What's Your Pick for POCKET CARRY??

Kel-tec P-3AT with a side clip or a S&W 442

NAA mini revolver with .22mag cyl and holstergrip. Right front jeans pocket.

S&W 442 or 640 in front pocket.

LCP + Nemesis = EDC

When I was working a 12 ft tape measure hung on my right hip nearly 24/7. Now I can't stand a holstered subcompact auto in the same location for any length of time. But a 642 lives in my front pocket 24/7 and I hardly notice it. Go figure.

Depending on the size of your pocket you might be able to fit a J-frame, but you might not. Also, the cylinder is going to create a bulge that a trained eye will pick up.
I almost always carry my NAA .22Mag Mini Revolver in a front pocket...6 ounces, five shots, definitely and up close and personal option, but one that's guaranteed to surprise the attendee.
I love to carry my Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP in a front pocket and it fits into my jeans "watch pocket perfectly! This makes it ride "high" to easily conceal under a shirt, but does cause discomfort when sitting down unless an adjustment is made. I also carry my Kahr P380 in the same manner - same pocket...the Kahr is truly a SMALL pistol at only 3/4" thick, under 5" long, and under 4" tall. It weighs just over 10 ounces with magazine so I would guess that with 7 .380 ACP rounds loaded it's probably about 14 ounces tops which is the weight of a S&W Airweight empty. The Kahr is completely invisible carried in a watch pocket, and could just as easily be carried in a back jeans pocket, and the addition of a simple "folded sleeve" made from something as cheap as a used milk jug creates a near "zero thickness," cover that conceals the shape of what is sandwiched between.

my standard pocket carry is S & W 642 in an Uncle Mike's/Blackhawk pocket holster; in the past I've dabbled with a KelTec PF9, Beretta Nano, Ruger LCP, Beretta Tomcat .32 acp, and a Cobra .38 SPL derringer; all but the S & W 642 have went bye-bye due to finances, but I am eyeballing another KelTec PF9 due to budget constraints (the derringer is a novel idea, but very hard to run under stress)

Any of the pocket 380's will work for pocket carry in MY pants. The revolvers are the same weight but the cylinder is thicker so they don't work as well for me.

From a budget point of view you can get a Kel Tec P3AT for under $300 or a Ruger LCP or a S&W Bodyguard for around $400. I have all three and am comfortable with all of them. The KT and Ruger are simple without external safeties while the Bodyguard has a lot more "buttons".

Sig and Bersa .380's are good guns but too big for my pockets.

The Diamondback DB9 is the smallest 9mm I have and it works just fine for pocket carry. The KT PF9 is a little bit heavier and, while I can carry it, it is bigger than I prefer. None of the other 9s that I have are even close to pocket sized.

I tend to switch between the Bodyguard and the DB 9. I like the laser on the Bodyguard which is why I have been carrying it more than the other pocket guns. Diamondback had worlds of trouble a few years ago with rampant quality issues but mine has been very good with all ammo types.

LCP for me. I tried IWB with an SP101, a Crossbreed Super Tuck, and a Crossbreed belt. It wasn't too uncomfortable, but it was not as easy as the LCP. I do not intend to switch back any time soon.

In regular pants:

• Kel-Tec P32 in DeSantis Nemesis
• Beretta 950 Jetfire in DeSantis Nemesis
• PSA Baby Browning in Hedley pocket holster

These all fit in the category of "I don't even remember it's there."

In baggies or cargo pants:

• SIG P238 in DeSantis Nemesis
• Glock 26 in DeSantis Nemesis
• Beretta Nano in DeSantis Nemesis

Much more noticeable, especially the Glock. If I put it in the lower pocket of cargo shorts, it bangs against my leg with every step I take. With these guns, pocket carry is doable, but belt carry is preferable.

pdsmith505 said:

I went with a Ruger LCP for the simple fact that it's small in all dimensions, particularly thickness. I like the pistol overall after putting 100rds through it. Next, I'm going to pick up one of these:


To carry like this:

Click to expand...

I have an Uncle George, like this, for my P3AT but my jeans' pocket isn't as deep as the photo and someone standing right behind me, such as in a line,would be able to see the pistol's edge. I haven't been able to find jeans with pockets that deep.

I don't know if it is a size issue - I wear 36X32.

Either a P938 or a 637-2 J-Frame, depending on who leavers the house first. (the J-Frame is always second).

When we get everything else paid for, we intend to buy a second P938. That will be in about 2027 the way things are going.

Normal carry is my Glock 29.

I consider a mouse gun a back up gun. BUG

On those occasions I need a BUG, or very rarely need a mouse gun only, I lean towards: my Seecamp .32, which is too small for my large hands, and really terrible sights (not that sights are needed for a 5 yard encounter )'
My trusty Smith 442. Better for the draw, simple, ready, can be fired inside a coat jacket, goes bang every time. Thickness does make it somewhat bulky, but in Fall and Winter, she is easy to conceal carry. Going to the beach? No. Haha.

Because I am a gun nut I just bought (on impulse, like most people) a Glock 42. Gasp. She fits my large hands, but not too big. She is THIN and this really makes a difference in my book. She has incredible sights compared to my Seecamp and Smith. I can actually hit small bullseyes out to 15 yards, hardly any recoil at all. And I have bad eyes!

She is light weight. Fully loaded under a pound. Running several boxes of standard and HD ammo thru her, she runs 100 %. Sure she's not my Glock 26, or 27, but she hides perfectly in several pockets and doesn't print. Holster on order and Talon grips on order. (Rubberized).

The wife and daughter are also smitten with this weapon....

Yes, I am ordering another. Here she is next to my Glock 21 gen4.

Smith & Wesson model 642.

I carry it in a Bob Mika pocket holster with a Bianchi speed strip loaded with 5 rounds of Remingto Golden Saber HPJ 125 grain JHPs.

Colt Mustang Pocketlite in .380.

Another vote for the LCP.
Even with the extended 7 round mag it fits well.

Charter Bulldog Pug .44 Spl. & Rohrbaugh R9S.

Mine's a Taurus M85.
.38 Special fits me fine, and I feel more comfortable dropping it into an (empty) pocket than an LCP or something, where possible lint is involved.

I find pocket carry to be the most conveinent way to carry I've found. I usually carry a S&W Model 60 with bobbed hammer. Comfortable, but you don't forget it is there.
I got a BG380 and loved it for carry. Disappeared in the pocket, and no weight at all. Too bad things fell off or out of the thing for no reason. Sorry, but I find a firing pin to be a critical item!
Looking at an LCR now.

For small pockets like shorts, sweats or bathing suit, I use a .22Mag derringer.

Pocket carry is my Tanfoglio GT-27 .25ACP.

S&w m&p340.

Tried the Pocket thing for a bit, decided a few things.

1) I don't really like pocket carry for everyday wear.
2) I really don't like any of the small autos I tried (LCP, Bodyguard, a few others I can't recall), especially I don't really care for .380
3) I like pocket revolvers better.

My current choice is a Ruger LCR for the days I don't feel like putting a belt on (since my Glock 21 goes on the belt when the belt goes on).

The LCR is small enough, very light, and pretty accurate in my hands. Not terribly fun to shoot, but comfortable enough that I can train with it without complaint.

Kel Tec P3AT in DeSantis Nemisis. I work in an office and wear dress slacks. Pleated black slacks have room and the color doesn't show what little print there is. The P3AT - like most Kel Tec pistols- needs attention; keep it cleaned & lubed; besides, I like cleaning and working with my firearms. I shoot it at least monthly to check function. And with larger hands, I've stippled the front & back straps for grip. Final comment- I tried the pinky-extension magazines but my grip ripped out the mag with every recoil. I could replace the mag release with a metal one, but I just use the flat bottom mags and they conceal better anyway.

LCP every day as a BUG in a Remora holster when I'm working. Occasionally I'll carry it as a primary weapon when the G27 in the Milt Sparks Nexus isn't practical.

One thing I dislike about the LCP is the false trigger reset.

Sig p238.