several months of research and I'm down to a list of 7

[Hubster]

First of all, I really want to thank all of you for the tremendous input on this site. I'm a researcher by nature and I've gotten TONS of information here during my search for the best concealed carry personal defense weapon. In no particular order, I've narrowed my search to:

Kel-tec PF9
Kahr PM9
Walther PPS
S&W 642
Glock 26
CZ 2075 rami
Ruger LCP

I'm going to a range/rental store this weekend and firing a few rentals, and then I hope to make my purchase. I've saved plenty of money so cost isn't really a factor. I simply want a reliable gun that is easy to conceal, preferably in a pocket carry. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Drgong]

all nice guns, best of luck!

 

[leadcounsel]

Several of your guns, such as the Glock and Rami, are NOT comfortable (and the Glock with a round in the chamber is not safe) pocket carry guns.

 

[Hubster]

leadcounsel,

I agree. It's a tradeoff - less comfortable and harder to conceal, but more of a "solid" feel. That is precisely why I am torn. I've read a lot of problems with the Ruger LCP, so it is close to coming off the list, but for now there are still 7.

 

[Kind of Blued]

The J-Frame simply can't be beat in my opinion.

15 ounces, endlessly concealable, and it will never fail you. They're not extremely fun to shoot, but it sounds like you're looking for a carry gun, and if you ever HAVE to use it, it won't be fun no matter what gun you use.

 

[JJE]

Dang! Your list after "several months of research" is longer than most people's starting list! Start making some decisions! The single most popular gun on your list has got to be the 642, so that's my recommendation.

 

[RyanM]

Glock as an "uncomfortable" or "unsafe" pocket gun depends entirely on the pants you wear, and whether you're an idiot (in that order).

I've carried a Glock 23 in a pants pocket numerous times, without any issue. In jeans, it would never work, but slacks or khakis with big pockets, no problem. And if you use a legitimate pocket holster, it's no less "safe" with one in the pipe than any other DAO gun with no manual safety, like 4 other ones on that list.

 

[Smaug]

Based on what I've read here and at TFL over the past few years, you can scratch off Kel-Tec and Kahr from that list, as they aren't bet-your-life reliable like the others.

Of those, I'd get a Walther PPS, Glock 26, or Ruger LCP.

 

[newmaxx11]

if i were you i would try to shoot the kahr, the kel-tec and the lcp. all of them are very pocketable. so it will be very easy for you to actually carry them immediately. a little bigger gun then you have to worry about which holster to get where and how to wear it...can i wear with this or that,,,just start with a nice small pocket gun. i know that there are good and bad reviews on each of them but you should try each for yourself and then decide.

 

[vow]

I have carried Glock 26 in a pocket holster in my front left pocket for years with no problem. Your best safty is your trigger finger, keep it off of the trigger until you are ready to fire. That goes for any weapon. The Glock is a weapon that you can depend on, it's a tool and a simple one at that. vow

 

[jaholder1971]

Several months to pick 7?

In that time frame you coulda just BOUGHT all 7 and tried them all out, picked the best for carry and keep the rest.

 

[Guns and more]

The list is too broad. Do you want to pocket carry? IWB carry?
Belt carry? For pocket I'd go with the LCP. For IWB I'd pick the PM-9 (I have one). And for holster carry OWB, I'd buy the Rami. (I'm thinking that will be my next purchase.)
Better yet, Get one of each, you will anyway.

 

[Indifferent]

642 revolver
2075 semi

 

[weisse52]

Well your list is a big one. Hopefully when you try them out one will just really jump to the top of your list
While I love the 642 you have on the list, most are real solid.

I would suggest that you plan on a couple of trips before you make a decision. Maybe one or two to narrow your list and then one last trip to decide.

Good luck!

 

[FranklyTodd]

For so much research, you have some darn chunky guns on your list for pocket carry. From you list, the 642 easily, for reasons stated elsewhere.

Renting the guns is a good idea, but which one you enjoy shooting is only part of the equation - realize that ease of carry needs to really play a big part in your decision.

I have an M&P340 lightweight j-frame, and gets tons of pocket carry. I also have a Ruger LCP. It is a fantastic pocket gun, if you are comfortable with the firepower it brings 6+1 .380s. Mine has had no reliability issues.

Still, in 90% of my pants, the j-frame will work anywhere the LCP will.

I've pocket carried a Glock 26, I sincerely doubt you would like that for your primary... it's like carrying a paperback book in your pocket.

Best of luck!
FT

 

[SuperNaut]

Hubster I'm doing the same thing you are. See this thread for some more data.

Despite Glock and Kahr winning the poll, I'm still looking hard at the PPS and the PX4 sub. Just goes to show that data doesn't always win the day...

 

[1/7GRUNT]

I own the S&W 442, the cousin of the 642 and I love it. Reliability is what i like most about it. If you can rent some of these guns then do that, then buy several!!

 

[skinewmexico]

Paralysis by analysis, dude. Nothing is gonna be perfect.

 

[SaxonPig]

Oh my God...

Several months to narrow the choices down to seven?

LOL...

 

[Bennett Prescott]

Several of your guns, such as the Glock and Rami, are NOT comfortable (and the Glock with a round in the chamber is not safe) pocket carry guns.

I agree that I wouldn't want to be sticking a Glock compact in my pocket...

But unsafe? Why? The OP would of course be carrying in a pocket holster to keep anything from engaging the trigger, as one should do with ANY gun. At that point how is it any different from the Glock I carry in an IWB holster every single day, every where?

 

[10-Ring]

As pocket guns go, I've gone w/ the 442 & couldn't be happier. So, from your list -- I'd go /w the 642

Just out of curiousity -- how much experience do you have shooting? These aren't exactly the easiest guns to learn to shoot on & may not inspire a lot of beginner confidence

 

[machinisttx]

But unsafe? Why? The OP would of course be carrying in a pocket holster to keep anything from engaging the trigger, as one should do with ANY gun. At that point how is it any different from the Glock I carry in an IWB holster every single day, every where?

The only external safety device on a glock is on the same lever that causes the gun to fire. Not really a good arrangement for a partially cocked autoloader IMO, and particularly one with a somewhat light trigger(when compared to double action only guns). The short trigger pull(comparatively speaking) doesn't leave much margin for errors either.

A revolver or typical DAO autoloader doesn't have any external safety devices, but they DO have heavier and longer trigger pulls. In the case of the revolver, it takes anywhere from two to three times as much pressure to cause the gun to fire as it would a glunk. With that much difference in pressure, the user is bound to notice something isn't right when attempting to reholster with something in the way or inside the trigger guard. Since the trigger pull is longer, the user also has slightly more time to realize an unsafe condition.

 

[memphisjim]

the glock is a bit thick for pocket carry but can easily be done with the right pants
the 642 is a great pocket gun
the pm9 is good but not as reliable as the glock
642 would be my vote
have you looked at a seecamp lc380?

 

[Girodin]

The only external safety device on a glock is on the same lever that causes the gun to fire. Not really a good arrangement for a partially cocked autoloader IMO, and particularly one with a somewhat light trigger(when compared to double action only guns). The short trigger pull(comparatively speaking) doesn't leave much margin for errors either.

That is the reason a proper pocket holster is important (as is the case with any gun you will be carrying in your pocket). Another important part of pocket carry is to only have the holstered pistol in there, no keys, chapstic, etc. With a holster covering the trigger and nothing else in your pocket I do not see the Glock as being unsafe nor notably less safe than the other DAO pistols listed.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Also, don't be afraid to buy a gun that might be too big for a pocket if that's the gun you really want.

They make these things called holsters that are like pockets, but they're actually designed to have a gun in them. They're arguably more comfortable and concealable as well if you buy a good one.

And it's nice having your pocket back to, you know, put stuff in... like more ammo.