I would like to have a 38 or .357 for a pocket carry gun for on the street and in the woods. I have it narrowed down to the ruger lcr, smith mp340, and the ruger lcr in .357. I would like to have the .357 capability but at 17 ounces the ruger lcr is going to be heavy when ammo is put in it. Is this too much weight for pocket carry? The smith and wesson is notably lighter however it does cost a heck of a lot! It also has a trigger that isn't a good as the one on the ruger lcr. I also like the regular ruger lcr however it isn't made in .357 and the trigger guard seems to be quite large making the fit in my pocket quite tight.

Also the above pistols seem to have the option of a pinned night sight which is also a big plus for me.

so which do you think would be the best for me?

I don't have any hands on experience with the choices you mentioned but wanted to say that from what
I've read here, and on other forums, acceptable weights for a pocket carry gun is extremely subjective.

I've tried pocket carry with a couple of different revolvers that others have said
"they forget they are even there" only to have it pulling my jacket down on one side.
When I pocket carry I don't like it when my coat, jacket or pants, are being weighed down to the point
of making things feel "out of whack" and the only guns I've been able to do this with are those like the
M642 & M638. This isn't counting my little "pony gun" semi's like the Kel-Tec P32, P3AT or my Baby Browning,
but I don't think any of those could be considered, by any stretch of the imagination, a "pocket rocket."

I've also tried pocket carry with my Glock 33, a model that is
actually nicknamed, "The Pocket Rocket" and it was still too heavy for my liking.

Like I mentioned, this is extremely subjective so you should get a lot of different opinions on the subject.

__________________
Ogy

I agree with Ogy..what works for one person may not for another.I pocket carry a Sub compact 1911 most of the time which would be considered by many to be too heavy.It all depends on what you are comfortable with.

__________________
JR

I wouldn't dismiss a 642/442 loaded with some good modern ammo.

The M&P340 has a tritium front sight and you can also get the same on the LCR from the factory or add it later. I have an LCR 38 with the XS front sight, had a 642 and still have a M&P340 from 2007 or so. I only shoot 38s in it, and it cost $230 more than my LCR.

As for what you can pocket carry, if you've never done it anything will seem too big. It's something you have to get used to. I sometimes pocket carry a Glock 26 and I know alot of people pocket carry 25oz+ handguns so any of your choices are much lighter.

I've owned several pocket semi's and revolvers...I only have one now, the 642 - 1 (no lock.) This airweight revolver really does feel good in my pocket...I still know it's there, but it doesn't drag my pants or anything like that. I have it in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster (looking for better options) and I load it with Hornady Critical Defense .38s.

I have had the LCR in .357, and I like it. I ended up trading mine, not because of any dissatisfaction, but because I needed to bridge the gap on my available cash and a 1911 I wanted. I do plan to buy another one at some point...I carried it in a Mika pocket holster (which I still have) and it carries OK in my pocket. I am more aware of the LCR than the 642, but not overly so. I carried it with the same Hornady Critical Defense ammo I am now using in my 642; I bought the .357 version (and will again) because I wanted the extra weight (3 oz) over the .38 version, and I wanted the extra strength of the .357 model...even though I will only shoot .38s in it. I will probably carry it IWB rather than in the pocket, when I buy one again. If I want to carry in my pocket, I will have my 642.

My pocket rocket is a 340PD loaded with .357 mag Speer Gold Dots 135 grain ammo.

__________________
"Life is short, hunt hard"

I got the LCR in .38 and load it with Buffalo Bore .38+P LSWCHP's. These chrono out of the LCR at 1,017 fps, which is better than some of the .357 short barrel defensive ammo I've seen. And I hate to say this on a S&W board but the trigger on the LCR is phenomenal! I don't like anything that bulky in my front pocket, but I do carry often in a cargo pocket. I wouldn't want the extra weight of the .357 as would probably still carry the BB loads in it.

I pocket carry my 638 snub but it isn't all thing for all conditions.
I also have a 380 auto for the times when I want something but the revolver is just to thick. I think the 38 sp Hornady CD ammo is as stout as you need and can double tap with a gun this light. It is different for all people but for me a good hp round will be all I need as long as I put in my time at the range.
Frank.

+1 on the 642. It is so small and light and easy to throw in my pocket when I'm in a hurry going to Wally World. If I know I'm going to a bad end of town, I'll take my compact 9mm, but I find myself carrying the 642 more often than not. It's loaded with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. Weight is a big issue to me and I usually forget I even have the 642 in my pocket.

With any handgun you choose, the pocket of the pants/shorts is an important consideration. When buying pants/shorts the first thing I check is the pocket depth and size.

__________________
US Army RVN 69-71 (5th SFGA)

Hi:
For street carry or woods carry I want something with more than a five shot, two inch barrel.
Plus I don't like pocket carry for my primary weapon.
I am more concern with stopping the threat than weight and comfort.
Primary in a "Shadow" belt holster and BUG in a pocket holster.
Just Jimmy's opinion. This and five dollars will sometime buy a cup of coffee most places.

M&P 340 or M&P 360......................my .02

__________________
Go big or stay home

I have the 340 Pd and LCR. 357. I can't tell the difference in the pocket or iwb holster. Only way you'll know is comparing them side by side or shooting them. Then you'll like the LCR better. The 340 is a bit smaller in the grip and hides a little better

Some would shun the idea but I drop the 340 in my uniform pants pocket (fits better) but carry the LCR home Two different guns but not enough for me to get wrapped up about. In my hand they shoot to the same place.

Badge54

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

__________________
Badge54

The 442 or 642 is the way to go with 125+p. Good pocket holster is a plus. Light is everything. Pocket drag is a drag!

I carry a 340PD in an Uncle Mikes pocket liner in my front pants pocket. The first 3 chambers are 38+p, the last two are 357. I can't that I forget it is there but it really is manageable for me in either jeans or Dockers. My wife carries a 442 with +Ps. These scandium pocket guns kick like a mule with 357's. That is why the +Ps are in the first 3 chambes (quicker shot recovery) but I have the heavies in reserve. The one time I used the gun to fend off an attacking large dog, though, I never notice the recoil.

__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd

I have a 340PD. Not too bad with .38s, but 158 gr. .357 are really tough on the hands. The 125 grain .357 are manageable.

I wear cargo pants and it ride in the front pocket comfortably in a Safariland pocket holster.

This is a very light gun and carries easily. I am aware of it because of its proximity to my hand--I often put my hands in my front pockets as a matter of my posture.

No one has ever called me on it and I don't think anyone ever will (unless I take up slow dancing with a hot number).

The big down-side is that the gun cost a bloody fortune to buy.

I use a m642-1.

I just posted this in another thread. One of these is my constant companion.

*Always on me is my pocket rocket a Seecamp 380.*

i carry a seecamp .380 also

My pocket heater - not quite a rocket, however..



..and there's no bleeping IL to deal with!

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Everyday I wear BDU shorts or long pants, both of which have roomy front pockets. My EDC gun is a 640-1 .357 magnum. I installed an XS tritium Big Dot front sight on the gun as the only mod. I carry this gun everyday in my right front pocket in an RKBA holster. The gun isn't a lightweight at 23 oz, but the extra weight does help with the recoil form the magnums (125 gr DPX).

What I have found is that a purpose built gun belt is a very important part of successfully carrying a heavier gun in the front pants pocket. It really helps alleviate some of the excess "sagging".

Of the OP's original choices, my vote is the 340PD.

I pocket carry either a 340sc or a 442. The 340sc would be considered a true pocket rocket due to the weight to power ratio with .357 rounds in it. After a recent trip to the range I removed the smooth rosewood boot grips and put Uncle Mikes rubber boot grips on the gun.
I never liked the original Houge monogrips due to the tackiness of the grip and how it seemed to stick on the fabric of the pocket. Not an issue with the Uncle Mikes grips. It's alot less painful than the rosewoods. The 442 with 135gr +P Gold Dots is no slouch either but not nearly as powerful or "pocket rocket" like as the 340sc.

The old S&W 60 in the pocket all day long.

You'll have to make up your own mind. But for me the smallest. Size has always been more importent then weight to my way of thinking when dealing with pocket carry.

I like both brands you mentioned above, you could also consider the Charter Arms revolvers. Made in USA, very cheap $$$, and all day reliable. If you are not concerned with visual appearance, and its just a " tool ' for pocket carry, the Charter might be a viable option. For that matter, you could consider one of thier 44 Special Bulldog Pugs, no problem with questioning do I have enough firepower and not really excessive overkill either LOL, 26

well I guess this debate ended today around two o clock. I walked around a local gun show and looked at several different guns such as lcrs and smith j frames. I saw and mp 340 with no lock for 787 which seemed really high. A few tables down I saw some ruger lcrs in .38 and .357. These seemed really nice however the .357 version seemed quite heavy. I then spotted another smith and wesson 340 mp for 705 with the lock. I don't like the lock but it was a decent deal on the smith. The trigger doesn't seem that great however the gun is light, has a night sight on it, and is chambered for .357. I walked around some more hoping that someone would buy the gun and I wouldn't have to spend money on it. However they never did buy it so I had to.

Back at home I put 20 hornady critical defense .357 125s through it. I was easily hitting soda bottles with it at 15 yards. My chronograph said that I was getting 1080 fps with these loads. How does that compare to a .38 125 grain bullet? I also tried about 20 more handloads with 158 grain bullets. All of the .357 loads were very stout in my opinion so I quit after about 40 .357s and 20 .38s. My right thumb did take some abuse from the slide release on the gun however other than that I am okay.

now I just need a good pocket holster.

79, this might get you started.

Best in-pocket for snubbie

__________________
Ogy

Because of the right thumb issue you mentioned above I've swapped out some of the Cylinder Latches on our carry guns, like on the M638-3 shown below that came with the pointed / angled type.



They didn't bother me as much as they did my wife & every time we shot she would mention the latch hitting her thumb, which prompted her to bail out early during shooting sessions. Now it's all good!

__________________
Ogy

I've been carrying a M60-7 loaded with +P defense rounds for several months now. It's reached the point that I'm used to it and have actually forgot I was carrying more than once. It works for me for commuting and errands around town; it's my BUG when on the road and farm.

__________________
Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

Still carrying my little .22 Mag Black Widow because even a J Frame is bulky and heavy.

I like my 649, always grab it first !

Home - RKBA Holsters

I've been using one of these pocket holsters for over 5 years now. First with a 442, and now a 640-1. Hands down the best pocket holster out there. It actually stays in your pocket, and does not come out with the gun when you draw.

Just thinking of heavier pistols in a pocket.... I can see an advantage to those folks who wear cover-alps, would take the weight off those savvy britches.

Also just made me wonder if that's why some of those youthful types wear their pants halfway off their ***, not hy sheer design, but weighted down by a heavy pistol....

The 340 is next to useless because of its recoil. Target standard 38 special wadcutters is all its good for. I got rid of mine and went to a no lock 442-1 38+P with 125gr.+P hp 38 spec. loads. I lost alot of money on the 340.

I go back and forth between Airweights and standard weight J frames. A model 649-3 in 357 is a favorite though.

Brian

This thread is old but in case anyone reads it in the future I'd like to add my own experiences. I own several Smith J frames, a lightweight model 38 alloy frame version of the 49, a model 36, a model 60 in .357 mag, a 340 M&P and a 340PD, with some duplicates here and there.

First let me say a lot of what any of these guns feels like when firing full power loads or +P loads if very subjective. If you have any desire to know what any of these guns feels like to fire with any particular round, you truly have to experience it for yourself.

One man's punishment is another man's insignificance.

For example, I've read how brutal firing .357 founds in the 340's can be, and while the recoil was stout, I did not have a problem with it and nor did I have a problem with fast follow up shots. It isn't gonna tickle, I can promise that about the recoil, but I didn't find it to be much of a problem.

One mistake people make with J frames, the wrong manner of gripping the gun. Search for Jerry Miculek's way of gripping J frames, it is a game changer, find out for yourself, it really is.

Hope this helps.

I'll put forth that pocket gun, and .357 for woods use are two different things, and don't overlap unless. At least one parameter is very compromised.

380 body guard daily pocket carry, for now

I'll catch heck but I carry a modified Glock 27 (Converted to 357 Sig)=more accurate than a revolver or my 40 S & W.

Kept 28/30 in the head zone of a standard silhouette Sunday at rapid fire at 7 yards (practicing for zombies).

Another 30/30 in the kill zone (8-9-10 rings)