A TRUE pocket gun, probably .32 ACP or .380, in the size and weight class of the Seecamp or the newer Ruger LCP or the Kahr P380. That means weight of around 10 oz. and overall length no more than 5"; height under 4" and; no thicker than 1". Unfortunately, non of these guns has a positive safety and only the Seecamp is a true DAO. The closest thing currently available is the Beretta Tomcat .32 with a safety and tilt-up barrel that weighs in at 14.5 oz. and has a terrible reputation for reliability.

I can carry my Taurus Millennium Pro 10+1rnd 45acp in my back jeans pocket with a bandana on top of it.
Taurus makes several smaller versions of the Millennium type pistol
The safety disconnects the firing mechanism and locks the slide. This gun shoots really well with 200gr +P Hornady TAP. The smaller 9mm, 380 and .32 models should do as well I would think
I have seen some Taurus guns that were total POS but I gotta say, the 24/7 variations are pretty good bang for the buck for concealed carry.

The Seecamp, the LCP, and the KelTecs do have a safety -- the ultimate safety, the human brain. Unfortunately, they are often no more reliable than a mechnical safety.

I do not want a mechanical safety on a true pocket pistol. No matter how well-designed, the small size of such a pistol makes it tough sometimes just to get a fast and solid shooting grip, much less to manipulate some tiny switch. I regard a manual safety on such a piece as a design flaw.

There is a version of the Seecamp that has a manual safety-blocks trigger and slide movement. Safety was added to make the pistol California and Massachusetts compliant. More detail on the Seecamp website.

My Tomcat was 100% reliable. I sold it because it was to easy to throw into a pocket and I just didn't trust the .32 round. Had more confidence in a .38 J frame. The autos that are smaller than the Tomcat just didn't have enough to hold onto IMHO. Besides the caliber, the only thing I didn't like about the Beretta was the safety. Always worried that it would get bumped to on safe while in my pocket.

Mountain, first WELCOME!
But, if your carryin' it in your pocket, you may not have enough time to get it from your pocket? A Centennial is a far more practical pocket carry gun? A lemon squeezer being prime example of one having a safety, without the hassle of a thumb lever being involved. And there's never been an auto-loader that could be relied upon, when it's full slide travel has been compromised by it's surroundings.
JOMO?

quote:

That means weight of around 10 oz.

I wouldn't trust anything at that wght....

A few responses:

- The popularity growth of the small, pocket automatic is undeniable, as evidenced by the recent introduction of the Ruger LCP and Kahr P380. If you don't want one, don't get one! What I wished (and want to discuss) are function and features.

- I love the function and features of the Tomcat! However, I bought one a couple of weeks ago and, on the 4th day of ownership and 2nd trip to the range, the trigger linkage broke! It's now at the factory - shipping at my expense!

- The Seecamp also has a magazine safety and is true DAO - hammer comes back with the trigger like a revolver and releases. The Ruger LCP and Kahr P380 (when a round is chambered) both travel in a semi-cocked state - with no safety of any sort.

- I would like to see S&W in this market with a better gun!

I guess my North American Arms 32guardian is basically the Seacamp..true DAO, heavey trigger pull (12-14lbs)..just a bellie puncher.
my wife carries an older colt govt 380...slightly larger than the mustang (yes, same series technically)..it's basically a mini 1911 with thumb flipper safety, etc..but I wouldn't carry it C&L in just a pocket..that safety isn't that stiff and I'd be worried about a misfire...deep cover gun..is a last resort gun and I'm fine with a DAO for that...but to your question if i understand it correctly..check out the old colt mustang series. I believe the smaller colt mustang meets your size, weight, and thinness requirements. I've yet to find another gun that compares.

I'll have to say I trust my kel-tec P-32 totally,it being DAO I have no problem carrying it in my front pocket or hip pocket with one in the pipe and have done so religously for over 3 years,it's the first thing to go in my pocket when i get up in the morning and the last thing to be tucked under my pillow at night,I figure my finger is the best safety to rely on,If your dead set on some type of manual safety If I remember correctly the old Astra Cub in 22short and 25acp had a hammer for singleaction fire and sometype of external safety.I've got a old Bauer 25 acp based on the Baby Browning that has a frame mounted safety that I carry in pocket Ts sometimes you hardly know its there and these little fixed barrel auto are real surprising,I can lay a soda can down on its side with the bottom facing me 20yards and put 6 fmj in the bottom of the can with the itty bitty sights it has,but it shoots straight and to the point of aim.But i guess I'll stay with my DAO Keltec 32.
Equalizer

As "AreB" pointed out Seecamp's do have a manual saftey, if you want to order the "Kalifornia" or "occupied MA" model.

Altho I don't know why. The Seecamp has a long (though smooth) DAO trigger pull that is almost impossible to set off accidentily, Just like a revolver.

Mountaineer;

I believe that the Kahr and Ruger have firing pin block type safetys which are effective. Supposed to block the striker or firing pin unless the trigger is pulled fully to the rear.

All new pistols have to have some form of internal safety which prevents discharge even from a severe drop onto concrete as I recall.

On a gun as compact as you are talking about an external manual safety lever is just an encumberance to concealed carry if large enough to be easily manipulated in a critical situation IMO.

I know I am new to this forum (this will be my 6th post) but, my understanding of this section is as is stated on the main page:

"This Section is for Discussion Regarding: Guns You Wish S&W would Manufacture, or Enhance."

That's what I'm trying to do. I think I understand most of the alternatives that are out there. In my original post, I stated what I wish S&W would make.

BTW, a safety that keeps the gun from firing unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear is not, in my opinion, a safety at all! I call that "pull trigger, go boom!"

I do own (and have for 40 years!) the neatest little Colt .25 Pocket Automatic. It has a very positive frame safety and a magazine safety. Only problem is the .25. If it were duplicated in .32 or .380, I would have one and not be wishing!

Mountain,
While it isn't strictly a "pocket pistol" in sizing, I just saw some info on a new Taurus product. The PT709 Slim. It's a 3" barrel, 9MM single stack 8+1, with a striker operated single action. I DOES have a frame mounted thumb safety. The pix I saw, show it to be a dramatically dehorned pistol, with absolutely zero 90 degree edges, anywhere. Might be worth a look at their web site? MSRP $375

some guy is making a little block that goes behind the trigger of a Glock. when you want to shoot you pop out the little block with your trigger finger. i suppose something of the sort could be made for the ruger or about any small auto. i do recall my freinds dad had a VW beetle that used to kill the battery b/c the brake lights would stay on all the time, he solved it by putting a block under the pedal to hold it up. yes the morning did come when he went sailing down the drive way into a wall (the lights didn't come on though it looked like he was pumping on the brake furiously. i always think of that when i contemplate those blocks. and i have an old scar on my leg where my friend shot me with his crossman bbgun
but the safety was on!! (says him while i bleed)
Regards,
Rich