Pocket carry .380 or 9mm?

[Johnny Lightning]

i am wondering how many people have switched to a pocket carry 9mm (cm9, pf9, etc..) from a pocket carry .380 (LCP, p3at, etc...) or do you feel comfortable w/ the .380 pistol as your carry pistol? Also please let me know what you carry, in what holster, and in what type of clothing.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

My pocket carry is a back-up gun only. I value comfort (size) more than power in a back-up gun. The size difference between a Kahr P380 and a Kahr PM9 is quite a bit! If I only carried in the pocket (which, to me, is just silly), then I'd go with the 9mm. As a back-up, I much prefer the .380.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Kel-Tec P380 in a cheap pocket holster. I wear jeans, khakis, cargo pants, carpenter pants, suit pants, etc... Works with all of them just fine in the front right pocket.

 

[56hawk]

I have a Kel Tec P-11 that I pocket carry. Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9 is just as small.

 

[Inebriated]

I have a Glock 26 I pocket carry around the house, and eventually out into the world in when I get my CCW.

 

[rcmodel]

Kel-Tec P3AT in a pocket holster in hip pocket.

Nobody makes a 9mm as small, flat & light.

Yes, I feel it would be much better then no gun at all.

rc

 

[Prince Yamato]

None of the micro 9s are as small as their .380 and .32 counterparts. Even the Rohrbaugh is still on the big side for pocket carry.

 

[TGT]

Ok.....if we are going to get into the comparison semantics and split hairs that the smallest 9mm pistols like a Kahr are "bigger" then say pistols like the Walther PPK 380, then I'd make that sacrifice and carry allllllll that extra weight and dimension of the 9mm pistol over a 380.

56hawk has it right "Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9mm is just as small"

 

[RBid]

Kel Tec PF-9, at 4 o'clock, in a low-riding Belly Band. I put it in the 'revolver' pouch, which covers the trigger perfectly, but leaves the grip accessible. It draws very quickly. I also have a spot for my spare mag.

This is extremely comfortable.

 

[heeler]

I have both.
I find myself carrying the LCP more because it is lighter(12 ounces fully loaded) and much thinner than my PM9.
When I wear cargo shorts many times I then carry the PM9.
With regular fit jeans the LCP melts away.
The Kahr at that point prints and would be slow and clumsy to remove fast.
However,if relaxed jeans are your style the Kahr carrys very easy,does not print,and can be drawn pretty fast.
I like both and prefer pocket carry(in a holster) as my main mode of carry.
Just can't seem to get used to IWB carry.

 

[C0untZer0]

Kel-Tec P3AT in a pocket holster in hip pocket.

Nobody makes a 9mm as small, flat & light.

The Seecamp is pretty tiny:

Seecamp LWS 380
Caliber:380 ACP
Length: 4.25 in
Height: 3.25 in
Slide Width: .725 in
Width: .91 in
Weight: Pistol 10.5 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

Kel-Tec P3AT
Caliber:380 ACP
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.5 in
Slide Width: .77 in
Weight: Pistol 8.3 ounces
Capacity: 6+1

 

[jimbo555]

I carry my ruger lc9 mostly in a slide holster owb,but i do carry it in a uncle mikes pocket hoster at times.

 

[kayak-man]

I don't have a 9mm that I can pocket carry. The only auto I pocket carry is my LCP...

But lately my S&W642 has been riding in my pocket.

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Johnny Lightning]

So it looks like the .380 is still the dominant pocket pistol. I was thinking of purchasing a small 9mm prob. the cm9 but i might just try to find a good iwb holster for my g26 and keep the lcp for my pocket pistol when the g26 is too big.

 

[huntsman]

LCP is my EDC in a leather pocket holster, it's goes in everything from bathrobe to jeans.

 

[Mac Attack]

P3AT in a Bianchi pocket holster. Prior to that I pocket carried a P32 before selling it. If I had the money I would get a Kimber solo or a sig 938 but for now my Keltec will have to do.

 

[larryh1108]

LCP in a wallet holster. Right rear pocket like a wallet. EZ access. Reliable gun.

 

[19-3Ben]

Don't see any reason to carry a 380 when a 9 is just as small.

Because they aren't "just as small."

I carry an LCP in my pocket.

 

[larryh1108]

LCP in a wallet holster. Right rear pocket like a wallet. EZ access. Reliable gun.
I also own a PM9. Great gun. However, it's a tad too big for pants pocket carry.

 

[frankmako]

pocket carry kel tec p3at everyday.

 

[dusty14u]

PF9 in all of my cargo shorts and quite a few of my dockers.

 

[heeler]

Question to the posters that use the wallet type back pocket holster for their micro 380's,I was wondering if you are wearing your shirt tucked in would someone who was behind you in a line at the grocery store etc. be able to see the top of the gun to realize that you are carrying a firearm??

 

[larryh1108]

http://www.pocketholsters.com/index.html

This is the guy who I buy my wallet holsters from. Very nice quality.
To answer your question, I always tuck my shirt but I like the cargo type
pants or Dockers and the LCP sits low enough that you won't see the top (back) of the grip. The PM9 fits too snug and actually makes it harder to pull it out but it can be done. This guy makes a "fake zipper" (see link) so it looks like a zippered wallet when actually it is just a zipper flap. I've had the Baby Glock and PM9 back there but you'd have to wear your shirt out and it is a tight fit. It actually works in your front pocket as well with the flat (wallet) side out for printing like a front pocket wallet. The larger guns fit better there. If you wear jeans like Levi's or Wranglers then the LCP is probably the biggest to go and it is tight but manageable.

 

[Warp]

I go .38spl +P. I find the .380 too weak and the 9x19 pistols too large for a pocket.

I also found the .380 to be lacking in the reliability department. Should have expected as much. Had to learn the hard way. But 5 sure-fire rounds of Buffalo Bore 158gr +P LSWCHP? Yes please.

 

[jrdolall]

PF9 works well for pocket carry in cargo shorts which is what I wear around town 90% of the time. The Diamondback is even smaller but I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about reliability so have stayed away.
S&W 642 is also a good choice for cargo pants.
I do not own a 380 but may pick one up soon.


I am not comfortable with pocket carry in the jeans I wear so I use IWB but only for short periods because they are just not comfortable to me.