Looking for my first pocket gun.

[Soundguy]

But I do pocket a piece when I get dressed in the morning. Just like a Boy Scout...Be Prepared!

I'll agree that the LCP doesn't have the finest trigger in the world, but it always goes bang when I pull it.

.

I do the same.. get dressed int he morning, put my money and wallet and change in my pocket.. put my gun in my pocket and go. i only remove it if going into a prohibited area, or when I get home / at night when undressing. Habit.. and it means without thinking about it, I will almost always have a piece on me, when needed... accept for those very very very rare times someone might try to mug me in a court house or police station..

soundguy

 

[TripleR]

Gosh, don't know why people seem to get insulting/testy on some of these threads.

I am impressed by those who know exactly when or where a gun will be needed and especially those who seem to know when/where others will.

The choice of type/caliber as well as when/where to carry is an individual choice it would be nice if we all respected other opinions.

 

[RoyJackson]

Wasn't meant as an insult at all. Maybe a bit crass because I am but not an insult.

I've never felt the need to pocket any piece first thing in the morning. I prefer a hot coffee and my morning sabatical.

For me, carrying a weapon is based entirely on the ocassion and where I'm going and it's not to the mailbox either.

And, if that works for you...so be it!

 

[JB4310]

Well I stopped at the gun shop on a drive-by, wanted to put some eyes on this 38. I guess I was expecting something a little smaller.

Don't get me wrong, it is a small gun. But it lost everything in the 'discreet' department stuffed into my front jeans pocket. Even with the t-shirt over the top.

Maybe it's just the season, but I just couldn't leave empty handed. Dealer sold me on a P-3AT

I've read the reviews, I'll run a few boxes and make up my own mind.

Yup, what's that joke, "is that a (fill in space) in your pocket, or are you happy to see me" :laughing:

Have not tried to put one in my pocket, but can't imagine any revolver that would be comfortable to wanna pack that way, especially a back pocket.
The smallest revolver I have is a Smith 38 spl, 5 shot chief. Maybe around the house and yard I could carry it in a pocket, but not comfortably out in public.

So it really comes down to .380's being the largest to really be discreetly carried in a pocket, unless you wear clown pants. Though the ruger 9mm shown does look pretty small, but will probably be just a tad too big to say it's really comfortable as an everyday, carry it like your wallet and keys, pocket pistol.

So it comes down to the 2 mentioned here the Keltec and the Ruger, there is another, but the price is considerably more, the Kahr.
I bought the Kahr cause after comparing the feel of the 3 I liked it the best, felt the most solid, and looked to be of higher quality. The higher price didn't bother me since I figured you pay a premium for the best.

But I had alot of issues with the kahr, that required the gun to go back once to the factory and alot of fiddling with it myself, I still think it's well made just not well designed I would not recommend the Kahr. I have seen their other guns and they too look very well made, but the experience with their .380 turned me off. The conclusion I came to is they tried to squeeze too much into too small a package.

The Keltec and Ruger are about neck and neck from what I've read, from price to reliability.

This thread for all practicality could be the "Ruger or Keltec for pocket carry" thread.

It has been my life long quest, the perfect "pocket" gun, which most certainly will be a pistol. Doesn't mean it will be the best all around hand gun, just the best choice to fit and carry in your pants pocket.

JB

 

[MotorSeven]

Gosh, don't know why people seem to get insulting/testy on some of these threads.

I am impressed by those who know exactly when or where a gun will be needed and especially those who seem to know when/where others will.

The choice of type/caliber as well as when/where to carry is an individual choice it would be nice if we all respected other opinions.

You think this is bad....try posting "What's the best motor oil to use in my ____?"

 

[RoyJackson]

Yup, what's that joke, "is that a (fill in space) in your pocket, or are you happy to see me" :laughing:

Have not tried to put one in my pocket, but can't imagine any revolver that would be comfortable to wanna pack that way, especially a back pocket.
The smallest revolver I have is a Smith 38 spl, 5 shot chief. Maybe around the house and yard I could carry it in a pocket, but not comfortably out in public.

So it really comes down to .380's being the largest to really be discreetly carried in a pocket, unless you wear clown pants.

JB

I've got to disagree with the .380 comment...

I've carried .38 snubbies in my front pocket for years. Really tight jeans..well, they don't work. But normal or relaxed fit jeans work very well as do Docker style trousers (especially if they have pleated fronts).
The weight of the gun is one of my main criteria. If it's more then 13-15 ounces, it'll drag your pants down. My .38's are aluminum/titanium.
You also want a good pocket holster and a good belt (I wear a belt from Gun Belts by The Belt Man which works quite well as do belts from Tactical Belts, Duty Belt, Military Belt, Instructor Belt.

A hammerless or shrouded hammer revolver is much less likely to snag during a draw.

But I had alot of issues with the kahr, that required the gun to go back once to the factory and alot of fiddling with it myself, I still think it's well made just not well designed I would not recommend the Kahr. I have seen their other guns and they too look very well made, but the experience with their .380 turned me off. The conclusion I came to is they tried to squeeze too much into too small a package.

That's a shame about the little Kahr...but I've read several reviews and internet posts that concur with your experiences.
I had one of the early MK9's which was a very nice little all steel semi-auto and (once past the 200 round break in) was very accurate and reliable. But ****!!! was it heavy!!
Great gun, just didn't work for me...if I'm going to carry a gun that heavy (way too heavy for pocket carry), it's going to be a larger gun.

 

[Soundguy]

now get you a NFA legal pocket holster ( top slide of gun is fully visible ) and you are set. the gun inthe holster prints squareish like a wallet. is made of laminated layers of leather on eaither side over high density foam. has hole cutouts for trigger and another finger to help draw or hold the gun.. can load, unload . clear the gun, etc in the holster. nfa legal as the top slide or muzzle is not concealed in any way., thus it is not a NFA 'any other weapon' 'shoot thru' holster, as the ones with the top slide concealed by the holster or the muzzle shooting thru a hole inthe base of the holster.. etc..e tc.

soundguy

 

[High Compression]

I have the LCP with the crimson laser under the barrel and I love it. It is very compact and light weight. Most the time I don't even know that I have it. I did read that "IF" there would ever be a mis-fire/mis-feed in any of the sub compact pistols, that it would happen in the first 200 rounds. When I bought mine, I immediately proceeded to put 200 rounds through it before I left the store. Boy was my hand sore for the next couple days. .380 packs a little punch in such a light weight frame. If you are anywhere near as happy with the LCR as I am with my LCP you will not be disappointed.

 

[JB4310]

I've got to disagree with the .380 comment...

I've carried .38 snubbies in my front pocket for years. Really tight jeans..well, they don't work. But normal or relaxed fit jeans work very well as do Docker style trousers (especially if they have pleated fronts).
The weight of the gun is one of my main criteria. If it's more then 13-15 ounces, it'll drag your pants down. My .38's are aluminum/titanium.
You also want a good pocket holster and a good belt

I should of said IMO. I am a back pocket carrier, so that pretty much precludes any revolver. I not wearing skinny jeans, but even my little auto with a pocket holster is Printing strongly, more so in the front pocket.

About the weight, that's why I questioned the OP's choice, if it was alloy. They had the specs say it was 13 oz, which I assume meant empty, so that would put it at close to a pound loaded, which seems high to me ?

now get you a NFA legal pocket holster ( top slide of gun is fully visible ) and you are set. the gun inthe holster prints squareish like a wallet. is made of laminated layers of leather on eaither side over high density foam. has hole cutouts for trigger and another finger to help draw or hold the gun.. can load, unload . clear the gun, etc in the holster. nfa legal as the top slide or muzzle is not concealed in any way., thus it is not a NFA 'any other weapon' 'shoot thru' holster, as the ones with the top slide concealed by the holster or the muzzle shooting thru a hole inthe base of the holster.. etc..e tc.

soundguy

Never seen those.

JB

 

[RoyJackson]

I should of said IMO. I am a back pocket carrier, so that pretty much precludes any revolver. I not wearing skinny jeans, but even my little auto with a pocket holster is Printing strongly, more so in the front pocket.

About the weight, that's why I questioned the OP's choice, if it was alloy. They had the specs say it was 13 oz, which I assume meant empty, so that would put it at close to a pound loaded, which seems high to me ?

JB

I don't carry in my back pocket, but I see your point about revolvers.

As far as printing...I guess that depends on how much it bothers you. I'm sure people can see there is something in my pocket...but can they tell it's a gun? That's a rhetorical question, BTW.

One of my snubbies goes 13 oz unloaded. I'm estimating 16-17 ounces when loaded to the 5 round capacity. The other goes 15 oz unloaded.
As long as I have a belt (see my previous post), there is no problem with the pants/jeans/trousers sagging. Suspenders would even be better, I guess...