The Ruger LCP is fantastic. Its a direct copy of the Kel-Tec P3AT, but Ruger redesigned the extractor and some other parts of the gun and generally refined it. Mine has about 1200 rounds of various FMJ and hollow points and has not jammed once. I carry it when I cant carry anything else.
My Smith hammerless J frame model 340 is the gun that goes with me when I have a little more pocket room (most of the time). It is 100% reliable, has good stopping power with proper ammo, and is easily concealed in a pocket with a pocket holster. A lot of younger or inexperienced guys automatically turn their nose up at them because they are a revolver and only have 5 shots. They are doing a huge disservice to themselves by neglecting to consider the small J frame revolvers for carry. The Smith model 340/642/442 are fantastic. Heavy triggers, but you can get a trigger job or drop in trigger kit from Apex tactical to fix that. I carry a speedloader and a speed strip when carrying this. You can reload this gun quickly with practice.
The Ruger LCR is a fantastic revolver too. Great trigger, reliable, and lightweight. I own one but it is absolutely unpocketable as is. The included Hogue grip is HUGE and not made for pocket carry, in my opinion. You will need to add Crimson Trace grips or the Ruger boot grip to the LCR to make it suitable for pocket carry.
ANYTHING made by Kahr is not a good defensive use firearm, PERIOD. I've owned at least 10 of them and put thousands of rounds though them. I keep giving them another shot. I've sent them back to the factory for repair. They are just range toys. Seriously, do not consider a Kahr pistol for defensive use. The design is simply not 100% there. As to a used one at a gun shop, are you CRAZY?? Used Kahr pistols are GUARANTEED to be junk jammomatics. People hold onto the decent Kahr pistols and trade in the junk ones. I highly recommend that you don't get a used Kahr pistol, or even a Kahr pistol at all.
Diamondback firearms. These clowns couldn't put a Lego set together correctly. These guns are junk, junk, junk. Diamondback should stick to what it knows, which is building boats. Diamondback is a boat company first, and a machine shop that assembles junk guns second.
I pocket carry a Glock 26 about 3 days out of the month. It is pretty large and only fits in a few of my pants. It obviously is a great defensive firearm.
In summary, the best pocket pistol you can get is one that is reliable first and small enough for you to carry every day. If it is too large, you wont carry it. Seriously consider looking at a J-frame. You might change your mind if you get more informed on the subject. I got at least 7 or 8 cops at my former dept to trade in their pocket autos for a j-frame once they got over the stigma and realized what a great defensive use firearm they are, especially as back up guns and off duty pocket carry guns.
