.45 ACP Pocket Pistols - Whose got one?

Bersa Thunder 45 Ultra Compact Pro 3.6 inch barrel, 7 + 1 mag.

Jim

 

Thanks for the info mavracer!

I missed the photo at the #60 spot.

 

Could you imagine the recoil of a true .45ACP pocket pistol?

 

My PM45 used to kick like a mule! My hand would be sore after a few rounds. The sharp, hard plastice knurls on the grip do not help the situation...

The PM9 is much more gentle on my old bones!

 

I love the IDEA of the Para Hawg or Nitehawg, but from what I have heard, they are far from perfected.

 

My brother pocket carries an all black Springfield XDS 45. It's surprisingly very accurate, reliable and controllable. It's just slightly larger and heavier than the Kahr PM40 that I pocket carry and hides great in loose fit pants pockets.

 

Makes me think of this thing:

http://heizerfirearms.com/

Has anybody here fired one?

 

I can fit just about any fullsized 1911 in the pocket of my cargo shorts but I need a belt and suspenders to hold up the pants.

I have tried several different .45s but none that I have tried really were comfortable in my pocket. I could get them in and draw them awkwardly but sitting required some adjustments and overall it was not very comfortable. I would love to find one that really works for me but so far only the tiny 9mms and .380s are truly comfortable inside my average jeans pocket.

 

Occasionally, I will carry pocket carry a handgun (in a pocket holster). My Kahr PM9, Springfield Armory XDs, Ruger LCR and Smith & Wesson 649 (original with no dash number) all carry reasonable well. I have even carried my Glock 27 in a pocket holster. The XDs is not bad in the pocket if the pants are not too tight. The Glock 27 looks like I am carrying a paperback novel.

The main issue I see with some pistols in pocket carry is that my jeans pocket, at the front, can cause drawing to be hampered. It slows the draw of the PM9, the XDs and the Glock 27. The J-Frame size Ruger LCR and S&W 649 draw just fine in the same pocket since they are rounded more.

It may be possible to adjust the technique in drawing a semi-automatic from the pocket, or choose pants the do not not have that front part of the pocket that catches things.

One option for pocket carry some guys will do is either purchase pants made for it or have their pants pocket modified by a tailor. Pocket material tends to be cheap and thin and a tailor can replace or augment the pocket to make it larger and deeper. Additionally, the front part of the pocket can be made into a flap with a snap or Velcro that releases when the handgun is drawn.

 

I have a older Colt Mustang and a Colt MK IV series 80 in a .380 both guns shoot great I carry the mustang because it is a little smaller both are great guns

 

That statements begs the question...."Why would you recommend the Springfield .45ACP Compact when Springfield offers a much smaller .45ACP?" Can't figure that one out.

 

arizona98tj,

As I have said in numerous posts, "pocket pistol" simply describes a small pistol which may or may not be actually carried in a pocket. His intention is not to carry it in a pocket or even concealed carry it at all. He simply wants a small frame .45 ACP pistol. So, there is no advantage for him to go with an ultra small pistol with a very short sight radius for a plinking gun.

Don

 

Understood. I guess I would have used a phrase such as compact or perhaps sub-compact when trying to filter input for a "small frame pistol". However, were my friend asking me about a suitable plinking .45ACP handgun, with no intentions of using it for concealed carry, I would steer the person away from any small frame for caliber handgun.....new shooters almost always do better with a standard sized handgun. Shooting small frame handguns requires more skill and much more practice, IMO. But, no harm, no foul. It all resulted in a good discussion.

Good luck to your friend and the prospect of finding their new pistol. Thanks for introducing someone to the sport.

 

LOL, a pocket pistol does in fact indicate the handgun will fit in a pocket; XDs, LCP, Shield (maybe), PPS (maybe) but any handgun w/barrel length > 3.5" ain't going to be a comfortable pocket carry.

BTW, pocket-guns generally are not for plinking, nor do they have a long sight radius. I must say your thread title & actual intent could not be farther apart... just say'n.

 

Yes, but it does not actually mean that it will be used in that manner. I've got a sniper rifle, but.....

Yeah, I know. His dad has a full size, custom 1911, so go figure.

Don

 

I just picked up a Kahr CW45 today. I gave it a quick cleaning and then took it to the range for 150 trouble free rounds (100 rounds Federal FMJ and 50 Fiocchi JHP). Accuracy at 30 yards was excellent for a ~20oz 45 CCW.

 

Pocket Carry?

 

I'm very happy with my PT145. The 10+1 helps a lot too. The price is also a plus. As noted by the OP, it's not for true pocket carry but if needed to be it could fit into large cargo pants pockets, with a good belt, for the 10+1.

 

I tried it in an old Bianchi pocket holster that used with my PF-9. It would maybe work in cargo pants but zero possibility in jeans.

 

CW45, XD, or any 1911 would all be great choices to me. I'd say something about pocket carry at this point just for fun . . .

 

I pocket carry a XDS in a remora for over a year now. It is simple with casual pants.

 

I can pocket carry a G17, but when I sit down I look ridiculous..... as I do with my PM45.

I think I really advise from those who say they pull this off. standing up and walking isn't a problem pocket carrying most any gun, but when seated how do you disguise the box of cereal in your front pocket? because that's what it looks like for me. I must be doing it wrong.

please post pix of you seated with your mini 45acps in your front pockets, and then let me know what holster you are using. I simply cannot do this without looking like I shoplifted a bible.

I wear a 36" waist and 34" length pants. please recommend what brand and style of jeans and slacks can pull of pocket carry when seated in this pants size. I don't wear carpenter pants or carharts carpenter looking pants, if I wear business casual what will work.

really, I read a lot of stuff here but have yet to see any pix showing how this is pulled off in real life. again, standing isn't a problem, I can ccw a sawed off shotgun that way, its when I am seated and do not have a table to hide my legs under.....

any real world pix and proof is greatly appreciated.

 

Jerry
What you need to do is get over yourself. nobody is staring at your pants. nobody cares that you're smuggling a bible. just get a holster that breaks up the outline.

 

I live in Alabama so for 10 months of the year I wear shorts around town or in the yard. I carry a 9mm or a .380 as a pocket pistol. For me it wasn't so much the dimensions of the gun, although that is quite important, as it was the weight of the loaded gun. With cargo shorts I can get a pretty large bodied gun in my pocket but I wind up "saggin" to one side unless I crank down my belt and make myself miserable.
I may go to my LGS next week and try on some more .45s as mentioned in this thread since there are a lot I have not tried. The problem there is that I can't really get a feel for the weight of the gun fully loaded. I can know the actual weight but can't get a real feel for it and none of the LGS I frequent have an indoor range.

 

mavracer, its not that im high on myself, I just don't want to look ridiculous pocket carrying a gun that isn't fooling anybody.... isnt that the point of concealed carry, to blend and not stand out?