Best semi-auto Pocket pistol?
- Thread starter steeps09
- Start date
checkmyswag
New member
I like the bodyguard and LCP. Both nice in different ways.
The P238 is an awesome gun, very very nice.
But, I couldn't/wouldn't carry a gun in my pocket cocked and locked.
The P238 is an awesome gun, very very nice.
But, I couldn't/wouldn't carry a gun in my pocket cocked and locked.
Bersa Thunder is very good for a budget gun. Most people like there Sig P238s as well. My wife loves hers but I did not like it because it took 3 trips to Sig and 1 trip to my local gun smith to get it right but It seems to be working well now. Originally I tried to get the wife to trade it off but it has tremendous sentimental value to her. She insisted on Keeping it so I did what I could to make it reliable.
All that said 99.9% of people have no Issues with the Sig P238
I carry a S&W 640 (357 magnum) with an extra speed loader but that is a revolver not a semi-auto like the OP asked about.
All that said 99.9% of people have no Issues with the Sig P238
I carry a S&W 640 (357 magnum) with an extra speed loader but that is a revolver not a semi-auto like the OP asked about.
I have an LCP... it's ok I guess, but I'll be looking elsewhere next time. Cheapest gun I've bought but you-get-what-you-pay-for. Some FTE, FTF, pins backing out after 50 rounds.... I'm not so impressed. Like the size, of course, but my Glock 26 makes me feel a whole lot better.
I own a Taurus TCP. It was a pretty good little 380acp until recently. Now I'm getting at least 1 ftf per mag full (6 rounds). 1 out of 6 isn't a real good ratio of ftfs vs. fired rounds. I'll give the factory a chance to correct the problem, then I'll sell the thing if it still has ftf problems.
I think over time that all little 380acp guns have their issues...at least that is what I'm reading on these forums. I was going to endorse the Ruger LCP until I read the post above. Hummm...
I think over time that all little 380acp guns have their issues...at least that is what I'm reading on these forums. I was going to endorse the Ruger LCP until I read the post above. Hummm...
silverstang23
New member
Kahr PM9 or CM9. They are basically the same thing now. Same trigger just different barrel
Bill DeShivs
New member
I have carried a Keltec P32 for the past 16 years. It's thinner/lighter than the P3AT. The P3AT is thinner/lighter than the LCP.
WildBill45
New member
Seecamps are not that strong, and is why they were limited you to silver tip ammo I believe. My Seecamp is cute, and shoots well, strong NO...
The Glock is the best one out right now! I have owned just all the classic 380 autos, and do not like the cartridge, but, and there always is a but in life, a 380 in a pair shorts on a hot day is better than a 500 mag in the glove box if attacked down the street. The Glock has a great sight radius, nice visible sights, shoots soft, shoots great out to 100 yards, and maybe 200 yards, which I will do the next time I do a video... No manual safety which is dangerous on small guns as it is easily activated or deactivated by body friction. I can out shoot most folks at the range with the baby Glock whilst they have full size autos in hand. It is a really great little gun and I am not saying that just because I have one like some folks do. I have owned most and not liked any before including my Walthers, etc...
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Dragline45
New member
Seecamps are not limited to Silvertip ammo, Silvertips as well as a number of other rounds are recommended by Seecamp to use in their guns because of the length of the cartridge, it has absolutely nothing to do with the strength of the gun. Some rounds, especially certain fmj loads, are too long to reliably function in the Seecamp, which is why they have a list of recommended ammo to use. Also the Seecamps are strong well made guns, not sure where you get the idea that they are not. The only weak point in their design is that the magazine must be in the gun when dry firing, otherwise you can snap the trigger bar. One of the downsides of making a gun that small is you do not have alot of room to mess around with when designing it, which as a result dry firing without the magazine can snap the trigger bar, and the recommended ammo list due to the OAL of the cartridge. Personally all that is enough to dissuade me from using one as a carry gun.
I tried pocket carry for a bit and just wasn't a fan, but my Bodyguard 380 did fit nicely in a pocket, my J frames I found were too bulky.
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WildBill45
New member
That is not the reason I think they are not strong, but was suspicious of it when I first got mine 20 years ago. The slide backstop is not strong and will not handle some loads that most other autos will ... I have eyewitness reason to believe this, but will not go into that here.
I pocket or I/OWB carry a Bersa Thunder CC model. In case anyone here is not familiar with it, it is Bersa thunder optimized for concealed carry: mag holds one more round, sights are low-profile, grips are texturized, hammer is low profile also, front of the trigger guard is serrated for grip, and there is a chambered round indicator.
You can definitely find a lighter pocket pistol to carry. Plus, the almost all-metal build means you have to watch for rust during the Summer. Aside from that, I'm satisfied. This isn't a pistol for 20m headshots, but strictly a bad-breath weapon.
You can definitely find a lighter pocket pistol to carry. Plus, the almost all-metal build means you have to watch for rust during the Summer. Aside from that, I'm satisfied. This isn't a pistol for 20m headshots, but strictly a bad-breath weapon.
engineer88
New member
I have had many and for me my little hard chrome P32 is the best. It has the plus one mag adapter for a total of 9 rounds, a Crimson Trace laser and fits in even the tightest of my jeans in a Desantis superfly or one of my other two pocket holsters I have for it. That said, if the pockets are big enough, like cargos or my painter jeans, my Smith 638 or 642 takes its place.
The 32ACP in FMJ is plenty in my estimation for bad breath range and has nowhere near the kick or reliability issues of many of the similar sized 380's. Yes it costs more per round, but it is worth it to me. I personally think the P32 is THE pocket pistol of them all and I have owned:
NAA in 32ACP
Keltec P3AT (2)
Keltec PF9
Keltec P11 (I actually miss this one)
I still own but seldom carry:
Taurus TCP 380 (only 60 rounds through it but so far so good)
Kahr CM9 (ends up iwb on occasion)
Colt junior in 25ACP (I prefer at least the 32)
A sig p238 may be my next attempt to find the "perfect pocket piece". Although I like the sig's function better, I prefer the looks of the Colt mustang. Go figure.
The 32ACP in FMJ is plenty in my estimation for bad breath range and has nowhere near the kick or reliability issues of many of the similar sized 380's. Yes it costs more per round, but it is worth it to me. I personally think the P32 is THE pocket pistol of them all and I have owned:
NAA in 32ACP
Keltec P3AT (2)
Keltec PF9
Keltec P11 (I actually miss this one)
I still own but seldom carry:
Taurus TCP 380 (only 60 rounds through it but so far so good)
Kahr CM9 (ends up iwb on occasion)
Colt junior in 25ACP (I prefer at least the 32)
A sig p238 may be my next attempt to find the "perfect pocket piece". Although I like the sig's function better, I prefer the looks of the Colt mustang. Go figure.
Bill DeShivs
New member
I have the Keltec- P32 (3), P3AT (2), P11 (2), PF9, the NAA .32, Beretta Tomcat 3032, and a whole bunch more smaller guns. The P32 is flatter and lighter than any of the others. The NAA is too heavy, the Beretta too large and heavy. I carry a P32.