Pocket Carry, What's a Good Choice?

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S&W 642 for me. One benefit depending on your defensive situation is that it can reliably be shot from a coat pocket and not have problems with a trigger or slide catching on something.
 
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.

That's interesting since when I bought my P11 all Kahr had was the rather heavy and large K9.:rolleyes: The P11 is what put the revolver to bed for me, though I still find myself carrying a revolver sometimes.

The PF9 is just out, so it might be hard to find one in the flesh until production catches demand.
 
Pocket

I own three guns that are considered pocket guns by many. I have the Kel-Tec P-32, the Beretta Tomcat Inox and the Kahr MK9.

The only one that I consider a pocket gun is the KT. The other's can be carried in the pocket but they are quite heavy and I am always aware they are there.

There really is no reason to go with the Beretta as it is the same caliber as the P-32. The P3AT is roughtly the same size as the P-32 although some say that it is somewhat less reliable. I won't get into that argument as I have never owned one.

If you are comfortable with something larger than the P-32, the Kahr is a great choice. I went with the steel MK9 due to reliability issues with the PM9. As others have posted, many say the PM9 issues are no more. If you can handle the extra weight, however, I'd go with the MK9 over the PM9.
 
I have a Detonics Pocket-9 (old school). Very hefty, but 100% reliable.

Also carry a PP in .32 or a PPK in 380. Some folks have an issue with that, but
none of them would volunteer to take a round to prove their doubt.

The concept is more to incapacitate an aggressor while help comes running.
I don't put myself in remote areas and precarious positions.

Anything more than incapacitation is gravy, (and could be considered Preconceived malice by a savvy attorney) I have a feeling that well placed rounds of .32 in the bread basket would change the outcome of almost any scuffle if need be.

Keep in mind that most altercations occur at less than 27 feet. Some actually involve physical contact which happens much closer than that, accuracy is nice but not vital. ;)

I guess it all boils down to how big your pocket is and what you have to fill it...

tbu
 
At about the same size, weight, concealability, accessability as most of the previously suggested firearms I would suggest my pocket carry pistol. An Officers Size 1911, lots of firepower with .45 ACP, reliability, accuracy and security. Mine is a Kimber Ultra Carry II in a Sam Andrews www.andrewsleather.com pocket holster.
 
Gun is super light and very concealable...also accurate!

Accurate, sure, but super light? The ones I've seen, even the G26, ain't a pocket gun by any stretch. Might as well pocket a M19 Smith. You'd have to wear a clown suit to pocket that thing and even then it'd sag from the weight.

I consider the G26/7 IWB carry guns. They'll hide under a light weight T shirt.
 
I pocket carried a snub .38 for about 15 years--the S&W Model 37 (airweight), the S&W Model 49 (all steel), Colt Detective Special (all steel), Charter Arms Undercover .38 (basically an airweight), and the S&W 642-2 (airweight). I pocket carried a high capacity lightweight .380 for 9-10 years. Hands down my favorite is the 642. My favorite load for it is the +P 158 gr. lead hollowpoint, but I will soon test the +P Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. JHP.
 
I carry my Glock 26 in my Desantis pocket holster every day for the last 4 years.

I do not like S&W J's because of the cylinder thickness bears hard on my Thigh in my pants. In a coat they are nice.
 
If money is no object, then the Rorbaugh is the gun you are looking for. If you don't have a whole stack of money, I would take a long look at the Kel-Tec P-11 or PF-9. I had a P-11 that was great. I also carry a AMT Backup in 40 most of the time and usually use a belt pouch for it like a PDA pouch or a Digital Camera pouch. I really like pouch carry. Noone ever looks twice at it and I can keep my cell phone in the outside zipper pouch and 2 mags in the main compartment with the gun. Go to any office supply store like Office Max and you will fine a variety of pouches in different sizes. Just find one that fits whatever you want to carry.

Just an idea.

Roll Tide
 
Baggy pants = bigger pockets

If you consider that, you could carry yourself a desert eagle .50

Ok serious, S&W .38spl +P is your best choice, there small light and compact, plus i recommend an action job as they really stiff out of the box.

heres mine
guns006.jpg
 
Kahr PM9 here. It is thinner and about the same weight as a lightweight snubnose revolver, yet holds seven 9mms. I am using a High Noon Pocket Grabber to carry it in. I don't care if there is a bulge in my pocket as long as it is unobtrusive. If that is a concern for you, consider something thinner like the Kel-Tecs, keeping in mind that you are sacrificing cartridge power.
 
Coat pocket or Jeans pocket I'll take an S&W 642.In shorts & T shirt ,in formal wear or wearing a Kilt I'll take a Seecamp .32.If lighter carry is needed I'll go with a Beretta 950BS or 21A in .25acp or a kel-tec P32.YMMV.tom.
 
In the pocket, my S&W 638 Bodyguard. Concealed, my Kimber Ultra Raptor.
 
As far as pocket carry SAFETY, I'd always want either a DAO auto with safety or a snubbie revolver. Or at least a SA you can safely have hammer-down (things with tip-up barrels).

Other things end up in pockets, and can get into the holster as you move around. Coins, especially, can get into it and get wedged into the trigger guard.

IMO, putting a Glock in your pocket is a good way to end up on the evening news...or on Darwin Awards, when the utter lack of a safety - manual, grip or otherwise - lets something else in the pocket cause an ND through your leg. Or ends your ability to reproduce.
 
Try as I may, I keep coming back to the J-Frame in a good pocket holster. The Kel-tec seems like a logical choice for Sumer clothing, but I've been toten the Smiths since the mid sixties.....Essex
 
For many years I carried a S&W Model 38 Bodyguard as my every day carry. It was a gem.

SWModel38withholsterw.jpg

I also often carried a GLOCK 26 in my larger pockets or when I felt a little squirrily about going out. It was light and 11 9mm rounds were comforting.

G17andG26onvestw.jpg

Today the GLOCK 26 and S&W Model 38 have been retired from pocket duty. My Kahr PM9 gives me more rounds than the "J" and slimmer grips and smaller size than the GLOCK. The 7 round capacity is a fair compromise between the two. For me know the KAHR PM9 is my only daily pocket gun. Even if I feel the need for something bigger the PM9 is in the pocket. :)

KahrPM9w.jpg
 
I appreciate all the replies. If the Kahr PM9 is more reliable than a Keltec P11 or the new PF9 I would probably spend the extra money.
I've pretty much given up on my AMT Backup. Besides the weight the reliability has been dismal lately with FTFs all the time. Not something I'm willing to stake my life on. I guess that's what makes a 642 appealing as well. Thanks.
 
I had to shoot about 300 rds thru my PM9...

before I trusted it completely. They (Kahr) recommend a break in count of about 250 rds. I haven't had a failure in about 1000 rds now. It also carries very well in dockers, jeans, or shorts in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. The outside of the holster is sort of tacky, which always leaves the holster in the pocket while drawing. The holster costs less than 20.00 and IMO is the best pocket holster out there.
 
I carry both a Keltec .380 and a Kahr 40. My Kahr, after initial break in, has been totally reliable and its size is about the same as the PM9. I can't see using PM9 when my 40 works so well. It actually seems to have less felt recoil than my Keltec does and is much easier to shoot well.

Since I retired, I wear jeans daily and find the j-frames are just a little too long for my jean pockets. The Kahrs fit in these same pockets with room to spare.

I still carry the Keltec some - mostly when wearing dressier clothes, no cover garment, and don't want pocket bulges. I carry neither when I can carry my 1911 IWB.
 
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