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Derringers And Other Ultra Compacts

3758 Views 46 Replies 37 Participants Last post by  Petroleum 1
No one has ever said we cannot carry at work. However, if I carried and anyone found out, it would spread like wildfire and someone would complain. I need to find something to carry that no one can detect on a daily basis. My work attire is dress shoes, dockers, shirt and tie. When it snows, I have to wear hiking boots. I'm 6'1" and 185 so not a lot of body fat. I'm thinking I need something small enough to go in my dockers front pocket or ankle carry. Even though I sit at a desk a lot, I'm also very active. It is nothing for me to hit 25 thousand steps in one day on my Fitbit.

No one at my work carries or plans for any type of situation. If something were to happen they would all be sheep. Even though I have my knife, I want to carry some type of undetectable firearm.

Suggestions please. Thanks in advance.
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Kel-Tec P3AT is a good choice for front pocket carry.
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A .22 cal 5 shot mini revolver saved my life one night in a situation that better judgement on my foolish part would not have let me get into .
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A .22 cal 5 shot mini revolver saved my life one night in a situation that better judgement on my foolish part would not have let me get into .
Like an NAA Companion? I've been thinking about one for awhile.
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My 2 cents, for what it's worth, is that you're better off with a small semi-auto. You don't give up much in terms of size and you get more firepower. I know a lot of folks like the little derringers, but I'd rather have 5 or 6 rounds of 380 than 2 rounds of 22 magnum.

You might consider an ankle holster or IWB holster with an untucked shirt.
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The NAA in a .22Mag is pretty decent.....at "point and shoot" distances it works fine.
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You didn't mention if you're an experienced handgunner? The smaller the handgun, the more difficult it is to shoot effectively ('cuz only HITS count). IMHO, folks get sucked-in to a completely delusional sense of security by simply BEING "armed". And, respectfully, it sounds like you're more concerned about the societal implications of being "outed" than about the ability to defend yourself against an assault. Get a j-frame, buy a good pocket holster and practice, practice...PRACTICE!
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To me a S&W Bodyguard or a NAA Companion would be ideal for pocket carry. Like the OP, The smaller the better when I'm at work in dress pants. It would be a lot more comfortable and any other time it would just be used as a secondary.
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The NAA in a .22Mag is pretty decent.....at "point and shoot" distances it works fine.
I have one that I carry on an irregular basis, alternating between this and a 9mm Shield, depending upon that day's circumstances, where I am going, or what I'm doing. Five shots of a 22 mag hollow point has to hurt, altho I agree with Rhinoman, that a 380 is a better choice. Wear whatcha got, is my motto.
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Howdy!

I always have a NAA Pug 22 mag with folding grip in my pocket. I also have several 380's Kel Tec, Walther, NAA and Glock. Out of all them the Kel Tec is the easiest to conceal and carry and very light weight. I would opt to carry both the NAA Pug which goes in my pocket always and the 380 Kel Tec, never hurts to have a backup, and it's true the "quickest reload is your secondary or backup". You can even find neck holster for the NAA online now days, don't own one but another way to conceal it.

"Happy Trails"
Chiefneon
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Go with a micro pistol like an LCP, Bodyguard, Pico etc over a derringer. Higher ammo capacity, easier reloads and all very concealable.

No one will ever know if you have an LCP in your pocket unless you're doing an absolutely horrible job concealing.
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A small 380 (LCP, P3AT) HOLD 6+1 OR 7+1 rounds vs. a two shot derringer.

I carry a single stack 9MM Glock 43 everyday in my jeans front pants pocket. Before that I had a Kahr PM9 with Crimson Trace Laserguard I pocket carried.

People that know I carry ask where I have it, because it does not show.

Get a pocket 9 or 380.
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I have an old American Derringer in .357 that disappears in a pocket. But it's like holding on to a stick of TNT shooting
357s in it. So I load it with 38 spl. If I had something of that size that had more capacity I'd probably recommend it but
the derringer is a good option if the only other one is a stapler from your desk.
I had a PF-9 that was very easy to carry in a pocket holster. It was reliable but.....the recoil was painful for me! (I have RA.) I think you are getting some sound advice from some of the other members here that are recommending a compact .380 like the Bodyguard, LCP, P3-AT, and even the Glock 42. You WILL need to practice regularly though, to be proficient with a compact .380! The compact .380's tend to be unforgiving if limp-wristed. Good luck!
A small 380 (LCP, P3AT) HOLD 6+1 OR 7+1 rounds vs. a two shot derringer.

I carry a single stack 9MM Glock 43 everyday in my jeans front pants pocket. Before that I had a Kahr PM9 with Crimson Trace Laserguard I pocket carried.

People that know I carry ask where I have it, because it does not show.

Get a pocket 9 or 380.

Not arguing but what brand jeans. The Wranglers I have on have a 6" deep front pocket and the G43 is 6.26" long. I had looked at and discounted a 43 because of this issue.
Second the pocket 9mm.
p3at for sure ..Very easy to hide

The NAA are very good guns ..But single action only and unless you get the pricy models you really only get 5 or 6 shots before its out of action to reload ...Good last ditch or I have no other options guns but I would not carry one as a bug even
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I have a NNA .22 mag and would only use it if it can be push up a nose or stick in an ear and fire.
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Not arguing but what brand jeans. The Wranglers I have on have a 6" deep front pocket and the G43 is 6.26" long. I had looked at and discounted a 43 because of this issue.
Second the pocket 9mm.
I wear Lee Regular Fit jeans. The pocket is 8" deep. I buy my pants to fit my waist, inseam, pistol.
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I have an old Colt Mustang Pocketlite that I put in my pocket (with a good pocket holster) when clothing doesn't allow for anything else. It shoots well, it is reliable, and it fits in a pocket real well. Sig has a model that is very similar to my old Colt.
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Any gun is better than no gun, but some guns are more effective than others.

Simple solution, get them all.
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