Pocket holster & grip for Ruger LCR 357 Magnum?

[Naphtali]

I gave my S&W 640 to a close friend for her help during my recovery from a five-vertebrae cervical spinal fusion. I acquired a Ruger LCR 357 Magnum, Crimson Trace 415 red laser grip, and OEM Tamer grip. I bought the LCR with the intention of using it as a "pocket carry."

I installed the Crimson Trace grip and futzed with it. Brutal weather prevents any range work for a while. I found out several things about the Crimson Trace. It works precisely as described by them - that is, almost transparent to use. All the user must do is turn its power ON or OFF. When ON, just use the LCR and red laser does its job. That's great, except for one detail. Not having a pocket holster, I just dropped the LCR into my front pocket. The grip is too long to be used in pocket carry, and I wear Bill's Khakis which have large, reinforced pockets. If the revolver is too tall because of too long grip when the pocket has available extra space that would be occupied by holster, the grip is useless for me. I'll sell it as quickly as I can.

I installed OEM grip and went through the same futzing. The LCR's OEM tamer grip will function, I think, with a well-designed pocket holster. But this grip is right on the edge of being too long - that is, a "panic draw" (would there be a different kind for CCW gun??) jams revolver-holster in the pocket. The jam or hesitation getting revolver out of pocket and pointed toward target is not more than a second or two. This doesn't really create much of a problem except for one thing. The pocket jam is manageable during practice. How about during a "panic draw?" Would the "not more than a second or two" become several seconds "too long?"
***
So what I have is a good pocket revolver that needs a less tall grip and a pocket holster that mutes LCR's outline, stays where I want it to be, and takes up as little space as possible.

I've viewed graphics superimposing Hogue's "boot" grip on an LCR wearing OEM grip, but I've not seen or handled one. The boot grip appears to be sufficiently small to preclude hesitation jam. It also appears to be difficult to shoot with - the downside of being small. They're inexpensive enough to try out, though.

I know nothing about pocket holsters. I do wonder whether fastening holster to pocket with a large safety pin or two would be useful for keeping holster where it's supposed to be during a "panic draw."

Those who use pocket holsters with concealed hammer revolvers, please recommend the holster(s) you use.

Suggestions on satisfactory LCR grips for pocket carry might be helpful especially if the Hogue boot grip isn't what I want. And if someone has done unusual things to the boot grip, I would be interested in learning what you did. They're inexpensive enough to ruin one while learning how to make the next one satisfactory.

[josp]

I've had 2 LCR 357 magnums with the boot grips on them. Pocket carry In a Uncle Mikes size 4 I believe pocket holster worked very well. Don't have them as I prefer the 640/649, but the LCR is a nice weapon.

[NYlakesider]

Well for the last two months I have been carrying a Ruger LCR .38 Concealed hammer in a Uncle Mikes (size 4) pocket holster. This gun has the stock "shorty" grips on it. (I have no clue as to whose grips they are!)

I like it, its comfortable, the holster stays put and no problem drawing the gun. Its also completely concealed, which in the peoples republic of NY is very important!

[Naphtali]

Unanimity is comforting when one solicits information. Many thanks, guys, for furnishing exactly what I asked.

[Naphtali]

I ordered the Bantam grip you recommended. I saw photographs of a Bantam grip with subtle finger groove in about the same relative position as on the OEM grip. The claim is that it improves control of recoil. The poster created the groove with a Dremel tool. I'm thinking to use the Bantam grip for at least two weeks, as is. If I find repeat shots become haphazard because I cannot control the LCR during recoil, I'll try the photographs' alteration. If that doesn't work, . . . what next? A tailor to alter the "carry" pocket-pant seam on all pants to allow use of the OEM grip?

Since I have had pleasing results from other Desantis products, I splurged to buy a SUPER FLY pocket holster. It appears to be a NEMESIS with a detachable panel. I intend to try to position the panel to improve my pocket's profile retention. I am still prepared to use diaper-sized safety pins to fasten holster to pocket if the holster tends to follow LCR during the draw.

[haywood]

I have the stock Hogue Tamer Grip and use a cheep Uncle Mike's Pocket Holster.

[MJB]

Robert Mika probably makes the best pocket holsters out there. I have one for my LCR and it ALWAYS stays in the pocket upon drawing. Order the shape that matches your pocket cut.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by MJB

Robert Mika probably makes the best pocket holsters out there. I have one for my LCR and it ALWAYS stays in the pocket upon drawing. Order the shape that matches your pocket cut.

The Mika holsters are my choice too. They just plain work. This is the round cut, you can also get square cuts to best fit your pockets.




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[SOS24]

Right now a use a sticky holster, but because of all the recommendations on other forums I have ordered a Mika.


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[Naphtali]

Originally Posted by MJB

Robert Mika probably makes the best pocket holsters out there. I have one for my LCR and it ALWAYS stays in the pocket upon drawing. Order the shape that matches your pocket cut.

How do Mr. Mika, and I, identify and measure pockets? My pant of choice is Bill's Khakis style M2P (trimmer fit, higher rise, with pleats). Problem areas are: pocket opening is along vertical seam; and pocket opening is not "designed" for use of pocket holster or easy withdrawing of revolver. Without a holster slowly removing hand-with-revolver is difficult.

[KalamazooKid]

The round holster shown fits the contour of the bottom of the front pockets in my jeans. . A use for the square cuts would be cargo pant/shorts as an example. Matching the proper holster insures that your gun will always ride straight up.

And I absolutely do buy my clothes based on my ability to conceal within.

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[TANKLEGACY]

Ive had a LCR 357mag for 5 years...I carry it everyday, its my BUG.

It is my pocket gun, no holster...I only buy carpenters pants and shorts.

For 5 years I've practiced drawing, it has never fallen out, and I ride a Harley thousands of miles a year.

Concealed, yet not, holstered, yet not...works perfectly for me.

[franzas]

Originally Posted by Naphtali

How do Mr. Mika, and I, identify and measure pockets? My pant of choice is Bill's Khakis style M2P (trimmer fit, higher rise, with pleats). Problem areas are: pocket opening is along vertical seam; and pocket opening is not "designed" for use of pocket holster or easy withdrawing of revolver. Without a holster slowly removing hand-with-revolver is difficult.

1. Turn the pants inside-out and measure the fabric that makes up the pocket.
2. 3 choices:
---a. Deal with it.
---b. Buy different pants.
---c. Carry your revolver differently.

[crazyphil]

Originally Posted by Naphtali

How do Mr. Mika, and I, identify and measure pockets? My pant of choice is Bill's Khakis style M2P (trimmer fit, higher rise, with pleats). Problem areas are: pocket opening is along vertical seam; and pocket opening is not "designed" for use of pocket holster or easy withdrawing of revolver. Without a holster slowly removing hand-with-revolver is difficult.

I think perhaps the problem is not so much the LCR grip
or holster, but rather the pants. More specifically the vertical
seam.

I have the .38 Spl. LCR with the "tamer" grip, which i would
call "boot grips". (photo on left)

Have been known to carry it in front strong side pocket.
In a FIST #1K (kydex) IWB holster. (photo 2nd from left)

Generally I don't like kydex, but this one is very thin, very
light, and the clip hangs on to the fabric like a dog with a bone.

I most often wear Wrangler jeans, so the pocket opening is
more horizontal than vertical, and the opening is plenty big
enough.

The grip is above the opening, so I must wear an untucked
shirt, which is what I always wear anyway, so that's no
problem.

Just another option for you to consider. I hope you find
what works for you.

[tx40d]

FWIW, for my lcr (and airweights) I prefer using the nemesis for larger pockets, but switch to a uncle mike's #4 for smaller pockets like khakis and jeans.

For the grip, I am slowly getting use to the stock Hogue grip that came with the ruger. For me its not as comfortable the airweights but I haven't found a good replacement yet.

[gman51]

I have been carrying an LCR 357 for several years now. I only use the stock tamer grips. I usually just carry the gun only in my front jeans pocket. I have a Talon canted holster made for owb which sometimes I will shove the holster and gun into my front pocket. I haven't had the holster hangup the gun from being drawn and I haven't have the holster try and come out with the gun.
I don't even have anything in my pocket that I carry the gun in. Even if I don't have the gun in my pocket there still isn't anything put in that pocket. I haven't had any problem with lint or cloth getting on the gun.

As far as getting a gun out of my pocket in an actual incidence I have no doubt I can get my gun drawn faster this way than carrying IWB. I see no way carrying IWB of being able to get my tight shirt out of my belt and get my gun drawn as quickly as I could from my front pocket.

But whatever trips your trigger and works for you then have at it.

[MJB]

Originally Posted by Naphtali

How do Mr. Mika, and I, identify and measure pockets? My pant of choice is Bill's Khakis style M2P (trimmer fit, higher rise, with pleats). Problem areas are: pocket opening is along vertical seam; and pocket opening is not "designed" for use of pocket holster or easy withdrawing of revolver. Without a holster slowly removing hand-with-revolver is difficult.

I just looked online at Bill's Khakis. IMO those pants are simply not suitable for pocket carry. If you want to experiment a little buy an Uncle Mikes #4 pocket holster and try it. They are very inexpensive holsters and it will give you some idea if pocket carry is feasible with those pants.

Or, buy different pants or pick a different carry method. Best of luck to you.

[Naphtali]

Originally Posted by MJB

I just looked online at Bill's Khakis. IMO those pants are simply not suitable for pocket carry. If you want to experiment a little buy an Uncle Mikes #4 pocket holster and try it. They are very inexpensive holsters and it will give you some idea if pocket carry is feasible with those pants.

Or, buy different pants or pick a different carry method. Best of luck to you.

We agree. On a whim, I retrieved my Hume 715 [for S&W "J" frame] from my "stuff" bin. It had been a satisfactory holster except the 640 dropped to the floor when I dropped my pants on the toilet. I described briefly in my thread, "Resurrect a holster?", in holsters sub-forum how I reshaped the 715 to fit the LCR. Until I finish sealing the leather I can only report that apparently there is something about the reshape that has caused the LCR to not be merely a friction fit. The LCR enters the pouch and overcomes something to achieve an interference fit. . . . Not very clear. . . . Like the last .25 inch of LCR's insertion passes through a spring-loaded pin to become not quite locked into the holster. I don't know whether this will last as I use the holster, but I hope it does. The feel is a little like a weak-spring version of my Bianchi CD123.

[Cal44]

I use a Nemesis pocket holster for my LCR 357.

My favorite grip is the Hogue G10.

It's thinner than both the stock grip and the diamond pro. It doesn't stick to clothing like rubber grips sometimes do.

Smooth and rounded and doesn't have ridges that print.