Pocket .380 vs Snub .38

[lee n. field]

I need help in deciding a pocket gun. Cashier at a local gas station, fixing to start graveyard shifts... Corporate policy is a resounding "no", Manager's policy is "What I don't see, I can't do anything about.". It would be in cargo shorts, but would still need to hide well. Bearing in mind that being made would result in my immediate termination, with absolutely no questions asked; irrelevant of how much my manager adores me.

My choices have narrowed to an original Ruger LCP or an Airwieght Centennial Smith (or equivalent) in .38 Spl.

And yes, this is a "buying in the near future" post. And no, "Get another job." is not a sufficient answer. Besides the fact that I like this job, it is the only one I can get to as of now, for personal reasons.

I'd go with a snubby, in a Mika pocket holster, with grips to suit. But, that's me.

A lot feeds into this decision.

How much experience with carry do you have?

"LCP or Airweight"? -- have you handled and shot either? Little guns take work, and little automatics can be finnicky about running.

LCP, or LCP Max? The Max looks like (at least on paper) it fixes some of what I don't care for about the original LCP.

Pocket carry, or some kind of deep concealment holster?

 

[sgt127]

Saw the title. Was about to impart my brilliant thoughts.

Just about everything I was gonna say was covered in the first few posts.

I would probably go with my S&W 642 for the sheer reliability. Particularly if you wind up in a fight and you just need to shoot someone off you.

If you’re anywhere near Southern Nevada, holler. I’ve got several variations you could try out.

 

[Mark 40]

Just about everything I was gonna say was covered in the first few posts.

Agreed; lots of wisdom dispensed in this thread. And very enjoyable as well.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

For what it's worth, I've extensively shot and handled both.

 

[Jonesy814]

I have both an LCP and a couple J frames. I pocket carry all the time and wear cargo shorts in the summer. I found that I almost always end up with the J frame. The LCP looks like a gun in your pocket. With the revolver, the bulge of the cylinder really breaks up the shape. If someone really looks they can tell something is in your pocket but it doesn't look like a gun

 

[aaaaa]

I would go with whichever one you feel most comfortable with using. My choices in this instance are all DA: a Kahr CM 9 and two similar S&W .38 Special snubbies; a Model 649 and a Model 638 The primary difference between them is the Model 649 is all stainless steel while the Model 638 has a stainless steel cylinder and barrel and an aluminum alloy frame making it lighter in weight. Any one of the three are easy to carry concealed and more than capable of getting the job done.

Wow, I want a Model 649! That one is a .357 Magnum!
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/archive-model-649

 

[JoeHenry]

Something I haven’t seen talked about, the snub can shoot thru your pants pocket without jamming. I know the small .380 autos have a couple more rounds, but the snub has 5 for sure.

 

[halfmoonclip]

If it really, really, really has to be concealed, then the LCP is the deal. Past experience with the original version has been 100% reliable; the gun will tolerate more shooting than my hand.
Love Centennials; the steel versions are easier to shoot. Revos are easier to manipulate; autos are easier to shoot.
Back to the question; if ultimate concealment is the deal, LCP for the win.
Moon

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Y'all have given me much to muse on...

 

[five.five-six]

I just can't get behind pocket carry, I put too much stuff in my pockets. Mouse guns I have are colt detective special 5 round, rugar LCP, .380, khar p380, khar PM9 some other cheep .380 I settled on the KHAR P380 or PM9 in an IWB hybrid holster appendix. leaves my pockets free, trigger is very well protected and I can present very quickly, repeatably and safely. It's very comfortable as well, no gun bouncing around my pocket banging into my junk if I have to run for some reason.

 

[horsey300]

Y'all have given me much to muse on...

For me it comes down to effectiveness..... You might only get off one or two shots anyway realistically speaking....with a .38 most ammo is just a hole poker if the barrel is shorter than 4".....if I have to use my weapon against something that breathes I want damage..... In a snub, buffalo bore makes one load I'd run, if you can use that, I'd be thrilled with a wheelgun loaded with such, if not, I'd run the .380 more ammo designed for that purpose.... Heck, load ftx, inceptor, hp, ftx, inceptor, hp, likely you won't get past the first hp, but I met a fellow who got shot in the chest and took the gun from his sister (on drugs) he said it hurt, but was too pissed to care and it didn't cause enough damage to take pause..... Just a thought.... And from buffalo, this is what I'd run in that snub based on various testing....https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=294
If you get a snub .357 he also offers a +p

 

[Pat Riot]

For what it's worth, I've extensively shot and handled both.

That’s good. I was going to recommend trying to rent each one and try them out. I think you probably already know which one you like. I think you should pick one and perhaps later get the other.

I used to carry my S&W 442 as primary and my Remington RM380 as a backup and vice versa.
I also had an issue with my mag release as @chicharrones mentioned on the RM380. A couple of times I found the mag not fully inserted. I had bumped the release carrying it in my pocket. A pocket holster helped but added an extra step to deal with.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

For me it comes down to effectiveness..... You might only get off one or two shots anyway realistically speaking....with a .38 most ammo is just a hole poker if the barrel is shorter than 4".....if I have to use my weapon against something that breathes I want damage..... In a snub, buffalo bore makes one load I'd run, if you can use that, I'd be thrilled with a wheelgun loaded with such, if not, I'd run the .380 more ammo designed for that purpose.... Heck, load ftx, inceptor, hp, ftx, inceptor, hp, likely you won't get past the first hp, but I met a fellow who got shot in the chest and took the gun from his sister (on drugs) he said it hurt, but was too pissed to care and it didn't cause enough damage to take pause..... Just a thought.... And from buffalo, this is what I'd run in that snub based on various testing....https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=294
If you get a snub .357 he also offers a +p

148grn hard cast wadcutter

 

[halfmoonclip]

Been reflecting on this overnight. For some time, I've been carrying, in descending order of size, an LCP, Glock 42, and Sig365, all with Alabama kydex pocket holsters.
In a pair of jeans, the 365 really does blend in well, and the thick fabric controls it; it's not bad in dress pants, but with the greater weight, it does bounce around. The lighter Glock carries better in that regard, and the LCP best of all.
The SIG really is the deal if you actually have to use it.
Yeah, I've an assortment of J-guns too, including a 340SC, which is still bulkier than the SIG.
Moon

 

[jstert]

i’m a revolver guy so i should vote for the 38sp snubbie loaded with wadcutters for softer recoil/better accuracy.

that said, if i want an absolutely pocket-concealable handgun my go-to piece is a keltec p32 semiauto pistol. it’s similar in shape to a ruger lcp but 32acp is way easier to control and thus way more accurate, at least in my hands. the naa guardian is another decent, albeit chunkier, 32acp choice, as is the beretta tomcat, but i have no experience with the latter.

 

[defjon]

For what it's worth, I've extensively shot and handled both.

Alright, since your extensively shot and handled both options one should stand out for you.

We need closure!

There are no free lunches. There are trade offs for any choice. We all pays our money, and we all takes our chances.

Personally I choose the j frame, sacrificing capacity for reliability under any grip strength, contact shots, no mag to kick out in pocket.

I offset this by carrying the NAA foldable 22 with pocket clip. If I've shot the j empty and I still need to shoot, that's 5 more loaded with federal punch.

I keep Hornady critical 110 grain non plus p. Tends to expand past .45 and go 14+ and has no recoil to speak of from an airweight.

I carry a speed strip and have spent a decade or more practicing a quick reload. The quickest I've found is stripping 2 rounds and getting back on target. This is very fast. Fast enough I can almost count my j as a seven shooter! ( Well maybe not...)

I also have a blade and pepper spray. That's a pretty good load out and it all carries pretty much invisibly.

Sometimes the hellcat in a vedder will replace the j frame. It is heavier and slower to draw from a pocket. Better for iwb.

 

[DT Guy]

I've got snubbies (LCR, 642), a CW380, 365, LCP II (.22, toy gun) and LCP Max.

If not getting made were the primary criteria, the CW380 and LCP II would top the list, with the Max just a hair behind. Consider the CW holds 6+1 and the Max holds 10+1 and that seems to be the sweet spot of the compromise.

Keep in mind, you'll likely be doing some stocking, unloading and general maintenance when the store's not busy, bending, reaching and such. The small, flat auto is just easier to conceal, in my experience.

Larry

 

[CDW4ME]

148grn hard cast wadcutter

For SD against humans?
There are 38 special HP bullets that penetrate at least 12'' and consistently expand from a 2'' barrel:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

God forbid I was limited to a 2'' 38 snub for carry, I'd have a good HP like 130 HST Micro, 125 +P Golden Saber, 130 PDX Defender in the cylinders.
And if I had one, I'd try to carry a LCP with a good HP too. ..... While I saved up for a Sig 365 or Hellcat.

 

[crstrode]

Obsessing over being discovered and terminated from a gas-station cashier's position probably isn't worth the energy. From what I've experienced, there is a help wanted poster in just about every such business of late.

I'd opt for a .38 snub in a pocket holster - phooey on the company's anti-American beliefs.

 

[crstrode]

i’m a revolver guy so i should vote for the 38sp snubbie loaded with wadcutters for softer recoil/better accuracy.

If you are really a revolver guy, you would know that the shape of a bullet has very little to do with recoil. A full-charge 150 grain wadcutter has the same recoil as a 150 grain bullet of any other shape.

5 grains of Unique behind a 150 grain wadcutter makes a 38 snub into a flame thrower.

 

[MrChicken]

My 2 cents, LCP or LCP Max carried AIWB.

You'll be able to draw it quickly and conceal it easily.

 

[camsdaddy]

For me it comes down to effectiveness..... You might only get off one or two shots anyway realistically speaking....with a .38 most ammo is just a hole poker if the barrel is shorter than 4".....if I have to use my weapon against something that breathes I want damage..... In a snub, buffalo bore makes one load I'd run, if you can use that, I'd be thrilled with a wheelgun loaded with such, if not, I'd run the .380 more ammo designed for that purpose.... Heck, load ftx, inceptor, hp, ftx, inceptor, hp, likely you won't get past the first hp, but I met a fellow who got shot in the chest and took the gun from his sister (on drugs) he said it hurt, but was too pissed to care and it didn't cause enough damage to take pause..... Just a thought.... And from buffalo, this is what I'd run in that snub based on various testing....https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=294
If you get a snub .357 he also offers a +p

All handgun ammo is just a hole poker.

 

[horsey300]

All handgun ammo is just a hole poker.

That has not been my experience, definitely not the damage I get out of a rifle cartridge, I'll give you that.

 

[JR24]

If it was me, I’d go LCP. I just don’t find pocket .38s conceal as well with my body type, so it’s basically a no brainer if concealment is a must.

But the LCP Max isn’t much bigger, and I’ve been thinking about that of late.

 

[Mosin77]

Since the options are both good for the intended role, and well-reasoned arguments can be made for each that it is clearly and obviously superior to the other, it would seem that the choice must come down to something more subjective or prosaic, like personal preference, cost, or immediate availability.

That said, I carried my P3AT this morning. In dress clothes it fit into my pocket well. A snubnose would have filled my pocket more fully, resulting in greater visibility, greater inconvenience, or slower deployment time. Food for thought, if you may ever have to wear something other than cargo shorts.