Revolver in nickel with a knuckle duster grip, the trigger guard cut off and the hammer bobbed in .32 New Police... should have bought ti.

[greg531mi]

I love my Colt Pony Pocketlite, small enough for my front pocket, but I love how it fits in my hand....

[Newton]

For the pocket - P-3AT period.

Anything bigger just screams gun, if you don't think so and see a guy looking at you with a knowing look on his face, that would be me ;)

[chaim]

To me the ideal pocket gun in an auto is the Kahr PM 9 or PM 40 (though .40S&W may be too much in this small a gun). It is quite small and trim, 15 or 16oz, and in two very capable calibers. Unfortunately, it is currently a bit out of my price range.

A .380 Kel-Tec isn't bad, though I'd prefer not to get a Kel-Tec (not to mention you can't get them in MD) and while I trust .380 I trust 9mm and up more.

My other "ideal pocket guns" are all revolvers (Taurus 85CH or 850 in aluminum or titanium, Taurus 905I, S&W 642).

[Robert Hairless]

Many leading firearm self defense experts recomend that pocket guns be revolvers because you can shoot them from the pocket and they work flawlessly. If you are walking around with ur hand in your pocket and a BG holds u up, he wont know what hit him. An autoloader will only get one shot off then jam in the fabric. JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

Give it more thought. Use a hammerless revolver if you actually intend to follow that advice: a revolver hammer will snag. Give it even more thought and you might see that you are going to set your pocket on fire unless you wear fireproof clothing. Give it still more thought and you might even see that you can't aim a firearm if you shoot it through your pocket. Give it a lot more thought and its possible to see that this system requires a close frontal attack by one attacker who is willing to stand in front of your gun's muzzle so you can shoot him. If he doesn't cooperate or has friends you will be shot down--in flames.

[EghtySx]

Use a hammerless revolver if you actually intend to follow that advice
Have to agree with that
you are going to set your pocket on fire
beats being robbed, hurt, killed ...

you can't aim a firearm if you shoot it through your pocket
would be tough and not full 360* but if it was small enough you would have a bit of room to aim a little
If he doesn't cooperate or has friends you will be shot down--in flames
at least you go down fighting. better than just submitting to their will


just IMHO of course but I'd rather be armed and fight than be unarmed and do nothing.

[Black Majik]

My first choice would be a Kahr PM9. Next would be a Rohrbaugh R9. :)

[TheDutchman]

My first choice would be "The Cricket" pistol Will Smith used in MIB. Tied Second would be Mustang II or Colt 3rd GEN Detective Special. :)

[MICHAEL T]

Colt Mustang or a PPK/S and a Don Hume pocket holster.

[Big Mike]

Though larger, the best pocket pistol I had was the Glock 26 without the pinky extension. Compromises...

[SONICMASD]

I started out carrying a Stainless Ruger SP101, then went to the Kel-Tec P11 and have finally settled on the Taurus PT-145 in .45acp. Shoots straight, everytime I pull the trigger and is in my preferred caliber. Just a hair larger than the other 2 but I prefer the 10+1 coming out of that big hole in the business end.

thats what i plan on carrying as long as i can control the recoil of the 45, if not the millenium 40 or 9 will do!

[Bobarino]

i guess mine must be the P-11 too because that's what i bought for pocket carry. if it only had something like HK's LEM trigger, then it would truly be the perfect pocket gun.

Bobby