Pocket pistols
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amazingflapjack
US Veteran
Berretta 21A
Pisgah
Member
I like my Beretta Pico .380.
ColbyBruce
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Echo40
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I only just recently got myself a true pocket pistol. I always wanted one, but continuously put it off because there were other things I wanted more.
However, I did a lot of research into the subject in search for the best pocket pistol, and despite all of the options available, I ultimately chose the Ruger LCP 10th Anniversary Edition. Why a variant of the original LCP Custom when the LCP II is a thing? Because based on what I've heard from folks who have owned both the Ruger LCP Custom and LCP II, the LCP II's improved trigger isn't much of an improvement over the LCP Custom's trigger, and the LCP Custom is thinner, lighter, and more rounded off around the edges than the LCP II.
In addition, the LCP 10th Anniversary Edition has a Stainless Steel slide, whereas the LCP II is currently only available with a Carbon Steel slide.
There are a lot of other options, but I decided to go with one that had a time-proven track record that didn't cost much money, and was just about the smallest, lightest pistol available chambered in .380 ACP.
I don't have anything against .32 ACP, but there are far more options available in .380 ACP, it's a more powerful cartridge, and I already own a Walther PPK/S, so I already had ammo for it on-hand.
However, I did a lot of research into the subject in search for the best pocket pistol, and despite all of the options available, I ultimately chose the Ruger LCP 10th Anniversary Edition. Why a variant of the original LCP Custom when the LCP II is a thing? Because based on what I've heard from folks who have owned both the Ruger LCP Custom and LCP II, the LCP II's improved trigger isn't much of an improvement over the LCP Custom's trigger, and the LCP Custom is thinner, lighter, and more rounded off around the edges than the LCP II.
In addition, the LCP 10th Anniversary Edition has a Stainless Steel slide, whereas the LCP II is currently only available with a Carbon Steel slide.
There are a lot of other options, but I decided to go with one that had a time-proven track record that didn't cost much money, and was just about the smallest, lightest pistol available chambered in .380 ACP.
I don't have anything against .32 ACP, but there are far more options available in .380 ACP, it's a more powerful cartridge, and I already own a Walther PPK/S, so I already had ammo for it on-hand.
SC_Mike
Member
Glock 42 in .380 or SW 640 .38 Spc for me. Of your ammo choices I would say .380 over .32 because of ammo selection and availability.
I've owned several pocket pistols and I think the SIG P238 is pretty much perfect. For that matter, a P938 is only a bit larger and get you a pocket 9mm.
That said, they are expensive and I'd say that from the cheaper rage of 380s the S&W Bodyguard 380 is hard to beat.
However, my current pocket pistol is a Kimber K6S, so my SIG and Bodyguard live in the safe.
That said, they are expensive and I'd say that from the cheaper rage of 380s the S&W Bodyguard 380 is hard to beat.
However, my current pocket pistol is a Kimber K6S, so my SIG and Bodyguard live in the safe.
Rammer Jammer
Member
Ruger LCP Custom
When it's not practical to carry otherwise, I pocket carry & have done so for many years......and I prefer the .380 ACP over the .32 ACP.
My first .380 ACP pocket pistol was a Kel-Tec P-3AT.....it was a perfect size and very light weight, but what a horrible trigger & virtually no sights (not that sights on a pocket gun are that vital). After a couple of years I started looking for something with a better trigger ...... tried the Ruger LCP and the Kahr P380. I chose the Kahr. It's trigger is really good, and it is very accurate for it's size. The Kahr in a DeSantis Nemesis holster is what I've now used for pocket carry for several years.
Don
My first .380 ACP pocket pistol was a Kel-Tec P-3AT.....it was a perfect size and very light weight, but what a horrible trigger & virtually no sights (not that sights on a pocket gun are that vital). After a couple of years I started looking for something with a better trigger ...... tried the Ruger LCP and the Kahr P380. I chose the Kahr. It's trigger is really good, and it is very accurate for it's size. The Kahr in a DeSantis Nemesis holster is what I've now used for pocket carry for several years.
Don
Cal44
Member
Ruger LCP 380
Spokes
Member
LCP2 or a 2" J frame..
Zarr
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I've been carrying a Radom P64 in 9mm Makarov for several years. I carry it every day in the clinic, and it's never noticed by colleagues or patients. I am so used to it now, I rarely notice it there.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
I have been pocket carrying over 30 years now.
Prior to NM having CCW, it was an NAA .22 magnum. (Deep concealment, but if caught it was only a petty misdemeanor, which would be overlooked in a clean self-defense shooting.)
After CCW, I graduated to 642/442, then to Kahr PM9. Recently, the Sig P365 is the go to gun. I sometimes carry a Beretta Pico, but the Sig gets carried 90% of the time.
The gun that I carry when I can't carry a gun is a KT P32.
Prior to NM having CCW, it was an NAA .22 magnum. (Deep concealment, but if caught it was only a petty misdemeanor, which would be overlooked in a clean self-defense shooting.)
After CCW, I graduated to 642/442, then to Kahr PM9. Recently, the Sig P365 is the go to gun. I sometimes carry a Beretta Pico, but the Sig gets carried 90% of the time.
The gun that I carry when I can't carry a gun is a KT P32.
ContinentalOp
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My only pocket pistols are a pair of 642s, so take my opinion for what it's worth.
I would definitely go with .380 over .32. The smallest .380s probably aren't going to be much bigger than .32s. I would hazard a guess that .380s may have better reliability than .32s. There's also a wider range of rounds acceptable for self-defense usage.
I don't have any real experience with .380s, other than a magazine through a PPK that was not a pleasant experience. I have considered a .380, and so far two guns are at the top of my list to try. The LCP is a very compact .380 that's been around a while so it's got a pretty good track record. Plus Ruger has solid reputation when it comes to customer service if any issues arise. I've read that some people consider the trigger on the LCP II to be too light for self defense, especially from pocket carry, but I think that's the sort of thing one has to try and decide for themselves. The other is the Beretta Pico, mostly because it's a hammer-fired DAO, which I like, and since it's a Beretta it would fit in well with my 92 and PX4 (all in the family, so to speak). I've also considered the Kahr .380, but there seems to be more in the way of mixed reviews with that one. I'm not a fan of SA semi-autos carried in the pocket, even with the manual safety engaged. That's aside from the fact that I prefer guns without manual safeties for self defense purposes. So the Sigs are out, at least for me.
If at all possible, go try some, either borrowing from a friend (if legal where you are) or renting one at a rental range. I'd also suggest trying some of the pocket 9s that are available in case one of them meets your needs; I would prefer .380 over .32, but I would prefer 9mm over .380 if practical.
I would definitely go with .380 over .32. The smallest .380s probably aren't going to be much bigger than .32s. I would hazard a guess that .380s may have better reliability than .32s. There's also a wider range of rounds acceptable for self-defense usage.
I don't have any real experience with .380s, other than a magazine through a PPK that was not a pleasant experience. I have considered a .380, and so far two guns are at the top of my list to try. The LCP is a very compact .380 that's been around a while so it's got a pretty good track record. Plus Ruger has solid reputation when it comes to customer service if any issues arise. I've read that some people consider the trigger on the LCP II to be too light for self defense, especially from pocket carry, but I think that's the sort of thing one has to try and decide for themselves. The other is the Beretta Pico, mostly because it's a hammer-fired DAO, which I like, and since it's a Beretta it would fit in well with my 92 and PX4 (all in the family, so to speak). I've also considered the Kahr .380, but there seems to be more in the way of mixed reviews with that one. I'm not a fan of SA semi-autos carried in the pocket, even with the manual safety engaged. That's aside from the fact that I prefer guns without manual safeties for self defense purposes. So the Sigs are out, at least for me.
If at all possible, go try some, either borrowing from a friend (if legal where you are) or renting one at a rental range. I'd also suggest trying some of the pocket 9s that are available in case one of them meets your needs; I would prefer .380 over .32, but I would prefer 9mm over .380 if practical.
Simson-Suhl
US Veteran
German/French made Walther PPK in 32acp.
Seecamp in 32acp.
Seecamp in 32acp.
The Beretta 81 for .32, the Beretta 84 for .380.
LVSteve
Member
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