Pocket gun selection...

K

Kermit

New member
Lately, I have been using an old mod 60, it is the smallest handgun I own. Problem is, because of its bulk, concealing it and drawing it is difficult. I have had it in my head to maintain my existing calibers in my collection...38/357, 9mm, 45 acp & 22lr(not too keen overr carrying a 22lr)...that is why I haven't purchased anything smaller. However, because of my activities at work, I have need for smaller. What is out there in prescribed calibers that is smaller in size and weight than my little 5-shot? If nothing currently exists, what is board's opinion of the 32's on the market...ie Beretta Tomcat?
 
NAA 32 comes to mind, in a wallet holster totally invisible. Kel-Tec has a light weight flat 9mm and a 32. To stay with the calibers you already have check out the Kel-Tec 9mm. Something you will carry all the time is better, even if in a smaller caliber, than the bigger weapon left at home.
 
An airweight or Ti snubbie may be an option, but you wouldn't really save any space that way. A .380 Guardian might fit the bill, but those are a bear to shoot, from what I hear.

Here's a quick rundown of the current .32 "mouse guns" which fit your listed requirements...these are the ones I've owned and carried, at least.

Beretta Tomcat (.32 ACP):

Feels like a bigger pistol to hold and shoot, good sights for a mousegun, pop-up barrel is a great feature. Early models had quality control problems, but later models generally work very well. I've owned two, and both have been trouble-free. Avoid dry-firing without snap caps, the firing pin will break for sure. A bit wide in the grip and rather portly in size for a .32, but those attributes make it shoot like a big gun.

Kel-Tec P32 (.32 ACP):

Incredibly flat and light, very pleasant to shoot thanks to the locked breech. Not a very ergonomic gun, folks with big hands usually find the P32 a bit difficult to hold and shoot well. Sights are rudimentary, and the overall look and finish is a bit homely.

NAA Guardian (.32 ACP or .380ACP)

Jewel-like quality, a very compact pistol, but a bit on the heavy side thanks to all-stainless construction. Straight blowback like the Tomcat, but a lot less pleasant to shoot thanks to the very compact grip. Long and hard DAO trigger, and very tiny sights.

After owning and toting all of the above, my current mouse gun is a Beretta Jetfire Stainless in .25 ACP. It's shorter than the P32, lighter than the Guardian and the Tomcat, and comes with the handy tip-up barrel.
 
I just looked at my Kahr P9 nexst to my M60. It's a bit smaller, overall, a whole lot thinner and lighter, holds 7+1 9mm, accurate, nice DAO trigger, and it's on the 'approved' list. Ya might give it a look, especially if you have smaller hands. I also have a Tomcat, it's a nice little gun, accurate, etc, but I'm prone to slidebites with it, as I have big hands. Good luck, M2
 
If you must maintain your list of calibers and add no new ones, the the Keltec P-11 in 9mm will fit your needs. I have the same gun in a .40 caliber and its called the P-40. It will fit into the front pants pocket of a pair of loose fitting jeans. They are available in a factory hard chromed model with night sights available. The hard chome finish on the Keltecs really makes them look nice. If you own any Keltec pistol you can send it back to the factory and for 20 bucks they will hard chrome the slide and barrel for you, which really makes the little polymer framed guns rust proof. I have the P-40 and the P-32 both of which are hard chromed and they are great CCW guns.

7th
 
I see from the list that you can't buy Kel Tecs of any sort nor Walther .32 but the Tomcat is on the list. That would have been my third choice for a .32. But that third choice is after a whole long list of others in 9mm and 357.

Considering 9mm the Kahr KPS9093A weighs 15 ounces + magazine weight and is .9 inches wide. The Sig 239 weights 25.2 ounces +magazine and is 1.2 inches wide. The Sig Pro 9mm weighs about the same.

Considering .357 magnums, the Taurus 617 Titanium weighs 16 ounces, but has that same old fat cylinder sticking out as the S&W.

So many choices... :p
 
Kahr MK40 suits me just fine. Flat and an easy caryy in front or rear pockets, and enough firepower to make me comfortable. Night sights, and a pocket holster set you up as good to go. Hits where it's aimed, and never a burp in the last 1200 rounds. Sure, it's heavy, but just about right for the load. Gary
 
If it were available I would recommend the Colt Pony or Pony Pocketlite. Both are easy to shoot but the PocketLite is a bit easier to carry in dress pants or shorts.
 
Take a good look at the Kel-tec P32. It's a slim gun which makes it much nicer than the Berettas and mine has been the most reliable mousegun I've tried. It works great. Needs some polishing though, right out of the box it isn't so good. There are some good web sites that tell you how to do that yourself or you can get a gunsmith to do it for you for not too much.

tstr
 
In about 6 months you should be able to get a Kahr MP9. It is a full 9mm (so you won't have add another caliber), flatter than a J-frame, lighter than your steel J-frame, about the same height and length.
 
Some excellent suggestions. Let me add two to the list:

Scandium S&W. Politics aside, it's a .357 that is lighter than your Model 60. It has the advantage over the titanium that you can shoot .357's or .38's. Not any smaller than your 60, but much lighter.

PSP-25, Browning Baby, Bauer 25, etc. - These are all the same gun, the original being the Browning. When I purchased mine (PSP-25, hard chrome, $175 NIB), it was the smallest, lightest repeating (ie, you didn't have to load each round like the Derringer or NAA) firearm made (9.5 ounces). It holds 6+1 rounds of .25. While it's smaller than the Kel-Tec P32, I think it is wider and heavier. Keep in mind that it is a .25, and not a .32. Anyway, I'm not sure if it's on the Cali approved list, but check it out.
 
I use a S&W 342ti* or a glock 26 for pocket carry daily depending on dress, I am very happy with both and they are very comforable for pocket carry.
Untill 2 or 3 years ago I only pocket carried tiny 22's 25 or 32's, On the few ocasions I have carried one of my 32's I had that fealing you get when you don't have a gun after being use to carring daily. I did not like it. :eek:
I use a kramer ph for the S&W and a PCS pocket holster for the glock. The kahr polimer mk-9 will be a great pocket gun when available, Tho I live in massachusettes so i don't think i will ever be able to own one. :barf:
 
Both Kel-Tecs are recommended the .32 when VERY small and light is needed and the 9mm when you can go a little larger and heavier. They are fairly accurate, mine are so far 100% dependable and I don't think you can beat the size and weight.
 
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