What is the best concealed carry pistol?

K

Kurbsky

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I was in several gun stores recently looking for a .380 concealed carry pistol. I want to carry it in my pocket, not in a holster and I want good quality with a price that justifies this quality. Some people swear by Berta Thunder, some by Kel-Tec, some by Magun Research/Micro Desrt Eagle, some by Sig, some by other brands, only 1 person liked Walther PPK.

Which do you think is the best?

I think accuracy at such a short range is not much relevant, we probably are talking mostly about quality and reliability. I already have a small Smith & Wesson Titanium revolver and I like it but it's little bit too fat to carry in my pocket.
 
There's a bunch of them ,I picked up a little .380 today. but I'm gonna put a small holster in my pocket then put the gun in it.:)
 
Small holster in my pocket is OK with me too as long as the gun is in the pocket with it. What gun did you pick?
 
pocket

a little on the heavy side i guess, nut i have a .380 NNA guardian with holster that i carry and like, doesn't choke on anything i feed it.
 
If the snub is too big for you, anything like the Bersa or the PPK would be worse. The snubnose is bigger around but just looks like lump in your pocket. A PPK-size automatic in your pocket looks like an automatic pistol in your pocket. A P-3AT-size gun is concealable in your pocket, but I've concluded that it's really no more concealable than a snubnose.
 
Lightningjoe-
How, exactly, did you "conclude" this?
The P3AT is much smaller, thinner, and lighter.
You might THINK a snub is as concealable, but I can guarantee you it's not.

Kurbsky-
As far as the "best"-no one can decide that for you.
You could just buy the most expensive one, and delude yourself into thinking its the "best." Do your homework.
 
No matter what you choose you need a pocket holster It breaks up out line of pistol holds in position for drawing and your pockets will last a lot longer
I carry a Colt Mustang or a Kel Tec most of time My non S&W PPK/S sometimes
 
Any gun in your pocket with anything else is a bad idea.
If your gun does not orient properly you need a pocket holster.
If your local laws don't allow "printing" you need a pocket holster.
If you are carrying a single action you need a pocket holster.
I have carried a Keltec in my pocket every day, all day for 11 years, sans holster. I have had no undue pocket wear and no discharges. Imagine that!
 
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If the snub is too big for you, anything like the Bersa or the PPK would be worse. The snubnose is bigger around but just looks like lump in your pocket. A PPK-size automatic in your pocket looks like an automatic pistol in your pocket. A P-3AT-size gun is concealable in your pocket, but I've concluded that it's really no more concealable than a snubnose.
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If "snub" is a small short barrel revolver like S&W Ti, there is another reason for me not to carry it: revolvers do not have any safety mechanisms and I don't want a revolver to shoot at some of my still functional body parts from my pocket.

Most expensive is not always the best. Plus value is also a considration. if something is only 10% better but costs 100% more, I would settle for less glamorous model. Also, some of those pistol models are known for recalls (Kel-Tec) and some are breaking when fired sometimes (like Magnum Reseach/Micro Desert Eagle - I saw photos on the net). A small .380 pistol is not a cruise missile, it's not a complex product.
Doesn't anyone make something like that unbreakable, accurate and not terribly expensive?
 
That Taurus certainly does look interesting and price is very attractive ($260 or so). Taurus usually copies someone. I wonder whom did they copy this time? What is it made of: blue, SS or Titanium? Their quality is pretty good but it looks like this model is fairly new.
 
revolvers do not have any safety mechanisms and I don't want a revolver to shoot at some of my still functional body parts from my pocket.
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If you're looking for a manual safety, you can also rule out the Kel-Tec P3AT, Kahr P380, Ruger LCP, Taurus 738 TCP, NAA Guardian, Seecamp LWS .380 and the Micro Desert Eagle. They are all designed to use a heavy double action trigger in place of a manual safety, just like a revolver.
 
If "snub" is a small short barrel revolver like S&W Ti, there is another reason for me not to carry it: revolvers do not have any safety mechanisms and I don't want a revolver to shoot at some of my still functional body parts from my pocket.
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Almost none of the true pocket guns have external safeties either; actually the revolvers will have the heaviest pull of them all making them one of the safest options you could choose; lighting off a 10+ lb trigger by 'accident' doesn't happen much;)

The PPK and Bersa are normally not considered in the same class as say a P3AT, but they do have safety/decockers, those I've talked to who carry them generally ignore the safety and leave them on 'fire' because with a revolver-like DA first shot the safety is mostly unnecessary.

I haven't found many small autos that I like because I dislike the reduction in power and the reliability problems and ergonomic issues many have traditionally had, as far as small guns go I've been a revolver guy. The small autos are getting better though and personally I'd like to try one out at some point here, but it will probably still be in 9mm+ and it's not going to get carried until it proves to be legitimately better for the task than my 642 S&W has been.
 
I carry a Ruger LCP in a pocket holster. Even in summer wear, ie: jean shorts with tucked in T-shirt it is very comfortable and inconspicuous.

If "snub" is a small short barrel revolver like S&W Ti, there is another reason for me not to carry it: revolvers do not have any safety mechanisms and I don't want a revolver to shoot at some of my still functional body parts from my pocket.
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Kurbsky, your observation is similar to mine when I first looked at and held the LCP- no safety, just a DAO semi-auto. I was comfortable with it tho', as I have revolvers, both DA and SA that, of course, have no safety. Many people choose to carry a revolver hammer down on an empty chamber which seems pretty safe. As for the LCP, I can't think of a scenario where its DA trigger could somehow get pulled while carried w/o my hand in my pocket.

In the winter here in CO when I wear more clothes, I usually carry something heavier than the LCP. Sweatshirts, outdoor vests and so forth allow more carry options up to my full-size 1911 ACP which I don't believe has ever been noticed under my cold weather clothing layers.
 
Lightningjoe-
How, exactly, did you "conclude" this?
The P3AT is much smaller, thinner, and lighter.
You might THINK a snub is as concealable, but I can guarantee you it's not.
Click to expand...


My conclusion is based on the same thing as your guarantee: my own observations and experience. The difference is that I offer no unsupportable guarantee--only my conclusion.
 
Which do you think is the best?
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When I think of pocket gun, I think "Small", and when you think small, the answer is Seecamp... the smallest .380 made. It's well made, reliable, lightweight and tiny.

IMO revolvers are just too big to go in pockets. I tried, it just doesn't work well for me, they are too bulky.
 
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