Looking for advice on a good pocket gun.

J

JoeyNickels

Inactive
Please note the phrase "pocket gun."

I admire all of you who carry IWB with a full-size semi-auto or revolver but I have tried it and it's just not comfortable for me.

I work in an office and dress business casual. My family and friends are primarily not gun people so maximum concealment is crucial.

My everyday carry has been a NAA Mini 22 Magnum but I feel that God forbid I need it, opening the fold-up holster and having to shoot single action is going to cost me a second more than I can afford in a life or death situation.

I guess I am looking for a small revolver (possibly a hammerless S&W J-Frame) or a .380. I love shooting a Glock 19 9mm and have found it's the most accurate semi I have fired but for my needs even that gun is too large. I have fired a Ruger LCP and it wanted to leap out of my hand. I haven't tried any other .380s I am hoping for something with minimal recoil for good 2nd shot set-up capability as well as something that isn't too cumbersome to unload as I am a revolver guy and the more tricky the semi the less comfortable I am with it.

I would appreciate any serious replies. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I've tried ALOT of different pocket guns over the years and my two favorite is the Seecamp LWS32 (had a LWS380 as well but the recoil was too much for me) and the Ruger LCP. I really regret getting rid of the Seecamp LWS32 and will be getting another before the warm weather hits again. Revolvers have always been to bulky for me to pocket comfortably.
 
I used to pocket a PM9. It was a very nice-shooting gun, and reasonably thin, but the angles just didn't lend themselves to unobrusive pocket carry except in very large pockets.

Now, when I need a pocket gun, it's a S&W 442. It shoots well enough (can keep rounds on the B-27 at 20 yards no problem, and shoot it pretty tight at 7 yards), although shooting it fast and tight isn't so easy. While the cylinder, at its widest, is a bit wider than most of the small autos, the irregular/organic shape of a J frame actually conceals better under fabric, IMO.
 
One of if not the Best pocket revolver................Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight.
15oz empty. .38Special +P.
Aluminum frame. stainless Steel cylinder, and 1 7/8 SS barrel. Snag free.
Hammerless, slips in and out of the pocket easily.

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If you want more thunder.....Ruger SP101.
.357 Mag. 2 1/8" Stainless Steel. Heavy..some folks deem too heavy for pocket carry, but that is the way I carry mine.

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I pocket carry a 642 - it actually hides better when it is NOT in the Nemesis pocket holster - I found standard 38 to be enough in the recoil area, especially when trying to get a second shot off somewhat quickly AND hitting the target - a nice compromise when it comes to power, size, and handling
 
Check out the kel tec p32, it's about as small as a semi auto can get, under 10oz loaded, 7+1 capacity, Double action only, slide locks back on last shot, locked breach design, and they only sell for around $235 with a lifetime warranty. Much more fun to shoot than it's 380 counterpart (which holds one less round and has no last shot hold open) I love mine, it goes everywhere I do.

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Just saw a Diamondback Firearms 9mm at the local gun shop yesterday. Don't know anything at all about them other than they are made in the USA. Was definately a "pocket gun". About 2/3 the size of my Ruger LC9.
Ralph
 
The absolute answer to your problem is the Keltec P32. I have pocket carried one daily since they came out 13 or so years ago. Very good little gun.
Any revolver (except the mini) will be too big to carry in your pocket. The P32 is smaller than the LCP and P3AT and is a joy to shoot. No safeties, just D/A like a revolver.
 
Ralph Allen said:
Just saw a Diamondback Firearms 9mm at the local gun shop yesterday. Don't know anything at all about them other than they are made in the USA. Was definately a "pocket gun". About 2/3 the size of my Ruger LC9.
Ralph
Click to expand...

You should do a little research on those, lots of issues.
 
I have several that I could carry in the pocket. The 642 might be my choice, but I found the KT P32 and P3at. I carry the P3AT about 95% of the time.

If I had to carry a 5 inch steel 1911 I would very seldom carry. The full size guns are too heavy and too bulky. Yes I have some of the best holsters and belts, and I still think that way.

I reject the notion that "guns are to be comforting, and not comfortable." If it is not comfortable I won't carry it.
Jerry
 
I have to totally agree with JerryM. Comfort is everything and the 642 fits the bill nicely.

In this and every case where you're looking for a CCW handgun, I'd suggest going to a few shops and see for yourself what works best for you. All the suggestions and advice in the world comes to naught if you're uncomfortable with carrying a tool ultimately meant to save your life.
 
I pocket carry my SP101. I don't find it too heavy. Perfect for a high powered protection device that feels good in the hand. Not sure why more folks don't pocket carry it more, but to each his own. I decided against the lightweight scandium models due to the severe recoil of such lightweight guns. It comes down to personal choice for most folks.
 
"Bill what do you carry in your P32?"

Silvertips, usually.

If one is a very big guy, a "J" frame revolver is too big to comfortably pocket carry.
 
I carry a S&W 442, Ruger LCP, Colt Mustang in that order and feel very confident with them all. However, I guess I feel better about the 442 for some reason not sure why - I just do.
 
The LCP can be tamed by adding the extended mag baseplates from Ruger or Pearce Grip, the Pachmayr Tactical Grip Glove wraparound, and also the 13 lb. recoil spring from Wolff.

Doing ALL the above makes for a gun that is not bad to shoot at all. It's so much smaller than the Airweights also.
 
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