Talk me into or out of another pocket pistol.

[Frozen North]

I carry a Glock 26 every day. I have no doubt that 12+1 rounds of Winchester Ranger T are enough for my self defense needs. I love this pistol more than any firearm I have ever owned, if it was a woman I would marry it. As much as I do love this gun, it is still a little big and heavy for pocket carry. It works, but I sure know its there.

Last winter I bought an LCP. It was so handy, I ended up carrying WAY too much. I hated this gun. I hated shooting it, I shot it poorly, and it was only in the marginal caliber of .380 Auto. It was soooooo nice to just stuff in a pocket and go though, I miss it!!

Should I buy another pocket pistol and just discipline myself not to carry it unless it is the better option, or just stay away? I cant afford a micro 9 or I would go that way.

There are always those situations when a concealed weapon must be VERY concealed. I am also of the school of thought that a gun in deep concealment is not much better than a gun at home in the safe.

Pocket or no? LCP again?

 

[Racinbob]

Take a look at the new Sig 290, Ruger LC9 and the Kimber solo. I am. The LC9 has the edge for me only because I can't comfy up to the Kimbers SAO for carry. But that's just me. Do the research and decide what you like.

 

[bikemutt]

Considering I just purchased and LCP today, for the very reason you stated, ease of carry, my thoughts may be less than objective.

Thing is the LCP and it's variants just don't seem to me like they are "shooting" guns, in the sense that taking one to the range for a couple hours of paper-punching is somehow enjoyable. I think it's important to nail the basics of handling and aiming the thing but after that its Corbon JHPs and in my pocket, with the occasional practice session and cleaning.

If a person can be disciplined enough to "suit up" each day, that's great. I'm relatively new to this lifestyle and not really comfortable with all the accessories that lifers take for granted. I'll get there, but for now, between my LCR and LCP, I have a gateway.

 

[Frozen North]

Kimber and sig=$$$$$$ They are way out of my price range.

LC9 is not as small as an LCP, P3-AT, TCP. I cant even find one to look at either.

If I am giving up my 100% reliable and accurate Glock, it will have to be for a true pocket gun.

 

[357_]

Not sure how it shoots, but for an even grand I'd assume it's pretty impressive.

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/products

 

[bikemutt]

That rohrbaugh looks sweet. And 10 oz to boot.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Kahr PM9 is a 9mm that is small and flat enough to be practical for pocket carry, at least in large enough pockets, while still remaining halfway shootable. If its price ($600-ish) is off-putting, the forthcoming CM9 promises to be cheaper.

 

[Ripped]

Just grab a P3at. its the original pocket gun of its design. everything else is an impersonation of keltecs design. Keltec has been through 3 design changes since the P3ats inception back in the early 90`s. Rugers LCP is a carbon copy of the Keltec with a few design flaws since its release. 3 recalls to be exact , not to mention the lcp has a slick/smooth grip that gets awfully slippery when your hands sweat or happen to be wet. whereas the keltec was right on with the diamond checkering in the polymer design.

another thing to keep in mind about any of these pocket rockets is that they are NOT range guns. as they were not designed for that purpose. the effective accuracy range is deemed to be 10-15 feet not yards. anything more than 15 feets and to me your simply wasting ammo.
Think tho most if not all legal defined self defense situations will occur in the 10-15 foot range. 10-15 yard range makes for a helluva nice argument with your states attorneys office regarding the validity of the term "defense". I personally carry a G19 as my primary and a P3at as a bug, and sometimes even resort to the keltec as a primary given certain circumstances.

 

[wrench]

Get another LCP.
I'm like you, I like to carry a bigger gun, in a bigger caliber, and do so whenever I can. (Most of the time)
Once in a while, though, my manner of dress just will not allow even my Glock 26.
That's where the LCP shines. As you already found out, slip it in a pocket and go. I'd rather have a bigger gun, but I'd rather have an LCP than nothing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just grab a P3at. its the original pocket gun of its design.

Actually, Kel-Tec released the P-32 well before they came out with the P-3AT but yes, they were first and everyone else made a copy.

 

[Frozen North]

Alright... I think I am going to check out the P-3at and LCP one more time. I get my money (tax return) back from the federal government in about a week, I will spend it on guns and a tattoos. The single life is grand!!!

Open carry friendly tattoo parlor of course... no need for a pocket pistol there!

 

[Jim PHL]

Try a j-frame. I had the Kel-Tec .32 and then traded up to the .380. As far as I'm concerned, no decent gun carries more easily. (And I was a fan. Mine were reliable and surprisingly accurate.) I just decided for me that I was not comfortable using a .380 as a defensive round. I decided I did not want to trust anything less than a .38 special. (My personal carry round is a "Treasury Load": 158 gr. LSWCHP - much more substantial than any .380 offering.)

If I could pocket carry a G26 I think I would. Personally, i don't own a pair of pants that I could comfortably do it in. Also, people compare the j-frames with the G26/27 and say they are comparable in size. Well, maybe laying on a table next to each other for the picture, but not in my pocket. Maybe it's the curves/shape but, although it doesn't disappear in my pocket the way my Kel-Tec did, I can carry it in any pair of pants I own. Also, the cylinder of a j-frame is slightly thicker than the Glock but only the cylinder. The rest of the small revolver is thinner than the Glock, all over, everywhere.

For belt carry I use a 9mm auto, but I pocket-carry much more often. My pocket carry is a S+W 342.

 

[Probie9]

I am surprised no one mentioned the Kel-Tec Pf9. It is not much bigger than the Lcp.

 

[Frozen North]

A J-Frame eh? Maybe I will try one in my pocket at the gun shop.

I am familiar with the pf-9, but the truth is that I avoid Kel Tec like the plague. Yeah, yeah, they have great customer service and warranty, but I would rather never have to call them. I want to pull the trigger and hear a bang, not deal with excellent customer service. I have had horrid luck with their guns, so I have had pleasant experiences with their customer service. Yes, they do have very good customer service, but I will no longer buy kel-tec pistols for defensive uses.

It will be an LCP if I go with a .380.

 

[chicharrones]

If you had less luck shooting the LCP, maybe the J frame is the way to go. As long as you can still pocket it, I don't know what size pockets you have.

I do recommend getting a pocket revolver without a hammer spur or with the concealed hammer. A spurless revolver might not have that traditional snub nose look, but it makes drawing from a pocket better.

 

[Frozen North]

I suppose I have big pockets, I am a large guy. I am about 6'1'' 225lbs. I can almost deal with a G26 in my pocket, so maybe a revolver with rounder contours will be a good choice. They call them G-Bricks for a reason, they are square!!

I have always wanted a revolver....

I will have to go too the gun shop and stuff a snubbie in my pocket.

 

[orionengnr]

I share your opinon of Kel-Tec products, having owned four (none that were or could be made reasonably reliable) and swearing off any further ownership.

J-frames...yeah, I've owned an even half dozen, and they are also on (my) scrap pile of history. Not because they don't function (they do) but because their size/weight/firepower/shootability index is abysmal compared to other handguns. I'm about half your size (and probbly twice your age), but all my carry revolvers are 4" K or N frames.

Kel-Tecs...yeah, owned four. One P-32, two P3ATs, one P11. Lots of drama, lots of calls to Cocoa Beach, lots of free parts, lots of time spent on KT Range, lots of practice at F&B, lots of different brands of ammo, several new mags, very little improvement...bottom line, four K-Ts sold with full disclosure and a significant financial loss. Never again.

After going through a fair number, I own exactly two pocket pistols. A Kahr PM9, which I actually carried daily and shot weekly for three plus years, and an LCP, which I put several hundred trouble free rounds through and put in the safe...because of my marginal faith in the .380, no lack of faith in the function of the pistol. Refreshing.

I am currently eyeballing the Kahr P380. It's a bit smaller than my PM9, but the round is inarguably less effective. So I may be wasting my time...but for some reason I want to keep a .380 in the rotation.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd get an old school pocket pistol like this 6 shooter. With it's aluminum frame, you can carry it all day and forget it's there.

 

[chicharrones]

I suppose I have big pockets . . .

That's a good start! I've pocket carried an aluminum frame 5-shot snubby the last couple years. It fits very well in khaki type pants and in some jeans depending on the style. For the smaller pocket jeans, I have to resort to a small semi-auto instead of the revolver.

Personally I'd like a 6-shot pocket snubby, but I have what I have.

 

[Frozen North]

OK>>> LOADED QUESTION!!!!

I am all new to snubbies. I can't drop more than $400 on this, new or used. I am thinking that a Smith may be out for me due to price. What other options do I have? I have no problems shopping around for a deal, but I don't want to buy a turd. What are some good options for a budget snubbie?

.38 special or .357? I have only shot .357 in large heavy revolvers so I am wondering about recoil. I am not recoil sensitive, but heavy recoil makes for slow shooting.

 

[TexasBill]

Bud's has your choice of the S&W M637 (traditional hammer), M638 (shrouded hammer) or M642 (hammerless) for $361.00 including shipping. You would need to pay your local FFL whatever fee he charges for receiving the gun. These are all chambered for .38 Special +P and are quite snappy with full-house +P loads.

As much as I like my various autoloaders, my little M637 is probably the handgun I carry most often: it's just so convenient and lightweight. Since I believe in practicing with what I carry, I keep mine loaded with various .38 Special loads. I can comfortably put a box or two of mixed .38 Specials through it and the little Smith wheelguns are surprisingly accurate.

Other people like the Ruger LCR (Bud's price: $398) and say the trigger is better than the S&Ws' triggers. I actually found my M637's trigger to be smoother than the Ruger, but you have to be the judge of what you think suits you best.

Stay away from the lightweight Magnums (they're more expensive anyway); they go beyond unpleasant to shoot and recovery time slows follow-up shots.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

I am also of the school of thought that a gun in deep concealment is not much better than a gun at home in the safe.

Tell me you don't really believe this....I call deep concealment....in pocket in holster. Just like going for one on your hip. Instead of coming out with my keys...I come up with this....best lil pocket gun I have carried and I have tried a bunch.


I do occassionally carry this one just for variety, great gun just not as small and compact nor durable. The Robrbaugh has the Robar finish and that stuff can take most anything without a problem.


If you're thinking 380...I'm going with either of these...




You might say I love the pocket guns...have a Kimber Solo on order and if I can sneak it by my wife...the Sig P290 will be tempting not to buy.

Happy pocket gunning search....many good one to choose from.

 

[smince]

My G26 is the smallest gun I have for the reasoning of the OP: I won't be tempted to leave the house with a small gun if I don't even own one.

I can shoot the relatively small G26 as well as it's bigger brothers. I can't shoot the pocket pistols nearly that well, even the Kahr's I've owned.

I still generally only carry the G26 when I need a covert option. A G19 is my EDC.

 

[DeepSouth]

What you need is a KAHR PM9.

 

[Frozen North]

Tell me you don't really believe this....I call deep concealment....in pocket in holster.

I dont think pocket is deep concealment unless the pistol is too large to draw smoothly. I was referring to belly bands, ankle holsters, and smart carry. These may have a place for some, but not for me. A good pocket pistol disappears and can be drawn in a flash. Thats why I miss having one.

Other people like the Ruger LCR (Bud's price: $398) and say the trigger is better than the S&Ws' triggers. I actually found my M637's trigger to be smoother than the Ruger, but you have to be the judge of what you think suits you best.

I can't buy an LCR, they are uglier than my Glock! I guess I have an idea in my head that a revolver has a bit more tradition behind it and should look a little better.

Bud's has your choice of the S&W M637 (traditional hammer), M638 (shrouded hammer) or M642 (hammerless) for $361.00 including shipping. You would need to pay your local FFL whatever fee he charges for receiving the gun. These are all chambered for .38 Special +P and are quite snappy with full-house +P loads.

BINGO!! Now I just need to find one locally so I can try one on for size.