Best pocket piece – maybe a Colt Mustang Pocketlite or ????

[dandean316]

What would you suggest for a pocket gun? I’d really like at least a .380, something I can slip into my jean pockets with (maybe) a thin holster. I want it discreet, fairly thin and light. I checked out the NAA .380 and seemed a bit heavy for the pocket, although I didn’t use a holster,

Anyone have any experiences with the Colt Mustang Pocketlite? Looks like a nice pocket gun at 12.5 oz., its just I haven’t handled one and am kind of leery about ordering one on the net until I handle one – or get the pro’s and cons.

Any suggestions are helpful.

 

[brownie0486]

If you want light and power for the size, try a mod 49, 60 S+W in a pocket holster. These being hammerless [ at least on the outside where it can snag the pockets during retrieval.

I carry the Guardian 380 most days in a pocket holster and it rides out of sight in a pair of dockers, no tell tale signs of it and it doesn't weigh the pocket or pants down to much.

Brownie

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

Shouldn't this thread be in General Handguns? It's hard to stuff a rifle in your pocket, unless you own a silly gun like The Monster. Anywho, on with the question.


If you're not dedicated to automatics, look closely at the J-frame revolvers. They tuck into spaces that other guns don't, despite their thick-ish cyliders. They come in many materials, weights, configurations and calibers. They are one of the standards against which ALL pocket guns are judged, and therefore merit very close examination.

Another suggestion for "light and sufficeint" would be a PA-63, an alloy-framed Hungarian service auto usually chambered in 9 x 18 Makarov. These are almost exactly the same size as a J-frame, and are comparably light. One primary advantage is price: PA-63's can be had for under $100. These are good guns, as any military-service gun should be, although they are notorious for heavy triggers which can be directly addressed with a little home gunsmithing. Defininitely worth a look, if just for the price. They certainly aren't junk by any stretch of the imagination.


There's a bunch of other suggestions that have equal merit, which I imagine will come pouring in soonest, along with some direct-experience opinions of the Colt.

 

[Hawkman]

My search for a pocket carry ended with the Kel-tec P3AT.

 

[dandean316]

Shouldn't this thread be in General Handguns?

My bad. Moderator - can you move if you feel necessary?

I should check into the "cheap guns" - that was going to be a separate post for me. I was kind of thinking of picking up some Makarov's here and there, just for fun. I like the idea of service pistols.

I checked out the S&W 340PD on Sunday. I go back and forth on that one. Light is nice, it just seems a tad big for a true pocket gun.

I will have to check out those Kel-Tec's.

Keep the responses coming!!!

 

[Horsesense]

Hawkman, how many rounds have you shot in your 3AT and how has it done?

I have been on the lookout for one because they are supposed to be the same size as the P32. Anyway, I ask because the early P32's did have some problems (that have sense been corrected) with failure to feed and I'm wondering if Kel-Tec carried over the lesson learned to the 3AT or if I should wait awhile.

 

[cobb]

Kel-Tec now makes a 380 about the same size as their 32.

They may be a little bigger than you are looking for, but for me it has been a Kahr PM9, and now a PM40.

 

[BamBam]

Hawkman, how many rounds have you shot in your 3AT and how has it done?

All you ever wanted to know about Kel-Tecs:

http://www.ktog.org/vbulletin/

 

[Hawkman]

I have put a LOT of rounds through it, haven't bothered to count. What I did was buy one of every kind of .380 the dealer had on his shelf then I went into the range and shot them all. Must have been a couple of hundred by the time I was done. I had no failures of any kind, so at least by my limited sample, Kel-tec got it right.

 

[Tamara]

brownie,

If you want light and power for the size, try a mod 49, 60 S+W in a pocket holster.

Why the all-steel 49 over the lighter 38 or 442?

 

[Keith]

In .380, it's pretty hard to beat the Mustang! Locked breech means half the recoil of any other pocket gun. Less recoil means quicker and more accurate shooting. That's important in a small gun because you don't have much to hang on to.

It can be argued that some of the smaller nines or snubby revolvers are a better choice, but I'm not sure that you get much extra velocity from the small barrel of a concealment gun. In fact, I'd argue that the muzzle flash negates any advantage since you're effectively blind after the first shot if you use any sort of hot load. Nobody ever tests their pocket guns in the dark, so they're liable to be surprised when they actually have to use it in the real world.

Keith

 

[dandean316]

I tried the S&W 342PD this weekend. At under 11 oz, it really bucked, and I never even thought about muzzle flash. In Ayboob's Combat Handgun, he compared the Smith snubs - 342, 442, and the all steel one (642?). He says the 442 at 15 oz is the best bet. If I were to get a snub I am leaning that way, but it's not really a pocket gun, so I am not sure.

How does the Mustang compare to the Kel Tec .380 or the NAA .380? At 12.5 oz the Mustang seems pretty light, but with the locked breach, maybe that my best deal. Now just to find one locally...

 

[tiberius]

The P-3AT is 7.5 oz (about 10 oz. loaded) and is also locked breach. It is also still in production and only about $250.

I wish COlt's would bring the Mustangs out again, though.

 

[Keith]

That P-3AT looks like a neat little gun!

I'm a 1911 guy so I'll stick with my Mustang Pocketlite since it has the same manual of arms.
Still, if I didn't already own a Mustang I'd have to look at that P-3AT. The prices on Mustangs are just soaring to ridiculous amounts! I don't know why Kimber or Springfield doesn't jump in and offer such a gun!

Keith

 

[dandean316]

I think I'm going to go with the Kel Tec. It's lighter and cheaper than the others and I don't have to order it online.

 

[Keith]

I've not shot the Kel-tec, but I've gone through a number of pocket pistols in my time!

Locked Breech is a BIG plus in a gun of that size, so I think your choice is a good one. I think the Mustang Pocketlite is an even better choice, but the darned things are going for $500 nowadays and it's hard to justify that price.

Most of the comments I've seen on the Kel-Tecs are positive as far as reliability is concerned. Let us know how it works out!

Keith

 

[Matthew Courtney]

I've had a Mustang for a dozen years. It is by far one of the sweetest guns that I have handled. It's a tad heavier than the pocketlite, but at 18.5 ounces, its still very light and easy to keep handy.

 

[tbeb]

I recommend a nice used single action/double action Smith and Wesson model 38 ( shrouded hammer, blue or nickle finish) or a double action only model 442 (internal hammer, blue finish). You should be able to find the model 38 for under $300, I've seen them for $250. The 442 will cost a little more.

If you buy the Kel Tec .380 then good luck getting one that is mechanically perfect out of the box. Too many people have had to send their .32 and 9mm and .40 Kel Tec's back to the factory for warranty work.

 

[COK]

I have had a pocketlight for several years and can slip it in my pocket like a small billfold, very thin, light weight and have never had a problem with it.
Just spotted a used one in my local shop the other day.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I think that a Kahr PM9 would be a better choice than a revolver due to its' size and better than the Mustang snce it is a real 9mm rather than a .380. The Rohrbaugh would be a great choice if they ever start shipping.

 

[Cactus]

I have a Mustang Pocketlite and really like it. It easily slips into your pants pocket and it is very light. I had reservations about the recoil on such a light pistol, but after shooting it I was pleasantly surprised. It recoils less than my all steel Walther PPK/S in .380 and is very easy to control.

Look in the auctions and you can pick one up for under $400 if you are patient. I paid $335 for my stainless Pocketlite about 6 months ago. A friend picked up a blued one at a gun show for $325 just 4 months ago.

In my opinion it is the IDEAL pocket pistol. I think you would be very pleased with one.

 

[mattk]

I think the Mustang or Pony is great for pocket carry.
I have seen and heard too many bad thing about the KelTecs.
Yes I saw one blow up. Yes is was factory ammo.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've got a Gov't model 380 that is really small compared to my Pa-63, course it also costs 4x the Pa-63.

On that note, FEG's SMC model is a smaller, more rounded off version available in 380, I think it only held six shots and retails for closer to $200, as its not a"surplus" pistol but a newly manufactured one.

On the little Colts, its always bugged me that the saftey doesn't LOCK the slide in place and you really can't carry it hammer down. Here's why>>>

As you holster the hammer down pistol the slide moves enough to put the pistol on half-cock a very slight pressure on the trigger drops the hammer, (I'm not sure if enough to set it off I've never tried) and this is the point:

Its an SA auto, meant to be carried cocked and locked and IMHO, that makes it not so fast for "pocket" carry, even though the Colt is designed so nothing cab slip UNDER the hammer. You still have an exposed hammer.

Also don't care for the sights on the little Colts. A big tritium dot would be much appreciated.