SFW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_y8vaYLpY&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYvlBEeEEoJE8uP7WWzPmnA

I post this video not to bash on the sig p938 (I find it to be an excellent gun), but rather to prompt a discussion on the merits and drawbacks of pocket carry, and what firearms work best.

In summary, in the video above, the sig p938 has a number of malfunctions until the cool kids testing it decided to take it apart, realized it's bone dry and covered in pocket lint, and lubricate the shit out of it.

My thought is this: The proper function of an automatic handgun absolutely depends on its ability to cycle correctly. My pockets are linty. I'm sure good holsters could help mitigate the issue, but there seems to me an obvious alternative: wheel guns. Few moving parts. Always cycles. Just harder to reload.

I'm shopping for a pocket cannon because my fullsize M&P hasn't been practical in a number of situations lately. If anyone with personal experience with pocket carry could chime it, I'd much appreciate it!

For Pocket carry, and as a second gun, I much prefer a S&W 38 Special Bodyguard. They are as near to 100% reliable as a gun can get, especially in a Grappling situation.

1)  A holster for a pocket pistol is always a good idea.

2) Saying "revolvers always cycle" is like saying "AKs always work".  No, they don't.  It is harder and more rare to induce a malfunction in a revolver, but when they have issues, it's usually a serious enough issue that the gun can't be redeployed in a defensive situation, while most semi auto malfunctions can be fixed with a magazine swap and re-racking the slide.

I've carried both a small .380 semi auto and a J Frame in the pocket before.  Either can work, but be aware of the limitations of both:  Low capacity, generally poor sights and slightly slower to draw than a gun holstered on the belt.  

I'm not saying "don't carry this way", because I still will do so from time to time myself, and consider pocket carry a viable option for concealed carry.  

Just be aware that you're limiting yourself somewhat when you pocket carry small guns, and if you're going to do so practice with them a lot.  I'm always amazed at the folks on the range who are perfectly comfortable carrying a 5 shot revolver but would be lucky to make a CNS hit if they had 50 rounds and 5 minutes to do so from a static position shooting SA, much less 5 rounds DA in a defensive encounter.  

I would go with a bobbed S&W airweight.

Wheel guns do not have few moving parts; in fact, they are more complex pieces of machinery than many modern semi automatic pistols.





Korth:

Good insight. This is the kind of discussion that brings me to these forums

More than anything, I need a more concealable option. Being able to pocket carry when no other option is available i.e. pants w/o a belt would just be a plus for me

What do you carry now and what difficulties are you having concealing it?  

New guns are fun, but it might be easier/cheaper to fix your current carry issues.

Pocket carry you say?  S&W 638.

That second post is all good info IMO.

While it's true that revolvers can and do malfunction,they are significantly more reliable than micro-autos IME. I have owned several little autos and every one had issues with some ammo types and in general all of them had multiple failures. I know it happens, but I have never, not once had a failure with my revolvers.

I have found it much easier to get a good grip and draw from a pocket using a j-frame vs a micro-auto. While the little autos flat profile makes them very carry-able, they also make it tougher to get a good grip. It's been my experience that a j-frame carries just as easily as a mouse gun. If the right ammo is chosen .38+p is a better performing round than .380.

IMO, a pocket gun should be able to be fired, and re-fired from within a pocket. A little micro-auto won't do that. A pocket gun should always be carried in a pocket holster for several reasons, but the longer, heavier trigger on a j-frame makes me more comfortable with pocket carry.

Both work, but I have chosen to go with the revolvers. I also only rarely pocket carry anymore. AIWB with the j-frame is just as easy IMO.

The internal hammer or shrouded hammer models are better for pocket carry. S&W 442, 642, 438, 638, 340, 649. I suppose their new "bodyguard" is one too. I am not a Ruger LCR fan.

Cheers!

-JC

a little size comparison.... LCP vs.  SW442





the width difference tipped the scales to the LCP for me....though there are a lot of extremely thin grips available for a J frame...

Ruger LC9 or Ruger LCR .38 spl +p. I don't leave home without one or the other or both. If you check where the top 3 most violent city's in America are you'll understand.

Edit + sign

That second picture is way distorted. The 442 is much closer to the camera.

I'm more of a J frame guy myself.  Each piece has its strengths and weaknesses. You just gotta decide which set you want to work with.

My LCR 357 works great for pocket carry, thats why I bought it, I keep it clean and lubed, my pocket 's lint free....
I have no problem firing it right thru my jacket pocket
Old jackets are used for practice

gogetumnow... you are correct... I was attempting to show the width of the cylinder and not the grip

seems to me the Kel Tek worked pretty well in a grappling scenario?  

 

Being able to pocket carry while wearing a t-shirt and shorts was why I bought a LCP the other year. It carried well, worked while "linted" up, no problems.

But that dern .380 just never gave me warm and fuzzies. I can put rounds where I want them, but I just don't trust it to do it's part.

Soooo, I sold it and got a "pocket" .38. A little bigger, a LITTLE bit heavier, but MUCH better rounds in .38+p. It satisfies the "warm and fuzzies" for sure.

There it is. A decent pocket holster, a couple of Bianchi speed strips, Remington Golden sabers in the cylinder and I'm a happy camper.  YWMV, of course.

I have a LCP, and now I pocket carry a Kahr CM 9 insted. I have owned a J-frame and did pocket carry it. I never felt undergunned. But the ability to reload (under stress) the Kahr or the LCP made me decide to get rid of the j-frame. The 9mm is a better round than it was 10 years ago, and I get 7 rounds instead of 5. Try firing the light weight j-frame under the stress of an IDPA BUG gun match; then try the Kahr CM9 and you will see the difference. I know IDPA is not a gunfight, but it does give you the ability to evaluate both platforms under some stress. I would go with a Kahr CM or PM 9.