Give me some ideas on pocket carry. It seems many of you like the Kel-tec P3AT in .380. .380 is better than nothing and with the Kel-tec you barely notice its there but my preference is for something bigger, 9mm minimum and preferably .40 S&W or even .45. I already have an AMT Backup in .40. It's only an inch thick so it fit's pretty well but it's a bit on the heavy side. Are there any other options in the bigger calibers that fit nicely, don't weigh too much, yet fire 9mm or bigger. (Maybe someone can make a convincing argument for the .380). Let me know what your preferred holsters are too. Thanks.
Pocket Carry, What's a Good Choice?
- Thread starter Eagle103
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How about a J-frame?
You sound like you're set on a semi-auto...but if you're open to a revolver for pocket carry (you posted under general discussion), I'd definitely nominate a j-frame snubby -- especially the S&W 642.
Holsters: For basic utility, try Mika. Unbeatable value. For leather, I like the Andrew's pocket holster.
Good luck with your search.
You sound like you're set on a semi-auto...but if you're open to a revolver for pocket carry (you posted under general discussion), I'd definitely nominate a j-frame snubby -- especially the S&W 642.
Holsters: For basic utility, try Mika. Unbeatable value. For leather, I like the Andrew's pocket holster.
Good luck with your search.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Seecamp's For Pocket Carry
LWS-32 or LWS-380
LWS-32 or LWS-380
MCgunner
Member
My Taurus M85UL is neither as powerful, nor as compact as my 9mm Kel Tec P11, nor is it much more accurate and it carries less than half the round count. If you can afford it, there's the Rohrbaugh.
TOADMAN
Member
Hafta go with the most reliable - J-frame snub nose..
The Seecamps are smaller than I'm looking for but I know they've been around for a long time and seem to have a good reputation.
How reliable are the 9mm Kel-tecs? It looks like they are about the same size but about half the weight of my AMT so I like that.
How reliable are the 9mm Kel-tecs? It looks like they are about the same size but about half the weight of my AMT so I like that.
orionengnr
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My Kahr PM9 precipitated the sale of about four j-frames (I kept one as a back-up, but almost never carry it).
If I lived in MN instead of TX (much more opportunities to wear a cover garment) my Kahr P45 would spend more time in the "public domain" and less time in the safe.
If I lived in MN instead of TX (much more opportunities to wear a cover garment) my Kahr P45 would spend more time in the "public domain"
and less time in the safe.My three usual "pocket guns" are, in ascending size and weight:
1. Kel-Tec P-32 (great in summer wearing shorts, etc.)
2. Colt Agent .38 spl. snubnose, lightweight aluminum frame and "six fer shore"
3. Kimber Ultra CDP .45ACP - lightweight officer's size auto w/"meltdown package," nightsights, everything.
Currently, I just got back in from walking the dog. Still inn my pocket, sans it's holster?
My Kimber Ultra CDP
Thanks for writing . . . for I almost forgot it was there!!!
T.
1. Kel-Tec P-32 (great in summer wearing shorts, etc.)
2. Colt Agent .38 spl. snubnose, lightweight aluminum frame and "six fer shore"
3. Kimber Ultra CDP .45ACP - lightweight officer's size auto w/"meltdown package," nightsights, everything.
Currently, I just got back in from walking the dog. Still inn my pocket, sans it's holster?
My Kimber Ultra CDP
Thanks for writing . . . for I almost forgot it was there!!!
T.
MCgunner
Member
Got mine about '96 and have carried it about 80 percent of my carry since. It's ate over 10K rounds with NO malfunctions of any kind with 115 grain JHP hand loads and 105 grain cast SWC handloads. I've heard some folks complain they didn't like 147 grain stuff, but lots of guys shoot the 124 grain stuff. Visit http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi#10 and ask around for info. Also, the new PF9 is out. It is .1" thinner, single stack, but still holds 9 rounds. It has a lighter, shorter trigger, too. The P11 uses a very revolver like 8.5 lb long trigger pull. The pull is actually longer than any DA revolver I've ever fired, but you get used to it. I like it a lot for pocket carry, very safe condition one.
CZ 75 BD
Member
Detective Special
Dollar An Hour
Member
+1 J-Frame .38 Spl. My 442 sees alot of pocket carry.
Jiml3
Member
Since you live in Minnesota with long winters, I would imagine you could conceal
almost anything in a coat pocket. For indoors, sans the coat, a Kahr PM9 in an IWB Fist kydex holster can be easily concealed with a light sweater. Works for me!
Jiml3
almost anything in a coat pocket. For indoors, sans the coat, a Kahr PM9 in an IWB Fist kydex holster can be easily concealed with a light sweater. Works for me!
Jiml3
FireArmFan
Member
i give another vote to the Kahr PM9
DirksterG30
Member
I went with the MK9 for pocket carry; I was looking at the PM9 at the time, but there were some issues with it at the time (last I heard, the issues had been resolved.) Keep in mind, though, the smaller and lighter you go and the larger the round (especially a higher-pressure round) the more recoil you will have. If you are a recoil junkie, take a look at the Kahr MK40. I'm not a recoil junkie, but the MK9 is not difficult to shoot.
Some say that the MK9 is too heavy for pocket carry, but it's not a problem for me as long as I am wearing a belt. The limiting factor for me is the size of the pockets. I can pocket carry fine with cargo shorts/pants or dres pants, but the pockets on my jeans are a little small. The holster I use is a Desantis Nemesis.
Here's my setup:
Some say that the MK9 is too heavy for pocket carry, but it's not a problem for me as long as I am wearing a belt. The limiting factor for me is the size of the pockets. I can pocket carry fine with cargo shorts/pants or dres pants, but the pockets on my jeans are a little small. The holster I use is a Desantis Nemesis.
Here's my setup:
P. Plainsman
Member
If you need true zero-profile concealment (i.e., observers can't easily tell you've got anything in your pocket, let alone a gun), then something like a Kel-Tec P3AT or P32 makes sense. Teensy guns that weigh almost nothing.
If you just need ordinary pocket concealment (light and comfortable, an observer could tell you've got some junk in your pocket, like most folks do, but it doesn't scream "gun"), then consider a J-frame S&W or Taurus revolver with an alloy frame, in a good pocket holster. With proper +P ammo it is much "more gun" than a Kel-Tec, has zero reliability issues, and should probably be your default choice unless you don't get along with revolvers.
Exception: Kahr PM9 - several folks have mentioned it above. First widely distributed semi-auto pistol to seriously threaten the airweight .38 as the all-around pocket gun. Light, very compact, good trigger, 7 rounds of 9mm. Impressive. I want one.
People also rave about the steel frame 9mm Kahr MK9, but it weighs 24 oz. empty. If you're a big guy or wear heavy clothes that could still be a "pocket gun." Personally, at that weight I'd rather slip a 2 1/4" Ruger SP101 revolver loaded with Winchester 145 grain .357 Magnum rounds in my pocket. Great guns.
If you just need ordinary pocket concealment (light and comfortable, an observer could tell you've got some junk in your pocket, like most folks do, but it doesn't scream "gun"), then consider a J-frame S&W or Taurus revolver with an alloy frame, in a good pocket holster. With proper +P ammo it is much "more gun" than a Kel-Tec, has zero reliability issues, and should probably be your default choice unless you don't get along with revolvers.
Exception: Kahr PM9 - several folks have mentioned it above. First widely distributed semi-auto pistol to seriously threaten the airweight .38 as the all-around pocket gun. Light, very compact, good trigger, 7 rounds of 9mm. Impressive. I want one.
People also rave about the steel frame 9mm Kahr MK9, but it weighs 24 oz. empty. If you're a big guy or wear heavy clothes that could still be a "pocket gun." Personally, at that weight I'd rather slip a 2 1/4" Ruger SP101 revolver loaded with Winchester 145 grain .357 Magnum rounds in my pocket. Great guns.
bpisler
Member
My vote goes to the S&W airweigh revolvers,
i've carried one in my front pocket for a year.
If you have really small pockets the 32 and
380 kel tecs are a decent option.
i've carried one in my front pocket for a year.
If you have really small pockets the 32 and
380 kel tecs are a decent option.
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My everyday carry gun is a Kel-Tec P-11. It is on the large side for a pocket gun, but it fits in the right front pocket of my khakis without printing and holds 11 rounds of 9mm. It lives very comfortably in a Don Hume pocket holster. The biggest problem is that I can't keep my keychain in that pocket.
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My everyday carry gun is a Kel-Tec P-11. It is on the large side for a pocket gun, but it fits in the right front pocket of my khakis without printing and holds 11 rounds of 9mm. It lives very comfortably in a Don Hume pocket holster. The biggest problem is that I can't keep my keychain in that pocket.
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My two favorite pocket guns:
1. J-frame. The gold standard.
2. SIG p232. Doesn't fit into as many pockets or as well, but rides comfortably in many casual pants and shorts I wear. Has the advantage of higher capacity (7+1) and it's easy to shoot well.
-David
1. J-frame. The gold standard.
2. SIG p232. Doesn't fit into as many pockets or as well, but rides comfortably in many casual pants and shorts I wear. Has the advantage of higher capacity (7+1) and it's easy to shoot well.
-David
10-Ring
Member
Truely in a pocket??/ Not near a pocket??? Even tho I have a 25 cal mousegun that I can wear all day & not notice it, my j-frame is the one that fits & is worthy of the role
johnster999
Member
I second the PM-9. I've also pocketed a Colt Cobra.
yongxingfreesty
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smith and wesson j frame. so tiny and packs a punch
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