Pocket Carry

[Cellar Hound]

Looking for a small pocket carry pistol. Want it small enough to put in my pocket but enough to protect myself. I’m open to .380 or 9mm. Let me know what you think.

 

[christak]

I pocket carry a Sig P938 (9mm) and love it. Unloaded it weighs 16 ounces and holds 7 + 1 rounds. It's as heavy as I would want in a pocket, but pocket carries very well! Reliable and accurate.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I've pocket carried my Shield .380 EZ the last year in an Uncle Mike model 36. Works perfectly in my right front pocket.

 

[EdinDenver]

I bought a Ruger LCP .380 for pocket carry. It even comes with a pocket holster. I used it for about 2 weeks and then realized that pocket carry is not for me. I mean, think about it, with a firearm in your front pocket, you basically have a gun pointed at the person across from you when you're sitting at a table, sitting at a desk, sitting in a doctor's office, etc. This is a violation of the gun safety standards I was taught, and decided it isn't the right thing for me to do.

Your mileage may vary - strong side is my preference.

 

[Old cop]

Don’t dismiss a good J frame revolver for pocket carry. They can be had as light as 11.5 oz., are very reliable & convenient.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have pocket carried an LCP for 6 years.

I have no complaints.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Depends on how big your pockets are. I pocket carry most of the time.

In cool weather in carry a Glock 43 in a jacket pocket. Warm weather I carry the same gun in my right front pocket. I purposely buy cargo shorts with large pockets.

 

[delcrossv]

I pocket carry a 940 (9mm J frame) if I have a coat. For pants pocket, I like my 342PD. It's really small. In a pocket holster it looks like a cell phone.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Have carried this 340 PD in a Mika Pocket Holster for 13 years. Very lightweight and incredibly comfortable to carry. Equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I should add that the J frame is probably the quickest and easiest gun to draw from a pants pocket. Nothing wrong with 38 special. Certainly better than a 380.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

I'm a personal fan of the keltec p32 when deep concealment is needed. It's the thinnest, lightest pistol available. It's awesome to throw in the pocket of athletic shorts when I go for a jog, and even goes well when I'm on the beach in my ranger panties. It's SO convenient and unnoticeable that it is a mainstay of my everyday pocket gear, even if I'm carrying another pistol.

They make the P3AT in .380 if you'd rather. The size difference is negligible.

 

[Borderboss]

I've been pocket carrying a Kahr PM9 9mm in a FIST kydex pocket holster for 15 years. It's worked great and I've not had any issues with any pants pockets.

 

[BC38]

I bought a Ruger LCP .380 for pocket carry. It even comes with a pocket holster. I used it for about 2 weeks and then realized that pocket carry is not for me. I mean, think about it, with a firearm in your front pocket, you basically have a gun pointed at the person across from you when you're sitting at a table, sitting at a desk, sitting in a doctor's office, etc. This is a violation of the gun safety standards I was taught, and decided it isn't the right thing for me to do.

Your mileage may vary - strong side is my preference.

FWIW, I have to disagree with this theory.
You aren't pointing the gun at anything when it is in your pocket, any more than you are when you're carrying it in a gun rug. Do you keep the muzzle pointed skyward when you're carrying a pistol in a gun rug or a range bag?

IMO, if your hand isn't on the gun you aren't POINTING it at anything. If it is being "pointed" when in a holster in your pocket, then the same is true for horizontal shoulder holsters, gun cases, AIWB holsters, small of back holsters, etc. All of those end up with the muzzle "pointing" in all kinds of directions. The rule is don't POINT the gun at anything you aren't willing to destroy. Unless you have your hand on the gun I don't see it as a violation of any safety rules.

Just a different perspective I guess.

 

[BC38]

I carry my LC9 in a Galco pocket holster in SOME of my pants pockets, but that doesn't work with some of my jeans. If I feel like I have to pocket carry in those jeans, then my TCP is the choice.

 

[murphydog]

It sounds as though you do not have your "pocket carry pistol" yet? Good .

I would try several if possible, then buy it and a good pocket holster (I happily endorse Bob Mika's products).

Finally, find which clothes are appropriate to carry it. An outer jacket pocket is great for the polar vortex but cargo shorts may do better in the summer.

A tiny gun that fits your current preferred wardrobe but cannot be accessed and fired quickly (and well) may defeat the purpose of carrying. Good luck in your decisions.

 

[HardToHandle]

Good article from Lucky Gunner.
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/wrong-about-pocket-pistols/

I have carried a J Frame and Keltec P32 as pocket carry in the past. Pocket carry is convenient, but sometimes inaccessible, such as when often sitting. Suggest thinking carefully before making it a primary or exclusive mode.

 

[Breakaway500]

Second the P32. Had mine for over 30 years. Never missed a beat and thousands of rounds.Bagged many a varmint. Small as a iphone..but not quite as thin. There are times I forget I have it. Just don't let it get into the laundry..might have to buy a new washer..

 

[white cloud]

I live where it gets pretty hot and humid a lot so my default "in town" carry is in a model 649 in the pocket. As pointed out above, I find J frames to provide the quickest draw (am I supposed to say presentation?).

That said, if I am going to be driving, I move the 649 to a Lobo horsehide IWB. I keep a field holster and the Lobo in my Jeep.

 

[chief38]

In November if this year I purchased a 3rd Gen. Sig P365. I waited until Sig ironed out the problems and I believe from all the fellas I know who own one (built after last Spring) and my own experience - they have! Pocket carry in my DeSantis Nemesis holster is comfortable, concealable and easy to draw.

I have well over 1,100 rounds of all different types, brands and weights of ammo through it and not one single hick-cup, NOT ONE!! It is super accurate, 100% reliable, has terrific night sights, 10+1 capacity (12+1 Mag's available) and empty weighs less than my old EDC M60-7. Loaded to capacity (11 rounds) it weighs about what the Chief's does with 5. It is not only small and flat, but the fantastically designed grip is easy to hold onto and the stippling is aggressive enough not to slip BUT not too much that it tears up your hands.

I've Chronographed a bunch of ammo and have settled on my carry load which is Speer Gold Dot 124 grain "Short Barrel" +P. It actually averaged 1,125 fps out of my 3.1" Sig P365 bbl. and has appeared to be a reliable expanding round that penetrates to the proper depths.

What thrills me so much about this Mini 9 is that I can shoot it al day long without any pain, fatigue or wishing I was shooting a larger gun. It's actually fun to shoot and quite comfortable and controllable. Practicing with it is a joy - unlike my M60-7 with stiff Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP +P's that would beat up my fingers in short order.

The target below is from a week ago but the pistol can do this all day long and groups at 50 feet are not much larger! This one has 21 rounds on it from 30 ft. The 2 flyers are my fault.

Yes, this pistol had some issues upon it's release, but I do believe that Sig has "got it right" since last Summer and I know no one in my circle of friends who has one (at least 7 I can think of now, and 3 more buying this week) that have had any failure at all - including myself.

 

[jimmyj]

Glock Model 42