Should the 380 be discouraged as a CCW ?

[bigred90gt]

So, if 380 isn't enough gun, can anyone point me to a 9mm or larger than I can put in my short's pocket without looking like a freak?

I normally carry a full size 1911 but when summer comes, it draws me to a pocket gun. Don't have one yet, but have come close to buying a 380.

Kel-tec PF9 fits the bill, and wont break the bank. I bought one for $270ish out the door at the gun show. After a couple of thousand rounds down the tube, it has NEVER had a single issue, and has gone bang every single time I pulled the trigger. I have a Desantis Nemisis pocket holster that I carry it in, and sometimes I will just throw the pistol itself in my pocket without a holster (depending on what I am wearing). I dont carry anything at all in that pocket, except the pistol, so even without a holster, I have no concerns of something hitting the trigger.

[Teamless]

We're going to have a Texas Firearms Coalition "CHL Fashion Show" when the Texas Legislative Session is over. I think folks will find it interesting and informative.

Chas.

I have been thinking about needing something like this for a long time.
I now own 4 holsters for my Springfield XD9SC, and am looking for a new pocket gun, and have almost decided on the S&W Bodyguard .380.
I have put a few "compact" 9mm in my pocket, but they seem HUGE! and I don't want to spend another $400 on a gun that doesn't do what I am looking for.
So, whenever you can have this CHL Fashion Show, please count me in!

For you pocket carry 9mms and larger, I have tried some and cannot see how you do it. If it comes down to buying another size larger pants, shorts, etc, that just doesn't work, I already have them larger for my CBST, but in my normal cargo shorts or dockers, when I sit down, i see the gun..... not a bulge, but the weapon itself and it can be discerned to be a weapon, so I am stuck and I just do not see how it is possible

[Purplehood]

We're going to have a Texas Firearms Coalition "CHL Fashion Show" when the Texas Legislative Session is over. I think folks will find it interesting and informative.

Chas.

I have been thinking about needing something like this for a long time.
I now own 4 holsters for my Springfield XD9SC, and am looking for a new pocket gun, and have almost decided on the S&W Bodyguard .380.
I have put a few "compact" 9mm in my pocket, but they seem HUGE! and I don't want to spend another $400 on a gun that doesn't do what I am looking for.
So, whenever you can have this CHL Fashion Show, please count me in!

For you pocket carry 9mms and larger, I have tried some and cannot see how you do it. If it comes down to buying another size larger pants, shorts, etc, that just doesn't work, I already have them larger for my CBST, but in my normal cargo shorts or dockers, when I sit down, i see the gun..... not a bulge, but the weapon itself and it can be discerned to be a weapon, so I am stuck and I just do not see how it is possible

Don't sweat it. Use what works.

[Teamless]

Don't sweat it. Use what works.

I agree, but how do you know what works, until you spend the money and really try it, standing, walking, sitting, etc.
And lets say I do finally end up with the Bodyguard .380, now what pocket holster and am I in for another $280 worth of holsters finding the right one.... this gun thing is getting EXPENSIVE !

[Excaliber]

We're going to have a Texas Firearms Coalition "CHL Fashion Show" when the Texas Legislative Session is over. I think folks will find it interesting and informative.

Chas.

I have been thinking about needing something like this for a long time.
I now own 4 holsters for my Springfield XD9SC, and am looking for a new pocket gun, and have almost decided on the S&W Bodyguard .380.
I have put a few "compact" 9mm in my pocket, but they seem HUGE! and I don't want to spend another $400 on a gun that doesn't do what I am looking for.
So, whenever you can have this CHL Fashion Show, please count me in!

For you pocket carry 9mms and larger, I have tried some and cannot see how you do it. If it comes down to buying another size larger pants, shorts, etc, that just doesn't work, I already have them larger for my CBST, but in my normal cargo shorts or dockers, when I sit down, i see the gun..... not a bulge, but the weapon itself and it can be discerned to be a weapon, so I am stuck and I just do not see how it is possible

Some cargo shorts come with shallow pockets. Others come with deep pockets that go down behind the smaller front flap pocket. This latter type, combined with a good pocket holster (e.g. Fist #5) conceals the gun completely even when sitting.

[Purplehood]

Don't sweat it. Use what works.

I agree, but how do you know what works, until you spend the money and really try it, standing, walking, sitting, etc.
And lets say I do finally end up with the Bodyguard .380, now what pocket holster and am I in for another $280 worth of holsters finding the right one.... this gun thing is getting EXPENSIVE !

Buy a small .380 with a good pocket holster. It has worked perfectly for me thus far. I would recommend avoiding the larger .380 pistols that look like a small 9mm.

[e-bil]

I made my own holster for my wife's LCP. Customizing the way we wanted it for something that is effectively a scrap piece of leather was much more affordable than playing holster roulette with the pocket holsters.

[atxtj]

When I can't get away with anything else or am just going to the mailbox I'll throw my Seecamp LWS380 in my back pocket with a Bearcreek holster. I prefer something larger, but it just makes sense to have something when nothing else will work. I've got the smallest .380 available and it is downright punishing to shoot ( I often look like this), but practice with it is a must, otherwise I'd be afraid I wouldn't be able to hit anything with it!

[tanker1983]

My summer carry is a Sig P238 in a Holster Pro custom IWB with 2 extra mags in a Kirkpatrick double mag pouch. I practice extensively from the draw to the hip shoot for split second situations from all kinds of stances and body positions. Also standard grips and stances. I use Hornady Critical defense exclusively and I am 100% confident I would be able to defend me and mine if necessary. My Kimber Ultra Carry 1 is always in the truck in a Mitch Rosen IWB that mounts right at draw level on my strong side while in the drivers seat.

[fulano]

What a long lived thread. Maybe my third post here...what fun.

In the early 90's I bought a 1930's Walther PP (32 cal) to carry in my pocket. I figured if it was good enough for the german police in the 30's it was good enough to protect me in the 90's.

That was 20 yrs ago and time and technology marches on. It was and still is reliable but today you can carry so much more power in the same form factor.

The small 380's are fine with me for now. I'm still looking at the 9mms in the same form factor....front pocket carry. I can imagine carrying one of them as a BUG one day.