I’ve got a Kimber micro 9 and love it.
Like a mini 1911 that chambers 9mm.
I’m sure you will get hundreds of suggestions.. but if you are only looking for a belly gun, Bond Arms .410. Go with 00. Its only 2 shots but it packs a hell of a punch. Have fun deciding.
S&W .380 Bodyguard. Nice size and weight for carrying even while wearing a business suit. Built-in laser. Safe to carry double action. Disassembly/assembly is pretty easy. Downside is it has a pretty stiff trigger pull and it is small for the size of my hand, so it’s not very comfortable to shoot.
.380 is as small as I would go. My ccw is a CZ 2075 rami 9mm.
Ruger LCP. Sticky holster. Carrying one now.
G43 or Sig P365.
I like my LCP I that I bought a few months back for $169. I didn’t go for the LCP II because it is basically single-action. The I is basically half-cocked all the time.
Lots of recs for large caliber weapons ... don’t do it. They are heavy, clumsy and the possible collateral damage can be great. Safest pocket carry is a revolver (not pistol) of >.32 and <.45. Remember you said ‘pocket’ carry ...
In a real life situation it is the first guy that gets his weapon out that controls the situation. A perp may have a .50 cal Desert Eagle in his waistband but if you get your pistol out before he does, your caliber won’t matter. Perp will disappear.
Just MHO ...
Keltec PF9 - the Zimmerman special. 9mm, 7+1 rounds, ultra light, inexpensive.
I wouldn’t go with the Ruger LCP — its too inaccurate.
I recommend the Bersa 380. It’s accurate, well-balanced and goes in my pocket well.
I wouldn’t go with the Ruger LCP — its too inaccurate, lots of recoil.
I recommend the Bersa 380. It’s accurate, well-balanced, not much recoil, and goes in my pocket well.
I had an interesting conversation a while back at a gun range where we can rent pistols to try. I wanted my wife to try some smaller calibers for possible concealed carry, and asked what they had in .380. The range attendant said they don’t feel the .380 has adequate stopping power, and steered us toward a cool little 9mm: the Kahr Arms PM9. It was very compact (6+1), and I could not believe how cool it was to shoot. I shot a better group with it the first try than with either of my regular guns. I’d buy one in a heartbeat if I had not already spent my budgeted allowance for such toys. :-)
I personally prefer either a 22 Beretta or or Taurus PT-22 (which is a knock-off of the Beretta) loaded with Stinger 22 long rounds for greater power. They each can hold up to 8 round or 9 if you leave one in the chamber...which you sort of have to do with the Taurus until it gets broke in because it is so hard to cock. Fits nicely concealed in your pock holster. Have several others but prefer this style.
The answer is......it depends.
I collect pre-end of WW1 .32 Auto pistols. I am an engineer by training and have been a long time shooter. So between studying collectibles and my technical knowledge, I think I can provide you with some insights. I have concealed carry licenses in multiple states. I prefer pocket carry.
I have a variety of pocket carry firearms. I will choose a different one for different situations.
Serious deep woods pocket carry; In a big jacket pocket or hiking cargo pants pocket is An Astra .44 Rem Magnum stainless steel snub nose revolver called a Terminator.
Moderate deep woods, Mountain biking or rural exploring. Taurus snub nose .357 Mag. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.
Serious urban pocket carry mostly concealed, in choice of 9mm, Sig 938 nightmare, Ruger LC9s, or Keltec PF-9 after fluff and buff. Needs a good pocket holster sized to the firearm.
Ultra concealable or dressing up carry. KelTec AT-3 in .38 Auto, with a good pocket holster (that I made for myself) Doesn't print, holds and extra magazine fits in dress pants pocket.
Now two important topics you should be asking about but haven't.
(1) Small pistol shooting physics. Yes Physics as in mass, energy, recoil. One of the problems with “mouse guns” as some call pocket pistols, is that they are very small, very light weight and at the ragged edge of firearm design.
Anyone can reliably shoot a M1911-A1 as it is big and heavy. It takes talent to shoo reliably an ultra small ultra light weight mouse gun. To reliably eject a spent semi-auto round after firing, the action needs to be fully worked and the slide travel the full distance. If for any reason your hand/arm absorbs some of the recoil that was suppose to cycle the action to eject and then cleanly load a new round, the firearm will potentially jamb. This is called “limp writing” and has nothing to do with wrist strength. It has to do if recoil energy is transferred from the firearm to shooters hand/arm. Practice helps avoid limp wristing, but it is common in small ultra-concealment semi-auto firearms that are over designed.
(2) Ammo selection. While the most favored WW2 French Resistance concealed carry pocket pistol was the Baby Browning FN .25 caliber, which in some circles was known as s stomach belly gun. Very concealable, but unless into the brain through a skill opening not all that lethal.
Also there are probably more bodies that have been put in European cemeteries with .32 Auto pistols than any other caliber. For decades it was used by police, military and civilians. In fact a .32 Auto pistol was the concealed carry favorite that John M Browning liked to carry. If something was good enough for him (and he could have had any pistol in the world), it should be good enough for just about anyone.
While I have lots of .32 Auto pistols, that would not be my first choice in caliber. I would go up to either a .380 (9mm Kutz), 9mm Makarov, or 9mm Luger round. They are 3 different rounds and are not interchangeable.
For ammo you need to choose something that your pocket carry firearm shoots reliably and that is absolutely critical. My Keltec PF-9 likes anything designed by Hornady. It is not reliable with Winchester silver-tip ammo. My Sig 938, Ruger LCPs love Hornady Crtical Defense ammo. My KelTec AT-3 loves Hornady .380 Critical Defense Ammo.
Something you might want to look into for ammo is Buffalo Bore custom ammo. Most ammo is loaded to below SAAMI cartridge specifications. Buffalo Bore loads to SAAMI specs and should be safe for modern firearms in good condition. Because of our litigious society some commercial manufacturers of ammo load to less than SAAMI power levels and offer customers +p and +P+ heavy loads.
Very short barreled firearms whether revolver or semi-auto or prone to huge muzzle flash that can blind you in low light conditions. Some commercial ammo designed for short barreled firearms uses powers that is less prone to muzzle flash. Again, the key is to get some range time in on an early evening to see how the ammo performs.
Good luck, Pocket carry is my favorite form of concealed carry. Enjoy! Just make sure you practice.
A Glock 19 9MM same holster manufacturer (highly recommended) weighs 30 oz+ (11 rounds)- 15 round mag.
Basically it's 2 pounds on your hip unless you always wear a coat and a shoulder-holster you're hauling around 2 pounds on your hip.
A friend of mine ALWAYS carries a tiny little 5 round 22LR in his pocket and calls it a "belly gun". Got that tip from a decorated vet the size of a large bear.
He always has it, very lightweight, put it in your sock if you like but its for up close and personal.
Shoved against a guy's guts and fired will end any resistance on his part along with anything else he may have had in mind.
No chance of missing your target. The bullet makes the hole but the explosive follow-on gases will destroy most nearby organs/arteries/veins.
For women, your bad guy is likely to be up close and personal. Carry what you can use but always carry. After you shoot him do me a favor and say "Surprise!". ;-)
Disclaimer: Newer polymer guns may be much lighter - happy to hear any updates. The belly gun explanation was the point of the post.
For the ladies: I saw this and searched for it in particular - a tie it anywhere "scarf" for carry: https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2015/01/lethal-lace-concealed-carry-holster-women/
Also this site looks interesting: https://www.gungoddess.com/collections/holsters
No connection whatsoever with listed sites. YMMV.
There’s really only one pocket handgun on earth, that would be the Smith and Wesson model 642.
Your choice of .38 special loads, whatever you like.
All the others are knockoffs.
JMHO...
I have some of the same questions that you have- I’m looking for a alternate carry gun that is a little more portable than my 1911. I would like to suggest that you check out Academy (assuming you’re in TX). I was in the Round Rock location a few days ago, and their selection is very impressive. I WILL be going back there. Several years ago, I was interested in Stoeger Cougar (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_8000) which was a Beretta, now made on Beretta tooling by Stoeger in Turkey. I like the rotating bolt action, Beretta design, and size. I heard that it’s still in production.
I wouldn’t want to pocket carry anything bigger than a Ruger LCP (and that should be carried in a pocket holster.)
I highly recommend this Hogue grip if you get an LCP. It makes LCP a little thicker but much more pleasant to shoot.
https://www.hogueinc.com/handall-hybrid-ruger-lcp-grip-sleeve-black
If you’re just looking for a small pistol and aren’t set on pocket carry there are plenty of better options.
KelTec p-3at