Need Input on Pocket Carry Guns

Which One for Pocket Carry??

  • Kel-Tec PF9

    Votes: 1 1.5%

  • Kel-Tec P11

    Votes: 12 17.6%

  • Kel-Tec P3AT

    Votes: 27 39.7%

  • Kahr PM9

    Votes: 28 41.2%
  • Total voters
    68
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B

Braden

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
Messages
134
Location
Texas
I want to get a good pocket carry gun and I've pretty much narrowed it down to one of the following. I'm looking for input regarding the pros and cons of each. Those of you who own or have owned one of these models please chime in with your input.

Kahr PM9 - I've heard nothing bad about these guns when it comes to pocket carry except that Kahr has been having QC problems lately. Also, in my opinion they're a bit pricey for what you're getting.

Kel-Tec PF-9 - Looks like a good gun but it's unproven and not exactly on the market yet. I'm sure it will be difficult to find for some time and I need to get something fairly soon. Don't know about price.

Kel-Tec P-11 - Is this too big for pocket carry? Seems to be a proven gun with a good reputation and reasonably priced. Probably my first choice if it will easily conceal in a pocket.

Kel-Tec P-3AT - This is my last choice because I don't really want to go less than 9mm but also my first choice due to its size. Seems to be very popular as a pocket gun or BUG and is reasonably priced.

For those of you who will suggest some sort of revolver, I appreciate your input but I'd prefer to stick with one of the above. :)

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
 
My P-11 was too big for pocket carry. I found using the factory belt clip would make it disappear IWB to the point I forgot I was carrying it. I would hold off on the PF-9 until it's been out a while and the bugs get worked out as most new guns have them. Have you thought about a S&W 642 or 442?
 
You know before posting alot of people will suggest a J frame, maybe that says something.

My pocket gun: 340SC
 
A comment on your poll. The %'s might come out a little biased in favor of kahr, because there are three choices for kel tec votes to fill, all pro kahr votes go to one cause. I know its not a kahr vs kel tec poll, but unfortunately that's how most people vote.

I'd be curious to see how a poll would go if you picked one, say the new keltec pf9 vs kahr, how that would come out. I personally wouldn't go for a kel-tec, but Kahr plastic wouldn't be my first choice either. Now the Kahr mk9 I would consider, but then your back to the weight of a g26, even if it's still considerably smaller. J-frame or an sp101 is looking better and better.
 
*


I carry a P-11 in the front pocket of my khakis in a pocket holster. It is about the maximum size pistol that I could carry concealed that way, but is just below the print threshold. It holds 11 rounds of 9mm and is quite light and comfortable. It has functioned flawlessly for 600 rounds now.


*
 
To be perfectly honest with you Kevin, that's not really an option at this point. Because you've already posted a message in this thread, I'm going to have to ask that you go ahead and vote.
 
For those suggesting a revolver because it can shoot from the pocket, I'm not quite sure how you would actually pull that off. Say I do reach down into my pant or jean pocket and grab hold of the gun. Isn't it going to be a little awkward trying to orient it while still in the pocket and get it shooting in the right direction? Wouldn't it be much faster and safer to pull it out and take aim?

I could see this for the pocket of a coat or vest, but if I'm wearing a coat or vest then I'll likely be wearing my primary CCW OWB and the pocket gun will likely be at home (unless I decide to carry it as a BUG).

So, the only real benefit to a J frame or other revolver has just been eliminated. That's why I'm not really considering them. :)

I understand that everyone has their opinions, but for the sake of answering the question at hand I respectfully ask that you offer input for the firearms I have listed.
 
I pocket a P11 and am tickled pink with it, have been for 9 years. It's very accurate for such a small auto, 100% reliable, 14 ounces unloaded, and can carry 12+1, though I just have ten round mags at the moment. It's also +P rated. That's a LOT of +P firepower in an accurate pocket pistol! I've never had to deal with customer service, but it's nice to know KT is among the best when I do need a part or something. The gun is quite simple, too. You can replace stuff yourself and KT will sent it to you if you need it free of charge, or so I hear. Lifetime warranty and they back it up. The gun is only .1" thicker than the PF9, doesn't print in my Wrangler Cargo jeans in a front pocket with a pocket holster. You can tell there's something in there shaped like a wallet, about it. I carried this gun IWB for a long time, then I found a couple of jeans with larger front pockets, the Wranglers being one of 'em. The gun is big enough you have to shop around for bigger pocket pants, but most slacks and such have big enough pockets. I don't know about Dockers, never been a preppy kinda guy enough to wear those things. I'm more of a WalMart redneck and life long biker type. I prefer beer to wine. :D

If you don't like long (if smooth) DA, you might prefer the PF9. I might buy one, don't know, but I really like the P11. I shoot it well.
 
For strictly pocket carry, I'd go for the P3AT. I had good experiences with my P32 and bad experiences with my Kahr K9. Those experiences won't necessarily translate to the other models, but it's my only benchmark. I don't know anything about the PF-9. I fired a P-11 at the range once. It was accurate and reliable for the mag I put through it (and it's owner didn't have a problem while he was there), but the trigger is way too heavy and it is too big for pocket carry IMO.

That said... I pocket carry or carry via OWB holster a S&W m37. I prefer always carrying the same rather than having different guns for different CCW purposes.

Chris
 
P-11

I have had, and pocket carried a P-11 for over 5 years. I carry it in an inexpensive Jagwear pocket holster in the front pocket of Docker style pants and no one knows it's there. I use a Kel-Tec 12 rd mag., and it is very comforting to be able to unobtrusively put my hand in my pocket and have 13 rds of 9mm firepower at my disposal without anyone knowing.

I also recently got a P3AT for front or rear pocket carry in jeans, or as a BUG.

Both the P-11 and P3AT have been completely reliable.
 
I often pocket carry my Kahr P9. A little bigger than the PM9, but in a kydex pocket holster it's a perfect fit in either jeans or pants. Also works great with bellybands and IWB's.
 
I've got the P11 with the belt clip. Everyone is right it's alittle large for pocket but with IWB it is easily concealed. Very accurate and with 10+1 it fits nicely under a T-shirt.:D
 
Of the four on the list, the only one I have any experience with is the P3AT. Great gun for the task. Conceals easily in a front pocket but most often I use the clip to hang it on the waistband of whatever I'm wearing. I put the clip between the pants and belt rather than over the belt. The little P3AT is invisible when hung IWB like that, even with the shirt tucked in; just "blouse" the shirt a little (make a loose fold to hang over the top of the belt line).

Some guys carry in hip pocket. Didn't work for me as the magazine release gets activated leading to failure to feed on the second round.
 
Based on the choices you presented, I voted for the Kahr based solely on what I've read over several months while making the same decision you are. In fact, my "list" was identical with the exception of the PF-9 which is too new to be considered. I almost purchased the Kahr but just before laying my money on the table I opted for a revolver for reliability and maintenance reasons.
And yes, although not the major, but one of the factors I considered was the ability of the revolver (spurless) to fire through my coat pocket more than once.
 
Honestly, no good reason. I'm just not a revolver fan. I don't see any advantage to using them. Why go with a heavier, larger, lower capacity revolver (S&W 642 or 638 for instance) when you can have a lighter, smaller, higher capacity semi-auto (Kel-Tec P11 for instance)?

That said, everyone and their mom keeps recommending them for pocket carry so I am admittedly wondering if maybe I should consider the S&W 638. I'm just not sure how a gun that is basically the same size (or a little larger) than a subcompact Glock (which I know from experience doesn't pocket carry very well) could be very good for pocket carry.

The ONLY upside I can see to a J frame is that in an emergency my wife, who cares nothing about guns or learning to use them, would be able to operate it whereas she might not be able to do so with an auto...which is really the only reason I'm halfway considering a revolver.
 
Hi,

My pocket gun for the past four or five years has been a Kel-Tec .32. It is super thin and super light.

After running several hundred rounds through it I've decided it is dependable.

ACCURACY?

If one can take the time to S - L - O - W - L - Y squeeze that stiff, long trigger, the gun will easily groug six inches . . . at six feet.

POTENCY?

Well . . . no one would volunteer to be SHOT by one, but unless your shot placement is perfect (hard to do with a stiff trigger and an inaccuate gun), you can't really expect to always win!!! Hmmmmmmm . . .


LATELY . . .

The little Kel-Tec has been used less! I inherited from my dad, his trusty old, aluminum-framed Colt Agent snubbie .38. The darn thing is only SLIGHTLY heavier than the Kel-Tec and its ACCURATE!

It's .38 Spl. round is much more potent too (although Lee Harvey Oswald didn't live long enough to tell how bad that gut shot felt that was fired from Jack Ruby's Colt snubbie!!!

The S&W aluminum-framed "J" frame suggestion is a GREAT ONE!!! Both the J frame and the Colt Agent are very light AND concealable in a proper pocket holster too!

The "J" frame give you five potent rounds, my Agent gives me six and uses the same speedloaders I use for a "K" frame. Yep . . . this makes it slightly wider, but not much!


I've come to believe that being able to make a great shot placement, of a more potent round . . . even with "only" six rounds, is a much better gamble to me than having seven or eight in a Kel-Tec .32.

Food for thought!

PS: You CAN shoot a revolver from INSIDE a pocket if you needed to also.

PPS: You'll quickly find that weight is a huge factor in what you carry in a pocket! Thus, even my aluminum framed, 3" Kimber Ultra CDP .45 is too heavy. Also, always factor the weight of each bullet in that higher cap auto. Weight . . . is weight!
 
I carry a KT3AT in my front pants pocket all the time. It is never in the way, and it always fires. Of course if you can .. Bigger is better
 
For those suggesting a revolver because it can shoot from the pocket, I'm not quite sure how you would actually pull that off.
Click to expand...
Sorry I was thinking coat pocket, a concealed hammer revolver has the ability to do this reliably.
 
That said, everyone and their mom keeps recommending [revolvers] for pocket carry so I am admittedly wondering if maybe I should consider the S&W 638. I'm just not sure how a gun that is basically the same size (or a little larger) than a subcompact Glock (which I know from experience doesn't pocket carry very well) could be very good for pocket carry.
Click to expand...

Try one on for size at the gun store. Sometimes a tiny bit of difference in the size is a big difference in practical terms.

The other half of concealed pocket carry, of course, is getting it out of the pocket smoothly. That is where my S&W J-frame failed the test. It fits, but just barely, and takes some wiggling to get in or out. Bigger pockets might do the trick, but I just got a smaller gun for pocket carry (the P3AT). The S&W works fine IWB appendix carry.
 
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