Best pocket gun

[16thVACav]

S&W 342PD with Big Dot front sight and loaded with Speer Gold Dot +P SB 135 gr.

 

[Backlighting]

My vote, my 638

 

[Gamecock]

Friends don't let friends carry a .380. There are plenty of 9mms the same size.

My favorite pocket carry is a Sig 938, though my 642 isn't far behind.

 

[coachray]

I have a M&P Bodyguard 380 right now and it seems to be a great gun so far.

 

[nodpete]

I was shot through the right hand with a .22 LR pocket gun a couple of years ago, and can assure you it does tend to change your priorities for the rest of the day.

Couldn't agree more. For those that bad-mouth the .380 I'm damn sure they wouldn't want to be shot with one. In fact, I'll bet that they wouldn't feel to good about getting shot by my .22 pellet rifle or even my .177. There are and always will be those that think anything under 50 cal is a mouse gun and that's their prerogative, but I don't want to get shot at all !

 

[mrmike7189]

I used to carry a beretta 25acp for many years...never thought twice about unloading it fast if I had to. 9 rounds of 25acp were better than nothing. I have since upped my caliber to 380acp BG380 no lazer. I feel pretty good about it. It is not a 9mm......but I cannot pocket carry my glock 26!

 

[Moe Mentum]

Pocket carry, i go with Ruger LCP

 

[dogsoldier]

These days it's the S&W 432PD. It's a 6-Shot in .32 H&R Magnum. I picked up two of them at Grabagun last month and they are real honeys. HKS makes speedloaders for them. I keep them stoked with .32 H&R Magnum Hornady Critical Defense. They weigh almost nothing and there is very little recoil. I am surprised these didn't take off better. They are currently out of production. I can also shoot .32 S&W Long and .32 S&W in them. I've heard .32 acp also, but haven't tried them.

Yes. .32ACP, being semi-rimmed, WILL work. Just be careful when extracting so that the smallish rim of the .32ACP doesn't slip off the extractor star and bind your gun up.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I'm all about the mouse guns, so I consider even my 11-oz J-frame too bulky for pocket carry. For me it's the NAA Black Widow, the finest small handgun ever made (IMO).

 

[old tanker]

I am fond of the Colt Pocket Hammerless.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Friends don't let friends carry a .380. There are plenty of 9mms the same size.

My favorite pocket carry is a Sig 938, though my 642 isn't far behind.

Check the latest ballistic tests. The .380 with modern ammo is very close to the 9mm and the guns do weigh less. A .380 XTP at 1000 fps is a very effective round.

 

[625-7]

Have a 1960 ish m37 fitz style, a miserable handful with mikes boot grips. I can easily get on target in fast order with the Seecamp .32 or Govt .380. Think about quick and easy target acquisition, less chance of strays and a few extra rounds on hand. For all those naysayers, I've been stung by yellow jackets and ran like a scared schoolgirl. Anytime a handgun comes out only idiots wait to be stung

 

[dogsoldier]

Have a 1960 ish m37 fitz style, a miserable handful with mikes boot grips. I can easily get on target in fast order with the Seecamp .32 or Govt .380. Think about quick and easy target acquisition, less chance of strays and a few extra rounds on hand. For all those naysayers, I've been stung by yellow jackets and ran like a scared schoolgirl. Anytime a handgun comes out only idiots wait to be stung

Unfortunately, today's world seems to be filled with idiots.

 

[nodpete]

Part of the problem is that today, those idiots that are high on drugs don't even know they've been shot, they just keep moving till they can't.

 

[snubbert]

M&P 340 with 38+P. I don't love pants-pocket carry (not much control over the direction the muzzle points), but will pocket carry if there's no holster option or if the situation calls for having a hand on the gun at all times without giving it away. After owning quite a few modern J frames, the M&P 340 is my only modern one remaining because, while it has its downsides, it fulfills a unique role that so far I've found unmatched by any other gun.

Positives: Super light weight; very durable (can shoot .357 so it's overbuilt for .38+P); DAO; potent caliber; intuitive function; no internal lock on mine; point and shoot simplicity; steel cylinder (I just like that)

Negatives: Possible downsides for maintenance and velocity when shooting .38 from a .357; aesthetics and quality compared to older Smiths (I prefer older Smiths of wood and steel but find them far too heavy for pockets)

Another contender might be the Glock 43 but I haven't carried mine in the pocket yet. I just prefer the revolver.

 

[Gamecock]

Check the latest ballistic tests. The .380 with modern ammo is very close to the 9mm and the guns do weigh less. A .380 XTP at 1000 fps is a very effective round.

Tell me about the forensics of the people shot with the .380XTP. Tell me how many people have been shot with it, and how many stopped.

You completely made it up.

 

[mgb223]

Pocket gun?

 

[ContinentalOp]

Tell me about the forensics of the people shot with the .380XTP. Tell me how many people have been shot with it, and how many stopped.

You completely made it up.

An Alternate Look at Handgun Stopping Power | Buckeye Firearms Association

.380 ACP

# of people shot - 85
# of hits - 150
% of hits that were fatal - 29%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 1.76
% of people who were not incapacitated - 16%
One-shot-stop % - 44%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 76%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 62%

9mm Luger

# of people shot - 456
# of hits - 1121
% of hits that were fatal - 24%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.45
% of people who were not incapacitated - 13%
One-shot-stop % - 34%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 74%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 47%

Note: According to the article, no distinctions were made as to bullet type (FMJ, JHP, etc.).

 

[DevilDog72]

I would think that any gun you have on you when one is needed .... well would be the right one.
That said, I have a hard time with pocket carry of any side arm. I wear Wrangler jeans and they do not have pockets large enough to conceal a small gun completely. That is OK anyway cause my EDC is a snub K frame.

 

[Ron AZ]

Another voter for Kahr P380, in a Recluse OS pocket holster. And here in AZ I have to pocket carry in summer!