speaksoftly
Member
My Ruger LCP is with me 24/7 and I forget that it's there quite often. Thin, light, and a 7 rd capacity makes it the perfect pistol when my MP40c is too much to carry.
What's the best "true" pocket pistol...?
- Thread starter Tacbandit
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I recently picked up a Kel-tec P32 and it is awesome. Since I got it has gone everywhere with me. So small and light I forget it is there. Doesn't weigh much more than my cell phone. I went with the .32acp over the .380 b/c I can be more accurate and have more rounds to fire w/o too much loss in power. With a little round, shot placement is key in my book. To each his own on what caliber, but the Kel-tec P32/P3AT are hard to beat for size, weight and price. Hand cycle empty about 200 times then put 200 rounds through it and should be pretty well broke in.
Tacbandit
Member
Quote:
"With a little round, shot placement is key in my book."
hawk,
Actually, that is true with any round... if you can't shoot, it matters not whether your slinging bb's, or 50 cal rounds... although with a 50 cal, a miss at close range is liable to create a loss of control in relation to bodily functions by the intended target... I agree with your assessment, and I would probably choose the LCP over the P3AT just simply because of all the rave reviews it's getting. The KelTec has it's following too, but all else being equal... The LCP is a nicer looking gun. And I'm not into "pretty" guns.. (I'm a Glock guy, for goodness sake... how's that for proof?) I appreciate the info...
Thanks,
Tac
"With a little round, shot placement is key in my book."
hawk,
Actually, that is true with any round... if you can't shoot, it matters not whether your slinging bb's, or 50 cal rounds... although with a 50 cal, a miss at close range is liable to create a loss of control in relation to bodily functions by the intended target... I agree with your assessment, and I would probably choose the LCP over the P3AT just simply because of all the rave reviews it's getting. The KelTec has it's following too, but all else being equal... The LCP is a nicer looking gun. And I'm not into "pretty" guns.. (I'm a Glock guy, for goodness sake... how's that for proof?) I appreciate the info...
Thanks,
Tac
jakemccoy
Member
I'll have to rent a Ruger LCP if I can. Many people seem to like it.
I'm ignoring the Seecamp LWS38 until sellers stop joking around about that price, pretty funny.
I'm ignoring the Seecamp LWS38 until sellers stop joking around about that price, pretty funny.
rWt
Member
Currently it is the Seecamp LWS380. Smaller and easier for me to pocket carry than the Rohrbaugh R9S. Neither is "fun" to shoot-at least not to me. Both engineered and built exceptionally well. Neither is cheap, but you can spend a whole lot more on a gun you may decide not to carry.
PX15
Member
jakemccoy,
Respectfully, putting the LWS380 on the back burner while you are doing your current mousegun shopping is probably a pretty good idea..
Not just because the price of admission for Larry's little hand cannon is sorta stiff, but more so because at present there is a two YEAR waiting list (with deposits) for the LWs380, and no new orders are being accepted right now.
You do see, rarely, LWS380's advertised online (GunsAmerica/AuctionArms/GunBroker) from time to time, but they generally sell for MORE than retail,($795.00), and sell quickly.
I would never say that the Seecamp LWS380 does things other quality 380 cal. pistols cannot do, and I would never say the price of the Seecamp is cheap in comparison to the competition..
What I WILL say is that if there is a higher quality, smaller, easier to conceal mousegun than the fine Seecamp pistol, or even one that will maintain it's value as well as the Seecamp (LWS32 or LWS380) I don't know what it is.
FWIW I have a small pile of handguns, but of my little stash, there are very few (4 actually),that I consider as "heirloom" quality, and of such special qualities that I want my Son to have them when I'm toes up and room temperature. Three of those four pistols have Seecamp engraved on their slides. (2 LWS32's, one LWS380 and the other is a surplus Lower Saxony Police HK P7 bought NIB).
IF all a person wants, or needs, is a small caliber pistol that is both reliable and self defense accurate there are several available. (seemingly more every day).
But, IN MY OPINION, if a person wants those qualities in what is generally considered and recognized as the BEST of the BEST of those nitch pistols it WILL have be made in Milford, CT., and it will have Seecamp engraved on it.
Just personal opinion, no offense to those who will disagree.
In case it sounds like I'm prejudiced in favor of Seecamp pistols, I am.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
Respectfully, putting the LWS380 on the back burner while you are doing your current mousegun shopping is probably a pretty good idea..
Not just because the price of admission for Larry's little hand cannon is sorta stiff, but more so because at present there is a two YEAR waiting list (with deposits) for the LWs380, and no new orders are being accepted right now.
You do see, rarely, LWS380's advertised online (GunsAmerica/AuctionArms/GunBroker) from time to time, but they generally sell for MORE than retail,($795.00), and sell quickly.
I would never say that the Seecamp LWS380 does things other quality 380 cal. pistols cannot do, and I would never say the price of the Seecamp is cheap in comparison to the competition..
What I WILL say is that if there is a higher quality, smaller, easier to conceal mousegun than the fine Seecamp pistol, or even one that will maintain it's value as well as the Seecamp (LWS32 or LWS380) I don't know what it is.
FWIW I have a small pile of handguns, but of my little stash, there are very few (4 actually),that I consider as "heirloom" quality, and of such special qualities that I want my Son to have them when I'm toes up and room temperature. Three of those four pistols have Seecamp engraved on their slides. (2 LWS32's, one LWS380 and the other is a surplus Lower Saxony Police HK P7 bought NIB).
IF all a person wants, or needs, is a small caliber pistol that is both reliable and self defense accurate there are several available. (seemingly more every day).
But, IN MY OPINION, if a person wants those qualities in what is generally considered and recognized as the BEST of the BEST of those nitch pistols it WILL have be made in Milford, CT., and it will have Seecamp engraved on it.
Just personal opinion, no offense to those who will disagree.
In case it sounds like I'm prejudiced in favor of Seecamp pistols, I am.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
saaman
Member
My latest pocket carry is the Taurus Millennium PT 111 Pro in Wrangler relaxed fit jeans. Slightly less comfortable than my previous pocket gun that I carried for 12 years, the Beretta Tomcat--but it is more comforting with 13 rounds of 9mm compared to the Tomcat's 8 rounds of .32.
This is the one I carry at all time....It is the Keltec 3AT, with optional pocket slipper w/ laser. The pocket slipper is designed to leave a print in your back pocket like your wallet, the laser isn't very accurate, but if you aim at the groin, the bad guy is gonna get it in the chest. My thoughts are if the bad guy sees the laser on the nuts, they might leave me alone....hopefully...-Joshua
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Now i know why there's no 380 ammo
I too love my lcp even though i'm a die-hard wheel gun guy.it fits all pockets and with a ct laser,shoots like a dream. I also like my bonds ck2000 but only as a breast pocket gun as it weighs alot more.lcp still wins "best pocket gun" for me.now if they just make more ammo!
I too love my lcp even though i'm a die-hard wheel gun guy.it fits all pockets and with a ct laser,shoots like a dream. I also like my bonds ck2000 but only as a breast pocket gun as it weighs alot more.lcp still wins "best pocket gun" for me.now if they just make more ammo!
Tacbandit
Member
thanks for all the help, everyone... trying to find a "Diamondback" .380 to check out before making my choice(s)....... We'll see....
Tac
Tac
T. Bracker
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The new Kahr .380 looks to be even better than the P3AT to me. I have not shot one yet, but handled one at the local gunshop.
Hey-Mikey
Member
I carry a S&W 442 in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster and forget it's there.
lima_w
Member
Bond Arms Snake Slayer with .45 LC
It depends on your tolerance and dressing habits.
Personally, I'm extremely happy with my Kel-Tec P-11, 12+1 rounds of 9mm +P in your pocket....it doesn't print any more than a smart phone and I carry in my front pocket even wearing a suit. I paid only $260 (brand new) for it asnd it has been utterly reliable...what not to like??
The PF-9 is identical in size, just a tad slimmer (0.88" vs. 1" for the P-11) but you lose capacity (7+1 for the PF-9)
Other people want something even smaller so they look at the small pocketable .380 or 32 ACP....personally I draw the line at a 9mm for personal defence, too bad Kel-Tec discontinued the P-40 (which it was a P-11 chambered in .40 S&W)
In my opinion, the only situation where one of the modern micro 9x19 pistol is difficult to conceal is if you go around in your underwear....then you may need a smaller .380 or .32
Another good choice could be a pocketable snubnose revolver in 357 (you can fire 38 Special +P as well)....capacity is only 5 but reliability is basically guaranteed.
Even if a small revolver may be a tad bigger than a pocketable 9mm semiauto, the "irregularity" of its shape make it even easier to conceal in your pocket.
Personally, I'm extremely happy with my Kel-Tec P-11, 12+1 rounds of 9mm +P in your pocket....it doesn't print any more than a smart phone and I carry in my front pocket even wearing a suit. I paid only $260 (brand new) for it asnd it has been utterly reliable...what not to like??
The PF-9 is identical in size, just a tad slimmer (0.88" vs. 1" for the P-11) but you lose capacity (7+1 for the PF-9)
Other people want something even smaller so they look at the small pocketable .380 or 32 ACP....personally I draw the line at a 9mm for personal defence, too bad Kel-Tec discontinued the P-40 (which it was a P-11 chambered in .40 S&W)
In my opinion, the only situation where one of the modern micro 9x19 pistol is difficult to conceal is if you go around in your underwear....then you may need a smaller .380 or .32
Another good choice could be a pocketable snubnose revolver in 357 (you can fire 38 Special +P as well)....capacity is only 5 but reliability is basically guaranteed.
Even if a small revolver may be a tad bigger than a pocketable 9mm semiauto, the "irregularity" of its shape make it even easier to conceal in your pocket.
I don't buy a gun to fit my pants, I buy a gun that will do the job well as a CCW pocket gun, and then fit the pants to the gun. Makes a h__ of a lot of sense to me. No one makes much of a fashion statement while they are bleeding out because their mouse gun couldn't stop the threat.
I didn't always feel this way . . . and bought a Kel-Tec P32 when they came out. Utterly reliable . . . but not real accurate with the long, stiff trigger. One day it hit me . . . if I was in a convenience store and thugs came it and started shooting people, my odds were not great that my mousegun's accuracy and punch could do much for me at 20 yards or so. Since then, it has permanently resided in my safe. Anyone wanna buy it? As a matter of fact, I wouldn't arm a family member with it either. Reliable . . . but at truly wimpy round.
I've owned lots of guns, hunted big game for years and won a lot of handgun matches with all sorts of guns. Today, my pocket gun is one I can put all five rounds into the size of a half-dollar at 10 yards . . . a S&W J-frame revolver. Wonderful triggers, good accuracy . . . if the operator does his/her job well, technique-wise . . . and a round that's been a long-time performer.
I recommend the "Airweight" J-frame versions. There's a real reason lots of working cops and experienced citizens use these revolvers.
It is my "always" gun, and it fits the front pocket of all the pants I wear . . . for I dress for the gun, not visa versa.
I didn't always feel this way . . . and bought a Kel-Tec P32 when they came out. Utterly reliable . . . but not real accurate with the long, stiff trigger. One day it hit me . . . if I was in a convenience store and thugs came it and started shooting people, my odds were not great that my mousegun's accuracy and punch could do much for me at 20 yards or so. Since then, it has permanently resided in my safe. Anyone wanna buy it? As a matter of fact, I wouldn't arm a family member with it either. Reliable . . . but at truly wimpy round.
I've owned lots of guns, hunted big game for years and won a lot of handgun matches with all sorts of guns. Today, my pocket gun is one I can put all five rounds into the size of a half-dollar at 10 yards . . . a S&W J-frame revolver. Wonderful triggers, good accuracy . . . if the operator does his/her job well, technique-wise . . . and a round that's been a long-time performer.
I recommend the "Airweight" J-frame versions. There's a real reason lots of working cops and experienced citizens use these revolvers.
It is my "always" gun, and it fits the front pocket of all the pants I wear . . . for I dress for the gun, not visa versa.
S&W I am sorta in the same position as we speak. I am comfortable with my P32 and NAA mini right now. I normally carry a Glock 26 in a Smartcarry. I have had a recent issue since I quit smoking that my pants are shrinking at an alarming rate. While I carry my 26 on my time I find I am reverting to my smaller carry while at work. I am considering a 642 for pocket carry to replace my smaller guns. I prefer pocket carry because I find I can have my hand on it and find it faster than having to reach for a gun.
earlthegoat2
Member
The one the latest American Rifleman magazine said was.
Rex B
Member
yeah, well American rifleman left out the latest -the Diamondback 380
I looked at one tuesday at CTD and it looked pretty cool. Same size as my LCP and the grip worked better.
I looked at one tuesday at CTD and it looked pretty cool. Same size as my LCP and the grip worked better.
carbineguy
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the ruger lcp is a great pocket gun but with any pistol u stand the chance of a jam as it is rare when u are buying for self defence u are buying piece of mind and i get my piece of mind from a ruger lcr it is 13 ounces and shoots 38 spl +p u cant get any better not to mention its hammerless by far the best carry gun
Guns and more
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"Best" how?
Best looking? Seecamp 380.
Best pride of ownership? Rohrbach R-9
Best shooter? Sig 238 (get back!)
Best reliability? S&W revolver
Best all around? LCP ???
Best gun to have confiscated by police after an incident? used Kel-Tec
Best gun to have when you are in fear of your life? The one in your pocket (not the safe).
Lumpy Pockets
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I like a Centennial J frame. I have a Kahr p380 and it's probably the best combination of ease of carry and ease of shooting of any of the 380's. I have a few hundred rounds through mine and it's 100% reliable and very accurate. There's a couple reasons I prefer a J frame though, the biggest being I just don't trust the .380 to penetrate enough to stop a threat. I feel much better in the fbi load's ability to penetrate then any .380 load. The second reason is the p380 is too small to get a good grip on quickly and draw fast. A J frame just comes out naturally and you can be ready to shoot before you even draw the weapon.
Lastly, semi-auto's, no matter how small, always feel like a brick in my pocket when I sit down. The J frame sets more comfortably in my pocket and doesn't poke into the person's leg sitting next to me on the couch or hypothetically at a sporting event.
That's my two cents. Good luck with your search.
Lastly, semi-auto's, no matter how small, always feel like a brick in my pocket when I sit down. The J frame sets more comfortably in my pocket and doesn't poke into the person's leg sitting next to me on the couch or hypothetically at a sporting event.
That's my two cents. Good luck with your search.
smallbore
Member
Old school Baby Browning or Colt in .25 auto.
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