What are the best "pocket" pistols?

[IRock]

The Colt Pocketlight fits in the pocket well. I have a Kahr and although they are small, they are pretty thick. They are kind of tight for a jean pocket. Too bulky for me to get comfortable with in jeans. It was OKAY with dockers or the like though. The Colt is much slimmer in the slide which would make all the difference to me.

 

[Jackanape]

I've got to say that the Colt Mustang is my absolute favorite pocket pistol. One of these days, I'm going to have to buy another one... On a slightly different note, my favorite coat pocket pistol (it's a little big for much else) lately has been the Republic Arms Patriot. It's like a Kel Tec, if Kel Tec made a .45 ACP...

 

[makdaddy03]

wondernine, I found out about Heritage Arms from one Ayoobs articles on small handguns he had the Heritage stacked up against Higher End guns of the same size and caliber. I just took a chance and bought mine just because of that article and I'm glad that I did. This handgun is like I said seems to be a sleeper in the gun world. Only the Good Lord knows why. They are very nice little handguns accurate and very reliable. Only draw back are the sights (small) and the safety (I just ignore the safety).

 

[pittsdriver]

380 pocket pistol

After a lot of looking for the smallest pocket piece with decent ballistics, I settled on a Colt Pony Pocketlite with a Scott McDougal PCP package. (pocket carry package.) .380 caliber, 12 ounces loaded, nite sights, meltdown treatment, polished ramp, checkered front strap, bobbed tang, you name it.
It's an incredible firearm. A miniture combat handgun in a decent caliber, yet small and light enough to slip into your front pocket and never know it's there. It is very pleasant to shoot due to the modifications and the fact that it has a locked breech mechanism. Most 380's use a blowback system, making recoil of such a small gun seem much worse. If you can find one, I highly reccomend them even though they are a bit pricey. If you come across one with the Scott McDougal gunsmith package, buy it if you can. These guys have been the gurus of the small Colt 380 pistols for years and their work is highly prized. The quality & workmanship is unbeliveable. The value will only go up as they are no longer accepting new projects due to serious illness of one of the partners. The guns they have turned out have always brought a premium and that's not going to change. Check the attached photo.

 

[GAMALOT]

Pocket Pistols

The best pocket pistol is the one likely to be there the day you need it. Why limit it to 32,380 & 9MM, Although I have each, the one that ends up in my pocket is a 25 Baretta 950. It is small, comfortable to carry all of the time and easy to get out of a jeans pocket, It is safe to carry with out holster on half cock and of all the models you mention, none are what we would consider serious fire power and alot more of a pocketful.

 

[22luvr]

Time to "chime-in"

I've carried a dozen guns exclusively in the pocket and......do you know what?? There is no such thing as the perfect pocket gun!

I'm currently toting a Smith and Wesson model 340SC scandium .357 mag stoked with RBCD 60gr TFSP's. Some one said carrying a J-frame feels like there's a potatoe stuck in your pocket! He's right; I've carried 4 different small wheelguns and they have felt neither concealed nor comfortable.

When the 340 gets lumpy and I need to be really-really discreet, I'll carry my NAA mini-revolver in .22MAG. It has the aftermarket oversized rubber boot grips which enhances accuracy and handling 100%. A small piece but with CCI maxi-mag plus V's, that go out at over 1,000 FPS and I'd hate to step in front of one at close-range.

I just sold the gun that I carried for 3 years and put almost 1,000 rounds through with no malfunctions. That would be a Kel-Tec P32. I think the reliability issue is over-blown. Good grief, they've made over 100,000 of them so statistics and probabilities will appear to confirm that too many of them are lemons. I'll dispute that. It was my favorite for pocket carry. Why did I sell it? To raise cash for that "potato" I'm now carrying!

I've owned a Kel-Tec P11 but it is just a bit on the bulky side for pocket carry.

What is on my radar? The soon-to-be released Kel-Tec P-3AT in .380 auto. It's about the size and weight of the P32 and I'll bet Kel-Tec sells 100,000 of them too!

Just remember, if it feels HEAVY or LARGE in the pocket, it probably IS! Lugging that heavy or large gun around for 8-10 hours will confirm that.

Best wishes.........

 

[Crimper-D]

I carry a PPK clone myself

Not as light as a polymer gun, but every bit as small and has the slide mounted safety/decocker which I consider a plus over a DAO weapon. I've been carrying it in my pants for over 2 years...I can trade off the increased weight for concealability.