Sig P365 Review - Pocket Gun on Steroids

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 10/8/2019 | C Cocole

[Magnum44]

I sympathize with your range limitations.

[dhs12345]

You have considered your options. :)

There are actual pocket carry pistols.

[Magnum44]

I have a hammerless S&W 357 M&P 340 which I could use as a pocket pistol, but I’ve gotten used to the glock43 or sig P365 in the IWB holster on the hip. Those are more accessible faster than a pocket for me, except maybe a coat pocket where I’m already hands in the pocket keeping warm. But that would only work during the cold months of the year. Also, if I used a coat pocket, I could not take off and leave the coat anywhere. The holster never leaves me.

I’ve seen some people use pants pockets. But for me and the jeans I usually wear, i don’t think I could make that work comfortably or not look like I was hauling rocks around in my pockets, even with a micro pistol. And I prefer a 9mm as a minimum carry round.

The S&W M&P does make a great purse gun for Mrs Magnum. 😉

[dhs12345]

A revolver is very good. :)

Women have an advantage because they have a purse. Easy to conceal a large weapon. So we chose the pistol that is as easy for the wife to use — a 380 EZ. Everything about this weapon is “easy” and with minimal recoil. And for small, less strong hands, it is perfect for her.

Me? Agreed about the 9mm. But finding a true pocket carry in 9mm is impossible. So the next step down in caliber is the 380 and there are a number of autos that are extremely small and compact and comfortably fit in the front pocket of slacks and even jeans. Yes, it does look like you “have something in your pocket” but who is going to ask? We have already been in Walmart, me with my pocket carry and the wife with her conceal purse. We are not obvious and so no one asks. Also, there is a difference between open carry and concealed carry. Concealed means that no one has the right to ask you without the proper legality. Should note that we are not trying to be belligerent and what they don't know wont hurt them. Also, from what I read, Walmart has a issue with open carry and not concealed carry.

Anyway, the 380 does have less power than a 9mm and so cartridge selection is important. There are many tests done and there are several cartridges that do very well and are optimal for self defense.

Another thing to think about is over-penetration. There are 9mm cartridges that do okay but most have a little too much energy and there is a chance that they might go through the intended target and hit someone behind it. The goldilocks issue.

FMJs will probably over penetrate, too. Standard hollow points tend to jam up with debris and then lose their ability to expand and become a FMJ. There are more elaborate hollow points that are less prone to this and there is even an “FMJ” that looks like the end of a Philips screwdriver that is supposed to do really well. It spins at very high speed causing tissue compression. Again, there is a lot of useful information on youtube and other places.

Search Youtube for Paul Harrell. He is a very good resource.