Small revolver for protection

Question
Hi,
I have understood that a .38 is the minimum generally recommended caliber for protection/stopping power.  
I already occasionally carry one in a rear belt holster.
But I am wondering if there exists maybe a 4 shot revolver that is smaller and lighter that I could carry in my front pocket.  Even the S&W Airweight, although light, is still a bit large for that.
Carl

Answer
Carl,

The five shot snub nose revolver is about the smallest one out there.  I agree that it is not an issue of weight as much as bulk that prevents you from carrying one of these in a front pocket.  I have a S&W Model 649 Bodyguard that I like to carry from time to time, but it doesn't lend itself to a trouser pocket.

Generally people will carry a small semi-auto if they are looking for a 'pocket gun'.  I have one that I have nothing but good things to say about...it is a Kel-tec P-3AT.  It is a .380 auto that weighs 11 oz. fully loaded and is small and very concealable.  When carried in a DeSantis Nemesis holster, it virtually disappears in the pocket of a jacket or pair of pants.  It has good stopping power for a gun of that size and holds six in the magazine and one in the chamber for a total of seven rounds.  An extra magazine is very small and gives you another six rounds.

The .380 caliber works for me from the standpoint of stopping power, especially since I have those couple of extra rounds over the Bodyguard which only holds 5 rounds.  Remember the European designation for the .380 is 9mm Kurtz (German for 'short').

The cost of these guns is reasonable at between $275 and $300 nearly anywhere they are available.  The DeSantis holster is less than $25.  

I'm not trying to sell you on a semi-auto as much as trying to give you a good very small secondary option to your revolver.  Some have claimed to have reliability issues with Kel-tec pistols.  I own two of them (a .32 caliber and .380 caliber) and have had no problems with either one.

Something to think about anyway...

Hope this helps you out...

Doug