looking for a good pocket pistol

22 caliber perrsonal carry
I am at a loss as to why many people are dismissive of this round. Granted, it is not a big boom, But it is accurate and as effective as the shooter. Potential collateral damage is a lot lower than the greater rounds. I am comfortable and confident with Stingers in my carry. If you can shoot? what do you actually need?
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Because there have been enough tests and real case scenarios to see what works most of the time to stop the threat. If someone has arthritis bad enough that they can only shoot a .22, then it's better then nothing.

If you can go with a bigger caliber your much better off. I'm not going to bet that the mere sight of a gun will make a badguy back down nor will I bet that being shot with anything will make him think twice. I'm also not looking to shoot someone with a .22 and have it enter his bloodstream and stop him 20min later. I'm looking to stop the threat now.

With today's advances in handgun ammunition, gun manufacturing and ballistic tests, I can't think of any reason to use a gun for SD under .380 unless the reason is that they can't handle the caliber due to a medical problem or are severely recoil shy. I sometimes want to carry my Colt 1903 in .32acp because it's such a well made firearm, but I have a P238 and P3AT in .380 that is a much better choice.
 
Teddjenn was right on. I looked at the LCP, Bodygaurd, Kel Tecs and just about all the other inexpensive pocket autos. I liked the trigger on the Taurus TCP the best. It has the slide lock back, it has an internal lock that you can make it inoperable.

I have been carrying mine for almost a year and I love it. I usually put a mag or two through it each range trip and have had zero issues.

I highly recommend it.
 
My first CCW was a .22 cal jennings J22 :eek: oh I know what everyone is thinking I was dead broke and I thought it was better than nothing. Now I carry a Smith 638 airweight but I still have the J22. Mine functioned flawlessly with good ammo and I have to say firing the whole magazine of 22 ammo sure made it seem potent. Don't underestimate any gun in any caliber but get the best weapon that you can comfortably afford. There are many very good guns for around $200 these days.
 
I carried a Walther PP .32 for years, alternating with a Beretta Model 21-A .22 when any larger gun would be hard to conceal. I'm not real enthusiastic of a .22 for SD, but as someone wrote here it's better than nothing when it's needed. I've always been fond of small-framed revolvers, and recently, while hanging out at the gun shop I saw a S&W Model 36 for sale. Couldn't resist buying it:

th_Model_36.jpg


It carries easily, is obviously very well made- the trigger is perfect- it's a .38 Special so it's got more hitting power than the .32. And besides, I think it's just neat! Cute, even- so said a CCing wife of a friend.

But while I was in the gun shop, I saw a Ruger LC9, 9 mm semi-auto, which wasn't very expensive, so I bought that one as well:

LC9.jpg


It has more rounds aboard than the Smith and that's a plus, but it's not so easy to conceal. Winter clothing helps and we'll see how it goes in summer clothing. I'd like more oomph than my Beretta .22 has, even with Stingers.
 
Elsie Pea all the way!!!
I think it's so funny when someone posts about a pocket pistol, and mentions a budget of under $300 all the high dollar boys show up with their $500, and up "masterpieces" suggestions. Ruger LCP is around the $300 mark, proven reliable, easily concealed, and backed by Ruger If you can't just cut the $300 mark, the KelTec P3AT would be a good second choice for a bit less money.
 
pocket pistol

Lots of suggestions - but I'll throw in one more.
It's February now -- what would you carry on a hot humid day in August.
Those are the once you want to investigate.

I always thought stainless steel would be a major item for me for a pocket pistol and then I realized that if a blued pocket pistol managed to rust after five of six years of use - I'd just buy another one.
If it rusted in one summer, I'd move.
:rolleyes:
 
Pocket Pistol Choice.....

I have been for 15+ years illigally carrying my Colt Mustang Pocketlite 380 until now, we have a concealed carry permit in Wisconsin finally and hey, I am now legal and experienced in very tight concealment, finally flying in the radar legally, fully experienced. Most years illegal yes, but whats your own life worth, though I dought I would protect anyone other than myself, my blood family, any child and close freinds, only exception is if the bad guy has opened fire and made more than one confirmed hit, then that shooter is going down if I can do it safely!. I will still pocket carry my Colt Mustang Pocketlite 380 auto the most :) . Second choice is my Taurus 740SS THIN (40cal.), which I carry about 30% of the time in my pocket :p , otherwise in the pants holster. Last and rarely because of its big bulky cylinder is my Charter Arms 44 Bulldog, 3", usually only pocket carried when I have on a heavy long overshirt and am heading toward a hell hole area for my business ;) !. I sure wish my Taurus 44TKR 44mag, 4" would fit in my pocket, lol...... :eek: . To bad the Wisconsin concealed carry permit does not include rifles, my AK47 or Ruger Mini-30 with a folding stock fits well under my trench coat and is quite stylish with its subtle little outline in one or two spots :rolleyes: .
 
I am at a loss as to why many people are dismissive of this round. [.22LR] Granted, it is not a big boom, But it is accurate and as effective as the shooter.
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The only problem I have with me or mine carrying .22 LR is the rediculous FTF rate that rimfire rounds suffer.
The odds of a factory centerfire rounds not firing are very very very low, almost not even worth considering.
Compared to centerfire the odds of a .22LR not firing are crazy high. In my personal experience with all types of .22 ammo, the FTF rate is at least 1 in 50, some days MUCH higher, sometimes lower, but always there...

I just cant see trusting my life or a loved one with something that has such a stupid high chance of a "click" instead of a boom...
 
380 now obsolete?

For pocket pistols, many feel that 380 or 9 mm is the smallest viable round (recognizing, of course, that any round is better than none). Some discussions suggest that the 380 is now an obsolete cartridge because there are now pocket pistols in 9mm. Any thoughts on the future off the 380 round and its availability? I have a Kahr PM9, which is a bit big for my pockets and have been thinking of trading for a 380. Are 9 mm pistols likely to get smaller, or are we up against hard laws of physics?
 
I like the S&W J frames for pocket carry.

I also have a 3AT, and a Kel-tec-P11. Sometimes it's nice to know you have 13 rounds of 9mm at your disposal. I carry a Glock 27 or 26 when I'm fishing or canoeing.

Try to have as large a pocket as possible. Not only do you need a pocket big enough to fit the gun, but you should have enough to get a full firing grip on the gun when it's in your pocket and still be able to pull it out easily.

I have the same reliability concern when it comes to a 22lr. If I carry a .22, usually it's a revolver, for that reason- easier to clear a failure to fire.
 
I believe that 380 is plenty.

I currently carry a Kel-tec PF9 9mm, but Im planning to get a S&W bodyguard .380 to replace it.

Since the bodyguard has a built in laser, I figure a well placed (laser) shot with the 380 will be more effective than an iron sight shot with a 9mm that may be 6-12" off target....
 
9mm

Beretta 22lr or 25acp, bobcat.
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I see the Beretta 21A is gettting a lot of love in this thread--doesn't surprise me in that with the right ammo it's all-day-long like reliable and believe it or not, actually a really 'fun' range gun (in .22lr that is as you'll go bankrupt if you 'regularly' shoot .25ACP nowadays :mad:).

-Cheers
 
SHELL SIZE.....

Shell size can be compared to a socket set. For small nuts to be taking out you use a small socket, "or caliber" for the large nuts to be taking out you need large socket, "or caliber". :rolleyes: . In other words, if you only are able to carry a small weapon at a certain time I would go down to a 22 magnum but would rather have a 380 minimum. Next step up if I have the room available which I normally do most the time, I will carry a 40 caliber, lastly if I have a lot of extra carry and cover space available I will go 44 special or 44 mag. I have been thinking on going on a diet and moving up to a .460 S&W Magnum :eek: :D , you know, just for the fun of it, look out Clint, the 460 just took over as the world's most powerfull concealed carry handgun, lol......
 
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I sincerely second the 1908 vest pocket... I carry one in the watch pocket of my jeans just about anywhere I go. I do like .380 better than .25, but that little 1908 is astonishingly accurate for its size, and one could never make an equivalent .380 that small.
 
I have to say, a lot of good suggestions. It should come down to experience and purpose. How comfortable are you with handling your weapon of choice? What clothing/climate do you wear/live in? How important to you is it to have it covertly concealed?

As for me, it depends on the situation and weather. I've carried everything from a Beretta 21 (no longer have it) .22, a Jetfire .25, a S&W J frame .38 (gone), a Bersa .380 (one of my favorites), a Colt 1911 .45 (gone), and a Glock 21 .45.

The Bersa .380 is my favorite compromise. (about $300 too) It's definitely heavier than an LCR or the 738 TCP, but sizewise it's similar.

Best of luck! jc
 
jdc91gt
Junior Member

Join Date: February 18, 2012
Posts: 1
I have to say, a lot of good suggestions. It should come down to experience and purpose. How comfortable are you with handling your weapon of choice? What clothing/climate do you wear/live in? How important to you is it to have it covertly concealed?

As for me, it depends on the situation and weather. I've carried everything from a Beretta 21 (no longer have it) .22, a Jetfire .25, a S&W J frame .38 (gone), a Bersa .380 (one of my favorites), a Colt 1911 .45 (gone), and a Glock 21 .45.

The Bersa .380 is my favorite compromise. (about $300 too) It's definitely heavier than an LCR or the 738 TCP, but sizewise it's similar.

Best of luck! jc
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Nice first post in particular because I like all of your aforementioned guns:). Just out of curiosity, why did you get rid of your 21A? I have two (use one for a BUG and the other to shoot the crap out of;)) and even though they are affordable and easy to come by, it's one of those things whereby I can't imagine unloading one (pun intended;))

-Cheers
 
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