The Detonics Pocket Nine.

[peggysue]

I have had a Detonics Pocket 9 since they first came out in 1985. At that time it was the smallest 9mm in production. It was also stainless steel. I haven't touched this gun in about 10 years as it is displayed in my gun room. What sparked my interest it was some new post complaining why are used ones going for $500 and up by some young person who wasn't even born when it came out.
When I shot mine it kicked like a mule, It made the 44 special Charter Arms back then a kitten. WOW The only issue I had with it was the bottom plate on the magazine came off. I welded it back on. I shot ball ammo and it worked well however the heavy pistol.
It is neat how 9mm can be so light and small in current times and still be about the $350 that I paid for the Pocket 9 in 1985.

 

[tirod]

They are more expensive now because guys like me who had one then and sold it are willing to pay more to get one now. It's the luxury of discretionary income. Guns like that are what created the single stack 9mm market and fueled the demand for legal concealed carry.

Said young person should check the prices of P7's or S&W xx39"s these days. The HK is approaching cult status and the Smiths are already getting collected. Prices overall bottomed out on them and are going up. Hk's passed the point of the frugal buyer even bothering. Even Firestar 9mm's are up these days.

IIRC there are 60 million more people living in America now than then. Prices will go up.

 

[JERRYS.]

my first gun was an RG .38 spl. followed by a Davis .32 auto. I had both of those guns in 1988. wanting to upgrade to "good guns" I first got a bulldog .44 spl. I ordered it thinking it would be a 3" bbl like the Ad. but it came in with a 2.5" bull barrel and no ejector shroud... a different looking gun to say the least. the timing was off and spit lead backwards at me on nearly every shot. sent it back, they "fixed" it but it wasn't so. I sold it.

I then bought the detonics pocket 9. that gun was heavy but cool looking. it fired ok for about one box of ammo then would go full auto, as in one trigger pull gave me two shots sometimes three. sent it back, they "fixed" it. I sold it unfired from the "fix".

by now I had it with guns of less repute. I then bought a S&W 645 because of Miami Vice. I then bought a Service six (?) blued.

while I still dabbled with gimmick guns because of perceived coolness or gimmick advertisement, I never again let them be my go to or only guns.

 

[Charlie Fox]

It's fun and a little fascinating to think about the guns we came up with that were so cool back then but wouldn't even make it to market today. The Detonics Pocket 9 was one of these - too heavy, trigger pull too long and heavy, felt like a brick and kicked like an angry horse. But EVERYONE wanted one (I'm sure Sonny Crockett carrying one had nothing to do with it ). I carried a S&W 5906 at the time and wondered why anyone would want a 9mm with less than 15 rounds. As I write this my Kahr CM9 on my hip I'm glad these guys led the way - right idea, wrong time.

 

[Skans]

I have a nice example of the Pocket 9. I have never fired mine, but who knows, maybe someday I will. I like the design (except for takedown, which is virtually impossible)and it was a pretty well made gun, even for all of its quirks. AFAIK, its still the smallest DA/SA 9mm out there.

People forget that these are DA/SA and not DAO. You have to love the black aluminum grips (some have plastic grips)! I always wanted an extra pair so that I could strip and polish them. That polished "ball-milled" look would go good with this era gun, don't you think!

For a long time, the Pocket 9 was easy to find for between $350-$400. Someone is trying to sell some Pocket 9's that have been Cerekoted - no thanks, not interested! I've always considered this one a sleeper from a collector's perspective. If you can still find good examples for $500 or less, it really is a good value; not as a carry piece; not as something you will fight zombies or take to war with you; just as an interesting collector's gun.

 

[Clark]

I think Peter Gunn got a patent when he worked at Detonics.
He works at Ben's Loan now. It is fun to talk to someone who knows more about guns than me.

 

[Kynoch]

Bought one back in 1985 for concealed carry, but found it to be just too heavy. Shot it a few times at the range and found it to be reliable and fairly accurate. Considered trading or selling it over the years, but never found any real interest in the gun. Now it occupies a place of honor in the safe. Occasionally consider giving it another try, till I pick it up and feel the familiar heft.

 

[michael t]

I'm sure Sonny Crockett carrying one had nothing to do with it ). I

Sonny Carried the Detonics 45 Combat Master ankle holster . I still have mine


What weapons did Crockett use?

Sonny also carried a backup gun which was a Detonics CombatMaster in .45 caliber. It can be seen in the bar scene shootout in the “Prodigal Son” episode. He carried it in an ankle holster on his left leg.