A thin, flat gun, the Beretta Pico makes a lot of sense as a pocket pistol. Bulky external controls have been eliminated and the slide stop is very low profile, making the Pico virtually snag-free. In fact, the gun is less than 0.73 inches wide. Though small, this .380 ACP handgun still packs 6+1 rounds of ammo, and the relatively large three-dot sights help ensure they are on target. Beretta designed this gun to have low recoil and minimal muzzle flip. The magazine release is ambidextrous to allow easy reloads for both right- and left-handed shooters. (http://www.beretta.com)
Few guns have been pocket carried more than small-frame .38 Special revolvers. Charter Arms offers just such a gun that I have found works well in this role. Called the Off Duty, the gun features a completely shrouded hammer and integral sights to reduce catching on clothes during a draw. The aluminum frame helps keep the weight to only 12 ounces, yet it is more than strong enough to handle .38 Special +P ammunition. In my own testing of the Off Duty, I found it to be eminently reliable with a moderately heavy double-action-only trigger pull. (http://www.charterarms.com; 203-922-1652)
When talking about .380 ACP pistols for pocket carry, there are some shooters who will only consider one: the Colt Mustang. Although the Mustang left the Colt catalog for a period of time, the surge in concealed carry during the past decade brought this pony back out of the stable and into the limelight. The Mustang has high-profile sights and a crisp single-action trigger. Colt makes this gun with a Commander-style hammer and a lowered ejection port. With an overall length of only 5.5 inches and an unloaded weight around 12.5 ounces, this pistol will easily fit in many pockets. (http://www.colt.com; 800-962-2658)
As the company’s first .380 ACP pistol available to the civilian market, the Glock 42 was an instant hit due to its diminutive size, familiar feel and utter reliability. If you like shooting a full-sized Glock pistol, the Glock 42 will feel perfectly natural in your hands. It has nearly full-sized sights for easy target acquisition. The aggressive grip texture helps to anchor the pistol in the hand, yet is not harsh feeling or abrasive on clothing. Unloaded, the gun weighs less than 14 ounces, yet has a very mild recoil impulse. (http://us.glock.com; 770-432-1202)
Very compact yet easy to shoot, the CW380 is a quality double-action-only pistol in the Kahr Value Series. For a subcompact pistol, the CW380 offers very good sights and a smooth trigger pull to help put accurate rounds on target. No external controls equate to fewer things to go wrong if the gun is needed in an intense, life-or-death confrontation. Since the gun uses a modified Browning locked-breech design, recoil is much softer than many straight blowback pistols chambered for the .380. Unloaded, the gun weighs just a bit more than 10 ounces and is only 0.75 inches wide.
Fans of the 1911 will likely appreciate the feel and function of the Kimber Micro RCP for pocket carry. Kimber eliminated the typical sights and replaced them with a trench-type sight system that is completely snag-proof. The single-action pistol features an ambidextrous thumb safety that should appeal to shooters of either hand dominance. Kimber gave the Micro RCP its full Carry Melt treatment and used a full-length guide rod. The pistol’s flush-fitting magazines hold six rounds. A variation of the Micro RCP is available with a factory-installed CTC Laserguard.
The Ruger LCP was seemingly built specifically for pocket carry. Its small size and lack of bulk lends itself perfectly for slipping into a pants pocket, and it would be virtually impossible to spot in the pocket of a jacket. With its flush-fitting magazine, the pistol is only 3.6 inches tall. Ruger uses a checkered grip frame for a solid purchase on the pistol. A finger-grip extension is included with the gun to further improve grip when shooting. Unlike some tiny pistols, the LCP does have a slide stop. The LCP is available with a variety of frame and slide finishes. ()
If you are looking for a single-action pistol for self-defense, some of the best ones available for pocket carry are made by Sig Sauer. The P238 handguns are chambered in .380 ACP and are credible defensive tools. Every one of the P238 pistols I have shot has been very accurate and easy to shoot. Although there is a surfeit of P238 variants, the base pistol is more than adequate for pocket carry. It features large sights, a crisp trigger and a good fit in the hand. As a benefit of the pistol’s popularity, there is a wide range of holsters available for it. (http://www.sigsauer.com; 603-610-3000)
New for 2016, Smith & Wesson has added a green laser option to the M&P Bodyguard 380 line. These popular subcompact pistols feature a Crimson Trace Laserguard for a daylight-visible green aiming laser. As with the existing Bodyguard pistols, these lightweight handguns are chambered in .380 ACP and hold 6+1 rounds. The company includes two magazines with the gun: a flush-fitting one and a second with a pinky extension. Smith & Wesson builds these guns with double-action-only triggers and a frame-mounted thumb safety on the left side of the pistol. (http://www.smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852)
Very few have been the days that I’ve not had a J-Frame revolver on my person. The guns are reliable and good shooters. One of the nicer pocket carry options offered by Smith & Wesson today is the M&P340. This five-shot revolver is chambered for the powerful .357 Mag and can also shoot milder .38 Special loads. A scandium alloy frame pairs nicely with a stainless steel barrel and cylinder to provide a balance of lightweight and durability. Rounding out the package is an XS Sights 24/7 front night sight for fast aiming under all lighting conditions. (http://www.smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852)
Springfield Armory created a winner when it developed the XD-S line of subcompact pistols. These single-stack handguns are thin but still fit the hand incredibly well. Full-sized sights, including a fiber-optic front, help the shooter to accurately shoot the gun while the grip texture anchors the pistol in the hand for increased recoil control. With 7+1 rounds of 9mm on tap, there are few self-defense encounters that cannot be solved with clear thinking, decisive action and this pistol. Additional calibers and other options are available in the XD-S line. (http://www.springfield-armory.com; 800-680-6866)
Introduced in 2016, the PPS M2 compact pistol is a 9mm handgun that builds on the success of the original PPS. The new pistol has an ergonomic grip with an aggressive, but not rough, texture. A push-button magazine release allows for fast reloads of the flush-fitting, six-round magazine. Higher-capacity magazines with finger extensions are available. The three-dot metal sights are large enough to use, but are low profile to reduce snagging on garments. As with other Walther handguns, this pistol is backed by a lifetime warranty. (http://www.waltherarms.com; 479-242-8500)
For many people, pocket carry is a favorite form of concealing a personal defense firearm. With the right gun, pocket carry can be accomplished in a variety of social settings without the need for a specialized gun belt or an untucked shirt. Depending on the circumstances, a gun can be surreptitiously accessed in a pocket during a situation where potential danger has appeared, but the time to draw has not yet arrived.
Keep in mind that pocket carry means more than just the front pocket of your jeans. People carry in loose-fitting cargo pants, athletic shorts and jackets. A gun that might work well in one pocket may not work as well in another. The clothing and gun have to be matched to conceal well. Additionally, a quality pocket holster can make a world of difference and should be considered mandatory. Don’t carry a handgun loose in a pocket; there are too many opportunities for tragedy to happen. Here is a look at some of the compact handguns available for pocket carry. One might work for you.
