Best All-Around Pocket Pistol

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There were I frame Smith and Wesson revolvers in 32 S&W Long and 38 S&W produced from the end of WWII up to the mid-late 50's.

A local gun store had a 1954 vintage I frame in 38 S&W available at one point last year that I considered buying. It was smaller and lighter than the J frame revolvers. The grip frame and grips are somewhat shorter than the J frames.

Note that 38 S&W is NOT the same as 38 Special so ammo is hard to find and there are limited selections in loads.
 
About the only thing close to the criteria in my mind is a holstergripped NAA .22mag.
I had one for a while but can't recommend it. Mine had light primer strikes. I broke some of the tiny internals too.
 
The snubbie isnt made for shooting 25 yards out. There are people who can do it, sure. A .38 snubbie is a "belly gun".....you stick it in the belly of the thug who's on you and pull the trigger. Most people can become proficient with a .38 snubbie out to 10 or 15 yards, hitting person-size targets. If you need a 25-yard piece for squirrels and other tasty morsels, look at a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark Ill. Both are in .22 LR, are greatly accurate semi auto's ... but are not CCW material. For a carry gun, get a j frame
or LCR. Ultimately reliable, lethal and affordable.
 
My favorites: Colt Agent, Smith models 38 and 442

carry_zpsoxmscjlu.jpg
 
Stopped carrying my NAA 22 mag and replaced it with my S&W 638. I find it fine for pocket carry. I believe it's 15 oz. empty. Shrouded hammer has proven snag free ( unlike my Ruger SP101 ). And there is the option to go SA should I choose.

Tuckerdog1
 
For pocket carry IMO you won't find a better choice than a S&W 638/649/442/642 J frame. Definitely have to go hammerless if you plan to pocket carry.
Your problem is that it's pretty tough to nail anything at 25yds with one of those. Can be done, but not without a lot of practice.

An LCP is another good pocket option but again, it's a bit underpowered against the 38Spl and no way can do duty at 25yds. About the smallest that I'd consider as a consistent 25yd performer would be a Model 60 3" J frame, but that does make pocket carry a bit tougher.

As much as I like the NAA offering, they neither carry the smack that I want for CCW nor will they do much duty at 25yds. Honestly, at tabletop distance, they are a factor.
 
Kendal Black

The LCRx might have too many snag points on it for optimum pocket carry but it would make for a great backwoods gun in an OWB holster.
 
Thanks, all. I think you all are seeing what I'm seeing - that the perfect gun for these purposes may not exist. Still, I think it's an enjoyable conversation to have.
 
ST1959 said:
The snubbie isnt made for shooting 25 yards out. There are people who can do it, sure. A .38 snubbie is a "belly gun".....you stick it in the belly of the thug who's on you and pull the trigger. Most people can become proficient with a .38 snubbie out to 10 or 15 yards, hitting person-size targets. If you need a 25-yard piece for squirrels and other tasty morsels, look at a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark Ill. Both are in .22 LR, are greatly accurate semi auto's ... but are not CCW material. For a carry gun, get a j frame
or LCR. Ultimately reliable, lethal and affordable.
Click to expand...
I don't think you are going to make sense of this premise. Given the criteria, especially the inability to shoot DA well enough, there is nothing one can offer seriously. It is challenge enough to hit a ground hog from 25 yards with a 6" barrel while free standing.
 
Bigger pants!

My Great Uncle, who always wore what we would consider to be a baggy suit, managed to conceal a Police Positive 4 inch in a holster in his trouser pocket.

Absent that, a Model 36 Smith & Wesson or Colt Detective/Cobra would be my choice.
 
Blacksmoke said:
Bigger pants!

My Great Uncle, who always wore what we would consider to be a baggy suit, managed to conceal a Police Positive 4 inch in a holster in his trouser pocket.

Absent that, a Model 36 Smith & Wesson or Colt Detective/Cobra would be my choice.
Click to expand...
He's not asking what we would use, should we get sucked into the fantasy of hunting with a subcompact. He is asking what would match his criteria.
 
PKA45, your's is a tough bill to fill. I'm an LCR fan and I find I can place mine in cargo pant pockets very well. However, routinely hitting a pest at 25 yards, in my opinion, is a stretch with a short barreled pistol for most of the members of THR. I shoot every week and I can't do it. You mentioned the Bearcat Shopkeeper and if that has adjustable sights or if you could add adjustable sights, this might get the job done however it is as big as the LCR if not longer. I'm not sure which calibers you can get the Shopkeeper in but .22 Mag may be a good one. Good luck with your quest!
 
Duluth Trading has a series of "Fire Hose" pants that have very deep pockets.

I sometimes pocket carry my S&W Model 60 3" in these pants.

It conceals just fine, but it's still heavy.
 
If it's not your self defense gun and you only need it for small game, how about a 22 LR or Mag Snub Revolver? A 22 Mag in your pocket could also back up your Self Defense Gun.
 
You may find the Charter Arms Undercoverette, in .32 H&R Magnum, to be fairly easy to make hits with compared to a .38 revolver. It may even handle more easily than the LCR, and can be found for less. I regret not buying the one I handled a year or so back; it would have made a nice addition to my trio of Undercover models, which range in age from 30 to 51 years old.
 
Haywood said:
If it's not your self defense gun and you only need it for small game, how about a 22 LR or Mag Snub Revolver? A 22 Mag in your pocket could also back up your Self Defense Gun.
Click to expand...

I already have a 22 LR/Mag I can hit with (NAA Black Widow), but I want a little more pop, something reloadable, and something put together a little better than this NAA. It's by far the sloppiest-fitted revolver I've ever handled. So bad that I had them replace it, and the new one is just as loose.

MedWheeler said:
You may find the Charter Arms Undercoverette, in .32 H&R Magnum, to be fairly easy to make hits with compared to a .38 revolver. It may even handle more easily than the LCR, and can be found for less. I regret not buying the one I handled a year or so back; it would have made a nice addition to my trio of Undercover models, which range in age from 30 to 51 years old.
Click to expand...

I am leaning toward the Charter now, actually. If I'm going to get a 38-sized revolver, the Charter has the best sights, as compared to the J-frame and LCR. Wider front blade and wider rear channel that is actually flat and square, perpendicular to the shooter. I realize I may have to examine a few to get a good one, but I'm OK with that. They are also lighter in weight. The only thing I don't like is the cheap "alloy" grip frame.

Milt1 said:
PKA45, your's is a tough bill to fill. I'm an LCR fan and I find I can place mine in cargo pant pockets very well. However, routinely hitting a pest at 25 yards, in my opinion, is a stretch with a short barreled pistol for most of the members of THR. I shoot every week and I can't do it. You mentioned the Bearcat Shopkeeper and if that has adjustable sights or if you could add adjustable sights, this might get the job done however it is as big as the LCR if not longer. I'm not sure which calibers you can get the Shopkeeper in but .22 Mag may be a good one. Good luck with your quest!
Click to expand...

The Shopkeeper has a longer barrel but much slimmer and shorter frame and cylinder, but yes, it's a little long.

cal44mag said:
Duluth Trading has a series of "Fire Hose" pants that have very deep pockets.

I sometimes pocket carry my S&W Model 60 3" in these pants.

It conceals just fine, but it's still heavy.
Click to expand...

I also have a 3" 60. Love the gun!
 
tubeshooter said:
I am curious - what's wrong with this that you already have?
Click to expand...

Just too big for the (my) pocket, and a little heavy. Same with the SP101. Both great guns though!

I placed an order for something to try: Sig P238. Single action trigger, good sights (replaceable to regulate POI), pocket sized, reloadable caliber with decent punch. Not what I was originally thinking, but it seems that it may fit the bill. Actually ordered one for my wife as well, since I found them for $429. Will see how it goes...
 
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