What to get?

[briney11]

I am wanting a pocket gun to carry with me on the job(I locate underground utilities and have a country route and am alone all day, the boss said it's against company policy but if noone sees it then I can't get caught...sounds like permission to me) so anyways I am down to the Beretta .22lr bobcat or the NAA mini revolver. Which one would be better and why. And if the NAA then what grips should I get on it (folding belt clip grip ect.) I have also heard that the bobcat barrel is not rifled. Is that true??? Thanks all in advance.

 

[RNB65]

Those are awfully weak for self defense. If you're working on a tight budget, I'd recommend looking at the Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) or PF9 (9mm) instead. Those are pocket pistols with a little more UMMMPH! behind them.

http://www.kel-tec.com/products.html

 

[MCgunner]

The P3AT will disappear in a front pocket of about any pair of pants. I have a .22 NAA and it's real handy, but I don't know about carrying it as a primary. I'd almost consider myself unarmed. Beats a knife, though. I once deterred a bum with a knife using a .25 auto. Didn't have to fire a shot. So, it's better'n a knife IHMO, but the P3AT is real affordable and a more serious self defense caliber.

 

[TehK1w1]

I would go with probably a .38 special revolver or a .380 or 9mm semiauto, anything else I would consider too small to be a reliable defense round. Also, if there is the possibility or wild/aggressive dogs/other animals, simply showing them the gun won't deter them (although it is effective against most 2-legged animals) so you won't want to rely on a .22lr revolver against a pack of dogs.

 

[DawgFvr]

I have a P3AT and a S&W 642. I would recommend the 642 if you wish to pocket carry. Both of those weapons will take much time and practice to achieve target hits...accuracy is a trade off for lightness in weight.

 

[KingAirDriver]

Another vote for the P3AT.

 

[fletcher]

I also recommend the P3AT. It's easily pocketable, and .380 has an incredible advantage over .22 anything.

 

[briney11]

I have a Bersa Thunder .380 but it just seems too big to put in my pocket. Now that I think about it, any rouge dogs that would be a threat to me won't really care too much about a .22. How does the PF9 compare in size to the Bersa?

 

[phantom45]

I'd go with the S&W Airweight model 642.

 

[turtlehitman]

p11

I have carried a kel tec p11 for about 5 months now. no one, not even my wife, has noticed in shorts and a t-shirt. I hear the pf9 is even better.

P.S. My wife does know I carry it

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Makarov PM, CZ-82 or 83, or p-64 Radom. All can be bought extremely inexpensively as Military Surplus, and are all powerful little guns that shoot real well.

 

[Bob F.]

Although I love the Makarov, I wouldn't consider it a pocket pistol. In every other aspect, it's a darned fine weapon.



See if I remember how to post pics!

Stay safe.
Bob

BTW: That group was shot with Blazer HP's, pictured are Hornady XTP's, my favored carry load, although the Blazers shoot well also.

 

[ok41]

Another vote for the 642 smith. Had mine for a while, drops in any pocket, light, accurate and hell to hold with +P loads.

 

[briney11]

Well I just found out that there is a gun show up in Des moines this weekend so I will have to look for some deals on the guns that you all mentioned. Thanks for all of the ideas.

 

[10-Ring]

I'd stay away from the little 22's and jumpt straight to a snubby wheelgun (j-frame comes to mind) or a Beretta Tomcat 32 or maybe something from Kahr would tickle your fancy...

 

[briney11]

Well, I went to the gun show today. All of the revolvers I saw were out of my price range. I saw the 2 Kel-Tecs and they happened to be sitting next to a Bersa Thunder .380 and the sizes were very similar so I passed in them too. So I ended up getting the exact opposite of what I intended and got a S&W 40GVE. I paid $302 (tax included) and got it new in the box with 4 14 rd mags. I think I will just end up carrying my Bersa .380. I also got to shake hands with Seanator Sam Brownback and got some pretty decent ammo deals for oce so all n all it was a pretty good gun show experience.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Briney :::: My answer to your original post is to get a Kel-Tec P3AT. You cannot go wrong with it as it dissappears in your pocket, lifetime guaranteed by an American company, and it is very reliable. I have one when I cannot take my Glock 23 (which is hardly ever b/c of my work environment). But since you got your S&W you will still want to check out Kel-Tec as it is so thin of a firearm it is great! Check them out you cant go wrong!