What is the best pocket auto 9mm/40

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PingTheServer

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When I say 'best' pocket auto...it really is a personal definition, and it is different for all of us.

Let me define my "best", and let me know what you think fills it.
  • Larger than .380
  • Thin
  • Close to 6.5 inches long, or less
  • light as possible
  • best for pocket carry

Given all of those things, let me first say what i've looked at.
Ruger SR9C
Smith M&P9C

Of those 2 i give the edge to the smith, because it is shorter. That is probably the most important attribute to me in this category.

I am going to pocket carry some dad gum thing soon and I'm curious what the best thing is that is larger than a .380 or .38 wheelgun. Are the 9mm and larger too heavy/thick/long to effectively pocket carry. Given that the 9mm's I have seen are just slightly longer in OA length than the LCR or 642, Im considering making that tradeoff.

I have not ever held a glock, and honestly dont know much about it except that everyone says they're the best. From what I understand though, the trigger is light, and with no safety that makes me a little edgy, and I dont think I could fully relax.

I would love to hear from those of you that pocket carry daily.
 
I would say that both of those are far too large and thick to pocket carry easily. I pocket carry a Kel-Tec PF-9 in a Concealment Concepts Pocket Pal holster (pictured below). I can wear jeans or shorts, it doesn't matter. It will still fit my pocket well and it looks rectangular in the pocket, nobody would ever think it would look like a gun. It fits all of your categories beautifully and is inexpensive to boot.

4448535600_d18b2772f1_z.jpg
 
I've carried an SR9c in my pocket, but it was a pair of really baggy shorts. Its too large to do that every day.

I wouldn't suggest carrying a subcompact as a pocket pistol.
 
I've got a Glock 26 and yeah, the trigger is a little light and the grip is a handful. On the plus side, it's solid as a rock and shoots straight. When I carry, I keep the chamber empty... that solves the trigger issue. In certain circumstances, that could be a problem, but I'll live with it (I hope).

Some feel that the grip is too short. There are mag attachments for that, but I've not needed them... two fingers on the grip works for me.

I use pocket carry in the summer months. I have a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and does the job for me. As long as the pockets aren't short, it disappears. There are other pocket holsters out there that are just as good.

Field stripping it for cleaning is a joy. After you get the hang of it, 10 seconds and the barrel along with the spring and the slide are laying on the bench ready for cleaning and oiling.

I've only had my 26 for a short time but I'm not about to give it up in the near future. I have a ball when I take it to the range and it eats everything I feed it, from Sellier and Balloit round nose, to my loads using Berry's 124 gr, hollow points.

The Glock 26 is a good sub-compact and I recommend it, if you have the grip for it.
 
I haven't found a 9mm at a LGS that would fit in either my jeans or in my work slacks. The PF-9 fit the pockets of my cargo shorts but that is the only 9mm in the only type shorts/pants that would conceal. The rest were too big. I really wanted the PF-9 to fit well but it didn't. I would head to the LGS with the pants you plan to wear when you carry and see what fits. I think your eyes will open up a bit when you try the SR9c or M&Pc.
 
Stick with 9mm

You can go for the .40, but I am sure that you will regret it, I have one, and have read VERY few good reviews of small .40, you can get that much power packed that small, but you will pay for it with pain, and I mean PAIN, a small sub compact, .40 will kick the begeezuts out of you hand, maybe you can control it, but I can't, 9mm is fine, but not full power .40.
 
The PM40 was ok. Snappier than the PM9, sure, but my girlfriend and I shot both back to back and didn't have a problem. We did ultimately decide on the 9mm, but the .40 wasn't that bad. ;)

R
 
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rohrbaugh.com try the R9, the smallest 9mm that I'm aware of thats about the size of the smaller 380s give or take, maybe a few ounces heavier. The con is that its pretty expensive though, but its a 9 that you can routinely throw in your pocket.
 
I have a G26 and like it very much. I wouldn't be able to pocket carry it unless I was wearing cargo pants. Even then I wouldn't unless I had to since I'm not a pocket carry fan. The Glock is a great choice for a small, but not thin, 9mm.

If small and thin is required then maybe a Walther PPS is something you should look at. It's 6.3 inches in length and 1.04 inches in width.

For IWB carry either of these are very fine choices.

I feel unless you have large pockets (physical size not $$ :) ) neither of these are ideal. As others have said the .380s and J frame revolvers are an easier choice for everyday pocket carry.
 
Still it's a size/weight issue, try shooting a KT P11 then shooting a KT P40, the .40 is too much for a too light/small gun. Yet a 9mm is fine. It's better to have a 9mm that you can shoot well, than a 40 that you don't.
 
No mention of the 709 Slim yet? Mine fits in my pocket fine, but I carry it IWB. It also comes in 9mm and .40
Click to expand...
+1
I think the KelTec PF9 may have been a bit better for strictly pocket carry, but the 709 blows it away in ever other regard, IME

I used to be in the same boat as you but I have grown away from pocket carry, IWB is so much better.
Pocket carry is best done with the little .380s out there and perhaps the Rohrbaugh R9
 
Another vote for the Taurus PT709. If you have more cash to spend then the Kahr PM9.
 
You say you want slim, then list double stack guns? I'm thinking you don't actually want slim. If you did, you'd be picking between the PT709, PM9, PF9, and PPS :p

The most pocketable 9mm, other than the stupid rohrbach, is the PM9, and I don't think anybody can dispute that.
 
I have had no problem pocketing a Kel Tec P11 daily for 14 years. I also carry a Taurus ultralite revolver from time to time. It's a little bigger than the P11, but pockets well in the front pockets of my cargo or carpenter's jeans. I like the long, true DAO of the P11. It's a very accurate gun, too. It points naturally. I'm one with it. It's 1" thick, thin for a double stack, and 14 ounces unloaded.
 
I'll just note that I found the Glock 26 to be too heavy and bulky for pocket carry. It looked like I was carrying a paperback in my pocket, and jeans were just not a possibility. I now carry a Sig P238. If I were convinced I needed a 9mm pocket gun, I'd likely go with either the Kel-Tec PF9 or the Taurus Slim.
 
The ones you have listed will not work out as pocket guns unless you carry them in cargo pockets. In the front pocket, if they fit all the way, they will print atrociously and be really heavy. Those guns are great for IWB, not pocket carry.

To me a true pocket 9mm does not exist. However, the closest thing I've found is the kahr pm9. It's a great gun, but still a little too big for some of my jean pockets. I'd stay away from tiny .40s. Harsh recoil and reliability problems abound.

My pocket gun is a ruger lcp.
 
Kahr PM9. The other guns are too large and especially thick for practical, continuous pocket carry. Even in large cargo pant pockets and with a holster they will resemble a thick paperback book stuck in your pocket, as well as not leaving enough room to bunch your fist around the grip.
 
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