[boats]

I am a long time J frame S&W owner but thinking about a pocket automatic pistol. Have narrowed it down some, anything I am missing ?

For effectiveness it's the little Glock in 9mm
For economy it's the Bersa in 380
For Pride of ownership it's a Walther PPK, the made in Germany imported by Interarms version.

Suggestions appreciated

Boats

 

[briand]

The Glocks seem a little too bulky for me to pocket carry, in jeans especially. Those other choices of yours seem pretty good, allow me to add another in the same size range.

Give a look-see at the Kahr lineup. The shorter-butted versions fit most pocket rig setups very well, the full sized ones just a bit less so.

 

[strider72]

Might wanta wait and check out the new Walther PPS I believe it is called.

 

[oberstlt]

Have you seen the new Walther PPS 9mm pocket gun? Neato as they used to say. I sold my Glock 26 (too fat and heavy) for a KelTek PF-9 (not totally reliable with hi performance ammo) and plan to get the new PPS once they come out with the service (not 1st Edition) model. I had bad luck with my Kahr P-9 (not reliable at all despite two trips back). I do not favor a 380.

 

[spad]

Boats, don't want to rain on your parade, but with that striker system trigger on the Walther PPS I wouldn't carry it in my pocket. I have a Glock 26 which I no longer carry, the trigger system is to easy to trip in my opinion for concealed carry, no way in the pocket. The Kel-Tec 9mm's are pretty good pocket pistols. Even a Kel-Tec .32 isn't bad for close up work and is light and pocket easy, I know, and you can get some good .32 JHP ammo.

 

[boats]

Good tips all, I had not heard of the Walther looks worth checking out. I bet they are expensive just comming out and all.

On pockets I agree. The pistol needs to be in a holster to be secure, a pocket holster perhaps but a holster for sure. I won't carry my J frame Smith loose in a pocket.

Boats

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello boats,

I've been down this road before in the "opposite" direction.

For awhile, I carried a Kel-Tec P-32, P-3AT and P-11 as a "pocket carry" handgun. I couldn't afford the Kahr or a Rorbaugh. I spent months looking at the best balance of concealable "size" vs. "power/caliber". In the end, the handguns I looked at and used were either too large for the caliber, or too small to shoot well for practice. I finally wound up with a Beretta 21A for deep concealment figuring "any handgun on you is better than the one left at home in the safe".

I'd like to handle and look at the Walther when they become more available in my market. The G-27 I owned was OK, but didn't really sway me 100% at the time. For now, I carry my S&W 642 for concealed carry and I am still looking for the one semi that can take its place that is the perfect balance of size, concealability and controllable accuracy during practice.

Great thread and please let us know what you wind up with!

Chris

 

[boats]

Chris it's a high bar to cross. Owning a couple of J Frame Smiths for many years makes you particular. One I have now is a 3 inch pinned barrel and a nice custom belt holster. It's so near perfect that it's going to take a real nice Automatic to retire it.

To me the advantage of the little Automatics is they are thin and better for IWB hosters. I have never been real comfortable with a revolver inside my belt. I would rather stay with the power of a 38 which narrows it considerably.

Boats

 

[spad]

Boats, One that I forgot to mention. depends on how big your pockets are, a Bulgarian Makarov. Loaded with Barnual HP ammo, positively better then a 380, and I think equal or better then a .38. I mean it is just like a Walther PPK, small, thin and the guns are built like a tank and utterly reliable.It is one I carry at times. Also S/A and D/A. I'm looking at a CZ 2075 Rami, but still prefer the FNHP . I llke to carry cocked and locked. Used to carry a 1911, but to heavy. Well part of the fun is the hunt. My wife has a Taurus 851 snubie .38 shrouded hammer SS she really likes, but for me the grip is all wrong and I don't care for it. Well have fun in the hunt. Spad

 

[boats]

Thanks Spad will give the Makarov a look. I did not mentione I looked at the Kahrs yesterday. Nice pistols but pretty expensive.

I also found out no Walther PPS to be seen for months, or so they say

Boats

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello boats,

Here's one I've never handled or tried, but might be a likely candidate, the SW 990L from Smith and Wesson which appears to be the variation of the Walther Product:

I would like to try it at the indoor range to see if they have a Factory Demo laying around from S&W Day of last month.

Like you, I will probably stick with my S&W 642. I tried many before going back to the revolver and the more I practice with it--the better I like it.

Chris

 

[huntershooter]

I traded a Seecamp (.32 ACP) for a NAA in .380. A bit larger and heavier than the Seecamp, but I'm a little more comfortable with the .380 than the .32. That said, I always carry an older 642 S&W. I guess my minimum caliber is .38 Special for confidence. Rather have the .380 than a ballpoint pen though.

 

[headhunter]

Just a thought or two on this subject.
I have a Glock 26 (small Glock) and it is a surprisingly big, small gun, to conceal. I haven't found the pocket yet that would not show a clear profile of the gun.

I don

 

[adguy]

I like the Kahr PM9. It is so light and reliable. It weighs right at 19 oz with 7 Corbon DPX rounds in it.
You can get a CW9 in this part of the country NIB for around $350. It's on half inch longer than the PM9 and it holds 7 rounds in the clip. Still, it's quite small and I've read it's a good pistol. I'm thinking of getting just to have it.

 

[boats]

Thanks for the advice am looking into all options and some good suggestions here.

I am new to the small Automatics except the one my Aunt gave me when I was 12. Over 45 years ago. She pulled a cocked and locked Colt 25 out of her pocketbook and said I could trade it for a shotgun. The trade was up to me, took it around to gun shops finally swapping it off for a double barrel. Imagine doing that today ?

However I have had some experience with the J Frame Smiths. Around here in the past most people did not worry too much about CWP's. Hard to get but not strictly enforced either. I had a state police trade in Smith M 49 bodyguard The nickel plated shrouded hammer model. With a set of rubber grips it was a real good shooter and fit in Jeans front pocket perfectly. Most of the time I carried it in a small rug stowed in the outside pocket of a LL Bean Soft briefcase. There was an advantage I thought in not actually having it on my person if the Authorities found it. Probably not true but it's what I thought anyway. When concealed weapons became a focus and prosecutors got strict on the rules I sold it.

I always liked the J Frames Had a 34 .22 Kit gun for a while too. Found a nearly unfired blue 3 inch 36. It rides perfect in a belt holster and is completely concealed with any sort of over or sweat shirt. Too long for pockets however and the hammer will hang if not holstered. It's also to thick for IWB's, to my taste anyway. It rides good but given the strict enforcement of rules on were you can carry and were you can't it has to be left in the car trunk or home frequently.

Pocket sized in a pocket holster would be real convenient and I think small Automatics would be the way to go. But it has to catch my eye, not just looks but reliability, power, and shoot-ability.

Boats

 

[denfoote]

Boats,
I have three pistols that I pocket carry on a regular basis.
A Kel-Tec P3AT, an early Smith & Wesson PPK/S, and a Kahr MK9 Elite 98.

The Kahr and Walther have been as close to 100% as machinery gets and the Kel-Tec had to be replaced by the factory. The replacement has been pretty good.

I tried to pocket carry my G26, but discovered it was just a tad to fat.

 

[spikey614]

For a pocket 380acp my vote goes for the Browning 1955/ FN 1910. Thin, sleek and slides in and out of the pocket very easily. OK, I just got it and I'm still playing with it. As for the 38spl my vote goes for the S&W M49. Same reasons plus it is the 39spl to boot. My 2 cents again

 

[crash]

boats,

I've had one S&W 442 and two 642s. They are O.K. in most Docker-type pants, but a little too long for jeans pockets--at least the kind I wear, which are Wranglers. My Kahr PM9 is short enough, and flat enough that it will disappear into almost any pocket. However, the problem with both the S&W and the Kahr is that they are too heavy, for me at least, to carry in a pocket for very long. Loaded, they both weigh a pound or a little over and that's just too much. Think of it this way: would you like to have a one-pound can of beans in your pocket?

So, I'm thinking of going to a Kel-Tec in .380. Shouldn't weight more than 10-12 oz loaded and I think that will make a big difference

Crash

 

[Guest]

I found the Walther ppk/s too heavy for pocket carry. I would imagine I would have the same complaint regarding the Makarov. The new Walther PPS does look nice. The little 380 kel tecs are very popular in my part of Florida. So far they have proven to be reliable.

Still for the time being my pocket gun is a Smith 642.

 

[jaydubya]

Keep the 642. Hard to beat for pocket carry. And now there are several rounds that make it more effective.
Cordially, Jack