Defining the true pocket pistol

[marshall3]

Here's my take on what makes a true pocket pistol:

http://www.mouseguns.com/pocksize.htm

 

[gbran]

For comparison

 

[demusn1979]

FEET!

 

[gbran]

454 SRH, Taurus .22wmr revolver, Glock G26, Kahr PM9, Magnum Research .22 pistol, BHP and Bulgarian Mak.

 

[Mr_Moore]

You were reading my mind.

I have been thinking about the Kel Tec .380 as my next gun.

However, that Rohrbaugh 9mm looks like a honey. And it only add the weight of one stick of butter to the Kel Tec. The Kel Tec at about 8 oz (2 sticks of butter) vs the 12 oz (three sticks) of the Rohrbaugh.

What is up with the "no sights" version?!

 

[Onmilo]

Here's another group of pocket pistols.
My Kel-Tec .32 is in my pocket about as often as my pocket knife.

 

[marshall3]

You must have enormous pockets..

The P3AT will fit in a pocket. I don't see how the others in your photo can do so. They are definitely compact, but "pocket?"

 

[Fun2Shoot]

What defines a true pocket pistol?

That's easy. The answer is: The size of your pockets.

I have a Bersa Thunder .380 and a S&W J-frame as my "pocket pistols"

 

[Preacherman]

I routinely pocket-carry S&W Airweight snubbies and/or Glock 27's. In a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster, I have no problem concealing them. They're significantly larger than your pocket pistols of choice - but I'd have no problem considering them "pocket guns". (And, yes, I can conceal them perfectly well, given a good pocket holster to break up the outline.)

One tip for pocket carry of a larger weapon: if your trouser pockets aren't deep enough (a common fault with modern clothing design), simply open the bottom of the pocket, sew on an inch or two of additional pocket material, and then close the bottom again. This allows you to conceal a weapon much more easily. You don't even have to use matching material, as the pocket is concealed inside the trousers, and so a polka-dot extension won't offend the fashion nazis.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

marshall3, I am not sure that you understand that which you are talking about. Your defining of what you think is a true pocket pistol involved nothing but some examples and a few vague traits that are not necessarily relevant to others. If you are defining something, then it is the 'true' something by definition. You are redundant.

You have defined nothing. What you have done is provided several examples of guns you think are good pocket pistol and given a few traits that you think makes them be true pocket pistols.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

As I Sit..

there's a KAHR P9 in my Levi's front left pocket...as there always is, unless I'm headed out and can conceal My S&W 65 in a coat pocket.

In keeping with the thread, I find the P9 to be ideal as a true "pocket pistol."

Wonderful pics, BTW!!

Take Care

 

[280PLUS]

S&W 332...

Now the 432.

Nice socks BTW...

 

[Onmilo]

I have to add for the revolver fans that in my opinion, a TRUE pocket pistol has the ability to be fired multiple times through the pocket in an up close and personal defense shooting.
A revolver is the only weapon design capable of doing this.

ALL the pistols in my photo fit in the front and rear pockets of all my pants and do quite nice in all my coat and jacket pockets.
I am 6'2" 220 but I don't think the pockets on my clothes are any larger than any other sized garments on the market.

 

[Strings]

hmmm... I suppose it depends on the pocket: I carry either a Smith 19 or Beretta 92 in a pocket (ok... it's the "pocket" of my Coronado vest: sue me).

For a "true pocket pistol", we need criteria. How about these:

-small enough to fit in a pants pocket
-no protrusions/rough edges to catch during draw

Any others?

 

[Cueball]

I agree that the P3AT is probably an ideal pocket gun. I just bought one last week and am working on breaking in a Don Hume pocket holster for it now.

 

[LightningJoe]

a TRUE pocket pistol has the ability to be fired multiple times through the pocket

Does anyone have any legal opinions on firing your weapon from concealment?

 

[cookekdjr]

Does anyone have any legal opinions on firing your weapon from concealment?

If you are authorized to fire, it matters not whether the gun was concealed. In other words, concealment doesn't nullify your self-defense claim.
That won't necessarily protect you from a concealed weapons charge, though, if you were violating that law.
-David

 

[carebear]

I'd be more concerned about trying to fire a pocket pistol from anything but a pocket on a jacket or vest.

Even if the gun gun fits in a, say, jeans pocket, there's no way that sucker is going to be able to be rotated and fired forward.

I think the definition of "pocket pistol" needs to be mostly concerned with carry, not shooting.

Which means it is almost more dependent on the clothes worn (fit, style, pocket size) than the weapon itself.

 

[ThirdShiftRich]

I pocket carry daily a Kahr MK9 Elite. Its a 6+1 9mm, and it truly conceals well in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. If I wear straight cut light colored Khakis, the shape of the holster is a bit more obvious when I'm sitting down. In jeans, cargo pants, or Dickies, it looks like less of a gun than my cellphone and keys in the other pocket.

I bought my girlfriend a P3AT last week, and I just ordered a Desantis Nemesis for it. I'll take some pics of both when they come in. I am truly sold on that holster. I love my Kahr, but I may end up buying a P3AT for myself to throw in a pair of shorts in the summer. The MK9 is a bit heavy.

 

[Cosmoline]

I completely agree with you Marshall. What people call "pocket handguns" are often completely impossible to conceal in a normal trouser front pocket. A TRUE pocket pistol must be small enough to sit in a front pants pocket. I have an SP-101 that will fit in my COAT pocket, but that hardly counts.

Those of you stuffing J-frames into your trouser pocket--I would be seriously concerned about the amount of printing going on there. Not to mention the relative ease of access. Or maybe your pants are a lot thicker and looser than mine.

 

[AZgunstudent]

I must have outsized front pockets. I can carry a Lasergripped J frame or a Glock 26 in most of my pants. I can't do it in jeans, but when I wear jeans I am in a casual setting and can wear a belt gun.

Is my Kel-Tec P32 more comfortable and concealable in a pocket? Sure. But it is far less effective than either of the Glock or the J frame, both of which I can conceal adequately even in the pocket of my shorts on a 120-degree summer day in Phoenix.

 

[meef]

Those of you stuffing J-frames into your trouser pocket--I would be seriously concerned about the amount of printing going on there.

Aw heck, Cosmoline - that's nothing compared the the amount of printing going on directly adjacent to it.

 

[Strings]

[radio voice]LIVE! DIRECT FROM WTMI, WE HAVE MEEF!

So Meef... tell us ALL about the printing inyour pants! that a gun in your pocket, or you just happy to see us?[/radio voice]

 

[Gewehr98]

My pocket pal.

Kahr K9. If not in an IWB holster, it's in the pocket of my 501's.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

..Or Are You Just Glad To See Me?

No problem with my KAHR P9 in the pocket of my Levi's! No printing..and shirt tail out or sweater makes it a sure thing.

Works like a charm for me!

Take Care