Term for a small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol
"Palm pistol" redirects here. For the firearm model, see Palm Pistol.
.25 ACP FN Baby Browning
In American English, a pocket pistol is any small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol (or less commonly referencing either derringers, or revolvers), and is suitable for concealed carry in a pocket or a similar small space.[1]
Pocket pistols are sometimes categorized as smaller than sub-compact pistols,[2] but the distinction is not clear-cut as some small sub-compact pistols may be categorized as pocket pistols, and some large pocket pistols may be classified as sub-compact pistols.[citation needed]
Pocket pistols were popular in the United States until the 1960s and 1970s, when most states passed laws limiting or prohibiting the carry of concealed weapons. However, the passage of "shall issue" firearms license laws in the 1980s and 1990s, resulted in a resurgence in the popularity of pocket pistols in the United States, creating new markets for small, simple, reliable, concealed-carry firearms.
In general use, the term pocket pistol is purely descriptive, but "mouse gun" (used especially for those of the smallest calibers) is often a pejorative. Likewise, pocket pistols, due to their small size, often are lumped in with Saturday night specials, another pejorative term, which are typically inexpensive small-caliber handguns.
^McLeod, Terence (2001). Concealable Pocket Pistols, How to choose and use small-caliber handguns. Boulder, Colorado: Paladin Press. ISBN 1-58160-279-0.
^What Are The Different Sizes Of Handguns? - EveryDayCarryConcealed
In American English, a pocketpistol is any small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol (or less commonly referencing either derringers, or revolvers), and...
neither a revolver, semi-automatic pistol, nor machine pistol. It is not to be confused with mini-revolvers or pocketpistols, although some later derringers...
The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless is a .32 ACP caliber, self-loading, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and built by Colt Patent Firearms...
the Kriegsmarine. They were also sold commercially. This was a small pocketpistol chambered for .32 ACP (7.65 mm) based on the earlier Model 1910/14....
lever this evolved into the 1849 pocket revolver (see Colt Pocket Percussion Revolvers). Colt Model of 1848 Holster Pistol (First Model Dragoon), square...
The Model 1908 Vest Pocket is a compact, hammerless, striker-fired, semi-automatic single-action pistol. Manufactured by the Colt's Manufacturing Company...
Revolving PocketPistol" that collectors now name "The Pocket Model of 1849". It is a smaller brother of the more famous "Colt's Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval...
countries by firearm-related death rate List of pistols Machine pistolPistolPistol-whipping Pocketpistol Small arms Target shooting "Definition of HANDGUN"...
pocket-sized derringers (which are often multi-barrelled). The most common type of pistol used in the contemporary era is the semi-automatic pistol,...
pistol which remained in production until 1970. The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol was manufactured for the .32 ACP from 1903 to 1941 and as the Model...
Model 1905 pocketpistol. Despite the name FN used for this pistol, it was later marketed as the FN 1906, the V.P. .25 (V.P. denoting Vest Pocket), and most...
The Ideal Conceal was a pocketpistol with a folding pistol grip. When folded and unable to fire, the pistol mimics the appearance of a smartphone. It...
a semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured by Beretta since 1952. It builds on a long line of small and compact pocketpistols manufactured by Beretta...
The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer was a short-recoil, semi-automatic pistol, designed by the American arms designer John Browning. It was a compact version...
Walther PP, PPK, PPK/S, and PPK/E models. The Walther TPH pocketpistol is a smaller calibre pistol introduced in 1971 which is identical in handling and...
In-between sizes included the coat pocketpistol, or coat pistol, which would fit into a large pocket, the coach pistol, meant to be carried on or under...
Queen Anne pistols are a type of breech-loading flintlock pistol known as a turn-off pistol, in which the chamber is filled from the front and accessed...
The Beretta 21A Bobcat is a semi-automatic pocketpistol designed by Beretta in Italy. Production began in the late 1984, solely in the Beretta U.S.A...
misconceptions about this little pocketpistol". Shotgun News – via thefreelibrary.com. Zipper (20 July 2017). "5.45x18 compact pistol PSM". MilitaryImages.net...
centuries. One of the most distinctive was the "duck's foot" volley gun, a pistol with multiple barrels arranged in a splayed pattern, so that the firer could...
semi-automatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. The pistol's formal U.S. military designation as of 1940 was Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45,...
made an improved version of the Rocket Ball ammunition, and a carbine and pistol version of the lever action gun to fire it. While the Volcanic Repeating...
pistol developed by the U.S. Army's Rock Island Arsenal from stock M1911 pistols as a replacement for the aging Colt Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket...
The Savage Model 1907 is a semi-automatic pocketpistol produced by the Savage Arms, from 1907 until 1920. It was chambered in .32 ACP and, from 1913...
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