A while ago, there was a list of some great pocket pistols options if you’re inclined toward a small .380 ACP pistol for concealed carry and/or self-defense.
Here are a few more. Before we get started, a few things must be mentioned.
First, make sure you get a gun you can (and will) actually train with. If you can’t hit the broadside of a barn or run the gun worth a darn, it’s basically useless.
Second, be sure to carry with appropriate ammunition personal defense rounds in your carry gun. Modern ammunition has made .380 ACP more than just “merely adequate.” for EDC purposes. It has also made 9mm arguably the perfect round for personal defense. Don’t even start with that stopping power stuff; handguns just don’t have any. We’ve been over this…get an elephant gun if you want it.
Third, carry in a pocket holster…something that covers the trigger. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. The typical “accidental discharge” story that gets in the news is some yahoo who decided to pocket carry without a pocket holster. Sometimes, they just get embarrassed by their stupidity and their carelessness. Sometimes, the outcome is tragic.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about some more excellent choices of pocket pistol. This time it’s going to be a little different. The last list was heavy on .380 pistols, and this one won’t be.
The SIG P238 is one of the most popular tiny .380 pistols, but the thing is, the SIG P365 is just better. It’s just as easily carried in a pocket, as the dimensions are amazingly close. The P365 is less than 0.5 inches taller, less than 0.5 inches longer, actually a hair slimmer, and only a few ounces heavier than the P238.
The P365 also has the benefit of not being single-action, so newbies don’t have to fret about the manual safety. The P365 is chambered in 9mm instead of .380, and carries 10+1 instead of 6+1. It also has the benefit of being cheaper. Pay less, get a better gun. That’s a good formula
The ur-pocket pistol, of course, is the .38 Special snubnose revolver and at that, the Smith & Wesson J-Frame. There are several dozen models to choose from. Though “best” is kind of subjective, there is one that offers a lot when you look at the whole picture.
The Model 638 Airweight has been around for quite some time, but sometimes the old ways are best. The 638 has a shrouded hammer, so it’s streamlined for concealed carry, but still offers the user the ability to fire in single-action rather than just DAO like the 642 series.
The Airweight model has an aluminum alloy frame, bringing unloaded weight down to 14.6 ounces. This pistol has been around for more than 50 years (originally called the Model 38 Bodyguard when released) because the darn thing just works.
I wouldn’t recommend the 649, which is the same gun in .357 Magnum. Why? Because .357 Magnum fired a snubbie is just painful. Frankly, if you wanted a compact maggie, save up for a round-butt/short barrel Combat Magnum. Then you’ll be able to shoot the thing worth a damn.
Some people would think that the next entry will be another classic carry gun like the Walther PPK or Walther PPK/S, but no. If I was going to tell someone to buy a small Walther…
I would point them at the PPS M2. It’s a bit bigger and a bit heavier for a pocket pistol, at 6.3 inches long, 4.4 inches tall, 1 inch wide and 21.1 oz unloaded. That’s right at the limit for a gun one might carry in a pocket. So why do I mention it?
Well, it carries 6+1 of 9mm instead of 6+1 of .380 ACP. It’s more affordable than a PPK, and has a trigger that you can actually use. In fact, it’s probably the best trigger among single-stack subcompacts. It’s a better gun than the GLOCK 43 (that’s right, I said it) and putting up with a few extra ounces is worth it.
But let’s say someone DOES like old-school guns but wanted some modern appointments?
The Ruger LCR series of revolvers are fantastic concealed carry-cum-pocket pistols, but with modern features. The lower frame is polymer to reduce weight, and the DAO trigger of the base model is tuned for a smooth pull with minimal stacking. And they deliver.
Of all the small revolvers I’ve handled and fired, these have the best DA trigger. You get rubber grips, a rear sight cut into the top strap and a front blade sight…and that’s about it for the base model.
While there’s nothing wrong with this gun in .38 Special, I’d recommend the Ruger LCR in 9mm because there are more short-barrel optimized loads for it and because 9mm is cheaper. The cylinder is machined for use with moon clips, and the 9mm LCR comes with three. MSRP is $669, but it’s more like $500 in stores. The front sight, incidentally, isn’t machined onto the barrel; you can actually upgrade it if desired.
Yeah, the LCP would be easier on the budget and carries more bullets. But the LCR is just better.
A solid budget gun would be the Remington RM380.
Remington’s reputation has taken some knocks over the years, but guns like their 1911 pistols and the RM380 are worthy EDC choices. TTAG has covered the RM380 before (see Dan’s RM380 review) but the greatest hits goes like this:
Remington bought Rohrbaugh and bippity-boppity-booped the Rohrbaugh R9 (a very well-liked but niche and expensive compact 9mm) into an economical all-metal .380 pistol. Ambi magazine releases and dual recoil springs were added, but the finery was reduced until a svelte, compact pistol (5.27″ long by 3.86″ tall, 12.2 oz unloaded, 6+1 capacity) was created, and for about $300-ish on the street.
A long DAO trigger is about the only common complaint, but that’s to be expected with most pocket pistols.
But I didn’t mention the GLOCK 42, you say?
This is a GLOCK 43, which is slightly taller (4.25″ vs 4.13″) slightly longer (6.26″ vs 5.94″) and a bit heavier (16.23 oz vs 12.17 oz unloaded) than the GLOCK 42. However, the G43 carries 6+1 of 9mm rather than .380. While .380 is fine, you only have to put up with a slightly bigger, slightly heavier pistol in the pocket to get more choices in carry ammunition which is also cheaper.
Any other pint-size pistols for pleasant packing you felt got left off? Say so down below. Feel like the Bruins got ripped off? The Blues deserved the win, so you’re wrong, but those blown calls were terrible.
Sig p238 or 365 is definitely next on my list. Haven’t figured out which one yet.
Comparing the 365 to the 238 or 938 in size is a bit disingenuous. The 238/938 have safety levers that are their maximum width, but they’re only 1/2″x1/4″. Overall, they’re much slimmer.
Hopefully your P365 will be better than mine. It is extremely ammo sensitive. It’s been back twice, had the local gunsmith check it over ( who recommended sending it back again) so I do not carry it.
No HP ammo will feed reliably , its heavy 124 grain+ ball or nothing at all if you want it to be reliable.
I really want a 365. I thought Sig had ironed all those issues out. What was your manufacture date?
March 2018, mines a Generation 1. I never had the trigger problem or sight issue but do have a real problem with failure to feed. Ramps been polished by the factory, new magazines, new spring and still same problem.
I may trade it for something else one day. The local shop knows the gun so that one is out.
Correction, Feb 6th 2018. I looked at the paperwork and that date is when it was transferred to me. There was a store sicker over the made in USA with the build date on the box. I managed to peel it off this morning and found the correct born on date. Mine did come back the first time with new sights on it but I did not have an issue with the previous ones. Nor any striker problems or any of the other problems I see on the Sig forums. It is a very accurate weapon and fits my hand well. I would be very happy with it if it did not have the FTF issue.
Sig has had it twice now and reworked and polished the feed ramp and replaced springs and magazines and it still ends up with the bullet jammed against the feed ramp at least once while running through a box of bullets. Use hollowpoints and its at least once per magazine. I would not trust it as a carry gun.
I may contact them and see if they will trade since they can’t seem to fix the problem. That was the Gunsmiths recommendation. Send it back again and if it still has a problem see if they will exchange as this is the only one he has seen like it. He also tried it and had 2 FTF in one magazine with Sig hollowpoints.
I’ve had others try it just in case its me and they too experienced the FTF. The only ammo it consistently works well with is Sig Elite ball 147 grain. Its flawless with that.
I have 3 other Sigs, a P226, a P238 and a P938 and the only one that ever had any problem was the P238. A trip to the factory back in 2013 for a failure to eject problem and a new recoil spring solved it. Its been flawless ever since. I do replace the springs once a year on it and the P938 just in case.
The older ones had issues. The new ones are fine. I bought mine last summer in June and it’s been perfect. I made sure I got the very latest version with the manual thumb safety like what’s on a 1911. I really didn’t care about getting the safety, I just wanted the latest version since SIG incorporates all the fixes into rolling updates on the production line. Fantastic pistol. Best CCW pistol I’ve had and I’ve had a LOT of them. Over the 20 years I’ve been carrying, I’ve carried everything from a Kel-Tec P32 up to a full sized 1911.
I’ve had a 365 for a couple of weeks now and have around 600 rounds through it, I am extremely happy with it so far. My cousin has a 938, which is a slightly larger 9mm version of the 238 and is also a very fine pistol.
Glock 30 45ACP,Glock 26 9mm-each holds 10rds! and an take other Glock mags,Charter Arms Bulldog 44Special or 45Colt,possibly the S&W Mountain Gun in 45Colt[or 44Mag,using 44Specials]
Yeah, and those Glocks are overweight, oversized bricks for the payload they carry. I can get the same 10+1 capacity of the G26 in something the size of a Kahr PM9 with the SIG P365. I know, as I have both pistols and have done a side-by-side comparison myself. The P365 is *slightly* bigger, but negligible to me, even in a pocket. In fact, I traded my G26 is on the P365 and I’m very glad I did. the P365 is the best carry pistol I’ve ever owned, by far, and I’ve had/carried a lot of different ones in the 20+ years I’ve been carrying daily.
Pocket pistols are kinda cool from a tech and size perspective but at a certain point, and I don’t pretend to know exactly where it will end up being but it’s out there somewhere, pocket pistols will become counter-productive to 2A rights.
If you have to do it in the closet then you’re quite clearly not free to do it. Pocket pistols represent, to some degree, an acceptance of the status quo ante where having a gun scares people and is therefore unacceptable. So we avoid the unacceptable part by making sure no one knows we have it. In that regard we sort of accept being told to ride at the back of the bus because at least we’re still on the bus… for now.
Eventually I think that’s going to come back to bite us in a variety of ways. Going along to get along works for awhile but not if we end up losing the overall culture war.
We need to find that balance between shoving the 2A down other people’s throats and hiding in the shadows hoping more infringements don’t occur because if we’re hiding in the shadows those infringements are sure to happen.
Kind of see where you are coming from on the ideology front and don’t disagree. The Stark reality for much of the country is a crap ton of compromise to have any rights and pocket pistols do help ruin the day of 2 legged predators without advertising that one is armed to both predators and various histrionic control freaks (combined make up a plurality of my state). Wish your reasoning were more in line with average America it would make life easier.
Im an avid pocket carrier. And it has way more to do with convenience of carry and being realistic about my actual threat level than any concern about being ‘made’.
In short, if I didn’t pocket carry, I probably wouldn’t at all…..but I do pocket carry, and if I’m wearing pants I’m carrying a gun.
“Going along to get along works for awhile but not if we end up losing the overall culture war.”
I don’t agree we are losing the culture war. Why?
We have a headlock on the youth, and we can thank Leftist-controlled Hollywood who keeps on spitting out movies like ‘John Wick’ and every other one that shows guns used to right wrongs, save the day and get the girls. Add to that the first-person shooter video game industry, and it’s a combination they have no chance of beating. Add to that the natural tendency for kids to rebel against whatever their parents want (common-sense gun whatever) and to get more politically conservative as they age, gun rights aren’t going anywhere.
As the ‘Who’ noted in your parent’s day, “The Kids Are Alright” :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5zw04WxCc&list=PL94gOvpr5yt35RFMqc-l2zRLv3T2h0_Qm
Your definition of “losing” and mine are different. Keep in mind that I’m the one who did the game shit for this website and I wasn’t replaced when I stopped.
I know the internet and game cultures pretty well and I will tell you flat out that for a variety of reasons we’re not losing but we’re not winning on that front. I will also tell you that Andrew Breitbart was right when he said “Politics is downstream from culture”. RF understood that fact quite well, that’s why he got a hold of me and offered me that gig. His insight into the online culture and how it moves younger folks towards or away from guns was deep and rather wide which was kinda surprising for someone of his age. But once you talked to him for a bit it became rather clear why he understood what he understood and why.
At this point the game culture, in terms of firearms, for the most part breeds a culture of “Guns are cool but…”. That’s not winning. At best it’s static and culture is interesting in how similar it is to physics. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted on be an outside force and we need to make sure that we are that force rather than the antis because if they get the inertia, well, overbalance a motorcycle and then try to hold it up with one leg and you’ll see what I’m saying. Even a 600 gets mighty heavy pretty quick.
Don’t take this the wrong way, but you might be blurring into some projection here. Not even saying you’re wrong, but also consider the best pistol you own is the one you actually carry. For example, I love me some 1911s and have a R1 Threaded. It’s not the bear everyone claims it is to carry, but there are some days when it is cumbersome vs what i’m wearing or- God forbid -I’m just feeling too lazy to strap on the whole rig. Something I can just throw into my cargo pocket- literally -is a nice option.
As to concealment, I mostly shrug. Not too many people notice my full sized 1911 under my shirt anyway.
I conceal carry because weapons are meant to be felt and not seen. If my weapon is on my side when someone decides to start shooting, then I will probably be the first target of the terrorist because my gun on my side clearly labels me as a threat. However, if it is in my pocket , I have the element of surprise. I appear to be unarmed.
My Kel Tec PF 9 is always in one pocket or another.
Here, here!
Not the best for a newbie, but for someone who likes to “fiddle” with their pistol to customize it, they are excellent. I’ve got nice thick padding right where the web of my hand goes (which is the “sore point” when firing the pistol for more than a few mags worth. I’ve also added a trigger guard laser, and modded the mag followers for better feeding. I put around 8-10,000 rounds thru my first one, before it broke. Sent it back to Keltec, and the replaced the entire “receiver”… basically got a brand new gun! Fits my pocket holster perfectly.
Don’t count out the P938. It’s been overshadowed by the 365, but it’s a little shorter and pockets a little better. Still gives you a pretty comfortable full grip with the 7rd mag too.
+1
I’ll +1 that as well. Got the P-938 “We The People” get up on an impulse buy. Granted, the ultra patriotic dressing on it is a little garish but man is it a sweet little gat. Pretty much replaced the G43 I tend to ankle carry.
comparing the p365 and p938 misses the target (pun intended). one is is SAO mini 1911 style handgun while the other is a striker fired weapon. I own a p938 but I am hesitant to carry a SAO cocked and locked pocket pistol. I love owning it and shooting it at the range but has been relegated to just that.
it is an amazing feat of engineering that sig produced. it is tiny yet can accurately shoot 9mm with every manageable bite. it is also very beautifully made.
I am currently on the fence between the shield and p365 as a daily carry- not being an old school guy, I feel safer carrying a striker fired rather than SAO in condition 1.
If you have a good pocket holster, the 938 can be carried cocked and locked without any problems. I’ve carried mine this way daily for over five years with nary an incident.
The 10+1 capacity of the chunky monkey Glock 26 in something the size of a tiny Kahr PM9 isn’t something to be ignored. That’s why a G43 replaced my G26 and then the P365 replaced the G43 because it’s still smaller with 10+1 on board and the 12rd mags are barely any bigger/longer. Best carry gun I’ve ever had, that SIG P365.
I’ve carried one in a pocket holster daily for over five years. Dress pants, jeans, shorts, you name it, my 938 SAS is on my person from the time I get out of bed until I go to sleep at night.
To those who say pocket pistols are only good for short range work. I have used mine on steel silhouettes out to 50 yards on numerous occasions, it just takes practice and a smooth trigger pull.
This little gun has even accompanied me to two separate defensive pistol classes. Both times, the instructors were impressed that I was shooting what I actually carried daily. They say many times they see students shooting full size pistols in the class, and then have a compact pocket pistol on them when they break for lunch.
During once of the classes, I used my little 938 to make the only headshot in the entire class on a moving silhouette target. Again I attribute making that type of shot to lots of practice ( and lots of experience shooting wild quail).
I don’t leave home without my 938!
+1 for the Kel-Tec P11 but the Kel-Tec P3AT is THE smallest & lightest pocket pistol in the world. I have over 1K rounds thru mine & it runs flawlessly. The trick is you have to death-grip it or you can limp wrist & cause all sorts of feed/eject problems. Remora makes a great holster for it & it disappears in the jeans pocket of even skinny guys like me.
Do you hate your hands? Because your P11 definitely hates your hands 😉
No, the P3AT isn’t the smallest and lightest. The P32 is smaller and lighter. Kel-Tec still makes them, too. And, the P32 still even isn’t the smallest/lightest.
My current pocket carry is a Springfield 911 cocked and locked in a holster. Great shooter wonderful gun. Going to add a Sig p365 but will keep both and feel comfortable with either. I load Civil Defense ammo . Great Combinations.
Any chance you had an opportunity to Chrono that? I’m curious what that loading gets out of a typical carry.
My only “pocket gun” is .380 Bodyguard that is either attached to my ankle (whenever I am dressed) or in a simple holster in my pocket or clipped to my pants when I’m in my pajamas. I work from home and live on 14 secluded, gated acres without a visible neighbor at the end of a dead end hollow, and thus spend quite a bit of time in my Pjs. It’s my everywhere all the time gun, and although my home is seeded with readily accessible, loaded firearms in strategic positions, in still never, ever without my little bodyguard.
That said, as soon as I venture beyond the front porch, and I litterally mean if I’m going to the mail box or beyond, I’ll get dressed…which includes adding a G19 and a couple of spare mags to the mix.
I’m probably hyper vigilant, perhaps even paranoid in a sub clinical sort of way, but for me the advantage of the little gun is convenience, it’s really easy to carry, but it’s only there to give me something to fight my way back to a better gun. That’s why it goes down to my ankle once I get dressed and put my G19 on my belt or under my arm.
I don’t knock people who “only” carry one of these little guns, but personally I’m more than willing to lug a lot more gun around to have more capability and options in a SHTF scenario.
I’m willing to admit to carrying way more guns, ammo and gear than I’m ever likely to need, at least in this stage of my life, but such habits are carry over from a far more “exciting” time, and I’m just a gunny…i like guns, my friends like guns, my wife likes guns and carries them. It’s as much a lifestyle thing as any sort of real need.
If you’re packing anything, good on ya, if you like carrying more gun, or more than one gun, good on ya. My only gripe comes when a guy with a pocket gun tells the guy packing a duty pistol that he’s a nut job/mall ninja etc while the guy EDCing an AR pistol tells the guy with the detective special that he’s only got enough gun to get himself killed. Different strokes for different folks.
Make sure you have Hornady Custom or better with the BG. I shot a woodchuck tearing up corn and a hunting blind point blank in the head, Hornady Critical Defense, through and through shitty expansion, and some of the pedals broke off. I hit skull and some brain, after a few minutes it was still crawling. I had to finish the job with a shovel. Went back and watched Shooting the bulls .380 ammo series and changed carry ammo.
I have my BG loaded with whatever the Fiocchi load was that STB410 found worked well in ultra short barrels. At least the first 5 anyway…I load Buffalo Bore 90grn Flatnose FMJ in the bottoms of the mags for maximum penetration. That ammo can cause such high slide velocities that it jams such tiny guns, but my BG doesn’t seem to have this problem though I wouldn’t want to shoot much of that really hot ammo through it, just enough to see it working.
Agreed, I have three of the listed 365 g43 and pps those are for going places that anti gunners post and such and for around the house. One of them stays in my quick draw attached to my truck dash body. Other than that I generally carry compact to full size depending on the mood and I go nowhere without being locked and loaded. At least one in every room of the house garage, shop and out buildings. I go owb about as much as I go iwb, again depending on the mood and situation. Yes I’m a gun freak don’t y’all judge me I was born this way😂😂😂
Wouldn’t it be fun to take some of these gunms back to the 1800’s.
Hell….the 1980s.
We had good Snubs but these small autos would be worth a mint.
Yup. 1980 edc’d a two shot 38 derringer 148wchb’s turned backwards and a Ruger Super Blackhawk with .246 gr rnd nose .44 Spl’s. Funny how I can remember that shit and don’t know where my lighter is?
None of those, other than the Rem, really fits in front slacks pockets. And if I am wearing a jacket, I can carry OWB on a belt.
The J-frame revolver does. I sometimes carry mine that way. I’ve even pocket carried a P11 in the front slacks pocket.
Still, the LCP/P3AT class guns disappear much more easily in a pocket..
I’m a big fan of the Remington RM380. It carries well in an OWB under a t-shirt, shoots good, disappears in a pocket with a Sticky holster, and I like the metal construction. I’ve got three and load with Critical Defense. I got one for each of my sons, as well.
“The P365 is less than 0.5 inches taller, less than 0.5 inches longer, actually a hair slimmer, and only a few ounces heavier than the P238.”
Small differences in size and weight are noticeable when you pocket carry.
Indeed.
Day in and day out, easy gets the nod.
May not be the best solution but it beats not having a gun.
I probably will check out a P365 to see if it will pocket for me in jeans.
The 43 is a bit too large and I end up with a pocketful of fist when trying to draw.
A j frame snub works well with standard grip and a t-grip.
The gripping is muchmdifferent for a revolver than a pistol. My hand gets much wider when I get a firing grip a pistol.
I go with the adage, carry something you wouldn’t mind losing.
I mind very much losing my life, which I value vastly higher than anyone’s gun collection. So the cost of the gun is simply not part of the worry for me. I carry what works for me, what I can afford. That’s it.
Kel-Tec P3AT in a Desantis Superfly pocket holster. If I’m carrying a full size Ruger SR9 on the belt, the mouse gun is in the pocket too.
I carry a P3AT as well both in a IWB holster and a hip pouch that I can open very easily. The P3AT is a decent gun in my experience despite reports of problems. I’ve put a lot of rounds through mine.
Ruger LC9s or EC9…upper limit of size to be considered a pocket pistol. Very dependable and accurate for around $200-$250.
TCP 738
In the LCR the .38 special is not only $90 cheaper (MSRP) but 3.7 ounces lighter. There’s also a .327 magnum with a 6 chamber cylinder. Lots of options.
I want an LCR in 327 fairly badly. That 6th round in a snubbie just does it for me. I think it’s a neat cartridge, but I don’t reload or anything, and don’t see much of it on shelves around these parts.
Highly recommend the LCR/LCRx in .327 Fed Mag. I’ve got one of each as well as the SS Sp101 w/ 3 in bbl in .327. Great caliber and versatile as it will also accommodate.32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W long and short, and in a pinch .32 ACP. When not CCW carrying the Remington RM 380 it’s either the LCR or LCRx. The SP101 is my trail gun.
For sure. I like the “X” models better than the standards, just because I can play with it more. I’ve yet to see one for sale locally, they’re all 38/357 versions. If I happen to stumble onto one on sale, I’ll see about picking it up.
These “pocket” pistols all sound great until you have to sit down. Don’t even need an AD to take off a nut or half a penis.
If your pants fit correctly and you’re using a pocket holster, the gun will point parallel to your outer thigh. I don’t worry about shooting myself in the junk because I’m not carrying in an iwb appendix holster.
You carrying in short-shorts?
I carry a G43 in some off brand “5.11” style pants at work. In the cargo pocket. In a holster. Works well. Even sitting down.
A weapon I have never seen nor heard mentioned is the STI staccato c 9mm. Small, accurate and light enough to be a pocket gun.
It might fit in cargo pockets, but it is a little big to call it a “pocket pistol”.
I like my 709 Slim in a Nemisis. Put a Handall Jr. cut down. It works great…hated the Keltec PF9. Meh on the TCP. It was ok but slightly ammo picky. Not going below 9mm now…
These lists seem to always delve into outdated models like the RM380, or the Bodyguard, or the LCP… There is no reason to carry any of those anymore. The LCP II is lightyears beyond its predecessor. As is the Security 9 Compact. Nearly every gunmaker has a more advanced offering than the items on this list.
A light striker fired trigger makes me a bit nervous on a pocket gun (LCP2).
Yes, I always use a pocket holster. I just feel a bit more comfortable with a longer heavier trigger, like my 642, and LCP have.
If you’d done even the tiniest bit of research, you’d know that there isn’t ONE single LCP that’s striker fired. They ALL have a hammer, even the newest LCP II. The LCP 2 is a different pistol entirely, which you’d also know if you’d done even the tiniest bit of research and it’s quite clear you didn’t.
There is one really good reason to carry those old guns: because they’re paid for and my next one isn’t.
That, and the fact that the wife is ok with the ones I own, but doesn’t seem to think I need to keep buying more all the time. She is a pretty understanding woman, but at some point a gun collection can get a bit ridiculous.
That’s why you sell them or trade them in. Other than nostalgia with an heirloom piece or something, there’s no reason to keep old stuff if you want something better/newer. I traded in an old ’70s era Interarms Walther PPK/s in on my Glock 43. I graded in my Glock 26 for a SIG P365. Both trades were excellent and I much prefer the new pistols even though I like the old ones.
Have the walther pps m2 sig 375 and Glock 43my favs in order best first, sig 365 without question. Then walther pps m2 followed very closely by the Glock 43. All run flawlessly. All are comfortable carry. I. Plus go let her direction on the last two so it comes down to capacity alone. Now if CZ or Canik made a micro like the 365 with that capacity, I might have to re-evaluate
45 years of carry in NYC, and FL. I pocket carry a 365, every day all day. it was a Kahr PM9 until 4 months ago. The 11 rounds made me change after 10 years with that gun. You need to be a realist, chances are half the rounds you fire in a life and death situation, will miss the target. If it takes 4 rounds to drop the average male,”FBI stats”, then you have enough for 1 or 2 bad guys. Most folks aren’t going to make a head shot, past 6-10 feet, nor should they try when someone is shooting at them. I carry at least 1 and most times 2 spares, with all my guns, even my 19 with extended mags, because things break and malfunction. Also Sif just came out with 15 rounders toad to the 10, and 12 round mags.
Everyone can say what they want, but when I have no choice but to carry in my pocket, nothing beats my PF9. Reliable, accurate and easy to conceal. It shoots whatever I load it with and I can dump a very nice group with it. Of course, I take it to the range weekly so I’m very used to the DAO trigger.
I carry a 9mm PPS M2 in a Crossbreed Super Tuck when it’s feasible. If I have to pocket carry I use a Kahr CM9 in a Alabama Holsters Kydex Pocket Holster. The CM9 is the smallest gun I can shoot well. It’s also surprisingly affordable and well made for what it is.
I use a DeSantis Mag-Packer in my left pocket and I carry both the Walther and the Kahr with a 6 round magazine in the gun and a spare 7 rd magazine in my left pocket.
I tried pocket .380’s and have both a Ruger LCP and a Kahr CW380. The Ruger is really just a product improved Kel-Tec P3AT. So better build quality and you can manually lock the slide open. I think it’s more pleasant to shoot than the Kel-Tec, but it’s small size and rudimentary sights combine with a stiff trigger to make accuracy beyond 7 yards problematic. The Kahr .380 is accurate and has a good trigger and excellent sights, but its small size makes it hard for me to shoot fast. I also had to shoot about 500 rounds through it before it would run reliably. If you have small hands and don’t mind shooting it a bunch I think it’s the smallest and most shootable gun you can get.
Pushing “Pocket holsters”, pretty slow draw if you have to dig it out. Pocket size does not mandate pocket carry.
WALTHER PPS M2 (M2 Version only)! Excellent Choice! Shot my Son in laws last year: ran flawless, great trigger, better still: ergonomics, it is a natural pointer. Visited this year and carried it for over a week in a “Sticky” placed IWB @ 3. Equal to my G43, might even be nudging by if I had more time with it.
Remington RM380 had a Factory total Recall, the Rohrbaugh quality dig not translate to the poly version. Years later still has mixes reviews. Sig 365 in spite of all the hype, has and continues to be on a bumpy road. Can’t see a general recommendation for either of these. Oh well, different strokes, …..
I think you’re mistaking the Remington RM380 with the R51.
The R51 was recalled right after its original release, unlike the RM380 which has been a pretty solid gun according to most reviews i’ve read.
Like the Rohrbaugh, the RM380 has always been a all metal gun.
I
I’ve been carrying the Ruger LCP with hogue grips and a CT laser, but I wanted something with a little more punch. I am now breaking in a Sig P938 SAS. It’s only slightly larger and heavier than the LCP, but it’s a 9mm (and happy to eat whatever I’ve fed it so far) with an extra round. I checked out the Sig 365, and I like the extra rounds, but it seemed a bit finicky, did not feel as good in the hand, and was not as accurate as the P938. Yeah, it was more expensive and has a safety to contend with, but it’s easily concealable and built great.
Nothing is better than a raven .25
My cumshots hit harder than that POS. Much more reliable, too. LOL
I used to have an original real Smith .38 body guard nickle plated. I wish I would have kept it.
I didn’t mind paying a little and getting a Bond Bullpup (9mm). Top quality!
… a little more …
When I was selling guns the 938 SIG was extremely popular with both men and women. I am particularly fond of the 938 Extreme. I don’t know why but the Hogue grips on it feel better than others. the 640 S&W was also extremely popular with the ladies. It is about the most svelte snag free revolver you can find. I also like the Ruger LCP II. The original was popular, but the upgrades made a handy little gun, great.
For five years I carried the S&W 638 and never thought I would find anything better. Very safe and comfortable to pocket carry. However, a year ago I was persuaded to try the Sig 365. When fully loaded it is slightly heavier than the 638 but a much more accurate and potent self defense weapon. I carry it in a Bob Mika pocket holster. Make sure your pocket holster covers the mag release on the 365.
I carry the PPS M2 and the Springfield 911 .380. Both are fantastic pistols but the Walther might be the best single stack available ( there I said it)
I love to pocket carrying. A nice leather pocket holster works great. And a leather pocket holster for another magazine in the other pocket. The LCP with laser sights is good. But I’ve started carry a large round. Ruger EC9 and also S &W Shield in 40 cal. I always load everything with Critical Defence by Hornaday. Don’t forget to carry that extra magazine. You never know what you may get yourself into.
The number one reason to carry an extra mag is in case the first one has issues. With FBI data showing 99% of defensive shooting ending in 3 or less rounds I do not really think a re-load is ever going to happen during a defensive gun fight. A malfunction is probably much more likely, especially on a 380 auto loaded.
Agreed!!
380 and Pocket carry, two things I will never do. 99% of the problems I see at my gun club range are 380 pistols. Mag issues mostly, but those little guns have more issues period. There come a point where too small = not effective in one way or another. Either issues with the hardware or not very shootable.
My carry is a 2.0 9mm Shield. If you cant carry that in a IWB hostler you just making up excuses not too carry.
Another insipid clickbait list with no actual substance? How did I know it was a Sam Hoober article before even opening it?
This kid reminds us that what’s between your ears is more important than what’s in your pocket.
https://www.yahoo.com/now/north-carolina-boy-whacks-alleged-robber-machete-injured-191300165–abc-news-topstories.html
I’ve tried argument [re weapon is btwn your ears,not in your hand/belt/holster]at Ontario&Livingston County,NY churches but they’re all hoplophobic.Even offering free NRA handgun/rifle courses has gotten the local-state police at my door
The Spectrum over the Bersa Thunder? I don’t think so. Why don’t you mention the Bersa Thunder. It is a great firearm. The Bersa TPR9c is one of the best 9mm pistols out there. I absolutely love it.
P365 is too big to be a pocket pistol. I wear loose fitting khaki pants or cargo shorts with generous pockets which is just about best case scenario for pocket carry. I pocket carry a Kahr Pm9 and that’s about as big as I can fit. I tried a 365 and it was not an easy fit.
I haven’t handled the Walther or Glock but I think they are too big as well.
SIG P365, Walther PPS and Glock 43 are sub compact but not pocket pistols. Same as Ruger LCR. Pocket pistols are those you can put and carry in your jeans pocket without being questioned. Glock 42 is the biggest gun you can carry in a pocket. I believe most of the guns in this article don’t belong here.
I carry a Glock 26 or even Glock 30 in my side jeans pocket.Just wear loose jeans and a shirt over them
Awwww … No love for the Spectrum?
I”m not a fan of Taurus, and the Spectrum I originally laughed at…. until shooting one & taking it apart. Except for hating hard Blazer primers, not a problem.
Taurus made some very interesting choices in the design of the pistol to save weight & cost; yet I can’t find fault with them, nor do those design elements hurt the long term durability of the thing. Any faults that might occur, really don’t need a trip back to Taurus to fix; replacement springs are super cheap.
The triggers get better with use, and are accurate for mouseguns too, once a little paint is applied to the sights. And even to start with, they’re not horrible.
But at least than $200/ea, the family here now has 3, after shooting my wife’s…. all bought on their own accord, that same day, to replace their daily carried RM380, LCP, and a Bersa.
Enough with this ‘oh it’s just a little bit bigger’.
I have a 9mm Ruger LCR, and if you limp-wrist it with the wrong ammo the recoil will pull the bullet from an unfired cartridge, throw it to the from of the cylinder and completely lock the cylinder. This was an academic concern for me until it happened while someone was shooting my gun. Repeatedly. It is a nasty jam that requires a tool to fix. It happened with several rounds of 115gr TulAmmo. Everything else I have shot out of it has been fine, and maybe the TulAmmo was out of spec or just basically crap ammo. But it was also the 115gr-or-less ammo that Ruger advises to limit the bullet-pull-in-recoil failure mode.
Now, it has never jammed or pulled a bullet on me, I don’t limp-wrist the gun. And I agree that the ability to use 9mm +P makes the 9mm LCR better on paper than the .357 Magnum. The statement about short-barrel ammo is true, but only for rounds optimized for short-barrel performance with a projectile weight under 115gr.
Fundamentally, unless you want to roll-crimp all the 9mm you feed into the LCR, the possibility of a catastrophic ammo-induced failure can and should haunt the back of your mind. That is not where a handgun, particularly a revolver should be.
Buy the .357 Magnum LCR, and be happy. It is better than the J-frame, the trigger is great and it is a pleasure to carry.
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