Is a pocket gun enough?

[Jack_F]

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/is-a-pocket-gun-enough/

Is a pocket gun enough?

[C0untZer0]

I think he made a mistake mixing police shootings and citizen DGUs together to make the analysis.

I also don't think he answers his own question "Is a pocket gun enough?"

Enough to do what?  Apprehend a couple of armed suspects like a Matix and Platt ?  No...

Would it be my first choice to deal with home invaders - no not my first choice.

Is it enough to deal with someone who tries to rob you while you're fueiling your vehicle at a gas station?

Probably

IMO it's enough gun to handle a good majority of self-defense situations I might encounter outside the home.

I think the statistics provided in the article as far as time and hits on targets are interesting.

[billmc]

Is a pocket gun enough?  I'd really like to know what defines a pocket gun.  To me, a pocket gun is one that I can actually carry in my pocket and be able to access and draw.  Going a little further, I guess I have to specify my pants' pocket.  I live in FL, most of the time there's not a big need for a jacket, I do have a couple of vests, but they tend to be out of place most of the time.

I have a Walther PPS, which from reading the various reviews, falls in the category of pocket gun.  For me anyway, this gun is to big to fit in my pocket, although I can shoot it fairly decently.  I recently took a look at a SIG P290, it really isn't any smaller than the Walther or a Kahr that the dealer had on the shelf.  Once I looked at the Rurger LC-9, it to seemed just a little to big for my pants pocket.  I eventually settled for a Ruger LCP for pants pocket carry and ended up trading that for the R9.  The R9, I find, is almost identical in size to the LCP.

My original intent for the LCP and then the R9, is as a backup, with a larger pistol on my belt.  I am finding however, that the belt gun isn't always the easiest to dress with.  The thing I like the least with the R9 is the magazine release.  I have not been able to find a good way of manipulating it, so I kinda hope that I never need to go beyond 7 rounds.  That's a pretty stupid thing to depend on, I know.  I've begun to wonder if 2 R9 would be better, one in each pocket.  Kinda like the idea of 2 revolvers. (By the way, I have absolutely no experience with a revolver.)  The downside to 2 R9 is the cost.  Which then makes me wonder if I'd be better off with a couple of less expensive small .380s (such as the LCP or something similar).

I think a 2.9" barrel (the Walther is 3.3") on a 9mm carries more oomph than a 2" barrel of a .38, but cost becomes a factor.

So I'm thinking the answer to the question of a pocket gun being enough would depend on the definition of a pocket gun.  How do you define it?

[Richard S]

That's a good article based on some reliable information.

In my opinion, for EDC concealed carry in a civilian setting, a quality pocket gun of sufficient caliber (9mm Parabellum, .38 Special, or .357 Magnum all qualify), should be enough, provided it is combined with a reload (a spare magazine for a semi-automatic  or a speedreloader or moonclip for a revolver). All of that assumes, of course, that the person carrying the handgun has adequate knowledge of and training with the piece and its use. An EDC handgun should be as familiar to the owner as the back of his or her hand and should feel as if it were a natural extension of the arm whenever taken to hand.

It goes without saying that an entirely different set of requirements arise if and when a person knowingly goes into harm's way.

[Griff]

Billmc,

As to the magazine release, I have found that if you press the magazine into the gripwell as you release the catch, the catch releases much easier.
I like the Euro-style mag release in that it doesn't accidentally pop out the magazine in my pocket.  I think it is a compromise of speed for security.

As to is a pocket gun enough, again we are faced with compromise.  To be totally prepared for any and every possible situation is impossible. 

I guess we all have to decide how much we are willing to sacrifice.  What am I willing to lug around every day? 

If we are pondering these issues, we are probably more ready than most.

[the_skunk]

A pocket gun is fine for close up self defense

[Reinz]

Billmc,

As to is a pocket gun enough, again we are faced with compromise.  To be totally prepared for any and every possible situation is impossible. 

I guess we all have to decide how much we are willing to sacrifice.  What am I willing to lug around every day? 

If we are pondering these issues, we are probably more ready than most.

This is why the Rohrbaugh is such a success!   And why is was a no brainer for me and most of us. 

The R9 takes away MOST of the compromise.

You can have most of your cake and eat it too.   I don't get my corner piece with mucho frosting, but I am very satisfied!

[Reinz]

A pocket gun is fine for close up self defense

Perzactly!

[Jack_F]

That's a good article based on some reliable information.

In my opinion, for EDC concealed carry in a civilian setting, a quality pocket gun of sufficient caliber (9mm Parabellum, .38 Special, or .357 Magnum all qualify), should be enough, provided it is combined with a reload (a spare magazine for a semi-automatic  or a speedreloader or moonclip for a revolver). All of that assumes, of course, that the person carrying the handgun has adequate knowledge of and training with the piece and its use. An EDC handgun should be as familiar to the owner as the back of his or her hand and should feel as if it were a natural extension of the arm whenever taken to hand.

It goes without saying that an entirely different set of requirements arise if and when a person knowingly goes into harm's way.

Roger That...........

[Jack_F]

Is a pocket gun enough?  I'd really like to know what defines a pocket gun.  To me, a pocket gun is one that I can actually carry in my pocket and be able to access and draw.  Going a little further, I guess I have to specify my pants' pocket.  I live in FL, most of the time there's not a big need for a jacket, I do have a couple of vests, but they tend to be out of place most of the time.

I have a Walther PPS, which from reading the various reviews, falls in the category of pocket gun.  For me anyway, this gun is to big to fit in my pocket, although I can shoot it fairly decently.  I recently took a look at a SIG P290, it really isn't any smaller than the Walther or a Kahr that the dealer had on the shelf.  Once I looked at the Rurger LC-9, it to seemed just a little to big for my pants pocket.  I eventually settled for a Ruger LCP for pants pocket carry and ended up trading that for the R9.  The R9, I find, is almost identical in size to the LCP.

My original intent for the LCP and then the R9, is as a backup, with a larger pistol on my belt.  I am finding however, that the belt gun isn't always the easiest to dress with.  The thing I like the least with the R9 is the magazine release.  I have not been able to find a good way of manipulating it, so I kinda hope that I never need to go beyond 7 rounds.  That's a pretty stupid thing to depend on, I know.  I've begun to wonder if 2 R9 would be better, one in each pocket.  Kinda like the idea of 2 revolvers. (By the way, I have absolutely no experience with a revolver.)  The downside to 2 R9 is the cost.  Which then makes me wonder if I'd be better off with a couple of less expensive small .380s (such as the LCP or something similar).

I think a 2.9" barrel (the Walther is 3.3") on a 9mm carries more oomph than a 2" barrel of a .38, but cost becomes a factor.

So I'm thinking the answer to the question of a pocket gun being enough would depend on the definition of a pocket gun.  How do you define it?

Pocket gun for me= R9 or Seecamp

[scaatylobo]

NO

If it were 'enough' then I would not bother to carry a real belt gun [ Glock 23/G-19/Kimber CDP/etc ].

I view the R-9 and Solo,Kahr etc as BUG's and the full size guns as primary's.

Possibly might not if I had not been LEO.

And HELL NO,will not play at cop ever again.

I CCW for S/D issues and just dont have a clue when or HOW that will happen.

I try to leave as little to chance as possible.

[Ghost Chili]

Good article.  I used to carry a KelTec P32 as a daily pocket pistol with a spare mag either on my belt or in my off-hand pocket and that was plenty good enough for me.  The discovery of the R9 put significantly more power in my pocket, but I still find it difficult to achieve the same level of accuracy I can get with my P32.  Guess I just have to spend more time at the range

[Richard S]

The above post are all excellent responses to the original question and reflect the many considerations that apply to an area in which there may be no definitive answers.  There are any numer of well-known expressions that speak to this general subject.  One of those coming to mind is, "Beware of the old man with one gun -- he probably knows how to use it."   

[the_skunk]

The real key to a Pocket Gun is reliability. And with most of them, that gets down to premium ammo. I really don't care about caliber, a 32 Seecamp is fine with me. All the gun has to do is go 'Bang, Bang, Bang'  ..... if it goes 'Bang, Bang, Click'  then you are up the creek.