I have just recently obtained my CCW license and I currently have a S&W M642 revolver that I'm carrying in a Bob Mika pocket holster, in the front right pocket of a pair of jeans I carefully sought out they it had a nice big pocket and was relaxed fit. The only problem is, this is what my setup looks like from outside the pocket (click on images to enlarge):









I feel that this isn't how a pocket carry setup should look. One can clearly see a definite bulge, does it look unnatural or does it shout "gun", or does this look okay? Is bulging acceptable with pocket carry if there is no printing of a "gun" shape? And is my gun printing a "gun" shape? I bought a S&W M642 under the impression that it would be great for carrying in the pocket, but I'm not sure I'm getting good results with it!

I need some recommendations on what I should do. I have carried this way a couple times in public but with a large flannel shirt that covers the pocket pretty well. I am afraid of going out with just a T-shirt on as it's getting warmer outside but I don't feel comfortable doing so yet.

Please critique how bad this looks and give me some advice as I really am not sure how this should look at all. Thanks for your time!

What was that what Mae West said? Anyway I wouldn't worry about it. I have a pocket holster for a model 40. I really dont use mine as much as just carrying the gun sans holster in my pocket. I never really trusted mine as usually the holster wants to come out of my pocket with the gun.
The way I use mine the most is to leave the gun in the holster, wrap it in a rag, insert it in my truck door side pocket. And it either stays in the truck covered with said old rag, or if I am going to carry it when I get out the gun without the holster go`s in my pocket. I am a old fat man that wears suspenders and no one has noticed yet. You know, I really believe there is a unexplainable force that some people can pick up on. Lets say your new to packing and are thinking or nervous about it like can others tell etc. I believe some people CAN pick up on it! I think two identical people, with same build and cloths and gun in same pocket, a person that has packed a long time and dont even think about it wont send out that almost spiritual signal that a vet might pick up on the newbie. It`s something like my wife and me. Almost every day I or her will get a thought and a few seconds later the other will talk about the same subject the other had just thought about! I really believe this!

I carry my 640 in an Uncle Mikes holster in my rear pocket. It is more comfortable for me and I feel it looks better. In your photos both look fine, but in the end it is what you feel the most comfortable with and is easiest for you to access.

By looking at your pics, I don't think your setup screams "gun" at all. I mean, something's in there, but it's probably your phone, right?

I front pocket carry in jeans all the time, and since I'm a bit heavier than I'd like to be, I tend to wear slightly longer shirts that give me a bit more coverage than you're getting.

I use two different holsters, a cheapo Uncle Mike's #4 and a Galco horsehide model. The Galco really seems to hold my J frames flatter than the mike's.

My Sig p238 carries flatter than any of my revolvers, if I'm really worried about a big bulge.

If you feel conspicuous, try some Docker style chinos with front pleats. Here in warm Arizona, I usually wear pleated front, Chaps brand chino shorts or Docker trousers, also with pleats. Dockers have nice deep pockets that are detached from the surface fabric. So, usually a small revolver does not "print" at all.

The pockets in Chaps brand shorts are also separate from the outside layer of fabric, but not as deep. With boot grips, they work still fairly well. Some shorts do not have deep pockets and some have a more narrow pocket opening. I try to avoid those.

We have similar builds. I think you would be very pleased at how a 642 pretty much completely disappears in that style of trouser. It is also very easy to draw since the pockets have nice wide openings.

If you decide to stick with jeans, buy a cheap Uncle Mike's brand pocket holster or a DeSantis Nemesis. Both are less bulky than your highly rated Mika. They are also cheaper and easier to find so it's not a difficult experiment.

Best of luck, sir!

I don't see imprinting at all. Yes it looks like you have something in your pocket but it could be a phone or set of keys or a case for eyewear. I think you are feeling the early on carry jitters.

I have a 642. Also got a Mika and a couple other pocket holsters.
Jframe is great but it's pushing the pocket carry size limit IMO. Its going to bulge like that. When you first start carrying it's quite common to be a bit self conscious. It's very unlikely that anyone else will notice or think gun.

642/Mika comparison size to LCP/DeSantis

I believe that you're overly concerned. I pocket carry a 642 in a Mika holster. Yep, there's a bulge, but it a smooth rounded profile unlike the sharp angular shape that a semi-auto sometimes presents.

What does the casual observer see? Nothing probably. The vast majority of people are so oblivious to their surrounds and other people that they wouldn't notice a martian with two heads if he were in the checkout line ahead of them. If they do notice the bulge they can speculate all they want.

there is no such thing as "printing" in wisconsin, so i never worry about it. nobody has ever said anything to me about what's in my pocket.

I use a Mika pocket when I carry my Model 36 and it works quite well. I think if anyone is aware of the gun in my front pocket, it's me.No one else seems to notice. If it feels good, use it.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

To me it looks like you either have a wallet or phone in your pocket, quite common. Most people are too wrapped up in their own world to even notice if it's raining. I've carried my 442 in a Galco horsehide pocket holster for years w/o anyone noticing, and I'm a skinny (6' 2" 190) guy.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I wear cargo pants/shorts and carry my 442 in a Mika pocket holster in the right front pocket, not in the cargo pocket. Virtually disappears.

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Freedom-Liberty-Peace

Jay, its all in your head!

Its really not that noticeable, but if you want a little camouflage, hang a key ring or phone case from your belt and that will draw the eye away from it.

When it's warm out I wear my Dollar General cargo shorts with my 442 in my right front pocket in one of my homemade leather pocket holsters. If anybody noticed, they haven't said anything.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I've carried M38, 40 and 42 in my pocket for years (when I don't carry a lightweight Commander in an iwb DelFatti) I don't use a pocket holster, just a handkerchief.

Your setup is bulky, mostly because you have the big Goodyear grips and the pocket holster.

You choice of pants may also be an issue. When I'm dressing casually, I wear Orvis or Eddie Bauer kaki slacks. They have much deeper pockets than your pants and are cut better for me. If you like the denim, you might try one waist size larger.

I use the factory wood grips and a Tyler t grip adapter: no big rubber grips: they defeat the purpose for me.

So, in answer to your question: most people won't think you are carrying, but your setup doesn't look comfortable and is appears remarkably bulky.

Just my opinion, of course.

I have three pocket holsters for my 638 and the Uncle Mikes 3 is the least bulky for wearing with jeans. The Remora works fine for cargo shorts and Dockers that are a little looser. My pocket looks almost identical to yours and no one has ever noticed. My other pocket has either my cell phone and or wallet and speed strip in it and doesn't look much different than the gun pocket.

As others have said, people aren't that observant. I'd say your good to go but you might try a looser fit jean too.

I carry a 640 in either a DeSantis Nemesis (recently) or an Uncle Mike's size 3. The gun wears Pachmayr Compac grips because they make it easier for my arthritic hands to control it.

There is no way in hell that I can afford Orvis or Eddie Bauer pants, or even Dockers. Wranglers, Dickies twill pants, Wally World dress slacks; and from May to mid-October, shorts with polo shirts or T-shirts: that's the best I can manage.

I've carried this way for fifteen years. If anyone has noticed nothing has ever been said. I think a couple of police officers spotted the gun but didn't say a word.

I don't sweat it.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I went to the ol' Wal-Mart today and tried on some different jeans. I bought a pair of Wrangler relaxed fits, and this is now what the same set up looks like in the pocket:









I like these jeans because they are more comfortable and I prefer the color. Does this look like an improvement over my original pics or should I go back to my old jeans?

Thanks!

wear what you want, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

When it comes to concealed carry and trying to make a gun inconspicuous, I feel that it does.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps34e536f9.jpg

I took a Galco which is thinner than those padded ones and removed the stitches at the top to remove the wire the trimmed neatly. This creates less bulk and doesn't rub on gun. I never try to holster while in the pocket anyway.

Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just happy to be here?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I haven't figured out the picture thing yet. Sorry about the additional pics.

-The looser cut jeans really helped to conceal your 642. That should give you a bit more piece of mind...

L8R,
Matt

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SD40-VE owner and proud of it!

+1 . . . The final pictures look great. Concealed means concealed and I think you have arrived, sir.

Your new jeans have made a significant improvement!

Much better!

The bad news is I can tell it's a gun.
The good news is you can't tell whether it's stainless or blue.

J/k...no one is looking that close to notice...and if they are, they probably like you. wink wink.

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

another vote for the Wrangler relaxed fit. Carry On!

BTW...which model Wrangler are they, maybe I'll give em a try.

The relaxed fit seem to improve things....
But, you could wear a pink tutu with an Uzi slung under your privates, and nobody would notice........
they are all too busy tweeting and texting and otherwise burying their heads in electronic devices!

Since you are new to ccw the paranoia will go away in no time. Other guys should not be looking at your bulges anyway, its just not natural…

terry

I'm not sure the model as I already threw away the tags! They just said "relaxed fit" on them at Wal-Mart. Size 36-29 for a 5' 7" 175 lbs me.

I think that a lot of gun owners obsess about not printing or otherwise signalling that they are carrying.

Most people don't look for people carrying concealed, and that seems to include some police officers.

I've sat in a room talking with people about carrying firearms and no one has ever appeared to notice that I was carrying. One person even mentioned that he wouldn't feel safe if he knew anyone in the room was carrying. Another person and I looked at each other and smiled, but only because we knew and he didn't.

For the OP, I carry a J frame in a Mika holster and if I bothered to take pictures, it would look much like yours do. I don't wear jeans, but with cargo pants, khakis (what we used to call Chinos) and even a suit, there is a bulge, but no one seems to notice.

At least no one has asked me if I have a gun in my pocket or are just glad to see them.

It took months for my wife to even notice. Which maybe isn't a good thing.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

You are fine with the jeans you picked

It's common to be a little paranoid when you first carry

Most people have their nose buried in their phone. You could probably walk around with a Smith and Wesson 500 on your hip in the mall and not even get a raised eyebrow.

Your setup is fine.

Be safe

(Wrangler Relaxed Boot cut are my favorite jeans)

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Wake me when it's over...

A Model 36 in a Mika pocket holster is the ultimate pocket carry combo. Other people won't notice, and soon you won't notice either.

I agree. Although I'd have said something like "most people walk around with their head up...."

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I don't think the bulge screams gun by any means. A lot of people carry a lot of stuff in their pockets (I'm one of them) but I certainly can't tell you have a firearm in your pocket. If you want to try something different try a pair of 511 pants the ones I'm talking about look like dickies and they are comfortable but they are made to facilitate pocket carry of a small auto or revolver and still look nice. I have a pair and I have had excellent results.

The new jeans are an improvement. It is more of a bump now then a well rounded bulge. You should feel a lot more comfortable with those pants.

Looks much better!!

If a bulging pocket screams "He's got a gun!", I must make people think I'm armed for battle. My J-frame, holstered, is in my right front pocket. The left front has my cell phone, keys, rescue inhaler, a Swiss Army knife (right now a Super Tinker), sometimes another pocketknife, a nail clipper and a comb. Left hip pocket, a wallet that is too full of non-monetary stuff most of the time to be good for my back. Right hip pocket, a handkerchief and an assisted opening knife or Spyderco Endura.

Bulges all over the place, and nobody pays the slightest attention. I'm sure that's partly because I'm 152 years old, but they didn't notice when I was younger either.

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Oh well, what the hell.

yea, this thread is starting to get a little creepy. Aren't there any ladies here with pics of their jean pockets we need to evaluate?

Thanks for the replies all. I enjoy having this gun with me!

"Does this gun make my @$$ ..." Uh, no comment.

Sit on a bench at Wal*Mart and take in the splendor for a half hour. Look closely at the passers by with a critical eye.

You will notice that most people have mounds of indistinguishable lumps in places you never knew existed.

Oh, and when you get bored with that, try playing "The Sweat Pants Game" - count the number of folks wearing sweat pants and see how long it takes to get to 25.

The BEST pocket holster I have ever found to date is the DeSantis Nemesis. Flat, comfortable, hides gun very well, inexpensive, and when you pull your gun the holster remains in your pocket. IMHO it's better than the Mica because of its flatter design. Order one - around $21 Bucks last time I looked.

Thanks, friend. Now it's going to take years of therapy to get purge those mental images from my mind.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Oh my gosh! He's got a gun!!! Nope. You look like a guy wearing jeans a t-shirt. You might think it's a gun, but your opinion doesn't count. You know it is.

Just make sure you can't see it from above or behind due to a fish mouthed pocket. I have been behind a couple of folks in line and spotted baby Glocks this way. Usually it was their stupid tactical pants that keyed me into it in the first place. Don't wear gun shirts or tactical pants. They aren't subtle.

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This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

and you would be correct to feel that way.
Printing .. be it in law or not is a liability among the unwashed masses who may see a gun shape and freak out on their cell phone to a 911 dispatcher.
It's nice to see your putting a little effort into this

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it just needs more voltage

Doubtless, no one will ever notice. Just a little anxiety and reasonable concern. I used to walk into a squad room full of detectives with 2 S&W or Colt 2 inch .38's in my trouser pockets during summer, and before we left to turn out someone would say, "hey Lefty, aren't you taking a weapon?".....don't sweat it, people generally don't pay attention. Unless of course, you have an orange mohawk, 18 pierced earrings, generous tatoos and a bone through your nose. Well hell, than I guess they would be checkin' all that out instead? Your allright, seriously though relax and stay safe. Wear a weird hat for distraction, a loud tropical floral shirt, maybe moose antlers or one of them arrows that looks like it's goin' through your head.....points their attention upwards. I doubt anyone that matters will notice.

Cheers;
Lefty

the new jeans look better but if its in your pocket its concealed, concealed means concealed . if some body is looking down there and staring i would think they have problems just dont drop your wallet

I'd be concerned if I saw a bulge in a woman's pants...

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an actual conservative

The phones that are coming out now are huge and those are carried in pockets. Higher pockets work better for me cause even if the edge of the grip is showing the shirt covers it. Deep and lower pockets don't get as coverage from my shirt. I also have a thin soft iwb holster with thumb break that I use in my pocket. I clip it on the pocket to keep it high so my shirt covers it. It's a Tex Shoemaker and Sons for only $28.61. I specified it to be made to carry as low as possible.