Posted on 09/02/2008 3:13:16 AM PDT by Pistolshot
Free Republic Gun Club – Tuesday – Pocket Pistols!!!!!!
Morning. Today’s FRGC article is about those misunderstood, mouse guns. The smallish pocket 22’s, 25’s, 32’s, 380’s. 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 380’s 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 let’s get into the mouse guns, the ones you can put in a front pocket like a set of keys and not even know it’s there. Since I mentioned the Kahr, let’s 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, let’s 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, it’s far more important. Something to remember.
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Have you had any problems with your PM40? I would really like to start carrying mine, but it has been totally unreliable. I've polished the feedramp and slide and installed new springs, but it still won't go into battery over half the time. Do you know something that will get it to work correctly?
Some think that KT didn’t do a sufficient job of protecting their patents, and basically allowed Ruger to steal them blind.
Mine is on barrel number three or four. It was used, and used hard - I’m sure it saw action in Asia in at least two wars, as it is a handmedown.
Get the right pocket holster and lint should not be a problem.
I would much rather have .45 than a .380 in a situation where I actually needed to use my CCW.
As a side note, this PM40 is the second Kahr I purchased -- my first was a PM9, which I've also treated similarly and have also had no troubles with. Have you spoken to Kahr about this? I have found their customer support to be excellent, and it sounds like you might just have a lemon, however uncommon that may be.
Please add the venerable Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless in .32, .380 and .25
While the .32/380 was more of a coat pocket pistol, it was and is a reliable,concealable shooter that has impeccable lines
One of my favorites
I have a Walther PP in .32 (stainless) I love it!
I have a Jennings. Never misfired and was convenient to carry, but then the barrel cracked.
Still debating on whether to get it fixed or save it for a local gun buyback.
The P32 and P3AT are practically the same except the P32 has a slide lock and holds an extra round, which in my opinion is a real plus in these generally underpowered - but very mobile and concealable - pistols.
Even though these are basically point-and-shoot pistols, I also installed an ARMALASER on it. That improves the very minimal sights tremendously, especially in low light and at ranges beyond 7 yards.
One of these little concealable bugs is well worth the money. It is a "carry any time, anywhere" tool (where legal, of course).
I spoke to Kahr a couple times. They gave me instructions for polishing the ramp and slide and sent me the new, heavier springs. It didn’t change anything. About 60% of the time the slide won’t go back into battery. I’ve put about 200-300 rounds through it and the problem seems to be getting worse instead of better. I’m planning on sending it back to Kahr to see what they can do.
That would be my next suggestion. Sounds like it's already been way too much trouble.
Good luck.
Here are some of the best.You always want to use a holster.
>I would really like to start carrying mine, but it has been totally unreliable.<
SELL IT! Do NOT ever carry a weapon that makes you feel uncomfortable because of it’s reliability to operate. A rock is a better choice.
Mmmm, pocket guns, my favorite carry.
My current carry is a S&W 432, a J frame hammerless in .32 H&R Magnum, it’s the 6 shot J frame!
Others in the safe, and around the home are a Taurus 85 ultralight in .38 +p, a S&W Model 60 w/3” barrel in .38, a S&W Model 32 in .32 S&W Long, the lovely Anne has a hammerless J frame in .357, and a NAA .22 mini revolver with the big folding grip.
Others in the safe, a Colt M1903 in .32, an older Beretta 7.62 (.32), a new Beretta Tomcat .32 (this one has bitten me twice).
Sorry, no pictures.
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