Best Pocket Carry

I’m looking for something small that I can just throw in my front shorts pocket. I have a shield in .40 cal that I carry often, but it’s still a little bigger than what I’m wanting. I don’t mind dropping down to a .380 due to today’s bullet performance, but I think that’s probably as small as I would want to go. I’m looking at the sig 365 but I’m not sure it’s gonna be small enough to fit in and get out easy enough.

I’d love to get y’all thoughts on the best true pocket carry pistol.

Thanks!

I have a Sig 238 and M&P Bodyguard. I like the 238 better. It has a better trigger. They both shoot well. The Sig is single action and the Bodyguard is double action. Both are quite small. It all comes down to personal preference. The Sig was more expensive if that makes any difference. I would get whatever feels the best to you. I don't think you can go wrong with either of the two I mentioned.

I have both the LCP custom and the S&W Shield, I like them both. I can wear them in slacks or cargo shorts quite easily.

Glock 42 or 43- both capable pistols, any accessory, sight, or extended magazine you could want-

I carried a 42 for a long time but with a wife and kids normally with me I've decided I'll just have to adjust my wardrobe and carry my G19 everyday now.

I easily carried my p365 in pant pockets (front and back). Now, the p365 xl...not so much.

I own both Taurus TCP and Sig365

The sig for me is not a pocket pistol, while I can put it in my pocket, is far from ideal and not discreet. The TCP is discreet and comfortable. With that said I forget I’m caring my sig365 in a cross IWB holster. I’ve pretty much retired my TCP to my wife.

I can run with a TCP in shorts pockets or IWB where as I have to use belly band when running with P365

I like my P238 just fine but I have not carried it in quite a while.

Kahr CM9.

I have a LCP and a Walther PPK...

Kimber micro 9

I like the wife’s P238 but it’s heavy, I have the Glock 42 or 43 (whichever one is the 380) I never carry it but can’t say anything bad about it. The Glock is what my mom and sister carry. I still carry my P320 Carry in a holster because that’s what I’m use too

Front pocket everyday for the past 3 yrs.. I carry it holsterless in the little “change” or “watch” pocket. When wearing Deluth brand jeans there is a separate little change pocket hidden inside the front pocket. It fits perfectly inside that too.. a shield or g42/3 was impractical for pocket carry for me. An LCP may work though I did carry a bodyguard in front pocket for a short while. Ultimately I choose the black widow for my “everywhere” pistol.



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I was really looking hard at those a while back, but heard they had magazine issues. Have you had any issues and do you like yours? They sure are pretty. If carried in my pocket every day I’m sure it will get beat up.

For what I’m really looking for, the LCP or LCP II really fits the bill because it’s super light weight and small. I imagine it’s pretty snappy though and the one I held didn’t allow me to get a great grip on it.

I held a P365 with the SAS the other day and I really liked the way it felt. The imbedded green dot sight is really neat as well. 10 + 1 is also nice. Hard to believe it can get that many in such a small frame.

I guess I need to go shoot a few of them and that will probably help with which way I go.

Thanks for y’all’s suggestions. I’ll let you know what I go with

LCP for me on pocket carry. Usually it is in a wallet holster, but sometimes in a front pocket.

Sig P238 carry it every day

I finally decided on the S&W Bodyguard. Perfect size for the front left pocket, and I keep it one of those holsters that stay in the pocket when you take the pistol out. I had tritium night sights put on it. The pistol doesn’t punish your hand when fired, which makes it comfortable to practice with.

I had heard that it had a bad trigger pull, but found that it was more of a long pull than a bad pull. There is a trigger kit for a shorter pull, which I thought I would want, but have decided I don’t need it.

The pistol can be had with a safety and without. I went for the safety.

I would have bought a P238, but just can’t get comfortable with carrying cocked and locked. If, however, you don’t mind carrying in that condition, the trigger pull would be better than that of the Bodyguard.

Greg, Micro 9 owner here as well. 600+ rounds and no malfunctions, with either the pistol or the factory magazines. For me, it's to big for pocket carry, but women's britches have smaller pocket's, so that factors into the equation.

S&W 340PD in a pocket holster (back pocket).

I've carried either a Kel-Tec .32 or .380 for years. Small pocket pistols.

Have carried a S&W airweight .38 SPL in my front pocket for many miles. It is my go-to for pocket carry.

[align:right][/align]Many listed on here are still to big for pocket.

My 43 is my favorite small gun

Some people's definition of a "pocket pistol" is a little questionable. I have an LCP 2 that I like quite a bit and the trigger is pretty decent as well.

I would never carry my P365 or Shield in my pocket.

I'm not a fan of carrying cocked and locked in my pocket, so that rules out the Sig for me. I do have an old Colt Pony Pocketlight that is essentially the double action version of the 238 but I never really carry it. It's kind of a rare bird these days and I feel bad carrying a quasi collectors item. I wish they still made that gun as that is what I would carry in my pocket for sure.

Instead, in my pocket almost all the time is an LCP. Light weight, doesn't print, easy to draw, it's just a perfect pocket gun. I also have a P365. You can get it in a pocket comfortably but it can be a little tricky to draw as it's a much tighter fit. It really kinds of depends on what pants you're wearing. On weekends, I usually carry the 365 IWB or in a pocket on looser fitting shorts. During the week, when I'm in slacks or nice jeans, it's the LCP in the pocket.

I find the LCP is best for me when it comes to dropping a loaded pistol in my pocket. It shoots just fine and isn't too snappy. I picked one up new for $199 at academy. Don't think my 43 would conceal or be comfortable enough in my pocket...

I have a S & W 638, 38 special.
I really like the little revolver.
It disappears in a front pocket holster.

I rarely pocket carry, but a P365 in a sticky holster for anytime I'm not wearing a belt.

Depends on your budget, bout like everything. I have a kel tec p3at for that purpose. An lcp or lcp2 would be on the list too. Don’t discount the smith 638 or 642.

My edc is a p365 and I find it too big for a pocket/ankle gun. While it fits in pockets, it isn’t great.

I have a glock 42. It disappears in my pocket and is comfortable. It is about the most trim pistol that still fills enough of my hand to shoot it well. Probably not a good choice if you wear weasel squeezers.

Depends on how big you are. I'm 5'9", 195lbs (stocky). I've owned G27, G42, LCP & Sig p365. The only one that I could pocket carry was the LCP. Having said that, I carry a 365 in a Colorado Holsters holster, OWB, & never notice it being there except when I put the extended mag in & sit in my truck. Other than that, it's GTG.

I have carried a Rohrbaugh R9 for the past 17 years They are no longer made but can sometimes be found on the used market I think I have tried most of the pocket carry and always come back to the Rohrbaugh R9. It weights about 18 to 20 ozs loaded with 7-9MM. I
pocket carry it even if I have a belt gun on.

Sticky holsters are awesome. I have one for every pistol I carry.

Yeah I like the sticky holster as well. I have one for my shield, but it’s just a little to big for my pocket.

I wish the 365 was a hair smaller and had a safety. For a pocket gun I’m thinking I want a safety. If the LCP II had one, I’d get it. I might end up going with a body guard because it does... just makes me feel better when having one in the chamber... especially with a soft pocket holster. It’s second nature for me to flip the switch with the shield.

Anyone tried a hellcat yet?

I have a bunch of self defense pistols, but the only one that I've found that was truly designed for a pocket has to be the Taurus 22 or 25 PLY. Those Brazilian dudes that designed this pistol must wear blue jeans as the shape of this pistol fits solidly into a jean pocket. It is always at the correct presentation to slide your hand right into the pocket and around the stock. It weighs 11 ounces.



Not trying to debate the cartridge, I shoot and reloading everything from the 25 Auto through the 45 Auto. This pistol is always with me and is often backing up a larger cartridge that's holster carried. This is what it is loaded with, ten Gold Dots.

My 365 has a safety. They’ve been making them with a safety as an option for a while now.

Nice. I did not know that.

I've tried them all and the one I like best is the little Keltec 380, it replaced my 32 Tom Cat. If were talking cargo type pocket there's a bunch of them, I like the Sig 365 and have a fondness for the Charter Arms 44 Bulldog. Don't need a whole lot of gun, just enough to get me out of trouble.

I carry a Glock 42 in desantis nemesis if I'm going to pocket carry...works well for my cargo shorts and my athletic shorts/windpants I wear most of the time.

That's right. I bought two of them, one with and one without the safety. I love the 365 but I don't consider it a good pocket pistol.

I bought a Ruger LCP and a Taurus TCP for pocket carry. I ended up gifting away the Ruger and stayed with TCP. To me it's the perfect pocket gun and I shoot it well, you forget that it's there. Which is nice when you're working/doing stuff around the house. The low profile sights never hang up. If I've got clothes on, that TCP is in my front right pocket 24/7 whether I'm carrying a bigger gun or not. I used to frown on the .380, until I did my own ballistic tests on a big boar hog. As mentioned before, modern day ammo makes all the difference. For my pocket gun, I don't keep one in the chamber...but I can draw/rack slide/be on target in about 2 seconds so that's good enough for me.

Skinner, I have both the 32 and 380 TCP, they are also my favorites. I've shot a spot and stalk hog with both.

Ha ha, that's awesome. I've had to finish off a few deer & pigs with mine, but never actually hunted with it.

Went with the S&W Bodyguard. Felt better than the LCP2 in my hands, and I’ve had great luck with my shield .40 so I figured why not stick with what’s working. Thanks for all y’all’s advise and input!

I've shot them at close range, under feeder lights, with the 32 Auto, 380 Auto, 9mm Luger, 9mm Makarov, and 45 Auto. Here are my TCPs, "pinky" belongs to my wife. I chose these over the LCP.

You'll like the Bodyguard. Mine is very accurate and recoil is not significant.

Back in the days many years ago of collecting $5-20K? in cash payments in a gym bag for orders from the Pawn Shops around Fair Park, Deep Ellum & east Dallas, I carried a 1st edition pin barrel S&W M60 in an ankle holster & a Colt 70 series LtWeight Colt Commander 45ACP in the small of my back for the bad guys to see imprinted and worry about before there was a Carry Permit required. Still have the pin barrel Smith and it's trigger been highly tuned to under 2lbs SA & about 2 1/2lbs DA let off. More fun to shoot than a barrel of monkee's, and was fantastic to hunt bunnies with in the deep brush piles along a certain retired RR Track Right of Way somewhere around the Lavon dam in the winter.

Been talking with the BH about finally getting her a carry piece and really like the looks of that M638 Smith. How is it for DA & SA trigger pull & gross weight ? 38Spl is my minimum Self Defense round.
Ron

I'm a fan of the .32 Seecamp, myself.

They are nice pistols with many followers.

This...After working thru several larger .40s and 9mm, including the 365, I find the LCPII the most practical most of the time simply due to its size. Snappy? Yes, a bit, but not to the extent that it is uncontrollable. Merely uncomfortable for extended range sessions. Oh, almost forgot, not ONE faiure to feed or fire in several hundred rounds of various types. Hornady Critical Duty is my edc round of choice.

Glock 43 or shield

I like mine too but it's so heavy compared to the new stuff.

I’m happy with the bodyguard. Have it in a soft sticky holster and don’t even know it’s there.

Had carried my LC9s in front pocket of my Wranglers for a couple years and cannot do that now with the new Wranglers. They have changed the size of the opening and made the small pocket even smaller and is now useless for what I used it for. Reviews from the Wrangler website pointed that out so I only ordered 2 pair instead of the 6 pair I normally order. Will no longer be buying Wrangler. Shame because I really liked them, the same style for over 25 years.
Been searching for another kind of pants, always had wore bluejeans, nothing else. Ordered first pair of Propper Tactical pants and am really pleased with them. First time I ever wore pants with the angled pocket opening and can pocket carry again much, much easier and the draw is flawless. Will now purchase some from Dickies and try them and maybe a pair from 5:11. Just an FYI, if you ever order from Propper, heed the reviews, they are spot on. You MUST order a size bigger than normal. Their waist size measures very small.

My pocket carry. All stainless, fits in jeans or jacket with NO PROBLEM!

While it might be heavy for most, I can put my Kimber Micro 9 in just about any pocket. The seven round mag is perfect for the pocket, the 8 round is a bit large.

I've noticed that if I wear a T-shirt with a lot of writing or bright colors on it most people will read the words or the pattern and never notice that I'm carrying a double stack ATI Fatboy in 45ACP under it. Did grocery shopping at Kroger this morning and Home Depot after that.