Does anyone make great pocket pistol?

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4season

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This goes back to the issue of accurate and reliable carry gun. It has to go bang every time the trigger is pulled and it has to punch holes where it is aimed. I have yet to find a pocket gun that can claim these 2 key features.

I have looked at the usual candidates, LCP, TCP, Kel-Tec, and Diamondback. The LCP and Kel-tec neither have useable sights. The TCP is known to choke on hollowpoints. After handling the Diamondback I thought I had found one with useable sights but upon doing more reading I found it won't eat hollowpoints either, and apparently it doesn't shoot to point of aim either. So I looked at the LCP with a laser, thinking it wouldn't matter if I can see the sights then. But apparently the mags come out in your pocket meaning you only have a single shot assuming no mag disconnect. Is it too much to ask for a small gun to have good sights that point where the gun will hit, eat any ammo, and be ready for action when it's drawn?

Now before someone responds that that is why they carry a big gun, I have a full size that I carry everyday. But summer is coming and I am tired of dressing around my gun. I can dedicate a shorts pocket to my gun but that is the only dressing hassle I want to deal with this summer. Also I am in and out of places that I can't carry so a pocket holster can be slipped out and put in the glove box when I go in many times a day.

I also looked at revolvers but the cylinder is just to bulky even on 5 shots like the LCR and SP101. I really think the 380 is the way to go for my application.
 
Pocket gun, with "good sights"? :rolleyes:

For decades, the "pocket gun" was the classic .38 snub revolver. Just look at the sights that come on those things. Even then, people understood that "good sights" and "pocket guns" just don't go well together.

That being said, I actually like the sights on my PF9. But, like you, I've never seen anything much smaller (like the pocket-.380 class in which you're shopping) that had as decent a set.
 
I'm sure this comment will bring out "experts" who tell me that it's not possible, but it's just my personal opinion so here goes....
I was happily surprised by the S&W Bodyguard .380. The sites aren't sniper quality but they work just fine. The laser shows EXACTLY where a hole will appear when I pull the trigger, it feels comfortable like a larger gun when I hold it, and it has yet to say "click" when I expect it to go bang. My wife bought it and carries it and I've tried to tell her she needs a bigger gun (so I can carry it) but she won't give it up.
I carry the Keltec P-11 IWB in a kydex holster from deadeyeluke.com.. It has the same qualities for me except for the laser. In colder weather I carry a full size steel EAA Witness .45 IWB under a jacket. While the p-11 will fit in some of my cargo pants pockets, it works better IWB.
 
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I shoot my wife's S&W BG .380 all the time. Surprisingly accurate and shootable. The sights are great. Trigger is not awesome, but not terrible either.
 
After a long time looking for one (it was discontinued), I obtained a stainless Taurus 445 (2" DAO, bobbed hammer, .44 special 5 shot revolver). It's only slightly larger and not much heavier than an all steel S&W J frame and it fits my pants pocket in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. With Hornady XTP ammo, it has better ballistics than a .45 ACP, fits the "pocket pistol" category and shoots under 3" groups @ 25 yards -- considerably smaller groups the closer in the target gets.

I've had it for over 3 years now and after 5-600 rounds down range it's still running perfectly. Nice thing about a revolver, it goes bang every time as long as the ammo is good.
 
I love my Bodyguard .380. Yes, the radius is very short but it has very good sights. Good enough to bounce a paint can at 25yds.
 
I've had the S&W Bodyguard .380 and liked that. I also liked the Ruger LC9, it's almost too big depending on pocket size but it can be done. They also now make the LC380, same size as the 9 but in .380 if that's what you want.

More and more companies are getting smaller 9mm's also. Like the LC9 or the Kahr CM9 and others.
 
I'll have to look at the Bodyguard again but I have read reviews of light strikes with the Bodyguard. Anyone have that issue? Also the safety on the BG gives me concerns. I don't want to have to fight to get my gun off safe while I am fighting for my life. I am worried that the safety might get clicked on while in my pocket. Just something else that can go wrong so why did they even put one on this gun?
 
I've put several hundred rounds through mine without a hitch and it hasn't been cleaned yet. It's a DAO so I just completely disregard the safety. It's small and positive enough that there's little chance it can get inadvertently engaged. My DeSantis pocket holster covers most of it anyway.
 
Im in the same boat as you... I thought it would be the XDs but mine turned out to be a lemon. Thinking about a J frame 38 +p now...
 
The first run of BG's had problems with light strikes but mostly with the screw holding the laser battery, which would back out and jam it up. Those problems have been fixed now though. The wife's Bodyguard is smooth, tight and flawless.
 
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"Pocket Pistol" is pretty hard to define now days...I carry a Glock 26, Ruger LCR, Beretta PX4 sc, Colt 1903 (the Classic pocket gun) and other stuff in my pocket but they aren't exactly pocket guns.

If yer looking at .380 pistols with sights try the Glock 42....whether or not it can be deployed on yer person as a pocket gun only you can decide.

VooDoo
 
I have had several "pocket" .380 autos. The Sig 238 is the best of the lot as far as sights...and mine goes bang every time. I did a little trigger work on mine to get it down to 6 lbs or so. Mine is the sport model with Hogue grips and a 7 round magazine. It is a bit on the large side compared to the LCP, etc.
 
The sights on most pocket autos are "terrible" by design. They're not designed to be used to hit the bullseye at 50 yards. They're designed to give you enough frame of reference to accurately hit your target at 10 feet. I have some sight paint on my LCP, and it's helped tremendously. I can hit a target well enough at ranges I'd expect to need it.
 
How about the Micro Desert Eagle? It would actually fit in the pocket. Anyone have experience with that one?
 
"Does anyone make great pocket pistol?" [4season]

Yes. After an exhaustive search, I found and carry only one .380ACP pocket gun, a Sig P238. It is very accurate out to 50 yards. Mine weighs 13.5 ounces empty, carried mostly on the ankle, but also in jeans pocket, or denim jacket pocket (hand or chest).

Amazing little handgun.
 
I ran across a llama mini max once. 1911 shrunk down with 1911 sights. I liked it until I was pressured into adding it to my dad's collection. Very usable sights. But, in the market your shopping...there isn't much out there. It's across the room type range at most for intended use, so you really don't even need sights let alone good ones. For that size and sights, I would go with a sw bodyguard .380 with laser. Lasers suck but on that size gun it's probably your best (only) bet but it only works at night.
 
You will get all kinds of responces :D. I carry a Kimder Solo, accurate at 25yards, 9mm and shoots all types of ammo and reloads.However its not a 380.
 
My neighbor , down the road, has a S&W BG and it is adequate for the job. The pocket 380 is a "point and shoot" gun. If you really ever have to use it for up-close defense you won't use the sights. If you want great sights then a larger gun like Browning BDA might be a good choice or a Beretta 85.
 
I will second the Bodyguard 380. The sights are good enough to shoot at any distace I've tried it even out to 30 yards. The laser is totally superfluous. I'm glad you can purchase it now without it. In reference to the laser however:

The sites aren't sniper quality but they work just fine. The laser shows EXACTLY where a hole will appear when I pull the trigger,
Click to expand...

This statement is just false. The laser is below the boreline and even further below the sights. If sighted to strike right at your point of aim that will only happen at that exact range. It will strike higher than the laser at closer range and lower the further past that range you get. Its best to sight the laser to point for a POI the same distance below the sights as your POA. Then it will be relatively consistent regardless of range. having the laser cowitness with your sights is a pipe dream at anything other than one specific distance.

BTW, I realize that set up the way I do it you can't see the laser when using my sights. If I'm using my sights, I don't feel the need for the laser so that is the way I prefer it.
 
If yer looking at .380 pistols with sights try the Glock 42
Click to expand...
I haven’t shot one yet but the G42 feels pretty good in my hand. I think I will wait until the aftermarket catches up to it.
I doubt if it will be long before we start to see a bunch of holsters, connector, and springs for the baby Glock.
 
If it's a true pocket gun, you probably don't really need sights. My personal choice is the Seecamp. It is tiny, reliable, holds an amazing 7 rounds, lightweight and high quality. That's everything I've wanted in my pocket gun. I've looked at all the new one's. None yet has caused me to switch. Rohrbaugh came close though.
 
i agree with usp. i have a seecamp 380. it has no sights but shoots point of aim everytime. a pocket gun is for close up self defense. the only thing you will be able to do in that case is point and shoot. you wont have time to aim. point and shoot is the most important practice you can do with your pocket gun.
 
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