Am trying to choose a gun for pocket carry. I figure I'll probably carry most often in the front pocket of my Dickey's workpants. I looked at the Kel-tech PF9, Kahr PM9, Rohrbaugh, J-frames, and the plethera of .380's. So farr, I'm leaning toward either Kahr's .380 or a J-frame, but haven't made up my mind on some things. The .38 special is a more potent cartrige, and a wheelgun more reliable to fire inside a pocket, but an auto is quicker to reload. I like Tritium Night Sights on most of my handguns, but would it be worth the expence on a point and shoot bug gun? If I choose to go with a J-frame, is it worth the extra to get a scadnium model in .357, or am I better off just sticking with a less expensive airweight like the 642? Would I be better off just getting a less expnensive version of each type, and choosing wichever one I want to carry today?
Pocket Carry Selection
- Thread starter JDBraddy
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Skeptic 9c
Member
For carry in a pocket a good pocket holster and a light gun is the best combo for me. I still feel more confident with the Model 38 because I can get three fingers on the Pachmeyer grip. My Ruger LCP is still tough to keep a good grip on with only two fingers below the trigger guard, even with a longer aftermarket magazine extension.
Geoff
Who needs to work on his hand strength!
Geoff
Who needs to work on his hand strength!
ab4ka
Member
My 638 rides in my right front pocket in a Galco pocket holster that I got from the S&W website. It works great for me. To me the lighter guns aren't worth the additional cost, not to mention they are miserable (to me) to shoot.
pberry
US Veteran
I cary a M&P40c in my right front pocket most of the time. If I have a coat on I will put it on my belt. I have a large selection of cargo pants with large pocket. The M&P compact works good if you pick your pants correctly. I won't carry a gun smaller than a 40S&W. I don't own a handgun smaller than a 40S&W. If I have to use a gun I want enough gun. Enough said.
Phil
Phil
Sawdust25
Member
Look at S&W BodyGuard 380 and my post today (1/03/10). They fixed the problem with the take down pin. It's now a great CC gun. Accurate, light (12+ oz) and small. You can get all but your little finger on the grip, and it feels comfortably on the bottom of the mag. Also, it doesn't punish you when firing like the lighter Ruger or Kel-Tec (9+ oz). Forget the laser if used in an emergency, but it's OK for sighting in or for fun when shooting cans off a fence post. Learn to use it as a point and shoot weapon.
HAWKEYE10
Member
Pocket carry is all I do. I want something light and small that I "WILL" carry every where I go. My carry gun is a Kahr P380. It fits the bill. I also carry another gun that I leave in the car till I get back home. To pull out a pocket carry gun with a seat belt on is almost impossible. Donfishdoc
Member
Pocket Carry
I have carried a firearm for years and the best combination I have found is a 340PD in a De Santis pocket holster. The only downfall with this method is in a vehicle it is hard to retrieve the firearm quickly.
Although this model will shoot .357 and I can handle those I choose to carrry the .38 Special with Federal Hydro Shock ammo.
I have carried a firearm for years and the best combination I have found is a 340PD in a De Santis pocket holster. The only downfall with this method is in a vehicle it is hard to retrieve the firearm quickly.
Although this model will shoot .357 and I can handle those I choose to carrry the .38 Special with Federal Hydro Shock ammo.
8th SPS USAF
Member
Pocket carry
MK9/PM9 Kahr
8th
MK9/PM9 Kahr
8th
jtpur
Member
Reload---man if you have to reload you are in one hell of a firefight....I carry a KelTec 380 in my pocket.. It has 7 rnds... Sometimes I will put the wife's S&W 638 in my pocket and if I have on the right pants it conceals very nicely...reload...fastest way to reload is to carry two guns....Few cops ever get into gun fights where they have to reload....I never did, although once I pulled a Dirty Harry...."Did I fire five or did I fire six.?
Bill_inBouse
US Veteran
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Pocket carry
Ruger LCP in a Blackhawk holster when I need something small.
Ruger LCP in a Blackhawk holster when I need something small.
I tried many different ways of carrying my Airweight (37). Holster, pocket, on and on. Went and bought a NAA Mini that seems to fall into any pocket I choose and don't even know it is there. Better the one in your pocket than the one in your desk at home!
Stu
Stu
Not all pants will work, that's for sure. Usually when I go shopping I'll check the fit of the J frame in the pocket before I buy.
Better the one in your pocket than the one in the desk is how us J framers rationalize not carrying the full size pistol
Better the one in your pocket than the one in the desk is how us J framers rationalize not carrying the full size pistol
with pocket carry..................the configeration of the front pants pocket is key.
depth..........must be deep so the gun butt (in the holster) does not show while you are sittting down or bending over.
width....... the pant pocket opening (mouth) must be wide and relaxed so your hand easily slips in, graps your gun and then retracted. test this with the pants on, zipped and belted.
depth..........must be deep so the gun butt (in the holster) does not show while you are sittting down or bending over.
width....... the pant pocket opening (mouth) must be wide and relaxed so your hand easily slips in, graps your gun and then retracted. test this with the pants on, zipped and belted.
I went to the gunshow today, and actually got several of these guns in my hands to compare them side by side. The Rohrbaugh, doesn't seem any different than other .380's such as the Secamp or NAA Guardian, except that it fires 9mm, The Price at $1,150.00 just seemed a bit steep to me for what it is. I really liked the Sig .380, but am just uncomfortable with the idea of carrying a cocked and locked single action in my pant pocket. I also really liked the Kahr .380, and though the PM9 is considerably larger, I thought about it too, and both come with tritium night sights as an option. The Airweight J-frames where everywhere, 37's, 38's, 642's etc.... many used at 1/3 the price of the Kahr's and the scadnium guns. I even looked at the new S&W Bodyguard and Ruger's new pocket revolver (Ugly, but usable). I finally stumbled across two 340PD's, one with fiber optic, and one with the tritium night sight. Long story short, it came down to two finalists. The 340PD or the Kahr. They where both within $10 of eachother in price. After much anxiety and self doubt, I finally decided to spring for the 340PD. I figured I'd give it a chance, and if it didn't work out, I could trade it in on a Kahr, more easily than the other way around. I also took a good look at the NAA revolvers and their guardian .380's too. Once my wallet recovers, I'm seriously considering getting one of these also, they're not really that expensive, and better than nothing!
Got to go out and shoot it a little today, put about 150 rounds through it. Was consistantly able to shoot about three to four inch groups about an inch low, it opened up a bit when I tried to shoot faster. I tried several ammo brands, all where .38Spl, no .357's yet. Monarch 158gr JHP, Winchester 125gr JHP, and Remington 125gr JHP's. Recoil was stiffer than I'm used to with my Limited guns and 1911, but nothing brutal. I think I liked the heavy Monarch loads the best. I spent some time on the plate rack, and was able to fairly consistantly draw from my pocket, and down five 8" plates in five secods from 15yds. Saved all my brass, and stoped off this afternoon and bought a set of Dillon dies and a calibre conversion kit for my 550b. Still need to pick up some appropriate lead though. Even though I think the 124gr Montana Gold JHP's I use for my .38 SuperComp open gun would probably work, I'm sure I can find something better.
Fair enough, this is my first "New Gun" in a long time, and I spent more than a year deliberating over what to get, so I've seriously got the kid with a new toy syndrome. I guess just about any snub-nosed lightweight revolver would have done. The basic design is pretty "Old-School". The lightweight alloy truely is a bonus, not as pleasant to shoot as one of the steel guns, but much more comfortable to carry in a pant pocket. I think the bullets might weigh almost as much as the gun. This gun is truely comfortable to carry, and much more consealable than my Officers model 1911. Now, I'm not one who's into "Power", I realize a .25 or a .32 will kill someone just as dead as a .45, and I have a healthy respect for .380's and the smaller cartriges, but I do feel a little better knowing I've got a little margin for error. I had a P3AT a few years back, and while I felt it was adequate, It didn't fill me with confidence. That's why I traded it toward my Officers 1911. It wasn't anywhere near as consealable, but it made me feel confident and secure. This little gun seems to do both, it makes me feel confident and secure, and is comfortable and easy to conseal. The tritium front sight is also nice to have in low light.
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