The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Best POCKET carry 40 S&W Kahr pm40/Keltec P40/CA CARR/DA38

Mike5150 · August 6, 2009, 11:36 AM

If you had to pocket carry a backup gun in .40 S&W all the time, what would you pick based on carriability and function? I've included a few of my choices with some info I've dug up on them.

I carry a Glock 22 IWB & Glock 27 on ankle on duty, off duty Glock 27 on Ankle, hip or smatcarry (shorts). I'd like to have an "always" gun in my right pocket. I have a S&W 649 that played that role, but I really want a .40S&W gun to keep all the same rounds and for increased power.

Here are the options I like strictly for pocket carry BUG:
KEY{H=height, L=Length, W=Width, WL=weight loaded in oz, B=Barrel}

Kahr PM40 (same size as PM9):
5+1 H 4 L 5.35 W 1.1 WL 23 B3

Seems a bit boxy for pocket carry, though very tiny and I like the sights (love night sights), very expensive.

Kel Tec P40 (same size as P11):
9+1 H4.23 L6.01 W1.14 WL22.4 B3.2
Discontinued, had problems cycling with "limp rist" in many users. I'm not too intimidated from having to get it to function properly, more interested in how it rides in the pocket. I like it's rounded shape for pocket carry, but don't know.

Charter Arms CARR .40 S&W
5 L6.75 WL25 B2.2 (B measured diff than semiautos, more like 3.7 for comparison)
Not yet released, but I'm patient. It's a Charter Arms Bulldog in .40 S&W. It's built on a frame slightly larger than J frame, shorter than a K frame Snub, same size as a colt Detective Special or Colt D frame Snub nose. I'm again interested in if any of these same sized guns works in a pocket.

slightly shorter barrel than their Normal Bulldog in 44spl shown below, and I'd put smaller grips on (called secret service grips) and make it "hammerless".

Last ditch/Hideout:
American Derringer DA-38 in .40 S&W
2 H3.30 L4.80 W1.10 WL15.6 B3.3
I really like the look of this gun (I know I'm alone in that). But I think it may be what I end up with. This is a BUG not primary. Downside is they want nearly the same price as a Kahr.
I'd put thinner grips on it, and as with any of these, use a pocket holster.

Downsizer
1 H2.25 L3.25 W0.9 WL11 B 2.1
I'd love a Downsizer in .40 (but not really available) Probably would cost me twice as much as a Kahr, easy.

I'd really appreciate insight on this as I've been pondering these options for a while.

August 6, 2009, 11:36 AM	#1
Mike5150 Member Join Date: September 4, 2008 Posts: 29	Best POCKET carry 40 S&W Kahr pm40/Keltec P40/CA CARR/DA38 If you had to pocket carry a backup gun in .40 S&W all the time, what would you pick based on carriability and function? I've included a few of my choices with some info I've dug up on them. I carry a Glock 22 IWB & Glock 27 on ankle on duty, off duty Glock 27 on Ankle, hip or smatcarry (shorts). I'd like to have an "always" gun in my right pocket. I have a S&W 649 that played that role, but I really want a .40S&W gun to keep all the same rounds and for increased power. Here are the options I like strictly for pocket carry BUG: KEY{H=height, L=Length, W=Width, WL=weight loaded in oz, B=Barrel} Kahr PM40 (same size as PM9): 5+1 H 4 L 5.35 W 1.1 WL 23 B3 Seems a bit boxy for pocket carry, though very tiny and I like the sights (love night sights), very expensive. Kel Tec P40 (same size as P11): 9+1 H4.23 L6.01 W1.14 WL22.4 B3.2 Discontinued, had problems cycling with "limp rist" in many users. I'm not too intimidated from having to get it to function properly, more interested in how it rides in the pocket. I like it's rounded shape for pocket carry, but don't know. Charter Arms CARR .40 S&W 5 L6.75 WL25 B2.2 (B measured diff than semiautos, more like 3.7 for comparison) Not yet released, but I'm patient. It's a Charter Arms Bulldog in .40 S&W. It's built on a frame slightly larger than J frame, shorter than a K frame Snub, same size as a colt Detective Special or Colt D frame Snub nose. I'm again interested in if any of these same sized guns works in a pocket. slightly shorter barrel than their Normal Bulldog in 44spl shown below, and I'd put smaller grips on (called secret service grips) and make it "hammerless". Last ditch/Hideout: American Derringer DA-38 in .40 S&W 2 H3.30 L4.80 W1.10 WL15.6 B3.3 I really like the look of this gun (I know I'm alone in that). But I think it may be what I end up with. This is a BUG not primary. Downside is they want nearly the same price as a Kahr. I'd put thinner grips on it, and as with any of these, use a pocket holster. Downsizer 1 H2.25 L3.25 W0.9 WL11 B 2.1 I'd love a Downsizer in .40 (but not really available) Probably would cost me twice as much as a Kahr, easy. I'd really appreciate insight on this as I've been pondering these options for a while. Last edited by Mike5150; August 9, 2009 at 01:07 AM.