I have recently gotten interested in Pocket Guns for carry for those times nothing else will work.
Do you all have any recommendations which pistols to consider? Caliber? Holster, or no holster? Ammo? Generally anything someone just starting out in that category of firearm should know.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
I use a S&W 442 for a BUG in a Mika pocket holster. You want a holster for 1) to keep the gun consistently positioned 2) break up the outline of the gun and 3) you will destroy the pocket over time without a holster. I’m not into mouse rounds so .38spl & 9mm are go to cartridges. It is loaded with 38 Special +P 135gr Gold Dot. I prefer the shape of a hammerless J-frame over a squared off shape off and auto when drawing from my front pocket, it feels less prone to snagging.
On the very rare times that I carry a small gun it is a Glock 26 with a +2 mag extension or depending on the pants I will even use a Glock 19 mag. I use an Uncle Mikes pocket holster to break up the outline and save my pockets.
Here is my issue with small revolvers, harder to use than the Glock and less rounds than the Glock. I almost always will have a full sized spare mag in my other pocket.
The old saying you never need a pistol, until to REALLY NEED a pistol is true. So carry something that will give you the ease of use and number of rounds you might need.
All my pistols are loaded with Underwood Leighi Defense 65 or 68 grain ammo either in 9mm or 357 sig
G43(X) or 442 or similarly sized, vetted gun in an A Holster is about as good as it gets. I’ve ditched pocket carry and carry the above in a JMCK AIWB holster when size is an issue.
LCP in a pocket holster, loaded with quality FMJ.
LCPs are small, pretty snag-free, and light. Mine was purchased at a deep discount after Ruger introduced the LCPII ($175?). I use the pocket holster supplied with the pistol and load FMJ because I am not convinced expanding bullets are viable in the 380.
I had to shoot a hundred rounds or so before it was reliable with the original 6 round magazine. It was and is reliable with both 7 round Ruger mags I bought and the 6 rounder Ruger sent when the first had issues.
Edited
Andy
The Sig P365 (9mm with a 10 rounds magazine) would easily fit in a pocket.
I like Uncle Mike’s or Blackhawk pocket holsters.
S&W Shield is my pick. Just one of those guns you pick up and can shoot well the very first mag. Chambered in a real caliber… and has a decent capacity for a pocket gun.
I still carry a hammerless (no snag) J-frame for the pocket in either a Galco horsehide pocket holster or a Milt Sparks PCH. I prefer the PCH as it has a wire insert that allows you to shape it a little for better concealment. Both are horsehide with the rough side out so that the holster will grab the fabric of your pants and stay put upon drawing. Speed strips are an easy way to carry a reload, but are slower than speed loaders or moon clips.
Glock 43 would be my next choice but I haven’t yet found a holster I like. Two extra rounds in the gun and a loaded mag in the offside pocket would be nice.
As far as caliber, I see no reason for going below .38/.357 in revolvers or 9mm in autos. There are guns available in these calibers that are already small enough for easy concealment and offer better terminal performance than smaller rounds. For revolvers I carry Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot Short barrel only. For 9mm I would personally use 147 gr. Gold Dot Gen 2, but here I think there are many options that would work.
I’d add a G43 to this method of carry. I’d never carry one without a holster. It’s mandatory.
Anything even marginally larger than a G43 and I’d rather carry on the waist somewhere & there really needs to be no other option. Also, anything double stack I find too large (and typically heavy) for a pocket.
I’ve never been a J-Frame person, but for this type of application it has its merits.
I prefer to not go below 9mm.
Kahr CM/PM9 is smaller than a 38 snub, has less felt recoil, quicker follow up shots and greater capacity.
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/kahr-pm9-vs-smith-wesson-model-642
Sig 365 and PM9 (The PM9 is what most people consider pocket size; some regard the Sig 365 as “too big” to be a pocket gun, guess it depends on the pockets.)
Absolutely.
Friends don’t let friends CCW anything below 9mm.
Yes… BUT
Don’t let that keep you from carrying something. Or keep carrying a gun you don’t shoot well.
The PM9 is a nice sized gun, but I didn’t shoot it very well. A snub revolver fits well in a front pocket, but I don’t see myself having the time to train enough with it.
The Shield I shoot well, though it is larger than pocket sized to many. If I had to pocket carry (I don’t) then I would consider other smaller 9mm guns first, then training with a revolver or a smaller caliber second.
If you stand up to pee a .38 or .357 j-frame revolver or a 9mm semi like a shield, 365, g43 will work.
If you sit down to pee a .380 or smaller is for you.
[emoji3]
I tell those who sit down to pee to carry 9mm too actually.
I’ve had a very positive experience with the Keltec P32. It’s reliable with FMJ (don’t let anyone tell you .32 HPs are acceptable; they are NOT), and it’s very comfortable to shoot. The P380/LCP hurts to shoot, so I would not recommend it. If you’re not comfortable with .32 ACP, probably step it up to the G43.
I use the P32 with the side clip. I clip it onto my waistband when wearing gym shorts, when I can’t conceal anything bigger. The loaded weight is just light enough to be comfortable carried that way, with nothing but the drawstring on gym shorts holding it up. Anything heavier (like the P380) and it’s going to be too uncomfortable.
It’s also surprisingly shootable. Even though it has nonexistent sights I can still make pretty good aimed hits with it. I painted the front sight white, and that helped a lot.
Although you kid, .380 and down are truly pathetic cartridges. I’m sure some putz can cite a rare example of 380/32acp being lethal, but man… people are setting themselves up for a bad day carrying a weapons that weak.
Agreed. Probably better off with a strong pepper spray.
I have a G43, but find it a little large for my front pocket. You guys talking about G26, Shields, etc must have bigger pocket than I do.
Oh man my wife, who also used to chase terrorist would bounce off the ways if I told her that. Her carry gun is a cZ P07 full house Cajun gunworks.
We were at a social setting and an other guest a male who new nothing of our backgrounds, said something stupid about gunfighting . My wife replied that she hoped nobody was taking him serious because what he just said would get you killed in a gun fight. He got all pissy and wanted to argue our hostess, a friend from back in the day in Israel walked over and asked the guy how many gun fights have you been in ? He replied none . She then turned to my wife and using her nickname from back in the day “little lamb how many gun fights have you been in”? My wife replied are you asking gun fights with bullets going both ways or just how many terrorist I have killed? The hostess then turned back to the guy and told him if either one of them gives you any advice on gun, fighting , terrorism or war, pay attention.
The guy was silent for the rest of the night.
Depends on the pocket and its overall depth.
A G43 definitely fits some pockets, unless your wardrobe consists mainly of skinny jeans and PT panties.
Then again, it helps that I’m built just shy of Sasquatch, so YMMV.
