pocket gun...

[FreakyBig]

I was going to go with the NAA .380 as well, but when I picked one up at a show it felt like a brick. Didnt want to be carrying something that heavy around in my pocket all the time. I went with the KT P3AT and have been very happy with it. Its not the quality of the NAA, but does the job and I have not had any of the problems I had seen posted so many times in the past.

[Fly-Sig]

I've got a Guardian 380 and like it a lot. Note that it is a 380 and not a 38, BTW.

It isn't a "fun" pistol to go plinking with, but it is a fine pocket pistol. High Noon makes a pocket holster that holds a spare magazine as well, and with that setup it is a nearly rectangular outline, so if it prints at all in your pocket it looks like a wallet and not a gun. If your primary concern is pocket carry then the Guardian is a fine choice., but if you want to go out and shoot for fun frequently it isn't such a good choice. It is a defensive tool.

If you want something that is fun to take out and play with, the Sig P232 is an excellent choice. It is a bit bigger than the Guardain and therefore IMHO is not really a good pocket gun for most situations if you want to carry in regular slacks, although there are a number of people who do so. In the same size range there is also the Kahr PM9 which carries the punch of a 9mm.

[Camper]

Got a P3AT and it has given me no problems. Always with me where legal.

[willbond]

I had some Fail to Feed problems with my Kel-Tec P3AT early on, and then someone told me "Get a Death Grip on that Gun". I did, and its FTF problem was miraculously fixed. The only issue I have with it now is the long reset, which can result in the trigger NOT resetting and the pistol NOT firing. During rapid fire drills this has happened to me several times. I need to find out how to shorten the reset. Anyone else had this happen with their P3AT? Do any other DAO pistols have this issue?

[packing_in_la]

what is the difference in .380 acp, and .38 ?

[bw77]

I carry a p-3AT ,it's very light but is hard to hold on to if you have big hands. It's actually a little scary to shoot, it feels like it's going to jump out of your hands. Death grip is right! It's nice to carry, you can put it in your pocket and forget it's there. But I'll tell you, when I was at the range today shooting it I started to think twice about how useful it would be in a self defense situation. Very harsh sharp recoil that hurts the **** out of your hands, my trigger finger aches after about 6 shots. It's pretty accurate for what it is, but you really have to consentrate on your grip and aim it. I can hit the target ok when I'm at the range but in a gunfight, you don't have time to consentrate and aim, I'm not confident I could be so accurate. I'm looking at maybe getting a PM9. By the way , I have about 350 rounds through my KEL-TEC with no problems.

[boricua9mm]

I sold my S&W 642 .38 SPL +P and bought a Glock 26 for this role. With decent sized pockets, I can carry this gun all day long. It has a 10+1 capacity of the more potent 9mm cartridge, and the size is not too much different from that of a snub-nosed .38! I did a close side-by side comparison before switching. The .38 has a cylinder that was thicker than any part of the G26, granted, the G26 is blocky is profile. On the other hand, the G26 disappears with darker shorts or pants, and it more tha dobles the firepower of a snub-nosed .38! I shoot much better with the Glock than the long, heavy DAO trigger pulls of the Centennial snub-nosed revolvers. All in all, it's a much more effective tool for the job.

YMMV,

B9

[rdebert]

I like my Beretta Tomcat Inox (Stainless) in 32 caliber for pocket carry. Mine has proven to be very reliable, actually FUN to shoot, and surprisingly accurate. The extra weight and thickness (that others don't like) felt better in my hand than lighter and thinner options from other Brands. I like the tip up barrel..no need to rack the slide to chamber the initial round or remove it (nice if you have to lower the hammer on a live round without a decocker..tip up barrel and move live round out of the way). Has a safety..which makes me a little more comfortable when carrying in the pocket. Yes, 32 ballistics are weak on paper...but with Winchester SilverTips I have something where I would otherwise have nothing.

[NiK]

Originally Posted by bw77

I carry a p-3AT ,it's very light but is hard to hold on to if you have big hands. It's actually a little scary to shoot, it feels like it's going to jump out of your hands. Death grip is right! It's nice to carry, you can put it in your pocket and forget it's there. But I'll tell you, when I was at the range today shooting it I started to think twice about how useful it would be in a self defense situation. Very harsh sharp recoil that hurts the **** out of your hands, my trigger finger aches after about 6 shots. It's pretty accurate for what it is, but you really have to consentrate on your grip and aim it. I can hit the target ok when I'm at the range but in a gunfight, you don't have time to consentrate and aim, I'm not confident I could be so accurate. I'm looking at maybe getting a PM9. By the way , I have about 350 rounds through my KEL-TEC with no problems.

Hmm, I've had a different experience. True, the recoil does not make for this to be a recreational gun, but it doesn't really hurt me with the exception I mentioned earlier. I think the most I've fired consecutively with it is around 150 rounds. I've actually been planning to use the leftover rubber from the hogue grip that I cut to fashion a cover for that pin.

Kahr would be nice, too! Might not disappear as completely as the P3AT, but still, nice.

[Ed Ely]

American Rifleman, NRA mag, has their act together on the
article of Pocket Guns in the June issue. I agree with them
on all five counts and own three of them

Ed