I've yet to find the perfect pair of pants for carrying in a front pocket. Seems like the butt of my 642 is always peakin' out. If only the pockets were just an inch deeper.

More of a cargo pants or jeans kind of guy but open to options.

Any recommendations?

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I also noticed that several years ago pants makers made the pockets shallower. I’ve been looking for a while to find pants with deeper pockets as well. I think part of the problem is they used to make “Long Rise” pants that were 1-2” deeper between the navel and crotch. That made 1-2” ;less room for pockets so the pockets are.now shallower. Now Long Rise pants are what was normal and they no longer make them even if they are labeled as Long Rise.

Carhartt dungree style work well but not with every holster.
I see in your photo that you have a Mika holster. For me that has to much material at the bottom of the holster. This raises the 642 about 1/2 inch (maybe a little more) from the bottom of the pocket. The leather holster shown will perhaps let the revolver sit closer to the bottom. My solution is a Remora holster that I cut so my 642 barrel is at the very bottom of the holster almost touching the cloth of the pants pocket. My Remora is essentially an open bottom. I have not yet cut down my Mika holster but most likely will.

I am thinking of buying a few pair of pants that I like and finding a tailor to make my pockets deeper and of tougher cloth. That way every pocket hoslter would work. Also the 442 being black hide a little better than the 642. If you find a good solution please post back.

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Living on the great plains

I've considered going to a seamstress or tailor and having a longer strong side front pocket installed, not sure if they would or not. Heavy duty and one inch deeper would be ideal.

I have several pairs of "long rise"* jeans, from LL Bean, Wrangler, even generic jeans from Sam's, and they all accommodate a J-frame with ease, in a leather pocket holster.

* I don't wear low rise jeans or any low rise slacks or cargo pants.

I have dress pants that accommodate J-frames, too, never mind cargo pants in which I can pocket carry a 2" K-frame with ease (Tru-Spec is the brand).

Will check out Tru-Spec, thanks.

Cargo Pants/Shorts and Carpenter's Jeans from Carhartt, Duluth, 5.11, Wrangler generally work very well for me front pocket holster carrying a Snub, Shield, or G26.

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Ad Astra Per Aspera

Duluth Trading Company fire hose cargo pants.
For summer wear they make a fire hose flex that is a little lighter weight.

The right front pocket even has a small muzzle pouch sewed into the bottom of the pocket.

Now, this is going to sound unbelievable but I'm going to list the firearms that I have carried in this front pocket:

Commander size 1911
Beretta 92
S&W 686 with a 4" barrel
S&W m65 with a 3" barrel
S&W J frames with 3" barrel

Ok, not all at once, just one at a time.
For pocket holsters I use old rough-out IWB holsters that I have removed the metal belt clip from. The rough-out holsters protect the trigger and also prevent hammer snag. They are smooth on the inside to protect the finish but the outside creates just enough friction to keep the holster in the pocket upon draw.

Duluth Trading Company fire hose cargo pants cost about $85 if you buy them new. I buy mine on flea bay for considerably less.

One word of caution, they run a little small, so I would recommend bumping up the waist and inseam sizing one size.

Ok, I love them. I've been wearing them for years and have never worn out a pair.

You might take a look at cargo's from Duluth Trading Co. A bit pricey but well made and seem to have deeper pockets.

Sir,

I've run into the same issue, and am fortunate that the small-town store from which I get my pants has an alteration lady who has deepened the pocket for me(more than one pair). If you can find someone like that in your area your problem is solved. It's a very easy alteration for those who do such things and doesn't cost very much, in my experience.

I have some pants without the alteration in which I still pocket carry, and the butt of my SP101 is slightly exposed at times, but that isn't an issue in my state.

Best wishes in finding a solution,
Andy

I carry a steel J-frame with Pachmayr Compac grips, which are larger than boot grips or wooden stocks, in either a DeSantis Nemesis (usually) or Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. Have for years, the Uncle Mike's for twenty.

I have one pair of denim shorts that allows half an inch of the butt of the gun to show, but I wear untucked T-shirts over shorts anyway.

All my other jeans, everyday and dress pants, and shorts accommodate the gun invisibly. The Nemesis does a slightly better job of keeping it from shifting. Both holsters are inexpensive and won't come out of the pocket on the draw.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I normally wear jeans from Old Navy and the pockets are deep enough for any of my 2” J frames, and especially the tiny LCP. Anything bigger would be a challenge.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Another vote for Duluth Trading Post "Fire Hose" or "Fire Hose Flex" cargo pants.

I carry a full size, 5" 1911 in the pocket. Yeah, it really does fit!! Doesn't print too much, either.

I may tell a few people that I carry a 1911 in my pocket. Most popular response is..... "Bull$h&t"

You should see the look on their face when I pull it.

Priceless...

P.S. Your gun needs to be set up so that nothing snags on the draw. Ramped rear site and a delta or skeletonized (?) hammer work well.

....anti gun or afraid of liability of aiding and abetting a mass shooter.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

If you’re OK with cargos, Wrangler Riggs are good.

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Vegan by proxy.

Thank you gentlemen, lots of options to explore. Several items at Duluth Trading are on sale, so it looks like the right time to go shopping.

I just do not know if this is something they do. Never had pants or anything else altered before, wouldn't know where to start. Heck, for all I know, this could be a popular request.

BTW here in southern Oregon, thankfully, we don't have too many anti-gun folks.

(just noticed my location is blank, better fix it...)

Before I settled on the Tru-Spec 24-7 Tactical Pants, I took a plastic ruler with me to shop for shorts/pants to measure the depth of the pockets.

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MA Gun Law & NRA Instructor

When I first started carrying I had my Taurus 605 in my front pocket. Went to the late night grocery store and got stuck in the checkout line for about 5 minutes with a uniformed cop right behind me. The butt of the Taurus was peaking out of my pocket.
Talk about nervous.......
Either he didn't see it, or he didn't say anything. Cops around here are CC friendly.

Great idea.

I'm afraid someone will think I'm shoplifting if they see something sticking out of my pocket. I hate that feeling.

Ya might try Wrangler Rugged Wear® Relaxed Stretch Flex Denim Jeans

35005SW

They's got bigger, deeper pockets that the 13MWZs.....


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

One good thing about the Duluth work pants is the cargo pocket.
It will accept a 3" J frame and you can get to it while sitting or driving. I like the Blackhawk Tec Grip IWB size 0 holster for my M60.

I believe you can find Tactical Clothing online and on Utube. They appear to be well made and suited for your needs.

Tactical Clothing @ TacticalGear.com

Lee brand jeans, relaxed fit. I carry my Colt Defender in the front pocket no problem.

Another vote for Wrangler Rugged Wear denim jeans. My J frame fits in the pocket in a Kramer, without any problems.

Carhartt original fit dungarees or relaxed fit jeans have always worked for me with S&W J frames or PPK's. Since retiring, those are all I wear. I like what ya'll say about the Duluth pants, I will have to try a pair.

Besides lack of depth, many clothing companies make their pockets out of the cheapest, flimsiest material available. You can wear them out with coins, much less keys or firearms.

I've found the Carhartt washed duck pants to work well and have fairly stout pockets. I'll have to look into the DTC pants.

Once upon a time, I had a couple pairs of uniform pants with pockets that were both deep and heavily reinforced.

I wear Carhartt FR jeans; the FR for Electrical workers and welders, they are heavier than the regular line of jeans as well as being treated with some flame retardant, and they have very deep pockets, almost too deep for my short self. I can drop a 4” K Frame in, and it disappears


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Are the Carhartts what you wear in the AL summer heat?

Quit worrying about the pockets m. Get pants with a waist 2” bigger than you normally wear. Get a good belt and a Summer Special style holster.

I carry a 3” K-frame all the time in the 2:00 position. I have two belts (fortunately I wear jeans to work.). A 5.11 operator and a Wilderness Mountain instructor. One for my jeans, one for my cargos.

It conceals under a T-shirt. Unlike 4:00 holsters, the butt doesn’t protrude when I bend over and everything stays put. Taking it on or off FFL takes about five more seconds than shoving a pistol in your pocket.

I still feel a bit slobbish wearing my shirt tails out, I was raised in a strict “tuck it in!” Household. Fortunately un-tucked is the style these days.

That solved the need for a “pocket gun” for me.

Another vote for Duluth. They’ve opened some stores in Texas recently. I was just at the new one in Lubbock.

I did that years ago. But I told them my work required me to often times carry several sets of keys that tear up standard pockets.I made that story up rather than reveal what I really needed them for.

Another vote for Duluth, proper and 5.11 tac pants. After 4 or 5 years of heavy use my duluth wore out so they are my third choice to 5.11 or propper brand tactical pants which have the deepest pockets. I can actually fit a glock 17L in them!

The down side to the 5.11 is the oddball rear pockets that aren't really suited for wallet carry, forcing you to move it to a different pocket, which if you are pocket carrying becomes valuable real estate.

My favorites are Propper tactical pants, they have exactly the same leg and cargo pockets as the 5.11s but they are cheaper and have a wallet pocket in the rear. As an added bonus they have a mini (cell phone?) pocket inside the front right pocket, and if I tuck the barrel of a j frame or a glock 26 into that, the gun doesn't print and it still isn't visible from the top of the pocket, it just hangs out at the halfway point of the pocket.

Unfortunately I have short arms. If serious about pocket carry, splurge & have a tailor replace the pocket with a heavier duty material, in a shape that holds the gun/.holster EXACTLY the way you want it. Money well spent.

I pocket carry in Land's End khakis. Pockets are large enough but some have rounded pockets and some are squared.

Duluth, no doubt about it . You can swim in front pockets. Carry Ruger LCR in holster right front, never know it's there. Several styles and the fit is good.

I have the same problem with a 642 just appearing at the top of the pocket. Solved it by carefully folding a white handkerchief over the butt. From behind me all you see is the hanky. As long as the handkerchief isn't wrapped around the muzzle, it's no problem to draw gun and hanky, or just quietly drop the hanky as you draw. Practice awhile with an empty gun to see how it works for you.

Carhartt relaxed fit work jeans and work shorts do fine for me. They sit at my "natural waist", as Carhartt puts it, have decent sized pockets, but I found the pocket and thigh fabric started to wear through right where the end of the barrel/holster ride. I solved that by turning the pocket inside out and applying a denim iron-on patch on the bottom inside of the pocket and put one the same place on the inner thigh. I now carry a Sig P938 just fine, but my Smith 638 did OK too as far as depth. I stopped carrying the 638 because the bottom of the very curved trigger sort of pinched my trigger finger against the trigger guard in double action practice and made the finger very sore.

Wrangler Jeans Cargo Pants and Shorts. Whenever I buy any type of pants, I try my 442 and pocket holster to make sure they fit.

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Two Handguns every day

I wear Tru-Spec 24-7 cargo pants (or shorts in Summer). I just measured the front pocket and it is 7.5" deep at the outside edge.


They bury anything that I'd consider carrying, usually in a Mika holster.

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MA Gun Law & NRA Instructor

Check out Vertx Lightweight cargo pants and shorts. They have a hidden pocket on the right side with a zipper. In the larger sizes, this pocket will conceal a 3" 1911 in a pocket holster. Use to be my EDC until I started carrying OWB.