Pocket Carry

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ArgosTCS

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I've recently applied for my Carry Permit in TN and am now in the market for a carry firearm. I'll be working at a law firm and will be wearing a suit/tie everyday. As such, I'm thinking pocket carry is my best option. I have a budget of around $850. I'm drawn to the idea of a airweight J-Frame in .357 Magnum, but have heard they are MISERABLE to shoot. My thought was I could practice with .38 special and carry .357 since adrenaline will be pumping. (I don't meant never practiced with .357, but when shooting for fun/general practice, shoot .38). This would then give me the option of buying a full size 9mm to have for "fun." (A used hi-power or Sig would be my thought on this.) The other possibility I've considered is a Kahr PM9. That would mean it would be my only firearm (given the cost), however, and I'm not sure about how "fun" it is going to be to shoot/practice with. I know a PM9 isn't going to be $850, but I would want a fullsize semi-auto for my second gun, and I could not get what I want in a fullsize AND the PM9. I'm not interested in Kel-Tecs.

So, given that I need a pocket piece, own zero firearms, and have the aforementioned monetary restraint, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance. I'm headed to a big gun show this weekend where I'll hopefully be making a purchase or two.
 
Given your cost restraints and that you mention wanting a full size 9 as well, I would suggest an S&W 642 for ~350-400 and the rest can go into a Glock 9, XD 9or M&P 9.

Adam
 
If you are wearing a suit and tie...why limit yourself to a pocket gun?
 
For $850 I'd buy 2 guns.
A 642 (or similar) .38 airweight to carry loaded with 135gr +p "snub-load Gold Dots"
and a Steel framed one for practice (850 should easily pay for both)

I'm not a fan of airweights shooting full-house .357 (or even .38s for constant practice) nor would I want to carry a steel one one day-in and out in a pocket holster.
 
The jacket comes off when I hit the office door unless I'm headed to court, in which case the gun isn't coming with me anyway.
 
You could go with a Taurus Mellinium Pro in 9mm & even the Titanium slide version, and for backup or deep carry I love the Baretta Tomcat 3032 .32 ACP.
Awesome little piece, if you doubt the .32 Tomcat shoot one!

I actually carry a Taurus PT58HC (19+1) a little bigger than the Mellinium, however the mellinium is a little easier to conceal. I personally like the all metal firearm as apposed to the synthetic frame autos such as mellinium, glock etc. (but thats just a personal thing)

These two choices would probably leave enough $$$ for ammo, & acccessories for both.
 
Smith and Wesson 642 in a Mika pocket holster loaded with Speer 135gr GDHP +P... Absolutely potent package that no one will know you have in your pocket....I have been carrying for 20-years and this is by far the most concealed, yet powerful package I've carried. I have carried larger guns with larger ammo, but never a combination as well-hidden and comfortable to carry as this...
 
New to CC, too

Finding myself in a similar situation, I opted for the S&W 442, airweight. At 16oz empty (20-something loaded?) I have found a combination that I think will work: the airweight and an Uncle Mike's Sidekick Size 0 (10$ retail!). I have fired a bunch of the J-Frame airweights and the Scandium Alloy/Titanium J-Frames, too. No doubt about it: not nearly as much fun as a 40oz 1911 or K or N Frame. Price point on the 642/442 is pretty good. Folks give Taurus good reviews, for the most part, though I have no experience with them, yet. Good luck.
 
I'm going to weigh in on the side of the PM9.

I owned six different j-frames (steel, alloy, Scandium, exposed hammer, hammerless..) before I bought my) PM9. Care to guess how many j-frames I own now? Give you a hint: less than one. :)

The PM9 is not my idea of a fun range gun, although I can put 150 through it without pain (something I could not say for any of the j-frames).

How about a PM9 for carry and a Ruger MkII for range use? My MkII is my "always" range companion, and 22LR ammo is laughably cheap compared to anything short of a BB gun. Manual of arms is similar enough, and the price is right. Kahr PM9 (used) or CW9 (new)...$400-450. Ruger MkII (used) $200-300. Leaves a bit of room for ammo and a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster ($20) or a Mika (about the same).

Let us know what you decide.
 
I have to agree...for the money you're looking to spend you can get a Golck 26 and a S&W j-frame 642/442. If you wear darker suits a 442 might be more practical for CCW with a Desaints, mika or other pocket holster.
 
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I have the Kahr MK9, and it is less snippy then my buddy's Glock 19 or 17. My (ex) girlfriend and I were at the range with my MK9 and she was using his Glock. When she shot mine, she goes "I don't want that thing back", in regards to the Glock. I looked at her and go "I don't want to shoot it either." So we just took turns with mine.

I haven't shot a PM9 yet. But you might want to compare the weights on both IN PERSON before you make a decision. With a belt on, I don't even feel the MK9 in my pocket, and if it being steel is going to make it that much more enjoyable for shooting (weight wise), then it might be worth the extra couple oz's or whatever it weighs more.
 
Just so I am clear, iiibdsiil, the only difference between the PM9 and the MK9 is polymer v. steel, correct? Not that it matters too much, but I think you're right that I wouldn't have too much trouble carrying the steel. I'm 6'4'' and closing on three bills.
 
Sorry for not making that clear, but correct. The PM is the polymer version of the MK.

I read a few bad things about the PMs here on this forum, people not having good luck with them. They aren't a Glock, that's for sure. I don't recall the MKs having problems like that, and I haven't had any with mine.

I bought my MK though because it was for sale used when I had the money. I had my mind made up either way, and then the more I read, the more I was happy that I got the MK over the PM.

I'm 5' 8", 155 lbs, and like I said, with a belt, you don't even feel it.
 
Big fan of the 642 in a pocket holster here. Its what I carry most of the time when off duty, and as a BUG on duty. With good ammo (gold dot 135 gr, 158 gr LSWCHP, DPX) 38 +P will penetrate to the vitals and expand nicely without the blast, flash, and recoil of 357. I'd go with the significantly cheaper 642 over any of the 357 J frames. I've had the Scandium 357 (beyond a doubt the least pleasant gun I've ever shot), a steel 640, and a Ruger sp101, and the recoil was a bit too brisk for me to make rapid follow up shots with accuracy with magnum loads. Maybe I'm a wuss, but I like my magnums to be a bit heavier and with longer tubes.

Forgot to mention, I had a PM9 for a while. It seemed to like eating its own frame rails and had a nasty habit of coming slightly out of battery in the pocket and sticking that way until I bumped the slide closed with my thumb. Maybe it was a lemon, but I really missed the MK9 I had traded for it.

If it was my $850 and I wanted two pistols I'd go for the 642 and a Glock 19 (small enough to carry, big enough to be easy and fun to shoot).
 
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The combination of a lightweight snub for pocket carry and a compact 9 for waist carry is hard to beat. I use a Taurus 605 (a bit heavy for pocket, but it's what I have), and a Taurus MilPro PT111. You can get the pair for about $700. If I had a do-over, I would get the M85UL instead of the 605, solely for the weight savings.
Good shooting!
 
I too have recently obtained a CCW. I have been trying various methods of carry with different weopons. I have tried the pocket carry, but so far I am having a hard time getting used the the bulge/weight in my front pocket. I typically don't carry a lot of stuff in my pockets, especially the fronts. I am always amazed at the amount of stuff some guys have in their pockets every day, as evidenced by some of the photos posted here. The Kel-tec in the cargo pockets of cargo pants does work well, so far.

I have the PM9, and mine has been very reliable and accurate. Not really a range gun, to be sure but light and small. I have been using it with a Kydex paddle OWB holster, which so far has been the most comfortable. A rig like that would be easily hidden under a sports coat. I have found that some shirts work better for untucked concealment than others. Still trying to find the best combos.

I have a ankle holster for the Kel-tec but have not used it much yet.

I have a steel S&W Model 60 J-frame that I have used with a Kramer OWB holster, but there is no way I could pocket carry this gun, way too heavy.
 
100_6766.jpg

Well...

Here's the deal. Buy yourself a Seecamp 32, and then buy yourself that "larger" firearm you think will be the better choice for pocket carry because it is a larger caliber, holds more rounds, etc.

If nothing else the LWS32 can be the "backup to your 1st choice....

Then later on you'll find yourself always cc the Seecamp and leaving the larger, heavier, harder to conceal firearm home a great percentage of the time.

I prefer my Walther P99c/AS for cc when possible, but truth be known I just can't hide that sweet Walther for cc many times.

It all falls back on the "have a gun" idea, and with a Seecamp you CAN always have a gun .... ;)

Just my opinion.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy
 
What this boils down to is whether you are a revolver type of person or a semi auto type of person. I'm not a big fan of having two different types of handgun actions to learn; i.e. DA revolver and SA semi. I'd try to buy similar operating systems for both handguns.

My suggestion is go to a range and shoot the firearms that appeal to you then make a decision.
 
The Kahr PM9 is an excellent pocket-carry piece. Mine has been 100% reliable with 600+ rounds cycled through it.
 

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Argos,

I'm the same size, also in TN, and pocket carry a PM9 in khakis. It conceals and shoots well. I heartily recommend it.
 
so, for those of you who front-pocket carry with SAs,

how many of you have tried shooting from within the pocket without drawing?

What happened? Did the slide operate and close?

Jim H.
 
I have an MK9 -- and use it in both pocket and OWB carry. It fits fine in the pocket, and it all but disappears under a t-shirt for OWB. Right now, it is my *only* handgun. I plan on getting a PM9 in the future just because it is lighter, I want to have a second gun, and I'd prefer to get one whose characteristics are similar to my first just so I don't have to learn a new gun.

Obviously, I don't see anything wrong with these as your ONLY handgun, and I certainly find the MK9 to be a fine range pistol, especially when using the extended magazine (with extended grip). I suggest you go out and handle one, just to see what you think.

FWIW, Kahr is coming out with a PM45 this summer -- you may want to check that out as well.

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_45acp_pm.html
 
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