thoughts on a pocket gun

[lunchbox]

im thinking i need a pocket gun
due to me being a mechanic and all my 1911 form what im hearing wont work as a carry
so what im thinking is i need a small pocket gun not verry wide but not sacrificeing power like no 22 or 25 junk i just cant bring my self to carry something that small fun and cheap as they may be if im looking to kill someone for whatever reason by golly i want them to die and not bleed to death slowly at the hospital (yes i know we dont shoot to kill we dont shoot to wound we shoot to stop or control) but you get the idea

any thoughts im thinking 380 is about as small as i want to go but who knows you people know more than me im just 21 and havent been in the word of guns long
my uniform has small pockets
dumb yes i know but what am i going to do about it


thanks

[LarryH]

The Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) might fit your needs. It's billed as the lightest and smallest .380, so pretty sporty on recoil. (My wife hates it, so I put a magazine through it about every other trip to the range.) Probably won't be an issue for you, though.

It's worth a try.

[srothstein]

I have been carrying a North American Arms Guardian 380 in my right hip pocket for about the last three years. It is rugged and durable and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. It has a long hard trigger pull and lousy sights. This would make a real difference if I was trying for target accuracy at any distance, but this works very well for combat accuracy and range.

I have never tried the Kel-tecs, but they are also reported to be a good choice.

[lunchbox]

I have been carrying a North American Arms Guardian 380 in my right hip pocket for about the last three years. It is rugged and durable and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. It has a long hard trigger pull and lousy sights. This would make a real difference if I was trying for target accuracy at any distance, but this works very well for combat accuracy and range.

I have never tried the Kel-tecs, but they are also reported to be a good choice.

wow that looks great kinda expencive too
what else is out there

[pfgrone]

I own both NAA Guardian 380 and a KelTec P3AT 380. The KelTec is less expensive than the Guardian and lighter to carry in a side trouser pocket. I wind up carrying the KelTec most of the time. When I'm wearing slacks that tend to reveal the front pocket carry, I'll tuck the Guardian in a hip pocket. Most of my hip pockets are a bit too small for the KelTec. I have had no problems at all with the KelTec's reliability. It was good to go out of the box.

If the KelTec is still too much for your pocket book, I guess you could always sell the 1911. Just kidding.
I'm afraid I don't know of any cheaper guns than the KelTec that I would trust.
Paul G

[tbranch]

The Kel-Tec P3AT (.380) might fit your needs. It's billed as the lightest and smallest .380, so pretty sporty on recoil.

I own both the P-3AT and the new Ruger LCP. I paid $289 for each one. I find the LCP to have a much better feel in my hand (the grip design is much better), and the fit / finish is first rate. Either one will fit your needs.

Tom

[RayMc]

I personally like the Seecamp .32 and have had the NAA .32 and was disappointed with it as it did not feed ammo perfectly like my Seecamp. The Seecamp was about $800 but has come down to $400 now that production is higher
You may think I am crazy but the NAA 5 shot revolver in 22 MAGNUM is really small an another option

[asleepatthereel]

Bersa .380 Thunder is what I will keep in my pocket when my plastic gets here. Ive had it for a while now, and lets just say that it has been exposed to alot of saltwater over the years, fell out of my pocket into the drink at the boat ramp, and full of sand once. Needless to say, I can take this this thing apart, clean it, oil it and put it back together not only with my eyes closed but probably asleep as well.

Of all the guns I have ever owned, this one has been through the most, and never failed to go bang. Of course, I didnt try it while it was full of wet sand ( took a good half hour to find it after hearing the splash ) but this is one gun I will never get rid of.

Im thinking about getting one of those pocket holsters for it, but really it fits in your pocket just fine, and being thin as it is, it doesnt print much. I have taken to wearing fishing pants with a velcro flap since the saltwater bath. Another lesson learned the hard way!

[KBCraig]

For a mechanic or anyone else in a physical trade, "how to carry?" is a key question.

For a tradesman who has to carry a pocket pistol, I suggest the Dickies pants with either cargo or utility side pockets. Well-made pants, and the side pockets are located so that a small semi-auto isn't in the way.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Bersa .380 Thunder is what I will keep in my pocket when my plastic gets here. Ive had it for a while now, and lets just say that it has been exposed to alot of saltwater over the years, fell out of my pocket into the drink at the boat ramp, and full of sand once. Needless to say, I can take this this thing apart, clean it, oil it and put it back together not only with my eyes closed but probably asleep as well.

Of all the guns I have ever owned, this one has been through the most, and never failed to go bang. Of course, I didnt try it while it was full of wet sand ( took a good half hour to find it after hearing the splash ) but this is one gun I will never get rid of.

Im thinking about getting one of those pocket holsters for it, but really it fits in your pocket just fine, and being thin as it is, it doesnt print much. I have taken to wearing fishing pants with a velcro flap since the saltwater bath. Another lesson learned the hard way!

+1 on that..funny the 1st pistol that jumped into my head was the Bersa Thunder, due to the price and size, the Kel-Tek is sweet, but a bit pricey..cant beat the Bersa on quality for price though
Bersa Thunder 380 Pistol
$221.36

Then slip it into a cloth style pocket holster like this
DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Wallet Holster

For a mechanic or anyone else in a physical trade, "how to carry?" is a key question.

For a tradesman who has to carry a pocket pistol, I suggest the Dickies pants with either cargo or utility side pockets. Well-made pants, and the side pockets are located so that a small semi-auto isn't in the way.

+1 here too..if you can get another pocket sewn on at a bit above knee level it would allow you to conceal and still be able to bend and flex and not get bound up, plus gives another pocket for tools and whatnot

[gregthehand]

Love my Kel-Tec. I call it my dog walking, or convience store gun. It's what I throw in my pocket on my way out the door to take the dog out, or run up to the corner store. it dissapears in my pocket and I often forget I'm even carrying it!

[Mike1951]

If your job requires getting in odd positions or laying underneath a car, I suggest that any pocket you use have a closure, whether velcro, snap, button, etc.

Otherwise, your firearm may well slide out onto the floor.

[DoubleJ]

.....if im looking to kill someone for whatever reason by golly i want them to die and not bleed to death slowly at the hospital (yes i know we dont shoot to kill we dont shoot to wound we shoot to stop or control) but you get the idea

don't think I'd say that in public...

regardless, me, myself, I'd lean towards a J-Frame revolver. me, personally, I have a Taurus just like this'n

in .357 Mag. def no loss of firepower there. thing's light, too, compared to your 1911.

[WarHawk-AVG]

My wife is a amateur seamstress, she sews cloth diapers and other things...I have bounced the idea off of her of putting cargo pockets like military fatigues on my pants..she says it would be INCREDIBLY easy

In fact I found a decent idea/pattern for them

Cargo Pants
Using the design of the pockets (not the entire pants) I can convert a cheapo $15 pair of wally world pants into Cargo Pants


P.S. Its official!!!! I need to go shoot some stuff...watch some manly shootem up movies, play some pool and drink a beer before I become so demasculinated I start painting my nails ARRRRRRRGHHHH!!!

[WildBill]

My wife is a amateur seamstress, she sews cloth diapers and other things...
P.S. Its official!!!! I need to go shoot some stuff...watch some manly shootem up movies, play some pool and drink a beer before I become so demasculinated I start painting my nails ARRRRRRRGHHHH!!!

Your wife? Sure!!!

Lunchbox - I can't imagine that concealing any type of gun while working as a mechanic given the awkward positions and contortions that are involved in your day-to-day work would be easy. Any of the recommendations [Kel-Tec, Seecamp, NAA, Bersa, Ruger and Taurus] are a good choice. If you are considering a revolver, don't forget the S&W 642 or other hammerless models so they wouldn't snag on your clothing. With all of the humidity, sweat, oil, fluids, etc that you encounter I would also suggest something in stainless steel.

I think the Nemesis is a great pocket holster [again much better than leather for corrosion resistance], but I would probably keep my handgun locked in my tool box rather than on my person. In an emergency you could always bop them on the head with a wrench!