The Rohrbaugh Forum

Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: Rocnerd on February 22, 2006, 12:54:24 PM

Title: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on February 22, 2006, 12:54:24 PM
I am pretty sure these aren't made anymore, as with just about everything else at colt, but are they that rare?  I can't seem to find one in any gun shop or on gun broker.  How much do they go for?  What is the trigger like?  How is the recoil?  

The thing is after taking the defensive handgun class my wife now sees the positive side of the semi-auto world and is beginning to look at them.  The problem is she doesn't like the black guns, which they all seem to be nowadays.  She loves my R9s, but of course doesn't like the recoil, hey I don't like the recoil sometimes.  So, should I just cruise the gunshows in hopes of finding one or is there some super secret place in which I might find one?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Richard S on February 22, 2006, 04:14:35 PM
Roc:

Here is a link to a previous thread on the Pocket Nine which might be of interest:

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=Other;action=display;num=1124233616;start=0
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Newt on February 23, 2006, 09:11:40 AM
I have two Pocket Nines and if it were'nt for the R9 they would be my carry. The recoil is not bad at all and the little guns are pretty accurate. The biggest down side to this gun is the very hard trigger pull on the DAO, it takes some getting used to. :P
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on February 23, 2006, 11:53:58 AM
Thanks for the link Richard, that did help.  I did a search of the forum for the pocket nine, but nothing came up.  Maybe I mispelled something.  

Newt, have you looked into getting the triggers worked on?  if they are that tough I would like to get it smoothed out to something approaching the Rohrbaugh if I could.  
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Newt on February 23, 2006, 01:09:22 PM
I thought about it but after I got used to it I didn,t bother. If it was a primary carry I would.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on February 24, 2006, 11:41:12 PM
NIB Colt Pocket Nine's are still around and should run about $600 (give or take) ...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f164.jpg)

... and in recent years I've picked up a few of them ...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f151.jpg)

... they are a little bit bigger than the R9 ...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f162.jpg)

... but are +P rated (which the R9's are not)...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f154.jpg)

... and about the size of a PPK ...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f155.jpg)

... Good luck in finding one -- you won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: R9SCarry on February 25, 2006, 02:17:03 AM
Alan - you have severe pocket-piece addiction LOL! ;) :)
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on February 25, 2006, 08:55:53 AM
Rocnerd, I found two Colt Pocket Nine's for sales: The price is a bit high but realistiicly speaking, the gun was made for only one year and with the inventory drying up and the demand either staying the same or increasing, prices are going to go up. The good part is that the gun was a sleeper, so NIB models and near-NIB models can still be found.

Honestly speaking, if funds weren't short on my end I would get one or both of them and add them to my collection. Unfortunately, I lost my two main accounts, which account for about 75% of my income, at the beginning of the year. One guy merged with another firm which already has a computer staff so my services to him are no longer needed and the other guy died and his wife liquidated the business. So money is a bit tight for me right now but if it wasn't, I would be adding them to my collection.

Disclaimer : I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not RECOMMENDING these two sellers. I do not know them from a hole in the wall. They could be perfectly honest business men or they could be frauds looking to rip people off. I don't know one way or the other. If doing business with them, use common sense and treat them as you would any stranger.


Quote
Alan - you have severe pocket-piece addiction LOL! ;) :)
Yeah, I have that problem.  ::) I tend to do that with guns that have been discontinued. If the Pocket Nine was still in production, I wouldn't have purchased as many of them as I did.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on February 25, 2006, 12:27:06 PM
See? Now I actually like the trigger on the P9's. When it comes to autoloaders without a manual safety, I prefer a heavier trigger pull as is found on a DA revolver and that is what the Pocket Nine gives me. If you prefer a lighter trigger, consider getting a Kahr MK9 ... the thing is built like a tank and has a very light, smooth trigger -- which, ironicly, is the reason why I sold my MK9 and got the Pocket Nine instead ...

(http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f34.jpg)

... as I said, different strokes for different folks -- and that's what makes the world go around :)

Editted to correct formatting errors.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on March 01, 2006, 08:59:46 AM
Thanks Fudster.  I am going to hold out till I can actually hold one in hand.  I am more than a little nervous buying sight unseen from someone I don't know.  So, here is hoping that I find one at the next gun show, and that I have enough green to purchase one after I get my .41 mag for hunting.  I like that it is the same size as the PPK.  Is the trigger that heavy?
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on March 01, 2006, 04:12:06 PM
I don't have one of those things that measures the trigger pull so this is purely subjective on my part but the trigger pull on the Pocket Nine is ABOUT the same as on my Ruger SP101 DAO model -- not sure if that helps any.

Again, on carry guns without manul safeties, I prefer a heavier trigger pull which is why I got rid of my MK9 and settled on the Pocket Nine instead -- even though the MK9 was less tempermental with what ammo I fed it.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on March 01, 2006, 04:28:36 PM
That doesn't sound that bad.  I had heard it was like the heaviest, nastiest, revolver pull you could imagine, or at least that was my impression.  I hope I get to see one at the show or on my frequent visits to the local gun shops.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: toymaker on March 01, 2006, 07:03:15 PM
Quote
Thanks Fudster.  I am going to hold out till I can actually hold one in hand.  I am more than a little nervous buying sight unseen from someone I don't know.  So, here is hoping that I find one at the next gun show, and that I have enough green to purchase one after I get my .41 mag for hunting.  I like that it is the same size as the PPK.  Is the trigger that heavy?

I have a Pocket Nine and carry it every day in my right front pocket.  It's a rare gun so it's going into the safe once my new PM-9 arrives.

The Pocket Nine hides great in the pocket mainly because of it's narrow, short and rounded 1911 style slide.  It points very well, is light, accurate and feeds any weight 9mm ammo.    I've found that hand feeding some long 147 grain ammo like Golden Sabers was a little difficult but they cycled, fired and ejected at the range with no trouble.

The problems I've experienced are with the trigger system.  The trigger is very heavy and does take some getting used to.  The trigger and trigger guard also could have been designed much better as it sometimes pinches the bottom of my finger.  

I used to own two pocket Nines.  I got rid of the other one because after firing 150 or so rounds at the range it wouldn't fire any more even though I'd pull the trigger all of the way to the trigger stop :o.    My guess is that the heat affected the sear in some way because after letting it sit for a few minutes it would fire again.

I wish that Colt had made this little pistol single action cocked and locked like the mustang.  I would have kept the other one and most likely bought a couple more.  It would have been an absolute gem.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Richard S on March 01, 2006, 10:19:42 PM
Quote

I wish that Colt had made this little pistol single action cocked and locked like the mustang.  I would have kept the other one and most likely bought a couple more.  It would have been an absolute gem.

Toymaker:

First of all, welcome to the Forum.

I'm also an old Colt Mustang fan and still have one in my safe.  It's one of the more accurate small pistols I've ever owned.  As for cocked and locked carry of the Mustang, I've never felt really comfortable about that since it doesn't have a grip safety.  I don't carry my Mustang much anymore, but when I do it is in what Colonel Cooper would call Condition 3 -- the chamber is empty and the hammer is down with a charged magazine in the pistol.

Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on March 02, 2006, 03:48:15 AM
That's why the Pocket Nine is such a gem. DAO design. No safeties to worry about. Repeat striker capability like on a DAO revolver and a heavier trigger pull like on a DAO revolver.

IMHO, light trigger pulls are great for shooting but unless there is a manual safety, they become a bit of a liability when it comes to carrying them. The pocket nine doesn't have this problem. Neither does the Rohrbaugh R9. The Kahrs, on the other hand, do.

It would be interesting to see the Pocket Nine re-introduced incorporating all of the advances that have been made in firearms technology during the past several years.

And if Colt won't do it, it would be nice if somebody else did ... such as maybe, Rohrbaugh! And call it a tactical model -- a beefed up / slightly larger and +P version of the present R9. I'd definitely add one (or two) to my collection.

I normally carry as big as I can. There are some times when only the R9 fits that need and I am greatful to the Rohrbaugh for building such a quality firearm. However, there are times when I can go slightly larger and that's when I carry the Colt Pocket Nine -- same number of rounds but +P'ed.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on March 02, 2006, 09:34:42 AM
I agree, I wouldn't be comfortable carrying a single action cocked and locked in my pocket.  Too easy to have the safety switched off and put a hole in my leg.  I would be so tense I am sure my back would be killing me at the end of the day.  
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on March 04, 2006, 12:38:05 AM
How's your wife with recoil? My Mrs is EXTREMELY recoil sensative. As a result, we look for .32ACP's, .32Mags & .380ACP's that are near normal size as opposed to the ones that are pocket guns.

If your Mrs is the same, you may want to consider the Colt Pony instead of the Pocket Nine. The Pony is almost the same shape & size or operation as the Pocket Nine but in .380ACP instead of 9mm resulting in a much softer kick.

Here's a used Colt Pony going for $800 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=44655425) if you're insterested. As before, I am not RECOMMENDING this seller. I do not know him from a hole in the wall. He could be a perfectly honest business man or he could be fraud looking to rip people off. I don't know one way or the other. If doing business with him, use common sense and treat them as you would any stranger.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: toymaker on March 05, 2006, 09:03:22 PM
Quote

Toymaker:

First of all, welcome to the Forum.

I'm also an old Colt Mustang fan and still have one in my safe.  It's one of the more accurate small pistols I've ever owned.  As for cocked and locked carry of the Mustang, I've never felt really comfortable about that since it doesn't have a grip safety.  I don't carry my Mustang much anymore, but when I do it is in what Colonel Cooper would call Condition 3 -- the chamber is empty and the hammer is down with a charged magazine in the pistol.



Thanks for the welcome

I also owned a couple of stainless Colt Mustangs some years back.   The reason I no longer have them is that the slide stop pin would sometimes fall out of either gun if the slide was racked while the gun was tilted even slightly counter clockwise.  The Pocket Nine doesn't have that problem.

I'm an old cocked and locked fan so carrying the mustang condition 1 wasn't a problem for me.  I always carry in a pocket holster so it's extremely unlikely that I'd accidentally pull the trigger even if the safety was left off.  

I think that the Kahr and Rohrbaugh triggers strike the perfect balance between safety and a manageable trigger pull.  I want to be able to shoot the gun at the range for as long as I choose to and not have to suffer a blister and other damage to my finger.  

Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on March 06, 2006, 08:40:14 AM
Quote
How's your wife with recoil? My Mrs is EXTREMELY recoil sensative. As a result, we look for .32ACP's, .32Mags & .380ACP's that are near normal size as opposed to the ones that are pocket guns.

If your Mrs is the same, you may want to consider the Colt Pony instead of the Pocket Nine. The Pony is almost the same shape & size or operation as the Pocket Nine but in .380ACP instead of 9mm resulting in a much softer kick.

She is relatively indifferent to the recoil.  Now, she did not like the R9s so if the Colt Pocket Nine is similar it may not be the best solution.  How would you compare the two recoil wise?
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Newt on March 06, 2006, 11:07:15 AM
IMO Colt Pocket Nine has alot less percived recoil ,maybe because the grip is fatter and the rubber finger grooved grips give a very good controled hold.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on March 06, 2006, 03:09:58 PM
What Newt said.

Recoil is very subjective but to me, the Pocket Nine with +P's feels like the R9 with standard pressure rounds so a Pocket Nine with standard pressure rounds would appear to kick much less than the R9.

My Mrs is is overly recoil sensative.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Rocnerd on March 06, 2006, 04:09:39 PM
Sounds OK then.  Thanks guys.
Title: Colt Pocket Nines on my mind...
Post by: TW on April 08, 2006, 03:19:14 AM
>>I had the good fortune the other day to pick up a #2 Colt Pocket Nine at a local gunstore - NIB for $360...!  Funny thing is, this particular store is known for high prices on their selection of new guns, but I have purchased half a dozen really nice used guns for very reasonable prices this past year, go figure.

Thanks in particular to Fud and Newt for stirring up my interest in the Pocket Nines - really fine pistols they are...!!

In recent times I've been collecting more and more small, out of production Colts.  Another of my favorites is a NIB Government .380 with a beautiful blueing job...really sweet...!  It came with original white plastic grips with the Colt medallion, which I quickly replaced with some tasteful Rosewood grips.  The Government .380 is on the big side for a Pocket Gun, but doable - not unlike my Sig P232 and PPK same caliber.

Anyone else have favorite little Colts in their lives...?...TW<<
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: MountainMan on April 08, 2006, 03:03:25 PM
TW

Nice buy - if I see the right pocket nine I may pick it up also.

I have a Colt Gov. .380 - haven't shot it for years but is very accurate - I was able to hit soda cans at 25 yards easily.
Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: CaptBW on April 09, 2006, 12:21:57 AM
A single action Colt Mustang Pocketlite. Very accurate. All in all a very fine little gun.
Title: Number 9; Number 9...Was:..Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Calvin Cooledge on April 16, 2006, 09:57:21 PM
Quote
TW

Nice buy - if I see the right pocket nine I may pick it up also.


Spooky how this number 9 keeps popping up around us;^)
Yes, I had a Pocket 9, but sold it here to an important member of our list, and now I have sellers remorse;^)
I never shot mine,  but it exuded quality, more so than most other
guns, R9's excluded, natch. I will probably get another one some day.
Ya don't know what ya got till it's gone...

Hayword N. Edgewise

Title: Re: Colt Pocket nine
Post by: Fud on April 18, 2006, 11:20:07 PM
An ANIB model can be found here (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46987950) for about the same price.

Just want to make it clear that I am NOT "recommending" the seller. Don't know him. If dealing with him, treat him as you would any stranger on the web.

Good news is that Gunbroker.com (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=46987950) does offer some safeguards.