which one for a pocket rocket

[TAROMAN]

My pocket heater - not quite a rocket, however..

..and there's no bleeping IL to deal with!

 

[LOBO]

Everyday I wear BDU shorts or long pants, both of which have roomy front pockets. My EDC gun is a 640-1 .357 magnum. I installed an XS tritium Big Dot front sight on the gun as the only mod. I carry this gun everyday in my right front pocket in an RKBA holster. The gun isn't a lightweight at 23 oz, but the extra weight does help with the recoil form the magnums (125 gr DPX).

What I have found is that a purpose built gun belt is a very important part of successfully carrying a heavier gun in the front pants pocket. It really helps alleviate some of the excess "sagging".

 

[chp]

Of the OP's original choices, my vote is the 340PD.

 

[dinooch]

I pocket carry either a 340sc or a 442. The 340sc would be considered a true pocket rocket due to the weight to power ratio with .357 rounds in it. After a recent trip to the range I removed the smooth rosewood boot grips and put Uncle Mikes rubber boot grips on the gun.
I never liked the original Houge monogrips due to the tackiness of the grip and how it seemed to stick on the fabric of the pocket. Not an issue with the Uncle Mikes grips. It's alot less painful than the rosewoods. The 442 with 135gr +P Gold Dots is no slouch either but not nearly as powerful or "pocket rocket" like as the 340sc.

 

[jensb]

The old S&W 60 in the pocket all day long.

 

[therevjay]

You'll have to make up your own mind. But for me the smallest. Size has always been more importent then weight to my way of thinking when dealing with pocket carry.

 

[26Ford]

I like both brands you mentioned above, you could also consider the Charter Arms revolvers. Made in USA, very cheap $$$, and all day reliable. If you are not concerned with visual appearance, and its just a " tool ' for pocket carry, the Charter might be a viable option. For that matter, you could consider one of thier 44 Special Bulldog Pugs, no problem with questioning do I have enough firepower and not really excessive overkill either LOL, 26

 

[79ipa]

well I guess this debate ended today around two o clock. I walked around a local gun show and looked at several different guns such as lcrs and smith j frames. I saw and mp 340 with no lock for 787 which seemed really high. A few tables down I saw some ruger lcrs in .38 and .357. These seemed really nice however the .357 version seemed quite heavy. I then spotted another smith and wesson 340 mp for 705 with the lock. I don't like the lock but it was a decent deal on the smith. The trigger doesn't seem that great however the gun is light, has a night sight on it, and is chambered for .357. I walked around some more hoping that someone would buy the gun and I wouldn't have to spend money on it. However they never did buy it so I had to.

Back at home I put 20 hornady critical defense .357 125s through it. I was easily hitting soda bottles with it at 15 yards. My chronograph said that I was getting 1080 fps with these loads. How does that compare to a .38 125 grain bullet? I also tried about 20 more handloads with 158 grain bullets. All of the .357 loads were very stout in my opinion so I quit after about 40 .357s and 20 .38s. My right thumb did take some abuse from the slide release on the gun however other than that I am okay.

 

[79ipa]

hi

now I just need a good pocket holster.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

now I just need a good pocket holster.

79, this might get you started.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/227292-best-pocket-snubbie.html

 

[ogilvyspecial]

My right thumb did take some abuse from the slide release on the gun however other than that I am okay.

Because of the right thumb issue you mentioned above I've swapped out some of the Cylinder Latches on our carry guns, like on the M638-3 shown below that came with the pointed / angled type.

They didn't bother me as much as they did my wife & every time we shot she would mention the latch hitting her thumb, which prompted her to bail out early during shooting sessions. Now it's all good!

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

The old S&W 60 in the pocket all day long.

I've been carrying a M60-7 loaded with +P defense rounds for several months now. It's reached the point that I'm used to it and have actually forgot I was carrying more than once. It works for me for commuting and errands around town; it's my BUG when on the road and farm.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Still carrying my little .22 Mag Black Widow because even a J Frame is bulky and heavy.

 

[geraldo]

great pocket pistol

I like my 649, always grab it first !

 

[LOBO]

now I just need a good pocket holster.

Home - RKBA Holsters

I've been using one of these pocket holsters for over 5 years now. First with a 442, and now a 640-1. Hands down the best pocket holster out there. It actually stays in your pocket, and does not come out with the gun when you draw.

 

[crracer_712]

Just thinking of heavier pistols in a pocket.... I can see an advantage to those folks who wear cover-alps, would take the weight off those savvy britches.

Also just made me wonder if that's why some of those youthful types wear their pants halfway off their ***, not hy sheer design, but weighted down by a heavy pistol....

 

[jeeps]

The 340 is next to useless because of its recoil. Target standard 38 special wadcutters is all its good for. I got rid of mine and went to a no lock 442-1 38+P with 125gr.+P hp 38 spec. loads. I lost alot of money on the 340.

 

[r1w]

I go back and forth between Airweights and standard weight J frames. A model 649-3 in 357 is a favorite though.

Brian

 

[Mister_Smith]

This thread is old but in case anyone reads it in the future I'd like to add my own experiences. I own several Smith J frames, a lightweight model 38 alloy frame version of the 49, a model 36, a model 60 in .357 mag, a 340 M&P and a 340PD, with some duplicates here and there.

First let me say a lot of what any of these guns feels like when firing full power loads or +P loads if very subjective. If you have any desire to know what any of these guns feels like to fire with any particular round, you truly have to experience it for yourself.

One man's punishment is another man's insignificance.

For example, I've read how brutal firing .357 founds in the 340's can be, and while the recoil was stout, I did not have a problem with it and nor did I have a problem with fast follow up shots. It isn't gonna tickle, I can promise that about the recoil, but I didn't find it to be much of a problem.

One mistake people make with J frames, the wrong manner of gripping the gun. Search for Jerry Miculek's way of gripping J frames, it is a game changer, find out for yourself, it really is.

Hope this helps.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I'll put forth that pocket gun, and .357 for woods use are two different things, and don't overlap unless. At least one parameter is very compromised.