Small Pocket Pistols - Pocket pistols are the easiest handguns to carry, but they are difficult to shoot well. How to choose and train with a pocket handgun
While micro compact pistols are often derided as ineffective or inadequate for self-defense, it's also true that the best gun for self-defense is the one you carry. That's almost the whole point of a pocket pistol. They are so small and light that you can literally throw one in your pocket, with a decent case of course, and have it with you all the time. But the same features that make it easy to carry also have some issues.
Small Pocket Pistols
So what defines a pocket gun? Aside from the self-defined designation, these are generally micro-compact handguns chambered in .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and sometimes even 9mm. There are some awesome exceptions, like derringers chambered in ridiculous cartridges, but for the most part mouseguns are chambered in the smaller cartridges, with the exception of revolvers in .327 Federal, .38 Spl. or .357 Mag.
Concealed Carry Corner: Pocket Carry
By all means, but due to their convenience to carry, I rely on pocket pistols most of the time. When I wear it concealed, I often take my Smith & Wesson M&P 340 Scandium J Frame. It's lightweight, comfortable to carry, packs a punch with its .38 Spl. +Ps and is relatively ambidextrous, which is good because I shoot with my left hand. But I also admit that it's probably the weapon I least like to train with because it knocks me out. More on that later.
There's no point in carrying a gun if you don't know it. I recently decided to hone my defensive handgun skills through Gunsite Academy's Pocket Pistol class, which seemed like a perfect opportunity to get better at the small guns I usually carry.
If you are unfamiliar with Gunsite, suffice it to say that it is one of the premier defensive firearms training centers in the world. I won't go into too much detail on Gunsite itself, but it's a great place with great people, instructors, staff, and students. Being around others who are dedicated to improving their skills with firearms certainly fosters an environment of belonging and camaraderie.
It would be easy for a training center that welcomes real tactical professionals to be resistant to pocket pistols. However, this is not the case. Our class instructor Ed Head, who has extensive law enforcement experience and even some firearms combat experience, provided plenty of real-world insight into pocket pistols, which are often derided for their anemic cartridges. Although there were only a few of us, our class had a number of pocket pistols, including a Sig P238, a Colt Mustang, a Glock 42, and my S&W Scandium J Frame.
Colt Open Top Pocket Model Revolver
The Gunsite Pocket Pistol class focuses on getting familiar with and proficient with your pocket pistol, as well as what it can and cannot do. It's not a tactics course, and it doesn't focus so much on carrying methods. It was all about getting reps with your gun. We've shot targets further than expected - up to 25 meters - and proven that microcompact guns are more capable than you think. But it also demonstrated the limitations of the platform. Here are some of the things our class learned, and anyone with a pocket pistol would do well to consider these topics.
Immediately, one thing became clear: repeatedly drawing from a pocket case is a bit stinky. You spend most of the time looking like a literal clown with your pants pocket turned out. A pocket holster only has two advantages. It's easy to "put" and carry a gun, and if you stand like a moped with your hands in your pockets, as I sometimes do, your hand may be on your weapon ready to draw quickly. But if you don't already have your hand in your pocket, putting your hand in your pocket and drawing just won't happen quickly.
An outside belt holster (OWB) is recommended for the class, and even though it's "pocket guns" it's probably a good way to carry these small arms in general. It was a sobering lesson for me. I want to fit inside and/or outside size holsters for all my guns. Do I still want some in my pocket sometimes? Absolutely. But where it's just as simple, I'll put a holster.
The small size of pocket pistols is ideal for carrying. They don't sting you as much and they are lightweight. But a small gun equals small controls that can be difficult to manipulate under time or stress constraints. Slides are smaller and harder to grip and tripod, safety and magnetic release buttons can be small, and even sights can be much smaller.
Concealed Carry Pocket Holster
Working with these small weapons is more difficult to do quickly and efficiently than with their larger counterparts. Our instructor pointed this out on the first day. Lesson? Spend a lot of time with your mouse gun. Don't just shoot it, but reload, manipulate security, smash bugs, and more. Build muscle memory for smaller orders.
In most cases, physics rears its ugly head. In this case, a shorter slide equals a shorter aiming radius, which means it's harder to shoot accurately. But is this really a problem at the distances encountered in most self-defense situations? Generally no. The class required students to shoot longer distances, up to 25 meters at steel targets, and the shots were surprisingly consistent. Obviously the majority of the class was played with much closer targets, but it was good to see that with a bit of practice mouse guns have more range than you might think.
Class time was also part of the course with valuable mindset insights, some technical aspects of concealed carry and Q&A sessions. The variety of drills and drills really provided a good foundation for pistol shooting and helped build muscle memory for all the control manipulations. Variation is something to incorporate into your exercise routine if possible.
The Gunsite course is a dichotomy. One of them shows that with regular practice, pocket pistols are capable of self-defense far beyond knife fighting distance if necessary. On the other hand, what makes them so convenient - their small size - inherently imposes serious limitations. The course will make you think about your weapon choice, the ammo you use, and the best way to train. My Scandium M&P 340 frame let me down with .38 Spl. +P strains so bad I couldn't finish the course with it. I ended up going back and forth with a Glock 43 which I borrowed to give my hand a much needed break. Another point to remember is that, regardless of the designation "pocket gun", it is not the best way to carry these handguns. Are pocket pistols the handgun of choice, all things being equal? Of course not. Is there room for them in a self-defense role and arsenal? Absolutely. Although their size reduces their capacity and effective range, with a bit of practice and a proper carry setup, it's far better than not being armed at all.
Great Modern Day Pocket Pistols
There are many options when it comes to pocket pistols, but here are four models worth checking out. None will break the bank and all have a reputation for reliability.
Smith & Wesson J-Frame: Available in steel, aluminum or Scandium frame models (like my M&P 340). And even if they're not trendy, they're still popular because they work. They are available in .357 Mag. if you're feeling masochistic or .38 Spl. +P and even .22 LR. What they lack in capability, they make up for in simplicity and reliability.
Ruger LCP Max: The Ruger LCP helped mainstream .380 semi-automatic pocket pistols when it was introduced in 2008. The LCP Max is an evolution of the original design and the LCP II with increased capacity in the same overall footprint than the original LCP. and the slide is dovetailed except for the steel sights and comes with a sight tritium. Like the original LCP, the LCP Max fits comfortably in the front trouser pocket.
Glock 42: If you want a pocket pistol, are a Glock fan, and since all your pistols look pretty much alike, the Glock 42 is your Huckleberry. If you looked at a picture without any size reference it would look like any other Glock. Fun aside, it'll bring Glock's ergonomics and reliability to the party in a smaller, pocket-sized package.
Kel Tec P32 Review: A Deep Concealment .32 Pocket Gun
Sig Sauer P365-380: The Sig 365-380 is probably at the higher end (in terms of size) of what qualifies as a pocket pistol, but it is a solid optics-ready design that becoming popular on concealed carry pistols. It also comes with Siglite night sights. It fits in Sig 365 9mm cases because it is the same size. So why have it in .380? Because they lightened it up a bit and it's smoother to shoot.
You might ask, "but if it's a micro-compact pistol that's in my pocket, so be it.
Small pocket purse, tumi pocket bag small, small pocket crosses, small pocket tissues, small pocket umbrella, small pocket wallet, small multi pocket bag, small pocket camera, small front pocket wallet, small wooden pocket cross, small pocket envelopes, small pocket folders
0 Comments