Author Topic: Pocket Carry Choices--Update: Purchase Made (Read 5566 times)

hunt-m-up · « **on:** August 12, 2012, 02:51:43 PM »

Looking to step down slightly smaller than my Ruger SR40C to one of the little 7 shot autos out there. Would like to stay with .40 but would look at 9MM, really like the S&W Bodyguard but can't convince myself to go .380. New Beretta Nano looks interesting or something along those lines. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

canon6 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2012, 03:27:46 PM »

Take a look at the Kel-Tec PF9.Slim,light,full 9mm,DOA.hth Doug

muznut 54 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2012, 03:33:57 PM »

Quote from: canon6 on August 12, 2012, 03:27:46 PM

Take a look at the Kel-Tec PF9.Slim,light,full 9mm,DOA.hth Doug

I have that same gun its a nice little pocket rocket.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2012, 05:41:43 PM »

Hands down the PF-9 is a very wise choice. I've had mine 3 years without a single failure to feed, fire or eject. Thin, extremely easy to conceal, reliable, accurate, there's a wide variety of holsters made for it, and so light you won't notice the weight at all. Not ammo picky either within reason. I never leave home without mine and carry at home as well. It will fit a pocket but realy is just a fraction big for that however it's so small, light and thin it's super easy to conceal with about any mode of dress. I recomend a Hogue Handall Jr grip Sleeve, as on mine below, if you get one. The PF-9 is not a range gun as, being small and light, some find the recoil a bit snappy. It was designed for conceal carry and self defense and is very good at doing the job.

Goldstar225 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:21:07 AM »

Take a look at the Kahr CM40. While I prefer a S&W 642 for pocket carry, the CM40 meets your criteria.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:47:09 AM »

Ruger LC9

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2012, 02:53:14 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on August 13, 2012, 12:47:09 AM

Ruger LC9

would have to agree !

keith44 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:09:17 AM »

no bad choices listed so far. Hit the local gun store, and see what fits your hand and pocket.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:31:06 AM »

ruger LCR in 357 mag

dougk · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2012, 07:02:40 AM »

I like the Rohrbaugh R-9 it is a little pricey but goes bang every time you pull the trigger.

http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/node/9?phpMyAdmin=ohYg-nCgDTLddyCqYCnbXGpet23

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2012, 07:44:16 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on August 13, 2012, 06:31:06 AM

ruger LCR in 357 mag

now you are talking !

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:57:08 PM »

Thanks for the advice so far. We don't see a lot of Kel-Tecs or Kahrs around here, but I definitely like what I see on their sites. I've looked at the Taurus 709/740(I know some are not fond of Taurus), LC9 and S&W Bodyguard 38. I am a revolver fan, just not sure about pocket carry. I'll keep looking and try some others on for size.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2012, 01:48:03 AM »

for pocket carry the 5 shot revolver is second to none. It can be fired while in the pocket until all ammo is used ( try that with a self loader. It is less prone to stoppage if lint or trash is around it. It needs no safety. AND do to the cyl it is held in the pocket in a way that when the hand is inserted into the pocket it is guided around the open spaces on either side of the grip due to the slight extra width of the cyl. I have carried one since Va. allowed us to do so with no problem .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2012, 04:26:46 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on August 14, 2012, 01:48:03 AM

for pocket carry the 5 shot revolver is second to none. It can be fired while in the pocket until all ammo is used ( try that with a self loader. It is less prone to stoppage if lint or trash is around it. It needs no safety. AND do to the cyl it is held in the pocket in a way that when the hand is inserted into the pocket it is guided around the open spaces on either side of the grip due to the slight extra width of the cyl. I have carried one since Va. allowed us to do so with no problem .

not so sure about that fireing from the pocket

how ever i DO love my hand held ''flash/bang'' grenade
but it would burn your leg and blow your pocket OFF
hence you might fire ONE shot before the pocket is gone

i ONLY shoot full power 125 hp

my dad carried the smith bodyguard
i like DAO for several reasons......cocking the bodyguard under stress is VERY danderous
DAO is also sealed on top to keep out dirt.....i also use a cheap pocket hoster for cleanliness

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2012, 04:32:21 AM »

Another vote for the LC9.

DDZ · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2012, 03:15:15 AM »

Anyone shoot or look at the Smith M&P Shield 9mm? Its close in size to the LC9. No dealers in my area have them to look at because of back orders.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2012, 07:19:55 AM »

My son just got the S&W Bodyguard .380 and it is very nice indeed. He had the .38 Special Bodyguard revolver and hated it. Couldn't hit the side of a barn if you were locked inside! This is wayyyyy more acurate, recoil is surprisingly mild, and easily fits in a pocket holster. Around here they are hard to come by. They sell out as fast as they get them in. We went 5 places before finding one, missed getting one at one place by an hour, and when we finaly found one and it was the last one the dealer had. He said it would likely be 6 months before he gets another. We can see why. This is a pretty sweet little handgun and the laser puts the bullets right on target.

My son looked at a Shield and they are very nice too but few places have them yet. He wanted either it or the Bodyguard and is very happy with what he got.

DDZ · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:34:48 PM »

It appears that pocket sized guns are in high demand right now. The gun shop I frequent, the owner said that he sells pockets sized guns as fast as he gets them in, and it doesn't matter what make they are.

keith44 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:45:55 PM »

Quote from: DDZ on August 19, 2012, 12:34:48 PM

It appears that pocket sized guns are in high demand right now. The gun shop I frequent, the owner said that he sells pockets sized guns as fast as he gets them in, and it doesn't matter what make they are.

Seeing the same thing in my area. Short barreled shotguns, and pocket pistols are hard to get. 9mm disappears first, then the .40's and .380's at about the same rate. .45's seem to not even make it to the display cases some weeks, and other times the same ones will collect dust. Brand does not seem to matter, seems the gun buying public (myself included) is re-equiping, upgrading, and buying all manner of defensive arms in large quantity.

DDZ · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2012, 11:48:30 AM »

Quote from: keith44 on August 19, 2012, 12:45:55 PM

Quote from: DDZ on August 19, 2012, 12:34:48 PM
It appears that pocket sized guns are in high demand right now. The gun shop I frequent, the owner said that he sells pockets sized guns as fast as he gets them in, and it doesn't matter what make they are.

Seeing the same thing in my area. Short barreled shotguns, and pocket pistols are hard to get. 9mm disappears first, then the .40's and .380's at about the same rate. .45's seem to not even make it to the display cases some weeks, and other times the same ones will collect dust. Brand does not seem to matter, seems the gun buying public (myself included) is re-equiping, upgrading, and buying all manner of defensive arms in large quantity.

Yeah Keith, I see that as a good thing. Its good for the gun manufacturers, good for the ammo makers, and good for holster makers. I'm sure the states love it also selling all those CCW permits. Its also good for every law abiding citizen. The best thing for stopping or slowing down criminal activity is for law abiding citizens to own and carry firearms. The only thing that is bad about it, is that its hard to find certain firearms that are all of a sudden popular.
I have a couple of 45's, a 40 and a 357 but no 9. I would like to get one, and since I decided to get one I figured I want something pocket size or close to that.
My son has an LC9 and I like it, but I do want to check out a S&W M&P Shield before I buy anything. The problem is I can't find one to handle. All I have to look at is pictures.

Maybe I can find one at the next local gun show, but I don't want to pay dealers what they generally want at gun shows.

flatlander · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2012, 01:35:19 PM »

I have 2 that you could call pocket guns. One is the PF9 and the other a Taurus p738. Both have been super reliable, and are light and concealable. Both are wonderful to shoot as well. I really like the PF9, but it's a little large for carrying in a pocket, IMO, unless you are talking about cargo shorts. I much prefer carrying it in a crossbreed holster, since it disappears under a tshirt and is comfortable enough that I forget that I have it on sometimes. I do carry the P738 in a pocket occasionally with a wallet style holster. The taurus is quite a bit smaller, and better for pockets from my experience.
As I said, both have been very reliable, and I tend to carry the 380 in the summer, and the 9mm the rest of the year. Both are good guns to me.

keith44 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2012, 08:49:24 PM »

DDZ yes it is a good thing all around, just a hassle when you get ten guys looking at the same three guns at the dealer.

A few weeks ago I bought a NAA Magnum (mini revolver) (never mind the whys) I showed it to my father-in-law, and he wanted one. Three days after my purchase, all 27 that the dealer had on hand had been sold.

ronbow · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2012, 08:34:53 AM »

Quote from: hunt-m-up on August 13, 2012, 05:57:08 PM

Thanks for the advice so far. We don't see a lot of Kel-Tecs or Kahrs around here, but I definitely like what I see on their sites. I've looked at the Taurus 709/740(I know some are not fond of Taurus), LC9 and S&W Bodyguard 38. I am a revolver fan, just not sure about pocket carry. I'll keep looking and try some others on for size.

I carry the Taurus Slim 709. The gun will only eat Remington ammo. So far everything else I have tried (Win., Fed., several imports) has had FTE issues. I would get rid of it but it passed the stress test with Remington ammo (Golden Saber, UMC). However in hindsight I would proly rather have gone LC9 or Kel-Tech. That said I do trust the Taurus and carry it in my pocket.

demented · « **Reply #23 on:** August 23, 2012, 07:13:44 PM »

Allowing Smith and Wesson a few more months to work out any bugs, I'm gonna try their Shield. Now I have a Ruger LC-9, can't really say its a bad choice, it just doesn't fit my size 11 hands quite as well as the Shield. It took an effort getting me away from my 638 but I finally believe these small pistols to be reliable enough for me to give up my five shot revolver. I'm not a big fan of the .40, too much recoil from a small plastic framed handgun, my feelings are a couple well placed 9mm hollowpoints will do the job....with less fuss.

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2012, 04:22:46 AM »

Maybe I'm a dinosaur here, but I still carry my Ruger SP-101 .357 in my pocket as a back-up. I have carried various other guns, such as Glock 26/27s, a Makarov .380, a Keltec .32, a NAA .22, but always seem to end up back with a revolver of some kind. It was a Taurus 605 .357 for a few years, but it shot loose beyond repair after about 10K rds, so it was replaced with this Ruger. Yes, I actually practice with whatever I carry as I figure my life or someone elses life may easily depend on it someday. Dont get me wrong, the semiauto's can work well, and definitely have a higher capacity, but there's just something that feels right to me about a good revolver.

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2012, 07:29:38 AM »

I just bought me the LC9 and I'm loving it.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2012, 07:40:34 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on August 27, 2012, 07:29:38 AM

I just bought me the LC9 and I'm loving it.

seems like a nice gun , hope they make a LC-40

canon6 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 27, 2012, 10:29:11 AM »

Since the original poster asked about "auto's" I did not mention the revolver I carry everyday.Ruger LCR-LC 38 special.Very light and with the Crimon Trace grips very fast to get on target,I carry 110 gr CorBon DPX for ammo. Doug

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #28 on:** August 27, 2012, 05:51:53 PM »

I like the revolvers too, I really like the Bodyguard 38, but I was concerned about how they would be accuracy wise versus the semi-autos. Never shot a revolver with a 2" or shorter barrel, in fact never shot one less than 6", hunted with them only. Leaning towards a 5 shot revolver the more I hear about them.
Thanks,

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2012, 01:50:30 AM »

as far as accuracy they are very accurate . You do need to shoot it so you can be accurate with it. That's not a SA ansewer its the truth. I got a body guard when I got my lic. to carry . I loaded wad cutters and shot it until it had to be sent back to S&W for replacement parts .Grip the gun as high as you can get . I find it shoots quite well .