Recommend me the best pocket carry

Pocket carried a Ruger LCP for awhile but was never comfortable with the 380. Tried a S&W Shield 9mm and it worked so well I bought another for my wife. I carry it in a soft sticky pocket holster in my right front jeans pocket. I'm 70 years old so I wear the Relaxed Fit Wranglers and they have a little more room in them and work great.
When I'm driving, I slip it out of my pocket and into my right vest pocket to make it quicker to get to.

 

My number one concerns are concealability and comfort. If it's uncomfortable to wear, It may get left at home, if I'm concerned about printing, it may get left at home. A 380 in my pocket is far more valuable than a 45 in my safe in a SD situation. I found the lcp too small in the hand to shoot well. I pocket carry the taurus tcp. It is small and light enough to disappear in my pocket, and not weigh down my pants. It has just enough more thickness in the gripp to fit well in my hand. It's the only pistol I can confidently carry in any outfit. Just looks like a wallet in the back pocket of dress slacks or jeans with my shirt tucked in.

 

As I just posted in a similar thread, I'm happiest with either a Keltec P32 or a Sig 238. I haven't had the 238 very long, but it will likely become my carry-everywhere gun. With the 7-round mag, it shoots like a dream. I have both a P3AT and a Ruger LCP Gen I, and neither shoot with the ease and precision of the Sig 238. The KelTec P32 is slightly smaller and lighter to pocket carry, however.

 

Well, you don't need 3 pages of recommendations, but if you can afford it, Kahr is the king of pocket carry type 9mm's.

 

You referenced that pocket pistols have been around for a Long time. As I am also a bit of a collector, I own an original Remington model 51. Although I bought it for its historical significance, it is also a great pocket gun; small, thin, and few edges. Even though it was made in the '20s, it is still very dependable and I have never had a problem with it at the range. I have been known to drop into my blazer pocket when I didn't want to put on a holster and use one of my standard carry weapons.

 

The List:

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Double Tap Defense Douple Tap
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.665 in
Weight: 15 oz Titanium, 13 0z Aluminum
Capacity: 2

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Remington R-51
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.4 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Width: .96in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Smith & Wesson Shield
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 6.1 in
Height: 4.6 in
Width: .95in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Taurus 709FS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.24 in
Height: 4.52 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.04 in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Glock 43
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.39 in
Length: 6.26 in
Height: 4.25 in
Width: 1.02 in
Weight: 17.95 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Round

Taurus Millennium G2 PT111
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.28 in
Length: 6.24 in
Height: 5.1 in
Width: 1.22 in
Weight: 22.0 oz
Capacity: 12+1 Rounds

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: 1.18 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Walther PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Springfield Armory XDs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 23.0 oz w/empty 7rd magazine
Capacity: 7+1

Bersa BP9CC
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.35 in
Height: 4.8 in
Width: .94 in
Weight: 21.5 oz
Capacity: 8+1

HK P2000SK
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.26 in
Length: 6.40 in
Height: 4.55 in
Width: 1.37 in
Weight: 24 oz
Capacity: 8+1

 

For me anything over 1 pound loaded is too heavy for all day pocket carry. I have an early airweight m-37 that works. A s&w bodyguard weighs 15oz loaded, and my favorite is a 351c 22magnum that weighs 11.5oz loaded.

 

I think its funny that before the Glock 42 and 43 came out, so many ardent Glock fans claimed that the Glock 26 was a pocket pistol. I don't hear that too often anymore though...

I actually did an experiment before I decided to buy a pocket pistol. I weighed out amounts of loose change at increasing amounts starting at 15 ounces.

When I got to 21 ounces the weight in my pocket was a frequent reminder that it was there.

The experiment also taught me the fallacy of the "A few ounces difference is not going to matter" argument. At some point an extra ounce does make a difference.

Twenty three ounces in my pocket was annoying.

Twenty five ounces total weight is my limit for pocket carry. I personally can't carry a pound and a half of weight in my pocket all day, - if other people can, more power to them.

Twenty seven ounces is barely tolerable even for a quick trip down to the store.


I did this experiment because I didn't want to plunk down a bunch of money for a pocket pistol only to find out pocket carry turned out to be uncomfortable for me.

My Rohrbaugh R9, loaded with seven rounds of 147gr ammo, sitting in a Nemesis pocket holster weighs in at 18.5


I know we're not just talking about 9mm, but if anyone is interested a brass cased 115gr 9mm cartridge weighs about .39 oz

A brass cased 124gr 9mm cartridge weighs about .41 oz

A brass cased 147gr 9mm cartridge weighs about .46 oz

It might come in handy if, for instance you are looking at two pistols, just for example, like the CM9 and the SCCY pistols and think "there is only a 1 ounce difference between these two pistols"

In reality the CM9 is going to weigh between 18.7 oz and 19.1 oz fully loaded while the SCCY is going to weigh between 21.5 oz and 22.25 oz fully loaded.

That 22 1/4 oz weight puts the SCCY in the range of uncomfortable for pocket carry for me personally, not even taking into account that the SCCY might be, (probably is) too big to pocket carry.

Also, here is a great thread started by Nom de Forum, titled "Pistol weight in ounces: When does it get heavy?"

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/pistol-weight-in-ounces-when-does-it-get-heavy.749907/

 

My new G42 has been my pocket carry. Seems to do ok so far

 

I have pocket carried both a LCR and a G26 quite a bit and I can honestly say the LCR (or 642 S&W which I also carried) does carry noticeably easier than a G26. I have also pocket carried a LCP and it beats both of those hands down as far as comfort and convenience obviously.

I should also note, the G26 would almost exclusively be limited to cargo shorts or tactical pants type pocket carry. It was simply too heavy for dress slacks and no way could I carry it with jeans.

With all that said, my daily pocket carry currently is a Diamondback DB380. I can shoot it much better than the LCP although it is a bit thicker and bulkier in the pocket. I carry in a Desantis pocket holster with dress slacks four days a week and the same holster with Levis or cargo shorts the other three days a week. On the rare occasion I'll get a bit of printing in the Levis, but never enough to concern me.

For a long time I did as a couple of others have mentioned, carried a Keltec P-32 with round nose. I did like the idea of one extra round and the P-32 was also very very easy to carry. Sometimes I still do go that route if I'm wearing like Under Armour shorts or gym shorts or what not.

The lightest I may carry is a NAA .22 revolver. But most days that is just limited to what I slip into my sweats or gym shorts when lounging around the house.

As many have said, to each their own. What one guy or lady can carry doesn't necessarily mean someone else can and be comfortable.

 

I think I am leaning towards LCP. Need to find & rent one & see if I can hit the wide side of a barn with it.

 

Has no one mentioned the Rohrbaugh?

 

Yes, it's been mentioned.

 

My Beretta Pico is super easy to pocket carry.

 

I owned a Ruger LCP custom. I'm a big guy and it was hard to hold and a little 'snappy' when fired. I agree with the previous poster who recommended the Kahr CW380. Great gun for about $300 but the slide is a little hard to rack. For more $, the Sig P238 is a great choice. I currently use it as my primary pocket carry as many talk about comfort, but I want to hit what I'm aiming at, and this little pistol rocks!

 

Bulldog

 

I am buying an AR-15, but still keeping an eye on this thread - my next purchase is going to be a pocket carry.. just not sure which one.

 

I always liked the idea of pocket carry, but I've never found anything smaller than a P238 that I could shoot as well as I like. My solution was to get bigger pockets, made of leather, and secure them to my belt.

 

I have pocket carried a Kel Tec P3AT in a De Santis pocket holster for the last 4 years and its a great pocket carry gun that conceals well but the small sights and the way it fit my hand limited the accuracy my old eyes can get out of it. I still shoot my old S&W 36 well but it weighs too much for comfortable pocket carry so I rented a 637 Smith at the range and tried it out. I wasn't sure how heavy the recoil would be from a 15 Oz revolver shooting +P but found it wasn't any worse than a .357 mag from a S&W model 19 so I bought one and am happy with it. Carries well in a Desantis 02 pocket holster ordered from Amazon.

The light 637 shoots heavy 158gr +P bullets about 6" high at 15 yds and a foot high at 25 yds. +P 125gr Golden Sabers hit point of aim so that is what I'm using for carry. Safariland speed loaders work with the standard boot grips but Hks are too large to clear the grips.

 

Steve C

Looks very much my like my pocket carry set-up. Only major difference is I carry a Model 638. Good choices on your part all the way around.

 

After a careful consideration, I think you might want to look at 2 guns and decide between them:
- Ruger LCP II
- Kahr PM9/CM9

The LCP II is a significant improvement of the original LCP, and it's very small. Although not as small as e.g. a Seecamp, it may be small enough to make you consider a .380.

The PM9 is probably the smallest reasonable 9mm, even smaller than PF-9, although not lighter.

I have to say that I'm surprised that you think that the difference between G43 and G26 is negligible. A loaded G26 is noticeably heavier.

 

I've owned a S&W Bodyguard and a Beretta Nano before. The Bodyguard was a little snappy but very reliable, but if I got hold of it wrong the slide would bite me. I loved the Nano, but it was a little too obvious (thick) in my pocket.
Nowadays I have a Sig P938 and a Glock 42. I know, different manuals of arms. They are both easy to shoot and accurate even with my old eyes. I carry one or the other in a very good pocket holster. (not the same holster.) Bear in mind that the Sig costs twice what the Glock does, but I can recommend either.
I've also shot a friends Shield and liked it.

 

When I can't carry a G19 on my belt, I carry a G42 in my pocket. They complement each other nicely. The G42 is about as big a gun as I think practically fits in a pocket. I used to pocket carry an LCP, but the G42 is so much more shootable, and it's a Glock...