[Johnny Lightning]

i am wondering how many people have switched to a pocket carry 9mm (cm9, pf9, etc..) from a pocket carry .380 (LCP, p3at, etc...) or do you feel comfortable w/ the .380 pistol as your carry pistol? Also please let me know what you carry, in what holster, and in what type of clothing.

[The_Armed_Therapist]

My pocket carry is a back-up gun only. I value comfort (size) more than power in a back-up gun. The size difference between a Kahr P380 and a Kahr PM9 is quite a bit! If I only carried in the pocket (which, to me, is just silly), then I'd go with the 9mm. As a back-up, I much prefer the .380.

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Kel-Tec P380 in a cheap pocket holster. I wear jeans, khakis, cargo pants, carpenter pants, suit pants, etc... Works with all of them just fine in the front right pocket.

[56hawk]

I have a Kel Tec P-11 that I pocket carry. Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9 is just as small.

[Inebriated]

I have a Glock 26 I pocket carry around the house, and eventually out into the world in when I get my CCW.

[rcmodel]

Kel-Tec P3AT in a pocket holster in hip pocket.

Nobody makes a 9mm as small, flat & light.

Yes, I feel it would be much better then no gun at all.

rc

[Prince Yamato]

None of the micro 9s are as small as their .380 and .32 counterparts. Even the Rohrbaugh is still on the big side for pocket carry.

[RBid]

Kel Tec PF-9, at 4 o'clock, in a low-riding Belly Band. I put it in the 'revolver' pouch, which covers the trigger perfectly, but leaves the grip accessible. It draws very quickly. I also have a spot for my spare mag.

This is extremely comfortable.

[heeler]

I have both.
I find myself carrying the LCP more because it is lighter(12 ounces fully loaded) and much thinner than my PM9.
When I wear cargo shorts many times I then carry the PM9.
With regular fit jeans the LCP melts away.
The Kahr at that point prints and would be slow and clumsy to remove fast.
However,if relaxed jeans are your style the Kahr carrys very easy,does not print,and can be drawn pretty fast.
I like both and prefer pocket carry(in a holster) as my main mode of carry.
Just can't seem to get used to IWB carry.

[C0untZer0]

Kel-Tec P3AT in a pocket holster in hip pocket.

Nobody makes a 9mm as small, flat & light.



The Seecamp is pretty tiny:

Seecamp LWS 380
Caliber:380 ACP
Length: 4.25 in
Height: 3.25 in
Slide Width: .725 in
Width: .91 in
Weight: Pistol 10.5 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

Kel-Tec P3AT
Caliber:380 ACP
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.5 in
Slide Width: .77 in
Weight: Pistol 8.3 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

[jimbo555]

I carry my ruger lc9 mostly in a slide holster owb,but i do carry it in a uncle mikes pocket hoster at times.

[kayak-man]

I don't have a 9mm that I can pocket carry. The only auto I pocket carry is my LCP...

But lately my S&W642 has been riding in my pocket.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

[Johnny Lightning]

So it looks like the .380 is still the dominant pocket pistol. I was thinking of purchasing a small 9mm prob. the cm9 but i might just try to find a good iwb holster for my g26 and keep the lcp for my pocket pistol when the g26 is too big.

[huntsman]

LCP is my EDC in a leather pocket holster, it's goes in everything from bathrobe to jeans.

[Mac Attack]

P3AT in a Bianchi pocket holster. Prior to that I pocket carried a P32 before selling it. If I had the money I would get a Kimber solo or a sig 938 but for now my Keltec will have to do.

[larryh1108]

LCP in a wallet holster. Right rear pocket like a wallet. EZ access. Reliable gun.

[19-3Ben]

Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9 is just as small.

Because they aren't "just as small."

I carry an LCP in my pocket.

[larryh1108]

LCP in a wallet holster. Right rear pocket like a wallet. EZ access. Reliable gun.
I also own a PM9. Great gun. However, it's a tad too big for pants pocket carry.

[frankmako]

pocket carry kel tec p3at everyday.

[dusty14u]

PF9 in all of my cargo shorts and quite a few of my dockers.

[heeler]

Question to the posters that use the wallet type back pocket holster for their micro 380's,I was wondering if you are wearing your shirt tucked in would someone who was behind you in a line at the grocery store etc. be able to see the top of the gun to realize that you are carrying a firearm??

[larryh1108]

http://www.pocketholsters.com/index.html

This is the guy who I buy my wallet holsters from. Very nice quality.
To answer your question, I always tuck my shirt but I like the cargo type
pants or Dockers and the LCP sits low enough that you won't see the top (back) of the grip. The PM9 fits too snug and actually makes it harder to pull it out but it can be done. This guy makes a "fake zipper" (see link) so it looks like a zippered wallet when actually it is just a zipper flap. I've had the Baby Glock and PM9 back there but you'd have to wear your shirt out and it is a tight fit. It actually works in your front pocket as well with the flat (wallet) side out for printing like a front pocket wallet. The larger guns fit better there. If you wear jeans like Levi's or Wranglers then the LCP is probably the biggest to go and it is tight but manageable.

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o435/larryh1108/LCP/LCPWallet111.jpg

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o435/larryh1108/LCP/LCPCompletePkg999.jpg

[Warp]

I go .38spl +P. I find the .380 too weak and the 9x19 pistols too large for a pocket.

I also found the .380 to be lacking in the reliability department. Should have expected as much. Had to learn the hard way. But 5 sure-fire rounds of Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP? Yes please.

[jrdolall]

PF9 works well for pocket carry in cargo shorts which is what I wear around town 90% of the time. The Diamondback is even smaller but I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about reliability so have stayed away.
S&W 642 is also a good choice for cargo pants.
I do not own a 380 but may pick one up soon.


I am not comfortable with pocket carry in the jeans I wear so I use IWB but only for short periods because they are just not comfortable to me.

[heeler]

The other side of the coin.
I found my Smith model 37 Airweight to be constantly peaking out of my front pocket due to it's overall length and the recoil over bearing.
Then there was that cylinder bulge along with the overall length....
Lastly,I could not as hard as I tried to fire it anywhere near as accurate as I could my LCP.
I am done with the snubs.

[Johnny Lightning]

Does anyone have a pocket holster for their. 380 w/ laser that you really like? I dont have a crimson trace yet but would like to get one but there doesnt seem to be many holsters available.

[khegglie]

Need an other choice option for the poll.
For me depending on pocket size: PF9 9mm, P3AT, or S&W Shield .40.

[JohnBT]

Rohrbaugh R9 in my front pocket in a leather Ron Graham back pocket holster (similar to an RJ Headley back pocket.) It's worked in every kind of pants for the past 5 years.

I used to carry a P-32 in one of RJ's holsters and worried that the R9 would be too big or too heavy. Nope.

John

[C0untZer0]

I think the R9 is a nice pocket-nine.

When I think about what I would get as a backup for it, I can't help but think - another R9. The R9 is a pretty good BUG, so if your primary CCW is an R9 then the R9 is the perfect BUG for your R9 ! :D

The only downside to all of it is that I'd be carrying around over $2,000 worth of hardware in my pockets. :)

[DeepSouth]

Neither.
I carry a PM45 in my front pocket.

[2wheels]

S&W 442 (.38Special) when I'm wearing looser fitting cargo pants, Sig P238 (.380) when I'm wearing jeans.

If I ever get the chance to test out a Sig P938 I may switch out my 238, that remains to be seen though.

[1911austin]

I currently use a Kahr P380 or Ruger LCR .357 for pocket carry. I just purchased a Kimber Solo carry and if it proves worthy at the range, it will become my primary pocket pistol.

[ZXD9]

I pocket carry a Beretta Nano. It replaced my SW 642. Two more rounds and much quicker reload.

[kokapelli]

I have a Kel Tec P-11 that I pocket carry. Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9 is just as small.
Really! Here is a P11 and P3AT side by side.
http://mouseguns.com/p11p3at.jpg

[GCBurner]

My compact 9mm is a Glock 26, which is just a little heavy to go in a pocket, for me. In a pocket holster, I carry a .380 P3AT; when I carry the Glock, it rides in a inside the waistband holster, supported by a sturdy belt. If I'm dressed for it, the Glock would be my first choice as a carry gun, but most of the time, the light little Kel-Tec is what I've got on me.

[psyopspec]

I bought a PM9 several years ago and carried it either in a pocket or in an IWB worn at the appendix position from High Noon Holsters. I eventually ditched the pistol due to reliability issues.

The next mouse gun I bought was an Air Lite, carried either IWB, in a jacket pocket, or on the ankle. I still have that gun and it's served me well in the roll of deeper concealment carry. While I liked the idea of the PM9, reliability is my first consideration in a carry gun and I lost confidence in it after it failed to work consistently. 9mm is as low as I'm willing to go for caliber, so I've never given .380 pocket guns a serious look.

[Johnny Lightning]

9mm pocket carry made a comeback!

[jbrown50]

Do you pocket carry .380 or 9mm?

Nope.

I pocket carry a .40, a Kahr PM40.

It's only a tiny bit larger and a tiny bit heavier than the PM9. No, my pants and pockets aren't huge. They're just large enough to hide the gun.

[Gary A]

I hope and think this is at least marginally relevant to the topic. I'm amazed at how many people think that .380 acp, or anything less than 9mm is not enough to protect their bacon but who are perfectly content with their wives and girlfriends carrying a .380! What's up with that? I'm not saying of course they are the same people but based on various forum threads, a lot of people who would never carry a .380 are certainly content with their mates carrying one.

[Warp]

I hope and think this is at least marginally relevant to the topic. I'm amazed at how many people think that .380 acp, or anything less than 9mm is not enough to protect their bacon but who are perfectly content with their wives and girlfriends carrying a .380! What's up with that? I'm not saying of course they are the same people but based on various forum threads, a lot of people who would never carry a .380 are certainly content with their mates carrying one.
I'll preface this by saying that my wife doesn't carry. Her car gun, however, is a 9x19.

However, if she were to carry a .380, that she was comfortable with and shot well, that would be a good thing. See, the thing is that we are gun guys. We are not only bigger and stronger, on average, with larger hands, on average, but we also put in the necessary trigger time to improve our shooting ability and we are more likely to accept the inconvenience/discomfort that can result from carrying a larger firearm. The same cannot be said for most non-gun people, especially females. There is also, generally, a pretty big wardrobe difference between men and women. I can put a .38 revolver in my pockets, and I could probably fit some of the smaller 9mm pistols too (might try someday). My wife's pockets? Not. A. Chance. In. Hell. I can conceal a sub compact or compact Glock, IWB, under a regular old untucked T-shirt like I have always worn. My wife? Not. A. Chance. In. Hell. And off body (purse) carry involves many, many compromises/downsides.

[Redlg155]

My current 99 percent carry gun is a Sig P238 .380. It is not because a .380 is a 100% manstopper ( no conventional pistol caliber has that distinction) but because I can have it with me no matter what I wear. I don't have to change clothes to carry the weapon. It goes in my pocket equally well with slacks and with shorts.

[mavracer]

I have no problems pocket carrying my PM9 in a desantis nemisis. I came to the realization nobody's looking at the fat rednecks pockets any more.

[MrDig]

I have a KelTec P11 it is a little clunky but I can still carry it in a pocket, to me if I can carry a 9mm I'm more comfortable than .380 I like .380 but just feel more comfortable with 9mm for SD purposes.

[larryh1108]

a lot of people who would never carry a .380 are certainly content with their mates carrying one.

Warp answered this very well but I wish to say that we are OK with them carrying a smaller caliber because it beats not carrying anything at all. If it was your wife and the choice was a .380 or nothing at all, would you be OK with it?

[Gary A]

While I certainly agree with both of you, Warp and larryh1108, and understand carrying as much gun as possible or that one can handle. Still, regardless of the reason one carries a .380 versus a 9mm, the cartridge itself is either adequate to the task, or it is not. The fabled, hypothetical 300 pound meth-crazed, berserker madman/rapist/murderer is just as likely to attack our weaker wife/girlfriend as to attack us, maybe more so as they are better targets. If the .380 is not adequate to protect us, it is then not adequate to protect our loved ones and becomes a "feel good" talisman giving them an illusion of protection. If it is enough to protect them, it is enough to protect us, who presumably have more trigger time, being "gun guys" and all. If it is not enough to protect our loved ones, they should exercise, practice, train,whatever to learn to handle a larger caliber and anything else is doing them a huge disservice. If it is enough to protect them, we should quit debating the issue among ourselves and acknowledge it is enough for us also, even if we choose to carry more.

[Gary A]

larryh1108 - to answer your question, which I did not do:

If it was your wife and the choice was a .380 or nothing at all, would you be OK with it?

No, I would not be OK with it if I really believed that .380 was an inadequate self defense caliber. Not at all.

[Shipwreck]

I pocket carry my new M&P Shield all the time :)

[Warp]

While I certainly agree with both of you, Warp and larryh1108, and understand carrying as much gun as possible or that one can handle. Still, regardless of the reason one carries a .380 versus a 9mm, the cartridge itself is either adequate to the task, or it is not. The fabled, hypothetical 300 pound meth-crazed, berserker madman/rapist/murderer is just as likely to attack our weaker wife/girlfriend as to attack us, maybe more so as they are better targets. If the .380 is not adequate to protect us, it is then not adequate to protect our loved ones and becomes a "feel good" talisman giving them an illusion of protection. If it is enough to protect them, it is enough to protect us, who presumably have more trigger time, being "gun guys" and all. If it is not enough to protect our loved ones, they should exercise, practice, train,whatever to learn to handle a larger caliber and anything else is doing them a huge disservice. If it is enough to protect them, we should quit debating the issue among ourselves and acknowledge it is enough for us also, even if we choose to carry more.

What do you base this claim on? Every time I have looked into it, men were more likely to be attacked.

[larryh1108]

There are people, men and women, who would prefer to not carry but pressure from us makes them feel "obligated" to appease us. I fear this scenario more than not carrying. If someone carrying does not have the resolve to actually shoot the aggressor then the gun will certainly become a weapon of the bad guy. Those who feel guilty stepping on an ant or swatting a fly should not carry because they could not actually use deadly force if needed. The hesitation is all it takes to be disarmed. Also, many are recoil sensitive and can't handle anything bigger than a .380 although I admit the mouse guns can punch harder than a full size gun. I'd still rather my wife carrys a .380, with the resolve to use it, than nothing at all because it's too big or too hard to shoot, etc. There is also the factor of presenting a gun stopping the "casual" aggressor. It's a trade off that has been debated ad infinitum and will never be answered with everyone in total agreement.

[Warp]

No, I would not be OK with it if I really believed that .380 was an inadequate self defense caliber. Not at all.

What does your wife carry?

[larryh1108]

larryh1108 - to answer your question, which I did not do:


Quote:
If it was your wife and the choice was a .380 or nothing at all, would you be OK with it?

No, I would not be OK with it if I really believed that .380 was an inadequate self defense caliber. Not at all.

Just to clarify, you'd rather she carried nothing instead of a .380? Is this case, that's the question. I know you can "help her see the light" so to speak but the real answer is assuming she won't carry if she can't carry a .380.

[56hawk]

Because they aren't "just as small."

I carry an LCP in my pocket.

Really! Here is a P11 and P3AT side by side.

Well there might be smaller 380s, but this is what I was talking about:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=165015&d=1337914818

[Gary A]

Warp,

It was a hypothetical question. I have not been married for some time now but would not be comfortable with my wife carrying something I did not feel was adequate to protect her, or me. It so happens, I do believe that .380 is adequate for civilian self defense. It is the ease with which "we" can justify our loved ones carrying a caliber we would not be comfortable carrying ourselves that gives me pause. I'm certainly not wishing to "go to the mat" over it, just making an obsrvation that nothing in this discussion has altered in the least. "What's good for the goose is good for the gander" is a very appropriate saying in this case. There are not separate gender-based standards for self-defense that I can see. Discomfort with my wife carrying an inadequate caliber is not a de facto endorsement of carrying nothing. As I said, it's just an observation of comments and attitudes I often read on these forums, nothing more. I do not know the statistics of numbers of men being attacked versus women. I only know that general trends of predation favor attacks on weaker and more vulnerable prey versus stronger prey, i.e., predators don't usually pick the most dangerous prey on purpose. I certainly wasn't intending to hijack the thread and I'm sorry if I have done so.

[Warp]

Warp,

It was a hypothetical question. I have not been married for some time now but would not be comfortable with my wife carrying something I did not feel was adequate to protect her, or me. It so happens, I do believe that .380 is adequate for civilian self defense. It is the ease with which "we" can justify our loved ones carrying a caliber we would not be comfortable carrying ourselves that gives me pause. I'm certainly not wishing to "go to the mat" over it, just making an obsrvation that nothing in this discussion has altered in the least. "What's good for the goose is good for the gander" is a very appropriate saying in this case. There are not separate gender-based standards for self-defense that I can see. Discomfort with my wife carrying an inadequate caliber is not a de facto endorsement of carrying nothing. As I said, it's just an observation of comments and attitudes I often read on these forums, nothing more. I do not know the statistics of numbers of men being attacked versus women. I only know that general trends of predation favor attacks on weaker and more vulnerable prey versus stronger prey, i.e., predators don't usually pick the most dangerous prey on purpose. I certainly wasn't intending to hijack the thread and I'm sorry if I have done so.


I'll leave the caliber statements as is.

But as for the part in bold...males are more likely to be attacked because they are more likely to be involved in/be victims of 'social violence'. Not all attackers are acting as predators.

I am sure some of this depends on who you ask/who you talk to, and their vocabulary.

BUT an interesting read on the subject is Facing Violence by Rory Miller.

http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Violence-Unexpected-Rory-Miller/dp/1594392137/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337916758&sr=1-1

[Gary A]

Good points. Thanks for the reference.

[engineer88]

You caliber folks would hate me. My pocket gun is a Keltec P32 99% of the time. The other 1% it is a PF9, so I put in for 9mm on the vote. I personally feel that even the 32 is enough if people will stop thinking in one shot stop mode. If ever needed that thing will get unloaded, at least 3-4 rounds as a bare minimum, but maybe all 9 (mine has plus one extension).

That said my pocket gun is my BUG to what rides IWB which is usually a Glock 36 or 19, or a Ruger SP101 or Smith 638 depending on my mood.

If my dress only permits one gun carry I do favor my airweight jframes over the little automatics any day of the week. That said my little P32 has been flawless across 700+ rounds, all of which have been after carrying for weeks or months without cleaning. I just go to the range with a box of 50,pull it out of my pocket, lint and all, shoot up the carry ammo, plus a box and never a hiccup. Then I take it home, clean it, oil it, and reload for another month or so of living in my pocket. I could not say that for my pocket 380 which I now no longer own. As a few have stated above in this thread, the most important thing about a handgun is that it be reliable. Murphy's law is a mug. I have found the P32's to be more reliable (I have two I like 'em so much) especially the chrome models, than the 380's which really push the limit in the size of these little pocket cannons. YMMV, so always take the time to personally prove out your weapons whichever way you go.

P.S. The PF9 has been flawless acroos over 1,100+ rounds or it would be gone too. :-)

[jrdolall]

I went to a LGS yesterday and compared a few guns. The KT 380 was marginally smaller than the Diamondback 9mm but not enough of a difference to avoid the DB IF you feel that 9mm is far superior to 380. I have experience with the 380 and the DB and in MY limited experience with a friend's guns the KT is more reliable.
I believe that the 9mm is a more powerful round and is therefore "better" in a one shot scenario. I also believe that the psychological aspect of a BG seeing a gun is critical in virtually all attacks so a 380 is just as effective as a 9mm. A sub-compact 9mm will have more felt recoil than a 380 which will have an effect on follow up shots.
So, assuming you can get your gun out of your pocket before the bad guy is on top of you, in MOST instances the BG will stop the attack when he sees the gun and virtually every one of them will cease the attack if they are shot, even shot at and missed. In the VAST majority of cases a .22 will be just as effective as any other caliber in making the BG stop. This is of course thrown out the window in the event of a drug crazed, 285 pound BG that does not stop until he is dead. In that case I suggest a concealed 12 g shotgun with #1 buckshot.
There is NO WAY that most of us can be prepared for every eventuality when we go into a convenience store. 3 crooks with AK 47s will trump any handgun we carry(unless we are Dirty Harry). I believe we should carry the gun that we are comfortable with and practice with that gun until we can be adequately prepared. A pistol for SD is a compromise in itself. Soldiers in war zones may carry a sidearm but it is not their primary weapon.
I pocket carry a PF9 as it is the gun I own that I feel comfortable carrying. If I find a 380 that I like better then I would not hesitate in making the change purely because of the caliber. If you look hard enough you will probably find a study that "proves" a .22 pistol is better than a 12 g shotgun for defense.

[kokapelli]

I think you are right on all your points and there are no magic handgun bullets.

[Warp]

You caliber folks would hate me.

usually a Glock 36 or 19, or a Ruger SP101 or Smith 638 depending on my mood.

No, I don't think so.

A more apt description of your P32 is a BUG (back-up gun). ;)

[holdencm9]

I don't think most people can "pocket carry" even a Kahr CM9/PM9 or Kel Tec PF-9 which I consider to be too big for me, in the front pocket, that is. Of course, anyone can "pocket carry" in cargo shorts. I think that is a separate story. In dress slacks, even my LCP seems bulgy. But it is at least reasonable. As a result I pocket carry an LCP.

[56hawk]

In dress slacks, even my LCP seems bulgy. But it is at least reasonable. As a result I pocket carry an LCP.

I pocket carry my Kel Tec P-11 when wearing dress slacks. It might bulge a little bit, but it's a lot less conspicuous than having a bulge somewhere else.

[Aahzz]

I have no problems pocket carrying my Shield 9mm in any of my pants.

[CZguy]

I have no problems pocket carrying my Shield 9mm in any of my pants.
__________________

What holster are you using?

[Skribs]

I kinda lied. I still have a .380, but I want to switch to a 9. Until I do, the .380 still does the job.

[ponchsox]

I pocket carry a Ruger LCP 90% of the time. I also have a M&P Shield 9mm for IWB. In hot summer weather, I can accept the tradeoff is caliber size vs comfort. Body size also has a lot to do with it. A smaller guy might find a bigger gun more difficult to conceal.

[meanmrmustard]

My truck gun is a .357 sig. I pocket carry a .22. with a laser. No joke.

As for which of the two listed in OP? The 9.

This is only because I have never personally shot a reliable .380. Not saying they don't exist, just that I've not been privy to one.

[AOK]

I pocket carry as a BUG and for the rare occasion at work I can't carry my EDC Glock 23. For the past few years I've been looking for things in the gun that make sense for me personally in a pocket blaster.

1. Is it small enough to carry in the front pocket and be able to pull it out quickly without having to position it just right to get it out in a fight? While I can fit a Shield in my pocket it is just to tall to draw reliably on a consistent basis.
2. Can I shoot it comfortably and train with it at the range? For me this means to realistically shoot 150-200 rounds in one range session without even thinking about how much it hurts my hand to shoot.
3. Is it reliable?
4. Do all of this and be able to have it in a minimum .380 cal but preferably a 9mm.

I've gone through Kel Tec's P32, P380, PF9 / Ruger's LCP / Sig P232 / S&W's BG380 / Diamondback's DB9 / and have tried and shot several others. I finally rested on a Kahr CM9. The gun has been everything I have been looking for in a what I consider a true pocket 9. YMMV

[Bronco4me]

Kahr PM-9 in a Desantis pocket holster.

[VBVAGUY]

None of the micro 9s are as small as their .380 and .32 counterparts. Even the Rohrbaugh is still on the big side for pocket carry.



Look at the Diamondback DB9 which is just a just as big as my S&W Bodyguard 380 which is just as big as an Ruger LCP. However the Diamondback DB9 is of course 9mm :D However you have to remember you are shooting a 9mm cartridge from an 11 ounce gun !!! Yes 11 ounces empty, 15 ounces fully loaded 6+1. God Bless :)

[skoro]

I have both for pocket carry. Which one I carry on any particular day is dependent on my dress. The 380 is considerably easier to conceal.

[Wishoot]

The LC9 goes into an Uncle Mike's and fits into cargo short pockets pretty well. Tighter fitting clothes require IWB.

[boricua9mm]

For me, it's 9mm in the front pants pocket with a good leather gun belt. For the past 7 years, that gun has been a Glock 26 with a standard, flat baseplate mag riding inside a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.

When I can't carry a real gun, I carry a Seecamp .32 in a Bear Creek pocket holster.

[Aahzz]

What holster are you using?

Blackhawk size 4

[papaairbear]

I pocket carry a Kahr P380 in a leather holster made by Uncle George http://www.unclegeorgeswalletholsters.com/Pages/default.aspx

I think the .380 is going to do the job for me if worse comes to worse and I can't avoid or escape an armed confrontation. At the ranges these things occur, the Gold Dots I have loaded and practiced with will do the job, the holster prints a bit in my jeans but it looks like a wallet or a phone and nobody has noticed it.

[kokapelli]

I have a PM9 but do not pocket carry it very often because even though it's one of the smaller nines it's still too big for me to comfortably pocket carry.

I usually carry a P238 or a TCP with Winchester truncated cone FMJ rounds because rounds like Gold Dot do not even meet the minimum FBI depth requirements in ballistic gelatin tests.

[MCgunner]

None of the micro 9s are as small as their .380 and .32 counterparts.

But, some of 'em are plenty small enough. I pocket a P11, myself, comfortably. if you want really small, go NAA mini revolver, MUCH more compact than any .380....I mean, if you want the smallest and caliber doesn't matter. Personally, I trust .22 mag near as much as .380 for a primary caliber, but I pocket carry a 9. Hell, I pocket carry a .38 Ultralite snubby which is even larger than the P11.

[76shuvlinoff]

I have .22, .380, 9mm, .40, .45, and .357 available to me. The .380 LCP is with me more often than anything else. However it is in my waistband more often than my pants pocket. I have a desantis pocket holster but to me it still looks like a pistol in my pocket. Might just be paranoia, I don't know.

As far as .380 doing the job? I hope I never have to find out but this little mouse pistol is surprisingly accurate for me even with rapid multiple followup shots. I can't believe it would not be effective at the ranges I feel it was designed for.

[larryh1108]

...to me it still looks like a pistol in my pocket.

The key words are "to me". That's because you know it's a pistol in your pocket. To anyone else it can be a wallet, cell phone or too many other things to list. No one really cares unless they see it on your hip, in plain sight. Relax. It really does blend in to your pant's lines.

[klmspider]

I nearly ALWAYS carry a poly 380. They are just much more likely to be with me. Either my P3AT or my S&W BG380.
I have several 9mm's, including two PF9's. I'll carry those when I'm on the bad side of town, but still want good conceal.
If concealing were only secondary, then I would carry something bigger, like my High Power or CZ 75.
Bigger is better, but not if you are going to end up leaving it behind.

[klmspider]

I nearly ALWAYS carry a poly 380. They are just much more likely to be with me. Either my P3AT or my S&W BG380.
I have several 9mm's, including two PF9's. I'll carry those when I'm on the bad side of town, but still want good conceal.
If concealing were only secondary, then I would carry something bigger, like my High Power or CZ 75.
Bigger is better, but not if you are going to end up leaving it behind.

[Darkbob]

I voted for 9mm since that's my current pocket gun, Kahr MK9. (yeah it's heavy, I wear a belt :) )

That said, I think my next pistol purchase will be the smallest/lightest .380 I can find. Just to try it out.

[Big_John1961]

For true pocket carry, my Seecamp .380 is the choice. It just disappears in the pocket. And to the individual who said 9mm pistols are as small as the smallest .380's is mistaken. About the closest one I can think of is the Rohbaugh R9. To me, the Kahr PM9 is in no way a pocket carry gun. Too chunky and too heavy.

I actually carry my Seecamp .32 more than the .380. Shoots great, is manageable and reliable. I feel plenty well armed with it. That and a sap.

[Tdodge7]

I carry a Kel Tec P32 in the pocket sometimes in an uncle mikes pocket holster, usually only when I'm in a suit, otherwise it rides around 4 o'clock iwb with the belt clip. Though I've been carrying my Ruger LC9 more lately but every time I try it in a pocket with a holster it looks like I'm smuggling vhs tapes in my pocket so I also carry it 4 o'clock with the techna clip and a good pistol belt.

[MCgunner]

9 too big? Buy bigger pockets.

[45crittergitter]

Switched from a Mustang Pocketlite .380 to a Kel-Tec .32 to a Kel-Tec .380 to a Rohrbaugh 9mm. Custom leather front pocket holster. Back pocket extra mag carrier.

[WRGADog]

Kahr P380, PM9, and my Beretta Nano. In jeans it is the P380, in shorts it is either the PM9 or Nano. I use a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster To pocket carry each of these weapons. Of the three, the Nano has become my gun of choice and I carry it ~95% of the time.

[Motownfire]

I carry a Ruger LCP. It's a great, small & reliable pocket gun. Many say that the .380 round is not enough for personal defense, none have aloud me to shoot them with it to find out.

[robinkevin]

If I was to pocket carry I would go with the .380 over the 9mm just due to size of the firearm. I don't dressed around my firearms and the small .380s just slide right in a jean pocket and still can be drawn from the pocket pretty easy.

Far as the 9mm being much better than the .380. Sure it's a little better, a little less dependent on shot placement. But still in real world shooting I think the difference in good defense calibers is no all it's cracked up to be. In at least 70% of defense shootings the criminal flees after the first shot regardless if they are hit or not, (This is based solely from arm citizen reports that I read).

Now with that all that being said I had a P3AT which was a good pistol, but I personally hated it because it was just too small for my hands. I prefer a better handling pistol to a easy concealable pistol and therefore choose to go with IWB carry in which I think small 9mm pistols are very nice for. They still conceal with ease, still light, yet handle much better if they should ever have to be called into action.

[wally]

None of the micro 9s are as small as their .380 and .32 counterparts. Even the Rohrbaugh is still on the big side for pocket carry.

Yup, its the extra weight as much as anything. Even in a cargo pocket that 1lb+ weight banging against you as you move is just no fun.

[bannockburn]

I went with a KelTec P3AT pretty much for the sole reason of being able to get one of the smallest and lightest .380s to pocket carry.