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OK folks, due to major "permanent" surgery last year, I can no longer carry IWB/OWB or wear a stiff gun belt. Other than the simple shoulder holster I wore in RVN, I dislike the wear for civilian use, which seem to have more straps than mountain climbing gear. OK, so I'm being picky. It look like I'm going need something to pocket carry. I've had a Sig P238 which I liked VERY much, and have given serious thought to the Sig 938, but I don't want to pocket carry in Condition 1. I've had a Diamondback in .380, and also gave thought to the DB9, but I need a pistol that has a slide that is easy to rack due to arthritis in my left hand. (picky again). So, what's out there in a DA 9mm that is easily racked and pocket carried. I'm a small guy (now) at age 73, and I could never carry my G26 in a pocket, no matter how easy it may be for you. So, I need something the size of the 938 or DB9. Oh, I also had a PM9, but didn't like it much. Also, other than my collectible revolvers, I'm not looking to carry one. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

G26ster wrote:OK folks, due to major "permanent" surgery last year, I can no longer carry IWB/OWB or wear a stiff gun belt. Other than the simple shoulder holster I wore in RVN, I dislike the wear for civilian use, which seem to have more straps than mountain climbing gear. OK, so I'm being picky. It look like I'm going need something to pocket carry. I've had a Sig P238 which I liked VERY much, and have given serious thought to the Sig 938, but I don't want to pocket carry in Condition 1. I've had a Diamondback in .380, and also gave thought to the DB9, but I need a pistol that has a slide that is easy to rack due to arthritis in my left hand. (picky again). So, what's out there in a DA 9mm that is easily racked and pocket carried. I'm a small guy (now) at age 73, and I could never carry my G26 in a pocket, no matter how easy it may be for you. So, I need something the size of the 938 or DB9. Oh, I also had a PM9, but didn't like it much. aso, other than my collectible revolvers, I'm not looking to carry one. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Possibly some to rule out (I know that isn't what you asked for):
I like my G43 but it is not particularly an easy slide to rack.
I have a CCP that is very easy to rack and shoot but it isn't really pocket sized. Maybe the H&K P9? It has a similar action and looks small-ish.

Springfield EMP 9mm. Can be easily carried in pocket, OWB/IWB, and ankle holsters. Would be best for you to go to gun shops and check them out as you say you're so picky. Springfield XD subcompacts are nice also.

The Wall wrote:Springfield EMP 9mm. Can be easily carried in pocket, OWB/IWB, and ankle holsters. Would be best for you to go to gun shops and check them out as you say you're so picky. Springfield XD subcompacts are nice also.

The EMP9 is SA, and about the size of my G26 which I cannot pocket carry in normal pants. I need something the size/weight of the P238/938, DB9, etc.9 that is DA and has a easy to rack slide. Nothing bigger. You're right, I AM being picky and I realize I may never find what I'm looking for. Thanks for your input.

G26ster wrote:

The Wall wrote:Springfield EMP 9mm. Can be easily carried in pocket, OWB/IWB, and ankle holsters. Would be best for you to go to gun shops and check them out as you say you're so picky. Springfield XD subcompacts are nice also.

The EMP9 is SA, and about the size of my G26 which I cannot pocket carry in normal pants. I need something the size/weight of the P238/938, DB9, etc.9 that is DA and has a easy to rack slide. Nothing bigger. You're right, I AM being picky and I realize I may never find what I'm looking for. Thanks for your input.

Nothing wrong with being picky. You're going to spend good money for a nice gun, you want it to be right for your needs. Especially when purchasing a firearm. I don't know of any gun dealers that will take returns on guns because it's too big or doesn't fit your needs. Not sure what you call normal pants, but if you're going to pocket carry unless you wear loose fitting, with large pockets you're going to be very limited. I know Ruger has some nice pocket size handguns. I don't have one but I do have Ruger handguns and rifles and know they are very good.

I like the Ruger LC9S. Mine has been very reliable.

My sister-in-law got a glock 42 last year. It is really small and slim, but it is still a glock so it shoots well and is reliable and as accurate as could be expected. It's only a .380, but if pocket carry is a must, this one would be worth a look IMO.

I've never shot one, but you might look into at Para LDA (light double-action) Carry 9MM. 3" Barrel, 8 round mag.

http://www.para-usa.com/2013/firearms/lda/ldaCarry.php

I'd love to try one out. Might be a good CC pistol for my wife when she gets her LTC.

PMM'ed the OP
I tried Keltec PF9, it didn't agree with me
I have a DB380, so I've thought about the DB9, still thinking

If it's the thickness rather than how deep your pockets are when fitting the gun in a pocket,
I'd try out a thinner Glock 43 with the ATS sights for racking the slide. in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.

If your pockets are too short, they can be "deepened" by anyone who does alterations, (you can also do it yourself with WalMarts pocket patch iron-ons)



Review comparison of the 43 versus 26
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/1 ... -gun-club/
ATS sights are sloped/ramp to not catch on pocket when drawing and have a front ledge on rear sight I use for rackiong the slide
http://www.advantagetactical.com/
Photo of 26 and thinner 43

photo of 26, 43, 42

I honestly think you are on the right track with a pistol like either of the Sigs you mentioned or a Kimber Micro Carry (soon to be available in 9mm). All of those pistols are basically the Colt Mustang with a few changes. Small, light, easy to pocket carry.

Available in either .380 or 9mm. The .380 versions have recoil springs in the 8lb-10lb. range, easy to rack the slide. The 9's will have heavier springs so it might be a good idea to visit a gun shop and put one in hand.

Since you have arthritis....you'll want to know whether or not the smaller slide of a pocket sized pistol will be an issue for you. Provided you can get a good grip on the slide...I don't think the recoil spring pressure will be an issue.

I would recommend the extended magazines for either pistol, because they add one additional round of ammo.... but more importantly, offer a better (full three finger) grip on the weapon.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/micro

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductL ... -p238.aspx

For a 380, I've got a S&W Bodyguard 380 that's been really good. I had read reports on early models that had some issues with the built on laser, but that was prior to the newer models that now come with the Crimson Trace from the factory. Mine is the M&P model without the laser. Mine has never malfunctioned. I carry mine with Hornady Critical Defense. The Ruger LCP 380 seems to be popular and a good gun, but it was a little smaller than the S&W, and felt pretty "snappy" to shoot. I thought the S&W felt better to hold and more comfortable to shoot. The S&W does have a fairly long DAO trigger, but in my opinion I like it that way as I don't really want to carry something in my pocket that has a light or short trigger pull. I've seen the Ruger priced on sale recently, and a couple of vendors had them at the local gun show this past weekend for $220 to $230. I think the S&W is hovering around $300 to $325 right now.

For a small 9mm, I was down to the Ruger LC9s and the S&W Shield. I liked both, but I picked the Shield over the LC9s. I liked the feel and trigger of the LC9s maybe a little better than the Shield if I'm honest, but it has a mag disconnect safety, and I'm not really a fan of that. I bought my Shield before the Glock 43 came out, but after checking out the G43 I still don't know that I would have picked it over the Shield anyway.

I'm not a die hard S&W fan, I just liked their offerings in those 2 categories more than others I had looked at. I also liked that the safety on both is located and operates the same way. Just a comfort thing. Good luck with your search.

Postby allisji » Tue Jan 26, 2016 3:13 pm

I've never shot one, but you might look into at Para LDA (light double-action) Carry 9MM. 3" Barrel, 8 round mag.

http://www.para-usa.com/2013/firearms/lda/ldaCarry.php

I'd love to try one out. Might be a good CC pistol for my wife when she gets her LTC.

^^^^^^ This is what my Daughter chose for her primary carry weapon, but I would characterize it as just a little too big for pocket carry (unless in a cargo pocket). I have shot this pistol extensively and really like the LDA trigger, pistol is crazy accurate and has more safety features than any other I can think of.

I don't think it would be good choice for the OP however, because the double recoil springs make the slide fairly hard to manipulate and someone with arthritis would definitely notice it. But worse....the magazine springs are incredibly stiff and it is a real chore to load them to capacity.

Para-Ordnance was recently bought out by Remington...so the continued production of LDA pistols and service for them may not be guaranteed.

I DO like the weapon as a carry gun but would not recommend it to anyone with limited hand strength. The trigger pull is amazing but racking the slide or loading the magazines could present problems. My Daughter has no trouble operating hers, but she is young and strong.

Thanks for all the replies guys, and thanks Not RPB for the PM.

I went shopping today. I handled just about everything mentioned in this thread. I came away with liking the S&W Bodyguard .380 over the rest. Very small, lightweight, and very easy to rack. It's only a .380, but I may have to settle for that right now. My considerations are size and weight, as well as slide racking ease, and NO SA for pocket carry. I'm not concerned with how "snappy" the pistol may be. I've had plenty of "snappy" and if it comes to actual use, it won't matter in the slightest.

I loved my G26, but moved to a G19 before my surgery. It's now a house gun. The G43 is the same size as the 26, but thinner, and won't work for me. The G42 is a just tad to big, but probably doable. The Shield is OK, but to me, weighs way too much for its size. The LC9 was a bit bigger than I wanted. Of course I eliminated all SA pistols from my search, so I did not check out any.

For The Wall, normal pants means no jeans or cargo/tactical attire. I have to wear expandable waist pants, and a stretchable belt to keep pressure off my beltline. So, I'm "adapting"

G26ster wrote:OK folks, due to major "permanent" surgery last year, I can no longer carry IWB/OWB or wear a stiff gun belt. Other than the simple shoulder holster I wore in RVN, I dislike the wear for civilian use, which seem to have more straps than mountain climbing gear. OK, so I'm being picky. It look like I'm going need something to pocket carry. I've had a Sig P238 which I liked VERY much, and have given serious thought to the Sig 938, but I don't want to pocket carry in Condition 1. I've had a Diamondback in .380, and also gave thought to the DB9, but I need a pistol that has a slide that is easy to rack due to arthritis in my left hand. (picky again). So, what's out there in a DA 9mm that is easily racked and pocket carried. I'm a small guy (now) at age 73, and I could never carry my G26 in a pocket, no matter how easy it may be for you. So, I need something the size of the 938 or DB9. Oh, I also had a PM9, but didn't like it much. Also, other than my collectible revolvers, I'm not looking to carry one. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Have you considered adding suspenders and wearing your gun belt a bit looser? If it works, it would be a lot cheaper than buying a new pistol.

G26ster, here's a tool you might consider.... I picked up a couple of these this past Saturday during our meet 'n shoot after AndyC brought them to my attention: http://handiracker.com. Of the two I bought, one is the "large" size, and one is the XLarge size.

The 'large' fits "most Glocks, Springfield XD & M, S&W M&Ps, 1911s".

The 'Xlarge' fits "45 Glocks, 45 XD & M's, 45 Highpoint".

The sizes I did NOT buy, but plan to, are:

Small - fits Keltec P3-AT, Ruger LCP, M&P Bodyguard.

Medium - fits Keltec PF9, Ruger LC9, Bersa 380







They were only $19.99 each at the store where I bought them. (MSRP is $29.99) I bought mine because I occasionally teach a basic pistol class to someone who is grip-strength challenged or has some other deficit that prevents them from easily racking a slide, and this seemed like a safe and easy way to do it.