Pocket Pistol for Concealed Carry

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bcremer

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I am looking for a good pocket pistol for concealed carry. I have been reading and talking to people about this and have been told alot about KelTec, Ruger LCP, and Kahr.

I have heard many concerns about the reliability of the KelTec. The stopping power of the .380 with the LCP. Not much bad about the Kahr. I have a full size M&P 9 and love it, but have heard that the compact is not very compact and not a good pockect pistol.

I would love to hear everyones experiences and ideas.

Thanks!
 
I did a lot of research last year before buying a pocket pistol, with some of the same general results you have stated; that the kel-tec seems questionable, and the Kahr seemed reliable. I bought a Kahr PM40 and have been very pleased. I got a good deal on a used one, have fired around 500 rounds through it myself, and had zero problems. It, and a S&W 1911PD Commander are my carry guns.
 
I would love to hear everyones experiences and ideas.
Click to expand...

Okay, you asked for it:

Run (don't walk) away from the Ruger LCP, Keltec P3AT and the Beretta Tomcat.

My recommendations:

9mm: Kahr PM-9 or Rohrbaugh R9
380: Seecamp LWS380
32: NAA Guardian 32

Good luck and happy shooting!
 
I have a friend who owns a keltech with about 400 rounds thru it and zero problems. I actually just spoke with him about it today because i'm looking at one. Past 10 yards it ain't the best, it's not a range gun to fire a whole lot of rounds thru, I don't think it would last after thousands of rounds but it does have it's place and I think i'm sold on getting one.
 
I have 3 , 2nd gen KelTecs all have been relieable right from box.
You could look at the Bersa CC model around $300 little bigger than KT but still a pocket pistol
380 is a good pocket pistol round .
 
I would go for the lcp or kel-tec.

Yes an M&P9c is too large for conventional pocket carry. Unless you mean cargo pockets, it is an iwb holster type gun.

You might also want to look into a j-frame. I know it's a revolver but they do fit so well in a pocket, and the 38 special+P is better than the .380.

I'm not comfortable with pocket calibers so I don't bother with pocket carry.
 
I am wondering the same thing... great to see the responses....

why the hostility towards the Ruger? I haven't shot one, but I did pick one up the other day and it seemed solid (for what that's worth), and I know I have never had a problem with a Ruger firearm before....
 
"You might also want to look into a j-frame. I know it's a revolver but they do fit so well in a pocket, and the 38 special+P is better than the .380."

I have a 3" mod 36 in my pocket right now.

A little bulkier than a small auto but I trust it and will a .38 over a .380 any day.
 
Kel Tec P3 Way to Go

I have to agree with Michael T I have has a second generation .380 Kel Tec and have had no problems.

Some of the Senior Members say (run) don't walk away from a Kel Tec

Maybe with that kind of though process I tend to believe they have never owned a Kel Tec or maybe they should have SENIOR MOMENT not Senior Member under their name.

Kel Tec is not the only Carry Weapon I own, so I would not down play any firearm I did not try myself.

Just my opinion, good luck on your decision

Happy New Year
 

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It's been mentioned already, but I'll say it again: you might give the Bersa a look. For the $$, they can't be beat. The new CC version would make a great pocket gun - I'm looking for one, myself.
 
What?? Who? Where? Senior Moment? Huh? Eh?

If you are TRULY talking about a POCKET gun, there are only so many choices out there. Seecamp, NAA, Keltec, Kahr, Rohrbaugh, Beretta and Colt.
Of these, I've owned the NAA, Keltec (my brother too), Beretta and the Seecamp. Today we both carry Seecamp LWS32s. I plan on switching to a LWS380 as soon as I can find one.

If you're talking about CARGO PANTS, that opens up an entirely new conversation to include Bersa Thunder, Sig 232, Walter PPK, CZ83, SW 642, Beretta Cheetah, etc, etc.
 
WOW
If your concerned about the lack of stopping power in a .380 you'll really be scared of carrying my NAA Guardian in .32ACP... (2) mags of 60gr Hornady XTP and (1) mag of Foicche 71gr ball.

Still it gets the job done. Rides easily in my pants pocket and the spare mags hide easily behind my wallet. Its my gun for when "I don't need a gun" type of thing.

Now if it's a coat pocket we are talking about... I have a Smith Model 36 loaded with the Remington +P 158gr LHP (FBI Load), I use for that.
Will
 
I've already been through the search for the "magic" pocket pistol, having previously owned the Kahr PM9, Ruger LCP, and a Walther PPS 9 and .40 and arrived at the following conclusion: Nothing beats a J-frame revolver!
 
I wouldn't say run from a new Keltec P3AT. Late production seems to well respected by owners. I would say do compare it to a LCP if fit and finish are important to you - but that makes no difference to the bullet out of the barrel. It's strictly a brain thing.

Pocket pistols are a significantly different market and application in CCW compared to any belt holster design, and revolvers set the standard for them before the .25 ACP was even designed. They are not meant to be a major caliber, should have DA only, can get by with no safety, and really need a holster in this day with EDC junk in every pocket. In fact, they should ride alone.

Those features were arrived at with a lot of thought and decades of field experience. Any gun that does more than that really needs to justify the inclusion for pocket use - it becomes a small belt holster gun otherwise, which in most cases, is what they were originally designed and sold to do.

Revolvers, Bersas, CZ, and the HKP7 are more than the upper limit, they aren't pocket pistols. The PPK is pushing it and only justified because the importation restrictions were written to protect American gunmakers.

Pocket pistol means that - if the source country issued a belt holster for police use, think twice about it.
 
Tirod - One of the best posts I've ever read on THR.

Seecamp LWS32 - Summer - Pocket with Desantis Nemesis
HK P7M8 - Winter - IWB Matt De Fatti
 
My pockets don't accommodate anything larger than a 642, LCP/P-3AT, or NAA Mini. I decided that I want more than 5 rounds loaded, and my personal choice for minimum cartridge is 9mm+P, so I ended up buying THE P11.

p11_01.jpg


It fits in my pockets, but is too big for my 'pocket-carry taste', so I carry it everywhere/everyday in another way.
 
I've gone over the "pocket auto" debate with myself many times and still haven't found what I'm looking for. Here's my limited personal experience and my humble opinion, for what it's worth:

Pocket size and build size (meaning how big you are and what kind of clothes fit you) are #1 in determining what will work for you as a "pocket gun".

I'm 6' tall, on the lean and lanky side of 175 lbs. I can't stand loose baggy clothing. The only time I can get away with comfortably and discreetly carrying a S&W J-frame in my front pocket is in the summer when I'm wearing bulky cargo shorts with big, deep front pockets. All but the loosest jeans are out. A Seecamp, Kel-Tec, LCP, Rohrbaugh, NAA Gaurdian, etc. would probably fit a little better in tighter, smaller pockets. I know this is the autoloader forum, but if you can make it work comfortably for you, I highly recommend taking a long hard look at a S&W 642 or 442. Until you fondle one first hand, you'll never realize how well it was made to slip in and out of a pocket.

Anyway, if you're built anything like me and you don't wear baggy clothes, you might need to reconsider "pocket carry".
 
Ruger LCP... Quality... Accept no substitute. Now this is how the Kel Tec P3AT should have been made.

.380 Performance?

James Bond never seemed to have a problem. :rolleyes:

Seriously... The .380 cal round is also known as the 9mm short. It is a 9 x 17mm round as compared to the popular 9 x 19mm luger round. It has an average muzzle velocity of around 950 fps compared to the average 9mm lugar's 1050 fps.

In FBI ballistics testing .380 acp rounds penetrated bare ballistic gelatin to an average of 12.5 inches and clothed gelatin to an average of 14 inches. The average expansion of most tested JHP hollow points was .48 inch.

Lethal? According to FBI accepted minimums for stopping force the .380 ACP is well within department ballistic standards. Many European LE departments use the .380 acp as the standard sidearm issue. U.S. LEO's often carry .380 acp weapons as a backup.

With good shot placement, the .380 acp JHP round can be as effective as a .45 acp round.

Tested ammunition:
* .380 ACP 85 grain Winchester Silvertip JHP
* .380 ACP 88 grain CCI/Speer JHP
* .380 ACP 90 grain CCI/Speer Gold Dot JHP
* .380 ACP 90 grain Federal HydraShok JHP
 
380 IMO at the very low end of a good defense caliber. Most all are pocketable and that is what makes them enticing, Firepower, lacking, anything under that caliber is just asking for trouble IMO. There are 9mm out there that will ride in ones front pocket. I have carried a 9mm in my front pocket for over 2 years, never been challenged once about what was there. I do think we over emphasize the print ability of these guns. Bascially no one is looking in that area, I carry 24/7 and I sure don't check any person pants pocket for an imprint and I know I am carrying, so I am more aware even. John Q, citizen could care less..

Think about it the next time you are carrying, how many pants pockets do you check out?????
 
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