Pocket 380s

[Yo Mama]

The question should be.....why getting a .380 with many pocketable 9 mm out there???

Same caliber (so no increased round count advantage) almost double the power at less cost and negligible size difference....no real reason for a 380 anymore...

Exactly! I'm looking at my p3at thinking of selling now that i'm used to the pf9.

The 9s are still a bit bigger, but just wait.

 

[XDShooter07]

Exactly. Seriously guys although some of you may be able to pocket some of the smaller 9's on the market like the PM9 (I've even heard of PPS's and Glock 26's -- good lord talk about pocket sag); if you truly want a pocket gun, because some of us don't have pockets the size of texas, you have to drop to a .380 ACP. That is unless you want to spend $1,000+ on a Rorbaugh. The PM9 would still be sent to my hip.

I'm due for a .380 pocket gun soon and it's gonna come down to the Kahr or Seecamp for me. Even though the Seecamp is heavier it is no heavier than a J-frame revolver and people have been pocket carrying those for decades. I have one and the weight doesn't bother me in the pocket but the thickness of the cylinder does, so I carry it on my hip year round. I like the idea of a really small backup in my pocket or on my ankle depending on my dress.

Regardless though, the 9s still aren't in the same class.

 

[AgentAdam]

Some good pics of the Micro Desert Eagle including internals and the gas port on the barrel chamber.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/01/25/micro-desert-eagle-pistol-review/

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/9151051841/p/1

 

[saturno_v]

if you truly want a pocket gun, because some of us don't have pockets the size of texas

I'm sorry but I have to dispute that...I'm only 5,7 and I carry my P-11 (Double Stack) even in a business attire.
In a suit pant with the Uncle Mike's pocket holster it doesn't print that much and if it does it looks like a regular Blackberry or an MP3 player....

Even in summer with shorts and shirt is even better...no printing at all (shorts and blue jeans have larger pockets).

As someone said long time ago, the utility of modern mouse pistols compared to the ultra compact 9s is if you need to conceal and really wear only a speedo Or if you are EXTREMELY recoil sensitive.

Actually I think that a too small pistol "floating" in your pocket can be counterproductive.

That said, There is nothing wrong in wanting a small pistol in a new caliber....someday I will buy a Bersa Thunder 380 because I like it.

I just dispute the "rational" usefulness (as defense CCW pieces) of these chamberings anymore...the ultra small 9 mm really stolen the show...

And the higher ammo cost is really a killer for any argument IMHO...

 

[TheVirginian]

These "pocket" 9's have to weigh more than a KelTec .380, after each is loaded, right? I can't see a 9mm being small enough for pocket carry anyway. I understand that the bullet diameter is the same as I have owned both 9mm and .380 for many years. However, I also noted that the bullet length and weight are greater on the 9mm. The steel used on barrel and slide are heavier on the 9mm models.

So you've got a couple of things working against your pocket imprint with the 9mm; the width of the grip, front to back, and the depth of the frame, side to side. Add to that, the weight and unless you have it in a heavy leather jacket pocket, you've been made.
-Bill

 

[saturno_v]

These "pocket" 9's have to weigh more than a KelTec .380, after each is loaded, right? I can't see a 9mm being small enough for pocket carry anyway. I understand that the bullet diameter is the same as I have owned bot 9mm and .380 for many years. however, I also noted that the bullet length and weight are greater on the 9mm. The steel used on barrel and slide are also heavier on the 9mm models.

So you've got a couple of things working against your pocket imprint with the 9mm; the width of the grip, front to back, and the depth of the frame, side to side. Add to that, the weight and unless you have it in a heavy leather jacket pocket, you've been made.

Yes they tend to be heavier than the small 380 mainly because of the higher round count (in my P-11 I use 12 round magazines). But the weight difference is not enough to bother anyone unless we are talking of extremely small framed people.

I carry my P-11 every day (as many others) so you can believe that is small enough for pocket carry!!!!

When I asked to police friends and acquaintances, nobody could say that I had a pistol in my pocket just looking at me.....so no, nobody would "spot" you....

And the P-11 is on the "fat" side because of the double stack...a PF-9 is slimmer...

 

[harmon rabb]

why does nobody make a pocket pistol chambered in 9x18? it's weak enough for a blowback gun, and ammo is actually readily available. it's also a lot smaller than 9mm compared side to side, which would help keep the size down.

 

[wbwanzer]

I guess you guys can turn this into a debate about .380 vs 9mm if you want, but the original poster was asking about pocket .380s. That why I suggested the Bersa .380CC.

 

[jocko]

won't

never be a pocket nine in the size of the kt 380. we should get over that. We couldn't handle it anyhow even. I personally dont try to say the 9's out there that are small indeed (kahr, kt pf9 etc) are close tothe kt or lcp 380. they ain't but there close. One thing that is not close is the firepower difference of a 9mm over a 380. If one trys to argue that, then he has his head in the sand.

I can and have pocket carried my pM9 for over 2 years almost 24/7 in jeans and never been asked by anyone, nor anyone to my knowledge even noticing it. and yes if u look directly in that direction, u know "something" is there. could be a blackberry, big phone,wallet or my PM9.

I have a lcp and a kahr P380, the kahr is just one super handgun IMO but I still find myself 99% of the time grabbing the PM9 over the P380 and the P380 is smaller than my lcp or my once owned kt 380's.

smoke um it u got um

 

[Dr.Rob]

That Sig looks a whole lot like a Colt Government 380 with a Sig slide.

 

[ak-kev]

QUOTE "why does nobody make a pocket pistol chambered in 9x18? it's weak enough for a blowback gun, and ammo is actually readily available. it's also a lot smaller than 9mm compared side to side, which would help keep the size down."


That is interesting. They offer the "Kevin" (or Micro Desert Eagle) in 9x18 overseas, maybe one day here to?? I just wouldnt want to be forced into stockpiling aother caliber. Kevin.

 

[harmon rabb]

That is interesting. They offer the "Kevin" (or Micro Desert Eagle) in 9x18 overseas, maybe one day here to?? I just wouldnt want to be forced into stockpiling aother caliber. Kevin.

considering that i already stock 9x18 due to my cz-82, and that you can actually buy 9x18 nowadays, quite unlike 380, and a pocket gun in that round would be very attractive to me. as a bonus, it even hits a little harder than a 380.

 

[jocko]

they

probably by pass that caliber in favor of the 9mm which probably they could not make the 9 x18 in any smaller frame set up and certainly there are some small 9mm out there and ammo variations are 10 fold over the 9 x 18.

Not knocking that caliber either, my Mak was a real shooter..

 

[MrBill120]

Any word on S&W entering the pocket .380 market??

 

[memphisjim]

s&w? better do better than the failed sigma 380

personally i am waiting on a seecamp lws 380

 

[PX15]

Here's my choice: LWS380

In a weapon you carry concealed it must first be small enough to actually be CONCEALABLE, and then absolutely RELIABLE.. I've found the diminutive Seecamp to be both...







Jesse

P.S. Of course I do have a backup or two when circumstances and wx allow for a larger pistol.

 

[gwillys]

once i got this rig together, i quit worrying about carry issues. does the trick for me, & i carry all day, everyday.