Posted on 09/02/2008 3:13:16 AM PDT by Pistolshot
Free Republic Gun Club Tuesday Pocket Pistols!!!!!!
Morning. Todays FRGC article is about those misunderstood, mouse guns. The smallish pocket 22s, 25s, 32s, 380s. I will limit the discussion around these calibers and to the revolver/autos available, simply because once you get outside this range you get into larger, holster-necessary type of firearms. I am also not dismissing the derringer type of weapons, but that is another category entirely.
The mouse guns have a good/bad history. Generally, of the smaller calibers, they have the drawback of effectiveness or lack thereof. I carry a pocket pistol in a variety of calibers, from 22 to the .380, it really depends on dress for the day. As with all CCW weapons available, make sure you are proficient with the firearm you carry. Practice with pocket guns is even more necessary, IMHO, simply because the sights are rudimentary at best, and totally useless at worst. Remember, you are carrying a less effective cartridge and any confrontation will be an iffy thing. But, any gun is better than a hand, knife or fist.
I will give a nod to the PM Kahrs. The micro size in 9mm, 40 S&W, and even the PM45 can be considered in the Pocket category.
The PM9/40 is by far the smallest of the pocket pistols in a major caliber. Literally the same size as many 380s it carries the power for self defense at the cost of number of rounds. Something to consider.
The PM45 is slightly larger and is limited to a 5+1 capacity. Having looked one over (finally) I would choose it over the 9 for certain occasions.
So lets get into the mouse guns, the ones you can put in a front pocket like a set of keys and not even know its there. Since I mentioned the Kahr, lets look at their newest entry into the small pistol market. The Kahr P380. Even smaller than the PM series, the P380 is the size of the Kel-Tec 380/Ruger LCP. The polymer frame makes it light and pocketable. The DA only action makes it extremely safe and reliable. One thing about the Kahrs, appealing to me, is the way the slide is mated to the frame. There is a steel block towards the rear of the slide and the front rides on 2 steel rods in the dust cover, offering a larger area of control and lockup for the barrel. One to consider for pocket carry.
Moving on, lets look at the KelTec32/380. These are very popular with police as a backup, individual professionals, motorcyclists, and for women. The polymer frame and size make it ideal to carry in a purse or pocket. For police, most of them carry it in the pouch in the front of the vest they wear. There have been reports of reliability problems with the .380 version, but I have nothing to substantiate the claims. The ones we have sold have been reliable and not really brought in for trade.
The Ruger LCP is almost a clone of the KelTec, and some of us are of the opinion that there may be a copyright or patent issue the two are so similar in construction.
North American Arms makes a huge variety of stainless steel pistols and revolvers for pocket carry. They are some of my favorites and are extremely popular with just about everyone. I carry a couple of different ones. First, the mini-revolvers. 5-shot in calibers from 22 Short to 22 Magnum, the NAA minis are pocket revolvers in the extreme. Grips are tiny and hardly manageable if firing, BUT , with these grips installed, they are as manageable as any other firearm.
The pocket from NAA I carry on occasion is the Guardian. Manufactured in 25, 32, 32NAA, and 380, the guardian is a reliable, stainless pocket gun. The 32 NAA cartridge is a 380 case necked down to 32. The verdict is still out on the effectiveness of this one.
Berreta makes a number of pocket autos and has some that have a distinct advantage, the pop-up barrel.
A few weeks ago, a young lady came in with her daughter and a revolver to trade. She could not pull the trigger on the older Charter Arms and was looking to trade for something her arthritis could handle. With the tip-up barrel, and in .32, the Tomcat was the answer for her. She was able to handle the trigger and the loading and it will still be a reliable and effective defensive handgun for her and her daughter.
Lastly, for me, is the LWS Seecamp. Possibly the Cadillac of pocket pistols. Exquisitely made, the Seecamp in stainless has one of the best DA trigger pulls in the pocket arena. It is also priced that way. But you get the highest quality in a performance pistol you can get.
How could I end this introduction without mentioning the AMT backup? In 380 caliber, the Backup was one of the first true pocket pistols that exhibited the features of the mouse guns. Small in size and caliber, this little gem is still a popular choice in pocket pistols. Now out of production, the Backup is still available in used, and almost new condition from gun dealers. We get them in trade on occasion and they might last a week. If you are looking for a good reliable 380 pistol, at a decent price, the Backup could be for you.
Well, there you have it from me to start the thread for the day. Pocket pistols are rapidly becoming a favorite for carry or backup. As I said in the beginning, pocket pistols should be considered if the weather you live in might require something smaller to carry, or you have special requirements that necessitate a smaller type of firearm. Potency, as always, depends on shot placement, and with the mouse-guns, its far more important. Something to remember.
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How much and any reason?
Another KelTec P-32 owner here.
Very small and light package.
No J-Frames?
I have two Kel Tecs: a P3at and a P-11. The P3AT is a “true” pocket pistol, invisible and unfelt in even normal (none cargo) pants pockets. It’s like it ain’t there.
While the J-frame is small and compact, it is in that iffy range of holster/no hoster carry. The pocket holsters available are kind of bulky and the bulge of the cylinder is a dead giveaway of ‘gun’.
$20 to $25 a box because it isn’t very common. Most gun stores will carry one or two kinds.
It is a great self defense gun, but practice is expensive. My wife practices with a .22 where bullets are about a penny apiece.
Can’t hear from all of us if you don’t put the post on the bang list.
Great fanny pack gun and still in 9mm. Kinda pricey, but an excellent life-insurance policy.
True dat. Maybe we oughta have a separate thread for them sometime...
Iver Johnson 38S&W Hammerless pocket pistol.
My dad left this to me when he died and he got it from his father. It originally belonged to a police officer from Worcester, Massachusetts named Tom O'Niel.
Yeah, we see a Baby every once in a while. Always about the same, ANIB, pouch, extra mag, and immaculate. These rarely last in the showcase.
Next week - Snubbies!!!!
I have a Jennings J22. Call it a saturday night special if you want but it’s never misfired on me, it was inexpensive and it fits in my back pocket between my wallet and my butt.
Lovely little gun on my list to aquire.
I don't even keep the parts on the non-functioning ones anymore, just flatten the frames and toss them.
Yea, I'm not sure whether KT should feel loved or raped over it. They have a lifetime warranty but use their customers as beta testers. It's a good concept unless you experience a failure when your life depends on it. I've had a PF-9 on my wish list for over a year, but the last time I looked, it was still going through some bugs. Either way, KT makes pretty good stuff at a very fair price. For me, the only drawback of KT is their finish, which I understand is showing improvement.
Had a hard time getting the ones we had out of the shop and had to sell at +10% over cost to move them.
It fits in the same pocket as your wallet? Crikey that is small.
Handled it for the first time the other day (almost no one carries it). I used to laugh that Walther was just a James Bond gun. Then I bought a P22. Fell in love with the line right then and there on the range. NICE weapons, very well engineered and uber-reliable.
Magazine capacity is a little thin for the PPS (7+1,9mm / 6+1,40S&W) compared to my M&P40 (15+1) but I still really like the model.
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