Best All-Around Pocket Pistol

If it has to be a revolver, then S&W 642 or 442.

If you will allow semi-auto, then Kahr PM9.

The small targets at 25 yards with a truly pocket-able gun is a stumbling block for me. The only pocket gun type I've had experience with that might be able to do that in my hands is a J frame revolver. And I would want one with adjustable sights if that was an expected goal.

All other pockets gun I've dealt with might be usable for large targets at 25 yards or small targets at 7 yards, but can't reliably hit small targets at 25 yards.

To my knowledge to only revolvers on the market smaller and/or lighter than a J frame Smith are the NAA Mini's, which are only chambered in .22lr or .22 Magnum. My suggestion would be to buy a S&W 638 Bodyguard. It's the shrouded hammer sibling to the more common 642 and 637 that allows snag-free pocket carry with the option to still cock the hammer for a single action trigger pull.

642 is great. They sell for under $400 around here, and you can pocket carry them in pretty much any normal pants.

Have you considered or shot a Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Mag? They are superbly accurate even in a snub size with the right loads and very easily carried. About the size of a chiefs special but a bit lighter AND you get 6 instead of 5. When loaded appropriately it is as formidable as many factory .357 loads. I would check it out because if I were looking for a revolver to fit all the needs you mentioned that would be it. Oh, I forgot to add versatility. You can not only fire the powerful .327 mag, but also .32 S&W (and S&W long) 32 H&R, .32 H&R mag, and .32 ACP. As a handloader you can make some effortless and quiet .32 S&W loads and then when the need arises crank up the power with .32 H&R Mag or .327 Fed Mag. To me it seems to fit the bill nicely

Smith 649 in a Jacket pocket or Taurus 85 in pants pocket

Colt Detective Special. Do a LOT of shooting to master that short sight radius.

Ruger GP100 three inch...............

Vern is right. I should have said that also.

bikerdoc said:

Smith 649 in a Jacket pocket or Taurus 85 in pants pocket

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I'm gonna agree with bikerdoc here -- the S&W 649 is so good, so versatile, pretty much the king of the J-frames. And I had an awesome stainless Taurus Model 85CH (concealed hammer) from 1991 that was one of the best revolvers I ever owned ... can't believe I sold that gem.

If you are insisting on a revolver and pocketable, I think I would recommend a .38 snub. Preferably all steel and with the hammer; it will make hits on small game @ 25 yards a lot easier.


There are other guns that are not truly pocketable, but might otherwise suit your needs. I am thinking in terms of some flavor of .32-caliber revolver, or maybe the new LCRx (which seems to be almost tailor-made for the job description outside of the pocket requirement). If you are theoretically willing to live with a .32-cal Bearcat, then I would humbly recommend considering some other revolvers currently available with around a 3 inch barrel or so.

IMO the no lock 642 is the best pocket gun , but you will be making youtube video's if you can hit a small animal at 25 yds. with it . I know it can be done , just not by me and not probably you .

red rick said:

IMO the no lock 642 is the best pocket gun , but you will be making youtube video's if you can hit a small animal at 25 yds. with it . I know it can be done , just not by me and not probably you .

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This is exactly why I chose to reccomend the new LCR variants in .327 Federal Mag instead of a 642. Years back it would have been the 642 hands down, but since doing a good bit of shooting with this LCR it is just fantastic in the accuracy department. I'm not an expert marksman at all and I can ring 10" steel plates at 25yd all day long with magnum loads in the chambers. Plus with the materials companies are using these days they are able to make them wonderfully light. Part of the accuracy I think is the fact that the Trigger on the Ruger is excellent too. (And I am known to be a trigger "snob".) S&W revolvers typically come with a nice trigger as well, even accurate DA pulls are completely doable with practice. I can't speak for Taurus revolver triggers as I've only shot one in my entire life and I only fired a single cylinder shooting SA. I'm not even sure of the model but it was an old bright nickel snub with wood grips and an exposed hammer in .38SPl. Maybe an 85.
Anyway, good luck with the BW for now, I've got a couple NAA minis as range toys, they're fun and pretty reliable. In the end I think you will be happy with any of the options we've all mentioned, and the biggest factor in how well it works is going to be your training. (And how much of it you continue to do!)
Happy shooting!

I do like the LCR better and it does have a better trigger than my 642 , just not in my pocket . It seams like LCR is slightly larger than the 642 and I mainly wear jeans with a 34" waist , not much pocket .

I practice with my 642 quite a bit, but it is a difficult gun to be more than reasonably accurate with. I bought an LCR in 9mm, and while it's a bit bigger, I will say, it's a bit more accurate. More expensive though. I would love an LCR in 327 Fed. I just have to find a deal on a used one. I have a 632 and an 2 SP-101's in .327 (old style and new style). I should just buy a new LCR in 327.

Basically does not exist. Closest I can think of is maybe a Model 30 snub, in the original I frame...but 32 Long isn't exactly a powerhouse. Allegedly you can ream them to H&R but I would only do that in a newer model.

Closest thing I had to a 'pocket' gun that was "small game" accurate was my 2 1/2" Python, but you'd need big (and deep) pockets for one now.

Next closest was a CZ82 and CZ24, both quite accurate for the size.

I think you need to drop the "small game accuracy at 25 yards" criterion. Unrealistic with the guns you are considering. It took a lot of practice for me to get to the point where I could pot squirrels with my 2 1/2 inch Python, and I hunted with a 6" Trooper and 7 1/2 Redhawk, and the Python is (in the longer tubes) a Target gun to begin with.

Hitting small targets at 25 yards with a pocket revolver is a tall order.

In a revolver I prefer the S&W Model 649 (all stainless steel), and the Model 638 (aluminum alloy frame), in a pocket pistol. As to a semi-auto then it's a Kahr CM9.

pka45 said:

Hi all,

I'm going around on a dilemma that I think you all might be helpful with (or at least enjoy). I'm looking for MY all-around best pocket gun. Here are my requirements, in order:

1. Pocketable - not in size 42 carpenter jeans, but normal clothing (so I can always have it)
2. Accurate - I work outside a lot, and I'd like to be able to hit small game and pests at ~25 yds; this precludes most DAO guns
3. Revolver - I reload light cast bullet loads for doing quiet(er) pest duty that don't cycle semi-autos
4. Powerful (enough) - though this won't be a primary SD gun

I've got an LCP (not accurate enough, can't cycle light reloads), and an NAA Black Widow (accurate, but sloppy as all get-out [unbelievable endshake!], and I can't load for it; I'd also like a little more power). My options include, of course, a 38 J-frame, but they verge on too big for a pocket. I've looked into the older .32 (Hand Ejector, S&W 30, Pocket Positive) guns, but they're pretty hard to find or expensive in good shape. I heard NAA was talking about doing a mini revolver in 32 ACP, which, if built to normal specifications (as compared to my Black Widow which has a cylinder gap of 0.020"), could have been great. My ultimate would probably be a Bearcat Shopkeeper converted to 32/327, or even 9mm (Reeder does them), but those really stretch the budget!

What am I missing, or what else should I consider? Thanks for your input,

Pete

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Sounds like you need to work on your DA trigger pull to have a broader scope of gun choices. "Pocket" and "hammer" don't really go together.

I have a number of questions about your premise. If in a position to be randomly shooting, why not open carry a real gun in a holster?

Small game at up to 25 yards says 22LR rifle to me or a handgun with a barrel too long for pocket carry. Either that or becoming an expert shooter with a snub, way beyond its intended range of more like 15 feet. Hopefully you don't mean plinking your neighbor's cat. Even shooting creatures you don't eat or who are neither dangerous nor destructive is not cool. A 38 is pretty heavy artillery for use against most small animals.

Considering the concern about noise, I wonder if you are actually in an area where you should be shooting safely or even legally.

Now for the constructive part...if I was trying to do what you describe, I think my Smith 30-1 in 32 SWL would work. It is supremely accurate, is DA/SA, has a 3" barrel, and is not a lot of weight. Problem is it being too valuable to bang around. I might look for a beater rather than one in great shape. One I see on GB is New Old Stock at $800, so used should be significantly less. Next best is one of the lighter 32 H&R Magnums shooting 32 SWL. Among other choices, Charter Arms sells those in pocketable size new.

Just to be sure you understand

The 649 is a shrouded hammer And single action is very accurate.

An added off topic thought I have a few 3 inch guns that fit in some bigger pockets.

What ever you choose Use it in good health for a long life.

pka45 said:

Some very good information, thanks all.

Realguns, the Charter and 30-1 you mention are actually J-frame/38-size guns, so I'd rather have a smaller frame. The S&W 30 (no dash), however, is certainly a good option, since that is built on the I-frame. As to your other assumptions/accusations, I don't really feel the need to respond to those. Thanks for the constructive part, though.

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Well, not only does the gun not exist, but the premise is ridiculous...probably why there is no such gun.