Time for my very own pocket gun...

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Technosavant

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,011
Location
St. Louis, MO
OK, I got the green light from my new wife (she is lovely, intelligent, and all around wonderful) for a new pocket gun. I want to keep the cost low; this is for when my 5" 1911 is too large, so I am going for the $300 range. Right now, the ones I am looking at are:

Taurus M85 ultralight .38spl
S&W 637 .38spl
Beretta 3032 Tomcat .32acp

I am leaning very heavily towards the Taurus M85. While I love the size and feel of the Beretta, I have serious reservations about the .32acp round (yeah, better the mouse gun with you than the hand cannon at home, but if the mouse won't get it done, then you are pretty well screwed anyway). Kel-Tecs just don't feel right, and it seems that they can be fairly hit and miss in terms of reliability and quality. A hammerless or shrouded hammer revolver in these sizes would be even better, but I don't want to spend another $60-100 for that feature. It seems that S&W and Taurus are pretty close in quality, with the Smith being a touch shorter front to rear and the Taurus being less expensive by about $50.

So for you snubby guys, have you ever had problems with these things in your pocket (such as front pants pocket in slacks; if I am wearing jeans, I have enough wardrobe freedom to bring my 1911 along)? Printing problems or grip sticking out of the pocket, etc.? I have been doing searches, and wondered if anybody has considered these guns alongside each other, and which way you went.

Thanks.
 
I have a Taurus M85UL and love it! You cannot go wrong with a Smith, either. I don't have a very good opinion of Beretta after that POS .22 Jet Fire I had. Thing was a jammamatic. Tried everything, couldn't make it work. That's probably not a really good indicator of Beretta, but hey, I don't like .32 either. The Taurus is +P rated. I fire 'em in mine now and then, not many. It's an alloy frame, so I mostly shoot standard stuff for practice even though it's rated for +P. Limited use is not a problem, though. I've had it about 8 years now, I think, and it's still tight as new and shoots where I point it.

I hear folks that don't like the Taurii, but I own two excellent revolvers from them and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I like Rossi, S&W, and Ruger revolvers, too. I've never owned a Colt, but reckon they're surely good guns, too. I currently only own one S&W. I am thinking I need a few more. But, then, I also need more money.:rolleyes:
 
If you don't like the Kel-Tecs, I don't either, think about the Guardian. I bought one in .380 and liked it so much I got another in .32. Great guns, great service, great price.

Kevin
 
I recently purchased an M85 myself although in stainless. The only problem I had with it in my pocket was when a dime slipped under the bottom trigger between the trigger and trigger guard. The revolver wouldn't fire because the dime prevented the trigger from moving. A pocket holster solved that problem.
 
If you are considering the Tarus 85, you might also want to consider the Taurus 651 with the hammer shroud. It also gives you the capability of using .38 or .357 rounds. Lightweight as well. Just my .02.
 
if you dont mind used you could probably find an sp101 in that price range. if you already have a 1911 plateform you could go for a micro too. RIA makes a pretty compact one for 299 from sarco. not sure if its up to self defense snuff though.

lotta people like those bersa 380's too.
 
This sounds awefully familiar...same needs here.

I can not add anything thoughts other than to say thanks to all, for posting and responding here. I am trying to make this very same decision. It's easier to decide on a full-size pistol than a pocket pistol.

I'm think Walther .380 or NAA in .380. Any and all feedback regarding these two pistols will be greatly appreciated!

Doc2005
 
phoglund said:
I recently purchased an M85 myself although in stainless. The only problem I had with it in my pocket was when a dime slipped under the bottom trigger between the trigger and trigger guard. The revolver wouldn't fire because the dime prevented the trigger from moving. A pocket holster solved that problem.
Click to expand...

I use a pocket holster, but I don't carry ANYthing in the pocket in which my gun rides but the gun. Change is carried in another pocket along with keys and a small can of pepper spray. This is precisely the reason why.
 
A 642 or the shrouded hammer S&W would be nice, but is a bit too pricey; ditto the shrouded hammer Taurus. The .357mag, while nice, is a bit big (the snubby by itself is pushing things).

I read through that 642 thread- they sure are tempting, but I just don't want to spend the extra $100 the hammerless ones are commanding.
 
Technosavant, you specifically mention pocket carry. Because of that, I'm going to strongly endorse the earlier suggestions that you get a S&W 642. It's by far the most convenient and usable design for pocket carry - the hammer really can, and really will, snag at the least convenient moment when you have to draw it in a hurry! There's a reason the Centennial design was developed, and it wasn't cosmetic... The 642 is also very reasonably priced new (they can be found for under $350 if you shop around), and used ones should be under $300. Personally, I'd bite the bullet for the extra money and buy a new one. It's only your life at stake, remember... so I consider this an investment in quality, rather than spending too much on a few extra burgers at McDonalds!

I'd also recommend a good pocket holster to keep the gun secure in your pocket, and prevent other things from sliding through the trigger-guard, etc. This can ruin your day if you need the gun in a hurry! I use the DeSantis Nemesis pocket holsters, and recommend them.
 
One more suggestion for a bersa 380

You should check it out, the bersa 380 was the biggest supprise of my hand gun experiance. its an awsome gun shoots great never jams and is cheap, but dosn't look cheap, as fit and finnish is good.
 
If you are going to use this as a true "pocket gun", you had best be wary of the little things...like....lint.

I use several as a true pocket gun. While I am not "circumferentially challenged", I do not like most of the holster arrangements I've tried. Hence, the pistol or revolver in the pocket.

This seems like a little thing, until you go to the range or you take it out and some big puffball of **** is in the barrel. No good. The smalle the bore, the greater the chance of this happening.

The Tomcat is good. I have used its little cousin. Bobbed hammer revolvers, or the "hammerless" (a misnomer) are better.

You pays your money, you takes your chances...
 
I have the 85 Ti myself and it is a good front pocket in pleated slacks gun for me. I used the Taurus wood boot grip knockoff, compact but handy, didn't hang up like rubber.

You might try the online auction sites for a deal on a used bobbed hammer liteweight Smith, Taurus CH or something as well.
 
Second you reconsider a Kel-Tec P-3AT. It is not cheap. It is hands down the most concealable pocket gun.

If you are serious about the Taurus 85, shift your aim from pocket carry to IWB using a Barami-Hip Grip. Trust me, it will conceal a .38 spl very effectively and will not hinder your movements.
 
Technosavant said... "A 642 or the shrouded hammer S&W would be nice, but is a bit too pricey; ditto the shrouded hammer Taurus. The .357mag, while nice, is a bit big (the snubby by itself is pushing things)."

Man, spend the extra money and get what will be most useful and user friendly to YOU. I like the 442's; that's just me; they used to be cheaper than the 642's. If you like the Kel-tec's, go for it. I have looked at them repeatedly in the stores, but don't know anyone who owns one. I worry about reliability of them. Spend the extra money. You are talking about your personal safety and a firearm that you may have for a lifetime. What's an extra hundred bucks in the long run? Buy quality first!
 
Get the S&W J frame great pocket pistol. This from a PPK/S carrier. I carried a S&W M-36 for years the went to a PPK/s Last month I got a shrouded hammer S&W and PPK is getting more rest. The ease of drawing verses hammer is night and day. No worry about hammer hanging up or putting thumb over hammer when drawing Just grip and pull. Buy a good pocket holster and thats only thing in that pocket no keys no change just pistol and holster. Skip a movie or pizza or what ever But get it right the first time.Cheaper in long run. Forget Beretta, 38 will work better and more power.
 
I have a Taurus 85 and I like it very much. The hammer does tend to snag on certain clothing. I would be careful about holster choice to try to avoid snagging. I agree that a shrouded hammer model might be worth looking into, especially if this will be a regular carry gun.
 
I'm another who thinks you should spring for the extra money it will cost to buy a new S&W J-frame. If you don't have enough money now, avoid armed confrontations until after you save up enough money to buy the best.

I have a KelTec P32, a NAA 32 cal. Guardian, 1 Colt Detective, 2 Colt Cobra's, and 3 J-Frame Smiths.

ALL of them have been accurate and reliable and I wouldn't feel underarmed with any of them.

BUT, the best of the bunch, by far, is the S&W 638 Bodyguard, with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. The 638 is an Airweight, therefore very light. It is a Bodyguard model, there by offering you the opportunity for single action should that be desirable, but protection from hammer snag by its "humpback" design. It is very concealable, and always reliable. Always..

I'm a senior citizen and while a great deal of what I learned the hard way in my younger years has vanished from memory, I still remember that scrimping on buying a firearm on which you depend for your safety is false economy.

Save till you get a quality firearm, one that you are fully satisfied with.

Then after you buy a quality J-Frame of your choice start saving all over again and put a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips on it. In low light or nighttime conditions the CT Lasergrips can't be beat for increasing the potential accuracy of the firearm.

Best Wishes,

JP :)
 
Skyy Industries of Florida has a pocket CPX-1 9mm stainless that goes for about $250. It has not been on the market too long. I have looked them over closely at a gun store and the seem to be a really good quality. I went to their Forum and there are not too many range report available. I do not own one yet but that will be my next pistol. Currently I carry the KelTec P3AT.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Taurus and Kimber
Replies
6
Views
792
orionengnr
O
C
  • Locked
Weight or size more important in a pocket gun?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Mastrogiacomo
Mastrogiacomo
C
  • Locked
Pocket guns?
Replies
22
Views
1K
C.E.R.T. 9mm
C
Big Boy
  • Locked
Pocket gun, Revolver or Auto?
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
heeler
H
MachIVshooter
  • Locked
Let's see those pocket guns!
Replies
13
Views
2K
usp9
usp9
Back
Top