pocket pistol

S

Skicat

New member
I have a concealed handgun license but find it sometimes difficult to conceal even a subcompact glock in certain conditions. For instance, during the Texas summer a thin layer of clothing provides little "camouflage" for hiding my weapon. I'm considering getting a super compact pistol such as a Kel-Tec or North American Arms in perhaps 380 that I can carry in my pocket. If anybody has one of these super small pistols I would appreciate their input. Thanks.
 
The Kel-Tec are great. Small, light, and reliably function. 32-or 380 are almost the same size. You can buy a clip that screws onto the gun . Looks like a money clip. Most the local law enforcement here has been buyinhg them for personal back up's.
 
I carried the Colt .380 for years. It's a little larger weapon, but for the purposes of reliability and self-confidence in it, I wouldn't think of any other pistol if I needed a concealed carry weapon again. I guess, after I think about it, Colt 1911's and the little .380 were the only weapons that I carried that I actually felt secure with. I always wore a light jacket with it stuck in the rear of my trousers in the small of my back. It was actually pretty comfy after you got used to it being there. I have carried it in a front pocket on occassion. Sure, it's a little larger and heaver, but when my life is on the line............
 
The KelTecs are loved by some and hated by others. My impression is that they are a decent, small, cheap gun. You may need to do the "fluff and buff" to get high reliability.
My small carry gun is a S&W .38 Special 5 shot snubby. I use an in the waistband Uncle Mike's holster. I can wear it with shorts and a t-shirt with no problem.
Jim
 
I carry concealed every day, and have a verity of weapons for that purpose....I love my ankle holsters....I have on for my Glock 27, Beretta 9000, and my Walther PPKS...works with my slacks that I wear to work, and allows for a full cal pistol (40 S&W, 9mm, 380, or 45), but when I am out on the weekend, or in the evening with my wife, I carry my Kel-Tec 32...I have fired over 500 rounds through the gun, and it has never malfunctioned, and its the perfect size for my pocket...just remember to keep the lint and dust cleaned off....All concealed guns are subject to extra lint and dust infection, so keep em clean.
 
I have about ten "carry" guns. From the keltec 32, a Beretta 22, to a full size 1911 and everything in between. My absolute favorite one is the S&W airweight Jframe 38+p revolver. It is so light and concealable! I wore it the other day to the grocery store with nothing but a pair of nylon "workout" shorts w no undies. I had installed the clip-draw and wanted to try it out. No problems. I also use a IWB holster with it and if I wanted to go sans holster before installing the clip-draw, I could tuck it in my jeans between the cylinder and grip and could carry for hours with little adjustments. That pistol is soon to be replaced by the Jframe Scandium model 340 in 357 mag. More firepower..less weight...win/win situation! No matter which carry gun I happen to be amused with at any given time....I always go back to the Jframe Airweight! It is in my opinion the perfect carry gun for someone such as myself. Non-military, non law enforcement, average joe who wants to protect himself and family from predatory bi-peds. I don't go into "dangerous" parts of town often, If I do, I'm carrying more than the Jframe. I avoid confrontations at all costs and try to diffuse hostilities when they cannot be avoided. I was blessed with the gift of gab and enough intelligence to know that some people don't give you the chance to talk so therefore, I arm myself with a reliable, powerful enough, accurate weapon that is comfortable enough to carry twenty four/seven when possible.
 
Where ever you carry it, carry it in the same place every time or you might forget where it is when you need it most!

Long ago, my partner and I rolled up to a robbery alarm at a bank and I got out of the car and couldn't find my gun because it was hot that day and I forget I was trying out a ankle holster. A very scarey feeling.

Truckeedan
 
Arborman

"nothing but a pair of nylon "workout" shorts w no undies"

Way toooooo much information (Ha HA Ha)

I have to agree with you...The J frames are some of the very best, and anyone who is not comfortable with the power of the ,38 Special, doesn't know the .38 Special...It is one of my favorites...And who could forget the Colt Detective Special....another cool concealed carry gun...
 
Win/win except it hurts everytime you shoot it! I shot one twice and handed it back to it's owner. Went and bought the .38 Special Airweight hammerless.

Quote:
That pistol is soon to be replaced by the Jframe Scandium model 340 in 357 mag. More firepower..less weight...win/win situation!

 
A word of caution. When ya'll are carrying these little poppers keep in mind if SHTF, you need to shoot like they vote up in Chicago. EARLY AND OFTEN! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I carry a glock 19 almost everyday inside the waist band but when I can't conceal it I carry a s&w 642 .38. You can't beat it for a pocket pistol. It is hammerless so it won't catch on your pockets should you ever need to draw it.

-lee-
 
S&W model 37 airweight frame, with Bianchi grips that shroud the hammer. All the benefits of a smooth hammerless/snagproof revolver with the ability to shoot single action if you so desire. It shoots like a pussycat with light loads, and handles +P when I practice with the hot stuff. Todd
 
I carry everyday, all day, for work and off work for personal protection. At work I carry a Glock 23 in a belt holster. Off work I carry a Glock 27 in an Inside the Waistband holster, or on the belt, depending what I wear. When I can't carry the 27 I carry a Beretta .32 Tomcat in a Mitch Rosen pocket holster, in my back pocket, right side. I can carry the Tomcat when I wear light shorts and a t-shirt, whether I'm playing golf, running to the store, or going to church.

If I had to do it again, I wouldn't buy the Tomcat. It is not very accurate and the .32 caliber round leaves a bit to be desired. Quite a few of the guys I work with have purchased the Kel-Tec 3AT (.380) and they all seem to like it. Not a bad price and they are small. I'm looking into getting a S&W .38, I think they make a great pocket gun in thier lightweight set-ups.

GrouseSetter
 
Look into the Bersa .380. It will fit in your back pocket.
However for self defense I carry a Taurus PT145 .45 ACP, in an "inside the waistband" holster. In the summer it gets good and hot in Florida. I wear tanktops hanging outside the pants conceals it quite well. Taurus now makes the same gun in a slighter smaller size, still 45 ACP. A .380 wil only feel like a bee sting to some big dude. A 45 will blow a big hole in him and most likely not pass through except for the Federal 230 gr. hollow point HydraShock.
Frankie B. LOL
 
"A .380 wil only feel like a bee sting to some big dude"

You must have some big dag-on bee's down in Florida /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
While I would not want to be shot with a .380, I was disappointed in it so now I carry a 9mm in a CZ 75D compact, 14 rounds yet concealable with a t-shirt when worn in a inside waistband holster. But I too have been looking at a pocket pistol for certain ocassions, anybody have any experience with the Beretta 22? Arborman, how do you like yours?
 
The Kel-Tec P3-AT (380) is the best deep cover concealed pistol ever made... Period. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

Buy a wallet holster from K&D and note the Kel-Tec Owners group link on his home page. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Then go to Sportsman's Guide and buy a thousand rounds of their Spanish Police ammo for it. It's a very hot little round with a lead flat point that is WICKED!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It shoots great in the gun and approaches 9mm power! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

$bob$
 
there are as many opinions on what to carry as there are guns out there. Out of the several hundred poeple I have had in by carry classes, there were everything from single action ruger 22's to percussion revolvers. Carry what you are comfortable with and what you have confidence in shooting. Since you are now using a glock and are presumably used to the double action it would be wise to select a smaller double action like the Kel-Tec for those days when you have on just shorts & a tee. While many will claim the little 380 or 32 is underpowered, even a 22 have more power than none at all. Whatever your choice is however, invest money in ammo and shoot it all up until you are very comfortable with your skill level.
 
I usually carry an H&K Usp compact .45, but I also have a Glock 23. Now that summer is coming about, I am thinking of going to a Kahr.
 
Kahr's are great little handguns. I'm normally a 1911 .45 ACP kinda feller, but do stoop so low as to carry a Kahr K9 stoked with 124 grain +P Gold Dots occasionally during summer months.
 
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