9mm pocket pistol

Having shot a S&W Bodyguard .380 and found it too small and too light, I won't even consider a pocket pistol in 9 mm. I'm thinking about .32s, .25s and .22s for pocket carry.

I carry my LC9s in just about everything, including all my jeans.

I pocket carry a Diamondback DP9 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. To draw the pistol I use my middle finger to push down on the holster and the grip slides up into my hand, hardly any resistance between the holster and pistol. Unloaded the pistol weighs 11oz, my Taurus 738, which also has run flawlessly, in .380 weighs 10oz empty. Some people have had problems with the Diamondback guns but mine works like a swiss watch. I've put a little over 600 rounds through it and no problems. My primary carry gun is a Shield in 9mm but I carry the DB9 a lot when I wear clothing that won't conceal a belt holster.

Jeff H said:

Having not bought a carry gun since the Shield was new on the market, I'm thinking about getting one smaller and more concealable (pocket gun size) than the shield (small belt gun). I know there are a few out there but the only ones I know of have that long DA pull which I dislike. Looking for a pistol with a trigger like a Shield. Any new offerings out there that meet this criteria?

Love my Shield but in light of recent news, I'm thinking of a smaller, deeper concealment pistol for certain situations when a belt gun won't do.

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I've moved up from a Shield 9 to a Shield 45. I do have an M&P 380 I carry for those times when deep concealment is a must. Lately, I've been altering my wardrobe to be able to carry the 45 IWB.

If1HitU said:

CZ 2075 RAMI 9mm 2.9" DA.

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Too bad is actually bigger than a Kel-Tec P11 (longer, thicker and higher) with less capacity and costing more than double....

I think a lot of people misunderstand pocket carry....it does not mean that your pistol has to literally disappear in your pocket (especially if you want one chambered in a service caliber)...you will feel that you have something in your pocket and someone looking at you will probably see that you have something in your pocket (a smartphone for example)...the trick is to not make the shape of a pistol obvious and there are pocket holsters than are good for that.

saturno_v said:

Too bad is actually bigger than a Kel-Tec P11 (longer, thicker and higher) with less capacity and costing more than double....

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Yes but the cz will hold up way better and longer.

Blkhrt13 said:

Yes but the cz will hold up way better and longer.

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Are you sure?? There are P-11 holding up well since the first year in production (1995) 22 years and counting....

This specimen is at its 16 year birthday, lots of holster wear, countless rounds down the pipe and no signs of slowing down



Mine is at the 10 year mark and going strong....

They may not be pretty or have nice polishing but they do work...they are durable and reliable...

Sticky holsters work well in the pocket, but not so well tucked inside the pants. Opinion based on personal experience. Some quite embarrassing....

If you like exotic, take a look at the Boberg (now Bond Arms Bullpup). Mine disappears in a pocket, but sure draws a crowd at the range.

BOARHUNTER

Ruger LC9s and or Kahr CW9.
LC9s is striker fired with a manual safety.. Kahr no safety, but revolver like trigger.
Both shoot where you point them.

Lol i'm guilty of a my opinion,that's all it was!

For "real" pocket carry, in blue jeans and it doesn't show at all, it pretty much has to be a 380 like a P3AT or LCP, IMHO. Or something in an even smaller caliber. Maybe it's just my body shape, but I have yet to find a 9mm I consider to be a true "pocket pistol".

Tallball said:

For "real" pocket carry, in blue jeans and it doesn't show at all, it pretty much has to be a 380 like a P3AT or LCP, IMHO. Or something in an even smaller caliber. Maybe it's just my body shape, but I have yet to find a 9mm I consider to be a true "pocket pistol".

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There are a lot of 9mm thar are pocketable...again, pocket carry does not mean disappearing in your pocket like a key fob...

saturno_v said:

Are you sure?? There are P-11 holding up well since the first year in production (1995) 22 years and counting....

This specimen is at its 16 year birthday, lots of holster wear, countless rounds down the pipe and no signs of slowing down



Mine is at the 10 year mark and going strong....

They may not be pretty or have nice polishing but they do work...they are durable and reliable...

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And yet some of them die of cracked frames. I will round one up eventually and have a go of it. For the size I like the capacity. I still say a rami will hold up better.

Been using a Kel- Tec P.32 for years now and really like it. It has been 100% reliable at the range practicing with it. But it is not a range gun it is a true pocket pistol. I've been flirting with the idea of a 9mm for a pocket pistol also. Been doing some research on the Beretta Nano. Looks a little smaller than most of the Sub 9's. Was hopping that someone would post about there experience with the Nano.

Will

Blkhrt13 said:

And yet some of them die of cracked frames. I will round one up eventually and have a go of it. For the size I like the capacity. I still say a rami will hold up better.

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I never heard of cracked frames on a P-11...usually the bad things I heard are:

1) The initial "break in" period sometimes required (with FTF and FTE malfunctions) easily resolved with keeping on shooting or with the infamous "fluff and buff" ....and I do not think the newer P-11 require that..mine did not.

2) The occasional ejector breakage (happened to me once)

3) The occasional loose sights flying off.

I'm not disputing that an occasional P-11 frame cracked somewhere...the lemon can happen with any brand....google "CZ cracked frame" for example, plenty of examples.... I know of LEOs that trust their life on a P-11 as a backup gun.

Is also important to mention that Kel-Tec Customer Service is second to none.

Even the much maligned trigger pull is actually not that bad....it is smooth and consistent and with a clear break...it is just looooooooong......you need to learn how to use it.

I have found that the pouch-like pocket holster designs seem to work better than the ones with a tail-hook design. Both the DeSantis "The Trickster" and the Blackhawk No.3 worked perfectly every time, staying in my pocket while I completed the draw. The Don Hume No.80 and the Concealment Concepts Holster "The Jaguar" required that I position the tail-hook against the back seam of the pocket in order to get the gun out but keep the holster in the pocket.

saturno_v said:

Are you sure?? There are P-11 holding up well since the first year in production (1995) 22 years and counting....

This specimen is at its 16 year birthday, lots of holster wear, countless rounds down the pipe and no signs of slowing down



Mine is at the 10 year mark and going strong....

They may not be pretty or have nice polishing but they do work...they are durable and reliable...

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I worked in a gun store in the mid 90's and gave my brother a P11 I bought for him. He has had it and carried it since then ('95?) without issue. We've both shot it a lot including +p and +p+. He still has it and carries it daily.
Needed one extractor in that time (from dry firing which is a no-no without snap caps).

I carry a Kahr PM45 in a High Noon Split Decision (IWB) or an Uncle Mike's #3 (pocket). Same size as Taurus PT-111 but .45 ACP. I can pocket carry in dressy pants but prefer IWB. I've thought about 9mm but really have no reason to change. .45 has always been my caliber of choice for pistols.

I like Ruger GP100 - I have one for over two years. It`s reliable gun, I feel myself in safety with it.

I pocket carry when IWB/AIWB is impractical or impossible. It is far more noticeable bulge than I would like. A Walther PPS is a tad bit bigger than your normal pocket firearm. To a casual observer, it looks like a large key fob with quiet a few keys in my dominant hand pocket. My actual keys are in the opposite pocket on a slim fob to make 9 keys take up the space of 3 or 4.

I usually pocket carry my Pico or RM380 but lately I've been throwing a Kahr CM9 in my front pocket in a DeSantis Super Fly. After I got used to the slight increase in weight I often forget it's there.

Jeff H said:

Thinking pocket gun you could take to church without wearing a jacket. Shield works great for anytime you have a cover garment but isn't as invisible as my P3AT, which I would take everywhere if it had a better trigger and was in 9mm.

On topic of my P3AT, I'm not all that fond of the long DA pull, I assumed the LC9 was similar to the LCP (P3AT copy-ish) Am I wrong?

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I just use a tuckable holster in that situation.

I agree with BassJam, I've yet to find a nine that seems sensible for pocket carry. I carry an LC9s every day on my hip and would not recommend it for pocket carry. Obviously opinions vary.

To me something .380 or smaller is more comfortable and concealable. The LCP or something similar would be more appropriate IMO.

The only guns which fit that bill with a non DA trigger that come to mind are the aforementioned Sig and the Kimber .380, I forget what it's called.


Anyhow good luck. I don't pocket carry for my own reasons. I haven't ever had a problem concealing a small nine on my hip yet.