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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The .32 tomcat/defender is one of my favorites...
After a careful, part by part, examination the footprint isn’t all Ruger copied.
Buddy of mine has this .25 that would fit in the palm of your hand. You could shake a guys hand and shoot him at the same time.
I’m not much on pistols, because I would be lucky to hit a 4X8 piece of plywood if I was standing on it and aimed straight down! Even though I own two.
Long guns have always been my choice and my success.
I got a rocket in my pocket!
I don’t own a pocket gun, mostly because I’ve always wondered if lint and other pocket debris would make it misfire or worse. Anyone have any first hand knowledge?
clean it and your pockets now and again... no problem.
You can’t go wrong with a derringer in .410 ga. At self defense distances it is all you’ll ever need.
Having said that, I carry a CZ75 compact for daily use.
What is the price range on the ruger and keltec? That may be the gun I am looking for on behalf of my ladies.
You left off the Kahr MK9- smallest 9mm made, even smaller than the Detonics.
Sold mine recently and regret it greatly.
I use it, Kel Tec PF-9.
My current home/self defense weapon is a S&W 9mm However the desire / need for a smaller weapon has recently become appearent.
We are bikers. We began day trips to State Parks in PA and MD and WV this year. Take a picanic lunch and some hiking boots and make a day of it.
Our schedules allow us to do this mostly during Monday through Friday. Recently we visited a State Park in Pa that we had never been at before. We were in the park proper hiking for sometimne. We had not seen another human being in the park. On a rest break my wife happend to check her cell phone. No signal. The thought crossed my mind, what if something (not good) happens here? How do we either help or selves or possibly attract attention and get help?
Thus the decision to locate a decent “pocket pistol” I put my 9mm in a fanny pack and lugged it around the house the other day to see what that felt like. Decide that it would be a large pain in the rear on many of the hiking trails we have used. So have now begun the process of searching out a suitable small handgun to carry will on these trips for personal protection.
In 25 years of work (Police Officer then Corrction Officer and then mostly private Security I have carried a variety of work weapons and personal weapons but all were to large bulky and heavy for this particular application.
Anyone have any suggestions?
PM9 in my pocket right now. I have carried S&W J-frames in the past, but find that a pocket auto is much easier to conceal.
Ditto... but this guys piece was German military circa WW2... complete with engraved swastika.
My favorite off-duty pocket gun is the Kahr 9 mm. I have a problem right now with a stuck magazine release and must send it to be repaired. Aside from that, if 7 rounds of 9 mm can’t get me out of a bad situation quickly, then I should have been paying more attention...
Sounds like you are a FFL. Can you get extra mags and finger hook mag extension for it?
My wife has a keltec in .32. It was less than $300 new, but you can usually find them used.
Ammo is expensive.
You missed one, my personal favorite for a mini-pocket gun.
The Baby Browning or Colt .25 Auto, of which so many clones and copies have been made. I have one that’s pre-WW2.
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