Help me decide on a carry pistol...

Which do you think is the best option for pocket carry?

  • Smith & Wesson 642 Hammerless

    Votes: 105 67.3%

  • Kel-Tec P-3at

    Votes: 18 11.5%

  • Kel-Tec PF-9

    Votes: 13 8.3%

  • Ruger LCP

    Votes: 20 12.8%
  • Total voters
    156
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marksman13

marksman13

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Oct 3, 2006
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Location
Mississippi
I've done some looking and handling and have narrowed my search to four choices. The choices are in no particular order...a Smith & Wesson 642, a Kel-Tec P-3at, a Kel-Tec PF9 and a Ruger LCP. I'll list the pros and cons of each as I see them and then I would like the advice of THR. I really want a pistol that I can pocket carry and am setting 380 ACP as my minimum caliber.

Smith & Wesson 642

Pros:
1. Reliable
2. Smith & Wesson customer service
3. 38 Spc +P capable
4. all metal construction
5. Lots of after-market support

Cons:
1. Only five rounds
2. bulkier than the autos
3. more expensive than other options

Kel-Tec P-3at:

Pros:
1. slim, light-weight design allows easy, comfortable pocket carry
2. very concealable
3. Kel-Tec Customer service (from what I have heard)
4. 6-7 rounds and quick mag change
5. After-market support

Cons:
1. Very rudimentary sights
2. plastic construction (what can I say? I like steel.)
3. 380 ACP leaves something to be desired
4. Pistol feels rough and cheap
5. some reliability issues have been reported

Kel-Tec PF9

Pros:
1. 9mm
2. best sights of the four
3. bigger grip for more control

Cons:
1. Maybe too large for pocket carry
2. Plastic construction
3. Don't know much about this fairly new pistol
4. Not as much after-market support

Ruger LCP

Pros:
1. Same easily carried demensions as P-3at
2. feels much smoother and more refined than the P-3at
3. Doesn't have the cheap feel of the Kel-Tec

Cons:
1. 380 ACP
2. sights are almost non-existant
3. Pistol is new and therefore un-tested
4. Some people have reported issues with Ruger Customer Service in the past

So, there's my choices and the pros and cons as I see them through handling. I'll post a poll to get a general feel. Feel free to add advice and give me more pros and cons from your experience. Thanks in advance.
 
I said the 642 as it is a great gun and chambered for a good cartridge. My only complaint with the 442 I had was the recoil and the trigger pull. It was plenty accurate but hard to shoot past 30 feet, which is probably farther than self defense ranges.
 
A PF9 is parked in my pocket as I post. I used to carry a snub, but was drawn to the flatter shape and faster reload of the auto. I carried a Kel-Tec P11 (10 rd 9mmP), but found the PF even flatter and with a lighter trigger. The 9mmP cartridge is a big plus over the .380s. It gives me a "Rat Gun" instead of a mere "Mousegun".:D
 
I have owned the P3AT and a Kahr PM9 which is similar to the Keltec PF9... the Ruger LCP is essentially a slightly higher quality Keltec P3AT (slightly the key word). I also owned a Smith & Wesson 340PD.

I have since sold my P3AT, Smith 340PD, and Kahr PM9 and carry a Smith & Wesson 642 more than any other gun that I own.

I highly recommend it.

The only thing that the Kahr PM9 had it beat on was capacity, and accuracy. The PM9 was incredibly accurate for any gun let alone a pocket pistol. The Smith & Wesson 642 is fine though.

btw - you won't notice it in your pocket. It is not bulky at all. I forget it's there after I put it in a Galco horsehide pocket holster and shove the whole thing in a pocket.
 
I heartily recommend the 642. I have the 442 (same basic gun) and love it. I know this opinion is not shared by everyone but when it comes to small concealed weapons I feel much more secure in the reliability of a small J frame over a smallish pistol. Real defensive shooting is not anywhere near the same as range shooting where you have the luxury of a firm grip, good stance etc. etc. and I feel I am much more likely to have a failure with a small pistol given those limitations. Once again, many will disagree with me. I also own a NAA Guardian .32 and it has never failed at the range but I only carry it when I absolutely, positively can't carry my 442. You asked for opinions and those are mine.
 
Reading the posts after mine, I am reminded that the real "AHA!" moment for me was when I got to shoot a Kahr, and shot much better than I ever did with a snub revolver (a S&W 49 Bodyguard at the time). That started me looking for a Kahr. I found the P11 instead, then the PF9.

Whatever your choice (and a 442 is a fine one), be sure to practice regularly. Small "pocket" guns of any flavor are challenging to shoot well, and need to be worked at. Besides, the challenge can be fun!
 
I was already leaning heavily in favor of the 642 and most of you seem to choosing it. I'm not in the market for a Kahr. I don't care for them. Don't know why, but I don't.

This gun must be very concealable. As a restaurant and the last thing I need is a customer freaking out because they saw my firearm. The 642 seems much bulkier in the pocket than the autos because of the cylinder. This may not make much difference in the real world though. Pocket carry is prefered because my shirt will be tucked at all times. Thanks for all the advice so far.
 
My vote may seem baised since I just picked up a 642 but, my choice has way more to do with the pro's you mentioned.
I like steel and the 642 does ride nicely in a pocket holster.
 
4. Some people have reported issues with Ruger Customer Service in the past
Click to expand...
I can't agree with that at all. Ruger and S&W have the best CS of any companies you will ever deal with.

As for a M642 being too bulky to carry, not at all IMO. That 15oz revolver disappears in your pocket and you don't even know it's there if you use a good pocket holster.
 
The trick to pocket carry is to wear loose trousers. Pleated slacks are ideal. If you can slide some "outboard" of you gun, that will help keep it from printing. Printing is mainly a problem when you are sitting, and the trouser material is drawn tighter over the gun. Something like an apron or a chef's jacket will also help cover the gun.
 
I have owned the PF-9 and P3AT. Both are good, reliable pocket guns that won't do you wrong. As for the LCP, it's a P3AT in all but name. You just pay more for it. As for the 642, I have heard nothing but good things. I think you have 4 good choices here, but I'd go with the 9MM. It's the best round out of this bunch.
 
It is not in your options, but a Makarov is small, cheap, and equivalent to a .380ACP! It takes 9x18 ammo. I know a guy who carries one and will probably die with it next to his side. It is not a itty, bitty little thing you can barely fit your finger through, but it is very compact. I could easily put it in my pocket. I have seen some guns so small they will fall through a hole in your pocket.
 
I carry a j-frame (M&P 340) daily--and also a P3AT for when I want a vest / sports coat-pocket firearm.

And sometimes I carry the P3AT as a BUG.

But, my preference is strongly for the lightweight j-frames.

Jim H.
 
IMHO the 642 is your best bet. I carry mine in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster and it disappears. Loaded with speer gold dot 135grn. you cant beat that set up for discreate, comfortable, all day carry.
 
I really like both my 642 and my P3AT. Since I've gotten the 642 though I only carry the P3AT I can't carry the 642. Now is the time to buy as well with the current batch of no-lock 642s on the market.
 
I'm not willing to trust my life to a pocket semi. YMMV.

A snubby may be more difficult to learn to shoot well but I have a lot more confidence in its reliability.
 
Small "pocket" guns of any flavor are challenging to shoot well
Click to expand...

Very true. And that goes for any pocket gun, revolver or auto. If you can try them out first, that would be the best bet. I shoot snubs much better than small autos, but you might be the other way around.

As other said, the 442 is the same gun as the 642, just in a black/blued finish.

The biggest thing I like about pocket carrying a S&W x42 is that the rounded backstrap makes fast, snag free draws very easy. No hammer or rear slide projection to get hung up on something. And the prominent, yet still concealable grip of the J Frame makes it easier to find and grab onto when in a hurry.

And my 642 has been 100% reliable.

YMMV.
 
Assuming that you've already handled/shot all these weapons and they all fit your hand well and allow you to accurately land your first round and quickly acquire your 2nd or 3rd shot, you need to look at all the other factors:

-Why are you carrying? Do you work in a job where you carry cash/expensive property in sketchy areas and are anticipating a focused prepared ambush? Do you ride the backwoods where you're going to run into bears? Are you Joe-Civilian who wants to be ready when Al-Quaida hits the local mall?

-Where do you live? Cold weather area where long heavy clothes are typical, or hot areas where you routinely wear shorts and light shirts?

-Where do you frequent? Do most of your activities keep you in urban settings? Suburban settings? The farm/feed store/backwoods? Are you usually on foot/mass transit or do you ride in your car and run in and out of stores?

A bigger revolver is a good choice, unless you're anticipating that prolonged shootout, or it's too warm to conceal it well.

A nice compact .380 works great for those trips into the city where 1 or 2 shots is all you'll need to neutralize or run off a would-be attacker, but it'll just piss off the bear you run into.

A gun you "kind of" see may not cause much excitement if you're in a small town in Texas, but don't try it in San Francisco or suburban New Jersey.

Bottom line, caliber and style are important considerations, but they're not the only ones.
 
As for the LCP, it's a P3AT in all but name. You just pay more for it.
Click to expand...

I disagree.
I just bought the LCP. I was going to go for the P3AT, but when I felt them, they felt really cheap. The LCP was MUCH smoother, and had very very nice fit and finish. Trigger is actually outstanding.

The MSRP for the Ruger is $330. The MSRP for the Keltec is $324. That's a whole LOT of refinement you get for $6. In the end, when you're already paying more than $300, $6 more or less is nothing.
 
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