What is your favorite pocket/concealed carry from the 80s-Presents?

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Mitch95

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I was having a discussion with a friend on carry options nowadays and where revolvers fit into that discussion.

We were discussing the commonalities between a good pocket carry whether semi-auto or revolver. He was arguing against the idea of an older model revolver of any make from being useful in todays landscape of higher capacity semi's and modern revolvers. This got me thinking about the potential options back in the day and how they compare against more modern alternatives.

What do you all consider to be your favorite or more preferred model for pocket or concealed carry from the 80s-present lineup?

Do you or would you still carry that model?

If not, why? What is your alternative?
 
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From 1979 to about 4 years ago I carried a 5 shot, 2", 38 spl. J frame of some sort. Started out with a M36, went to a M60 and then to a M60-7 which are all the same basic gun. IMHO the 60-7 is the very best version of the J frame, everything you need and want, nothing you don't.

4 years ago I retired my M60-7 and started totin' a standard model Sig P365. 5 ounces less weight, smaller package - especially the width, way less recoil with powerful loads, 11 rounds onboard (or more if desired depending on the mag) vs 5 in the revolver. The P365 has way better sights (night sights) and is much easier to shoot accurately and quickly. Reloads are way quicker and the pistol is so easy to shoot I practice much more with it.

I still have all my J's but would not carry one for SD anymore unless something happened to my P365. I've got well over 5,000 rounds through the P365 and it still shoots perfectly.
 
I carried a Detonics Combat Master back when 6+1 was considered sufficient. Sold that pistol and bought a Glock 26. Now years later, I bought an unfired Combat Master and fixed the unfired problem. Don't carry it tho. Rather, I carry an Equalizer with a Holosun 407K RDS and an Inforce WML. Different world now.
 
Until 2016 I was comfortable carrying a J-Frame .38 Special Revolver. Then two incidents in about a two week period close to home made me come to the conclusion the snubby wasn‘t enough gun.

Then I upgraded to the SIG P239 9mm. Nine rounds, flat profile, modern ammunition.

After a short period I took another step up to the Beretta 92 which definitely not a pocket gun but is concealable in a Sparks EX IWB Holster. I don’t subscribe to the whole pocket gun fad. By necessity of it’s size alone a true pocket gun loses a a lot of performance from it’s short barrel along with giving up ammunition capacity.

I still have the SIG P239 along with a OWB and IWB holsters. A medical problem has me thinking about dusting it off and carrying it again.
 
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In the 1980s I carried a Charter Arms undercover 38 as that was all I could afford and it was all I had. It was only quasi legal so I had to conceal it from my boss and other personnel as well. And because it was that or nothing, I felt well armed. A little later on I carried a Colt Agent (matte finish model) for the extra shot and accuracy. When I hired on Cleveland Police later, as I was issued a Model 10, I carried a Model 49 bodyguard off duty. After being issued a S&W 5943, and later a Glock, I still carried a variation of a model 49 or 638 off duty. That was the case until the national unpleasantness of the last few years. It has been a Glock 26 mostly (revolver as needed) since then. I did carry other guns on occasion, but these were basically it.
I have always felt that the weapon I carried was only one component in the self defense mindset. Mindset and tactics have carried the day for me over the years far more than weapon selection. The biggest reason I carry A Glock 26 now has more to do with the fact that I just plain shoot it faster and more accurately than a J frame as I age. Even more than that, It takes a lot more effort and time to maintain those skills with a J frame for me.

Skill at arms is far more important than type of arms. My thoughts, anyway.
 
My choice is the Ruger LCP 380 - small and light wins for me.

Just re-watched the Miami Vice 5-year series, and don't see myself in any of those situations anytime soon!

Jack
 
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Although I have been shooting 50+ years, I started carrying about 15 yrs ago. Initially a Sig P238, then a Sig P938, but ultimately sold those for various reasons.
Now I rotate between a BG380, BG38, Airweight 442, Glock 43 and Glock 26 depending season of the year and where I am going to be in the world. I use Remora and Sticky holsters almost exclusively now for conceal carry.
 
The only gun I ever pocket carried with any regularity was a 340SC. It and the pocket holster I had fit just perfectly in the pocket of a jacket I wore a lot in the winter, and that was just the best for laziness. The durability on that thing wasn't there, S&W wouldn't fix it, and I didn't feel like replacing it. Never found anything else of the same weight that I enjoyed, and even the slightly heavier LCR or substantially heavier steel j frames made the jacket sag.

For the last few years I've just been carrying a P365XL when I choose to carry. I can carry it just as well in the same clothes as I could carry a J frame, I get usable sights (and the dot option, though I played around with that and am not quite into it for something carried IWB), the ability to mount a light, 13 rounds of 9mm, and a pistol that shoots substantially better than the J frames.
 
For pocket carry, I still favor some flavor of lightweight J-frame despite it's limitations.

They just slip in out and out of a pocket easily and reliability, if the gun is well maintained, it pretty much assured.

I've dabbled with various. 380s and small 9mms, but for pocket carry have always found my way back to J-frames.

Of course if I'm carrying on my belt, the calculation is different.
 
The last few years I have become very fond of the Springfield EMP 9mm. It fits my hand beautifully. I carry typically in a OWB strong side holster. On occasion I still pack a snub-nose revolver, typically in the same carry position. Usually a Colt DS (fits my hand better than the J-smith) or sometimes a really old school M&P 2" .38 special.
 
That’s a fun subject, but these days I really can’t say I participate as much as I used to. The old days more or less started with a Commander, “progressed” a bit to the 3913 and 4040PD, then later a Shield 9mm (VERY briefly), and now I’d rely on a P365. Along the way, I’ve experimented briefly with an Officer’s ACP LW, did not like; 36/37/442/340PD, ok, in certain circumstances; and a PPK, also not my cup of tea. The 365 is hands down my pick of the whole mess, and I don’t expect that to change while I’m breathing.

I don’t usually carry a loaded handgun in a pants pocket. By far my most common method is a belt slide at the 4 o’clock location.
 
649-2 with Crimson Trace Laser stocks in a variety of holsters depending on the type of pants I have on. Being almost 82 I no longer go into the city unless there is a special need and usually stay home at nights. The J Frame is adequate for my needs.
 
kAHR p9 in an IWB and a spare 8 round mag in a pocket carrier. 124gr Speer GDs +P. Very accurate, very flat 8 rounds always ready with an extra 8 in offside pocket.

If I'm lazy a 442-1 with Winchester PDX 130 grain.
 
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