dickydalton
Member
I use a simple Hunter pocket holster for both my LCP and LC9S.
I sometimes forget that the LCP is in my pocket but the LC9s I feel.
I sometimes forget that the LCP is in my pocket but the LC9s I feel.
Suggestions for a pocket sized .380
- Thread starter kdunn
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texasred777
Member
Since no one's mentioned one, how about the little Bersa Thunder .389 concealed carry? I have one and really like it. It's been extremely dependable, small, no tall sights to hang on everything, and the safety is easy (for me, anyway) to switch to fire with one hand. To me, it's the most likeable semi-auto that I have owned or shot. I have a little Walther PPK/S .22lr pistol that is about the same size.
Onward Allusion
Member
In a pair of basketball shorts, you would NOT carry any kind of gun in your shorts' pocket. It will flop around and drag your shorts down.
In a pair of basketball shorts, you would use a IWB holster. Take it from someone who's had about a half dozen types of "pocket" pistols ranging from NAA Mini's to Airlite J-Frames.
Onward Allusion
Member
A pocket holster makes from a smoother draw. If you front pocket carry, it will help prevent the pocket from turning inside out. Of course, this depends on the type of pants you are wearing (see above). Finally, a mechanical safety is as good as the user remembering to set it or take it off.
Just a story...
I had a Colt Mustang that I purchased for my wife. She had a purse with an inner pocket that fit the Mustang perfectly. So I thought "Wow - that's great, she can just keep it in this pocket."
She was going on a business trip, She watched me load the Mustang, and put it cocked and locked in the purse pocket.
When she came back, I opened the pocket and took the Mustang out, the safety was down. It was still cocked. My wife hadn't touched the pistol, hadn't even gone into that purse pocket at all. When I saw the safety off, a chill went down my spine.
I have no idea how long she was carrying the pistol around cocked with the safety off.
I'm not saying to carry with an empty chamber but I would definitely use a rigid holster that covers the trigger for sure. One that prevents the safety from being bumped is even better.
I had a Colt Mustang that I purchased for my wife. She had a purse with an inner pocket that fit the Mustang perfectly. So I thought "Wow - that's great, she can just keep it in this pocket."
She was going on a business trip, She watched me load the Mustang, and put it cocked and locked in the purse pocket.
When she came back, I opened the pocket and took the Mustang out, the safety was down. It was still cocked. My wife hadn't touched the pistol, hadn't even gone into that purse pocket at all. When I saw the safety off, a chill went down my spine.
I have no idea how long she was carrying the pistol around cocked with the safety off.
I'm not saying to carry with an empty chamber but I would definitely use a rigid holster that covers the trigger for sure. One that prevents the safety from being bumped is even better.
astocks2622
Member
after trying out several of the mini 380's including the Ruger LCP, Glock 42, taurus TCP, S&W Bodyguard, & Sig P238, my wife liked & shot the 238 best. they can be had for $430 in the "sports 12" version. tis includes a flush mag & extended mag, hogue grip, & night sights (Truglo TFO front with Siglite rear). we have found it to be very accurate & reliable with no malfunctions over about 1000 rounds so far.
to both of us, it was the softest shooting, & easiest to shoot well.
to both of us, it was the softest shooting, & easiest to shoot well.
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This is an excellent point C0untZer0. The handguns that I have that do have safeties on them are all rather stiff so I didn't even think that to be a real possibility. Thanks for sharing!
astocks2622, where did you find the P238 for that price? Lowest I've seen it is $519 at academy.
What kind of holster would you recommend for IWB while wearing basketball shorts, Onward Allusion?
Milkmaster
Member
I could not have said it better Texasred777! The concealed carry version of this pistol is my choice as well. I own two of them and would buy a third if the opportunity came about for a good price. I tried out several 380 pocket guns over time. The Bersa 380CC version is the only one I have owned that eats whatever ammo I choose to use cheap or expensive without one failure. I use the decocker after loading the chamber to drop the hammer. Then it goes in a small pocket holster. Operation is as simple as pulling the double action trigger a little harder the first time when needed. No clicking the safety off first, no worries about it going off in my pocket, all metal gun, recoil isn't snappy and doesn't hurt my wrist. I am tickled with the Bersa 380CC.
I would second the opinion that you don't want a safety on a pocket pistol but you do need a pocket holster. I carry a Diamondback 380 everyday in a leather pocket holster that I made myself. It goes in a jacket pocket, front jeans pocket, or even in a front pocket of knit shorts or athletic pants. The holster keeps the gun oriented the proper direction, (don't want to have to turn the gun over in your pocket when you need to draw and fire) and prevents dropping the mag while keeping anything from getting in the trigger guard. I chose the Diamondback because it was the only small, inexpensive gun with real sights. However it is picky about ammo and needs the right amount of oil to cycle reliably. Any of the small 380's would work great in the right pocket holster even in basketball shorts, assuming you have a drawstring so the weight of the gun doesn't take your pants off.
Captcurt
Member
I have gone through several 380's for test. I had a LCP, LC380, 738 TCP, P238, and am carrying a 42 Glock now. The new guns that are striker fired have a mucho better trigger than the older guns that I had. One that you might consider is a Kahr. Small, rounded corners so they don't snag and a decent trigger.
I like my Glock but I feel a little apprehensive without a manual safety.
I like my Glock but I feel a little apprehensive without a manual safety.
Onward Allusion
Member
For a LCP or P3AT or even a P32, something like this will do.
http://www.amazon.com/ActiveProGear...=8-82-spons&keywords=in+waistband+holster+LCP
Honestly, any nylon decent IWB will do. I prefer nylon with gym shorts because they are lighter. The shorts' drawstring keeps everything secure. I'm guessing your shirt isn't going to be tucked in. Of course, I wouldn't recommend running or actually playing b-ball this way, though. A weight workout or time on the stationary bike, sure.
Going back to the whole carrying w/o a holster in your gym shorts pocket . . . more often than not the gun will turn the pocket inside out and possibly catching itself on the pocket's material.
Ironicaintit
Member
Sig P238! Very impressive little pistol. I think the trigger pull is a little too tough (on mine) but otherwise its a very fine little weapon.
I used to pocket carry a mauser hsc, in an uncle mikes pocket holster. It worked pretty good! That mauser has such smooth lines, it came out quick and easy. I love that thing. But its too heavy! With every step I took, I could feel the weight swinging.
I tried pocket carry again with the sig p238. Its a lot lighter, but I could never disregard the weight of it still. And they do collect lint pretty quick.
So, I abandoned pocket carry.
Get a good belt and a good IWB holster and that weight just blends in to the rest of you.
I used to pocket carry a mauser hsc, in an uncle mikes pocket holster. It worked pretty good! That mauser has such smooth lines, it came out quick and easy. I love that thing. But its too heavy! With every step I took, I could feel the weight swinging.
I tried pocket carry again with the sig p238. Its a lot lighter, but I could never disregard the weight of it still. And they do collect lint pretty quick.
So, I abandoned pocket carry.
Get a good belt and a good IWB holster and that weight just blends in to the rest of you.
Like 4season says, I think as long as my shorts have a drawstring (almost all of them do) I'll be ok with pocket carry and the IWB would be unnecessary while wearing athletic shorts. I won't be carrying while I am actually working out. If I'm going to carry IWB I'm going to put on some real shorts and holster my S&W Shield. But I appreciate your advice.
I've been going around to my LGS's the past few days comparing the different pocket sized 380s and the only one I haven't been able to get my hands on is the Kahr CW380! I like the look and size of it, but I've read on multiple reviews it is picky on ammo. However, all the ammo that it has had problems with were FMJ's, which I wouldn't be carrying. But either way, that's kind of a red flag for me
Captains1911
Member
I agree with this. There is no need for a manual safety just because it is a pocket gun. Manual safety or not, a pocket holster is required.
I sometimes pocket carry an LCP in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Pocket holsters are designed to hold the gun in the proper position and to stay in the pocket when the gun is drawn. Sometimes a slight rock rearward of the gun might be required to hook the holster on the corner of the pocket, but depending on the size of the pocket this may not be necessary. It becomes natural with practice. Also remember that when carrying a gun in a pocket, nothing else goes in that pocket except the gun and holster.
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astocks2622
Member
kygunco has the Sig pP38 for that price now, but I use Slickguns to search for great deals, as it searches a bunch of different sites.
Gravedigger56
Member
Having had a lot of pocket guns I just couldn't find the one that suited me best. Either they were a pain to shoot or didn't fit the pocket right. I really wanted my Sig P938 to be the one but it was just a little too big for a true pocket BUG. I finally purchased a Kimber Micro Carry after inspecting one at the gun shop and believe I have finally found what I have been searching for. It disappears in my pocket and I can't hardly tell it's there (either can anyone else). Stick it in a Leather Sig "wallet" holster or a DeSantis Nemesis and you have a pretty darn good combo!
Bama Drifter
Member
First to answer the "why use a pocket holster?" question. #1 protect trigger from lint & debris #2 reduce printing #3 protect trigger from OOPS #4 create a smoother draw as previously mentioned #5 precludes need for a safety.
Buy a Ruger LCP...
if you want a safety, save up for another couple weeks and buy the Sig 238. Those are your best choices.
Buy a Ruger LCP...
if you want a safety, save up for another couple weeks and buy the Sig 238. Those are your best choices.
So after perusing my local gun shops this week and looking at various different pocket guns I believe I have made a decision. One which surprised me because when I started looking for a pocket pistol this gun didn't even enter my mind. I've almost made up my mind on the Glock 42. While it is a bit larger than most other pocket sized guns, it is still considerably smaller and lighter than my shield. It also has better sights and a better trigger than most of the pocket guns I looked at. And since I have larger hands, I think the bigger size would benefit me when shooting. Anyone who has experience shooting and pocket carrying the G42 please weigh in and let me know your thoughts!
Since you've seriously considered the Sig 238 and you already own 9mm pistol, I'd suggest a hard look at the Sig P938. It's a bit over your stated price point but it allows you to use the same caliber ammo as already have. Also, the price of 9mm is less than .380 so the extra expense for the 938 will be taken care of over time by the lower ammo cost. Just sayin' 
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I'm quite partial to the LCP. Mine is a second generation model with the shorter trigger pull that starts the hammer from half cock. I know what you said about manual safeties, but IMO only a single-action needs one, not a DAO.
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