pocket pistol caliber?

if you were in the market for a sub-compact what caliber would you get? I have seen a few offerings in .22LR, .25, .32 & .380. I was leaning towards the .380. what do ya'll have & why is it better than the rest?

I have a 25, but only because that's what I fell into years ago. I haven't seen a 380 I would call a pocket pistol and even many 32's are a little large.

Go with a .22 Magnum by NAA or a .380. A .25 is better than nothing, a .32 pistol is almost the size of a .380 and ammo is same price or higher with lots less power. Look at the NAA models. www.naaminis.com

How about the Beretta PX4 Sub Compact (http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ga_handguns/berettapx4_070207/) in 9mm or .40S&W, or the Glock G26, G27 & G33?

They're all "pocket sized" but in more capable calibers.

+1 on more potent calibers. 9x19 minimum. 40 and 45 way better.

Just about every gangbanger around has multiple 25, 32 and 380 bullet wounds they survived.

There are plenty of pocket size powerhouses. Find the one you can afford.

mines the pa63 9x18 MAKAROV. btw-it seems to have ample bang for the buck! small/compact-yet brutal recoil and pretty stiff power. no complaints here after spending $99.00 for it. but the end costs where $170 otd when all was said and done. very fun gun to shoot though!fyi- i was able to hit a prestone brake fluid container at 60 yards the other day-dead on the canister! it does take a few times out to get accustomed to it though. also i had to change to a 15 lb wollf recoil spring to lessen the violent recoil the pa63 seems to dish out.btw- i actually did not expect it to be so powerful to be quite honest with you. Valmet_76, i tried a guys .45, and than my newly bought pa63 and i feel my pa63 is deffinetly a good alternative if your price shopping. if you have more money ya might want to try a cz 82, or a glock 9mm 0r .40 cal, or a german p38 etc... the German p38 i fired last mos from a friend is very accurate and potent! only thing is they cost. your looking at $300 + otd for one of the newer version, than you have the real deal ones from ww2 at $450 and up. i just got the pa63 so i would have something-instead of nothing. the time i bought it i did not have a lot of money.

as for the pa63 i believe it has more than enough stopping power. it tears out holes thru a beer keg np! there was one out on my friends lot and my gun easily punched holes though it. only downside is it's 7 rounder, so it would be a good idea to atleast buy some spare mags.

You guys got some big pockets.

thats what I'm screaming bigwheel, big pockets indeed.

I already have a .40 s&w. thats what I carry everywhere I go. I am looking for something my wife can carry in her purse to and from work daily. I also want it to be small enough to fit in her pocket when she doesnt carry a purse, say at the walking track. no, I dont believe a .380 is ideal either but for this situation I believe its the best compromise.

I like the Beretta Tomcat & if it came larger than a .32 I would already own one. Kel-Tec makes a suitably sized .380 but its a DAO & also feels like a toy. why cant I find that perfect SA/DA pocket .380?

Find an older AMT Backup.

I dont think theres much difference between the 32ACP and the 380ACP in a small short barrel. If you like the Tomcat then get one and feed it the Silvertip. For best performance, try to get the eye socket. Just my .02.

If anyone stuck a bb gun in my face it would get my attention, The beretta
jetfire 25 I have is very small, they came in 22 and 25, single action. A 22 mag
in a pistol is about 2ft per second faster than a 22 long rifle in a pistol, that is why you don't see many 22 mag pistol offerings. If you go up one notch the
bobcat is a double action and only slightly larger. The tomcat is a much bigger
gun than both. I have no problem thumbing the hammer on the jetfire and I can
comfortably carry it in the front pocket of my 501's like a set of keys. The tilt
barrels are really a nice safety feature and make emptying the chamber super
easy and positive without dropping the magazine. Seecamps are kinda the cool
32's out there, small and high quality. http://seecamp.com/photos.htm
They also build it in a 380. As with any tiny auto loader finding ammo the gun
will rapid fire with no FTF's is the most important item on the list. Hope we
here what you decide on. You can look at you tube videos on about all of these
guns now.

Yeah, there are skulls out there so thick that a 380 will bounce off.

You want something in your pocket that is worth carrying?

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=61

http://www.para-usa.com/new/images/product_photo/PSHX645Rphoto.gif

http://www.para-usa.com/new/images/product_header/header_toddlitehawg.jpg

I dont think the old lady would think a 3" .45 was doable for some reason. I might have to look into one for myself though.

right now we are torn between the Walther PPK & the Bersa Thunder 380CC. both are very similar but I am skeptical about Bersa quality/reliability. I keep hearing great things about them but I think it will take a couple range trips to sell me on them. the fact that it's an 8+1 over the Walther being a 7+1 and the ergonomic grip/frame are keeping it on my list though. the little Bersa has the look & feel of a nice weapon.

anyone have any Bersa experience to relate?

If you are going 380 check into a colt .380 government. Not the MUSTANG or PONY they are a pile, but for a while they built a small 1911. It is not smaller than a walther but a lot thinner.

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/colt380.shtml scroll down

to the photo of it in a guys hand, pretty small and just cool because its a 1911.

thanks for the link. thats a nice looking Colt. just what I'm looking for too.

check that $799 on gunbroker...ouch!

Seen a few on guns america for under 700

Kel-Tec PF-9 They aren't getting any smaller and with 8 Rds of 9mm and a Cat Laser add on, I don't carry anything else and have carried them all just about. JMHO Oh Lifetime Warranty Forgot. :)

John, did some reading on the kel-tec, does seem to be a well designed
purpose built pocket gun. At 250.00-300.00 bucks you can hardly make a
mistake buying one. I'll pick one up at a gun show (for the wife) and have
some fun running it. Got a few thousand rounds of 9 and never shoot the
hi-power any more.

John on another subject, the little doctor knock off you recommended, will it
mount to the 1911 and glock site bases made for the optimas?

What up guys.


Have you ever handled a keltec?...the trigger's are garbage..Some better then other's,but very crappy none the less.To the point I wont shoot them anymore.

Ive even handled some kahr pm's wich fealt much better then the keltec's in the hand for about 100 more,but even they're trigger's werent much better then the keltec's.

This is jmo,

This is what I chose to go with...I took a risk and bought a taurus,and got bit in the ass.The slide wouldnt lock after last round,and some ftf a few time's.Sent it to taurus,and they fixed it for free...Adjusted barrel,and everything has been perfect for 500 plus rounds since.Bad part is I was out a pistol for 2 month's and had to use the full size 1911 for conceal carry.Very uncomfortable.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/weapons/HPIM0341.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/weapons/pt145006.jpg


Very light,nice trigger,large capacity,and the best part....45acp,10+1.OH,and 350 after everything was said and done...Recoil can be rough if you handle it limp wristed.I shoot federal self defense 185 grain and have quick follow up shot's,good accuracy and very managable recoil with this round.

This target was at 15 yards.Two aimed shots,and the rest rapid fire.Adjusted after first shot(little high)the second aimed was almost perfect bullseye,then just unloaded.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/targets/HPIM0344.jpg

This pistol feels good in hand,when I draw with eye's closed,its always on target,and has alot of nice feature's.1911 style safety(important to me),repeat strike capable(if you get a dud),loaded chamber indacator perfectly located.Mag release same as 1911.And a rail.Only negative's I would say is price of replacement mags,generally around 30 bucks.And recoil is alitte rough untils you learn how to manage it.

I do pocket carry this thing,with grip out of pocket covered by shirt

vepr, that thing is easily the size of a glock 27, not a pocket pistol, He is looking
for a gun you can hide in a coat pocket or pants pocket.

I tell ya that PPK seems to be about as close to perfect as I have found...except all the bad reports on the latest generation. if oyu judge by anecdotal evidence there seems to be more positive said about the Bersa than the Walther. wat has this world come to?

I handled a few Kel-Tecs last week. I didnt like the trigger, especially for a gun that small. it also just felt like a toy in my hand. all that said this is actually for the old lady. she doesnt like DAO triggers, the tiny little minis, anything without a safety or revolvers in general. and she wonders why I havent brought one home yet...

I had a hell of a time trying to make a ppk reliable. Very finicky about ammo
too. Wasn't something I wanted to depend on by the time I got it dialed in.

Well,I dont know about the ppk,But Ive had experience with the bersa..A fine pistol,with good accuracy,and a good price....Much better then a keltec trigger wize.As far as size,a bersa is much bigger then the "pocket" keltec's.

Anyway,I didnt have enough rounds out the bersa to understand reliability,but hte accuracy did impress me.Its not a round I would like to carry,but its better than nothing.

You did mention sub compact...wich include's the main caliber's.9,40,45,so Im now confused on what your looking for for your lady...A sub range's around 6 inch total length,to about 4.5 inch from bottum of grip,to top of slide.A bersa/'ppk is in the same catagory,without the caliber capability.

Bigwheel,I never heard a specific carry situation....And he did mention a sub compact,wich mine is.So,I posted my carry.I did miss the fact it was for his lady,wich I surely dont recommend a .45.

IF he's looking at a ppk,or bersa,there isnt much difference between my sub.Except capacity,and or power!

You can get the little slim ParaOrdnance in 9mm if'n you're too wuss to shoot the 45.

Valmet, hooked on phonics my brother! ...or, if you really can read then understand my old lady probably wont be affected by you calling her a wuss. If I am thinking of the right one(Para) I just saw one online yesterday & am anxious to get to check one out this weekend. a little pricey but I will pay whatever if I find the perfect fit.

veprk5.45, its an evolving process so far. I started off looking for about the size of the little Kel-Tecs & the Beretta Tomcats, the real little pocket pistols. after she handled a few she decided they are a little small. Ideally I'm looking for that mythical size between the Kel-Tec & PPK. Bersa started making a model of the Thunder they call Concealed Carry thats a fudge smaller. I am considering it still but am having problems committing. I pretty much decided last night if I can find the new Bersa in the nickel finish I'll take a chance on one.

ya'll feel free to keep tossing out ideas. so far I have learned of about 5 guns I didnt even know existed. the biggest issue is a lack of a decent gun store. if you had told me 20 years ago that it would be like it is now I would have laughed in your face...who is the dumbass now huh? lmao

Wife has a Bersa Thunder .380 that's utterly reliable and quite accurate right outta the box. She knocked 9 outta 9 bowling pins over @25 yards the first time she shot it using Federal 90 gr. HP.

When I look at a carry piece, #1 it's got to go off every time, #2 it's got to
be comfortable or I won't carry it, And #3 I've got to be able to pull it and
empty it at 5 yards or less, fast, no snags, no buttons to fool with, just as
simple as it can be. In the heat of a bad moment I don't want to be depending
on a routine, however practiced, I shoot enough idpa to see all the screw ups
happening under very light pressure, and these are some of the best, so I have
no illusions about what can happen under real pressure. As easy as it sounds,
go out and put a silhouette at five yards and draw and fire as fast as you can.
If you get all the rounds in the target without a lot of practice you need to speed
way up. So give consideration to what is crucial in a life or death situation and
not what's cool or what's quality built or what has the nicest trigger. I run a
glock 27 for it's simplicity, I compete with a 1911 because I really like it. My
wife carries a smith 36 wheel gun for it's simplicity.

John on another subject, the little doctor knock off you recommended, will it
mount to the 1911 and glock site bases made for the optimas?

Yes and I am going to have 3 Test Samples here in a few day will post how they work out.

Thanks John, My eyes are ok for defense comps but target and plate shoots are
getting tough. I really appreciate the response.

What up guys.


Have you ever handled a keltec?...the trigger's are garbage..Some better then other's,but very crappy none the less.To the point I wont shoot them anymore.

Ive even handled some kahr pm's wich fealt much better then the keltec's in the hand for about 100 more,but even they're trigger's werent much better then the keltec's.

This is jmo,

This is what I chose to go with...I took a risk and bought a taurus,and got bit in the ass.The slide wouldnt lock after last round,and some ftf a few time's.Sent it to taurus,and they fixed it for free...Adjusted barrel,and everything has been perfect for 500 plus rounds since.Bad part is I was out a pistol for 2 month's and had to use the full size 1911 for conceal carry.Very uncomfortable.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/weapons/HPIM0341.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/weapons/pt145006.jpg


Very light,nice trigger,large capacity,and the best part....45acp,10+1.OH,and 350 after everything was said and done...Recoil can be rough if you handle it limp wristed.I shoot federal self defense 185 grain and have quick follow up shot's,good accuracy and very managable recoil with this round.

This target was at 15 yards.Two aimed shots,and the rest rapid fire.Adjusted after first shot(little high)the second aimed was almost perfect bullseye,then just unloaded.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/jason4201/targets/HPIM0344.jpg

This pistol feels good in hand,when I draw with eye's closed,its always on target,and has alot of nice feature's.1911 style safety(important to me),repeat strike capable(if you get a dud),loaded chamber indacator perfectly located.Mag release same as 1911.And a rail.Only negative's I would say is price of replacement mags,generally around 30 bucks.And recoil is alitte rough untils you learn how to manage it.

I do pocket carry this thing,with grip out of pocket covered by shirt


Come On Guys Ya Knew It Was Coming :p Show your feet and get MonstaToe'd.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b363/MP5Guy/ToeJobPSd.jpg

hey, as long as you were fixin things, photoshop that group for him. Get rid
of a few of those fliers and the two holes at the bottom, bring center mass
to the bullseye. :D

The KAHR P9 is a good choice,but a little pricy.

never leave home without it...have a nice leather pocket holster

utterly reliable and reasonably priced.my wife can operate it ..no problem...no safeties,etc.

I keep a couple of speed loaders handy...I stuff it with 158 gr LHP..the old FBI load,can't reload with them easily so the speedloaders carry JHP's

second choice is my CZ27.....

my feet are in MOST of my pictures in my posts..... why have I never been "monstertoed"??

whats the word on the Beretta 9000 or the PX4? I saw the latter in a pic earlier & it looked very similar in design to the PPK. only thing is it looked like it is wider than a PPK, maybe a double stack?

Lmao,I didnt even catch that...Looks freaky.

Maybe only a few are certified to do such work.


I also didnt notice the stray two at the botton..but,my gun only holds 11,not 13..I do usually set more then one target by eachother..And I thought it was pretty good for rapidfire.But I wasnt expecting much from a 3" barrel.45acp.Enough excuses.

Vepr, it was a great group, wasn't unimpressed with the shooting, just having
fun.

well ladies, the deed was done today. I left it completely up to her & just told her to get whichever one she liked. the calls were made, the hands shook, the money handed over... and this is where we ended up.
http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=BSTHUN380NKLCC&mfg=Bersa&caliber=380+ACP

Give us the low down when you run it through it's paces, looks nice.

will do. if there were better gun stores around here that would be this weekend. unfortunately I had to order one & I wont have it in hand for several weeks. I am gonna need valium for the wait.

Now get you some boxes of these(or simular),and you should be good to go.Just make sure you run a few through it to make sure there's no failures of any kind.

http://sportsmansoutfit.com/federal-380-auto-hydrashok-90gr-jhp-p-19

My primary concealed carry gun is my Kahr PM40, but it is not what I would consider a pocket pistol. The Keltec P3AT is my pocket pistol, and I carry it just like I would a set of keys or a pocket knife. It goes everywhere with me.

update: still have not received the pistol! according to the store the gun is only distributed by Lipsey's & they are giving everyone the run around. I should have just found an FFL to do a transfer & ordered one off gunbroker back in May. apparently the Lipsey's story is accurate because gunbroker has since dried up. this sucks even worse because this gun was supposed to be a Mother's Day gift and 2 months later we still wait.

Try www.budsgunshop.com. They generally have good prices.

I think the Bersa is a good choice. I bought one for my mother, and liked it so much, I bought one for me. Accuracy is better than expected, and of all the reviews I could find in cyberspace, all were good.

I have an Essex framed 1911 I built like 30 years ago that i carry.

Most of you don't seem to like the Keltec much. Wouldn't be my first choice either, ... But, I never go anywhere with out my P32. Has come close to getting me in trouble a couple of times at the airport, you actually can forget you have it.

A .32 in the hand bets a .45 at home everytime....

forgot all about this thread. finally got the Bersa in and took it out. had a box of Hydra-Shok & a box of Blazer round nose. the first mag the old lady had loaded the Hydra-Shok so we went with that first...mistake. it failed to feed after every round. I emptied the rest by hand after 3 shots & loaded the Blazer. went through the whole box without a problem. after that we went back to the Hydra-Shok & fired the rest of them without an issue. guess the feed ramp just needed breaking in. could have been that I didnt clean it worth a shit before we went too. whatever they put on it to ship almost felt like cosmoline. this little pistol is great. feels great, well balanced, points naturally & was surprisingly accurate at 10 yards(as far as we had targets set up). the sights are so low profile they almost dont exist but were surprisingly effective & easy to see. I have since taken it out again after a thorough cleaning and didnt have a single issue out of it with 150 more rounds through it. and unless you are a midget or stuck in the '70s wearing skin tight britches this baby is a great pocket pistol. wearing it in an inside the waist holster or bare in my pocket I forget I even have it. I was impressed enough I have my very own Bersa on the way. if you're in the market for a comparable pistol dont let the price tag fool you. its a shooter.

.380 Bersa for me and her. AMT .380 back up is good too and very small. They can be had for $200. All stainless, but replacement parts are scarce

I have a motto when it comes to self-defense handguns: "Be sure the caliber starts with a .4 and you will be ok."

I have a motto when it comes to self-defense handguns: "Be sure the caliber starts with a .4 and you will be ok."

Yup .454 casuals will work fine :small_gri

The FBI now rates round nose FMJ better than JHP in 380 based on penetration. I think the Winchester JHP does better than Hydra Shoks. Remington has a heavier JHP if it will feed in the pistol. A reliable FMJ is better than a jamming JHP.

I carry a Glock 30 daily in my right pocket in a desantis nemesis. Being a big guy has its advantages.

well ladies, the deed was done today. I left it completely up to her & just told her to get whichever one she liked. the calls were made, the hands shook, the money handed over... and this is where we ended up.
http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=BSTHUN380NKLCC&mfg=Bersa&caliber=380+ACP

Eeeew.

.380 Bersa for me and her. AMT .380 back up is good too and very small. They can be had for $200. All stainless, but replacement parts are scarce
My first pistol was an AMT backup .380 and it was a jam-o-matic ended up using it as a partial trade for an auto-ordnance 1911 and have never regreted it

I love my full sized M&P 40, ultra reliable. I know others rave about the compacts too as accurate and reliable. Its designed so felt recoil is lessened, so a 9mm will feel like a .380, the 40SW feels like a 9mm, etc. Its worth checking into.

A reliable FMJ is better than a jamming JHP.
everytime...............thats why most of my stuff is FMJ.However I do keep proven JHP in my 9mm on a daily basis.But everything else is FMJ because of reliability.

I love my full sized M&P 40, ultra reliable. I know others rave about the compacts too as accurate and reliable. Its designed so felt recoil is lessened, so a 9mm will feel like a .380, the 40SW feels like a 9mm, etc. Its worth checking into.

The 40 and 9mm S&W M&P's I've shot didn't seem to have any sort of reduction in recoil that I noticed.

The only gun I can really say that reduces felt recoil to me is my Mark 23, now that doesn't feel like you're shooting 45 acp!

And no bringing the K.R.I.S.S. into this, that's an SMG. :P

460 S&W magnum. Just make sure to us a cane while it`s shoved down your pantleg, kinda completes the look. :D