Back when I was a kid, pocket pistols were novelties. But fast-forward a few decades and the most extraordinary transformation has occurred in the shooting world.
Concealed carry of firearms for personal protection has finally caught up with the founders’ clear original intent as depicted in the United States Constitution.
Now this deep into the Information Age, law-abiding folks are taking responsibility for their own security from coast to coast. Some states restrict the practice so severely as to leave their citizens defenseless, but most do not. As a result, concealed-carry guns (mainly pocket pistols) and gear have become a huge industry.
When it comes time to pick out pocket pistols with which to defend yourself or your family, there are tons of options. Here are some of the best pocket pistols currently available.
Kahr P380
The P380 pistol in .380 from Kahr has a 2.53-inch Lothar Walther match-grade polygonal rifled barrel, overall length of 4.9 inches, a width of 0.75 inches and height of only 3.9 inches. Weighing in at just under 10 ounces without a magazine, the 6+1 capacity P380 uses a polymer frame with 4140 steel inserts molded into the front and back for added rigidity and strength. The black frame is handsomely contrasted by the gun’s matte stainless steel slide.
Glock 42
The smallest pocket model in the Austrian armsmaker’s history, the new 6+1 capacity Glock 42 uses a dual recoil spring unique to the model and a cold-hammer-forged, 3.25-inch barrel. The Glock 42 fires with the barrel and slide locked, instead of the usual unlocked blowback design used by most .380s, and measures just 5.94 inches in overall length and a very pocket-friendly 0.94 inches in width.
Kel-Tec P-3AT
The very first .380, composite-frame pocket pistol was Kel-Tec’s P-3AT. It set the standard with a lightweight polymer frame and steel slide combination, a short 2.76-inch barrel and a 6+1 capacity.
NAA Guardian
The North American Arms Guardian features a 2.49-inch barrel, an overall length of 4.75 inches, a height of only 3.53 inches, and a mere 0.93 inches of width. Weighing only 18.72 ounces, it is reliable and very effective with today’s personal defense .380 ACP loads. The capacity of the double-action-only design is 6+1 rounds.
S&W M&P Bodyguard 380
The M&P Bodyguard offers 6+1 capacity and a dependable DAO trigger with second-strike capability. Using a high-strength polymer frame, stainless steel barrel and slide, dovetailed, adjustable front and rear sights, and manual safety. The overall length is just 5.25 inches and the width is 0.75 inches.
Rock Island Armory Baby Rock
Rocky Island Armory’s Baby Rock is a scaled-down version of the full-sized 1911 in .380 ACP. While the gun is small enough to hide in a pocket, all of the cool 1911 features remain. The 3.75-inch, 1.47-lb. frame is steel, so the pistol is a bit heavier than its plastic competitors, but this makes the gun a much more stable firing platform. The magazine release and thumb safety are in the expected spots. The SA trigger is crisp like a 1911’s ought to be. The Baby Rock represents a nice balance between modest weight, concealability, accuracy, and effectiveness.
Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV
Bond Arms’ guns are cut from stainless steel and offer unprecedented flexibility. By turning a single Allen screw you can swap barrel assemblies and launch everything from .22 LR ammunition up to .410-gauge shotshells and most everything in between. As with most Bond Arms derringers, the triggerguard on the Snake Slayer IV is removable and, unlike the originals, there is also an external push-button safety and rebounding hammer. This means that the hammer cannot contact the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. A manual ejector alongside the side of the barrel assembly makes it easy to get rid of empties, and the SA trigger trips a large, easily accessed hammer. While there are only two rounds on board, the trigger makes for decent close-range accuracy, and the interchangeable barrels allow the gun to be customized for whatever the tactical situation demands. The Snake Slayer IV features 4.25-inch barrels that provide tighter shot patterns along with higher velocities. (A .357 Mag/.38 Special version is also available.)
HK P30SK
The Heckler & Koch P30SK (Sub Kompact) is an interesting German take on the classic pocket pistol. Where most gun manufacturers squish their guns down to make them packable with tactical efficiency remaining a secondary consideration, Heckler & Koch keeps the focus of its pocket gun on downrange effectiveness. The HK P30 is available with three different trigger systems, but I feel that the lightweight LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) trigger is the most effective concealed-carry solution. This trigger incorporates a long, light take-up as well as a crisp break at its terminus. The stubby grip packs 10 rounds of 9mm, and the controls are identically reproduced on both sides of the piece. Overall length is 6.42 inches, height is 4.57 inches, barrel length is 3.27 inches, and the barrel is a modest 3.27 inches.
Ruger LC9s
The 9mm Ruger LC9s employs a striker-fired system and showcases a blued, through-hardened, alloy steel slide. Shooters can rely on the high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame, a grip extension magazine floorplate, and a windage adjustable, three-dot sight system. The LC9s has a 7+1 capacity and a slim, lightweight design. The compact, 17.2-ounce Ruger pistol has a 3.12-inch barrel, an overall length of 6 inches, a height of 4.5 inches, and a slim 0.9-inch width.
Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38
The M&P Bodyguard 38 is a small-framed .38 Special +P revolver that features a five-shot capacity. The concealed-hammer revolver is extremely lightweight through its use of a polymer- and aluminum-frame design. The short 1.9-inch barrel makes for a very concealable carry gun. An ambidextrous cylinder release is located on the top rear of the frame. An ambidextrous Crimson Trace red laser unit is located on the right side of the frame.
