narrowed it down to 4 pocket handguns.

cajun47 · April 21, 2013, 08:22 PM

im still undecided. give me your opinions.

lcr .357 mag
lcr .38 spl
s&w shield 9mm
lc9 9mm

i only pocket carry. i own the lcr .22lr and love the way it fits in my pocket. imo its super easy to draw. i know lots of people don't like the .357 in a snub but from youtube test it looks to be the most lethal. but there is a shortage of 9mm test in short barrels i know.

im leaning towards the lcr .357 mag cause to me it looks like it does much more damage than a .38 spl +p. im a believer in that first shot to save yourself. brassfetcher and many of you would say the .357 mag in a snub isn't much better than a .38 +p in a snub. maybe i don't understand something here but the .357 mag snub impresses me compared to .38 +p and even 9mm in a 4 inch.

.357 snub:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_BPD...H_sNmQ&index=1

.357 vs .38:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXFoaszcciM

as far as 5 shot .357 snub vs the shield or lc9, the semi autos have more shots and faster reload but how good is the 9mm in a short barrel compared to the .357 snub??? how fast of a draw from the pocket? i like the fact that if someone is on you a revolver will still function pressed up against something, no slide to get caught up on clothes.

Sarge · April 21, 2013, 09:28 PM

Someone will be along here shortly to tell you the .357 has no real advantage over the .38 in a snub. I disagree. My last SP101 would do 1300 fps with any full-snort 125 grain 357 load.

Given your choices and apparent preferences, the LCR 357 gets the nod. The LC9 may ride a little flatter and if it'd stand Federal's 9BPLE load, I'd call it a wash.

The Shield is a fine pistol but after handling one side by side with an MP Compact... might as well get the Compact, in my opinion

Ben Dover · April 21, 2013, 09:39 PM

I would not even consider the lcr in .357. The recoil makes a follow up shot almost impossible.

The lcr .38 will do quite nicely.

**Spats McGee** · April 21, 2013, 09:40 PM

Ballistics by the Inch should have a full run-down on all of those calibers from short barrels.

Mosin44az · April 22, 2013, 12:57 AM

I highly recommend the LCR in .357. I posted a long rave on it about how much I loved mine. I believe it is the BEST pocket revolver out there. The catch--only shoot .38s out of it. With its design and its 17 oz. weight, it alone among pocket revolvers is comfortable to shoot. IF you stick to .38s. Even the vaunted FBI load is easy to shoot.

I can't speak to the Shield, it sounds great, but the LCR .357 easily beats your other choices in my opinion.

BigTex308 · April 22, 2013, 01:23 AM

Shield or LCR in .357mag.

Ike

kcub · April 22, 2013, 07:54 AM

Isn't the shield too big for true pocket carry?

MLeake · April 22, 2013, 08:23 AM

Mosin44az, I have a 442, and with the CT grip with covered backstrap installed, it still works well for pocket carry and is comfortable to shoot.

I had previously owned a .38 LCR, but did not find it comfortable. For some reason, its trigger would chafe or cut my trigger finger. Only gun I have ever owned that did that.

Madcap_Magician · April 22, 2013, 08:43 AM

For pocket carry, I think the LCRs are the only workable option there unless you always wear pants with extra-large pockets like 5.11s. The Shield and the LC9 are about the same dimensions. The Shield has a better trigger. I think it is better-made, too.

If you think you might shoot .357s out of the LCR, just get the .357 LCR. You can always go to .38 Special +P, and the extra weight will make either caliber a little easier to handle. The Hogue Tamer grip helps a lot there, but its bulk and slight tackiness might make it hard for pocket carry.

No question the .357 Magnum from a snubby is more powerful than a .38 Special +P from a snubby or a 9mm from a subcompact.

But in order to hit low-end magnum performance, the recoil is tremendous.

Different strokes and all, but I would shoot whatever full-bore .357 you want to out of an LCR before deciding that's what you want to do.

The main .38 Special +P loads, the 135-gr. +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel and the 158-gr. +P LSWCHP from a variety of manufacturers perform pretty well- better than the plain numbers would indicate if you're the sort of person who likes muzzle energy.

The slower 9mm loads will do the same with heavy bullets, and will actually penetrate as far as a .357 with similar expansion. Slightly smaller wound cavities, though, but also much lower recoil.

Colt46 · April 22, 2013, 10:11 AM

If you want to go .357 then make sure you shoot it enough to tame the beast. A lightweight frame with .357 recoil requires a lot more from the shooter than the .38

9mm · April 22, 2013, 10:44 AM

Glock 26 and Glock 27 are pocket carry. Buy the LCR 357 over 38spl because it makes it a two caliber option.

Bob Wright · April 22, 2013, 11:02 AM

I have never found pocket carry suitable for me. Might I ask what kind of garment/pocket you are considering?

I'm not asking to try to shoot you down, but as I said, never found pocket carry suitable for me. I have a S&W Model 442 in .38 Special that I tried.

Bob Wright

P.S. You might note that I never tried real hard.

newfrontier45 · April 22, 2013, 11:18 AM

I like the S&W Bodyguard .380 for this purpose.

Yes, the .357 is much more potent than the .38Spl, even from a short barrel. However, it ain't free and you pay for it in recoil and muzzle blast. I'd rather spend all day shooting .44Mags and heavy .45Colts than shoot a single box through a .357 snubby.

vba · April 22, 2013, 12:21 PM

I also believe the Shield is too big for pocket carry. My summer pocket carry piece is a Kahr CM9, highly recommended.

Sarge · April 22, 2013, 12:43 PM

FWIW I've shot the LCR with 158 grain .357 Magnums... it jumps around some but it wasn't awful. Didn't have any trouble keeping a cylinder in 5" at 15 yards, centered on the front sight and shooting pretty fast. Groups were half that when I took my time and acquired a proper sight picture for each shot.

newfrontier45 · April 22, 2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

I've shot the LCR with 158 grain .357 Magnums...

I've never shot an LCR. Does it behave differently than a J-frame?

Carmady · April 22, 2013, 01:56 PM

I don't see why recoil is even considered in a SD situation.

Your life is at stake, pull the trigger. Not doing so because of anticipated recoil could cost you your life.

I've shot the same .357 loads from a 39 oz M-19 with a 6" barrel and stock wooden grips, and a 25? oz M-60 with a 2 1/8" barrel and Uncle Mike's combat grips. The M-60 was much more pleasant to shoot with the same load, in spite of its lighter weight and shorter barrel.

newfrontier45 · April 22, 2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

I don't see why recoil is even considered in a SD situation.

You realize that you have to practice to become proficient, correct? Folks typically don't like to practice much with guns that are unpleasant to shoot.

Muzzle blast from a short .357 can disorient the shooter in enclosed spaces.

pete2 · April 22, 2013, 03:31 PM

I've never shot the LCR .357 but if you like the LCR get the .357, you can always use .38 special in it if you want to. I do have a 642 and an LC9. I like both of them and I think the LC9 is a little smaller than the Shield. I don't have a problem with the LC9 trigger, some hate it. I make follow up shots faster with the LC than the 642. The 642 dishes out a little more punishment than the LC. The 642 is easier for me to carry, it weighs about 3 oz. less than the LC and I can actually tell the difference in my pocket. Both guns have been totally reliable so far.

Sarge · April 22, 2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

I've never shot an LCR. Does it behave differently than a J-frame?

Yes, but I'd be hard pressed to explain it. It feels to me like the LCR sits lower in the hand and has fewer 'unfriendly surfaces' for lack of a better term. I found it to be one of the easier-shooting 357 snubs I've fired.. but I'm OK with a 2 1/4" SP101 and 200 grain bear loads, too.

An awful lot of this recoil stuff is subjective. I shot two mags of 9x18 ball through a P63 awhile back... bit the inside of my big ol' thumb knuckle hard enough to draw blood. I hated the dang thing.

Kreyzhorse · April 22, 2013, 05:37 PM

Just a thought, but have you actually placed any of those guns in your pocket?

I'm not sure that any of those work for me as a pocket gun and they may or may not work for you.

Cheapshooter · April 22, 2013, 05:59 PM

I think the Speer Good Dot +P Short Barrel round has narrowed the gap between the 38 Special and 357 Magnum snubbie significantly. Now If I can only find a box or two to try. 13 3/4 inches of penetration with a fully expanded hollow point, and intact bullet is pretty impressive.

Speer Good Dot Short Barrel 135 gr 38 Spcl +P
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=khazb...%3DkhazbS9pWjE

Winchester PDX-1 125 gr 357 Magnum
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=khazb...%3DkhazbS9pWjE

spaniel · April 22, 2013, 06:21 PM

"Glock 26 and Glock 27 are pocket carry"

You must have a MUCH bigger pocket than me.

IMHO anything with a double stack mag is a no-go for pocket carry.

craZivn · April 22, 2013, 09:34 PM

Don't forget that a revolver gives you the option of firing from inside the pocket.

I loved my .357 LCR, I agree with others here that if you get an LCR, go for the .357. It gives you more options, and the weight difference for carry is negligible.

Plus I just don't like aluminum in guns. For no explainable reason really.

Ivan

Mosin44az · April 23, 2013, 01:37 AM

MLeake, you are tougher than I am. I have owned two Airweights, and they were classics, but noticeably more punishing than the LCR .357 with the same loads.

I guess that big laser grip might help, but I'm happy now with the LCR.

The LCR for me is bulky enough that not using a holster helps it fit in some pockets, you can then "spin" it down in so no one can see it down there. Maybe not the best tactically, but helps with concealment.

April 21, 2013, 08:22 PM	#1
cajun47 Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: swamp people Posts: 539	narrowed it down to 4 pocket handguns. im still undecided. give me your opinions. lcr .357 mag lcr .38 spl s&w shield 9mm lc9 9mm i only pocket carry. i own the lcr .22lr and love the way it fits in my pocket. imo its super easy to draw. i know lots of people don't like the .357 in a snub but from youtube test it looks to be the most lethal. but there is a shortage of 9mm test in short barrels i know. im leaning towards the lcr .357 mag cause to me it looks like it does much more damage than a .38 spl +p. im a believer in that first shot to save yourself. brassfetcher and many of you would say the .357 mag in a snub isn't much better than a .38 +p in a snub. maybe i don't understand something here but the .357 mag snub impresses me compared to .38 +p and even 9mm in a 4 inch. .357 snub: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_BPD...H_sNmQ&index=1 .357 vs .38: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXFoaszcciM as far as 5 shot .357 snub vs the shield or lc9, the semi autos have more shots and faster reload but how good is the 9mm in a short barrel compared to the .357 snub??? how fast of a draw from the pocket? i like the fact that if someone is on you a revolver will still function pressed up against something, no slide to get caught up on clothes.

April 21, 2013, 09:28 PM	#2
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Someone will be along here shortly to tell you the .357 has no real advantage over the .38 in a snub. I disagree. My last SP101 would do 1300 fps with any full-snort 125 grain 357 load. Given your choices and apparent preferences, the LCR 357 gets the nod. The LC9 may ride a little flatter and if it'd stand Federal's 9BPLE load, I'd call it a wash. The Shield is a fine pistol but after handling one side by side with an MP Compact... might as well get the Compact, in my opinion __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

April 21, 2013, 09:39 PM	#3
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	I would not even consider the lcr in .357. The recoil makes a follow up shot almost impossible. The lcr .38 will do quite nicely. __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

April 21, 2013, 09:40 PM	#4
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Ballistics by the Inch should have a full run-down on all of those calibers from short barrels. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

April 22, 2013, 01:23 AM	#6
BigTex308 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 259	Re: narrowed it down to 4 pocket handguns. Shield or LCR in .357mag. Ike

April 22, 2013, 12:57 AM	#5
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	I highly recommend the LCR in .357. I posted a long rave on it about how much I loved mine. I believe it is the BEST pocket revolver out there. The catch--only shoot .38s out of it. With its design and its 17 oz. weight, it alone among pocket revolvers is comfortable to shoot. IF you stick to .38s. Even the vaunted FBI load is easy to shoot. I can't speak to the Shield, it sounds great, but the LCR .357 easily beats your other choices in my opinion.

April 22, 2013, 07:54 AM	#7
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Isn't the shield too big for true pocket carry?

April 22, 2013, 08:23 AM	#8
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Mosin44az, I have a 442, and with the CT grip with covered backstrap installed, it still works well for pocket carry and is comfortable to shoot. I had previously owned a .38 LCR, but did not find it comfortable. For some reason, its trigger would chafe or cut my trigger finger. Only gun I have ever owned that did that.

April 22, 2013, 08:43 AM	#9
Madcap_Magician Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 668	For pocket carry, I think the LCRs are the only workable option there unless you always wear pants with extra-large pockets like 5.11s. The Shield and the LC9 are about the same dimensions. The Shield has a better trigger. I think it is better-made, too. If you think you might shoot .357s out of the LCR, just get the .357 LCR. You can always go to .38 Special +P, and the extra weight will make either caliber a little easier to handle. The Hogue Tamer grip helps a lot there, but its bulk and slight tackiness might make it hard for pocket carry. No question the .357 Magnum from a snubby is more powerful than a .38 Special +P from a snubby or a 9mm from a subcompact. But in order to hit low-end magnum performance, the recoil is tremendous. Different strokes and all, but I would shoot whatever full-bore .357 you want to out of an LCR before deciding that's what you want to do. The main .38 Special +P loads, the 135-gr. +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel and the 158-gr. +P LSWCHP from a variety of manufacturers perform pretty well- better than the plain numbers would indicate if you're the sort of person who likes muzzle energy. The slower 9mm loads will do the same with heavy bullets, and will actually penetrate as far as a .357 with similar expansion. Slightly smaller wound cavities, though, but also much lower recoil.

April 22, 2013, 10:11 AM	#10
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	I prefer the .38+P in snubs If you want to go .357 then make sure you shoot it enough to tame the beast. A lightweight frame with .357 recoil requires a lot more from the shooter than the .38

April 22, 2013, 10:44 AM	#11
9mm Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 2,834	Glock 26 and Glock 27 are pocket carry. Buy the LCR 357 over 38spl because it makes it a two caliber option.

April 22, 2013, 11:02 AM	#12
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	I have never found pocket carry suitable for me. Might I ask what kind of garment/pocket you are considering? I'm not asking to try to shoot you down, but as I said, never found pocket carry suitable for me. I have a S&W Model 442 in .38 Special that I tried. Bob Wright P.S. You might note that I never tried real hard.

April 22, 2013, 11:18 AM	#13
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	I like the S&W Bodyguard .380 for this purpose. Yes, the .357 is much more potent than the .38Spl, even from a short barrel. However, it ain't free and you pay for it in recoil and muzzle blast. I'd rather spend all day shooting .44Mags and heavy .45Colts than shoot a single box through a .357 snubby.

April 22, 2013, 12:21 PM	#14
vba Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2008 Posts: 357	I also believe the Shield is too big for pocket carry. My summer pocket carry piece is a Kahr CM9, highly recommended.

April 22, 2013, 12:43 PM	#15
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	FWIW I've shot the LCR with 158 grain .357 Magnums... it jumps around some but it wasn't awful. Didn't have any trouble keeping a cylinder in 5" at 15 yards, centered on the front sight and shooting pretty fast. Groups were half that when I took my time and acquired a proper sight picture for each shot. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

April 22, 2013, 01:56 PM	#17
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	I don't see why recoil is even considered in a SD situation. Your life is at stake, pull the trigger. Not doing so because of anticipated recoil could cost you your life. I've shot the same .357 loads from a 39 oz M-19 with a 6" barrel and stock wooden grips, and a 25? oz M-60 with a 2 1/8" barrel and Uncle Mike's combat grips. The M-60 was much more pleasant to shoot with the same load, in spite of its lighter weight and shorter barrel.

April 22, 2013, 03:31 PM	#19
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I've never shot the LCR .357 but if you like the LCR get the .357, you can always use .38 special in it if you want to. I do have a 642 and an LC9. I like both of them and I think the LC9 is a little smaller than the Shield. I don't have a problem with the LC9 trigger, some hate it. I make follow up shots faster with the LC than the 642. The 642 dishes out a little more punishment than the LC. The 642 is easier for me to carry, it weighs about 3 oz. less than the LC and I can actually tell the difference in my pocket. Both guns have been totally reliable so far.

April 22, 2013, 05:37 PM	#21
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Just a thought, but have you actually placed any of those guns in your pocket? I'm not sure that any of those work for me as a pocket gun and they may or may not work for you. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

April 22, 2013, 05:59 PM	#22
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	I think the Speer Good Dot +P Short Barrel round has narrowed the gap between the 38 Special and 357 Magnum snubbie significantly. Now If I can only find a box or two to try. 13 3/4 inches of penetration with a fully expanded hollow point, and intact bullet is pretty impressive. Speer Good Dot Short Barrel 135 gr 38 Spcl +P http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=khazb...%3DkhazbS9pWjE Winchester PDX-1 125 gr 357 Magnum http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=khazb...%3DkhazbS9pWjE __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING! Last edited by Cheapshooter; April 22, 2013 at 06:06 PM.

April 22, 2013, 06:21 PM	#23
spaniel Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2008 Posts: 217	"Glock 26 and Glock 27 are pocket carry" You must have a MUCH bigger pocket than me. IMHO anything with a double stack mag is a no-go for pocket carry.

April 22, 2013, 09:34 PM	#24
craZivn Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2013 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 138	Don't forget that a revolver gives you the option of firing from inside the pocket. I loved my .357 LCR, I agree with others here that if you get an LCR, go for the .357. It gives you more options, and the weight difference for carry is negligible. Plus I just don't like aluminum in guns. For no explainable reason really. Ivan

April 23, 2013, 01:37 AM	#25
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	MLeake, you are tougher than I am. I have owned two Airweights, and they were classics, but noticeably more punishing than the LCR .357 with the same loads. I guess that big laser grip might help, but I'm happy now with the LCR. The LCR for me is bulky enough that not using a holster helps it fit in some pockets, you can then "spin" it down in so no one can see it down there. Maybe not the best tactically, but helps with concealment.