Is there such a thing as a 9mm pocket pistol

samwood said:
My Sig P938 fits into my pockets without a problem and only weighs a pound.
Click to expand...

If it only weighs a pound, it won't do you much good. :)

Either that, or yours is the special Unobtainium edition. My P938 weighs 17.2 Oz empty, 21 Oz with 6+1 on board.

My PF9 weighs 18.1 Oz with 7+1, but it's a bit larger in overall size.

These are the largest pistols I'd want to pocket carry. Yeah, the Shield fits some of my pants, but drawing it out fluidly is a challenge in peace time, much less in a panic mode. Even the PF9 can snag coming out of some pocket. Realistically, my BG380 is the real fit-any-pants go-anywhere pocket pistol..
 
In a S&W forum, asking for a good pocket carry choice and it took 9 replies before a Shield was suggested. Says a lot about why it is not a top choice, or even a choice at all. After 43 posts, only 5 people suggested the Shield for pocket carry in the #1 Shield forum.

Since they first became available, bought the Shield 40 as a pocket carry, but as others stated, it can be uncomfortable to pocket carry. Instead, now usually end up pocket carrying a Sig P238, which replaced a poor BG380. The Sig is a much better choice for pocket carry, and the 9mm P938 is supposed to be similar in size to P238. Florida cargo short wearing 90% of the year, which was rarely the case before pocket carry. The pocket carry Shield changed the way I now have to dress.

The problem with pocket carry of shield is the weight and size flopping around on you. Quick jog for a moment and you might as well be a braless man with DDD's. Sitting in tight car seating and it starts off flat on top of your leg, then ends up trying to wedge itself between you and what ever is on your side. Can become very uncomfortable. Seems I am always having to adjust the position in pocket (with pocket holster). After 2 years of trying hard to like pocket carrying of Shield, pretty much gave up on Shield, and mostly use the Sig instead. Shield now mostly relegated to IWB. Looks like a P938 will soon be in my pocket, as I too hate IWB. Currently testing an XDs, and while it seems to also be too big for pocket carry, if I had to choose between the XDs or the Shield in my pocket, leaning towards the XDs at this time.
 
Last edited:
g8rb8 said:
Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: It depends.

How big are you and how big are your pockets and what can you tolerate in your pocket?

There's probably a little subjectivity here.

S&W 940
Beretta Nano
Kahr CM9 or PM9
Ruger LC9
Double Tap derringer
Cobra derringer
Sig Sauer P938
Kel-Tec
Diamond Back
Click to expand...

Lets not forget the SCCY.........similar to the KelTec but, has a more comfortable grip and a lighter trigger pull.
 
I suppose that a lawyer may need to dress up a bit more, and I can imagine nothing sexier than a shoulder rig under an Armani suit. And maybe a fedora, or a shantung panama...:cool:

"...Like a fox circling a henhouse, The Cajun Lawyer entered the room sizing up the blonde who was impatiently waiting and when he flung his Boater onto the hat rack and carefully folded his pale blue summer coat over the back of the easy chair, the worn leather shoulder holster revealed his matte black M&P compact. Her green eyes widened in surprise. 'What', Caj quipped, 'You never seen the inside of a seersucker before?'

The barrister could see the smirk slowly forming at one corner of her perfect ruby red lips and knew then and there that it was going to be a bumpy ride from here on out..."
 
Last edited:
The Kimber Solo fits the bill quite well for me,,,but has a but big price tag,, it has no sharp corner,, ambidexterous safety,,,, easy to hold on to and rip off 7 rds, very quickly.
 
How's the Solo working for you? I considered getting one but got scared off by all the stories on the Kimber forum about Solo malfunctions. It's a neat little pistol and the price is almost reasonable now. Maybe I need to reconsider.....
 
I've never found any gun that fits comfortably and is quick/easy to get to in the front pockets of my regular fit Wranglers.

I just continue to dress around my 3913 and spare mag.

Cargo shorts...... 337PD and a speedloader/strip..... and I'm looking happy to see the misses...LOL

Tux...... Walther PPK.... of course................
 
For me, the only guns I can pocket carry, regardless of caliber, are a snub J frame, the Kel Tec/Ruger .380's and the various Kahr CM/PM 9's and .380's. I have a Shield, and pocket carry just doesn't work for it. As a matter of fact, the uniform khakis that I wear at work won't allow a J frame without the butt being visible in the top of the pocket. A tucked shirt is also required, so a cover garment is out too. I'm really jonesing for the M&P .380 without the laser, but just haven't spent the moolah for one yet.
 
My pocket BUGs are either a Sig P938 9mm or a 3.3" Springfield Armory XDs-45 with a spare magazine in the watch/change pocket. I wear loose-fit Wrangler jeans or shorts.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
if one is going to use belt carry one just as soon go full size in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I agree completely with this statement.

Pocket carry depends in large part on the attire of the wearer. If the pants are too tight, then the outline shows. If the pants are not made with quality materials and pockets, the weight of almost anything will be a problem. That said, if you adjust your wardrobe for the problem at hand, then I believe there are some 9mm pistols that can be comfortably carried in the pocket.

These have worked nicely in the pocket for me in the past, in no particular order: Shield 9, Ruger LC9 (LC9S if you prefer striker action), Walther PPS 9. The DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster is a good choice.
 
I did a little experiment with this today while working around the house. When I'm not doing that which pays the bills, I'm in cargo shorts 24-7-365. I'm not a huge guy, but I go 5'10" or so, try to keep it at 210, and I can see my feet when I look down. I've been carrying a pistol all day since I was old enough to legally possess one, and my EDC for now is a KelTec P3AT with a pocket clip for front pocket easy access carry.

I decided to give pocket carry a shot today. Alternated between a Glock 42 and a Ruger LCR in .22 WMR with CT lasergrips in my front pocket, where I normally clip the KelTec. I didn't do a lot. Ran the trimmer for 10 or 15 minutes on the curb line, went on a fruitless search through various storage locations for more .22 WMR ammunition, straightened some things in the office, searched the web, watched some Premier League and Cardinal baseball, and started supper (grilled burgers, potato skins, and coleslaw).

I gotta tell you, I don't see how you guys do it, and I d@*n sure don't see how you could pocket carry anything bigger or heavier. 18 year old son came out of his room, looked at my pocket, and said "Whatca' got goin' on there?" Felt weighted to one side all day, and kept banging it in to door jambs and tool box corners. Clearly not for me. If it won't fit on a pocket clip or in a wallet holster, it's going on the belt.
 
Last edited:
I have a friend that's a retired state trooper that pocket carries a Shield.

Pocket carry doesn't work for me as I always have too much stuff in my pockets. There's no room for even a tiny gun.
 
I carried the Kahr Cm9 for quite a while in pocket and IWB. However decided I wanted more. Now it is a 1911 commander in IWB on a daily basis. Every carry decision comes with its benefits and drawbacks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I pocket carry my Shield 90% of the time in regular jeans. I've asked several friends to look and nobody has been able to tell.
 
What brand of jeans are you guys wearing that find pocket carry easy? I prefer Levis and the cuts of the pocket makes even putting my P938 in the pocket (in a Desantis Nemesis) very difficult. Trying to draw from the pocket is ridiculous.
 
USMCshooter said:
What brand of jeans are you guys wearing that find pocket carry easy? I prefer Levis and the cuts of the pocket makes even putting my P938 in the pocket (in a Desantis Nemesis) very difficult. Trying to draw from the pocket is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Have you tried "relaxed fit"? They work for me.
 
If you have medium sized hands, the Kahr CM9 is a very nice pocket carry pistol. I switched from a S&W 642 quite a while ago. The Kahr is a little heavier, but you get more ammo and carrying and reloading a magazine is easier IMHO than carrying and loading speed strips or speed loader. I have looked over the Double Tap derringer and the trigger pull was horrible, plus you only get two rounds. It is uncomfortable to hold in the hand and not a good pointable pistol, IMHO. It probably has its best place as a last ditch, deep concealable, backup.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Bon Vivant
Bodyguard 2.0: Never had a new pistol with so many issues!
Replies
16
Views
1K
GnarlsR2
GnarlsR2
b737lvr
Pocket Wars - 637 vs 36
Replies
17
Views
841
Cartwright Jones
C
O
Ultra Reliable Sub-Compact 9mm
2 3
Replies
58
Views
3K
JFthunder
JFthunder
BourbonCowboy
HK lost a sale
Replies
1
Views
606
Breakaway500
Breakaway500
D
Looking for pocket carry gun under $500
3 4 5
Replies
97
Views
6K
otis24
O

Latest posts

Back
Top