opinions on a pocket carry gun
- Thread starter MDMadrid
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ronto
Member
The SP101 is too heavy for pocket carry but a good choice for IWB or OWB carry. If you want a revolver for pocket carry get a good used 38 Special Model 37 S&W Airweight.
The answer lies in you. How do you dress? What do you do? Is pocket carry necessary or just how you chose to carry? The SP101 is heavy but if you wear heavy garmets it may not be too heavy. If you are wearing chinos it probably is. The first thing to determine is what action type. I have not handled a .40 Kahr but don't believe they are exceptionally light either, not to mention they are very square. After reviewing all the necessary questions for myself, the answer came in a S&W 642 (.38 cal Airweight) and sometimes I wish I had opted for the Titanium instead. The decision is yours after you do some research and answer the questions for yourself.
I thought about a pocket gun because I spend about 98% of my time wearing "docker" style pants and a polo shirt (tucked in). Also I live in SC and the weather is not friendly to an overshirt or a coat. A guy at a local gun shop carries a Kahr .40 in his pocket and says it works well for him. From reading THR threads most of the people who carry in their pocket carry revolvers so based on those opinions I thought I could get input from all of you experts. More opinions would be appreciated!
jad0110
Member
+1 for a S&W 642 or other airweight. That's about as big as I'd go for pocket carry. My 642 does disappear in there, I know it is there but I really don't notice it.
tegemu
Member
I am aware of your choices but have you considered an officers size 1911. I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, .45 ACP, in a Sam Andrews www.andrewsleather.com , pocket holster. Lots of firepower, fits well, doesn't print as a gun but rather like a wallet, draws easily and is not prohibitavly heavy.
The J frames or similar Taurus guns. The PM9 or 40 cal version in the Kahr line.
They work fine as pocket guns - you can get a bigger honker in your pocket if you think you will be attacked by Zombie Mae West (look out Doug)!
They work fine as pocket guns - you can get a bigger honker in your pocket if you think you will be attacked by Zombie Mae West (look out Doug)!
MCgunner
Member
I'm not sure how heavy the Kahr is, but I consider 20 ounces max for a pocket gun and the SP101 exceeds that by a bit. It's also a larger frame than a J frame, would take one heckuva pocket. When I think of pocket guns, I think very small compact nines like the P11 (what I carry) Kel Tec, 642 Smith and Wesson, the little titanium and airweight J frame smiths with 2" barrel, Rohrbaugh 9mm, Taurus ultralite (I have one), the Kahr PM9, on down to 380s and 32s from NAA, Kel Tec, Seecamp, and others. The SP101 is outside that envelope for me. I love the gun, don't misunderstand, just don't think it's a pocket gun. I'd get a 3" and carry it IWB, personally, comfortable that way and a little power house with hot .357 magnum loads.
JMHO though. If you don't mind that much weight and you have big enough pockets, it's your decision.
JMHO though. If you don't mind that much weight and you have big enough pockets, it's your decision.
WeedWhacker
Member
It may be a little too small for some folks' tastes, but the NAA mini revolvers simply disappear anywhere you care to put them (except, maybe, in the back pocket of your hip-huggers).
Five shots of FMJ .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire in your pocket is far and away better than those six rounds of .357 you left in your sock drawer.
Five shots of FMJ .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire in your pocket is far and away better than those six rounds of .357 you left in your sock drawer.
Sig245
Member
Its funny! I think most of us non-LEO's progress from our ideal carry gun to something more comfortable.
I tried several guns. Glock model 17, Sig 245, Kimber Compact, S&W Model 38, Sig 232 and ended up with the lightweight Kel-Tec 32 or 380 P3AT, I have both.
About the only gun that I can carry in my front pocket in hot weather that does not print or make my pants sag from the weight are the lightweight Kel-Tecs. A 32 Seecamp will work also.
For woods carry I will carry my Kimber Compact or Sig245 under a shirt or light jacket.
A larger man may be able to carry a larger gun without any problems. But I hate walking into a resturant with a "brick" in my pocket.IMHO
I tried several guns. Glock model 17, Sig 245, Kimber Compact, S&W Model 38, Sig 232 and ended up with the lightweight Kel-Tec 32 or 380 P3AT, I have both.
About the only gun that I can carry in my front pocket in hot weather that does not print or make my pants sag from the weight are the lightweight Kel-Tecs. A 32 Seecamp will work also.
For woods carry I will carry my Kimber Compact or Sig245 under a shirt or light jacket.
A larger man may be able to carry a larger gun without any problems. But I hate walking into a resturant with a "brick" in my pocket.IMHO
I have a Kahr MK40 and my brother has my PM9. While they can be carried in pocket, they are far along the upper limits of that type of carry. If you have dark colored, baggy cargo shorts, then it is not a problem. Short of that, they are on the big (noticeable) side, even with a flat, anti-print panel. Still, they have a place in your collection.
For really concealed pocket carry, I would recommend the Kel Tec P-3AT. With the right pocket holster, they just disappear. And they are light.
For really concealed pocket carry, I would recommend the Kel Tec P-3AT. With the right pocket holster, they just disappear. And they are light.
rich52us
Member
Kel-Tec
I pocket carry a P-11 when I wear dockers or shorts. I carry it in a Jagwear pocket holster that has an anti print panel. If I wear jeans or other tight pocket pants, I carry the P3AT. Both have been 100% reliable for me. I've had the P-11 about 10 years and it was my primary carry till recently.
I pocket carry a P-11 when I wear dockers or shorts. I carry it in a Jagwear pocket holster that has an anti print panel. If I wear jeans or other tight pocket pants, I carry the P3AT. Both have been 100% reliable for me. I've had the P-11 about 10 years and it was my primary carry till recently.
Joe Demko
Member
At one time or another I've pocket carried a .22 magnum minirevolver, an NAA Guardian in .32 acp, and a Keltec P32. Larger pieces, like a Keltec 9mm, tended to be uncomfortable and/or print in all but the loosest pants. another thing, for me anyway, is that when the gun reached a certain point in weight, a belt became a necessity. Even the Guardian, which isn't all that heavy, would drag down shorts or sweatpants held up by an elastic waistband.
BTW, if you elect to go with a minirevolver, get yourself a set of the boot grips. The don't noticeably increase weight or bulk, but they do make the gun enormously more shootable.
BTW, if you elect to go with a minirevolver, get yourself a set of the boot grips. The don't noticeably increase weight or bulk, but they do make the gun enormously more shootable.
innerpiece9
member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2006
- Messages
- 96
if its no trouble for you, try and check out a Kahr CW9.
Its a very slim and universal carry gun, shouldnt be too big for pocket carry depending on yer atire.
its reliable, well, mine is. a good pointshooter, accurate, and preforms real nice with Win. 147Gr. SilverTip HP's.
the Kahr is quite light in weight, Ive been thinking of trying out the Aigula 65Gr HPs for an ultra-light pkg.
mine carrys more low-pro without Handall rubber grips, as shirts like to hang on to the rubber.
most concealable 9 Ive had, I do preferr a higher capacity, but Im also confident in my shooting and hitting ability, so 7+1 and a spare mag is enuff for me.
KelTec also has a nice p11 9mm, a bit smaller than the Kahr, but mich wider, kinda chunky. Im not an expert on wheelguns at-all.. but I shure do like my CharterArms 'Police Undercover' .38special snubbie, 6 shot.
The KAHR I bought was sitting next to a Glock19, and a KT P11.. I would have spent $200 less for the P11, and $100 more than the Karh, for the Glock.. but Ive had 3 glocks and dont admire them at all...
Taurus Pt111 MilPro are extremely fine CCW pistols, the best overall 9 for CCW imo. but a lil big for pocket carry unless yer a big fella. 4K+ thru mine without one single issue. nearly as packable as the CW9 with a 12+1 capacity.
ip9.
Its a very slim and universal carry gun, shouldnt be too big for pocket carry depending on yer atire.
its reliable, well, mine is. a good pointshooter, accurate, and preforms real nice with Win. 147Gr. SilverTip HP's.
the Kahr is quite light in weight, Ive been thinking of trying out the Aigula 65Gr HPs for an ultra-light pkg.
mine carrys more low-pro without Handall rubber grips, as shirts like to hang on to the rubber.
most concealable 9 Ive had, I do preferr a higher capacity, but Im also confident in my shooting and hitting ability, so 7+1 and a spare mag is enuff for me.
KelTec also has a nice p11 9mm, a bit smaller than the Kahr, but mich wider, kinda chunky. Im not an expert on wheelguns at-all.. but I shure do like my CharterArms 'Police Undercover' .38special snubbie, 6 shot.
The KAHR I bought was sitting next to a Glock19, and a KT P11.. I would have spent $200 less for the P11, and $100 more than the Karh, for the Glock.. but Ive had 3 glocks and dont admire them at all...
Taurus Pt111 MilPro are extremely fine CCW pistols, the best overall 9 for CCW imo. but a lil big for pocket carry unless yer a big fella. 4K+ thru mine without one single issue. nearly as packable as the CW9 with a 12+1 capacity.
ip9.
MCgunner
Member
I like the holster grip. The gun folds up in it like a lock blade knife and really makes it easy to shoot. I have a little NAA .22 LR with 1" barrel that goes everywhere with me along with my P11.
WHEN IS THAT DANGED KEL TEC PF9 GOING TO COME OUT!?!?!?!? It's to be 0.1" thinner than the P11, but single stack. It'll still have an 8 round mag, so 9 rounds on tap way I understand it. I'll keep my P11, though.
barnett
Member
at the next gun show... look at the Colt Mustang Pocketlite....one of the BEST pocket guns IMHO.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Pocket Gun, Uh~?
My favorite is a Seecamp LWS-32~!
My favorite is a Seecamp LWS-32~!
rtl
Member
I too would recommend an airweight J-frame such as the 642 or a Kel-tec P-3AT in that order, but that's just my personal preference.
Since I gave my J-frame to my father-in-law on permanent loan and since my wife now calls our P-3AT hers and carries it often, I've started carrying my PPK with the flat mag base while wearing Dockers. That's not the lightest pocket carry and not my first or second choice, but it's what I have available when my wife is carrying the P-3AT, it pocket carries a bit easier than an SP101 and the flatness of the PPK makes up for the weight ... a bit.
Since I gave my J-frame to my father-in-law on permanent loan and since my wife now calls our P-3AT hers and carries it often, I've started carrying my PPK with the flat mag base while wearing Dockers. That's not the lightest pocket carry and not my first or second choice, but it's what I have available when my wife is carrying the P-3AT, it pocket carries a bit easier than an SP101 and the flatness of the PPK makes up for the weight ... a bit.
ronto
Member
Keep in mind the new S&Ws have a lock, that's why you should consider a good used S&W Model 37.
Locks are a topic of heated discussion but IMHO they are just one more thing to possibly malfunction and one of the purposes of a revolver over a semi for CCW is to eliminate as many malfunction scenarios as possible.
Locks are a topic of heated discussion but IMHO they are just one more thing to possibly malfunction and one of the purposes of a revolver over a semi for CCW is to eliminate as many malfunction scenarios as possible.
MCgunner
Member
The 642 isn't an airweight. It's a steel gun, but it only weights 19 ounces. It is also very small and +P rated. It's a very nice little pocket gun.
aguyindallas
Member
MCGunner....
The 642 IS an Airweight and is NOT an all steel gun. According to S&W, it weighs 15oz empty. Mine is in my pocket right now in fact....GREAT pocket rocket!
Here is a link to the specs for it :http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y
For what its worth, I did not pay MSRP for mine. I got it for $339.00 plus tax, NIB from www.sportingarms.com
I am not trying to be an @$$ about it, but rather just trying to keep any misinformation about this or any other guns from becoming internet folk lore.
The 642 IS an Airweight and is NOT an all steel gun. According to S&W, it weighs 15oz empty. Mine is in my pocket right now in fact....GREAT pocket rocket!
Here is a link to the specs for it :http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y
For what its worth, I did not pay MSRP for mine. I got it for $339.00 plus tax, NIB from www.sportingarms.com
I am not trying to be an @$$ about it, but rather just trying to keep any misinformation about this or any other guns from becoming internet folk lore.
PistolShooter1
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- Joined
- Sep 1, 2006
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- 17
Pocket carry varies from a glock 26 ( most of the time ) or a S&W J frame with a back up kel teck 32. At times I have carried an old Detective special or a couple J frames.
obiwan1
Member
Since I retired my PPK, the KelTec P11 works for me. I also like the Kahr PM9 if you have one that works.
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