I don't like the M&P Shield.

[Jerry]

There, I said it. I don't like it because I've discovered that I don't like compact autos at all. That said I think it's reliable and is generally a great little gun...if you like small autos. I would recommend the Shield to a friend, it's just not for me. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_780153_-1_757781_757781_image

This week I may just trade it in for a revolver since I'm in the market for a small gun. I proffer pocket carry and autos are not very good for that as their flat profile makes them print horribly and they're more difficult than revolvers to draw from the pocket. I'll say that my choice in a pocket gun is not meant to be a zombie-apocalypse all-in-one do-everything gun. This is the piece I want when discretion is very important. It only needs to be accurate from me to the front door.

I'm looking at a Ruger SP101. My local Scheels has a 3" barrel model in the used gun case for $480, 357mag/5-shot (though I'll load 38+P). Maybe a 2" model would be a better fit for pocket carry. Since I've always "looked military" anyway I have no problem buying tacticool 511 paints to accommodate.

Your thoughts on pocket carry are welcome.

 

[TurtleDude]

There, I said it. I don't like it because I've discovered that I don't like compact autos at all. That said I think it shoots great and is generally a great little gun...if you like small autos.

This week I may just trade it in for a revolver since I'm in the market for a small gun. I proffer pocket carry and autos are not very good for that as their flat profile makes them print horribly and they're more difficult than revolvers to draw from the pocket. I'll say that my choice in a pocket gun is not meant to be a zombie-apocalypse all-in-one do-everything gun. This is the piece I want when discretion is very important.

I'm looking at a Ruger SP101. My local Scheels has a 3" barrel model in the used gun case for $480, 357mag/5-shot (though I'll load 38+P). Maybe a 2" model would be a better fit for pocket carry. Since I've always "looked military" anyway I have no problem buying tacticool 511 paints to accommodate.

Your thoughts on pocket carry are welcome.

The M&P saved SW. that being said, I carry a SIG 938 because its single action trigger is better but I keep a 40 cal MP in the trunk. 40 with 135 grain DHS/Border Patrol rounds are better against windshields and car doors than the 9mm or 45.

I am a big fan of Smith Revolvers. nothing wrong with Rugers or Colts but I used to shoot PPC back in the days when cops carried revolvers and once you get used to the trigger pull on a smith, nothing else quite works

 

[Goshin]

There, I said it. I don't like it because I've discovered that I don't like compact autos at all. That said I think it's reliable and is generally a great little gun...if you like small autos. I would recommend the Shield to a friend, it's just not for me. M&P SHIELD - Smith & Wesson

This week I may just trade it in for a revolver since I'm in the market for a small gun. I proffer pocket carry and autos are not very good for that as their flat profile makes them print horribly and they're more difficult than revolvers to draw from the pocket. I'll say that my choice in a pocket gun is not meant to be a zombie-apocalypse all-in-one do-everything gun. This is the piece I want when discretion is very important. It only needs to be accurate from me to the front door.

I'm looking at a Ruger SP101. My local Scheels has a 3" barrel model in the used gun case for $480, 357mag/5-shot (though I'll load 38+P). Maybe a 2" model would be a better fit for pocket carry. Since I've always "looked military" anyway I have no problem buying tacticool 511 paints to accommodate.

Your thoughts on pocket carry are welcome.

A .357 out of a 2" bbl is something of a waste. IIRC you don't really get magnum level ballistics out of a short bbl... but I see you're going to load .38 so never mind.

The 2" barrel is probably best unless you're wearing big pockets.

I carried a Ruger .357 snub as a pocket gun for a couple years, back when. Not an SP 101 an earlier model. Pretty good gun, reasonably accurate, reasonably rugged and reliable esp for the price. I prefer Smith and Wesson but buying S&W revolvers these days is like buying gold bars or 1911's or AR's.

The cylinder prints pretty badly if you're not wearing loose clothes with large pockets. A pocket holster for ANY pocket gun is a must IMO, to break up the profile, make sure it stays oriented right, and to protect your pocket from getting worn through and tearing open letting your gun go CLUNK at an embarrassing moment.

Just as most concealed carry DRAW methods require a preliminary step: ie "clear concealing garment"... pocket carry also requires a preliminary step: "Clear the pocket". Unless you're wearing pants with HUGE pockets do NOT try to obtain a proper grip on the gun while it is still inside. You'll just jam your fist in the pocket. Hook the grip with four fingertips and your thumb on the rear sight (or hammer spur if any... recommend hammerless or shrouded) and clear the pocket THEN secure proper grip before completing your draw. With practice it is almost as fast as IWB draw.


Personally I think small 9mm or even 40 autos are preferable for pocket carry, a revolver can certainly serve the purpose.

 

[VanceMack]

If the 2" 357 kicks anything like the Charter Arms .44 Bulldog snubbie...you will have a great defense weapon that you WONT want to spend much rang time with. Ive also got a S&W 357 Highway Patrolman that kicks like a .22lr. But its such a beast I would never carry it concealed.

Im pretty happy with my Glock 27 for pocket carry. The thing I DONT like about it is the width.

 

[GunFora]

I have a Ruger GP101 6-shot in stainless with 4" barrel. I've had it for roughly 25 years. Great hand cannon.

 

[tech30528]

Pretty happy with the P3AT. With the pocket clip it looks like a pocket knife in a cargo pocket.

 

[cpgrad08]

The SW 686 plus is my standard open/conceal carry gun with .357 hallow points. Love it. Can't go wrong with a SW revolver.

 

[TurtleDude]

The SW 686 plus is my standard open/conceal carry gun with .357 hallow points. Love it. Can't go wrong with a SW revolver.

now that my son is using an 8 shot Miculeck SW Performance center for steel, I am taking back my 327 N frame 357 for a home defense gun. 8 shots of 357 with no jams is a top home defense pistol

 

[US Conservative]

There, I said it. I don't like it because I've discovered that I don't like compact autos at all. That said I think it's reliable and is generally a great little gun...if you like small autos. I would recommend the Shield to a friend, it's just not for me. M&P SHIELD - Smith & Wesson

This week I may just trade it in for a revolver since I'm in the market for a small gun. I proffer pocket carry and autos are not very good for that as their flat profile makes them print horribly and they're more difficult than revolvers to draw from the pocket. I'll say that my choice in a pocket gun is not meant to be a zombie-apocalypse all-in-one do-everything gun. This is the piece I want when discretion is very important. It only needs to be accurate from me to the front door.

I'm looking at a Ruger SP101. My local Scheels has a 3" barrel model in the used gun case for $480, 357mag/5-shot (though I'll load 38+P). Maybe a 2" model would be a better fit for pocket carry. Since I've always "looked military" anyway I have no problem buying tacticool 511 paints to accommodate.

Your thoughts on pocket carry are welcome.

What is it you dont like about auto's? That they print?

I think this design is really innovative...

its designed not to print, is very slick, has a built in belt clip, and provides 6 rounds of .380 (not the greatest round, but neither is .38 out of a snub)

 

[Black Dog]

There, I said it. I don't like it because I've discovered that I don't like compact autos at all. That said I think it's reliable and is generally a great little gun...if you like small autos. I would recommend the Shield to a friend, it's just not for me. M&P SHIELD - Smith & Wesson

This week I may just trade it in for a revolver since I'm in the market for a small gun. I proffer pocket carry and autos are not very good for that as their flat profile makes them print horribly and they're more difficult than revolvers to draw from the pocket. I'll say that my choice in a pocket gun is not meant to be a zombie-apocalypse all-in-one do-everything gun. This is the piece I want when discretion is very important. It only needs to be accurate from me to the front door.

I'm looking at a Ruger SP101. My local Scheels has a 3" barrel model in the used gun case for $480, 357mag/5-shot (though I'll load 38+P). Maybe a 2" model would be a better fit for pocket carry. Since I've always "looked military" anyway I have no problem buying tacticool 511 paints to accommodate.

Your thoughts on pocket carry are welcome.

I carried a model 686 and I loved my revolver. I have to admit these days I carry a KelTec 9mm as my pocket gun. I figure if I ever have to use it, it's cheap enough I will not care when they take it for evidence. So that leaves me with an XDs in .45 that I carry occasionally if I think I am going into a bad area.

In the end I agree with you. You can't go wrong with a revolver. Just don't like it for CCW, but that is just me.

 

[Jerry]

What is it you dont like about auto's? That they print?

I think this design is really innovative...

its designed not to print, is very slick, has a built in belt clip, and provides 6 rounds of .380 (not the greatest round, but neither is .38 out of a snub)

That's to small for my hand.