[Old Sarge]

I have a Beretta Jetfire 25, that is OK, but mighty short on firepower, for any kind of protection. Was thinking of trading up to a S&W642 for a pocket carry weapon. Would the 642 be too large for this? Or would you recommend an automatic? I realize there are those who will favor a revolver, where others favor the autos. Just trying to get a feel for what would be a good trade up. Thanks for your response.

[Soybomb]

I think the 642 is a great choice for pocket carry despite generally prefering autos. If it prints the outline doesn't scream gun to people like an auto does and its a better defensive round than any .380.

[El Tejon]

As long as one is aware of the many disadvantages of pocket carry and uses a holster, I see nothing wrong with the Smith J frame. The 638, 642, inter alia are excellent choices.

[MICHAEL T]

My self I go for a 380 for pocket carry. A good holster and a Bersa CC is a great pocket gun 8 +1 of 380 against 5 in j frame. The auto is also easlier to shoot than a J frame .

[Border]

I generally have my 342PD unless I feel the need for deep cover then it's my Seacamp with wallet holster in .32. I don't worry much about caliber. Odds way to low it would ever matter. I take greater risks skydiving and hunting bears with a stickbow.:D

[Cosmoline]

I've experimented with pocket carry for everything from J Frame wheelguns to Glocks. The small autos tend to print worse than you'd expect and I find them somewhat slow to draw. The small frame wheelguns, OTOH, seem to have been made for pocket carry. My current carry piece is a Colt DS with a basic Galco horsehide pocket holster. It prints like a wallet, and draws as easy as kiss my hand.

the many disadvantages of pocket carry

Not sure about that. I've found pocket carry to be the fastest and best means of carry, next to in the hand.

[revjen45]

I carry a Steyr S9 in the rt front pocket of cargo pants with a shirt that hangs over the pocket- plus a .38 snubbie in a back pocket. During winter I carry in the pocket of an overcoat. I can have my hand in my pocket, on my gun without arousing the bed wetters.

[bladecp]

I may be new here, but that is not the case when sitting down. Also, if you front pocket carry, it can alert a BG since he's be expecting you to reach for your rear wallet pocket. IWB at 3:30-4:00 is much better in that situation. I'm not talking about jacket pocket carry...only pants pocket.

[CZ-100]

I went with a Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) for pocket carry

[C96]

I like a 442 in a Kramer pocket holster. Works well in slacks or jacket pocket.

There is a great thread on life with a 642 @ http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=314422

Allan

[Travis McGee]

I'd suggest the KelTec P3AT in .380. Much superior defense round, in a very small slim package. The long DAO trigger makes it safe for pocket carry.

[Cosmoline]

I'd suggest the KelTec P3AT in .380. Much superior defense round

.380 is superior to .38 LSWCHP in what universe?

[MIL-DOT]

I've been into pocket-carry for a while now, carrying a Glock-26. Never had anyone look twice at me. There have been a couple times i didn't like a situation, and my hand calmy wrapped around it, there would have been no drawing problems.I'm often wearing stuff that doesn't lend itself to holsters,(semi-baggy shorts) so pocket carry works for me.

[the iron horse]

Anything relvolver

I have owned a few autos and in my my experience, they can jam at times.

A revolver will not.

With practice you can get rounds off as fast, if needed, as an auto and no worries about a problem occuring at a bad time.

my 2-cents

[The Lone Haranguer]

I personally prefer the Kahr PM9 to a lightweight snubnose revolver for actual shooting, but that 642 is a good solid choice. It actually has an advantage over the former gun in that it is easier to draw from the pocket due to its shape.

You will need pants with large enough pockets. The pocket not only has to hold the gun, but you need enough room to stab your hand down and bunch your fist around the grip. And you will also need a pocket holster. It will keep the gun from tipping or twisting, break up its outline so it does not look obviously like a gun (the bulge of a revolver's cylinder is a giveaway) and keep lint and other debris out of the gun. A good pocket holster needs to snag on and stay in the pocket on the draw - leaving the gun free to pull up without the holster still stuck on it - without requiring unnatural hand motions to do so. My personal favorite is the Mika's. (http://frontiernet.net~akim)

[LawBot5000]

P3AT and I enjoy the punishing recoil.

[Ed Ames]

The little semi-autos like the P3AT are hard to beat when it comes to power:weight ratio. A P3AT, fully loaded (6+1), in a pocket holster, with a loaded spare mag, weighs 15.15 ounces. That's 13 rounds in a holster. An S&W 37, .38 special airweight, w/ 5 125gr hollowpoints, no holster, weighs in at 15.9 ounces. That's 5 rounds without a holster. Both were weighed on a kitchen scale right in front of me. There is probably some variation but that's the ball park. So in the semi-auto you get 8 more rounds and a holster while shaving nearly an ounce off the total weight and the whole thing looks like an oversized wallet in your pocket.

But... there are other legitimate issues. Five shots you can trust, even from a pocket (though I suspect that's not something you'd want to do in real life) or while the gun is pressed up against something, probably beats 13 shots if you are lucky. Also, the flat pistol shape may not conceal as naturally as the revolver (though I'm not sure I buy that... revolvers are very distinctive to my eyes).

With the probable exception of ultralight .357 revolvers (and that's speculation on my part... I've never actually fired one of those) none of these guns actually qualify as punishing in the recoil department. They kick more than the .25 and .22 variants but they probably won't leave you sore after visiting the range.

[eric.cartman]

I've been pocket carrying S&W 442 for last 5 months now.
If I have to dress up nicely or something, I take my wifes KelTec P32.

Both are great for pocket carry in cargo, shorts, and even tight jeans.
Although the KelTec has the advantage of being much smaller and lighter.

Next, I want to give Khar PM9 a try.

[outofbattery]

It's a matter of personal taste and style but I can't pocket carry anything larger than my Seecamp.I really don't like anything that large in my pocket and couldn't pocket carry many of the things some people do,but obviously options and opinions vary.

[denfoote]

The P3AT is a good choice.
However, mine has been retired in favor of the new PF9.
I carry it in a DeSantis Nemesis.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/PF9rigsmall.jpg

[Zeke/PA]

Last week I purchased a S&W 638 to satisify my needs for a smaller Concealed Carry.
I tried two or three holster styles an believe it or not I like a pocket carry best of all.
The pistol is small enough to carry in the front pocket of my jeans and is not noticeable at all.
Zeke

[rdrancher]

642-1 or 1970's Charter Arms Undercover everyday - 99.9% of the time in the front pocket. Pocket size and shape determines the holster used - Uncle Mike's #3, Mika, or DM Bullard leather.

rd

[Glockman17366]

I most frequently carry a revolver in my pocket. The gun is a Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite.

Pocket carry is extremely convenient...and being convenient means one is more likely to carry a firearm.

That's my humble opinion...

[researchdoc]

Sarge... good to see you made it over from PDO.
I like the 640.
But, if auto is your thing.. I was looking at that Ruger LCP .380 at the SHOT show and it really looks to be super small, and I hear highly reliable.
Check out Quinn's review and video....
http://gunblast.com/Ruger-LCP.htm

[kanderson586]

i have keltec p3at and M&P 340ct, the j frame is the one in my pocket everyday. i trust MY life to one of the most reliable guns ever made. it is also quite comfortable and does not print in a unkle mikes size 3 (although i want to try one of them micas pocket holsters.

[The Wall2]

I front pocket carry a Beretta Tomcat .32. I use a De Santis G2 pocket holter. It is very comfortable and not bad to draw when wearing loose fitting jeans. It's even comfortable when sitting down. I've also started to carry my Springfield EMP in a Galco ankle holster. Didn't think I would like a ankle holster until I tried it. Maybe the gun shop will let you stick it in your pocket to see how it feels.

[Doug S]

It's hard to do better than a 642 in a Mika holster for pocket carry. I've tried the 340, 357 Mag, and it was just too unpleasant to practice with. I've also tried a Kel-tec P32, and although it was a nice gun, it never bred confidence that it could be counted on. Come to think of it, my first pocket carry was a Beretta 950 25 auto. After I had to use it on a domestic duck (long story), and duck didn't seem to notice, I gave it up. The 642 provides a nice balance of power, concealability, and light weight (without the excessive recoil). I was very happy to find a pre-lock 642-1 at a local shop, last week for $365. New ones seem to be up around $400 these days. Some areas may have them for less.

[FranklyTodd]

M&P 340ct . . . is the one in my pocket everyday

+1! :) It's expensive - if on a budget a lightweight +P snub would do just fine, I'm sure. I use a Nemesis pocket holster.