Best pocket pistol ever made
- Thread starter english
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Walther PPK series. Very fine.
gregintenn
Member
Another vote for the 51 Remington! It points like an extension of your hand, and feel way too thin to chamber a 380 ACP round. They were also made in 32 ACP.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Star patterned their Model S and Super S grips after the Remington, and they had the advantage of an external hammer. I think the .380 version also had a locked breech, like the Colt .45. Super S may have used a Browning M-35 system. Don't recall.
I do know the guns feel very good in the hand.
They had a smaller one called the DK, I think. Iver Johnson copied it here.
I guess that someone needs to mention that Gen. Patton owned a Remington M-51, and went to some lengths to get it. He liked the feel of the gun.
My feeling is that, of the small autos, the Berettas are the most reliable.
I do know the guns feel very good in the hand.
They had a smaller one called the DK, I think. Iver Johnson copied it here.
I guess that someone needs to mention that Gen. Patton owned a Remington M-51, and went to some lengths to get it. He liked the feel of the gun.
My feeling is that, of the small autos, the Berettas are the most reliable.
The Remington and several other guns are by all means great guns but IMO do not fall under the category of a "pocket" pistol.
Here is a great comparison chart.
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf
Here is a great comparison chart.
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf
mc5aw
Member
+1 Rule 303 ... I'll take any Centennial over anything else considered suitable for "pocket" carry.
For those who are interested, perhaps the most thorough article ever written about the Remington 51 was in the 1979 edition of Gun Digest. I own a Remington 51, Colt 1903, Colt 1908 and did own a Browning 1910. All of these are top notch guns. The Remington is the most natural pointing handgun I have ever owned and it is a pleasure to shoot. Pedersen seemed to have a knack to make things complicated, but the precision is a sight to behold. (Take a look at the Remington 141 pump gun too.) I also really like the Colts and I'd give the nod to them for a pleasing design and they are good shooters as well. I did not like the Browning 1910 because of its sharp recoil and I didn't particularly like the looks of it. I thought I needed it because it was the pistol that started WWI. Turns out, I didn't really need it. One more thing of interest: Remington made a scaled up version of the 51 in .45ACP. This was the Model 53 which was intended for military use. That didn't happen and only one was made. It now resides in the Remington museum.
Walter Rego
Member
The term "pocket pistol" was coined when men had bigger pockets, with the exception of the cargo shorts or pants that are common today. And it usually meant a coat or even overcoat pocket. I love J frames but it's hard to beat an autoloader that is only 1" thick for concealability.
The 51 was certainly one of the finest pistols of it's day. Reportedly a great deal of effort was expended to make it a good fit for as many hands as possible. It does seem to point better than any of it's contemporaries (or many newer ones for that matter). I like it but the Colt had such a head start it never approached it in sales. The Savage with it's higher mag capacity also had a greater popularity. Pockets were bigger in those days, all three would probably be considered belt models today. I like all three but generally shoot the Colts more, simple to maintain and easier to fix if something breaks (based largely on my weakness for buying old, well used (broken) guns and putting them back in service).
Colt Mustang Pocketlite 380. Only 380 pocket gun light enough to actually carry in a pocket. I've been carrying mine in the front pocket of my jeans every summer for about 20 years. I am thinking of retiring it and getting one of the new Sigs to replace it.
That is really neat. Thanks for showing us your pistol and congratulations on finding it. I had forgotten John's threads, so it was nice to read those again, too.
If anyone has both, how does the 51 compare with the 1910 for reliability? I have always been curious about that.
Some years ago when I was on the prowl for a 51 in nice condition, I happened on to an absolutely pristine Browning 1910, which I bought and fiddled around with for a while. I still have it, but I never did find a Remington. I see them now and then, usually at considerable prices, and sometimes not in such nice condition. I may yet run into a good one.
If anyone has both, how does the 51 compare with the 1910 for reliability? I have always been curious about that.
Some years ago when I was on the prowl for a 51 in nice condition, I happened on to an absolutely pristine Browning 1910, which I bought and fiddled around with for a while. I still have it, but I never did find a Remington. I see them now and then, usually at considerable prices, and sometimes not in such nice condition. I may yet run into a good one.
As I stated earlier, I own a 51 and have owned a 1910. If properly maintained, I suspect both would perform well indefinitely. Having said that, the 1910 is a striker fired, straight blowback action and is much simpler than the 51. The 51 is a locked breach, delayed blowback with an internal hammer like the 1903/1908 Colts. The breach locking mechanism is unique and fairly complicated. I personally rate the 51 far above the 1910 in desirablilty, but the 1910 might be more reliable because of its simplicity.
Walter Rego
Member
Here's a couple of classic .380 pocket pistols that coincidentally were both manufactured in 1923
AirCommando
US Veteran
I kind of like the Ortgies. From Germany. Have several of them. They have no screws and come apart without tools. I think ahead of their time, the early 20's. Always came in first in shooting competition then.
Enframe
Member
I agree. The P238's are basically the Mustang, with some cosmetic differences that make them 'Sigs'. They are accurate at gunfight range, and fit in jean pockets in a DeSantis Superfly holster very well. Times change. Modern designs really can be better than the earlier ones, in some cases.
Enframe
Member
I guess I should say that I do like a nickel RB 36, if we are talking revolvers.
I kind of like the Ortgies. From Germany. Have several of them. They have no screws and come apart without tools. I think ahead of their time, the early 20's. Always came in first in shooting competition then.
I have never handled/shot one of those, but I can say, that the Germans most always make great guns.
I still like the Browning 1910.
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