Recommendations for Pocket Gun
- Thread starter raindog
- Start date
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
If you go snubbie - I've seen the LCR at $389 and 642 at about $429 at gun shows. Shop around.
Can't go wrong with a quality snubby from SW and it seems now from Ruger.
Can't go wrong with a quality snubby from SW and it seems now from Ruger.
LightningJoe
New member
Many people post that sort of thing. I don't think that's realistic. Guns come out quite a bit but are rarely fired. Good thing, too, I'd say.
Anyway, there are many schools of thought. People have assured me the physical appearance of the gun doesn't matter and they may be right. Or not. Visibility probably does matter, though. I think you want the BG to see your gun. He'll get the idea if you start blasting, true, but I suspect you're better off if you've clearly got a gun in your hand even without putting it into operation.
tackdriver
New member
Good luck in your quest. I am about ready to give up on my LCP. It suits my EDC needs perfectly, all except for the part about it being impossible to find ammunition at a price that makes it practical to practice with.
I'm now looking for something in 9mm to take its place, which is getting tough since I'm not a fan of the Kahr or KelTec 9s. I'm even considering settling for something in 9-Makarov if I can find something reliable enough.
Otherwise, I'm going to have to sell both my LCP and 1911 in order to buy something to comprimise in size and I really don't want to have to do that.
I'm now looking for something in 9mm to take its place, which is getting tough since I'm not a fan of the Kahr or KelTec 9s. I'm even considering settling for something in 9-Makarov if I can find something reliable enough.
Otherwise, I'm going to have to sell both my LCP and 1911 in order to buy something to comprimise in size and I really don't want to have to do that.
orionengnr
New member
I have owned and carried:
--Multiple j-frames in all three materials (steel, aluminum alloy and Sc/Ti)
--Kel-Tecs in P32, P3AT (two each), P11
--Ruger LCP
--Kahr PM9.
Cliff Notes:
--The J-frames are "longer" than the others and will protrude from the pocket when the semis will remain concealed. I no longer own one.
--I have had zero luck with Kel-Tecs (see my other posts, I won't belabor it here; suffice it to say I wll never own another).
--My LCP has been perfect (both before and after the recall) but, as much as I like the concept, I am still not sure I trust the .380 cartridge. That is subject to change, and I will hang onto and practice with it (but may or may not actually carry it).
--The Kahr has been the one "pocket pistol" I have owned, trusted, carried and loved for going on four years.
Although I have tried (in the last year) to transition away from pocket carry toward a larger caliber IWB, the PM9 is one pistol that I doubt I will ever be tempted to sell. It is (for me) the perfect combination of size, power, accuracy and reliability.
--Multiple j-frames in all three materials (steel, aluminum alloy and Sc/Ti)
--Kel-Tecs in P32, P3AT (two each), P11
--Ruger LCP
--Kahr PM9.
Cliff Notes:
--The J-frames are "longer" than the others and will protrude from the pocket when the semis will remain concealed. I no longer own one.
--I have had zero luck with Kel-Tecs (see my other posts, I won't belabor it here; suffice it to say I wll never own another).
--My LCP has been perfect (both before and after the recall) but, as much as I like the concept, I am still not sure I trust the .380 cartridge. That is subject to change, and I will hang onto and practice with it (but may or may not actually carry it).
--The Kahr has been the one "pocket pistol" I have owned, trusted, carried and loved for going on four years.
Although I have tried (in the last year) to transition away from pocket carry toward a larger caliber IWB, the PM9 is one pistol that I doubt I will ever be tempted to sell. It is (for me) the perfect combination of size, power, accuracy and reliability.
2cooltoolz
New member
S&W 442 38 spl. J frame / Seecamp .32 (top) / Ruger LCP .380 (bottom) / Kahr PM9 9mm
I trust all four of the handguns to be absolutely reliable and accurate. I wish the .32 was a .380 (same size!) and I wish the .380 was a 9mm. My PM9 is my everyday carry, if I'm wearing a belt. The S&W gets a lot of woods carry, with alternating shot shells and JHPs; the LCP works good in shorts and sweats. The Seecamp is a little jewel, but I wish it was the .380. The Ruger has pretty much replaced it in the rotation.
pocket pistol
It seems some semiauto owners would prefer their pistols to be of a different caliber.
I'm a J-frame S&W person, but I am surprised that no one mentioned the Glock 26. I have not owned one, but have seen many favorable comments, and good reviews on policelink.com
It seems some semiauto owners would prefer their pistols to be of a different caliber.
I'm a J-frame S&W person, but I am surprised that no one mentioned the Glock 26. I have not owned one, but have seen many favorable comments, and good reviews on policelink.com
2cooltoolz
New member
I found the Glock 26 to be too big for the pocket. I sold mine and bought the PM9..never looked back.
Last edited:
I pocket carry one of two lightweight guns; a Kahr PM-9 or a S&W 637 Airweight in .38spcl ... both are extremely light, pack a bigger punch than any .380 and are easy to conceal in inexpensive pocket holsters like the Nemesis or the Mika I got recently for the Kahr ... you do yourself a disservice if you ignore Kahr for a "bigger" name; Kahr is the top design in lightweight 9mm as far as I'm concerned ...
Carne Frio
New member
J Frame size in a pocket holster is reliable and effective.
Sig p238
Go for sig p238
As soon as I put it in my hands I had to have one. It just felt like quality.
Normal cleaning should take care of lint concerns. Amazing accuracy.
And SA means less heavy trigger pull and it has great sights for a pocket gun (night sights). Not to mention it's a Sig.
If not the sig I recommend a ruger lcp. Simple DA and great weight.
Reasonable price but sights are dissapointing despite good close range accuracy.
Go for sig p238
As soon as I put it in my hands I had to have one. It just felt like quality.
Normal cleaning should take care of lint concerns. Amazing accuracy.
And SA means less heavy trigger pull and it has great sights for a pocket gun (night sights). Not to mention it's a Sig.
If not the sig I recommend a ruger lcp. Simple DA and great weight.
Reasonable price but sights are dissapointing despite good close range accuracy.
texasnative
Inactive
back to OP
Raindog...
You already have a Glock 26, basically the smallest Glock, so any Glock discussion is not what you have asked for.
You have clearly done your research and have narrowed it down to 5 hanguns. You did not ask for other suggestions (not Kahr, not Baby Eagle, not anything else, etc)
-LCP
-LCR
-S&W Snubbies
-PPK
-Sig 238
You are obviously looking for that "just right" combination of power/concealability.
So here goes....
I would eliminate the revolvers right away (LCR and Snubbies)..they are just to big, at least for me, to conceal effectively. Not much better than what you have in a G26.
That leaves the PPK, Sig and LCP.
The PPK doesn't give you much size advantage, again, over your G26.
Now, that narrows it down to the Sig and the LCP.
The sig is a bit bigger and is based on the old Mustang specs (a mini 1911 if you will). The action is different than what you are used to with your Glocks.
The winner would the the LCP. Not perfect, but meets your criteria.
-Smallest and easiest to conceal of the bunch
-Affordable (at least now)
-Same action as your Glocks
-Fewer issues with the newer ones than the older ones (look for serial number starting with 371xxx, not 370xxx)
-The .380 ammo market has loosened considerably in the past 3 weeks
I have one. I like it. The trigger pull is very long and I don't particularly like that, but it is all a matter of give and take depending on what your priorities are.
Raindog...
You already have a Glock 26, basically the smallest Glock, so any Glock discussion is not what you have asked for.
You have clearly done your research and have narrowed it down to 5 hanguns. You did not ask for other suggestions (not Kahr, not Baby Eagle, not anything else, etc)
-LCP
-LCR
-S&W Snubbies
-PPK
-Sig 238
You are obviously looking for that "just right" combination of power/concealability.
So here goes....
I would eliminate the revolvers right away (LCR and Snubbies)..they are just to big, at least for me, to conceal effectively. Not much better than what you have in a G26.
That leaves the PPK, Sig and LCP.
The PPK doesn't give you much size advantage, again, over your G26.
Now, that narrows it down to the Sig and the LCP.
The sig is a bit bigger and is based on the old Mustang specs (a mini 1911 if you will). The action is different than what you are used to with your Glocks.
The winner would the the LCP. Not perfect, but meets your criteria.
-Smallest and easiest to conceal of the bunch
-Affordable (at least now)
-Same action as your Glocks
-Fewer issues with the newer ones than the older ones (look for serial number starting with 371xxx, not 370xxx)
-The .380 ammo market has loosened considerably in the past 3 weeks
I have one. I like it. The trigger pull is very long and I don't particularly like that, but it is all a matter of give and take depending on what your priorities are.
I sold my LCP because I just couldn't trust it. Yes, it fit in my pocket so well that it wasn't a bother. What was a bother, is that it misfired 50% of the time. I had tried three different types of ammo through it with no avail. Ruger, was no help. Apparently, it was the way it recoiled in my hand. If I didn't have a proper grip on it, I would have to cycle each round manually.
This is not what I am looking for in a pistol that is going to be drawn in very tense situations. I'm back to my PPK for now, as it is very concealable with the right holster. And, very reliable. I'll forsake comfort for reliability any day.
This is not what I am looking for in a pistol that is going to be drawn in very tense situations. I'm back to my PPK for now, as it is very concealable with the right holster. And, very reliable. I'll forsake comfort for reliability any day.