Best gun for pocket carry

[jeff1752]

Hello everyone. I am a new gun owner and my first purchase was a SD40VE which I really enjoy. The only problem is it is a tad to big for pocket carrying so I was wondering what my next purchase should be. I would like to stay with a .40 but would be open for a .38 and price is probably my biggest factor.

Thanks for any and all help.
Jeff

 

[cmort666]

These days, most of my carry is a Smith 36 in my own pocket holster. Works just fine for me.

 

[Hill_Country]

CMORT's M36 suggestion is hard to beat - I carried one for 30 years, usually on my ankle.

Then, a few years ago I found a 638 and fell in love - or so I thought until I fired it. Half the weight, no snag hammer, SA/DA, and no worries about rust. Unfortunately, it is the most unpleasant handgun I've ever fired. Not the recoil, its the sting that I dislike.

I finally figured out that the M36 goes to the range for proficiency and the 638 goes in my pocket or IWB knowing that I'll never notice the sting if it is needed. All is well and my pants stay up much better than when I have something heavier in my pocket.

 

[CSG]

There is no best when it comes to pocket carry only what works for you. Depending on the pockets, an airweight S&W, particularly the 642/442 are a great choice. Enclosed hammer so no snag, no dust.

Another option are the pocket 9mm's that a number of manufacturers are offering like Sig, Kahr, Ruger, etc.

However, for me, I don't feel the need to carry a lot of firepower and have been carrying a Ruger LCP .380 loaded with 7 rounds of Speer Gold Dot in either a Mika or Bear Creek front pocket holster.

I also have a 442 and Kahr PM9 that I occasionally pocket carry.

 

[shouldazagged]

Get a good used .38 Special J-frame--.357 Magnum in a snubby is definitely not for most people, me included--and you'll be well protected with a gun that's as near 100% reliable as you can get. I like the concealed-hammer Centennial series, 640 (my EDC), 442, 642, etc.), which won't snag coming out of the pocket or trap lint and bumf in the action. A good pocket holster and +P ammo and you're good to go.

 

[nachogrande]

POCKET PISTOL

a j frame 640 concealed hammer for reliability, less dust, being able to shoot thru a pocket without drawing, snag free in 38 spcl, with todays better ammo at less than 20' is fine imo and less recoil will give faster/more accurate follow ups, it's worth not having the couple extra rounds.

 

[MaximumLawman]

Model 49 or the lightweight or stainless versions. Good for pants pocket carry and you can fire it from inside a jacket pocket if you must. Hammer is able to be cocked too.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I have a 442 in a pocket holster I like a lot, I used to carry a 432, but my wife pilfered it from me..lol. That's fine, she carries it in her purse and it can be shot without removing it.

 

[Old cop]

Any good J frame in .38 spl. will do the job, and many of those recommended here are excellent choices. The lighter models seem to get carried more often but try them out (rent/shoot) if you can before choosing.

 

[JFootin]

A Kahr CM9.

 

[Protected One]

I agree with CSG...there is no BEST,only what's best for YOU.
J frames are nice, but if you look into semi-autos I would suggest the S&W Bodyguard. Mine fits into ANY pocket I have with a Galico holster and most of the time I don't even know its there.
It's proven to me to be reliable, and shoots any ammo I feed it.

 

[gwpercle]

After many years of trying this, trying that and everything in between...The hands down winner is any airweight J frame in 38 special. Light weight 357 magnums are way too much of a good thing.
I have tried every handgun the experts touted as beining the best and the truth is a S&W model 317 in 38 special is what gets picked up and put in my pocket when I go out the door. Why? Because it just right for the job, it works , it's light and compact. No slide, magazine or safety to be concerned about. Any ammo that goes into the cylinder will shoot. No failure to feed , failure to fire or failure to eject. My only modification was to trim the hammer spur a little and add walnut boot grips. That's it.

Gary

 

[planojack]

I have owned most every small pistol suitable for carry. You mentioned the cost issue. Currently, my always in the pocket gun, is a Keltec P-32 or P-3AT. For more formal carry it's a Keltec PF-9 or Kahr CW-9. The little Keltecs are reliable and inexpensive. Worth considering.

 

[timn8er]

I generally pocket carry a Shield 40 in a Desantis pocket holster. I have also pocket carried my M&P40C in the same holster. Its comfortable & doesn't print too bad.

 

[snubbyfan]

My 442 goes with me either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade holsters.

 

[USAF385]

The best pocket carry I've come across is the BG380 or Ruger LCP (owned both, sold the latter) or the others like them. Super thin and a bit shorter than my 642 or Shield .40.

Depending on the pants, my 642's grip will juuuust barely peek out of the pocket. Plus the cylinder is so thick it can look like you have a hamburger in your pocket (if you're carrying it in a holster).

I love my 642, just not always for pocket carry. Actually it doesn't get much PANTS pocket carry time. Coat pocket in the other hand....

The BG380 works very, very well. Obviously it has the size advantage. When you're talking about pocket carry, size is usually the major factor.

Just my opinions. I'm not a huge pocket carry guy to begin with, IWN appendix is my preference.

 

[66Park]

Any good J frame in .38 spl. will do the job, and many of those recommended here are excellent choices. The lighter models seem to get carried more often but try them out (rent/shoot) if you can before choosing.

Good advice. A J frame, even an M36 is not an easy gun to shoot. I never had any trouble with the weight of an M60 or M36, but before you buy one of the light weight models, I'd definitely have a go at the range with one. The recoil on a little J frame can be pretty stiff if you are used to bigger guns, and the light weight ones only add to that and make them more difficult to control. They are very popular, though.

A J frame .38 is one of the all time favorite carry guns for good reason. They hide really easily and pack a sufficient punch. I've probably carried a J frame more than anything, because I could always find a way to conceal it.

 

[indiandave]

When I pocket carry it's a 642 in a Mika holster. I keep lots of stuff in my pockets (cell phone, keys, Knife, etc). So I don't carry this way often. But when it's the only way, I'll do it.

 

[fdw]

The Ruger LCR 38 fits nicely in a pocket. Great trigger too.

 

[jeff1752]

Thanks to everyone for your great help.I am going to rent a J frame and a Shield and a LCP at my local range and see which I like the best.

Jeff