Which pistol for pocket carry?

[LDB415]

I've been carrying a 642 in a Sticky brand holster in my pocket. It's a good setup but I want to go to a pistol to have a thinner profile and more capacity as well as reloading via a quicker/easier magazine swap then refilling the cylinder from a speed strip. I know there are "discussion" points on caliber and other factors. I've "discussed" repeatedly so I won't ask about that. My question is for pocket carry, ALWAYS in a pocket holster, would you consider all of these and if not which would you not consider and why?

Glock G42 .380
Glock G43 9mm
Sig P238 .380
Sig P938 9mm
Springfield XDs 9mm 3.3"

[Lena]

if someone was to give me my pick it would be the G43
Not on the list a S&W Shield which I shot in a BUG Gun class and was very impressed with it.

[cbunt1]

Of the ones you listed, I would pick the P938.

I'm partial to the operation of that pistol (basically a Colt Mustang), and with the extra bump of being 9mm, and thus easy to find good ammo for it, what's not to like?

Not to cloud the issue, but don't forget that speedloaders are an option for a J-Frame as well, and with a little training, can be ALMOST as fast as a mag change on the smaller guns. Note I said "ALMOST," and I realize you're still talking about 5 shot reloads.

That said, a J-frame for pocket or backup carry is never out of place in my mind.

[carlson1]

Similar manual of arms to the S&W 642 I would go with the Glock 43.

[TrueFlog]

I love my P938. Of those you listed, it's the only one that's 9mm and still small enough for comfortable pocket carry.

[Jim Beaux]

Ruger LC9s

Its contoured & slides in and out of back pocket of Levis and cargo shorts. Perfect for when I need to run down to the corner store with little hassle.

[drjoker]

Depends on how tight your pants are. If you wear skinny jeans, then the G42 is the only way to go. If you wear your pants a little loose, then any of your other choices are fine. The G43 is wider and longer than the G42. The Sigs have safeties that tend to print. Don't know anything about the Springfield, never had one, never shot one.

[VMI77]

Of the ones you listed, I would pick the P938.

I'm partial to the operation of that pistol (basically a Colt Mustang), and with the extra bump of being 9mm, and thus easy to find good ammo for it, what's not to like?

Not to cloud the issue, but don't forget that speedloaders are an option for a J-Frame as well, and with a little training, can be ALMOST as fast as a mag change on the smaller guns. Note I said "ALMOST," and I realize you're still talking about 5 shot reloads.

That said, a J-frame for pocket or backup carry is never out of place in my mind.

I agree and it's a great shooting gun too.

[LDB415]

Thanks for the replies so far. I should have included I wear 5.11 original cargo pants all the time so they are fairly roomy and not tight. My goal is thinner than the 642 followed by smaller and/or lighter but thinner is the main goal. I don't have a caliper to measure across the cylinder but my estimate is about 1-1/3 inches so I should gain at least a quarter inch reduction depending on which I choose. Thanks again for the replies. I appreciate them.

[northexpedition]

The Glock 43 is amazing. It fits perfectly in the pocket of my hoodie with a holster and you can't even tell it's there.

[Tracker]

I have a sig p238 that's very comfortable in the pocket. But I prefer to carry this gun in a bulldog cell phone holster. the p238 fits it quite well. To keep my friends guessing sometimes carry my I phone 6 in this holster. The I phone in a Life Proof case is actually a tight fit in this holster than the sig

I was going to buy a sig p938 because it fits my hand better and is a 9mm but it too big for a cell phone-type holster.

[zero4o3]

Thanks for the replies so far. I should have included I wear 5.11 original cargo pants all the time so they are fairly roomy and not tight. My goal is thinner than the 642 followed by smaller and/or lighter but thinner is the main goal. I don't have a caliper to measure across the cylinder but my estimate is about 1-1/3 inches so I should gain at least a quarter inch reduction depending on which I choose. Thanks again for the replies. I appreciate them.

While the Sigs are heavy they are very easy to shoot. I have had my P238 for years my brother has the P938 If I was buying today I would get the 938.

I will leave you with the same advice I always give about guns which is go and shoot all of the guns your interested in before you pick.

[Rmartinez37]

I second the shield, according to the s&w website, it's less than an in thick. I absolutely love my shield 9mm.
I like the trigger on the shield better than the the glock trigger because the glock trigger seems kinda spongy, and it has a bit of travel before it's already to engage and the shield has very little travel. That's just my opinion though.

Another one to consider for pocket carry is the kimber micro. I have one of those as well, with lasergrips.
It's much smaller than the shield, comparable in size to the p238, and is also a .380. The micro is pretty thin, even with lasergrips, the downside is that it comes with only one mag, and it's a 7 round mag that fits flush to the bottom. I have small hands and there was nowhere to put my pinky. But that was easily fixed with an extended 8 round mag.

In the end, I too would recommend a visit to your lgs and see what feel better in your hand, fits your pocket the way you want, and shoots to your liking.

[LDB415]

I hadn't thought about Kimber. That Micro DC is really nice looking but I'm not sure about $280 more than the basic model. More to consider.

[Rmartinez37]

I hadn't thought about Kimber. That Micro DC is really nice looking but I'm not sure about $280 more than the basic model. More to consider.

I got mine at Tomball pawn bnib for a little over 700. That's around the price of the basic model or a p238.