I have my carry guns - M&P 9c and Kimber Pro Aegis II. I am looking for something to carry when I'm unable to carry one of these two.

I already have a 642, and find it they are too bulky for tuckable holsters when worn IWB on my frame, and print quite a bit in my pocket. I'm heavily considering a .380 pocket pistol...

Kel Tec P3AT
Ruger LCR
S&W Bodyguard 380

I'd really like a Sig P938 (9mm) Because I loved shooting one, but it kept having feed issues. I have been constantly hearing about reliability issues with this, and have a hard time spending $700+ on a pocket gun that I won't carry that often.

Any advise welcome. Thanks.

Kahr CW, P or PM 9, 40, 45

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I realize the 380 have limitations, that said, hard to beat the LCP for easy, deep concealment carry.

I have a CW9 that I'm getting rid of it. I love carrying it but I can't shoot it well and as smooth as the trigger is I really dont like that it doesnt stack or have a crisp break. The concealability of the CW9 over the M&P 9c is so marginal that its not worth it.

I recommend the BG380. I have had one for a couple of years and it has been easy to conceal for me. It has also been accurate at 7 yards and works very well - no issues to speak of outside of the laser. S&W promptly replaced the laser unit, and I haven't had any trouble with the replacement laser. I don't expect to ever be able to use the laser in a self defense situation, but it is useful for dry fire practice with snap caps.

Although I prefer the simplicity of a J frame for deep CC, my
Sig P238 has been nothing but reliable for me.

Just a few hiccups during the break in period of a couple hundred rounds, but nothing since.

Shoots great. Super small and flat. No printing when tucked in my Desantis P6 pocket holster. The P6 safely covers the trigger, and stays put in the pocket when drawing.

Back to the J frame and pants pocket carry, I have the least amount of printing when using my Safariland 25-01, compared to the other J frame pocket holsters I've tried.

Plus, reholstering into the 25-01 is a breeze.

Other than a J-frame Centennial, from my experience the best deep concealment gun is a Seecamp. The .380 will bite harder than the .32, but it is basically handmade and will become invisible on your person. ~$500.

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I'm with the banned ...

I too think you ought to take another look at a J-frame.

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- Change it back -

I agree with Mc5aw on the Seecamp. I've got one in .32ACP and often carry it as a BUG to one of my J-frames. It's truly a niche gun, but there really is no excuse not to be carrying it with you. It is a quality piece, I think it only has 4 moving parts. There is no safety, just a long DA pull - much like a DA revolver.

Regards,

Dave

I'm theory the j frame is great. I have a 642 but it has limitations. Only 5 rounds with slow reload, I'm not as proficient with it, I do not like the super heavy trigger, the sights are awful, concealing it iwb only works un tucked due to cylinder width,and I often have to tuck at work, and it only works in a couple pants pockets as I'm of a relatively small stature. Hence why I'm looking for a slim deep concealment. The j frame does have its advantages but I'm looking for something else. Thanks for the tips keep them coming!

Perhaps its not the gun so much as how you carry it. Instead of a tuckable IWB, have you considered a smartcarry or belly band? I find, too, that the type of pocket holster makes a big difference for pocket carry - I like those floppy Uncle Mikes, but the more rigid ones have their place, too.

I hear what you say about the heavy trigger and slow reload. I prefer the humpback bodyguard type - 38, 49, 638 models - that allow a single-action option. Speedstrips or speedloaders will get the reload speed up close to that of a semiauto.

Everything is a tradeoff and depends on the mission and threat.

My Keltec P32 fills the bill for me when deep concealment is needed. For some strange reason has been 100% reliable while the same gun in .380 was nothing but trouble. BTW I load only FMJ in the .32.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

The heavy trigger can be easily rectified with a low cost replacement spring job. S&W lightened up a 640 I had a while back and it went from "heavy" to "hair trigger". Reloading is something that comes with practice ... using a speed strip can be as fast or faster that going for a second magazine. As for the sights, you're in the point shooting realm with deep concealment, so any minimalist handgun is going to be sighted for CQC. The flattest profile for deep concealment will come with a semi like the Seecamp, but you can configure a lightweight J-frame with boot grips and a shrouded/bobbed hammer to be a phenomenal inviso gun. If you visit the Seecamp web page, you can view a size comparison chart of various small handguns.

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I'm with the banned ...

Somebody before me mentioned the belly band. That and a Kahr PM40 every day in a shirt and tie w/Dockers or "business casual" and no one is any the wiser. Oh yea, and a spare mag in my pocket.

As to the OP's original question: go with the Bodyguard 380. Great little carry pistol, whether on the belt or in the pocket.

I carried a 442 in a pocket holster for a long time. Nice gun, safe trigger but hard to hit the 8" circle at 20 yards.

I carry a shield iwb with jeans and jacket. Cargo shorts have bigger pockets so i can go back to pocket carry with the shield but i usually still carry iwb in summer with shirt untucked or button up shirt over it. I usually tuck the t shirt into the belt clip to keep it covered if my shirt raises up.

Carry what you can shoot well and shoot safely.

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MP40 442 SHIELD9 SHIELD40 MP22

I was very happy with my KelTec P32 until I fired it over my Chrony. It disappeared in my back pocket and was accurate to about 15 yards with the rudimentary sights. But even with "premium" ammunition, the energy figures were pitiful. My brother's P3AT was much better power-wise, but we both swapped them out for .38/.357's.

I currently pocket carry my Model 37 when in uniform. Off duty I've been carrying it crossdraw in a Don Hume JIT (off-shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis/bursitis) with or without my Model 13-3 in a Bucheimer "Concealer" strongside. A loose pullover sweater or light jacket or heavier conceals them both. If it gets too hot, I can open carry or drop the Model 37 in my front pants pocket. (Just don't wear your jeans tight!)

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Have you considered a Kimber Solo? I personally shy away from .380's, but have no hesitation over carrying a 9mm hydra shock. ergonomically speaking, it feels alot like a 1911, so it won't be anything switching over from your Kimber. It's light and small as hell too

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Just the opinion of a kid

SW Shield in 9mm is my general "summer" carry.

SW BG .380 is a great gun when the Shield doesn't do it.

Even with the limitations of the .380 caliber, with the right S/D ammo is far better than not carrying. IMHO

As the old saying goes, no matter the caliber "Only hits count."

I don't think you'll regret either of these.
Best of luck!!

Bought a Ruger LC9. Love it. Small size really lets me carry it every day, all day.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ- COME AND TAKE IT!

You have to assume you're going to need it some day, so the more thump the better. A pocket sized .38 stings as much as a 3" .44 magnum, maybe more. A pocket-sized pistol in 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP has twice the power of a .38, 3x the power of a .380, and less recoil due to the delayed lockup action.

With the right pistol, you'll find the belt gun becomes your backup, and the pocket pistol is your EDC. I recommend the Springfield XDs (.45 ACP). It's a little larger than the Kahr PMxx, but less fussy about ammo and easier to operate and clear.

I have had a KelTec in .32 since before they became available in .380. Very dependable little gun, very easy to conceal, surprisingly easy to hit with considering what it is. Mine feeds hollow points fine. I tried several brands but settled on Winchester Silvertips because they also worked well in my wife's Walter PP.

I have carried it when clothing choices make nothing else reasonably possible (swimsuit at the beach when I wasn't going to go swimming unless one of the kids went under) and as a back up gun.While I prefer more gun, it beats the heck out of looking around for a rock to pick up.

I have the same issues as you do. I love my 642, but I bought an LCP because my work khakis won't conceal it with my tucked in shirt. I HATE a tuckable holster, and don't want a j frame IWB anyway. The work pants' pockets are WAY too shallow to hide a j frame, so the LCP really fits the bill. I use mine with a Blackhawk! size 1 holster, since they are American made, instead of Vietnamese like Uncle Mike's, and a Hogue Hybrid grip sleeve that fits all the way up the backstrap. PERFECT for my work clothes.

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MARK

If I had to go smaller than a J-frame, I personally tend to favor a Beretta 21A in .22LR. On the flip side, those pistols don't have extractors, so if they get dirty, a casing or a dud may not come free. Of the .380s you mentioned, I would go for the Ruger LCP. I have fired one out to 25 yards, and you can hit a torso sized target somewhat accurately if you have to (fundamentals must be applied). I don't know much about the S&W Bodyguard .380, other than its a little bigger than the others. I have handled the little Sigs, both 238 and 290, and would not have a problem with either, but the LCP is smaller and easier to shoot than the Keltec.

Regarding the reports of poor reliability of any of the little bitty pistols, I recommend that anyone wanting to carry one needs to properly break one in. We've gotten spoiled with Sigs, Glocks, M&Ps, etc that tend to exhibit what seems to be 100 percent reliability out of the box. We tend to forget the sages who still recommed that any new pistol should digest at least 300 rounds without a hicup, and that includes factory loaded hollow point defensive ammunition. I would have to say that it also applies to the little 9s and .380s. Pick up a new pistol, wipe it down and lube it properly with a quality synthetic lube, then go to the range. I know its hard to swallow the cost of 300-400 factory rounds to break in a pistol (or even find 300-400 rounds of your caliber in some areas at the moment), but its worth it to have a pistol that you know will function properly.