Looking for advice on a good pocket gun.
- Thread starter JoeyNickels
- Start date
Walklightly
Moderator
I'm on the J-frame train. I pocket carry a 638. Light enough, small enough, and powerful enough.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I love the S&W Airweights and own a 637 myself. I personally don't consider it a pocket gun, it is a little too big for me to be comfortable with pocket carry but is an excellent gun.
My pocket gun of choice is the Ruger LCP. If you really want to pocket carry, it will go places that the Airweight simply will not. I've got large hands and it certainly does want to leap out of my hand but with some practice, you get used to the recoil.
My pocket gun of choice is the Ruger LCP. If you really want to pocket carry, it will go places that the Airweight simply will not. I've got large hands and it certainly does want to leap out of my hand but with some practice, you get used to the recoil.
JoeyNickels
Inactive
Thanks all.
I appreciate the amount of quick, helpful replies. I forgot to mention in my original post that a cop friend's off-duty pocket carry is a North American Arms .32 and that there was a used one that appears to be in decent shape with a finger extension mag at my local range. I couldn't see the price tag but I imagine it was around 250 or so used. Anyone have experience with that gun?
The Kel-Tec .32 seems the most common recommendation here so I am going to research that a little bit. I wish my range had more small guns to rent.
I appreciate the amount of quick, helpful replies. I forgot to mention in my original post that a cop friend's off-duty pocket carry is a North American Arms .32 and that there was a used one that appears to be in decent shape with a finger extension mag at my local range. I couldn't see the price tag but I imagine it was around 250 or so used. Anyone have experience with that gun?
The Kel-Tec .32 seems the most common recommendation here so I am going to research that a little bit. I wish my range had more small guns to rent.
Aaron1100us
New member
My favorite pocket gun is my Glock 33. I use a Don Hume pocket holster, works great. I would never carry any of those tiny guns.
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
Motownstan
New member
Nothing "pockets" better than this.
Shadi Khalil
New member
I get by with a 637
My next gun purchase will probably be a pocket size one so I'm in the same boat. I have a 642 and agree what it works very well for pocket carry or IWB for that matter - very adaptable to pretty much anything I wear and there are lots of holster variations that work well. I'd like to find something with an extra round or two that maybe doesn't kick quite as much and is easier to reload quickly. From what research I've done, I'm not sure I'll find anything. The small 380s all seem just too light and snappy - no fun to shoot in my opinion and I do like to practice. A .32 would be okay except the ammo is expensive and harder to find. Most of the 9mms seem a little too big for pocket carry and/or too light for a 9mm. I'm leaning to a Sig P290 at this point.I know it's not a favorite for the Sig crowd for different reasons but they seem kind of picky and don't deal with the fundamentals of the gun. To me the size is right and the extra weight helps in shooting IMO. If it's not the solution I'll stick with my 642.
I've found small semi-autos to be more comfortable than revolvers as pocket carries. These range from a North American Arms Guardian in .32 acp (the smallest) to a Kahr PM9 in 9mm. (largest), the choice depending on what trousers I'm currently wearing. There are numerous well-made pocket holsters to keep your chosen gun in place without printing.
glockman55
New member
These little pocket holsters work great in most any pants. once in place the holster stays in your pocket when you draw..View attachment 76951
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Joey:
Re: NAA .32.
I have a North American Arms Guardian .32ACP and I really like it.
Not as light as the KT P32 for pocket carry (the NAA is all steel), but very well made. In addition, I, at least, can do better accuracy with it than with my KT P3AT (I have no experience with the P32).
I think the Kel-Tec would be better pocket carry but the NAA is prettier
.
Best,
Will
Re: NAA .32.
I have a North American Arms Guardian .32ACP and I really like it.
Not as light as the KT P32 for pocket carry (the NAA is all steel), but very well made. In addition, I, at least, can do better accuracy with it than with my KT P3AT (I have no experience with the P32).
I think the Kel-Tec would be better pocket carry but the NAA is prettier
.Best,
Will
I have 2 that I carry regularly. A S&W 642 and a Kel-Tec P11. Both fit the same pocket holster, draw smoothly, and have no problems with printing. Often just a matter of am I going somewhere I would rather have 37 rounds of 9m/m or will 15 rounds of 38 spl. be ok? I carry 2 reloads regardless of what pistol I am carrying.
Hard to shoot?
Maybe... if one doesn't practice.
If one practices...
Not using the laser, 5 yards:
With the laser (apparent fliers were actually sight in; big hole was after sight in), still 5 yds:
My parents have that gun, though. I don't have a laser on my pocket 442; it still shoots ok. Here is a 7yd Mozambique kind of drill:
Same gun, 7 yds indoors, shooting one-handed at torso, and Chapman at head, reduced size silhouette:
So, while they may not be as fast as a bigger gun, and they may kick a bit more than some small autos, J frames aren't hard to shoot, if one puts in some time on them.
Maybe... if one doesn't practice.
If one practices...
Not using the laser, 5 yards:
With the laser (apparent fliers were actually sight in; big hole was after sight in), still 5 yds:
My parents have that gun, though. I don't have a laser on my pocket 442; it still shoots ok. Here is a 7yd Mozambique kind of drill:
Same gun, 7 yds indoors, shooting one-handed at torso, and Chapman at head, reduced size silhouette:
So, while they may not be as fast as a bigger gun, and they may kick a bit more than some small autos, J frames aren't hard to shoot, if one puts in some time on them.
glockman55
New member
Anyone can shoot most any gun that good with practice.. I shoot at least 250 rds in each of my carry guns per month. It helps that I have my own range. and I don't care for lasers.. I was taught to shoot with and without sights.. Lasers are fine, I guess if you first learn how to shoot without it..
I don't like lasers, either, glockman55, which is why my pocket gun doesn't have one. I have Altamonts on mine, because I like a little finger rest, but they still conceal in most of my pockets.
My parents, OTOH, like the laser. I still try to get them to practice with irons.
Personally, I only like lasers for dry fire practice, but their are people who, due to vision or other issues, find them useful.
And yes, anyone should be able to shoot most any gun that good with practice... yet how many posts do you read about "Pocket guns are meant to be carried a lot and shot a little," or "I don't need to practice with it, since I'll only use it at bad breath distance," etc? I see them all the time.
And I don't see many people practice much with little guns. There are a few, but not many, from my experience at various ranges.
My parents, OTOH, like the laser. I still try to get them to practice with irons.
Personally, I only like lasers for dry fire practice, but their are people who, due to vision or other issues, find them useful.
And yes, anyone should be able to shoot most any gun that good with practice... yet how many posts do you read about "Pocket guns are meant to be carried a lot and shot a little," or "I don't need to practice with it, since I'll only use it at bad breath distance," etc? I see them all the time.
And I don't see many people practice much with little guns. There are a few, but not many, from my experience at various ranges.
TheGoldenState
New member
Easy, the one I took to the range yesterday,
Kahr PM9. Light, tiny, accurate, good proven big 9mm.
For even smaller get the same gun in a .380.
PM9 vs LC9
Here vs the Keltec 9mm
Here's the already tiny Pm9 vs the twinky Kahr p380
The Kahr is a little more expensive than most other barring the Roughbar, but it's quality.
Personally, I would not go below .380 for self defense, and 9mm is just that mush sweeter in a tiny, controllable platform.
Kahr PM9. Light, tiny, accurate, good proven big 9mm.
For even smaller get the same gun in a .380.
PM9 vs LC9
Here vs the Keltec 9mm
Here's the already tiny Pm9 vs the twinky Kahr p380
The Kahr is a little more expensive than most other barring the Roughbar, but it's quality.
Personally, I would not go below .380 for self defense, and 9mm is just that mush sweeter in a tiny, controllable platform.
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TheGoldenState
New member
Hoy,
above is a visual side by side.
I threw it in my pocket of my light running sweats last night for the hell of it and it felt like nothing and didn't print nor weigh down. I imagine the 380 one would have to check every ten minute to make sure it was still there.
Only complaint would be the long creep of the trigger pull, but that is something that isn't too uncommon or much of an issue on tiny pocket guns without a safety.
above is a visual side by side.
I threw it in my pocket of my light running sweats last night for the hell of it and it felt like nothing and didn't print nor weigh down. I imagine the 380 one would have to check every ten minute to make sure it was still there.
Only complaint would be the long creep of the trigger pull, but that is something that isn't too uncommon or much of an issue on tiny pocket guns without a safety.