What are the best "pocket" pistols?

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Daguerre

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I have been thinking about a true pocket sized pistol... something I could carry in a coat pocket or jeans pocket. I've heard good things about the Kel-Tec .32 and the Seecamp .32. But I think I'd prefer a .380 over a .32 for a defense round. I know I don't want a super mini .45. My Kimber Compact CDP is as small as I want to go in a 1911 pistol and I do want something smaller than that. Even a Kahr MK9 9mm may be too big for jeans pocket or coat pocket, which is where I want to carry the pistol.

So, what are your:

Top picks in small 9mm:_____
Top picks in small .380:_____
Top picks in small .32:_____

Of these, what would be your #1 choice of all?

Thanks guys.
 
The MK9 is a bit heavy for pocket carry. The new PM series might be the answer to your problem.
 
I like the NAA Guardian .32 for pocket carry. I had a KelTec .32 but sold it, not because it didn't work but I just didn't like the feel. I tried a Guardian .380 but those extra 5oz. and slightly larger dimensions didn't work for me with all of my various pants. I'm surprised at how many people rave about the KelTec yet I read very little, one way or the other, about the Guardians. To me these are real gems when it comes to pocket pistols. Mike
 
I'll vote for the Guardian, it is a lot smaller than the Kel-tec and it doesn't have anywhere near as many reported problems. One thing you'll see when you read these posts is a whole lot of people who endorse keltec, but admit to having problems with the pistols, keltec users have to be some of the more loyal customers in the firearms industry, otherwise the company would buckle under due to poor quality control.
 
I own a Kahr PM9 & a Kel-Tec P-32.

Those are my picks.

Alex, what do you say to the 4,000+ rounds I have through my P-32? It's had zero problems & I never even did an "fluff & buff"...
 
Ditto what Michigun said.
A PM9 works fine for me in pocket carry unless I'm wearing really snug Wranglers. Most slacks or jeans are fine.
I love my PM9. :D
Accurate, great trigger, fun to shoot.

It is hard to beat a P32 for a .32 cal. gun.
Less than 9oz. loaded. Actually fun to plink with. Accurate, no recoil, and a smooth, light trigger.

As to Alex's quotes about the P32:
I had a Guardian. Hard kick for a .32 cal. Very ammo sensitive, horrible trigger, not accurate in my hands, weight and size are really close to my PM9.
A P32 might be a tad longer and taller, but it weighs half as much.
As for reported problems, my Guardian went back to the factory 2 times, before I sold it out of frustration.
Their was a problem with early Guardians where the extractor would fly off. GunTests magazine even tested one and lost the extractor. They never even knew it was gone!
You could only tell if you looked closely at the picture they published. No extractor.
We have two P32s. One has been back once, so I could have the slide hard chromed.
I don't really count the time I sent it back because I started to install a stronger hammer spring and couldn't get the gun back together. :uhoh:
I had to send a bag of parts back to KelTec. :rolleyes:
They put it back together, no charge.
Since then, I've learned to work on them myself. KelTec usually sends free parts if you need them.

And lastly, for a .380, if you don't mind waiting about a year, KelTec is coming out with a .380 that is basically the same size as the P32, and only weighs .4 oz. more.
I think they'll have another winner on their hands.
 
Kel-Tec has sold 100,000 P-32s in just 3 years and that's why you read about more with problems than the Guardian. As a % of the total sold it's probably no more than the Guardian. I've found also that some problems reported are due to operator error, limpwristing and lack of or no lubrication. A small lightweight pistol like the P-32 must be held firmly and properly lubed.

For .32s, Guardian, Seecamp or P-32 are all fine choices. Strictly personal preference.

The best pocket .380 may be the upcoming Kel-Tec P3AT. It will be just a tad bigger than the P-32 and weigh only 7.2 ounces. Supposedly due out in May.
 
.32 guardian is my fave. I don't own, but have fondled many Kel-Tec P-32's, and they seem to be really nice.

wtf_guardian_4sm.jpg
 
Ultimate Pocket Pistol

First Try: NAA Guardian...Pretty little thing and well made. Shooting for any time at all wore a blister on my trigger finger and it was like carrying a rock in my pocket..sold

Second Try: NAA Mini in 22mag. Build like a little jewel. Like carrying smoke...Couldn't hit a thing with it..sold.

Third Try: Kel Tec P32. Easy to carry. Just vanishes into your pocket. Acceptably accurate. Carried it for nearly a year fired it very little. One day at the range, it spilled it's guts. Sent it back to Kel Tec and they told me I had a "soft frame". When it came home..sold.

Fourth Try and Current: Taurus titanium snubby in 38 special. Very light, carrys easily in a Desantis pocket holster. Easy to shoot and a caliber that can demand attention.

Verdict, after four years and lots of money...the winah is:: the good old reliable five shot snubbie wearing exotic metal.
 
Nineisfine, I sure hope the "timing" on that Taurus holds up for you... don't hold your breath though.......
 
As I said on your duplicate thread:

Since you're "thinking" about it right now instead of ready to buy, time is on your side.

I know better than to say never, but I have no intention of ever owning another blowback pistol. The NAA and Seecamp pistols are blowback designs, even though they are in the pocket pistol physical size category essentially defined by the ubiquitous Kel-Tec P-32.

I'm adamant on the size category because, IMO, a pocket pistol must be carried in a pocket holster, and that ups the total size somewhat.

At this moment, there are NO 9mm pocket pistols AFAIK, but next month there will be. The Kahr PM-9 is a bit big for the category, but it's close.

All guns must be locked breech designs and have a full, free, lifetime, manufacturer's warranty.

My picks:

Choice for a 9mm pocket pistol: Rohrbaugh R-9. Same physical size as the diminutive Kel-Tec P-32. 9mm Luger, locked breech, and weighs 12.3 oz empty. http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com It will debut at the SHOT Show in Orlando on Feb 13. Available in Feb/Mar About $800

Choice for a .380 pocket pistol: Kel-Tec P-3AT. Same physical size and weight (almost exactly on both) as the diminutive Kel-Tec P-32. .380 ACP, locked breech, 6+1 capacity. http://www.kel-tec.com/pr03.htm Debuts at the SHOT Show. Available in May. About $300

Choice for a .32 pocket pistol: Kel-Tec P-32. Tiny. Light. Proven. http://www.kel-tec.com/prod02.htm Available now. About $250

I have a P-32. As soon as possible, I plan to get an R-9 and a P-3AT.
 
Cableman,

Looks like your Kryptonite PM9 would even take out Superman, but doesn't the green glow give away the fact that you're carrying...? :D
 
Michigun, I'd say your one of the few who post here that have been fortunate, count yourself lucky. If you doubt what I say go back to the old firing line and count the number of people who have reported sending there Keltecs back to the factory for rework.
 
This is from the Kel-Tec forum.
Okay, let me see if I can clear up any misunderstandings and provide you with a few facts:

Kel-Tec has now produced over 87,000 P-32s, 125,000 P-11s and 5,000 Sub-2000s with only a 2% return rate! If you compare that to other manufacturer's return rates, -not to mention the one - six months wait it takes them to return it to you compared to our one - two week turn around, I think you'll have a better understanding of the level of customer service we provide. I don't know how much you know about production, but numbers like that are something to be extremely proud of!

We only have 2 gunsmiths who answer phone calls and email inquiries all day from all over the world as well as servicing the 2% of the returns we do get in. It would be impossible to have a 1-2 week turn around and only two gunsmiths if our return rate was not 2% or less! Just imagine the volume of phone calls and emails alone that they get every day.

Furthermore, most of our returns are "upgrades" such as going from blued to hard chrome and polishing the feed ramp. As for all this talk of polishing of the feed ramp, every feed ramp is polished before it leaves the shop regardles of which product it is. However, as you know, people will talk and tell each other that first of all, we do it for free, and secondly, you'd better do it whether they need it or not. -"Just in case". It doesn't necessarily need it, but we will do whatever makes the customer happy.

I get a lot of requests for F&B. Like I tell most people, when it comes to my own personal weapons, I do not polish anything but the feed ramp. And, I do that every time I clean it. Alot of people find the F&B works for them. You will not void any warranty doing this as long as you do not alter the design of the pistol.

Judging by the sales numbers and return rate above, it is obvious that we are producing products that most people are happy with and few have problems with. We could not offer a lifetime warranty if all we had was junk! Our return rate would be much higher than 2% and we'd definately have more than two gunsmiths because all we'd be doing is repairing guns.

Sometimes I wish the owner of Kel-Tec did not believe in providing a reasonably priced product. But, he does. He is smart enough to know that he will sell far more guns at a reasonable price than he ever would if they were only affordable to the rich.

The problem is, there are idiots that have never even shot a Kel-Tec who say it's a piece of junk simply because it's affordable or, "cheap" as they call it. And then there's some dealers who will keep a less expensive gun in stock for the sole reason of using it to sell more expensive items that are no better, if not worse in quality. I'd be happy to provide you with many articles and field tests that have been done on all of our products to prove that point. And no, we do not pay the writers. If that was standard practice in the industry you would never hear of a "bad" article or product and believe me, sometimes you do!

For every one unhappy customer you find, I can give you 10,000 that are not.
We are very happy to service your firearm and provide any warranty service you require.

Sincerely,
Kel-Tec Service Dept.
Click to expand...
 
Colt Mustang .380 - Matthew Courtney
Click to expand...

I always hear nothing but good about the little ponies, but I just can't bring myself to use less than 9X19. And I like having my backup gun the same caliber as the main one :D
 
Wondernine and Michgun

Thank you for the heads up guys.

Michgun,
I was just trying to be funny, not disregard your comment.

I will be watching this gun closely to see if a problem develops. To date it has been just fine and I have put quite a few rounds through it.

Wondernine,
Just out of curiosity, was it the total titanium model you had problems with? Mine has the forged alumimum frame with the titanium cylinder.
 
I like the Kel Tec 9mm. another favorite of mine but seems to be a sleeper in the gun world is the Heritage Stealth 9mm very small and very light weight.
 
nineisfine, yes it was a total titanium model. A 415T to be precise.

mak, where is a place I can find some more info on this Heritage Stealth? This is the first time I've ever heard of it. The price looks similiar to the Kel-Tec P-11, I wonder how it stacks up against it. Even Heritage Arms own website doesn't seem to have any info on it.
 
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