In the winter i carry a 1911 w/Lou alessi shoulder rig and warmer temps a hipower in .40. W/ the proliferation of subcompact firearms I've been thinking one of these might fill in the gaps. Always liked walthers and the pps has caught my eye. Also like .38 special+p. Hard to find a pps to try out in my pocket don't really like the .380's, no I really don't like them. Like fine machinery w/ a pedigree. Just looking for some impressions. I've a large frame and I can probably carry a sub compact comfortably in my front pocket as opposed to a smaller person
Refs on pocket pistol/revolver
- Thread starter rgrigutis
- Start date
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S&W 442. they are about the most used 38 special I have found by asking.with the internal hammer you can fire it from a jacket pocket if needed. I personally carried a 637 in my back pocket for a year until I sold it needing money. Wish i had that one back.
Heifer
Member
Lots of good options. You cannot beat a J frame airweight for everyday concealed carry. My 638 is in my front pocket as I write this. For a semi auto, I am seriously considering a Ruger SR9c; not the most ideal for pocket carry, but enough gun to shoot relatively easy and rugged. My second choice, which is more appropriate for pocket carry is the Kel-Tec PF-11. Anything smaller will probably be uncomfortable to shoot.
in my opinion, 9mm and 38 special are the way to go, and ammo is readily available and relatively inexpensive. .380, .32, .25 are costly and difficult to aquire at times.
in my opinion, 9mm and 38 special are the way to go, and ammo is readily available and relatively inexpensive. .380, .32, .25 are costly and difficult to aquire at times.
Catshooter
Member
If you want a quality, tiny .45, look to the Kahr PM 45. They are smaller than a PPKS, hold 5+1 and shoot very well. I love mine.
Cat
Cat
did some cursory research into the kahr and the reviews were not too hot.. ftf,fte, shells ejecting into your face. the pm 9 seemed more favorable. keep looking i guess but i heard bass pro stocks the ppks so i'll head over there. thanks for the responses, rick
Glock 'em down
Member
Like yourself, I too am a robust kinda guy. At 6'3" and weighing in at 350ish pounds, I could hide a howitzer without any problems.
However...
I thought a Glock 27 would be a nice pocket gun. Boy was I ever wrong. That thing was like carrying a brick around all day long.
So, I got rid of it and picked up a "vintage" (1985-86) Smith & Wesson model 38 Airweight Bodyguard and couldn't be happier. It has been my constant companion in my front pocket since October 2008.
I figure a .38 Special will trump a .380 everyday of the week anyhow.
However...
I thought a Glock 27 would be a nice pocket gun. Boy was I ever wrong. That thing was like carrying a brick around all day long.
So, I got rid of it and picked up a "vintage" (1985-86) Smith & Wesson model 38 Airweight Bodyguard and couldn't be happier. It has been my constant companion in my front pocket since October 2008.
I figure a .38 Special will trump a .380 everyday of the week anyhow.
Me - 442 in a Blackhawk Speed Classic ( I wear my jeans too tight)
Wife - 642 in a carry purse
Both would make good pocket guns in looser pants (but don't get pink grips like the wife). I looked at the small .380 autos but decided not to trust the miniaturized inner workings when our lives might depend on it.
Wife - 642 in a carry purse
Both would make good pocket guns in looser pants (but don't get pink grips like the wife). I looked at the small .380 autos but decided not to trust the miniaturized inner workings when our lives might depend on it.
Heifer
Member
The Kel-Tecs have vastly improved within the last few years, the manufacturer dilegently corrected the problems. The PF-9 is the smallest 9mm they offer, and is usually sold out. Bud's Gun Shop seems to have the best prices and many customer reviews.
A Smith Airweight in 38+P is still hard to beat. The finish is durable and the revolver does not mind pocket crud, which is still a minor issue with a pocket holster-I get hay in my pockets when I feed the cows
A Smith Airweight in 38+P is still hard to beat. The finish is durable and the revolver does not mind pocket crud, which is still a minor issue with a pocket holster-I get hay in my pockets when I feed the cows
Lew Archer
Member
The PPK is classic, trim and quite compact. It's heavy, though, for it's size, due to its all steel construction. So, if carrying a PPK, PPK/S or PP, I would opt for a holster...belt, shoulder or ankle, depending on circumstances.
The Sig-Sauer P232 (or the earlier P230) is also excellent...it has an alloy frame. However, it's a little larger, overall, then the PPK (about the same size as a PP). Very nice gun...but, for me, a little large for a pocket. Again, I'd opt for a holster on the belt, shoulder or ankle.
Both of the above are "blow back", rather than locked breech designs, and therefore somewhat more susceptible to malfunctions from limp wristing or loads that don't generate enough slide velocity. Pick your ammo carefully and pay attention to grip technique, if you choose this type of semi auto.
I will join the others who, for pocket carry, recommend some flavor of lightweight J frame Smith. My preference would be the 642 or 442. Not too light, enclosed hammer and utterly reliable. The .38 is a better round than the .380, providing you can master the J frames, which, admittedly, are not easy to master.
The Sig-Sauer P232 (or the earlier P230) is also excellent...it has an alloy frame. However, it's a little larger, overall, then the PPK (about the same size as a PP). Very nice gun...but, for me, a little large for a pocket. Again, I'd opt for a holster on the belt, shoulder or ankle.
Both of the above are "blow back", rather than locked breech designs, and therefore somewhat more susceptible to malfunctions from limp wristing or loads that don't generate enough slide velocity. Pick your ammo carefully and pay attention to grip technique, if you choose this type of semi auto.
I will join the others who, for pocket carry, recommend some flavor of lightweight J frame Smith. My preference would be the 642 or 442. Not too light, enclosed hammer and utterly reliable. The .38 is a better round than the .380, providing you can master the J frames, which, admittedly, are not easy to master.
hello boys. thanks again for the advice.
i'm kind of leaning to the ppks in .380. i reload so buying the .380 dies is ok and .380 frangible from what i understand will make up the difference from a 9 or 40.
those smith airweights are a nice possibility also. a while back i had a taurus .44 special titanium that was punishing to shoot and sold it. don't know what a .38 special+p would feel like out of an airweight. i do have a mosel 28 that is brutal w/.357 but a pussycat w/ .38+p. somebody could make a lot of money if he had most of these guns and let people do try outs of 10 rounds or so. the guy at the local mega fish store acted as if he was doing me a favor letting me touch the walther and turned gray when i put it in my pocket to see how it fit. i might just stay w/ my allessi/1911 and belly pack hipower. sorry for venting and thanks again for the feedback, rick
i'm kind of leaning to the ppks in .380. i reload so buying the .380 dies is ok and .380 frangible from what i understand will make up the difference from a 9 or 40.
those smith airweights are a nice possibility also. a while back i had a taurus .44 special titanium that was punishing to shoot and sold it. don't know what a .38 special+p would feel like out of an airweight. i do have a mosel 28 that is brutal w/.357 but a pussycat w/ .38+p. somebody could make a lot of money if he had most of these guns and let people do try outs of 10 rounds or so. the guy at the local mega fish store acted as if he was doing me a favor letting me touch the walther and turned gray when i put it in my pocket to see how it fit. i might just stay w/ my allessi/1911 and belly pack hipower. sorry for venting and thanks again for the feedback, rick
Pokerstar
Member
I have a Walther PP in .32 that i carried for several years, but the .32 is a bit anemic. I also have several 1911's that I carry occasionally. I recently picked up a S&W Bodyguard .380 and am very impressed with it. I put 100 rounds through it at the range and it is accurate and controllable. Once I get another 200 through it, I will test it with some good .380 self defense ammo and carry that. I have a Bianchi in the waistband holster for it.
