What's the Best Pocket Pistol?

[Dienekes]

Smith 442/any of the "hammerless" J frames.

 

[makarovnik]

Kel-Tec P32.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Either a S&W 642 (J-Frame) .38 Special +P (1 7/8" barrel) 5-shot snubbie, or
a Ruger LCP .380 Auto with Crimson Trace Laser -- IMHO.

 

[usp9]

I like the Seecamp because of it's very small size, light weight, solid stainless construction and smooth, melted snag free design. Very reliable gun too.

 

[Oonzpoonz]

Sig p238
Ruger LCP
Ruger LCR

 

[SwampWolf]

Revolver: Colt Cobra/Agent

Semi-auto: Ruger LCP; Seecamp .380

 

[DAdams]

My Picks

I evaluated pocket carries for about two years.

First (newbie) BERSA BT .380. Too big, too heavy. I still have it, I throw it in my vehicles when I travel for backup to the pocket carry. Three magazines of Remington Golden Saber 102 gr.

Second. Based on THR members liking of the X42 I bought a 642 shot it, put a set of CT 405s on it carried it in a DeSantis Nemesis (still too heavy) it is now my wife's night stand revolver.

Third. Kahr PM9, just to try. Not bad, prints a bit more than a J Frame.
Winter carry in TN.

Fourth. Liked the J Frame concept; but I wanted something just a bit lighter.
Bought one of the first S&W M&P 340s, with CT 405 grips and it is probably my favorite carry 2.5 years later, for all around pocket carry. The sighting system, XS night sight and gutter, .357 capable and the CT grips make this a great pocket carry. Put it in a Mika Roundcut holster, carry a Bianchi Speedstrip with 4-5 extra rounds and out the door you go.

Fifth. When the 340 is too big and bulky which in some cases, once in awhile it is (suits), I added a Seecamp LWS 380. It shows not at all in a DeSantis Nemesis holster.
I need to get a Hedley Holster and magazine carry (RIP Jim) on order.

 

[mongo4567]

I really like the Keltec P3AT. I've shot and carried a lot of others, but I think the P3AT is hard to top for the size, weight, and cost.

 

[Oyeboten]

The ultimate...for me...would be...

A Nickel Merwin Hulbert 'Pocket Army' in .44 WCF..with the folding Hammer Spur.


But...there's many also-rans...too...of course.


Any short Barreled, Bobbed Hammer.44 or .45 with a Bird's Head Grip.


Here's an old Model 1917 'New Service' Colt which fits-the-Bill -







If small Pockets...then...


Factory 'Snubulator'...Iver Johnson 3rd Model, in .38 S&W -

 

[Prosser]

340 or 360 PD.

 

[jfh]

first choice: M&P340 IOW, revolver.
second choice: P3AT--small and flat, for dress.

Jim H.

 

[TRguy]

J frame and P3AT

 

[Bentonville]

Is a Smith Model 37 with a bobbed hammer and without internal lock a decent pocket gun?

 

[thebaldguy]

I like lightweight hammerless snubbie revolvers. I love my 642, but my girlfriend likes her Ruger LCR.

 

[wrs840]

442 and LCP are my two utility "pocket guns", and both have been flawless in function. FWIW, a 442 loaded with 125gr JHP +P weighs 17.5 oz, a Bianchi Speed Strip loaded with same weighs 2.8 oz. The LCP loaded with seven 90gr weighs 12.1 oz. A spare mag of 6 weighs 3.1 oz.

I tend to carry the LCP (in a leather wallet-holster) in lightweight summer dress or casual city duds, and the 442 (in a Blackhawk size 3) knocking around in work/home wear.

Les

 

[Guns and more]

I'm voting for the Sig 238. Reliable, soft recoil, easy to use.

 

[weisse52]

I have "pocket carried" S&W "J" frames for many years. Currently I have a 642 I carry with one speed strip in reserve.

I do not know if it is best, but it is easy to carry.

 

[DasFriek]

The P238 may not be the "best" to most gun owners looking for a pocket gun.
But for me who loves 1911 style safety and design and want to keep all ccw guns to be carried condition 1.Id have to say the P238 very well may be the "Best" pocket pistol for me.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

How big is your pocket?

1917 Colt New Service .45 ACP



S&W 629-5 .44 Magnum



S&W 627-PC .357 Magnum

 

[gyvel]

FN/Browning 1910 .380.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I find that in this order they are:

-Colt Detective Special/Cobra/Agent
-S&W J-frame of any material
-the other ones that I cant remember the names of

 

[FranklyTodd]

I have an LCP and M&P340 that qualify as pocket guns. Like them both but the 340 gets WAY more carry (and almost always in a pocket).

Unless the pockets are small, I think the outline of the LCP is worse than the J.

 

[stevek]

Kahr PM9
S&W 638
Kel-Tec P3AT

The Kel-Tec is the lightest, and disappears a little easier, but for my wife and I, it is the LEAST comfortable pistol to shoot...

 

[TUBBY1]

The lcp truly is a melt away in your pocket gun. Small, light,cellphone like. I like a revolver better but with a ct the lcp is hard to beat as a ccw.you forget you're carrying it!

 

[mm6mm6]

Ruger LCP w/Crimson Trace laser.

Inexpensive

Light

Flat

Concealable in a DeSantis Nemesis holster to the point where I forget I am even carrying it.

Reliable. 100% so far with about 500 rounds including Hornady Critical defense .380 ammo.

Accurate