Best All-Around Pocket Pistol
- Thread starter pka45
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bannockburn
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pka45
A decent choice in a semi-auto for pocket carry. The single action trigger of the P238 helps to increase the accuracy potential, along with easy to acquire high visibility sights, and the locked breech design makes the gun very controllable and comfortable to shoot. I use to pocket carry my Colt Mustang and now my P238 with a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.
A decent choice in a semi-auto for pocket carry. The single action trigger of the P238 helps to increase the accuracy potential, along with easy to acquire high visibility sights, and the locked breech design makes the gun very controllable and comfortable to shoot. I use to pocket carry my Colt Mustang and now my P238 with a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.
redbone
Member
Hmmm... 24 posts and nobody said S&W 637. Lightweight, has a hammer. Mine has crimson trace grips, which would help with sMall targets if it's not too bright outside.
Hammer059
Member
If semi-auto: Sig P238 or P938, depending on your caliber preference.
If revolver: Close call between the LCR or S&W 642
I'd feel well armed with any of those (as far as pocket guns go)
If revolver: Close call between the LCR or S&W 642
I'd feel well armed with any of those (as far as pocket guns go)
I have a 37 carried for a while. It's still in my rotation but, I am hooked on the 442. The 37 is on the bottom.
jimbo555
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I missed the small game at 25 yards requirement. Sorry. Some maybe able to do it with a snub. I would probably scare them off. Tough list for a pocket revolver!
Blacksmoke
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I agree. 5 yards or so is about what a two inch barrel .38 Special is good for.
springer99
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Really?
Why would you have to do that? The average SD situation is 3 shots, 3 feet, 3 seconds.
I vote Colt Pocketlite .380.
Vern Humphrey
Member
For many years the FBI has said the "average" gun fight is at 7 yards, or 21 feet.
Now "average" means half the encounters are at that range or less, and the other half are at that range or more.
Tough criteria. Possibly a snubby with a bobbed, but not removed, hammer spur? S&W 638 with custom tailored target loads or wadcutters seems like the simplest factory option. Lowered expectations or a bigger gun are what immediately come to mind 
HB
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I find my 442 with min 158gr swc and HP-38 to be very accurate but I dry fire and live fire it a ton.
It skipped my mind but that 238 will serve you well. I've shot 2 of them and they are very accurate. 25 yard squirrel 100% of the time but 1/10 is probably doable.
It skipped my mind but that 238 will serve you well. I've shot 2 of them and they are very accurate. 25 yard squirrel 100% of the time but 1/10 is probably doable.
If you want to shoot 25 yards with a small revolver forget about sights. Learn to shoot from the hip.
Growing up I had many a day shooting running rats with a 22.
As for self defense, deer poachers standard rifle used to be a 22LR with some sort of silencer.
Not going any further on that one.
Growing up I had many a day shooting running rats with a 22.
As for self defense, deer poachers standard rifle used to be a 22LR with some sort of silencer.
Not going any further on that one.
earplug
Member
One advantage of a DA trigger on a lightweight J frame is it reduces the flinch induced by the pain. The DA trigger also forces you to have a firm grip on the gun which also helps reduce the recoil pain and makes for a consistent form which contributes to accuracy.
For some reason the back strap on a 638 is more comfortable then a 642 under recoil. S&W could fix this.
For some reason the back strap on a 638 is more comfortable then a 642 under recoil. S&W could fix this.
earplug
Member
I'm not a fan, but find it curious that no one with laser has chimed in.
HoosierQ
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642. I have moved away from it several times but always come back.
FLNT4EVR
Member
Sig P 238 for auto Ruger LCR in 357 for revolver. The couple of oz extra weight really helps with the recoil of heavy 38 special loads. If you want penetration stick with the heaver bullets out of the short barrel . The lightest thing I carry in it are warm 147 grn hard cast wadcutters , excellent penetration and no expansion needed.
I'd tweak these slightly and say P938 for auto and LCR in 327 FM for revolver. Sufficient power in both cases and the 327 will allow for easier follow up shots than 357.
Panzerschwein
member
Pocket pistols, or revolvers, are not the gun to have for small game and pests at 25 yards.
So, here's the thing: I don't shoot near as much as most of you (probably practice a couple times a year). I'm not an exceptional shot, but I've always been able to hold my own. I don't train for combat or rapid fire. But, I've always felt the people who limit short-barreled handguns to 7 yards max, as has been repeated in this thread several times, are wrong.
How about a new question, applicable to my criteria: if you were to draw your pocket gun and shoot offhand at 25 yards, slow fire, what kind of group size would you expect? Anyone care to try it? I'll give it a go later on today and report back.
How about a new question, applicable to my criteria: if you were to draw your pocket gun and shoot offhand at 25 yards, slow fire, what kind of group size would you expect? Anyone care to try it? I'll give it a go later on today and report back.
Mackay Sagebrush
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- Dec 12, 2016
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Don't discount DAO J Frames. Learning to shoot a revolver double action is only a matter of practice (and a good coach if need be). I have shot a BUNCH of animals in various sizes, at extended ranges, shooting double action.
For your role, while a Bodyguard model of J Frame would work, allowing single action fire, the DAO Centennials are abundant and can be found at very good prices.
A couple weeks ago, on Christmas eve day in fact, I went on a Jackrabbit Safari. While most of my shooting was done with a CZ 527 7.62x39, I also carried my J Frame 442, and a Model 15 Smith.
Each of the handguns were used to dispatch some jacks.
J Frame kills:
With practice, a J Frame is accurate enough to headshoot bunnies. In this case I was using full wadcutters, and they proved to be ideal for the application.
For your role, while a Bodyguard model of J Frame would work, allowing single action fire, the DAO Centennials are abundant and can be found at very good prices.
A couple weeks ago, on Christmas eve day in fact, I went on a Jackrabbit Safari. While most of my shooting was done with a CZ 527 7.62x39, I also carried my J Frame 442, and a Model 15 Smith.
Each of the handguns were used to dispatch some jacks.
J Frame kills:
With practice, a J Frame is accurate enough to headshoot bunnies. In this case I was using full wadcutters, and they proved to be ideal for the application.
Mackay Sagebrush
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- Dec 12, 2016
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And from a previous handgun hunt:
Mackay Sagebrush
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Any J Frame I carry for social purposes has a set of Crimson Trace grips, including the the old NYPD Nickle 442 that I posted pics of shooting Jack rabbits with.
Plus my BUG from work:
Great shooting MS! That's what I'm talking about, though many commenters here seem to limit the abilities of the shooter with a pocket-sized gun. And I can shoot double action (maybe not with jackrabbit-head accuracy), but obviously prefer single for shooting at any distance.
I went out behind my house, standing unsupported, drew out my NAA Black Widow -- that, sadly, I can't remember the last time I shot or cleaned, it's been months -- and shot a cylinder full at a cardboard target from 25 yards. No practice, no dry-firing, just shot this group. About what I was expecting. The gun has decent sights but a heavy-a$$ trigger, that caused me to pull the first shot high left. Still, 3.5" even with the flyer, is what I'm looking for.
If this NAA weren't so sloppily built, and fired a reloadable caliber, it would be perfect. Sadly, it is not perfect, and thus I started this thread.
I went out behind my house, standing unsupported, drew out my NAA Black Widow -- that, sadly, I can't remember the last time I shot or cleaned, it's been months -- and shot a cylinder full at a cardboard target from 25 yards. No practice, no dry-firing, just shot this group. About what I was expecting. The gun has decent sights but a heavy-a$$ trigger, that caused me to pull the first shot high left. Still, 3.5" even with the flyer, is what I'm looking for.
If this NAA weren't so sloppily built, and fired a reloadable caliber, it would be perfect. Sadly, it is not perfect, and thus I started this thread.
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