Your favorite small handgun for CCW?

[Noebb]

The 2 part question...



What is your favorite small pocket carry revolver or semi-automatic?
Why?



I currently have a Smith and Wesson 642 2" .38+P – hammerless. It has the S&W internal lock that “may” unexpectedly engage. For a CCW I don’t want to risk a failure of a part so I’m looking to replace my small CCW with something else. (will likely keep the 642, just not carry much) Wish I had of known about that internal lock a few years ago. :banghead:

I have often wondered if an auto would be a better choice for carry in hot weather or pocket carry in jeans because the J frame revolver will often print when doing pocket carry.

IMHO the main reasons for a small pocket CCW is it allows me to easily remove the holster and handgun and store in a vehicle when entering a location that does not allow carry. Also there are many times that clothing will not easily facilitate other types of carry.




.

[orchidhunter]

Noebb, You have what a lot folks think is the best CCW gun on the market today. If you get a small pistol, that will fit in your pocket, you will have more to worry about than the lock on your 642. I trust the lock more than a pocket size pistol. orchidhunter

[bikerdoc]

I think you have a good one already

[KBintheSLC]

I use a Kel Tec P32. Reliable, durable, and tiny. Love it for pocket carry.

[SaxonPig]

A 1964 M40. Got it cheap because it was stored on a boat and was covered with rust. All corroded and ugly it works just fine. Got the stags off eBay for $6.


http://www.fototime.com/7FD61899AF7FFCB/standard.jpg

[esq_stu]

I have used the same 4 CC weapons at various times for the last three years - a G26, a Kahr PM9, a 642 and an SP101. I usually carry the 642 plus one other.

How I carry and how many of the above are carried depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm going (I have carried three).

[Schofield3]

I prefer the j frame myself, no matter what you chose there will always be a positive & negative to it. With an auto you would be looking at a smaller size (easier to fit in pockets), quicker reloading and usually a higher capacity than a small revolver BUT I feel comfortable not having to fumble with slides & safeties and knowing that when I pull the trigger it will go bang and if it doesn’t due to a dud or bad primer, I simply pull the trigger again not having to worry about racking the slide to drop the hammer on a fresh round. Also the shells are kept with the pistol rather than on the ground with an auto…

[rondog]

My current favorite is a S&W model 49, 5-shot revolver, in .38 special, in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. I also have a Bersa Thunder .380, a FEG PA-63 in 9x18 mak, and a RIA Compact 1911 in .45, but the little .38 wheeler is the most comfortable and easy to carry of all. No extra parts or frills, pull the trigger and it goes bang. Loaded with Winchester 147 gr. +P hollowpoints, Canadian law enforcement surplus ammo.

[Claude Clay]

642, p32, p3at, p11,332,OMC 380, 1903(32 or 380)
depends on how you are dressed. colt's are nice with my SIG winter coat. smith's are good for light to heavy weight jacket pocket. k-t's are good warm weather either belt clip or wallet holster.
silver tip or nyclads for all.

[wnycollector]

Another vote for the S&W J frame. I have a 1964 vintage M36 that get carried ALOT in warm weather.

[possum_128]

One more vote for the J frame. 642 here.

[jc650]

J frame S&W MP340 gets the nod here.

[Pilot]

I currently have a Smith and Wesson 642 2" .38+P – hammerless. It has the S&W internal lock that “may” unexpectedly engage.

I don't like the ideas of the lock either, mainly on principal as its a lawyer add on. However, I wouldn't hesitate to carry one and my wife does carry one. If it bugs you that much get a 642 without the lock. S&W is selling them again sans lock.

[Shadan7]

I carry my 642 with no worries at all about the lock mysteriously engaging, the same way I don't worry about the gun mysteriously firing by itself. And I carry it a *lot*.

Small semi-auto? Depends on what you consider small. My Rohrbaugh R9 is the smallest caliber I'll carry. Steyr S9 or M357, if I can get away with them (usually can fairly easily).

7

[bakert]

Not a big fan of the smaller guns but there are time when they come in handy. I bought this little steel frame Taurus 85 some yrs back. Not my every day carry gun but for places where one wants to really conceal a gun it works for me. Although some here bash Taurus products, this one is still going strong after one being carried quite a bit and one helluva lot of practice rds. Very few, if any others, regardless of brand, I would trade it for. :)

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/brumanj/Picture192-1.jpg

[Deanimator]

S&W Model 36-no dash in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Federal 158gr. LSWC-HP +P "FBI" load.

[CoRoMo]

Without hesitation... THE P11

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/images/big/p11_01.jpg

Because...
9mm+P is my personal choice as smallest caliber for CCW
It holds eleven of those nasty little boogers too
The compactness of this pistol is perfect
Mine has been 100% reliable and accurate enough for SD
Features that I prefer like:
Poly frame
Hammerless
DAO w/ heavy trigger
Oh... and I got it NIB for a smokin good price from jimsguns65 (GunBroker Seller)

I'm sure I'll own another one too. Stainless for certain.
Other than that, I don't see another gun taking its place as my 'everyday/everywhere' carry pistol.

[Ringer]

I can't imagine pocket carrying anything in jeans. I rarely pocket carry but if I do it's got to be cargo type pants or maybe a jacket pocket.

PM9
http://home.comcast.net/~ringer1/PM9.JPG

[The Lone Haranguer]

Kahr PM9.

[skoro]

What is your favorite small pocket carry revolver or semi-automatic?
Why?

My favorite pocket revolver: S&W 642. Compact, light, and packs a punch with .38+P ammo.

My favorite pocket SA: KelTec P32. Even smaller, with 7+1 capacity. Able to pocket carry regardless of what I'm wearing and weather conditions.

In Texas, it's sometime too blazing hot even for the 642. Pockets on shorts can be pretty darn small. The P32 always fits, though.

[GrumpyBunny]

Semi-Auto

.45 Colt Combat Commander

Why?
1. Big enough to do the job right
2. just barely small enough to hide
3. Easily recognizable even by those who do not use guns

[thirdeagle]

Hmmm. . .the one that I just bought today! I picked up a Glock 29 a couple hours ago. Why? It's my new jack of all trades: daily carry and a decent gun for totin' through the woods. I can load it up or load it down. It's got the best balance of any Glock I've ever held. I love the long somewhat mushy trigger as it reminds me of the DA pull of a decent tuned wheel gun. It feels like a natural extension of my hand. Oh yeah. . .(mops drool off keyboard).

[possum]

my favorite is my kahr k-40, but would love too and do plan on getting a small s&w revolver in the future.

why semi auto, it is dao and that is what i like, reloads are quick and i have spare mags that are easy to wear/ conceal. and i just like semi autos better.

[2nd 41]

My next buy will be a 642. I always trusted my Mod 37. The 642 will replace the 37. You can get more reviews on http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve

[MICHAEL T]

You got the best carry in a rev. That lock has only been a problen in the silly lite mag revolvers. From what I read. It can be removed . But I wouldn't worry about it.
In auto pocket carry I perfer my 380 KT ,Colt Mustang , or my old stand by PPK/S.

[brin747]

I love my 642! It disappears in my pocket. So light I can't feel it and so well concealed even my wife doesn't know when I'm carrying.

[Meadows117]

S&W 638 everyday in the front right pocket. The others go in a ... man purse... but hey its camo.

[Legacy 6]

I have to say I like my PM9 for the pure size of it... but as I'm finding out, there is a LONG break-in period on this... especially with a 6 to 8 +1round capacity and magazines cost $30 each.

I also have an HK P30. It's not a pocket gun, but I can acutally carry it successfully under my armpit using a shirt from www.concealmentt.com

Then I also have a sub-compact SA XD9. GREAT little gun!!!

[buenhec]

Kahr MK9

[Kevin108]

When I have to pocket carry, I have a Raven. .25 is pretty anemic but the gun is beautiful and has been very reliable.

[S&Wfan]

I bought a Kel-Tec P-32 a few years ago for those times when things had to be very small and discreet (and thus the lightweight Kimber Ultra CDP .45 was even too small).

Then . . . I bought a "new" (to me) 1964 S&W Model 36 . . . and then soon followed by a "new" (to me) 1971 Model 37. Both were/are literally "like new" and don't have the damn lock on 'em.

The M37 has turned out to be so small, light, accurate and totally discreet (in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster), that I seldom even strap on the 3" Kimber anymore!

The Airweight S&W revolvers rule the concealed market for two very good reasons . . . they are perfect for this purpose . . . and they WORK!

T.

"Beware of the man with a revolver. Chances are, he's mastered using it!"

[M&PVolk]

I'm a fan of the J frame for pocket carry. I sometimes will carry a S&W 637 (a hammer design 642). My wife has a Bersa .380 which I sometimes have occasion to "borrow"...it too makes a great pocket gun. I carry both in Duluth jeans. Rugged, durable and perfectly sized pockets.

[zammyman]

Kimber Pro Carry II... I know it's not a small handgun by any means, but with a good IWB holster its low profile hides very well!

[ArchAngelCD]

Yet another vote for a S&W J frame revolver.

[owlhoot]

I have three J frames. I like them fine. But I found the perfect (for me) carry gun several years ago, the Kahr MK9. I don't front pocket carry so I don't mind the bit of extra weight. The MK9 is a wonderful gun but not for front pocket carry.

[Keoni]

My favorite pocket carry is the Kel-Tec P3AT. It's light,accurate, reliable and easily concealed. I take it with me when I can't carry a gun.

[theken206]

Glock 26/27

[CDH]

The OP likes the 642 but doesn't like the lock. So buy a brand new one without the lock and sell the one with the lock to someone who "wants" a lock.
I believe there are still some of the "no-lock" 642's for sale at this time.

As to suggestions, I do have a 642 with no-lock that I like quite a bit, but for "deep conceal" carry, there's no question that I go with my 9mm Rohrbaugh R9S Stealth. Holster carry or pocket carry; works either way.

[WC145]

My favorite and everyday, all the time gun, whether by itself or as a BUG behind something else, is my S&W 360 9mm. It was customized by Mark Hartshorne at Pinnacle High Performance.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee17/wc145/gun6.jpg

[mgkdrgn]

NAA Black Widow in 22 magnum.

Small enough to carry ALL the time here in South Carolina (I'm mainly a shorts and Tshirt guy), and a big enough bite (and bark ... think "noisy cricket") to get the point across.

When it's colder (like today), I swap it out for my Glock 26.

[ashtxsniper]

kahr p40

[PcolaDawg]

For me it's the Smith & Wesson Model 642 J Frame, it's almost so easy to carry it's scary, because I forget I have it and end up taking it places I'm not supposed to.

After that it's my Kimber Ultra Carry. Nice little gun for a .45, but too heavy to be effective (for me) as an every day, every situation CCW weapon.

[rdrancher]

Times are tough and money's tight. You already own the 642, so just disable the lock and keep carrying it. You can learn to carry it in your front pocket, you just have to want to. You'll be the only one that knows it's there.

rd

[test drive]

Astra firecat or zastava mod 70

[IMTHDUKE]

http://photos.gafana.com/photos/1056252740996510803930.share.jpg

[mongo4567]

Keltec P3AT, .380 isn't the greatest but I always have it with me.

[Gunner4h1r3]

I use a Smith 638 with 135 gr +p gold dots. I also, from time to time, use a SIG P230 loaded with Golden Sabres, or a Charter Bulldog DAO loaded with either winchester silver-tips or georgia arms gold dots.

[wyocarp]

.357 magnum in the S&W 340 SC

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn286/wyocarp/HPIM0044.jpg

[jlh26oo]

Does a P2000 count as small (only 2lbs loaded L.O.L.)? It's the smallest I have now since I dumped the Kahr P.M. 9 and GLOCK 36, but those I.M.O. were two 1st class C.C.W.'s that deliver quite a bit in such small packages. That 36 is about as thin and light a belt gun as you could want, and it's a .45 A.C.P. no less. O.T.O.H. the P.M. 9 would be good in the pocket or belt, at 16oz and wafer thin.

I want a Sig in .380 A.C.P. but there is a much bigger drop-off to it from 9mm than there is to 9mm from either .40 S&W or even .357 mag (in a snub), but that's J.M.O. and Y.M.M.V. I wouldn't worry about that lock too much on your S&W.

[jbauch357]

G26 - before that I carried an SP101 .357 mag 2 1/4" barrel.

The G26 is easier to conceal, more comfortable to carry, has over twice the round capacity, I can deliver twice the rounds on target in the same amount of time, and it's cheaper to practice with.

[Noebb]

Looks like I'll be keeping my J frame with the internal lock. I hate selling anything that goes bang and it does not sound like it is that big of a risk, I'll eventually get another J frame for CCW and keep the one with the lock in the safe.

But I do want to try a small auto. That will probably my next CCW, maybe a Christmas present. I have large autos but carry of those is limited to accommodating clothing and the winter clothing.

So here is my plan.

1- Review the smaller autos that are recommended here, pick one, and see how I like a small auto at the range and in the pocket.
2- Save for another J frame in 38+P or 357 with out an internal lock. (2 is better than one)
3- Find new and better ways of CCW that will allow me to carry more comfortably in the less carry friendly clothing (question for another thread).


I'm still interested in everyone's favorite small/pocket friendly CCW handgun. Keep them coming.

[KyJim]

The SW J-frame is a great pocket pistol. I wouldn't worry about disabling the lock either. The chances of a failure have to be one in hundreds of million or more -- much less than a serious jam of some type with a semi-auto. I carry one or, on occasion, a Colt Mustang .380 because it is flatter.

[hawk45]

G26.. with a G17 spare mag

[Tamlin]

I have a Kahr P9 covert (same size as the PM9 but with a 1/2" longer barrel). I considered the Glock 26, but the Kahr is so much thinner. No safety, just a strong DAO trigger pull. I used to have a Keltec P11 - great gun - but to me the recoil was sharper than I wanted in such a little gun. The Kahr's ergonomic design cuts that recoil sharpness in half. (btw, I'm not recoil-sensitive - I regularly shoot 357 and 44 magnums).

Check out the SmartCarry rigs. I carry wearing shorts all the time.

[Kind of Blued]

I carry a 642 and PM9 daily and much prefer the 642.

I simply trust it, and that goes a long way.

I had ONE malfunction in my PM9 on round 25 or so during the "break-in period". I have had no problems in the 1000 rounds since.

My J-frame has never had a malfunction in 2,000 rounds and probably 5,000 dry fires. There also was no "break-in period". ;)