Am considering getting a new pistol for "Pocket Carry". Top contenders right now are S&W 642 and Kahr PM9. Tritium night sights are a definate plus for me, I love them on my Kimber Tactical Ultra-II. My 625 also made me fall in love with moon clips. I think my ideal gun would be a 642 converted to shoot 9mm with moon clips, and fitted with tritium dot sights, though I'm afraid it might be cost prohibative to have all that done. Thoughts?
Considering new pistol for "Pocket Carry".
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Am considering getting a new pistol for "Pocket Carry". Top contenders right now are S&W 642 and Kahr PM9. Tritium night sights are a definate plus for me, I love them on my Kimber Tactical Ultra-II. My 625 also made me fall in love with moon clips. I think my ideal gun would be a 642 converted to shoot 9mm with moon clips, and fitted with tritium dot sights, though I'm afraid it might be cost prohibative to have all that done. Thoughts?
flop-shank
US Veteran
I'm thinking that 9mm would be too high pressure for an Airweight like the 642. A Scandium gun would work. I think a J frame would be easier to hide than a PM9.
Gov
Member
Why not just go with the 642 / Crimson Trace combo....?
okay, crimson trace is not exactly "night sites", and .38 is not exactly a 9mm., but darn close, and from personal experience, quite effective!
Personally, I wouldn't want an auto in my pocket... too many moving parts to get plugged up, and fairly difficult to fire from the pocket compared to the j-frame.
~GOV
okay, crimson trace is not exactly "night sites", and .38 is not exactly a 9mm., but darn close, and from personal experience, quite effective!
Personally, I wouldn't want an auto in my pocket... too many moving parts to get plugged up, and fairly difficult to fire from the pocket compared to the j-frame.
~GOV
yanici
US Veteran
642 in a Mika pocket holster. 'Nuff said.
Edit: I had the misses lengthen my pocket in my jeans by 2 1/2" and what a nice fit for the 642. She did 7 pairs for me. Good girl...I'll keep her.
Edit: I had the misses lengthen my pocket in my jeans by 2 1/2" and what a nice fit for the 642. She did 7 pairs for me. Good girl...I'll keep her.
The 642 in a Mika pocket holster is tops. Although the 642 converted to 9mm and moonclips sounds appealing, it has a drawback as a pocket gun...the moonclip. Loaded, it's a bulky item to pocket effectively, and, without a case or holder to protect it can get bent and a round can fall out. The 642 in .38, on the other hand, can be used with speed strips, which are flat enough to permit easy concealment. They are also robust enough to hold up. I love moonclips, but in a full size gun where spares can be carried in proper holders.
USAF385
US Veteran
642. .38+P
I have very quickly fallen for mine. It's over a month old now, and I can't go anywhere without it. It's light, easy to carry, and with proper +P rounds really packs a punch. I have no issues with recoil or aim. I'd recommend this to anyone.
I have very quickly fallen for mine. It's over a month old now, and I can't go anywhere without it. It's light, easy to carry, and with proper +P rounds really packs a punch. I have no issues with recoil or aim. I'd recommend this to anyone.
flop-shank
US Veteran
Actually if you want to get 9mm snubby power, I'll bet a 340 with Speer SB .357 will be about the equivalent and less expensive. For a reload, pack a second gun. I also prefer more power than a .38 +P, so I think your thinking is on the right track.
bk43
Member
I'll second the 642. I'm an average size guy in T-shirt, shorts and flippies weather most of the year. A 642 in a pocket holster is handy, doesn't print and it keeps the body sweat off the gun.
My holsters are the $12.95 Uncle Mike's. Use them until they get a little grungy and then chuck it and buy another.
Bob
My holsters are the $12.95 Uncle Mike's. Use them until they get a little grungy and then chuck it and buy another.
Bob
My "all the time" gun is a 642. .38+P's are both controllable and effective. Speed strips are good for top-off reloads, Safariland Comp 1's are just about as fast as moon clips, with practice.
The 642 in a Wild Bill's pocket holster is on me all year, summer or winter. On those rare occasions when intuition raises the hair on the back of my neck, it going to be a 3" 625 or a .45ACP Combat Commander, with 230 gr. Golden Sabers, IWB holster.
Buck
The 642 in a Wild Bill's pocket holster is on me all year, summer or winter. On those rare occasions when intuition raises the hair on the back of my neck, it going to be a 3" 625 or a .45ACP Combat Commander, with 230 gr. Golden Sabers, IWB holster.
Buck
Spotteddog
Member
I just got my first ever 9 mm. Guess what's in the off side pocket? An old school .38 Special Centennial.
(EDIT) I should have said an Aluminum Ti, Centennial, sorry?
(EDIT) I should have said an Aluminum Ti, Centennial, sorry?
flop-shank
US Veteran
Throw it in the wash with your clothes. It will be almost like new, but still broken in.
G-ManBart
Member
Tried a 640 with custom D&L Sports night sights and it was too heavy and a touch big for my pockets (mostly the grip was too long) as I'm not a big guy. It's my wife's CCW gun, but I wanted to try it for pocket carry. The 340 would be better as the grip is a little shorter.
In the end we bought my wife a Kahr PM9 for her running gun (she's a hard core runner, but very petite so weight makes a big difference). It's about 100% easier to carry in your pocket...flatter, lighter and just easier. It's in my pocket right now and when I come home from work and take off my duty guns, it goes in my pocket and stays there until I go to bed. Most times I forget it's there. R,
In the end we bought my wife a Kahr PM9 for her running gun (she's a hard core runner, but very petite so weight makes a big difference). It's about 100% easier to carry in your pocket...flatter, lighter and just easier. It's in my pocket right now and when I come home from work and take off my duty guns, it goes in my pocket and stays there until I go to bed. Most times I forget it's there. R,
wjh2657
Member
I EDC a 642 in pocket holster in the summer (640 IWB in winter) but up to now I have had problem with jeans. It isn't just the length of pocket but also how they are cut across upper thighs.
After years of attempts to get a BERSA .380 to function well enough to trust, I traded it in on a 637. Voila! The 637 is just enough different in profile to slide into and hide within my jeans' pockets. I use the same pocket holsters but it just fits better. I still use 642 in dress pants and Dockers, but the 637 has become my "blue pants" gun.
After years of attempts to get a BERSA .380 to function well enough to trust, I traded it in on a 637. Voila! The 637 is just enough different in profile to slide into and hide within my jeans' pockets. I use the same pocket holsters but it just fits better. I still use 642 in dress pants and Dockers, but the 637 has become my "blue pants" gun.
bk43
Member
I'm too stupid to have thought of anything like that. Sometimes I amaze myself.Originally posted by flop-shank:
Throw it in the wash with your clothes. It will be almost like new, but still broken in.That's what I do for my Uncle Mike's holster for my P3AT.
Bob
Landpimp
Member
I often carry my PM9 in my pocket, works great, but its a bit heavier than my 340PD which is my normal pocket gun
GatorFarmer
Member
I always washed my Uncle Mikes - once removed from the pocket. Great way to flush out crud. Desantis Nemesis holsters can also survive the washer and dryer. Of course bending up the cardboard from a box of Sponge Bob Cheezits and using some Gorilla tape also works just as well.
Anyway, how big are the pockets in question? I used to pocket carry a G27. Worked fine. Some people carry N frames in their pockets, in which case a snub, alloy frame, moonclipped .45 ACP can be had.
Otherwise use the search function or ask in the revolvers 1980 to present section. There was a thread some months ago about a shop that converted revolvers to 9mm and moonclips. It wasn't all that expensive. I'd think that a steel framed gun would hold up better though. Esp if you're firing hot ammo.
Anyway, how big are the pockets in question? I used to pocket carry a G27. Worked fine. Some people carry N frames in their pockets, in which case a snub, alloy frame, moonclipped .45 ACP can be had.
Otherwise use the search function or ask in the revolvers 1980 to present section. There was a thread some months ago about a shop that converted revolvers to 9mm and moonclips. It wasn't all that expensive. I'd think that a steel framed gun would hold up better though. Esp if you're firing hot ammo.
The 9mm snubbys are a pain to reload and spare ammo in moon clips bend easy and become useless. Have tryed the old ruger,Taurus,SW 9mm snubbys. Its a answer to problem that don,t need to be addressed. 9mm primers can back-up and lock up the wheelgun with there high pressure. THe 38+P is perfection in power and reload with positive ejection. No clips to bend and wear out and no locked up cly. When Charter arms brings out there abortion rimless wheelgun series history will repeat its self.
wjh2657
Member
When you can wear heavy clothing to hide a belt holster, the bottom feeders can rule. they are the true combat handguns in wonderful calibers like 9MM, .40 S&W and the King .45 ACP. (I have a Glock 23 and carry it in Winter.)
When you have to stick a gun in slacks or shorts in 80 degree plus weather, the J-Frame in .38 spl and it's knockoffs is the queen of the day! The .38 Spl will survive because guns like the S&W 642 and Taurus 85 are being made in it. I have a 637 in my pocket as I type.
When you have to stick a gun in slacks or shorts in 80 degree plus weather, the J-Frame in .38 spl and it's knockoffs is the queen of the day! The .38 Spl will survive because guns like the S&W 642 and Taurus 85 are being made in it. I have a 637 in my pocket as I type.
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