Shopping for a pocket pistol for summer (shorts and t shirt), please offer suggestions and why. I really want an M&P Shield, pocketable? I know a lot of options out there just wanted the forums suggestions. Thx
I’m not a fan of 380’s but I have a S&W Bodyguard 380 just for shorts & t-shirt weather. Trigger is stiff & it conceals very well with light clothing. I found myself not carrying because my 40 would print so much. I figured a 380 is better than nothing at all. Still waiting on a Shield though.
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The shield is a little larger than I would like to have for pocket carry.
I pocket carry an LCP and also an Smith J frame airweight.
I do have a 9mm Shield. It is about perfect for IWB.
I prefer a S&W BG38 loaded with Speer Gold Dot +P 135g JHP. It’s light weight and reliable. It is the most accurate J Frame I have owned. I never was a fan of laser sights, but the one on my BG38 has swayed my opinion. If you don’t like the laser you can remove it. A Speed Strip with extra ammunition is easy to conceal.
I had a Keltec PF9 and it was awesome for pocket carry but not that awesome in reliability and not all that easy to shoot. I traded it in for a Beretta Nano that has been stellar in reliability but is a little heavy for pocket carry although I do it no problem in the summer with cargo shorts. The shield is also an awesome gun but it is bigger than most of the small nines. I looked at it but I figured there was not that much to gain compared to a GLOCK 19 which I have. I think if you are an M&Ps guy the shield is a great gun but for me it would be to big for pocket carry - YMMV.
I pocket carry J-frames and subcompact Glocks (26/27) in shorts and tee shirts. A shield would work for most folks, depending on size and fit of the shorts. There is little reason to go to smaller guns than these, but much to lose.
Also… Several multi-page threads on pocket carry, search term “pocket carry” with thread titles only:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=118469
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=54888
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=27708
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=21120
Just bought a Sig P938 AG yesterday for pocket carry. Its a great gun if you like 1911’s and it is also extremely small for a 9mm. I think the size is similar to the Kahr Pm9. I was very picky about choosing a pocket gun especially since many of them have horrible triggers. Despite the trigger being heavier than a standard 1911, the P938 is still very manageable and I was able to get some excellent groups while shooting rapid fire at about 15 feet. Follow up shots seemed really easy with the low bore axis and the excellent combat sights. Also with the grip extension, I found this gun to be very comfortable in the hand.
Sure the gun is expensive but it is an all metal gun that comes stock with siglite night sights and it helps that the p938 is the best looking pocket pistol IMO 
I’m not a pocket carry kind of guy (against it really) but I would think a smoothed out, hammerless J-Frame the best option out there.
I recently bought a Kahr CM9 to fill this role. Only have 150 rounds through it so far, but hasn’t malfunctioned so far. Still need’s several hundred rounds before i’ll carry it, luckily we still have a ton of snow and 20 degree weather.
There is little Ruger love on M4Carbine but my LC9 with the Galloway Precision trigger connector and hammer is reliable, very shootable, and a very easy gun to pocket carry. I have one in my cargo pocket now and hardly notice it.
Galloway will only modify the customer’s hammer and trigger connector now since Ruger stopped selling them parts.
When Glock gives us a slim, 9 mm single stack, I will go with that.
My smaller pistols/handguns are a Smith & Wesson 380 Bodyguard, a Glock G26 9mm and Smith & Wesson M60 3" 357 Mag. I prefer my G26 then my M60. However, I carry the BG 380 when concealing is harder like the summer ect.
Mine BG 380 has the laser built into it. I think they all do. It’s nice at night. Never used during the day. My wife and others that have shot my BG 380 don’t like the trigger pull it has. It’s never bothered me. I can get along with most trigger systems, YMMV.
Good luck, NYH1.
I would carry my shield in my Crossbreed in the the TX heat. Perfect little gun for summer carry IMO. It’s too big, however, for pocket carry.
The 340PD is the pinnacle of pocket gun development.
I’ve tried it all and believe me, the no fuss J-frame is the answer.
They are convenient, and I have several, but capacity and no quick reloading keeps mine in my safe.
Quick reloading of a J-Frame is just a matter of practice.
A PPS would fit the bill wouldn’t it?
Correct, but not as fast or with the capacity of a magazine reload unless you are Jerry Miculek running moon clips.
the shield is not a straight up pocket gun (19 oz a bit much for that) BUT I have carried it in the pocket and am not uncomfortable doing so, but I prefer it in a holster OWB or IWB when I can
S&W J Frame Airweight.