Opinions on Pocket Guns (aka fake guns...)

[wgoforth]

I agree bad sites... BUT remember these are for bad breath range. If you have to use it, you probably won't be aiming, just bringing it out and firing. Plus, they wanted limited to avoid snagging. TCP has better sights and the sig 238 even better. For an easily concealed gun, with sights and a better caliber, the Taurus 709 SLIM is a pretty good gun. It can hide in front pockets as well. Less recoil and even fun to shoot.

[A-R]

Austinrealtor;
You said keep gun dollars in America? The TCP is made in the USA in Miami. The only Taurus that currently is with plans for more. There is a size limit on what can be imported so they built the plant for it here.

Good point. I didn't realize that. Of course, Toyotas and Hondas are often made in the US too. But in all three cases, a big bunch of the money you spend ultimately goes outside our borders. Of course, I am the ultimate hypocrit as we have a Toyota truck and Honda minivan.

I was just bringing up the USA vs. them as a point to consider amongst the three guns.

[5thGenTexan]

Consider upgrading to a Kahr PM9 or CW9 with a tuckable IWB, I carry either PM9 or CW40 in a Galco Ultimate Second Amendment pants standard waist size tucks and totaly conceals at 3-4 o'clock position. Need an extra bit in waistband with the other carry guns but the Kahr's just disappear under anything fron dress shirt to loose tees.

[gigag04]

I wouldn't carry a Kel Tec if you paid me.

Out of those I would go with a ruger.

[The Annoyed Man]

I wouldn't carry a Kel Tec if you paid me.

Don't hold back... tell us what you REALLY think!

[wgoforth]

I wouldn't carry a Kel Tec if you paid me.

Out of those I would go with a ruger.

Interesting...so if a BG was after you and you found a KT handy I assume you wouldn't use it? LOL. Anyway, that's about how these should be considered is emergency use only. They go bang every rime, but no fun. 90% of self defense situations will be under a 12 ft distance. Both the round and the sights should be sufficient for such. I own(ed) all 3 and would rate KT as ok; Ruger good; TCP better; sig 238 even better.

NOTE: Sig has had several problems with the 238. So while it can be a great gun, don't assume given the name and price it is going to be a magically great gun. Mouse guns simply cannot be great guns. They can be adequate but not great. You simply cannot overcome physics.

[karder]

Of the guns you list, I would definitely go with the Ruger LCP. I have not shot all three, only the LCP, but I agree that the fit and finish seems better than the others. I would recommend taking a good look at the LCR before you make that final purchase decision. It comes down to personal taste and preference, but I think the LCR is one of the best pocket guns around. Good luck with you search.

[gtrman66]

I got one bike down right now (primary problem - something broke but I can't figure out what), so I am having trouble breaking away to check out the range at Winchester. Hopefully I can rent the LCR and G26. Maybe something else will be intersting too.

The mousegun site has really been helpful!!! There is some great info on there.

[A-R]

I wouldn't carry a Kel Tec if you paid me.

Out of those I would go with a ruger.

Interesting...so if a BG was after you and you found a KT handy I assume you wouldn't use it? LOL.

A better question would be if he'd turn in his badge if his department issued Kel Tecs to all officers

Gigag is not the first LEO I've heard say this about a KT. Opinions of some LEOs I know is what swayed me away from a KT. Not that LEOs are all-knowing gun gurus, but they have a higher likelihood than I'll ever have of actually having to use a gun, even a backup gun. So I take their advice seriously.

NOTE: Sig has had several problems with the 238. So while it can be a great gun, don't assume given the name and price it is going to be a magically great gun. Mouse guns simply cannot be great guns. They can be adequate but not great. You simply cannot overcome physics.

I thought my Colt Mustang was a great gun. Never had a single problem with it, though only owned it about a year or so. And know some others had problems with the Mustangs. Sig is a carbon copy of that gun, so I'd think it will be a very good gun once they work out the first-batch kinks.

If I carried a 1911-style as my main gun, I'd certainly carry a P238 as a backup.

[drjoker]

If you're considering a G26, then just note that a G19 is just a concealable. If you check out the weight of the G26, it weighs almost as much as the G19. There's not much difference. Also, the G26 is just as wide as the G19. When concealing stuff under clothing, only weight and width are the limiting factors. So, if don't mind carrying a G26, then a G19 is just as concealable for you. However, a G19 has a better sight radius and holds roughly 50% more ammo.

Women like the G26 over the G19 because the smaller height and length allows it to be hidden in a smaller purse. So, unless you wear an European man-purse, then I suggest that you go test the G19, too.

Good luck and have fun with guns,

[Skiprr]

I wouldn't carry a Kel Tec if you paid me.

While Kel Tec engineering may be great, seems clear to me that Kel Tec manufacturing is very far from meeting Six Sigma. I have a P3AT that I've written about here several times. It's gone back to the factory twice, and I've replaced the firing pin myself twice more...yet it still has never managed more than about 40 total rounds down the pipe. Never a failure to feed, mind you; just many clicks with no bangs. I've joked that I considered carrying it as a BUG because if a BG took it from me, at least I'd know he couldn't shoot me with it.

I consider Kel Tec a gamble. In my case, I got a lemon. And while they are happy to repair it every time I ship it to them, the overnight FedEx is on my dime (and for a gun of this price that quickly becomes pointless) and Kel Tec would not replace the pistol.

Interesting...so if a BG was after you and you found a KT handy I assume you wouldn't use it? LOL.

I'd try to throw it as accurately and forcefully as I could, hopefully hitting him square on the nose and causing his eyes to water.

[marksiwel]

Ruger LCP and a Glock 26, hmmmm rather go with the Glock

[donh]

My summertime carry is my little LCP in a right front pocket holster; here in the Metroplex it just gets too hot to deal with belt holsters and the problem of covering it up (IMO). The little gun has eaten everything I've fed it, and (with regular practice) it's not a problem to hit center of mass at 10ft. I keep it loaded w/ Gold Dots, and have found .380 target ammo here for about $23/50rnd-box. Whenever it's cool enough for a jacket, I carry my Kahr PM9 in a Mitch Rosen OWB, right kidney position, and much of the time don't notice it is there. Of course the Kahr is much easier to shoot accurately, much higher quality, etc., but I have tried to carry it in a Kydex pocket holster and it does seem to print pretty obviously (maybe I'm just a little too paranoid...).

[A-R]

My summertime carry is my little LCP in a right front pocket holster; here in the Metroplex it just gets too hot to deal with belt holsters and the problem of covering it up (IMO). The little gun has eaten everything I've fed it, and (with regular practice) it's not a problem to hit center of mass at 10ft. I keep it loaded w/ Gold Dots, and have found .380 target ammo here for about $23/50rnd-box. Whenever it's cool enough for a jacket, I carry my Kahr PM9 in a Mitch Rosen OWB, right kidney position, and much of the time don't notice it is there. Of course the Kahr is much easier to shoot accurately, much higher quality, etc., but I have tried to carry it in a Kydex pocket holster and it does seem to print pretty obviously (maybe I'm just a little too paranoid...).

Yeah, you might be paranoid. I carried a PM40 almost exclusively in right front pocket for two years just in a basic DeSantis Nemesis and never had an issue (at least not with printing, with FTF & FTE with the Kahr .... well, my opinions have been stated ad nauseum).

But LCP certainly is an easier pocket carry no doubt.

[texastaurusguy]

I'm not sure I would make my first gun a small mousegun. If you want to keep the size down, I would opt for something like the Keltec PF9 (which I own) or maybe a Taurus 709. The Keltec is thinner, and has a rail......and is very concealable. In fact, it's the thinnest 9mm you'll ever buy. It's not exactly a range gun, but more so than the 3 you mentioned.

If you are going to buy one of the 3, just pick up each one and decide which one is best for you. I own the Ruger LCP and am very satisfied with it. However, only the Taurus locks the slide back on the last shot. The other two do not. Not sure if this is important to you, but it's there.