need pocket gun advice - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**speednut** · 06-18-2007, 05:01 PM

Looking at some different options for a pocket gun. I have been considering a Kel-tec, Bersa Thunder or Kimber. Anybody got any advice? I'd like to keep it 9mm so I can use the same ammo as my XD service. Or would I be better off getting a XD sub-compact 9mm?
Your thoughts welcomed...

matchstick · 06-18-2007, 05:09 PM

I strongly considered the Kel-Tec PF9 9MM, which a lot of people like. But there were too many posts on the KTOG forums about trigger springs breaking and other small problems. I'm still interested in the gun, but not in this 1st generation version. Perhaps in a year or two I'll feel more comfortable with it.

I've shot the older Kel-Tec P11 9MM. I hate that gun. Horrible trigger.

I ended up buying a Kahr PM9 9MM for my pocket gun. I really like it. Smooth trigger, nice gun. Expensive though, more than twice what a PF9 costs.

One of my co-workers just picked up a S&W 340PD snubbie. Give the little 2" .38SP revolvers some serious consideration. They go bang everytime and are very light and easy to conceal. Trigger pull takes 14 years, but you're not exactly going to be using this gun for competitive shooting anyway.

Requiem4Senses · 06-18-2007, 05:18 PM

I'd go with the XD9sc, but it's not really a "pocket gun"

**nikon777** · 06-18-2007, 05:33 PM

The XD sub is not an option for a pocket gun. My vote goes for the Bersa Thunder 380. Just fired mine about 20 minutes ago and i was grinning the whole time. Great little guns. You can whip it out of your pocket instantly and deliver 8 rounds to your intended target/bad guy. Funny, i find the recoil actually less shooting it one handed. With the size and design of the gun, that's pretty much they way you wanna shoot it anyway. I lucked out and picked up one in mint condition for $128 at gander mountain. They had 2, the latter having more wear but with an extra factory mag. Those who know the thunder 380 know how expensive the mags are. The salesman was a sport and slid me the extra mag no charge. Cant beat a mint thunder 380 with 2 factory mags for $128. New, i wouldn't pay anymore than $230-$250 for one. Good luck.

Bree · 06-18-2007, 05:57 PM

KelTec P3AT .380 at 11 oz is a genuine "pocket gun." It ain't pretty. It doesn't feel very substantial but they work and they are perfect for the pocket. The darn things will even take limited runs of +P ammo. I have already put in an order to my gunsmith for a hard chrome model. They are a bit harder to get than the blued or parkerized models so I may have to wait a little while longer for his supplier to get their hands on one.

Tard · 06-18-2007, 08:39 PM

My pocket gun is a Taurus 85 5-shot .38 in SS (2" bbl).

I put some kind of very rounded, low-profile rubber grips on it and I feel completely comfortable w/ it loose in my front pocket.

jtkratzer · 06-18-2007, 08:45 PM

If the money isn't an issue, get the Kahr, it feels like a nicer gun than the Kel-tec and you get the benefits of the full power from the 9mm, less expensive ammo, and more readily available ammo.

GoCodeBravo · 06-18-2007, 10:30 PM

My primary carry is a Kel-Tec P11. I agree with one previous post that the stock trigger sucks (kind of). 8.5 pound pull is a little high, BUT...if you add the $10 Trigger Shoe, and a Hogue HandAll Jr ($10), the little $250 pistol shoots and feels much different. If you have the money, try the Kahr. Got my CHL with my P-11 and shoot it monthly (and have for 7 years, baby!

)

Also, have a P-32 (1st Gen). It is the most concealable pistol I've ever seen. Never had trouble with either. My P-11 has 3,000+ rounds through of both cheap and high perfomance ammo. I would bet my life on it and still do. It's ONLY for self-defense, close quarters encounters (i.e. 7-20 yards in my estimation). If you want a target gun that doubles as a carry gun, get the XD. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my XD45 GAP 5" Tactical and it's little siblings. The Kel-Tec P11 is a great value. You can shoot it till it breaks as I've been saying lately, and not worry about plunking down serious bucks to replace it.

KarolinaKid · 06-19-2007, 04:50 AM

My pocket gun is a Beretta Tomcat and I have been very please with it.

Krackels · 06-19-2007, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtkratzer

If the money isn't an issue, get the Kahr, it feels like a nicer gun than the Kel-tec and you get the benefits of the full power from the 9mm, less expensive ammo, and more readily available ammo.

+1
If you wanted to stay with a 9mm. I'd highly recommend a Kahr. They're amazing guns, and unlike the Kel-tec they'll stand up to a lot of practice shooting at the range.

06-18-2007, 05:01 PM	#1
speednut XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Central Indiana Posts: 155	need pocket gun advice Looking at some different options for a pocket gun. I have been considering a Kel-tec, Bersa Thunder or Kimber. Anybody got any advice? I'd like to keep it 9mm so I can use the same ammo as my XD service. Or would I be better off getting a XD sub-compact 9mm? Your thoughts welcomed... __________________ The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.

06-18-2007, 05:09 PM	#2
matchstick XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 218	I strongly considered the Kel-Tec PF9 9MM, which a lot of people like. But there were too many posts on the KTOG forums about trigger springs breaking and other small problems. I'm still interested in the gun, but not in this 1st generation version. Perhaps in a year or two I'll feel more comfortable with it. I've shot the older Kel-Tec P11 9MM. I hate that gun. Horrible trigger. I ended up buying a Kahr PM9 9MM for my pocket gun. I really like it. Smooth trigger, nice gun. Expensive though, more than twice what a PF9 costs. One of my co-workers just picked up a S&W 340PD snubbie. Give the little 2" .38SP revolvers some serious consideration. They go bang everytime and are very light and easy to conceal. Trigger pull takes 14 years, but you're not exactly going to be using this gun for competitive shooting anyway. __________________ Springfield XD 9MM Service Kahr PM9 NRA Life Member TSRA Member

06-18-2007, 05:18 PM	#3
Requiem4Senses XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Springfield, OR Posts: 540	I'd go with the XD9sc, but it's not really a "pocket gun" __________________ XD40 V10 (ported) XD40 SC OD Green "The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people...that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed." -Thomas Jefferson to Major John Cartwright June 5th, 1824

06-18-2007, 05:33 PM	#4
nikon777 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH. The Danger Zone. Posts: 7,025	The XD sub is not an option for a pocket gun. My vote goes for the Bersa Thunder 380. Just fired mine about 20 minutes ago and i was grinning the whole time. Great little guns. You can whip it out of your pocket instantly and deliver 8 rounds to your intended target/bad guy. Funny, i find the recoil actually less shooting it one handed. With the size and design of the gun, that's pretty much they way you wanna shoot it anyway. I lucked out and picked up one in mint condition for $128 at gander mountain. They had 2, the latter having more wear but with an extra factory mag. Those who know the thunder 380 know how expensive the mags are. The salesman was a sport and slid me the extra mag no charge. Cant beat a mint thunder 380 with 2 factory mags for $128. New, i wouldn't pay anymore than $230-$250 for one. Good luck. __________________ Wu-Tang Killa' Bees on Da' Swarm! Liberals Click Here!

06-18-2007, 05:57 PM	#5
Bree XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 3,260 Blog Entries: 5	KelTec P3AT .380 at 11 oz is a genuine "pocket gun." It ain't pretty. It doesn't feel very substantial but they work and they are perfect for the pocket. The darn things will even take limited runs of +P ammo. I have already put in an order to my gunsmith for a hard chrome model. They are a bit harder to get than the blued or parkerized models so I may have to wait a little while longer for his supplier to get their hands on one. __________________ Shoot Straight and Ride Safe! Bree XD .45 Compact -- Ruger SP-101 .357 Mag. -- Keltec P3AT .380 Rock River Arms 20" Varmint A4 AR-15 w/4-16x56mm MilDot Ruger 10/22 Black Stainless Mossberg 590 Mariner 12 Ga w/Knoxx SpecOps Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide Patriot Guard Rider Iron Butt Association Member The 60's Can't Die As Long As I Won't Leave Them!! I support McCain-Palin with CA$H!

06-18-2007, 08:39 PM	#6
Tard XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Machias, WA Posts: 3,023	My pocket gun is a Taurus 85 5-shot .38 in SS (2" bbl). I put some kind of very rounded, low-profile rubber grips on it and I feel completely comfortable w/ it loose in my front pocket. __________________ The good times have been used up.

06-18-2007, 08:45 PM	#7
jtkratzer XDTalk 15K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 17,478	If the money isn't an issue, get the Kahr, it feels like a nicer gun than the Kel-tec and you get the benefits of the full power from the 9mm, less expensive ammo, and more readily available ammo.

06-18-2007, 10:30 PM	#8
GoCodeBravo XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Harris County Posts: 206	My Pocket Gun suggestions My primary carry is a Kel-Tec P11. I agree with one previous post that the stock trigger sucks (kind of). 8.5 pound pull is a little high, BUT...if you add the $10 Trigger Shoe, and a Hogue HandAll Jr ($10), the little $250 pistol shoots and feels much different. If you have the money, try the Kahr. Got my CHL with my P-11 and shoot it monthly (and have for 7 years, baby! ) Also, have a P-32 (1st Gen). It is the most concealable pistol I've ever seen. Never had trouble with either. My P-11 has 3,000+ rounds through of both cheap and high perfomance ammo. I would bet my life on it and still do. It's ONLY for self-defense, close quarters encounters (i.e. 7-20 yards in my estimation). If you want a target gun that doubles as a carry gun, get the XD. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my XD45 GAP 5" Tactical and it's little siblings. The Kel-Tec P11 is a great value. You can shoot it till it breaks as I've been saying lately, and not worry about plunking down serious bucks to replace it.

06-19-2007, 04:50 AM	#9
KarolinaKid XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: TN (In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina...) Posts: 1,067	My pocket gun is a Beretta Tomcat and I have been very please with it. __________________ The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. - Sir George Bernard Shaw

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