Recommend me the best pocket carry
- Thread starter Wanderling
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Sig P938sas with 6rd mag. Fits in most any pocket with a good pocket holster.
The 7-round mag makes the grip a bit long for pocket carry.
Mine is in an Alabamaholster.com front pocket holster. Jeans or dress pants/khakis.
Plenty of good options. Use a holster.
The 7-round mag makes the grip a bit long for pocket carry.
Mine is in an Alabamaholster.com front pocket holster. Jeans or dress pants/khakis.
Plenty of good options. Use a holster.
I believe the options aren't quite as numerous as some of these choices suggest. I contend that if you need to wear a belt, a compact in a IWB holster is just as, if not more convenient than pocket carry. It's not the size of many choices, it's the weight. I think anything much heavier than an LCP is going to be rough going in a pair of comfy sweat pants and like I said anything else doesn't require that small of a gun.
I currently pocket carry a XD mod2 .45acp. I first started by pocket carrying a Ruger SP101. And I have pocket carried a CA .44 Special Bulldog.
I never have issues with printing , I wear my shirts untucked.
Carry it, every day. You will get used to it. It does take a different aproach to pulling a semi, compared to a round revolver.
But find what works for you, and practice. But most IMPORTANTLY , practice situational awareness. There are a lot of pluses to pocket carry, but a Bob Munden draw is not one of them.
I never have issues with printing , I wear my shirts untucked.
Carry it, every day. You will get used to it. It does take a different aproach to pulling a semi, compared to a round revolver.
But find what works for you, and practice. But most IMPORTANTLY , practice situational awareness. There are a lot of pluses to pocket carry, but a Bob Munden draw is not one of them.
stchman
Member
Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard 380(no manual safety version).
tuckerdog1
Member
I prefer my S&W 638. If need be, I can get more than 1 shot off with the gun still in the pocket.
stonecutter2
Member
Sig P238 is what I have and carry easily. Mini 1911. It's small and reliable. Really easy to shoot accurately. Great trigger.
I have a P64 but it's so difficult to shoot well, and I am not someone with recoil issues.
I have a P64 but it's so difficult to shoot well, and I am not someone with recoil issues.
Great Scot
Member
I also have a Smith BG 380 and love it. I had a LCP and it was a nice pistol but sights were small and no hold open on last shot. The LCP II changed that, but I'm sticking with the BG. It's a pocket gun that handles like a big gun.
For me the LCP was either too snappy or to light. Also, a shooting buddy had one blow up in his hand. The little Kahr 380 is more substantial, read heavier, and easier to shoot. Fits almost any pocket and every bit as accurate as the Ruger. The Kahr had a much better trigger than the first gen LCP. JMHO
I'm not sure how my leg would feel about that, lol
I know you're talking coat pocket, just couldn't help myself.
everydefense
Member
Here's another vote for the Ruger LC9s... I have the Pro version (minimal safeties). 
OP
OP
Wanderling
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I am starting to lean towards the LCP, have been reading up on .380 and it seems to be a decent enough SD round. I would hate to drop another $300 on a gun like LC9 just to figure it's also too large for pocket carry.
Any opinions on LCP vs LCP Custom vs LCP II ?
Any opinions on LCP vs LCP Custom vs LCP II ?
P32. I can run 10 miles with it clipped to my UnderArmor without problem. Accurate and 7 rounds (first round is Buffalo Bore hardcast). It can fit in my shirt pocket, unnoticed.
No 9mm is near in size or weight. I don't always carry the P32 - I have a 9mm Shield and J-frame, but they all require an IWB holster. Not so for the P32 - it can literally fit anywhere.
No 9mm is near in size or weight. I don't always carry the P32 - I have a 9mm Shield and J-frame, but they all require an IWB holster. Not so for the P32 - it can literally fit anywhere.
railroader
Member
I think all three would work as long as the standard LCP is a second generation. I have the custom and my buddy has the second gen version. I have shot both and they ran great but I like the sights better on my custom. As for the LCPII I only handled one and I liked it. The trigger pull was nice and the grip was slightly fatter which felt good in my hand.
Zonamo
Member
Best advice I can give on pocket carry is that it is subjective. What is right size, weight, trigger pull, and recoil for someone else may not work for you at all. Before deciding on any gun for pocket carry, I would try to find one to test in my own pocket fully loaded, and to put some rounds down range.
My pocket carry is a Colt Mustang Pocketlite. At just shy of 16 oz. fully loaded, 5 lb. trigger, and after-market Novaks, it fits me just right. The Micro 9's run about 1/4 lb. heavier and recoil harder, which lots of people can carry and shoot as easily as I shoot the Mustang. For my pockets and my hand, the Micro 9's are a 1/4 pound and a 1/4 pounder past the limit.
I owned an LCP. For me it was unpleasant to shoot, heavy trigger pull compared to the single action triggers I am used to, and nowhere near as controllable. They work great for others, but for my pockets and my hand, the poly .380's are too light and recoil too hard. Personally, I would choose the Kel-Tec P-32 in that size pistol if I ever felt the need again for something that small.
But if it's your right size, right weight, right trigger, and right recoil, the LCP is a well made pocket pistol and Ruger service can't be beat. Having owned several pocket pistols with minimal sights, I would opt for the Custom with the improved sights. The Custom is a lot of extra for the price.
My pocket carry is a Colt Mustang Pocketlite. At just shy of 16 oz. fully loaded, 5 lb. trigger, and after-market Novaks, it fits me just right. The Micro 9's run about 1/4 lb. heavier and recoil harder, which lots of people can carry and shoot as easily as I shoot the Mustang. For my pockets and my hand, the Micro 9's are a 1/4 pound and a 1/4 pounder past the limit.
I owned an LCP. For me it was unpleasant to shoot, heavy trigger pull compared to the single action triggers I am used to, and nowhere near as controllable. They work great for others, but for my pockets and my hand, the poly .380's are too light and recoil too hard. Personally, I would choose the Kel-Tec P-32 in that size pistol if I ever felt the need again for something that small.
But if it's your right size, right weight, right trigger, and right recoil, the LCP is a well made pocket pistol and Ruger service can't be beat. Having owned several pocket pistols with minimal sights, I would opt for the Custom with the improved sights. The Custom is a lot of extra for the price.
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I've had a first and second gen LCP much prefer the second gen's sights are just big enough to get a sight picture, I caught a Custom for a steal online deal with the idea I would replace the second gen but the sights are just too big snag on everything and the notch is too wide, I kept it for 2 weeks.
Don't know about the LCPII
1stmarine
Member
The shield has been working very well for me.
Fleetman
Member
I pocket carry, depending on the waist tightness and/or shorts: Keltec P32, Kahr P380, Diamondback 9.....mostly carry the DB.
I have a very nice Kimber Micro 9 which is comfortable to shoot and fiits right in my pockets but its just too nice the way I treat them.
I have carried a pocket gun for years (carry from wake to bed) but only carried a second firearm for the past four years.
I have a very nice Kimber Micro 9 which is comfortable to shoot and fiits right in my pockets but its just too nice the way I treat them.
I have carried a pocket gun for years (carry from wake to bed) but only carried a second firearm for the past four years.
azrocks
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- Jun 28, 2016
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- 659
If you didn't see much difference between a G26 & a G43, you must have been looking at another G26 by mistake.
WRGADog
Member
I have a number of small pistols that I pocket carry. My favorite is the G42. The others that work well for me are the Kimber Solo, Kahr PM9, and Beretta Nano. I have a G43, Shield, PPS, G26 but I find each a bit large to pocket carry.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
If you are going to look at the Ruger LCP you might want to look a a S&W Bodyguard 380 too. They are different than each other and both feel different in your hand. The BG380 has a thicker grip that some,shooters feel allows better control than the smaller grip on the LCP. It's worth a look.
AZAndy
Member
My current pocket carry is a Sig P938. 9mm, and comes with tritium sights. It's an accurate and reliable shooter.
We have a sticky in the auto pistol forum sizing and detailing what proportions guns have: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...iagrams-pocket-auto-comparison-charts.558765/
Pocket guns have been around since the late 1800's, when they were carried for use against large aggressive dogs who's owners would not restrain them. Early bicycle riders purchased them for obvious reasons, along with city dwellers who would not tolerate being robbed by thugs every time they ventured on the street. Canes were also highly popular at the time - 40 something year old men and women didn't need them for support, they were defensive weapons, with some style.
A lot of those early guns were in small calibers as that was the accepted norm. From that Browning took the concept into auto pistols with items like the Baby Browning and others. The makers saw the money and a few dozen more jumped on board around the world with their versions. .22, .25, .32 and others were made. .380 was on the large size then.
Currently guns in the 11 oz unloaded category no larger than .38 caliber are "pocket" guns, despite the calls for carry subcompact .45 belt guns. It seems their are those who think that since they can pocket a Colt Dragoon in their pants then they can recommend it, which is always a source of humor in these threads. It also goes to thinking that a duty caliber weapon can be cut down to it's least effective barrel length yet still have the same ballistics - nope, a .45 from a 3 1/2 barrel doesn't have the same impact as a 5". At that point it is better to increase velocity to regain power with a smaller bullet in a bottle neck cartridge. Unfortunately items like the .32 NAA aren't even remotely considered by the shooting public - yet.
.380 seems to be the threshold where most pocket guns are considered viable, but that is from shooters trying to judge them with defensive duty gun standards. You see a lot of stuff like "FBI protocol" dished up to justify it. And yet Browning invented the .25 and .32 in his day.
Most are 11 to 16 oz roughly, as polymer has dropped the necessary weight substituting for steel or aluminum alloy. Six shot magazines are common, after that the features can be as simple or as complex as needed. I tried the LCP and found the gun was snappy when shooting, and the lack of a last round slide hold open led to more than a few clicks on the range when that was the only signal you got it was empty. I consider that a major tactical fail in the field - it's the last thing you need when another round was necessary and you could have been reloaded by a more user friendly feature. It also goes to use on the range - plenty claim they like the LCP because it's light and small, but also say that they carry it - never practicing with it much at all. Others prefer to shoot it more regularly to make sure they are familiar with it and can hit what they are aiming at with some precision. It also goes to the LCP sights being small and rudimentary.
Those issues have been addressed in the LCP II, along with the trigger pull which was bottom of the class. That alone shows even Ruger was aware of the complaints. That also goes to the Keltec which was the gun Ruger based theirs on, altho fans aren't prone to agree.
There are plenty of better guns, including the Remington RM380 which is their version of the Rohrbaugh, Taurus, S&W, Kahr, and SIG. Of those I chose the Kahr CW380 - I has the better trigger, an item Kahr has long led the field in for decades now. Its smooth, just a tenth longer in pull than a standard Glock, easy to learn reset, and runs 6-8 pounds. Other guns run up to twelve. It has a slide hold open and states you reload it by releasing it after the mag change. The mags can be plussed up one round with aftermarket kits. The sights are good and replaceable for others including tritium night sights. The unlocking of the barrel during the action cycle is smooth and generates a smoother recoil impulse than the harsh LCP, which facilitates shooting a lot more, or at least pleasantly. It reduces the chance of getting your knuckle whacked which some LCP owners report. I've found I can shoot a box of 50 with the Kahr vs two mags and done with the LCP. The Browning lock ramp angles aren't set in stone, reports are coming out the LCP II is more forgiving. It also weighs another oz more unloaded.
Before jumping onto any Brandwagon I'd go out and at least pull the trigger - literally - and see which you prefer. Internet recommendations are often just an opportunity for owners to promote their tribal association, when what we would all like to hear about is some of the comparisons to see if we would prefer one over the other. And just because someone likes something, or not, we can at least sift thru what they write to reflect on whether it will be an issue for us. Early reports on the Kahr stated the new owners disliked the mandatory 200 break in recommended by the factory - and yet many professionals recommend 500 to sort out which ammo simply won't cycle reliably. It may be your favorite just doesn't in that gun but something else does. One thing mine will do is cycle reliably with steel cased cheap ammo - it just won't lock the slide back. Brass cased defensive carry ammo has no problem. That is normal - lots of guns won't cycle foreign import fodder. The guns weren't designed around shooting cheap ammo, and most of us never carry it. Little things like that are what you can discern when somebody takes the time to say more about a gun than a "I've got one and you should too." These days a lot of those recommendations are the first gun the owner has ever bought.
Pocket guns have been around since the late 1800's, when they were carried for use against large aggressive dogs who's owners would not restrain them. Early bicycle riders purchased them for obvious reasons, along with city dwellers who would not tolerate being robbed by thugs every time they ventured on the street. Canes were also highly popular at the time - 40 something year old men and women didn't need them for support, they were defensive weapons, with some style.
A lot of those early guns were in small calibers as that was the accepted norm. From that Browning took the concept into auto pistols with items like the Baby Browning and others. The makers saw the money and a few dozen more jumped on board around the world with their versions. .22, .25, .32 and others were made. .380 was on the large size then.
Currently guns in the 11 oz unloaded category no larger than .38 caliber are "pocket" guns, despite the calls for carry subcompact .45 belt guns. It seems their are those who think that since they can pocket a Colt Dragoon in their pants then they can recommend it, which is always a source of humor in these threads. It also goes to thinking that a duty caliber weapon can be cut down to it's least effective barrel length yet still have the same ballistics - nope, a .45 from a 3 1/2 barrel doesn't have the same impact as a 5". At that point it is better to increase velocity to regain power with a smaller bullet in a bottle neck cartridge. Unfortunately items like the .32 NAA aren't even remotely considered by the shooting public - yet.
.380 seems to be the threshold where most pocket guns are considered viable, but that is from shooters trying to judge them with defensive duty gun standards. You see a lot of stuff like "FBI protocol" dished up to justify it. And yet Browning invented the .25 and .32 in his day.
Most are 11 to 16 oz roughly, as polymer has dropped the necessary weight substituting for steel or aluminum alloy. Six shot magazines are common, after that the features can be as simple or as complex as needed. I tried the LCP and found the gun was snappy when shooting, and the lack of a last round slide hold open led to more than a few clicks on the range when that was the only signal you got it was empty. I consider that a major tactical fail in the field - it's the last thing you need when another round was necessary and you could have been reloaded by a more user friendly feature. It also goes to use on the range - plenty claim they like the LCP because it's light and small, but also say that they carry it - never practicing with it much at all. Others prefer to shoot it more regularly to make sure they are familiar with it and can hit what they are aiming at with some precision. It also goes to the LCP sights being small and rudimentary.
Those issues have been addressed in the LCP II, along with the trigger pull which was bottom of the class. That alone shows even Ruger was aware of the complaints. That also goes to the Keltec which was the gun Ruger based theirs on, altho fans aren't prone to agree.
There are plenty of better guns, including the Remington RM380 which is their version of the Rohrbaugh, Taurus, S&W, Kahr, and SIG. Of those I chose the Kahr CW380 - I has the better trigger, an item Kahr has long led the field in for decades now. Its smooth, just a tenth longer in pull than a standard Glock, easy to learn reset, and runs 6-8 pounds. Other guns run up to twelve. It has a slide hold open and states you reload it by releasing it after the mag change. The mags can be plussed up one round with aftermarket kits. The sights are good and replaceable for others including tritium night sights. The unlocking of the barrel during the action cycle is smooth and generates a smoother recoil impulse than the harsh LCP, which facilitates shooting a lot more, or at least pleasantly. It reduces the chance of getting your knuckle whacked which some LCP owners report. I've found I can shoot a box of 50 with the Kahr vs two mags and done with the LCP. The Browning lock ramp angles aren't set in stone, reports are coming out the LCP II is more forgiving. It also weighs another oz more unloaded.
Before jumping onto any Brandwagon I'd go out and at least pull the trigger - literally - and see which you prefer. Internet recommendations are often just an opportunity for owners to promote their tribal association, when what we would all like to hear about is some of the comparisons to see if we would prefer one over the other. And just because someone likes something, or not, we can at least sift thru what they write to reflect on whether it will be an issue for us. Early reports on the Kahr stated the new owners disliked the mandatory 200 break in recommended by the factory - and yet many professionals recommend 500 to sort out which ammo simply won't cycle reliably. It may be your favorite just doesn't in that gun but something else does. One thing mine will do is cycle reliably with steel cased cheap ammo - it just won't lock the slide back. Brass cased defensive carry ammo has no problem. That is normal - lots of guns won't cycle foreign import fodder. The guns weren't designed around shooting cheap ammo, and most of us never carry it. Little things like that are what you can discern when somebody takes the time to say more about a gun than a "I've got one and you should too." These days a lot of those recommendations are the first gun the owner has ever bought.
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