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Pocket Pistol Recommendation

4859 Views 79 Replies 49 Participants Last post by  M11-1A
I'm currently sporting a North American Arms mini-revolver as my pocket pistol option. I like the little gun, can hit what I need to from about 10 yards away, but wouldn't mind something a little larger. But not too larger.

Something between a Ruger LCP Max and the North American Arms?

Looked at the Berettas and the only downside is the weight. Same can be said about the North American Arms Guardians.

I've got a Baby Browning but the slide bite is terrible. Not an issue if your life depended on it but sucks when spending time on the range with this little fella. Thought about the Seecamp, but they are pricey and hard to find. Not a big fan of a two-shot derringer. I've got a H&R 22 Mag that I carried as a back-up (or coat gun) on the job, but not sure it should fly solo.

I like the Kahr .380 but have a bad history with Kahr firearms. The LCP Max is growing on me but I'd like to go a bit smaller and the prices around here have gone through the roof. Hard to find one under $500 in my neck of the woods. I don't mind paying $500 for a gun but not for one that should be priced in the $350 range.

So I toss it to you guys. What's out there that is larger than the North American Arms mini-revolvers but smaller than a LCP Max? It could be a revolver or semi-auto. Kinda thinking the Beretta (either 21a or 3032) is the best option and I just have to live with the weight. What am I missing?
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The Ruger makes small. light and thin 380 and 9mm both single feed mags.
There are others makes who make similar.
You may want to find these pistols at a gun range and rent so you can get the feel of how they fit and shoot in your hand?
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I'm currently sporting a North American Arms mini-revolver as my pocket pistol option. I like the little gun, can hit what I need to from about 10 yards away, but wouldn't mind something a little larger. But not too larger.

Something between a Ruger LCP Max and the North American Arms?

Looked at the Berettas and the only downside is the weight. Same can be said about the North American Arms Guardians.

I've got a Baby Browning but the slide bite is terrible. Not an issue if your life depended on it but sucks when spending time on the range with this little fella. Thought about the Seecamp, but they are pricey and hard to find. Not a big fan of a two-shot derringer. I've got a H&R 22 Mag that I carried as a back-up (or coat gun) on the job, but not sure it should fly solo.

I like the Kahr .380 but have a bad history with Kahr firearms. The LCP Max is growing on me but I'd like to go a bit smaller and the prices around here have gone through the roof. Hard to find one under $500 in my neck of the woods. I don't mind paying $500 for a gun but not for one that should be priced in the $350 range.

So I toss it to you guys. What's out there that is larger than the North American Arms mini-revolvers but smaller than a LCP Max? It could be a revolver or semi-auto. Kinda thinking the Beretta (either 21a or 3032) is the best option and I just have to live with the weight. What am I missing?
Adopt some loose fit black cargo pants/shorts with a roomy front pocket and shove a P365 chambered in 9mm in a pocket holster. ;)

It's only a little bigger than an LCP MAX and is so much more gun. Or if your wrists aren't up to the recoil of 9mm out of a 3 inch barrel and a tiny grip there's the 380 version.

It is a little bulky for pocket carry, and is about as big as it gets and still work for me. But if I have something on me it's usually a P365 in my front right pocket. It's not as easy to shoot as my larger 9mm handguns. A little snappy. But put a stiff wrist behind it and it shoots like a bigger gun.

I actually went out looking for Kel-tec P3AT, Bodyguard 380 and was considering an LCP II when the LGS handed me a P365 and ended up buying one. I still wouldn't mind something smaller for the pants whose pockets don't hide the P365 as well. At the same time, most folks probably think it's a fat wallet or something.

If I were to look at something smaller than my P365 today it would probably be between the LCP II, Bodyguard 380 or maybe even a P938. Or the P238 if 9mm out of a short barrel is too much for someone's wrists.
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Adopt some loose fit black cargo pants/shorts with a roomy front pocket and shove a P365 chambered in 9mm in a pocket holster. ;)

....But if I have something on me it's usually a P365 in my front right pocket.....I actually went out looking for Kel-tec P3AT, Bodyguard 380 and was considering an LCP II when the LGS handed me a P365 and ended up buying one.
^^^^^ This. I carried a Kel-tec P3AT as a BUG for decades. It is now "retired" for various reasons and I now carry the P365 with a 12 rd mag as a BUG.
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The term "pocket pistol" is obviously a relative term. Depending on how I am dressed, my choice of pocket pistol ranges from a Kahr P380 to a Smith J-frame or a Sig P290RS for looser fitting or heavier clothes. My first pocket pistol was an Astra Cub (identical to the Colt Junior) in .25ACP. I still have it, but don't carry it any longer. The OP mentioned weight as an issue. Many find the P290RS to heavy for pocket carry, but I do fine with it in a Mika pocket holster and with a thick, stiff belt in my slacks.
P238 is the perfect pocket gun, IMO
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:iagree:

Disappears in pocket, accurate and reliable. I’ve not found better than P238 for pocket carry.
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4
My cajunized CZ Rami is slightly larger than my Sig 365 and far more accurate. It also fits in a Sticky pocket holster very well.

2 targets both at 12 yards. One point and shoot (no sights) fast as I can the other with sights
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I’ll also recommend a P365. Cargo shorts with decent pockets and an Alabama Pocket holster is used by me quite frequently.

Works great for me if I am not being too active. If the activity level is higher, then I’m using my P226 in an M-TAC sling bag
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I’d go with a bodyguard 380. I’ve had zero issues with it in the past 7 years. Super slim and light. Holds a total of 8 rounds with a Maguts spring kit.
sits inside my front pocket in a Mika holster.
Another vote for the 238. I stick mine in my cargo shorts pocket all summer. It shoots really accurate too.
Is there a reason you didn't consider one from the start?
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I just don't trust any of the small 380s anymore. None are at my standard of fit/finish or reliability. (I'm a lefty so the 238 is out). I've gone back to a J frame for anything lighter than a P365. And the shape lends itself to pocket carry already.
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I don't know how big your pocket is but consider P365-380 .. a bit lighter
It's my EDC now
I too have a North American Arms mini-revolver in .22 Magnum. It's the pistol that I carry when I absolutely can't carry anything larger. It's only good at "bad breath" distances and I would only use it to break contact with an attacker in order to get to something bigger and more effective.
That's the way I feel about most "pocket" or deep concealment pistols, unless they are 9mm/.38 Special +P or greater, of which there are not many. If you're inclined toward the P365 (after all, this is a SIG forum), go with the 9mm. You can also get the manual safety version if a striker fired pistol in your pocket, or appendix carry, concerns you. I regularly carry a P365MS when more than just casual concealment is necessary.
A S&W J-frame revolver in .38 Special +P, such as the Model 442/642 (I carry a 442) or any of the Airweight or Scandium frame models would also work. I don't recommend any of the .357 magnum versions like the 340PD. They're the same frame size as a .38 Special +P, but you'll end up with .38 Special ammo in it after the first time you try .357 magnum loads.
I had a P938 at one time, but didn't care for carrying it cocked and locked in a pocket/appendix carry. Carrying it in Condition 2 (chamber loaded/hammer down) requires cocking the hammer during a stressful situation, and due to the size of the hammer, which is necessarily small on a small pistol, this too became problematic. The same can be said for the P238, plus it's a .380.
What works for me may not work for you. Good luck in your search.
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I went with a bodyguard 380 myself for pocket carry. For me, I value slimness first, weight second, height third, and length fourth as my pocket carry criteria.

The p238 is an excellent pistol, Very accurate for a pocket gun and practically no recoil because of its weight. and in hindsight I should have just purchased one just to have because they are much harder to find now.

But I went with the bodyguard because it’s smaller than the 238 in every dimension and I don’t have to worry about flicking off the a tiny manual safety in the heat of the moment.

If the opportunity presents itself again to buy a 238, I think I would get one just to have because the future of them seems uncertain. But I’m fine now with a bodyguard, matter of fact I bought 2 for the same price of one 238.
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Works great in my Carhartt bibs pocket.
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I carried the NAA 32acp for several years. Not my favorite way to spend a day at the range, but I considered it a belly punch "get off me" gun anyway, Even though it was a metal gun, it rode well in the pocket holster sleeve.
but my work day was so active, bending, moving around hands n knees etc... I more often had it in that Desantis zipper pouch so I knew it was secure.
I finally upgraded to an old 1980s Colt Mustang..again..heavy and only 380 compared to the great new offerings out there today.
I don't know if you want to go as large as the Sig P238(mustang), etc. but I will say that the step up in size and trigger type enabled me to be on target at street fight distance, whereas I just wasn't as effective on the DAO NAA
I second the Sig P938 or P238 if 9mm is too much.
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I CC a 1911, sorry can't help.
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The original LCP is still my go-to for a small, light, pocketable pistol. You can get them for $250 or less. Less than 10 ounces, less than an inch thick, three and a half inches tall with the flush 6-round magazine, just over five inches long. Don't get me wrong, I love my P365 and carry it most of the time - but when I want something ultra small and don't want to go all the way down to a NAA .22 revolver, the LCP in .380 ACP is it.
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