Hello everyone. I am a new gun owner and my first purchase was a SD40VE which I really enjoy. The only problem is it is a tad to big for pocket carrying so I was wondering what my next purchase should be. I would like to stay with a .40 but would be open for a .38 and price is probably my biggest factor.

Thanks for any and all help.
Jeff

These days, most of my carry is a Smith 36 in my own pocket holster. Works just fine for me.

CMORT's M36 suggestion is hard to beat - I carried one for 30 years, usually on my ankle.

Then, a few years ago I found a 638 and fell in love - or so I thought until I fired it. Half the weight, no snag hammer, SA/DA, and no worries about rust. Unfortunately, it is the most unpleasant handgun I've ever fired. Not the recoil, its the sting that I dislike.

I finally figured out that the M36 goes to the range for proficiency and the 638 goes in my pocket or IWB knowing that I'll never notice the sting if it is needed. All is well and my pants stay up much better than when I have something heavier in my pocket.

There is no best when it comes to pocket carry only what works for you. Depending on the pockets, an airweight S&W, particularly the 642/442 are a great choice. Enclosed hammer so no snag, no dust.

Another option are the pocket 9mm's that a number of manufacturers are offering like Sig, Kahr, Ruger, etc.

However, for me, I don't feel the need to carry a lot of firepower and have been carrying a Ruger LCP .380 loaded with 7 rounds of Speer Gold Dot in either a Mika or Bear Creek front pocket holster.

I also have a 442 and Kahr PM9 that I occasionally pocket carry.

Get a good used .38 Special J-frame--.357 Magnum in a snubby is definitely not for most people, me included--and you'll be well protected with a gun that's as near 100% reliable as you can get. I like the concealed-hammer Centennial series, 640 (my EDC), 442, 642, etc.), which won't snag coming out of the pocket or trap lint and bumf in the action. A good pocket holster and +P ammo and you're good to go.

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Oh well, what the hell.

a j frame 640 concealed hammer for reliability, less dust, being able to shoot thru a pocket without drawing, snag free in 38 spcl, with todays better ammo at less than 20' is fine imo and less recoil will give faster/more accurate follow ups, it's worth not having the couple extra rounds.

Model 49 or the lightweight or stainless versions. Good for pants pocket carry and you can fire it from inside a jacket pocket if you must. Hammer is able to be cocked too.

I have a 442 in a pocket holster I like a lot, I used to carry a 432, but my wife pilfered it from me..lol. That's fine, she carries it in her purse and it can be shot without removing it.

Any good J frame in .38 spl. will do the job, and many of those recommended here are excellent choices. The lighter models seem to get carried more often but try them out (rent/shoot) if you can before choosing.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

A Kahr CM9.

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Very interesting...

I agree with CSG...there is no BEST,only what's best for YOU.
J frames are nice, but if you look into semi-autos I would suggest the S&W Bodyguard. Mine fits into ANY pocket I have with a Galico holster and most of the time I don't even know its there.
It's proven to me to be reliable, and shoots any ammo I feed it.

After many years of trying this, trying that and everything in between...The hands down winner is any airweight J frame in 38 special. Light weight 357 magnums are way too much of a good thing.
I have tried every handgun the experts touted as beining the best and the truth is a S&W model 317 in 38 special is what gets picked up and put in my pocket when I go out the door. Why? Because it just right for the job, it works , it's light and compact. No slide, magazine or safety to be concerned about. Any ammo that goes into the cylinder will shoot. No failure to feed , failure to fire or failure to eject. My only modification was to trim the hammer spur a little and add walnut boot grips. That's it.

Gary

I have owned most every small pistol suitable for carry. You mentioned the cost issue. Currently, my always in the pocket gun, is a Keltec P-32 or P-3AT. For more formal carry it's a Keltec PF-9 or Kahr CW-9. The little Keltecs are reliable and inexpensive. Worth considering.

I generally pocket carry a Shield 40 in a Desantis pocket holster. I have also pocket carried my M&P40C in the same holster. Its comfortable & doesn't print too bad.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

My 442 goes with me either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade holsters.

The best pocket carry I've come across is the BG380 or Ruger LCP (owned both, sold the latter) or the others like them. Super thin and a bit shorter than my 642 or Shield .40.

Depending on the pants, my 642's grip will juuuust barely peek out of the pocket. Plus the cylinder is so thick it can look like you have a hamburger in your pocket (if you're carrying it in a holster).

I love my 642, just not always for pocket carry. Actually it doesn't get much PANTS pocket carry time. Coat pocket in the other hand....

The BG380 works very, very well. Obviously it has the size advantage. When you're talking about pocket carry, size is usually the major factor.

Just my opinions. I'm not a huge pocket carry guy to begin with, IWN appendix is my preference.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Good advice. A J frame, even an M36 is not an easy gun to shoot. I never had any trouble with the weight of an M60 or M36, but before you buy one of the light weight models, I'd definitely have a go at the range with one. The recoil on a little J frame can be pretty stiff if you are used to bigger guns, and the light weight ones only add to that and make them more difficult to control. They are very popular, though.

A J frame .38 is one of the all time favorite carry guns for good reason. They hide really easily and pack a sufficient punch. I've probably carried a J frame more than anything, because I could always find a way to conceal it.

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Peter
S&WCA #2620

When I pocket carry it's a 642 in a Mika holster. I keep lots of stuff in my pockets (cell phone, keys, Knife, etc). So I don't carry this way often. But when it's the only way, I'll do it.

The Ruger LCR 38 fits nicely in a pocket. Great trigger too.

Thanks to everyone for your great help.I am going to rent a J frame and a Shield and a LCP at my local range and see which I like the best.

Jeff

Everyone needs at least ONE jframe dont they?

anyone pocket carry a shield? Like everyone else I'm fiending for one but still cant find them around here.

That seems like a pretty big gun to pocket carry... unless you dress like Wyatt Earp.

I'm thinking that something like an LC9 or Kahr is going to be at the upper boundary, size wise, for reasonable pocket carry of a 9x19mm (or bigger caliber) handgun.

Here are some... outstanding.. cell phone pics comparing the BG380, 642, and Shield .40:

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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368996025.551051.jpg
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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368996065.037127.jpg


(Sent via iPhone)

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- The Federalist #46 -

With the right pants it's possible. It's close-ish in size the the J frame, and thinner than the cylinder.


(Sent via iPhone)

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- The Federalist #46 -

I rented a .40 cal Shield last week and put fifty rounds through it.
They didn't have any for sale, so my plan was to get a feel for it and keep looking for one to buy. Turns out that it's a little to snappy for me, and a little to large for pocket carry. Being 6'-3" and 200lb's that's saying something. I chose instead to buy a Glock 23 Gen 4 that they DID have for sale. Shoots like a dream. Still planning to get a 9mm Shield though...when I can find one. My edc is a Bodyguard. Darn thing goes with me everywhere - even to church, in Detroit.

I've found that the Shield can be less bulky than a J Frame (I can hear the accusations blasphemy now! )

Like you said, it's thinner but close to the same size. The biggest difference is the length of the slide creating a longer straight line, but that adds to the wallet look IMO

My normal pocket carry is currently a Sig p238 .380....(insert your moaning here) i know it's only a .380, but i fits so nice in the pocket. I'm getting older by the minute and haven't started shrinking yet. I'm 6-6, 245. just picked up a Shield 40 last week and tried it in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.. It's a little bulky to say the least. People seeing it must say.. He's either got a gun, or a really good book he can't put down. I'll try it for a while, or save it for colder weather when i wear a jacket.

For the pocket, it is usually either a Taurus 738 .380 Auto or a Taurus 856 HyLite magnesium 6 round .38 Special. My S&W samples are holster material.

Unfortunately, you won't know which one you like best until you carry them for a while. That's really more important than what you're likely to discover at the range. They're not really made to shoot comfortably or as accurately as a 4 or 6". They're made to carry concealed all the time and to shoot reliably and accurately enough, usually up close and personal-like.

I have been pocket carrying a 40 Shield for 6 months now in a BlackHawk #4 pocket holster. I am 6-1, and 240 pounds and wear carpenter jeans most of the time so the pocket carry works great.

You must be carrying it in a "cargo pants" pocket?

my EDC is glock 19 in an IWB, but i also ALWAYS pocket carry my LCP, I was hoping I could get away with pocket carrying a 9mm shield so I could ditch the 380 even though it is a BUG

Once again, we're all seeing there just isn't a universally accepted "perfect CC firearm" for everyone.... Too big -- too small -- too thick --- too long -- too underpowered -- too much recoil. All seem to have obvious "pro"s" and serious "con's"

Depending on what I'm wearing and the weather I have four firearms I commonly select from to carry concealed. A Shield 9mm, a S&W 66-1, a Ruger LCP 380 and a Springfield XDs 45.

Rather than look for a compromise that's "all things to all people" I'd rather adapt my firepower to my current clothing/potential threat situation. Looking for something that can be hidden in a "Speedo" at the beach seems futile to me.

My recommendation would be to choose what you shoot well and you're confident in. There are many holster solutions that can adapt almost any handgun for reasonable concealed carry...

JMHO....

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Terry

I find carrying a Ruger LCP in a wallet holster in the hip pocket of my Levis works well for me .....

Wow! A G19 with a Shield BUG??? That's a little overkill isn't it? LOL

I like to carry my Shield 9 in the "covert" pocket behind the normal front pocket a pair of 5.11 covert cargo pants - Casual Cargo Pants ? Covert Cargo Pockets | 5.11 Tactical. A DeSantis Nemesis holster breaks up the pattern nicely. I can't do that all the time but it is my preferred carry.

Pocket carry?? A good DAO pocket .380 like Kahr, Sig, or S&W.

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John

EDC is usually a 2" 36 or 60 A-IWB, sometimes an LCP in a pocket holster. The 38 is a lot more gun, but occasionally the 380 just fits the situation better.

642 here...AND...a Sig P238....if I woulda seen the Sig P938 9mm first would have bought it instead. Same size. Wallet holster.

442-1 in either my mika pocket holster or remora iwb/pocket holster, with a couple speed strips of +p ammo..

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442-1 SR9C J-22 HAWK 982

Tough to beat the pocket .380s for thin and light weight. Carry it as you would a wallet.



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Kahr pm 9 with crimson trace lazerguard. It fits right in the back pocket and doesn't pull my pants down haha

IB

For summer, Seecamp LWS .32 in a Delfatti alligator pocket holster! Made like a swiss watch and as small as it gets. Just picked up a new 649 though and once the cool weather sets in, this will be my daily go to!

I currently carry a Springfield XDs 45ACP in a Blackhawk #4 pocket holster in a front pocket, when I'm in the city. It works for me.

go with a 640 Pro 357 now or 38 if you like lighter loads , IMO

Taurus TCP .380 when I don't have my Sig P290 (9mm) with me. Size is very similiar between them except the Sig is a little wider.

I like the Taurus better than the Ruger LCP.

That's the same set up I carry. 19 in a crossbreed and a Shield in a Remora

For pocket carry I like the Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Sp. Packs a punch, very light weight and highly concealable. For me, 9mm and 380's are too anemic.

I wear cargo pants and cargo shorts. I'm comfortable with my 9mm M&P Shield in a Blackhawk #4 pocket holster in my right front pocket.