pocket pistol

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

gunflask

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2008
Messages
45
I am looking for a new pistol in which I can just stick in the waist band of my shorts when I need to do a quick grocery run. I live in hot as hell s. florida, so I usually wear board shorts or basketball shorts when I have nothing important to do. I am looking to get either a kel-tec p3at or 32, pf-9 or pf-11.
Don't even want to look for a ruger lcp. So which one would guys suggest? Also does the kel-tec pistols have the same type of internal safety as glock pistols? I already have a glock 19 and 1911 officer size and if anyone has other suggestions feel free, I am looking to spend no more than $400 for a pocket pistol. Thanks for everyone's input.
 
:)

naa22lrrevolverandkeysace.jpg

I have an NAA (finally) and always carry it as a BUG.

They can be had pretty cheap and are worth owning. You can buy something else in conjunction and cover all the bases.
 
Check out the Kahr CW9. I see new ones going in the $350ish range at gunshops. I don't want to start a caliber war but 9mm is more powerful than 380 and you have a lot more choices in ammo. :cool:
 
for sure

if ur not going to pocket carry, IMO for sure go 9mm. The cw9 kahr is pretty unbeatable IMO and oh by the way, they go bang every time to.
 
I have a PF-9. It's no fun at the range, but it's a good gun. Reliable, reasonably accurate, inexpensive. I recommend it.


-T.
 
How are you going to make such tiny & light pistols stay secure just using the elastic band on sport shorts? Wouldn't it be safer to put it into a pocket (using pocket holster)?

When choosing a SD pistol, ALWAYS choose the largest caliber you can comfortably carry and conceal. This goes back to basic tenet that ALL Pistol calibers are underpowered.
 
My Keltec P3AT is clipped to my belt as I type. Carried there most days when a t-shirt is the uniform of the day,...I do not pocket carry,...nor do I use a holster for it. I use their belt clip, and it works well for me. Your mileage may vary. When the weather cool's, or I wear anything heavier,...my P-11 tucks in quite nicely as well, either holstered, or clipped IWB. Both have been proof fired,..500-600 rds through each,...and they go bang when I pull the trigger. They're inexpensive "Belly guns" for sure,..and are not the prettiest pieces I have ever owned,.....nor are they anything you want to shoot a lot,....definitely not target pistols,...either one,...but they're both "minute of man" at 25 yards or less for me everytime. lot's of folks complain about the long and stiff trigger pull. Doesn't bother me a bit,...and I actually look at that as a plus. Less chance of an AD. There cost makes them attractive as well. If I should ever have to use either, and have to hand it over to an LEO,..I won't be too hurt by that.
 
Last edited:
Kahr CW9 is not readily pocketable.

A Kel-Tec P11 is not really pocketable either.

A PF9 is just barely pocketable. A Kahr PM9 is also just barely pocketable. A PM9 is way over your $400 price point.

For pocket pistols, the P32/P3AT format is far easier to fit into the pocket. But they are no fun to shoot at all IMHO, and therefore you won't practice nearly as much. A P32 is much easier to shoot than a P3AT or Ruger LCP, but is still not much fun. A Kahr PM9 is in a whole different class.

So IMHO, unless you happen to be a very strong, small person, I would suggest a PF9 will be about the only thing that really fits your criteria. Barely pocketable, large enough to get a grip on it, and under $400. If you want to give up making it pocketable then a CW9 enters the discussion but pushes the $400 budget. If you want a nice pocket pistol the Kahr PM9 is the pick but they are more like $650.

IMHO...
 
+1 to the 9mm comment by MarshallDodge

+1 to thunder173 on the P11 trigger. It will only fire if you intend to fire it. No ADs.

I take my P11 EVERYWHERE.

However, thunder173... I didn't know that the P11 could be fitted with a clip like the P3AT??? I gotta check that out!

Kel Tecs don't have any safeties. DAO and a heavy trigger.
 
mr 72

I originally paid $525 for my PM9 in the DLC finish, as of today it has 14,300 rounds through it and has been perfect out ofthe box. It rides 24/7 in my jeans front pocket in a nice leather holster made by hidden holsters. com. I willsay it is at the envelope for pocket concealment but I just prefer a 9mm over a 380, even though I do have an lcp and will probably buy the new Kahr P380 when it comes out. The differenc eof paying possably $150 more to get the gun that I want is worht my life for sure.
 
I'm in Texas, and my choices for situations such as yours are either a P32 with a belt clip, or a NAA Black Widow .22 Magnum. The P32 is just a tad lighter and thinner than a P3AT, which I carry the rest of the time. The Black Widow has the advantage of being all stainless, so sweat and water are not a concern. I consider the .32 ACP about equal to the .22 Mag - light SD round, better than harsh words. Sufficient for a walk around my neighborhood.
I also have a 9mm P11 or A75L in both vehicles.

Yes, there is a belt clip for the P11. You will want a sturdy belt!
 
I have a p11.
I did not want a caliber smaller than 9mm. I also prefered a bit more capacity for a 9mm than the pf9 offers. I carry it often with the belt clip.
I haven't regretted it a bit. It has been very reliable. It is accurate enough. It is indeed no fun at the range, and a full box of 100 is painful to get thru.
But I didn't buy it for the range, I bought it for the same reason you are looking to buy yours.
 
Check out the Kahr CW9. I see new ones going in the $350ish range at gunshops. I don't want to start a caliber war but 9mm is more powerful than 380 and you have a lot more choices in ammo.
Click to expand...

Yeah, plus you will have ammo commonality with your Glock 19.
 
Also check out the NAA Guardian. Being metal, it weighs a bit more though.

If I was a rich man, I'd be packing a Rohrbaugh. A 9mm pistol in something the size of the Guardian! :what:

I live in Central Florida so I know what you're saying about the carry thing. It's tough to even carry IWB when you are wearing a light T-shirt, shorts, and flip flops. I got the P32 because it was inexpensive and very easily concealed. I don't think it's a wonder of killing ability, but it is certainly better than nothing. Especially when you consider the large numbers of redneck's dogs on the loose.
 
If it's going in your pocket I'd suggest a P3AT with a DeSantis Nemesis ($15 nylon pocket holster). If it's going on the belt I'd get a holster and stuff a 9mm into it (the little kel-tecs don't give much to grab onto). Mexican carry usually isn't very secure, fast, or safe.
The clip-draw might work for some folks but I don't want a gun with a round in the pipe, no external safety, and an exposed trigger pointed at my netheregions.
 
Guys in florida, have you tried out the subcompact Glocks? I have a 27,, and it disappears under a tshirt, even a somewhat slim one. I have been carrying it in a FIST #1AK kydex belt clip holster, cheap, good retention, draw, and reholstering, and it keeps the little gun pretty low on the beltline so it doesn't show.
 
I'm going to second what mr.72 said in regards to differences. If you're looking for a pocket pistol, I'd go with the P3AT or P32. Some things to keep in mind:

P3AT:
- Ever so slightly larger (fractions of an inch)
- More powerful cartridge
- Can't confirm this with firsthand experience, but this model is supposedly a little less reliable than the P32 because it's newer, but not a big deal

P32:
- Less recoil/snap
- Holds an extra round in stock configuration over the P3AT
- Could be subject to rimlock with the .32ACP, be sure to test ammo
- Couple $ cheaper than the P3AT


I chose the P32 because it's what was in the store and I opted for the low-recoil. Figured for the lower power rounds shot placement is more significant than the difference in caliber, so I got what I would be more comfortable making accurate follow-up shots with.
 
The clip-draw might work for some folks but I don't want a gun with a round in the pipe, no external safety, and an exposed trigger pointed at my netheregions.
Click to expand...
While this is true with many guns, the p-11 has a 9-10lb trigger pull with darn near an inch of travel. I don't own another gun I'd carry like this but if you've ever shot one of these, you'd know why this is much less of a concern on this one than many others.

To test the safety, I actually pulled the gun from my belt using a hanger hooked on the trigger. It came completely clear without popping the snap-cap.
 
How about a Clipdraw on a G26 to go with your G19? Or just one on your G19?


http://www.clipdraw.com/glock.html

glock.jpg


If you're not comfortable having the trigger uncovered (I'm not sure I would be) you can add a SAF-T-BLOK for some extra security.
glock3.gif


http://members.aol.com/saftblok/
 
I live in TN and it can get really muggy and hot here. I have a P3AT with me at all times, in my pocket. It's no problem whatsoever. Also, this particular gun has never jammed on me once. I carry it for a while, go to the range to brush up skill-wise and shoot it with all of the lint, everything. Then I clean it and put it back in my pocket. It's served me very well. The left side of the slide has changed color over time, I guess from sweat, but I don't care really. It's a tool to me, no more. I have other guns to treat nicely.
 
My P-3AT is in my pocket as I type this. I got mine for 230.00 at the LGS. I have about 300rds through it and it is absolutely reliable. I also have a P-11 that I carry IWB, also 100% reliable after 400 rds.
They are both accurate enough for their intended use and incredibly light. The P3AT is 11 ounces loaded with 7rds of CorBon 90gr HPs, the P-11 is 21.6 ounces loaded with 11 rds of 124gr Golden Sabre.
I actually think they are both fun to shoot, but I know I am in the minority in that opinion. IMO, you will be hard pressed to find a better "bang for your buck" in a pocket pistol than the little KT's.
Just for a size comparison here's a shot of the P-3AT, P-11 and a 1911 together.
024.gif
This is what I carry the P-3AT in:
004-11.gif
I just can't recommend this little pistol enough.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Kahr PM9 or Kel-Tec PF-9?
Replies
12
Views
2K
45crittergitter
4
G
  • Locked
Kel-Tec Pistols
2 3
Replies
54
Views
2K
kokapelli
K
W
  • Locked
kel-tec pf-9 or glock 26?
Replies
24
Views
2K
scotthsi
S
Zundfolge
  • Locked
Kel-Tec P11 vs PF-9
2
Replies
26
Views
16K
-v-
V
T
  • Locked
Question about a Kel Tec
Replies
15
Views
1K
Frank4711
Frank4711
Back
Top