I Think I Want the Impossible

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Ilm

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Hopefully I don't get beat up too bad posting this haha.

For one reason or another, I have always preferred to pocket carry. My dilemma is that if I am carrying a semi then I prefer it to have a manual safety. When I carry one of my revolvers, I'm obviously fine without the manual safety.

MY semiauto Bodyguard 380 is the perfect size for me. However I do have concerns with reliability even though mine has always been reliable. I would much rather have a 9 mm such as my p365 but that is not always suitable for pocket carry.

As far as wheel guns go, on occasion I will pocket carry my Ruger LCR but it's about the same size as the p365.

My perfect carry gun would be the same size as My Bodyguard 380 but either a 9mm or 38. Revolver or semi doesn't matter.

I'm not a big fan of carrying cocked and locked in my pocket.

Is there something that I might be missing? Those new Smith & Wesson ultimate carry J frames that are about to be released look awesome but it looks like they're the current size of the air weights.
 
I don't think I would want to touch off a bodyguard-sized 9mm or .38. The .380 is low on the fun scale; .38 +p out of an airweight sucks. Putting more power in that small package would discourage practice, IMHO.

You do you; if you find something report back on how it works out. I'd be curious...
 
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Kahr MK9, or PM9 maybe? It's close in size to the S&W Bodyguard 380acp. The MK9 would have the weight to make shooting 9mm pretty easy at 24oz, but that's heavy for a pocket gun. The PM9 is the same size, but has a polymer frame and comes in at 15oz.

I've read that Kahr's tend to be under sprung, so the first thing I'd do would be to buy a Wolff 24lb recoil spring and guide rod. Then put a 1k rounds of mixed ammo through it, and see if I'd be willing to carry it.

I've been thinking of buying one for a while, just haven't made the decision yet.

For size comparison.
www.handgunhero.com

Kahr MK9 vs Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Kahr MK9 and Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380
www.handgunhero.com www.handgunhero.com
 
LazyBones said:
Kahr MK9, or PM9 maybe? It's close in size to the S&W Bodyguard 380acp. The MK9 would have the weight to make shooting 9mm pretty easy at 24oz, but that's heavy for a pocket gun. The PM9 is the same size, but has a polymer frame and comes in at 15oz.

I've read that Kahr's tend to be under sprung, so the first thing I'd do would be to buy a Wolff 24lb recoil spring and guide rod. Then put a 1k rounds of mixed ammo through it, and see if I'd be willing to carry it.

I've been thinking of buying one for a while, just haven't made the decision yet.

For size comparison.
www.handgunhero.com

Kahr MK9 vs Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Kahr MK9 and Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380
www.handgunhero.com www.handgunhero.com
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These seem to check the boxes! Appreciate it! I dont know much about Kahr so I guess I have some research to do!
 
Ilm said:
Chamber is always full.... not sure where you got that from
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Ilm said:
I'm not a big fan of carrying cocked and locked in my pocket.
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Maybe I misunderstood you? You just don’t want a hammer fired weapon without a decocker?
 
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Whelp....

They make 9mm pocket pistols, they just kick like hell.

For instance, the DB9.

Kicks. Takes some getting used to swapping mags. Trigger take up is measured in feet. But if you work through that, and find a cartridge it likes, then your golden.

You may be checking too many boxes, and ultimately you need to figure out which boxes you can live without or work through.

Just remember, as much as we as a collective poo poo the 9mm Kurz, it's been killing folks for decades. Eastern Europe is full of bodies with a 0.355 bullet somewhere in them. Or two.

Same as the 38 special. It's why the original Model 38 (you know, the humpback) is man's quintessential pocket gun.

The search for the perfect pocket pistol may outlast the search for a perfect woman.

My advice, find one that checks your biggest box or two, then practice with it until you can feel comfortable with it all the time in all circumstances.

Pistol that is .

For the record, I do have a DB9. Carry it often. Nothing that couldn't be worked out.
 
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Surveyor said:
Whelp....

They make 9mm pocket pistols, they just kick like hell.

For instance, the DB9.

Kicks. Takes some getting used to swapping mags. Trigger take up is measured in feet. But if you work through that, and find a cartridge it likes, then your golden.

You may be checking too many boxes, and ultimately you need to figure out which boxes you can live without or work through.

Just remember, as much as we as a collective poo poo the 9mm Kurz, it's been killing folks for decades. Eastern Europe is full of bodies with a 0.355 bullet somewhere in them. Or two.

Same as the 38 special. It's why the original Model 38 (you know, the humpback) is man's quintessential pocket gun.

The search for the perfect pocket pistol may outlast the search for a perfect woman.

My advice, find one that checks your biggest box or two, then practice with it until you can feel comfortable with it all the time in all circumstances.

Pistol that is .

For the record, I do have a DB9. Carry it often. Nothing that couldn't be worked out.
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The gen 1 checkering was just way too sharp for me.
 
I would try to not overthink pistol caliber choice. What are the odds something shot with your 380 would keep going when a 9mm would have stopped it? If you are good proficient with your Bodyguard, carry it.
 
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LazyBones said:
Then put a 1k rounds of mixed ammo through it, and see if I'd be willing to carry it.
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I am willing to bet that the vast (and I mean really close to 100%) majority of people that claim to put 1,000 rounds through a gun BEFORE carrying it are greatly exaggerating at best and most likely outright lying about it.
 
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Ilm said:
My perfect carry gun would be the same size as My Bodyguard 380 but either a 9mm or 38. Revolver or semi doesn't matter.
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The Rohrbaugh R9 exactly fits your description and one is for sale in the BST forum. The Rohrbaugh is ideal for pocket carry as it has a DAO trigger.

If the 9mm Rohrbaugh is a little daunting, Remington made an improved version (I know it's hard to believe, but it's true) in .380 named the Remington RM380.

RM380 vs Bodyguard 380.png
 
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Tim said:
I am willing to bet that the vast (and I mean really close to 100%) majority of people that claim to put 1,000 rounds through a gun BEFORE carrying it are greatly exaggerating at best and most likely outright lying about it.
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After modifying a handgun that I intend to carry from factory specs, I would recommend putting 1k through it.

I don't put 1k through every handgun I carry, (revolvers are expensive to feed) but I also don't go changing the internals of most of my carry guns.

It's up to each individual person to decide how many rounds down range is enough to satisfy for themselves, that their gun is reliable enough for carry.
 
Kahr PM9 is what you have described. It has a trigger like a good revolver and is slim and 9mm. I have carried a variety of Kahr pistols in 9mm and .380 for years fully loaded and no incidents. They are as safe as a revolver but do use a pocket holster.
 
If you can hit with the bodyguard carry it. If you can't hit practice more. I had one and it was perfectly reliable, I've always liked them.
 
LazyBones said:
Kahr MK9, or PM9 maybe? It's close in size to the S&W Bodyguard 380acp. The MK9 would have the weight to make shooting 9mm pretty easy at 24oz, but that's heavy for a pocket gun. The PM9 is the same size, but has a polymer frame and comes in at 15oz.

I've read that Kahr's tend to be under sprung, so the first thing I'd do would be to buy a Wolff 24lb recoil spring and guide rod. Then put a 1k rounds of mixed ammo through it, and see if I'd be willing to carry it.

I've been thinking of buying one for a while, just haven't made the decision yet.

For size comparison.
www.handgunhero.com

Kahr MK9 vs Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 size comparison | Handgun Hero

Compare the dimensions and specs of Kahr MK9 and Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380
www.handgunhero.com www.handgunhero.com
Click to expand...
Yup, go shoot a Kahr PM9. I've got one, don't carry it with a dry chamber. They'll sometimes stick with the slide open if the slide is sling shotted to chamber a round. Mine has never hiccuped when firing.
@Tim , I HAVE NOT put 1K rounds through it.

Due to old man eyes, I went to a Hellcat with a dot for EDC.
 
"9mm Parabellum" and "Pocket Pistol" are incompatible with each other in practical terms. YMMV

If I had to do the pocket rocket chase all over again, I would buy two Kel-Tec P32s, a case of European FMJ .32ACP, and call it a day.
 
I carried a Sig p938 for a while. (in 9mm obvs) That is a pretty small package in 9mm, has a safety too. I always thought it shot great. Only reason I moved on from it was capacity.
 
Well, if your 380 is reliable and you like it you could save a bunch of money by doing nothing. I understand the lust to get a new gun and I'm in no position to tell you that you shouldn't but I figured I'd throw the suggestion on the table.

Moving on to the question you asked. I'm with you on the struggle between pocket carry and ballistic capabilities. Frankly I've thrown in the towel. If I'm carrying in my pocket I'm accepting the fact that pocket carry equals small gun. Small guns are in general chambered in small rounds. There are a lot of exceptions to that on the market but I find that all the "tiny nines" I've handled were either a bit much for a pocket or too small to shoot well.

I tried a Ruger lc9 for a while. It was really nice to carry but I couldn't hit squat with it. The trigger was terrible. They make the same gun with a striker now and I've heard it's way better but haven't tried one out. I'm fairly sure the striker fired version has a manual safety.

It's hard to beat a j frame (hammer less or shrouded) for pocket carry. I can shoot pretty well with 38 and if recoil becomes more of a problem for me as I age I might go 32 or even rim fire. I'm not sold on the idea of 22 for defense at all but I still have no problem shooting center fire. 38 is better than 22 but if it's 22 or nothing I'm not choosing nothing.
 
Jlwilliams said:
It's hard to beat a j frame (hammer less or shrouded) for pocket carry. I can shoot pretty well with 38 and if recoil becomes more of a problem for me as I age I might go 32 or even rim fire. I'm not sold on the idea of 22 for defense at all but I still have no problem shooting center fire. 38 is better than 22 but if it's 22 or nothing I'm not choosing nothing.
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thats a beauty of the J Frame.

If felt recoil is or becomes an issue than factory managed recoil loads or reduced velocity big fat wide meplat lead hand loads can be utilized, without the worry of cycling an action.

(We can save the discussion of handloads in a self defense gun for another thread)
 
OP, do you have any experience pocket carrying an Airweight? I know they seem like they are basically the same size as a LCR, but they really are easier to carry in a pocket. I pocket carry my 9mm LCR on occasion, but it is just a little bulky for my taste. On the other hand, the 442 Airweight is perfect. I'm planning on a 432UC and a 442UC for pocket carry when they become available.
 
Back before they made the "hammerless" my great grandpa carried a little j frame smith .38. back in the early 90s an he cut part of the hammer off an smoothed it down. Essentially making it hammerless kind of I guess. Told me it kept it from getting stuck when he was trying to pull out of his pocket. He would also carry a little derringer 32 called it his poker/gut gun. Most self-defense situations you're going to be pretty close if you can hit what you want at 5 an 10 yards. Most situations you'll be good. Really whatever fits you best and you're comfortable with the most. That's what I go with. Everybody has their own opinion and you know what they say about that.
 
Landric said:
OP, do you have any experience pocket carrying an Airweight? I know they seem like they are basically the same size as a LCR, but they really are easier to carry in a pocket. I pocket carry my 9mm LCR on occasion, but it is just a little bulky for my taste. On the other hand, the 442 Airweight is perfect. I'm planning on a 432UC and a 442UC for pocket carry when they become available.
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Any idea when they will become available... love the look of them!
 
Smith and Wesson CSX? Its SAO with a 1911 style manual thumb safety in 9x19, carries 12 (NOT 12+1), pocket carries easily. Can always carried with one in the chamber and maybe do a bajillion reps to cock the hammer? Once things get around P938 size there's no free lunch, DA/SA or DAO just hasn't been made to reliably fit that small (that I am aware of, I can be wrong on this).
 
Bahamadon said:
Have you considered buying pants with roomier pockets? Some folks will say to dress around the weapon. (BOB)
New pants are easier on the wallet than new weapons .
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All my shorts and pants have cargo pockets for a reason. I comfortably pocket carry a P365XL with extended mags in a cargo pocket...
 
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