Extreme deep pocket concealment question: which would you pick?

[ralph7]

my everyday carry is a seecamp lws .32 in a desantis pocket holster. these little guns are put together slowly and carefully, hence the price as opposed to others their size.
class was never cheap.

Welcome to the L.W. Seecamp Company Home Page

 

[Dominus_Lex]

For what it is worth, I love my Beretta Bobcat, for pocket carry. The Tomcat is in effect the same design updated in .32.... Might be worth checking it out.

 

[APS]

That being the case, a person needing a gun quickly will have difficulty getting a gun out of a holster while in a pocket. They probably will not have time or other things to take the gun & holster out of the pocket, remove the gun from the holster and still be able to use it.

The gun is supposed to separate from the holster as you draw the gun. A person needs to practice with their gun/holster combo to make sure this happens and if they don't separate reliably, try a different holster model. For example, in loose fitting pants the Uncle Mikes/Blackhawk holster won't separate reliably for me. But the Desantis Nemesis does.

But in general yes pocket carry is slower unless you have your hand staged in your pocket on your grip. Then it's the fastest method.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I had a KelTec P32 that was absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate. However, since I'm not a "thin dress slacks" kinda guy, I swapped it to a co-worker who really, really wanted it for a nickel-plated S&W Model 37.

The Model 37 meets my "deep concealment" needs nicely.

ECS

 

[DonDee]

I had a KelTec P32 that was absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate. However, since I'm not a "thin dress slacks" kinda guy, I swapped it to a co-worker who really, really wanted it for a nickel-plated S&W Model 37.

The Model 37 meets my "deep concealment" needs nicely.

ECS

Me either anymore.

But it comes up anyway about once or twice a year-weddings, funerals, etc.

 

[dan-g]

IM on the list for the new boberg 9mm but it will probably be a 6 month wait or longer before i get one. Check out the boberg site, the shorty is the same size as the rohrberg 9mm but can fire plus p ammo.

 

[feldspar13]

Seecamp .32acp for me

 

[Gitagun]

OK, for times when I just can't hide my 340PD in thin dress slacks (Mika pocket holster notwithstanding)...

Well, it seems to me that you already have what is probably the best pocket pistol ever devised in the 340PD. It gives you .38 +P or .357 magnum power levels in a gun that weighs less than 12 ounces. Why shun this gun in favor of a lesser cartridge/gun combination?

Frankly, if I were you, I would invest my efforts into finding the dress slacks that work with the 340PD. If you don't want to buy new pants, check out SmartCarry - Concealed Gun Holsters or www.thunderwear.com.

 

[mc5aw]

If not a J-frame, why not consider the S&W Bodyguard 380.

 

[Old cop]

An LCP meets this need for me. I shoot it monthly and am pretty accurate out to 7 yards.

 

[dan-g]

For those guy who just bought seecamps, (including the OP) how bought a little more information. Are they really reliable with the right ammo? I just talked to my dealer and he said its a 6-8 month wait. The 380 seecamp is smaller then the rohrbach or the boberg, it seems idea for dress slacks and fashion jeans.

 

[browntown]

Like Harley, I too carry a guardian in 32acp in dress slacks. It is based on the seecamp design, is cheaper, very reliable, and has company support as good as any. I think they make exceptional little guns, and the 32acp is plenty for a last ditch close combat gun. Practice with these little guns though. The trigger is intentionally long and difficult to pull (no safety), and the light weight will beat on you if you have a limp grip.

 

[andrewb70]

I just purchased a Seecamp .32 and it is in my pocket (inside a hoslter) everywhere I go. It had some issues running with the Silver Tips, but runs perfect with Speer Gold Dots.

Andrew

 

[Double-O-Dave]

For those guy who just bought seecamps, (including the OP) how bought a little more information. Are they really reliable with the right ammo? I just talked to my dealer and he said its a 6-8 month wait. The 380 seecamp is smaller then the rohrbach or the boberg, it seems idea for dress slacks and fashion jeans.

I don't know if I qualify to answer your question as I've owned my Seecamp for over 30 years. In all that time, the only ammo I've fired in it has been the Winchester Silver Tip. Initially, this was THE recommended ammo, and the round the weapon was designed around. Currently, there are several different types of ammo that are factory approved:

L.W. Seecamp Co. - Home of the Seecamp 32 and Seecamp 380 Pistols

I've never had a problem with my Seecamp. I've never had a FTF, FTE, etc. I know the Winchester Silver Tip works in my Seecamp, so I've never seen a need to buy any other ammo for it. I was lucky enough to win some Speer Gold Dot ammo in a karma drawing here, so I do have some high performance ammo to load up with if I ever get an itch to try something besides the Silver Tips.

Frankly, the only problems I've experienced with the Seecamp are:

1. It's heavy for its size. Solution: (shrug) use a good holster - I use a Galco horsehide pocket holster, and it works just fine.

2. It has some rough edges. Solution: a little careful sanding with some sandpaper and a file took the rough spots off.

3. It is small enough that you really don't have any excuse not to be carrying a firearm. Solution: carry the sucker! I know I'd rather have the Seecamp than any derringer or NAA small revolver.

Long winded (sorry), but I hope this answers your questions.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[gasaman]

I carry my Seecamp 380 probably 60% of the time, the other 40% would be my Kahr MK9. The Seecamp rides in a Kramer horsehide IWB or a convertable front or back pocket holster. The MK9 rides in a Crossbreed IWB.

 

[brycewise]

I have a similar question... im deciding between the bg,kahr and taurus 380. any input??

 

[mc5aw]

I didn't realize that the Boberg and Seecamp 380 were in the $1,000 +/- price range. That's up there with the Rohrbaugh. Factor in the expected wait and you've got a sizable investment money-wise and time-wise. I'd be more inclined to spend that $1,000 on three S&W 642s or 442s, and minimize the boot grips as much as possible for deepest concealment. Revolver reliability, .38 Special, and immediate delivery. My 2c.

 

[jdh]

The Kel-Tec P3AT 380 is the same size as the P32.

The BG380 is just a little bigger which makes the grip more comfortable for me. You get real dovetailed in sights on the BG380 unlike the little bump and notch you get on the others.

Taurus may have the bugs worked out of the TCP by now but they had a high return rate when they first came out.

The LCP is just a product improved Kel-Tec It looks better but the both are just as reliable and accurate. Points to Kel-Tec for customer support.

You can buy two maybe 3 NAA Guardians for the price of a Seecamp and don't have to wait 18 months to get one.

The Beretta Tomcat is way fatter than the Bobcat. Almost as wide as a J-Frame.

Of all my little guns the 442 and the BG380 are the one most often used.

 

[DonDee]

Well, it seems to me that you already have what is probably the best pocket pistol ever devised in the 340PD. It gives you .38 +P or .357 magnum power levels in a gun that weighs less than 12 ounces. Why shun this gun in favor of a lesser cartridge/gun combination?

Frankly, if I were you, I would invest my efforts into finding the dress slacks that work with the 340PD. If you don't want to buy new pants, check out SmartCarry - Concealed Gun Holsters or www.thunderwear.com.

I agree with most of what you say. I will go to extreme measures to conceal the 340PD in my pocket if there is any way possible. The J-frame is my first love. And it weighs the same as the Seecamp. It's just that very occasionally for me it's size and cylinder are a bit of a problem. In those rare circumstances I'd rather have something than nothing.

If not a J-frame, why not consider the S&W Bodyguard 380.

I did, but for me it's physical size was more than I wanted. Might as well stick with the 340PD.

For those guy who just bought seecamps, (including the OP) how bought a little more information. Are they really reliable with the right ammo? I just talked to my dealer and he said its a 6-8 month wait. The 380 seecamp is smaller then the rohrbach or the boberg, it seems idea for dress slacks and fashion jeans.

OK, I'm the OP. I'll tell you I read, but I haven't shot mine yet so keep that in mind. They are said to be stone reliable with the right ammo. And that is critical. Larry Seecamp says to shoot 13 out of a box and if they run through perfectly save the last 7 for carry. Makes sense to me.

As far as the wait is concerned, you can find the .380s on Gunbroker at a slight premium (~100. or so) over factory list price if you want to go that way. The .32 and the .380 are the same size. I walked in to my LGS Thursday and bought a NIB .32 for 449.00, which is list price. He had 4 available. I figure at the range I'd be likely to have to use this thing .380 vs. .32 would be a moot point. You guys who'd prefer a knife to a mousegun, you're welcome to your opinion but honestly it sounds ridiculous to me. But that's just me and I recognize that there aren't any absolutes, just opinions.

I just purchased a Seecamp .32 and it is in my pocket (inside a hoslter) everywhere I go. It had some issues running with the Silver Tips, but runs perfect with Speer Gold Dots.

Andrew

Gold Dots are the current factory recommended ammo of choice. It seems to vary as ammo manufacturer's quality changes.

I don't know if I qualify to answer your question as I've owned my Seecamp for over 30 years. In all that time, the only ammo I've fired in it has been the Winchester Silver Tip. Initially, this was THE recommended ammo, and the round the weapon was designed around. Currently, there are several different types of ammo that are factory approved:

L.W. Seecamp Co. - Home of the Seecamp 32 and Seecamp 380 Pistols

I've never had a problem with my Seecamp. I've never had a FTF, FTE, etc. I know the Winchester Silver Tip works in my Seecamp, so I've never seen a need to buy any other ammo for it. I was lucky enough to win some Speer Gold Dot ammo in a karma drawing here, so I do have some high performance ammo to load up with if I ever get an itch to try something besides the Silver Tips.

Frankly, the only problems I've experienced with the Seecamp are:

1. It's heavy for its size. Solution: (shrug) use a good holster - I use a Galco horsehide pocket holster, and it works just fine.

2. It has some rough edges. Solution: a little careful sanding with some sandpaper and a file took the rough spots off.

3. It is small enough that you really don't have any excuse not to be carrying a firearm. Solution: carry the sucker! I know I'd rather have the Seecamp than any derringer or NAA small revolver.

Long winded (sorry), but I hope this answers your questions.

Best of luck,

Dave

Excellent post Dave. Initially the gun was designed around Silvertips, but they have changed over time. They are now back on the "good" list but Gold Dots are now the #1 choice. I think basically any of the top 3 hollow points (Gold Dots, Silvertips or Hydra-Shoks) are OK but you must measure the OAL on each round in the box and only use those that are <.910". That's just the price one must pay to own the tiniest, most precision made weapon on the market. It's worth it to some, maybe not to others.

I didn't realize that the Boberg and Seecamp 380 were in the $1,000 +/- price range. That's up there with the Rohrbaugh. Factor in the expected wait and you've got a sizable investment money-wise and time-wise. I'd be more inclined to spend that $1,000 on three S&W 642s or 442s, and minimize the boot grips as much as possible for deepest concealment. Revolver reliability, .38 Special, and immediate delivery. My 2c.

I love them both, own them both and think they both serve a purpose. I too would always go with a J-frame anytime it was possible for me to conceal.

 

[Dump1567]

The Kel-Tec P3AT 380 is the same size as the P32.

Dimensionally, the Kel-tec .32 is smaller than the Kel-tec P3AT

P3AT .380 P32 .32 Auto
Weight 8.3 oz. 6.6 oz.
Frame Width 0.798" 0.765"
Barrel Length 2.745" 2.675"
Slide Width 0.748" 0.748"
Overall Length 5.14" 5.08"
Height 3.576" 3.571"
Cartridge Capacity 6+1 7+1