Pocket Gun recommendations [Archive]

Caver 60

08-26-2007, 20:48

I trust my first generation P3AT completely (except the power is a little on the light side for my taste.) But I'm handy mechanically and I did have to do a little work on it (Fluff and Buff) to get it 100% (well over 1,000 reliable rounds.) I've read good reports on the second generation P3AT. Go to one of the Keltec groups and read their reviews.

I have a Kel Tec P11, but it's too big for pocket carry and the trigger pull is on the heavy and rough side for my taste. They also offer another 9mm, but I know nothing about it.

I personally consider anything that weighs more than 20 ounces loaded to be too heavy for pocket carry, but that's just me. My upper pocket carry limit is a PM 40. I've found that with the five shot magazine it's been flawless right out of the box (about 800 rounds now.) Some people have complained about QC problems and about warranty service with Kahr. But I've only had one problem out of a Kahr about 6 years ago with an MK9, and at that time they promptly made it right, no fuss, no hassle.

I only use the six round magazine for a spare with the PM40. I've found that a "topped off" six round magazine won't reliably feed the first round out of the topped off magazine when actually firing. However I can insert a full six round magazine, drop the slide with the slide release, as per Kahr's instructions, and everything then functions perfectly. However if I "top off" the six round magazine, that's when problems develop.

Don't even try the 7 round magazine with the PM40. It's a total waste of money. However, every magazine I have for my MK9 is 100% and I have 10 spare magazines and well over 3,000 rounds fired.

No problem "toping off" the five round magazine on the PM40. Works perfectly. So with a spare magazine, I've got 6 and 6. (I've now got 8 spare magazines for the PM40.)

There is also a magazine follower breakage problem with the PM40, but it doesn't affect feeding, just reloading the magazine. Kahr says they've fixed the problem and they gladly send out new followers to replace the old ones. I haven't broken a new one, yet.

I've got an old Colt Agent that also works well, but I prefer pistols due to speed of reloading.

glock2626

08-26-2007, 21:48

S&W 642 w/ c.t. grips. I love that snubby.

Buckaroo

08-26-2007, 23:25

Originally posted by VAnimrod
The P3AT fits that profile perfectly, is inexpensive, and it works.

Get one. +1

xray278

08-27-2007, 03:23

My Kel-Tec P32 has been a good gun, one of my favorites. Although I agree that a higher caliber would be nice, a 32 in the pocket is better than the 45 left at home. For the size, it's really nice, I've been looking at the p3at and am thinking about adding that to my collection. I just can't seem to get anything larger in and out of my pocket without a struggle.

FLGlock30

08-27-2007, 04:22

I have a P3AT that has about 800 flawless rds threw her. It is a awsome pocket gun. I can carry it in basketball shorts without the string tied and they dont move. For your other question, about the PM9. I love mine. I too debated the question is .380 enough for me, when I carry the kel-tec it is (situational) But if I dont carry my G19 it is definintly the PM9. great gun, that has had a few hiccups but Kahr has worked them out. Look into them, but the price difference between the P3at and PM9 is substantial. :shocked:

Davidkxx

08-27-2007, 04:46

Check out my video and article on pocket carry;

http://armedresponsetraining.com/pocket_carry.mpg
http://www.armedresponsetraining.com/articles/PocketCarry.pdf

Lannister

08-27-2007, 06:14

WALTHER PPK ALL DA WAY!! :)

Lannister

08-27-2007, 06:15

go to the shop, tell me that doesnt fit your hand like a glove. I like the .380. theres a ppk and ppk/s

SDefender

08-27-2007, 11:49

I also would not carry anything smaller than 9MM. My Kahr PM9 has been 100% reliable, is highly accurate and fits a pocket holster just fine when I am wearing slacks. Think it would be too large for wearing with jeans though. I am 5'9" and 155 pounds.

My primary carry is IWB cross-draw and only have a pocket holster as an option.

MTPD

08-27-2007, 12:10

Anything less than 9mm is too ineffective to bet your life on, in my experience.

I pocket carry all the time. As a cop my backup was a S&W Bodyguard .38 Airweight snub, carried naked in my left front pocket. No problems.

Now, as a civilian, I carry a KAHR CW9 naked in my right front pants pocket. 8 rounds of 9mm +P+ is far more reassuring than wimpy 380, 32, etc.

The thin, lightweight, pistol fits very well in most jeans and slacks pants pockets, doesn't print, and after two+ years of daily carry has never been spotted. Not even in Sturgis where the numerous cops I passed were looking for that kind of thing.

100% reliable, accurate, great trigger, and costs +/- $400. :thumbsup:

weybug

08-27-2007, 17:15

Originally posted by uhlawpup
I've had the P32 and the P3AT both. After a long time using them for pocket carry, I lost my faith in them and went to a J-frame in .32 magnum.

Pup,
Can you tell me what made you lose faith in the Kel Tecs?

Southshooter

08-27-2007, 18:59

Originally posted by MTPD
[B]Anything less than 9mm is too ineffective to bet your life on, in my experience.
As a cop my backup was a S&W Bodyguard .38 Airweight snub

That's why my Kel-Tec is a 9mm short :banana: :rofl:
Sorry buddy I had to do it

VAnimrod

08-27-2007, 19:11

I love the "you can't bet your life on anything less than...." lines.

BS.

Carry the biggest that you can; but for gawd's sake carry something, no matter what it is.

People have gotten really dead from .380s, .32s, .25s, and .22s. Any of them is better than nothing.

Kramer

08-27-2007, 19:18

I've switch to a Colt Python long barrel for pocket carry. I just cut a nickle size hole in the bottom of my right pocket and drop it in. It's a little tight when sitting down but I've also become very popular with the ladies.

Johnspark

08-27-2007, 21:06

:laughabove: :laughabove: :laughabove:

Thanks for the ideas guys. I think I'm going to check a few of these out and see what fits the best.

ontheway

08-28-2007, 19:00

:laughabove: How about a 460 or the s&w 500 maybe even a 454

Dean

09-02-2007, 00:30

G26.
Crimson Trace Laser sight.
11 rounds of CorBon DPX ( 10 in the pocket, with the chamber empty).

It's a military grade weapon. Configured this way it's better than the boys are carrying in Iraq.
Trust me, with a round chambered only carry it in a rigid holster in the belt line so you don't shoot yourself.
In the pocket, carry this gun Israeli style with no round in the chamber.

hikerpaddler

09-02-2007, 06:20

I bought a keltec 380 and a p32 a while back. Neither was sturdy enough or pushed enough bullet to satisfy me. I now have a Glock 33 and a Taurus 85UL. I love them both, but miss the smallness of the keltecs. I just want more firepower than that.

hogship

09-02-2007, 08:04

Over time, pocket carry options have come and gone.

These two, the NAA Guardian 32acp, and Kahr MK40 are the two I trust these days. IMHO, the 32acp is adequate.....maybe not the most desirable, but adequate. The Kahr MK40 needs no introduction! Power in a very concealable package. The Kahr is a little big for back pocket carry, but works perfectly in the front pocket. The Guru holster disguises the shape well.....sort of looks like a little book or small day planner is in your pocket. That's with loose fitting jeans.....with dress slacks, it completely disappears. The NAA Guardian goes in the back pocket and looks like a wallet.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1425902/268425488.jpg
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1425902/239922286.jpg
I kept the Smith model 60 but sold the holster. I just couldn't get used to that lump of cylinder for pocket carry. IMHO, revolvers don't work very well for IWB either, for the same reason. I sold my nice Bianchi IWB holster, as well. I do have a couple of OWB for my Smith mod60....that seems to be about the perfect way to carry a j frame.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1401653/207381953.jpg
Here's another one that didn't work out for me.....NAA mini revolver in 22mag. I sold it as well, along with the holster. The size was right, but the gun had mechanical problems......kept keyholing at the range. After getting it, I began having second thoughts about using a single action for carry. I think the 22's and 25's have their place, but if I ever carry one again.....it will be an automatic, or double action.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/8977842/268881895.jpg
All of the holsters I've shown you today are "Guru" holsters from: http://www.pocketholsters.com/ I first tried a Guru convertible pocket holster about 5-6yrs ago.....and liked it so much that I stuck with his line. This holster works well in the front pocket, and if the gun is small enough will look like a wallet in the back pocket. I've been a repeat customer three times! Can't give any more recommendation than that!

hogfang

kensteele

09-02-2007, 08:29

Originally posted by kensteele
might not be small enough for you but i am currently looking into the walther pps, the keltec pf9, and the kahr pm9. i would never go less than 9mm (380 and 32 are out of the question for me for self-defense).

i'm going to take that back about the walther pps; for me, it's too large to be considered a pocket pistol. thin yes, but a bit too big. i'm going to stick by the caliber. sure those other guns can kill you but i wouldn't stake my safety on it unless you MUST. there are better choices.

360

09-02-2007, 08:57

This one is a little big for pocket carry:

http://www.technovelgy.com/graphics/content05/PHASR-phaser-rifle.jpg

I keep waiting on this smaller model, light enough on the belt you will never notice it, and you don't have to worry about what caliber it comes in. If only the guys in R&D would hurry up about it:

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/070108/star_l.jpg

ATXG35

09-02-2007, 14:42

S&W 342 or 340pd.

pros-
-Light(10-11oz)
-excellent Reliability
-wont jam if you have to shoot it through a coat pocket or at extremly close range.
-.38 +p ammo is pretty stout.
-.357 will definetly get the job done.

cons
-5 rounds
-certainly not a gun to be taking long range head shots with as far as the sights go.

anyways it's my pocket gun of choice.

SilentGLOCK

09-02-2007, 14:59

If you've got the money: Rohrbaugh R9 http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/

Or S&W Airweight or Kahr or a well-tested P3AT.

Agent6-3/8

09-02-2007, 15:34

Originally posted by ATXG35
S&W 342 or 340pd.

pros-
-Light(10-11oz)
-excellent Reliability
-wont jam if you have to shoot it through a coat pocket or at extremly close range.
-.38 +p ammo is pretty stout.
-.357 will definetly get the job done.

cons
-5 rounds
-certainly not a gun to be taking long range head shots with as far as the sights go.

anyways it's my pocket gun of choice.

:agree:

uhlawpup

09-02-2007, 18:14

Originally posted by weybug
Pup,
Can you tell me what made you lose faith in the Kel Tecs?

Well, yes, if you insist.

The P32 was a bit of trouble. I like the lock-back feature on last round shot, to be sure, but it needed a real good fluff and buff to work reliably. Additionally, the takedown pin bent, the little spring-thingy that holds it in shifted down between the frame and the "grip," and, the last straw, was the hammer spring broke. Kel-Tec customer service was superb. I told them I wasn't a gunsmith, but I felt I could install the hammer spring if they sent me one. They, sent, instead, not one, but TWO complete hammer assemblies. I guess they figured I'd screw the first one up and then install the second one properly. Wasn't that nice?

The P3AT, I didn't like from the getgo. The trigger was mushy, the round too powerful, in my opinion, for the platform, and, of course, I had one of the early ones that had the takedown pin issue, which was solved handily with a "shouldered" takedown pin. The recoil was a little much, and I found that when I gripped it, I would inadvertently press the magazine release with my thumb, causing the magazine to pop out. Also, just pushing the magazine into place caused the magazine release itself to wear out (it's plastic), and I had to replace that, too, making sure that I pressed it when I put the magazine in.

Add to all this the fact that neither gun is truly double-action (if you get a misfire, you have to rack another round...you can't pull the trigger again until you do), and I finally gave up.

I have great admiration for the company and certainly for its customer service people. I just don't trust the platform anymore, even though I almost gave in and tried one of the new 9mm guns, until I found out it wasn't truly double-action, either.

And that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Prvt. Toter

09-02-2007, 21:49

Would like to get an SP101 but for now on those days when I can not discreetly carry a full size, this is my better than nothing gun and backup on occasion. I picked it up this for $100 out the door USED at my local hardware (that guy gets too much of my money). I did a typical teardown & polish, then replaced springs and removed years of pocket lint. Due to the scratches I sprayed and baked with ceramicoat and here you go. The holster is from Tex Shoemaker and works front pocket or as a wallet holster in the back. The gun is a OMC .380 backup, from what I can tell, AMT later bought out OMC and the performance degraded, but this one shoots a mag or two every week for 2+ years with not a single issue. Might have to do a spring refresh soon....

I think the .380 is plenty enough for a defensive close up and personal encounter, and as a Detroit Police Officer friend of mine said... "if its poppin' in your direction, any caliber will have you movin' the other way". So for those instances when I do not have the .40 or .45, this will send them "movin' the other way"..

FYI.. My Detroit Police Officer friend carries an old COLT .25ACP in his shirt pocket ALWAYS.... :shocked: When I ask him why... he said "it fits!"

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o318/Huntbuck/OMCPOCKET.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o318/Huntbuck/OMCRULE.jpg

Johnspark

09-03-2007, 09:28

Nice holster.

I was recently told by the guy at the gun shop that those were illegal to use. I don't know if he was talking about just here in Georgia, or if he meant everywhere.

Valdrin

09-03-2007, 11:12

Originally posted by Dean
G26.
Crimson Trace Laser sight.
11 rounds of CorBon DPX ( 10 in the pocket, with the chamber empty).

It's a military grade weapon. Configured this way it's better than the boys are carrying in Iraq.
Trust me, with a round chambered only carry it in a rigid holster in the belt line so you don't shoot yourself.
In the pocket, carry this gun Israeli style with no round in the chamber.

I totally agree that the G26 is an great pocket gun, it is what I carry daily, but I disagree about carrying one in the chamber. If you have it in a holster that covers the trigger and you don't put anything else in your pocket, it is not anymore likely to discharge than it would on a belt holster.

hogship

09-03-2007, 11:34

Originally posted by Prvt. Toter
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o318/Huntbuck/OMCRULE.jpg

Have you ever tried to shoot from that holster? Will the gun cycle properly?

To comment on Johnspark's inquiry: I've heard that some states have banned holsters that allow the gun to fire without removing it.....but, don't know any more than that.

hog

Chayak

09-03-2007, 12:31

:upeyes: 380 not big enough?

I can see it now. You just emptied your magazine into a perp and he gives you a hurt look.

"WHAT was that? You did NOT just shoot me with that!" pulls up his shirt. "I've been shot 43 times with 9's and everyone that surfs the net KNOWs 9mm won't even stop a yorkie in heat! I mean how can you dis' me like this? A 380! Screw you man, even the cops give me more respect using 40s! If you want to finish this like a man go get something bigger. I'll be at the cheesecake factory... I'm upset and going to go stress eating again. Damn cheesecake is worse for me than those 380s..." :banana: :animlol:

kensteele

09-03-2007, 12:39

Originally posted by Chayak
:upeyes: 380 not big enough?

I can see it now. You just emptied your magazine into a perp and he gives you a hurt look.

"WHAT was that? You did NOT just shoot me with that!" pulls up his shirt. "I've been shot 43 times with 9's and everyone that surfs the net KNOWs 9mm won't even stop a yorkie in heat! I mean how can you dis' me like this? A 380! Screw you man, even the cops give me more respect using 40s! If you want to finish this like a man go get something bigger. I'll be at the cheesecake factory... I'm upset and going to go stress eating again. Damn cheesecake is worse for me than those 380s..." :banana: :animlol:

if i were the subject of a car jacking and the perp opened the car door and stuck the gun in my ribs and i recognized it to be an amt 380, i would more likely jam on the gas than if it were a colt python 357.

no one wants to be shot. the 380 will kill you, but it's not big enough "for serious self-protection." i wouldn't rely on it. better than nothing but given all the choices, i wouldn't chose it.

Prvt. Toter

09-03-2007, 14:03

Hogship and Johnspark

Fired it once from the holster, it does cycle and function but is brutal enough shooting out of hoslter. And it is easily pulled free so I do not see the need. Regarding the legality of this holster. Why would it be illegal? Is it illegal to put the gun unholstered in a pocket? This is no different. I have had a few comments on here and other post regarding laws regarding this syle of holster, but can not find anything written in any of the legislation or laws prohibiting it. Additionally several of my LEO buddies have looked at it and made no comments, and believe me they would if it were to be a problem. So until I can find something iegally prohibiting me from carrying it, it is in this holster. Overall this has been with me more than my other firearms simply because its ease of carry and concealment. Somday I will get a colt Pocket nine or SP101, until then, this is it.

hogship

09-03-2007, 19:08

Hi Prvt Toter.....

Like I said, I really don't know that much about the legality of wallet holsters that allow shooting from within the holster itself, but I did run a google search for "wallet holster illegal".....and came up with quite a few hits.

You might be interested in the discussion on thehighroad forum about this......

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-144448.html

There is also some information on packing.org about this, but I can't get that site to come up right now.

Anyway, I don't know, and don't care. I don't have any holsters like yours.

hogship

jimmysidecarr

09-04-2007, 21:21

Originally posted by hogship
Over time, pocket carry options have come and gone.

These two, the NAA Guardian 32acp, and Kahr MK40 are the two I trust these days. IMHO, the 32acp is adequate.....maybe not the most desirable, but adequate. The Kahr MK40 needs no introduction! Power in a very concealable package. The Kahr is a little big for back pocket carry, but works perfectly in the front pocket. The Guru holster disguises the shape well.....sort of looks like a little book or small day planner is in your pocket. That's with loose fitting jeans.....with dress slacks, it completely disappears. The NAA Guardian goes in the back pocket and looks like a wallet.
http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL431/781008/1425902/268425488.jpg

I love my Kahr! A tad heavy.. but Polymers are now available to help with that, They weren't when I bought mine. I've heard they dance quite a bit more than the steel ones.

I am going to try and find that Guru holster though! I looks to be much more solid and appears to keeps it's "square" better than mine.

I had to add a lighter to mine to keep the edge from curling under.:upeyes:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/jimmysidecarr/SmallerKahr.jpg

That Guru holster looks like a very VERY nice solution. :thumbsup:

..

360

09-04-2007, 21:40

I am sick and tired of hearing the .32 caliber get dissed on. If Glock made one you would defend it fanatically. If you think it's little more than a BB gun, then come on and TRY to rob me some night. We'll see who's left standing.

J.P.

09-04-2007, 22:36

Originally posted by 360
I am sick and tired of hearing the .32 caliber get dissed on. If Glock made one you would defend it fanatically. If you think it's little more than a BB gun, then come on and TRY to rob me some night. We'll see who's left standing.
The robber who's packin' the Glock Foty?:supergrin:

I think more important than caliber is the fact that pocket carry is horribly inefficient and probably the poorest way to carry in regards to accessability.

glock75

09-04-2007, 23:13

S&W 642 or 340PD
Keltec P3AT

weybug

09-05-2007, 06:17

Originally posted by uhlawpup
Well, yes, if you insist.

The P32 was a bit of trouble. I like the lock-back feature on last round shot, to be sure, but it needed a real good fluff and buff to work reliably. Additionally, the takedown pin bent, the little spring-thingy that holds it in shifted down between the frame and the "grip," and, the last straw, was the hammer spring broke. Kel-Tec customer service was superb. I told them I wasn't a gunsmith, but I felt I could install the hammer spring if they sent me one. They, sent, instead, not one, but TWO complete hammer assemblies. I guess they figured I'd screw the first one up and then install the second one properly. Wasn't that nice?

The P3AT, I didn't like from the getgo. The trigger was mushy, the round too powerful, in my opinion, for the platform, and, of course, I had one of the early ones that had the takedown pin issue, which was solved handily with a "shouldered" takedown pin. The recoil was a little much, and I found that when I gripped it, I would inadvertently press the magazine release with my thumb, causing the magazine to pop out. Also, just pushing the magazine into place caused the magazine release itself to wear out (it's plastic), and I had to replace that, too, making sure that I pressed it when I put the magazine in.

Add to all this the fact that neither gun is truly double-action (if you get a misfire, you have to rack another round...you can't pull the trigger again until you do), and I finally gave up.

I have great admiration for the company and certainly for its customer service people. I just don't trust the platform anymore, even though I almost gave in and tried one of the new 9mm guns, until I found out it wasn't truly double-action, either.

And that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks for taking the time to explain.

ATXG35

09-05-2007, 07:14

Originally posted by J.P.
The robber who's packin' the Glock Foty?:supergrin:

I think more important than caliber is the fact that pocket carry is horribly inefficient and probably the poorest way to carry in regards to accessability.

why is that?. I can draw quickly from most positions. great concealability. Great retention-(not likely to get grabbed by someone).

what makes it"the poorest" way to carry...I could think of serveral ways that would be worse.

360

09-05-2007, 08:13

Originally posted by J.P.
The robber who's packin' the Glock Foty?:supergrin:

I think more important than caliber is the fact that pocket carry is horribly inefficient and probably the poorest way to carry in regards to accessability.

Our survey says.....WRONG!

I can walk down the street with a grip on my .32, and can pocket draw in about 1/3 of a second.

Fast=deadly=winner.

"Horribly inefficient"? LMAO! :rofl:

Dean

09-15-2007, 06:05

Any handgun can kill. Big calibers stop the threat faster.
There's no illegal holster. If you can carry the gun loaded legally, there's no illegal holster.

I love you for wanting to protect yourself with a pocket carried Glock, but there's been a million LEO Glock ADs. If you've got the trigger covered by a pocket holster that's much better than no holster, but it's still too close to the big arteries and the main vein for my comfort.

Get dressed, sit on the throne, get up, sit in the restaurant, scooch over, get up, get in the car, sit at my desk, have somebody sit on my lap, wrestle somebody..I just don't trust a loose cannon! I'm scared of ADs so I carry a Glock locked in a retention holster on my hip.

A semiautomatic pistol with a round chambered, shifting around in my pocket all day with no holster? Oh noo, Mr. Bill..:drillsgt:

Donn57

09-15-2007, 10:36

I think more important than caliber is the fact that pocket carry is horribly inefficient and probably the poorest way to carry in regards to accessability. [/B]

Actually, ankle carry is probably the poorest way to carry in regard to accessibility, but I agree that pocket carry is a close second. Sure, one can walk around with his hand in his pocket wrapped around his gun, but who does that all the time? Unless your hand is already in your pocket on your gun, you're probably not going to be as fast as someone with a gun on a belt.

With practice, belt carry can even be as quick as a hand in the pocket wrapped around the gun and you don't look like you're playing with yourself all the time.

The other problem with pocket carry is that it is pretty near impossible to draw with your off hand. Try drawing a gun from your right pocket with your left hand.

MTPD

09-28-2007, 10:30

Originally posted by VAnimrod

Any of them (.380s, .32s, .25s, and .22s.) is better than nothing.

Spoken like a 9th Circuit true believer. While it is true that any gun is better than nothing, that's not the usual choice. The usual real-world choice is between effective guns and wimp guns. Not between mouse-guns and nothing.

I've investigated numerous shootings, and have been involved in a few myself, and I recommend 9mm and bigger if you want to survive armed felonious attacks.

Picture yourself attacked by a felon armed with a sawed-off shotgun and maybe you'll understand why wimpy 22's, 32's, 380's, etc., are more for showing off to the kids on the block than real-world self-defense.

While any caliber can kill, it takes a powerful caliber to stop an armed attack quickly.

Dustin@C.I.S.

09-28-2007, 18:43

I have carried both the S&W 442 and Keltec P3AT as "pocket guns". I always carry them in my weak side front pocket as a back-up to my strong side primary handgun. I only train drawing and firing those with my weak hand since that is where they are carried.

Southshooter

09-29-2007, 05:03

Originally posted by Johnspark
Nice holster.

I was recently told by the guy at the gun shop that those were illegal to use. I don't know if he was talking about just here in Georgia, or if he meant everywhere.

It isn't really illegal, A wallet holster that allows a gun to fire still inside, You would have to have your gun regestered as a Class III A.O.W. which requires a $5 tax and a NFA Form

Check out this link for a little info for one for a NAA Mini