I Need a Midsize Mouse Gun

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.455_Hunter

.455_Hunter

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Greetings!

I am looking a pocket auto to fill a size gap in my CCW capable firearms assortment. Currently, my “always gun” is a NAA .22 Mag Mini-Revolver (1 5/8” barrel) that rides in an Uncle Mike’s pocket holster in my front pocket. My next smallest guns are a CZ-50 (.32 ACP), S&W Model 60 (.38 Special), Bulgarian Makarov (9x18mm) and a semi-custom Springfield Micro GI 3” (.45 acp). I like the NAA Mini very much, just sometimes it would be nice to carry something with a little more power, shootability, and reload capacity without jumping in size to the larger guns. The bottom line is that the gun I choose must still be able to be carried and concealed in my front pocket. I wear tight fitting, low-rise jeans/corduroys, and I am not interested in IWB carry or bulky outergarmets. Here are some of the options I am considering:

Kel-Tec P-32 and P-3AT (concerns about controllability, reliability and durability)

NAA .32 Guardian (too heavy? do they print?)

Seecamp .32 (hollow point only- I would like to have ball as an option. How’s the current prices?)

Seecamp .380 (hollow point only, mucho $$$- $795 NIB at local shop)

Others that did not make the cut (I think):

Beretta Bobcat .25 acp (too big/heavy for caliber, no improvement over .22 Mag except firepower)

Beretta Tomcat .32 acp (too big/heavy for caliber, very thick)

NAA Guardian .380 (too big/heavy for pocket carry)

NAA Guardian .32 NAA and .25 NAA (non-mainsteam ammo supplies)

Kahr PM9 (nice gun, just too big to conceal in my pocket)

S&W 637/638/642 (excellent guns, just don't conceal in tight jeans pockets)

Any others I did not consider that I should have?

Please provide your comments to help in my decision.

Thanks,

Hunter
 
Hunter,
I've had the Kel-Tec P32 for 4 weeks now. I've put a little over 200 rounds through it with absolutely no problems (and I do mean ZERO problems).

This gun is very controllable, and so far reliable. I actually enjoy shooting it! And although I have many other guns to chose for the range I look forward to shooting it more. From 10-12 yards I hit "A's" on a standard IPSC target.

I carry it front and back pocket in a Desantis Nemisis holster while wearing jeans or shorts. While carrying in tighter fitting jeans it looks like I have a wallet in my front pocket.

Hope this helps!

SA
 
I have a 1rst gen. P32. I bought it used. Although I'm not a real fan of mouseguns, I've been impressed with the little kel tec. The recoil is manageable and the gun is reasonably accurate at ten to twelve yards. I've never tried a P3AT, so I can't give you a comparison.
 
If you can find one, get a Colt 1908 Pocket Model like my wife's "surrogate husband". Standard safety plus grip safety, this is one of Browning's jewels. Its cartridge, the .380 (9x17), is gaining respect. And it is a tank. A pocket tank.
Cordially, Jack
 
Originally Posted By: Furious Styles
Wear looser jeans, or lose weight.

Sacrifices and/or changes can be made.
Click to expand...
Now that's not called for, especially here on THR!!:rolleyes:

I've had a KelTec P-32 for a while now and I always have it in my pocket. It's very comfortable in the summer although I do carry my J frame all winter.
 
Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) is my vote. I carry it and LOVE IT! Its the smallest, lightest, thinnest .380 automatic ever made. Kel-Tec is lifetime guaranteed. Peroid. Great American company that keeps its prices low.


If you want to go a tiny bit bigger and 2oz more you could get the 9mm in the PF-9. The P3AT weighs 10oz loaded and the PF-9 weighs 12oz. :D

images


PF-9 and P3AT side by side
 
If you want something in 25acp, the Astra cub (aka Colt Junior) is very nice.
Ammo is a bit expensive, and the sights are a bit of a joke, but it is very comfortable and is a pleasure to shoot. And it just looks good.

astra_cub.jpg

I bought it for my lady, and on the first night of ownership she had a dream where she shot an intruder with it and the bullet just bounced right off him.
 
S&W J-frame all the way! I own both the 637 and the 642 with no looking back. If you want a reliable, pocket carry pistol, the revolver is the only way to go.
 
If you want Midsized look at the Kahr line. If you want small, then the Seecamp is the pick-of-the-litter at around $400.
 
.455 Hunter,

I too wear my jeans a little more snug. Although I often carry
a PT145, SP101, or a 637, my 2nd gen P3-AT is always in my
pocket. I just use a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster and at a
worst case scenario, it looks like a wallet lump in my pocket.

I have over 1100 rounds through it and have never had a failure
of any kind. I do, however, shoot mainly ball through it. Santa Barbara
is what it's eating right now.
 
I carry a P3AT in my back pocket when I need to be discreet or when I go jogging. Though not "comfortable" to shoot, it is fully controllable and reliable. I have had one misfead using older ammo. No other problems.
 
Looked at a few examples this morning

Greetings,

I stopped by a gun shop this morning and looked at a few pieces:

NAA Guardian .32 ACP- Very high fit and finish, handles well, slightly heavy, smaller in all dimensions (except thickness) than a P-3AT, wish that it had a heal mag release instead of a button release. I like the long DAO trigger over that of the striker-esque guns.

KEL-TEC P-32/P-3AT- Very light, lots of sharp plastic edges, does not fit my hand very well, but low cost.

KET-TEC PF-9- Nice size gun, but quite a bit bigger than what I am looking for right now. Better finish work than the P-32/P-3AT.

Maybe I can check out that Seecamp .380 over the weekend or next week.

Right now the Guardian is in the lead, but who knows?

Just a couple of notes:

I REALLY, REALLY like revolvers, and prefer them over most autoloaders. The fact is the even the lightest, scandium j-frame is TOO BIG to fit the pockets of pants that I like to wear and not look like a gun (even with a pocket holster). If someone came out with a revolver smaller than a j-frame, but bigger than NAA Minis, I would be the first one to buy it. Unfortunately, NAA's recent attempt went nowhere in the looks and functionality departments. I think someone should dust off the drawings for the old S&W, H&R, Iver Johnson "Break Opens", and build one out of Stainless Steel, chambered in .32 ACP (5 shot), and fitted with a good trasfer bar safety system to allow full cylinder carry.

Thanks for your input.

To be continued....

Hunter
 
Last edited:
My carry guns are P32, P3AT, and NAA Black Widow Magnum. I always have one of the 3 on me. Well, except at the gym. I haven't worked that out yet.

In the winter I sometimes carry a Keltec P11. The P11 is about the same size as a j-frame S&W, but it holds twice as many rounds, in a hotter caliber.

P32 or P3AT - You can solve the sharp edges with 10 minutes and a sheet of 400-grit sandpaper. I like the sharp edges.
As for fitting your hand, once you add the pinky extensions to your magazines, it's a different gun. You get a full 5 3 fingers on the front strap, and you have a secure hold.
There is a reason Keltec sells their products as fast as they can make them.
 
NIB KelTec P3AT may have some sharp edges from the moulding process. Sand them smooth and you've got a very accurate, reliable featherweight with a fair amount of punch. After a couple of range visits, I bet you would discover that it does actually fit your hand quite well.
 
the women i know who dress like that carry a Kel-tek p32 with a chromed slide......i tried to get my wife to wear those but she just wont come around to those low riding pants.....but my daughter lives in them....

if theyre not wearing those kind of jeans they move up to a better gun when the clothing allows.....
 
I just got a Walther PPKS in 380 and also a Bersa Ultra Compact 9mm and am pleased with both...Bersa makes a nice 380 also...but the Walther was a used
gun and the dealer made me a two for deal that could not be beat....
 
I use a PPK or Colt 1903 in .32. The Colt is thinner and more easy to conceal, but the PPK is more accurate and feels better in my hand.
100_1817.gif
100_1796.gif
 
How about a Colt's Single Action Army? 7 1/2" barrel? I've actually got two or three pairs of pants that I can fit a full sized peacemaker in the front pocket. It's not the size of the gun that counts, it's the size of the pockets.

Back to reality, the kel tec p32 is a fine and dandy little gun. It's slim as all get out, light, has the mag release in a normal location instead of the euro heel release, mine's been reliable, and decently accurate. I threw about a 5" group at 50 feet, shooting offhand with it the other day.

Anyhow, would I rather have a 1911 or pair of SAAs in a gunfight? yup. Is the Kel tec a better choice than nearly anything in its class? also yup.

~~~Mat
 
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