Due to rising ammo costs, I am considering consolidating my defensive ammo selection. I am a .40 lover and am wondering if there is anything small enough for pocket carry out there in this caliber? Maybe a j-frame could be re-chambered? I am open to all suggestions.
Anything pocketable in a .40?
- Thread starter M&PVolk
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Kahr PM40 is your closest bet. Maybe a Walther PPS, though I have a 9mm PPS (same size) and it'd only be pocketable with certain kinds of pants and if I lost 20lbs.
MachIVshooter
Member
a J-frame would not have enough cylinder diameter for even a 4-shot .40...you'd have to go up to a Ruger SP-101 size
The XD Subcompact comes in .40. But it's kinda fat.
I pocket carry a Model 60 .357 sometimes, though, so it should be possible.
I pocket carry a Model 60 .357 sometimes, though, so it should be possible.
The Kahr PM40 looks the part, but it seems to have very mixed reliability reviews online. I had a negative experience with Kahr in the past and am a little reluctant to give them another shot. If it weren't so expensive, I would be more willing to give them another try, but the Kahr is rather expensive.
I tried the PM40. It was a jam o matic, I did buy it used. I kept it for two weeks and traded it for an XD subcompact in 40 and never looked back. The XD is a little harder to conceal but for me it is worth the effort.
An unloaded Bond Arms derringer is 6oz heavier than an unloaded Kahr Arms PM40.
Steel weighs more than polymer.
Steel weighs more than polymer.
I have the PM40 by Kahr. Contrary to other posters here, mine has been completely reliable and jam free. Currently the barrel and slide are at Mag-na-port to be ported. The .40S&W is a very snappy cartridge especially in such a small gun. I expect the porting to cure the one problem I have and that is its tendency to ding my trigger finger on the trigger guard during firing.
It hasn't been a "limp-wristing" issue, but more a "torque" issue. Hopefully the porting will help control this.
As far as being "pocketable" the PM40 is at the limit. I have a pocket sleeve that conceals the Kahr's shape in my jeans; still, it is obvious there is something in my pocket.
Check out "BOBO's" chart on this site's stickey zone to see a size comparo.
It hasn't been a "limp-wristing" issue, but more a "torque" issue. Hopefully the porting will help control this.
As far as being "pocketable" the PM40 is at the limit. I have a pocket sleeve that conceals the Kahr's shape in my jeans; still, it is obvious there is something in my pocket.
Check out "BOBO's" chart on this site's stickey zone to see a size comparo.
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I use to pocket carry a MK9 which was nice but would make me keep having to adjust my pants due to the weight. I never tried one of the PM models but I would think it would work better due to the reduced weight.
my view on this is, 9mm is barely able to be made pocketable, 40 is pushing it.
but also I agree the Kahr is really your best choice, for the 40 as well as the 9.
but also I agree the Kahr is really your best choice, for the 40 as well as the 9.
I bought a Kel Tec in .40 when they first came out, when fired it felt like it wanted to jump out of your hand, definatly small and light for the power of the .40, ended up selling it and bought a K40, never looked back.
You're probably starting to see the pattern here (Kahr), although no one mentioned the "economy" version, the CW40, also available in 9MM as the CW9. I also love the .40, and own three pistols chambered for it. But, when it came to something to put in my pocket, I digressed to a 9MM (Kel-Tec PF-9). I don't really feel like I digressed, though, as the best 9MM defensive loads these days are completely adequate for personal defense.
Having a KT P40, Let me put in my 2c,
Nothing you would want to shoot, my KT beats the hell out of my and takes a while to come back onto target, if you are some one with Popeye arms feel free, but I choose to carry a "lesser" caliber, I would rather hit, repeatedly, rapidly, than hit once and hope it goes bang again as I fought recoil to bring the gun back on line.
Nothing you would want to shoot, my KT beats the hell out of my and takes a while to come back onto target, if you are some one with Popeye arms feel free, but I choose to carry a "lesser" caliber, I would rather hit, repeatedly, rapidly, than hit once and hope it goes bang again as I fought recoil to bring the gun back on line.
Try the MK40. It's more expensive, but Kahr's all-steel guns seem to be more reliable and easier to shoot.
earlthegoat2
Member
AMT backup is a heavy pocket gun too.
I had one in 40 lock back on me never to work again though.
I had one in 40 lock back on me never to work again though.
We all should keep in mind that as the caliber increases, the gun weight decreases, the gun size decreases and we end up the situation we are now in. There is a desire to get the biggest stopping bullet but don't want to put up with the recoil.
We need to realize that being able to shoot accurately with a lesser caliber is better than less accurately with a bear killer bullet.
Ralph
We need to realize that being able to shoot accurately with a lesser caliber is better than less accurately with a bear killer bullet.
Ralph
theotherwaldo
Member
The G27 is a pocket gun for me, but I'm a really big guy with really big pockets. Most folks that tried to carry my way would look like they're smuggling bricks.
If you're a normal-sized person then you're limited to smaller pockets and smaller pocket guns.
If you're a normal-sized person then you're limited to smaller pockets and smaller pocket guns.
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