[chesterdawg]

Hello,

I know that most of you will be biased toward you LCP as are most owners of anything they own.
I carry a Glock 26 but would like a lighter pocket BUG for those times when I can't carry the 26 which is too big for pocket carry.
I also have a Ruger Mark III 22/45 for practice (and love it!)
I'm debating lots of sub 15oz guns including:
S&W 442/642 - at 15oz empty it maybe a bit heavy for pocket carry but .38+P would be nice. I hear the stories of internal lock failure/problems so would likely search for a no lock version. At ~ $400 is still afordable.
S&W 340 - at only 12oz unloaded it would be a good pocket bug. Also shoots.38 and .357 both of which are supposed to be quite painful in this little wheelgun but I don't plan to shoot any pocket pistol much except to practice. Quite a bit $$$$ at $700+
Kel Tec P3AT - As you likely know a little .380 like the LCP. Affordable but depenable? said to not be built as solid as the LCP.
LCP - this is were you could fill me in.
Please try to be objective. Mention what you like and dislike about it. Would it buy it again if you had to do over?
I guess I'd feel safest with a S&W wheelgun in my pocket but would love the lighter weight of the little autos.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[vsorrentino]

Buy another in a heart beat. Mine was away one week for the recall (included 1 weekend and 1 Holiday) Got her back today, and am happier than a pig in stuff. ;D

 

[DesertPunisher425]

I'd been looking at little snubbies for a while before I ended up getting the LCP. Selling point for me... width. Those wheelguns... about twice as wide as an LCP.

Over-all, at this point in time, I'd buy one again. But I've not put 1000rds through it. Only about 200. And I'm still waiting to get my box for the recall so...

 

[icl]

Buy one Chester! I have a 340PD and the LCP. The LCP fits a role that none of my other carry guns do: it's the smallest thing that has any sort of "firepower"--my only smaller option is a NAA .22..........

The 340 is a MUCH bigger package if you have to carry it. That said, it lives nicely in a sleek paddle holster, and I don't even notice the insignificant weight. You are correct: .357 is simply brutal. Frankly, so much so, that I prefer .38+p in it! The fireball is really cool in low light, and I don't doubt the intimidation factor, but 5 quick .357 with solid accuracy is a lot to ask of a single hand!

The LCP goes so nicely in a pocket that it is hard not to consider it too. It has replaced the 340 as my BUG--because it hides better inside a shirt.

Buy them both! ;D

 

[skywagon]

Buy another in a heart beat. Mine was away one week for the recall (included 1 weekend and 1 Holiday) Got her back today, and am happier than a pig in stuff. ;D

So happy you think their service is great! Mine just turned 25 days there and they say they cannot find it.

 

[argyle]

My favorite carry gun is a Ruger, but not an LCP - the bobbed hammer SP101. It weighs a little more than the Smiths, but what really makes a difference is the grip configuration - .357s all day long are just fun. Guys who like autos make them sound a lot like wives - high maintenance, but they seem to think they are worth it. They just accept that their guns are going to be picky about ammo, occasionally not work for no apparent reason, and have a multitude of things that can go wrong with them. I figure that I am literally betting my life on a carry gun and do NOT want to hear "we need to talk" when I really need it to just shut up and do what it is supposed to.

Asking other people what gun you should buy is about like asking them who you should date or marry, you are the one who has to live with her so check her out thoroughly and make sure you can live with her idiosyncrasies once the freshness of puppy love has worn off. ;D

 

[chesterdawg]

My favorite carry gun is a Ruger, but not an LCP - the bobbed hammer SP101. It weighs a little more than the Smiths, but what really makes a difference is the grip configuration - .357s all day long are just fun. Guys who like autos make them sound a lot like wives - high maintenance, but they seem to think they are worth it. They just accept that their guns are going to be picky about ammo, occasionally not work for no apparent reason, and have a multitude of things that can go wrong with them. I figure that I am literally betting my life on a carry gun and do NOT want to hear "we need to talk" when I really need it to just shut up and do what it is supposed to.

Hehehe!

How are cars and wives alike?
How many times on a cold morning when you really needed it, it wouldn't turn over?!

Back to our original post

Steve

 

[mpd563]

Well, I would say definately buy one! I have a Glock 27, great firepower (great power and capacity), reliable, but,,,heavy as heck and kinda thick making it a hard to conceal. I also have a Smith 637, a little lacking in firefower (only five shots but decently powerful), reliable, reasonably light, but,,, like the 27, kinda thick making it hard to hide. Then I bought the LCP. It solved most of the problems! Thin as a slice of bread and light as feather making it a breeze to hide almost anywhere on a person, very reliable, and more than decent firepower. I know the 380 isn't as powerful as the .38spl or the .40 S&W but with the newer loads like the Hornady Critical Defense, Federal Hydro-Shok, and Speer Gold Dot it should do the job as long as I do mine! And one big plus is you can carry a spare magazine or two in your pants pockets giving you a definate edge over anyone armed with a five shot snub or similar. I didn't realize how much I depended on it until I sent it back for the recall and had to drag "ole Betsy" (Smith-637) out from storage and start carring her again. I must say, I couldn't wait until my "Elsie" was returned!

 

[ragu1macrider]

I have a S&W Mod 36, not exactly a lightweight, it kicks like a mule with +P SD loads
My Sig P232 is a babydoll to shoot with Hydra-shoks
They are both my BUGs and carry well with Mika's Pocket Holsters.
When Elsie comes home she will be my BUG and the other two will by my Safe Queens.

 

[Snubbie K]

I've got the 340 M&P. I carry .357 DPX. They are a little lighter 125gr. loads than I could carry. I can recover a little quicker. That said - I like the scandium gun with big .357's. They're fun to shoot. You work up to it.

I carry it on the belt and occasionally in a belly band. Occasionally it goes in a coat pocket in a Mika holster.

The LCP is much smaller for pocket carry and that is why I went for it. It's a backup for the 340, not a replacement. I find that I do not carry the 340 as often as I could when the dress requires pocket carry.

If you are looking for pocket carry, get the LCP. If it's belt carry, get something else. If it's back up for the belt gun, get the LCP. There is a niche that the LCP fills nicely IMO.

 

[MountainGator]

I have no second thoughts...

With Buffalo Bore 100gr HardCast FN I get 280 Ft/lbs M.E. This 380 auto+P ammo is more powerful than the typical 38SPL ammo made by most American ammo makers and I get 7 shots of it in a small/flat/light weight 380 versus 5 shots out of a bulkier 38 SPL J frame revolver. Additionally, with the 380 I get much faster reloads and the little magazines are lot flatter and hell-of-a-lot easier to use than a speed-loader used for a J frame.

The kind of colthes I ware typically only lends itself to pocket carry, and with the exceptions of a .22WMR wheel gun, I haven't found many (wheel guns) that I can pocket carry.

No, the 280 ft/lbs form the BB 180gr HCFN is far short of the 625 ft/lbs from a 180 gr Federal CCFN that I get in my .357 Mag, but I can't put that 4-1/2" Bbl 357 in my pocket.

 

[chesterdawg]

I just came back from an outdoor recreation / gunshop that I go to occasionaly to talk with the owner, he is very knowledgable and friendly.
I was very shocked to see 2 442 no lock models on display. He gave me 15% off + the $30 rebate!
I tried it on for size with 5 rounds and it feels much better and less brick like in my lightweight scrubs & pants. I think the 442 plus my Glocks will be all the handguns I need but who knows I may add a pocket .380 in a year or two if I think I may still have a need for one and there are no dependability issues.
Tomorrow I go to the range to shoot the one box of 100 round .38+ SJHP that Wallyworld had.

Steve

 

[mpd563]

Great looking gun! You gotta love the Smith & Wessons!

 

[45longcolt]

Tomorrow I go to the range to shoot the one box of 100 round .38+ SJHP that Wallyworld had.

Steve

Let us know if you make it through the whole box of (100) rounds. I have read/heard these Airweights are brutal on the hand.

 

[Match10]

I have the 642, though "stiff" with the 130 +P hollowpoints I carry, it is a nice shooter with anything I put in. It does not kick "like a mule".