Thoughts on this? I saw a young guy in gander mtn this morning in the firearms section. He was wearing big ol' cargo pants and kept offering his CCW expert opinion to all who would listen. He repeatedly told anyone who would listen "yeah, I have a Glock 26 right here!" as he slapped his right cargo pocket.

His antics would require a new thread, so I'll get off of that.

Does anyone carry in cargo pockets? I would think it an unstable location and likely to get smacked on something (table, doorframe etc).

I've never carried in cargo pockets. Cargo pockets are naturally larger than regular pockets, plus they're rectangular in shape. I'd think they have too much room in them, allowing the gun to move around more inside them, even if it is in a pocket holster. And I won't comment on the young man's behavior.

I don't carry in cargo pockets that are too large. If they're cut to give you a lot of room in the direction of your leg outward, the gun can tip, roll, or otherwise end up oriented in a strange way.

Also, a pocket needs to close securely. Walking around you might be fine, but climbing, getting in/out of a higher vehicle, and other movements could cause you to drop your gun if the pockets not securely closed.

That said, I DO carry in a cargo pocket now and then. I have 5.11 TacLite Pro cargo pants that have a lower profile cargo pocket. Not too bulky. My Sig P938 or Kahr CW380 fit securely in the pocket when in a pocket holster. There's not enough room for the gun to rotate or anything, it stays oriented properly.

It's closed just by velcro, so I added two heavy duty snaps to my right pocket. It's not the fastest draw, but it really is convenient.

As far as smacking it off of things, the pockets on my pants isn't bulky so there's not any flopping around. Sure it could happen, but it's not something that happens often.




I also have their shorts and they work as well.

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- The Federalist #46 -

I use a Mika pocket holster with no problems.

While I pocket carry with Cargo Pants/Cargo Shorts, I don't carry in the outer (Patch) pockets. I carry in the front 'Slash' pockets (using a pocket holster, not 'loose'). I use the Cargo/Patch pockets for keys, change, phone, or other items that will 'camouflage' the shape even more.

Can't carry in a cargo pocket because I don't own any pants that have them. Maybe a pair of shorts, but I would never put anything in the cargo pockets. I find them uncomfortable and, as stated above, susceptible to repeated bumps.

Sometimes I carry a spare mag in the cargo pocket but not a gun. I would think a gun as heavy as a G26 would beat the hell out of the side of your leg. That just doesn't seem like a practical way to carry.

I have pocket carried while wearing cargo pants and shorts but it is in the front pocket and not the cargo pocket. To me it is too low and uncomfortable. It does allow you to transfer everything out of a front pocket making it safe to pocket carry a handgun in an empty pocket, in a pocket holster of course.

I like cargo pants...........I keep my wallet, keys, etc, in the cargo and my carry in the pants pocket .....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

In the summer ....... been known to carry a 337PD in the "normal/regular" slash pocket of a pair of Cabela's hiking shorts.....behind the cargo pocket....... my key ring in the cargo pocket (behind the barrel & under the trigger guard) to mask the outline of the j-frame.

Wallet in the left cargo pocket........

Cargo pockets make for great camo carry.....LOL

Certainly.

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sometimes to the mall

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During warm weather I carry a J frame in the front pocket.
Yiogo

Exactly. And the liner of the slash pockets extend down behind the cargo pocket. Makes for very effective deep concealment.

Right. I pocket carry a holstered J-frame the year around, in the right front pocket. I don't like anything with any weight at all in a cargo pocket because it don't like it bumping my leg as I walk. I never carry anything but the gun in the dedicated pocket.

But of more concern to me is that a gun in a cargo pocket is, for me, slower to draw even if it's somehow held in the proper position inside the pocket. I can stroll around with my hand in my front pocket all day if anything looks the slightest bit dicey, and not get thumped by a pound and a half of holstered gun as I walk.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Our uniform pants have cargo pockets and I carry my backup gun (Heizer Double Tap) in a DeSantis Cargo Nemesis holster. That holster was actually made for an X26 Taser.

When I am on admin duty, I carry a Ruger LCR in a pocket holster in my cargo pocket (as backup to a 640 Pro Series in a belt holster).

I don't know if our cargo pants are made differently or fit differently, but i have to reach down every so often and make sure it is still there. It is that comfortable. They are made by Blauer. I think they are called Street Gear cargo pants.

Would it be my prefered mode for primary/ only gun of G26 size ? Nah .But neither would it be inherently impossable.preferably for a second gun.

Actual BDU cargo pockets would be a bit loose, but for casual wear there are a plethora of pants styles with cargo pockets of various dimentions. One could take two aproaches - Start with your prefered pocket holster / gun combo , and seek pants with a matching cargo pocket. Or have a prefered brand and style of pants ( or particular issued/ authorized work apearal) , and have pocket holster made to order to fit.

I find the Cargo Pocket to be too low for quick access to the gun. The upper pocket works much better IMHO. Then again I carry a small Model 60 and not a big Glock so it's easier to conceal.

I guess if you carry three or four guns at the same time, using the cargo pocket would make sense. Otherwise, not so much. You could wear cargo pants and a survival vest and carry four guns, twelve magazines, two combat knives and wear your concealed carry badge on your belt.

This ^

This is exactly how I carry when I wear cargo pants. Doesn't work so well with jeans unless the pockets are bigger than average. I've been in a couple situations where I've had my hand on my gun but I just looked like a relaxed guy with his hands in his pockets.

Cabela's 7-pocket hiker shorts and pants are excellent for front pocket carry. The outer pocket prevents printing.

Cabela's Legendary 7-Pocket Hiker Shorts – 9" : Cabela's

Shorts/Tee shirts app 360 days a year VERY rarely belts, so pocket carry is a major option. If using a pocket holster, and I recommend you do if going that route, sewing the pocket to the shape of your holster to keep it oriented correctly is no biggie. Unless you plan on hanging upside down from the monkey bars during recess, mine has never even began to slip or fall out. I don't wear the extremely baggy cargo shorts, just plain fitting khaki types. As for the gun knocking on something, that could happen with any other type of carry if you bump into something with that area, plus it would be padded by the holster. If you really want to go wild, have a tailor/wife replace the cheap cloth pocket with a heavier denim or canvas material.

Check out the 5" inseam ( if you have the legs for them LOL) bigger/nicer cargo pocket...IMO..... also velcro vs. button.

BTDT.....and had bruises on the sides of my knees for days from the G26 banging around. Of course, having SOME sort of pocket holster might have prevented that. :/

I use this holster in my cargo pockets with good results.

CargoPack2 Holster

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Stay protected my friends.

I tried it very briefly. I found that there was too much flopping around as I walked. Now, I only carry in the front (slash) pockets of all my pants...normally jeans.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

With the right holster, as shown by Protected One above, I think it is quite doable. I never did it and probably won't but it is an interesting option if you don't mind the CLUNK when you bang your gun into things.

I use a Desantis Nemesis holster.

THE NEMESIS Holsters, Belt Holster, Taurus Judge Holster, DeSantisHolster.com

I have several pair of cargo pants and shorts, my favorite mode of dress but I don't carry there. My legs are very skinny so the gun bangs around too much. I use a Galco pocket holster and carry in the front slash pocket for stability.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Obviously the guy is a bonehead. I rarely pocket carry but I find cargo pants pockets too low and loose to carry the gun in a stable manner...I would eschew that mode of carry.

Never for serious self defense. When I go shooting, I'll throw my Model 10 snubby in my cargo pocket just because it's somewhere to put it with other guns taking up belt space. My self defense instructor once said that you need to comfortably touch your primary weapon with your forearm from a relaxed standing position.

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Just the opinion of a kid

I have quite an assortment of "working/range" pants & shorts with cargo pockets. Pretty common sight to see men wearing them where I now live, so a lot of the pants I originally bought to use while working the range as a firearms instructor & armorer can now be used for everyday wear.

I've tried a number of my smallish pistols and snub revolvers in the different size and capacity cargo pockets. Most of them make something like a G26/27, CS9 or 3913 feel like a hardcover book hanging against my leg, thumping against the side of my leg and knee as I walk, and they can bump into things.

Not exactly convenient or comfortable for driving, either (or getting my leg to pass underneath the steering wheel getting in & out of the car). Not quite as bad as a thigh holster (I still have one, but only for the range for one make/model of gun).

My J-frame snubs are a bit better, because they're lighter, but the pocket holsters can tip over at times in the larger sized cargo pockets. I prefer to use the deep front pocket, instead of the side cargo pockets, for my usual pocket-holstered carry.

Now, a couple styles of the pants have small enough and narrowly shaped cargo pockets which easily allow me to pocket carry my LCP, in the right pocket holster. Tight enough for no thumping against my leg, too. It's a situational option & choice, for me.

Fortunately, I use the cargo & front pockets on my range pants for frequently holding spare mags, speedloaders & speedstrips (as well as loose ammo), and the occasional snub or LCP, so I get to practice their use from those pockets fairly frequently. In cooler weather I'm constantly practicing drawing small snubs (& a LCP), as well as spare mags & speedloaders/strips, from jacket pockets while working the range.

There are advantages & disadvantages to any carry method, and their use under different situations and conditions can cause things to vary a bit, too.

Some folks are going to decide they're better off sticking to one carry method, while others may be able to use more than one.

Kind of like having to be able to be familiar and skilled enough to use both manual & auto transmissions in a car or truck, as well as operating a motorcycle, and do all of them well enough to remain safe while using them in actual conditions. Not everyone wants, or needs, to do all that, though.

Also like being able to use different styles of knives, for different tasks ... different tools ... different guitars (or other instruments) ... computers, pads & smartphones ... different techniques within different martial arts ... playing different sports, etc, etc.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I am 5 ft 6 in tall and weigh 170. I describe myself as a tall burly midget. I wear cargo pants in the winter and the same in shorts for warm weather. For years have carried a G26 and S&W 342 in different holsters in the front pockets of these. Recently started carrying 2 G19s in DeSantis Nemesis . They do not pendulum or move around in good shorts with good holsters. 30+ years ago I got a letter from Evan Marshall on Detroit Police letterhead that said, If you leave home and think in the fartherest recesses of your mind that before you get back home you may need a gun......TAKE TWO!!! We all enjoy that still to today, and it's still valid. Nothing more common than standing around with your hands in your pocket.

A Co-Worker mentioned wanting to get try shooting, so I told her to meet up with me this AM at the LGS/Range. When I got there, she was discussing the G19, LC9S and Shield with a sales person.

When we got onto the range, I let her try my MKIII (to get her started with low recoil trigger control), then let her try my XDMc and G26. After the G26 she says "Didn't you say you have a Shield?". I pulled it out of my pocket, Cleared it and put it on the booth's counter. She was shocked that she had NO idea I had a pistol in my front pocket.

Anyway... She's hooked. She's signing up for an official 'Into' class and figuring on getting her CHL as well. Yay!! Another 'Convert'.

And... For those that say they can't Pocket Carry a Shield... No How, No Way... You just ain't doin' it right.

I cargo pocket carry when I'm driving. It keeps my M&P340 close and easy to get to. Then I can just move it to the other pocket when I get out.

Yes...in a pocket holster. J frame or similar Charter Arms .38 Spl snub, or a Charter Arms .44 Bulldog...spare ammo in the opposite side leg pouch.

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Liberals made the USA

I tried it once with a J frame is my dept issued 5.11 tac pants....it felt like it was flopping around and banging against my leg. I went back to pocket carry almost instantly.

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On the Oak Savannah

Come Summer - I almost live in cargo shorts. NEVER use the cargo pockets, but my Kahr PM9 is always in my R/F 'regular' pocket.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275