So I recently bought a S&W M&P 9mm and soon realized that there are times when I just won't want to carry something that big. My first thought was to just get a Ruger LCP so I know I have something that I can carry in the pocket of absolutely any outfit. But then I look at something like this...
Smith & Wesson 442 .38 Spl+P 1-7/8" Black $361.00 SHIPS FREE

and think ".....I bet I could make that work in gym shorts and fitted dress slacks!....... somehow..... "

So if you're reading this and bored, please convince me that I would be able to carry the gun I linked to above in the pocket of just about every pair of pants/shorts that I own without drastically altering my pants pockets. And maybe more importantly, that I could actually draw it out of the pocket in an emergency without having to take the pants off first.

I want to believe! It's just so much bigger than all the guns that are widely viewed as 'true pocket guns'.

I can't speak to pocket carry (wear my jeans too tight) but since getting my CHL I've carried my 442 everyday in an OWB holster. The only wardrobe change I've had to make is if wearing a tight T-shirt, I need to throw a loose unbuttoned sport shirt over it. Otherwise loose T-shirts cover just fine. In a couple pair of dress slacks, I have thrown the gun in my pocket using the wife's Remora holster just to see how it felt but I prefer the OWB holster. The size and weight is not an issue but it's a little uncomfortable in a front pocket when sitting down or driving. I can't imagine any gun that wouldn't be the same.

Go ahead and buy that 442. You will have zero problem getting your money back for it if you don't like it.

The key to content pocket carry of a J frame is choosing the right pocket holster. I've had a dozen different ones and the one I wear day in/day out is the Galco "Pocket Protector." NOT to be confused with their horsehide pocket holster which in my opinion prints too much due to it's rigid seam on the front of the holster along the sights/topstrap of the revolver.

Give it a week or so. It's gonna be a little uncomfortable at first because you're not used to having a gun in your front pocket. But after a week/10 days or so of CONSTANT pocket carry (don't wear it for an hour or so and say "this sucks!" and then stop wearing it) your bod will adjust to it's weight and shape. Trust me.

Since October of 2008 I have toted a model 38 NO DASH Bodyguard in my right front pocket from the time my feet hit the floor in the morning until I lay back down at night.

I'm like a smoker reaching for his cigarettes...I reach for my Bodyguard, loaded (5 rounds of Nyclads) Bianchi speed strip, Uncle Henry folding knife and Surefire L4 "Digital Lumamax" the minute I get up and get dressed. Hell, with my job (LEO) it's ridden in there for extended periods of time (16-20 hours) with the same amount of comfort and peace of mind.

Once you start totin' that little Jaybird in your pocket, you'll probably never wanna "holster up" that bottom feeder ever again!

A j frame works well in the pocket with the right pocket holster.

I carry either a j frame or Kahr CM9.

The j frame is easier to pull out of the pocket but Kahr has a flatter profile.

Always carry a reload.

The J-frame hammerless centenials are the ultimate in pocket carry! Revolvers have an irregular shape, so they don't print as badly in a pocket as autos do with their more squared edges.

The 442 is the best choice for the money! I like the excellent night sights on the M&P340, and the much lighter weight of the 340PD (11 vs 15 oz!), but then again they are twice the price of a 442.

I carry a Model 49 strong side from pocket all day, every day, on or off duty....currently it rides in a Remora holster (search this site)
GREAT carry gun....I don't wear jeans, if I did it wouldn't work as well...I wear pants with slash type pockets, no matter what I wear the gun hides well

Oh...I dunno. I wear my Bodyguard with jeans quite often and it works just as well as slash style pockets.

[QUOTE=off road;135976709]The J-frame hammerless centenials are the ultimate in pocket carry! Revolvers have an irregular shape, so they don't print as badly in a pocket as autos do with their more squared edges.


+1

Can't go wrong with a J in the pocket, or a Kahr CM9, both top of their class, imo +1 on the Remora

+1 on the 442. If I could only own one handgun. This would be the one I would keep.

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I drank what? - Socrates

I carry my 442 in a pocket holster and the only consideration is if the pocket is deep enough - some of my jeans are not. It works w/all my dress slacks. You really cannot go wrong.

I have in the past carrying my 640ND in my front pockets, soon I realized that to get her, I would have to stand up to get her. Like most we spend alot of our waking hours we are usually sitting. This not only is not so dangerous for yourselve, but with all the jerking flinching going on brings Mr. BG attention to you. So now I no longer pocket carry, instead carry IWB or OWB. That way if a situation presents it' self, I can get her alot faster than with pocket carry.

I need your expertise gentleman, your thoughts on...

Yeah I was thinking about that too...

Hrm.

Thanks for the responses guys, this is very helpful!

Yeah, but if you're gonna "holster up" why would you mess with a simple J frame? Why not carry a full size pistola? If belt carry is uncomfortable (like the OP said) it won't get carried. To me, the J frame sits in my pocket just as comfortable as my wallet, pocket knife and car keys.

Naturally and as always, YMMV.

At least with the Jaybird in your pocket, you've accomplished Rule #1...Bring a gun!

If some of you here have not read "The Rules" please do.

Rules for a Gunfight

That's a good point. If you're using your belt to support the weight of the firearm, you can carry a gun that gives you more advantages than a J frame.

Ideally, the J-frame in your pocket is a backup for something else, but realistcially we all know that isn't always going to be possible....like when wearing gym shorts.

The Airlight (scandium and the like) restrict ammo selection to jacketed rounds due to heavy recoil and unseating. For me the 442/638 work as well, are only a couple of ounces heavier and much cheaper. I shoot the 442/638 better and that is what really counts for me.

When I pocket carry, it's with a Model 36 "no-dash" and one of my own leather pocket holsters.

I started out with a Desantis Nemesis, but I wanted something that did a better job of breaking up the outline of the gun.

As long as your pants aren't too tight, or the pockets too small, pocket carry works VERY well.

One little talked about advantage of pocket carry which was pointed out by Massad Ayoob is that you can have your hand on your firearm without anyone being the wiser. It makes for a VERY fast and UNEXPECTED draw.

My take on this is that pocket pistols are guns that are frequently carried, and after an initial firing session to sight the gun in with my favorite ammo and break it in, it will only be fired to save my life in a dire emergency (which statistically for most of us will thankfully never occur!). So, I'm not going to the range and put thousands of rounds through one of these....I have lots of other guns for that.

If I have to fire it in combat, percieved recoil isn't going to be an issue at that point. So, for me it was worth the extra money to get an 11 oz scandium/titanium AirLite that carries just a bit easier than the 15 oz 442/638 AirWeight. But....got to say that I am loading .38+P's, not .357's.

I also carry my Bodyguard with jeans quite often and it works just fine.

Anything smaller than the 442 is not necessarily a practical pocket gun. You want smaller for the sake of smaller? Look at the S&W Bodyguard, then crank off a box or two of .380s for comfort. Or test out a Beretta Tomcat/Bobcat and hope it doesn't jam. There's numerous other "pocket" guns from mini-Glocks to Rugers to Kahrs, as well as assorted mouse-guns in small calibers. Try out as many as you can if possible, then convince yourself what to carry discreetly and reliably. You'll find like many of us, that a J-frame snub is like a Porsche 928 in the film "Risky Business" ... there is no substitute.

Convince me that a J-frame would be perfect for pocket carry

nothing is perfect but........................J frames fit comfortably in a pocket holster in most of the pants that i wear. i only have one pair of jeans that can be included in this group.

Hundreds or even Thousands have carryed J frames in their pockets for over 60 + years.

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Convince you that the J frame is perfect?

I might as well try to convince you that the sky is blue.

How to decide if a J Frame is the best carry gun:

1) fill your bathtub with warm water.
2) put on a loose fitting pair of shorts.
3) put 2lbs of rocks in your pocket.
4) sit in the bath, wait ten minutes, stand up.
5) pull up shorts from around your ankles.
6) remove 2/3 of the rocks from your pockets.
7) repeat step four.
8) note the weight of the rocks did not pull your shorts off.
9) note also rocks weight about as much as a loaded J Frame.
10) go buy the J Frame.

Nice rules


Thanks for all the responses guys, very helpful.

Of all my J-Frames, my favorite one to carry is my 649 stainless steel bodyguard with the shrouded hammer. I originally carried it with a hip grip until I came across a Pager Pal Holster (which became Cell Pal, and is now Hide-It Holster at Concealment Concepts - Concealed Carry Holsters - Hide-It Holster) This holster allows concealed carry without dressing around your gun. Alas though about 15 years ago, I purchased an AMT 45 Backup. This has now become my primary carry. It is actually smaller than the J-Frame revolver, has six rounds, and it is a 45, not a 38 special. Sometimes though, just for the sake of nostalgia, I will take my 649 out with me.

I've got a mod 66 2/12" ..... a modified mod 28 3" .. a CS45 and a mod 60 rnd butt. I carry all of them ( No not at the same time ) ... but if I'm going to the store or just around town in the summer I grab the mod 60. I use a pocket holster or an iwb ... can't see it under even a medium wt. t shirt. I load him up with Hornady Critical Defense +P and I usually keep a few extras in my watch pocket.
Buy one ... take it the range and shoot it .... then stick it in your pocket to take it home ..... if you're not convinced after that ... drop me an e-mail... I am starting an adoption center for unwanted .. unloved J frames

I've carried a 642 and a 340 in different pocket holsters for years now. Currently I'm using a Mika holster and love it. Some days I actually can't feel the gun and holster in my pocket and for just a brief second think that maybe I've left it at home.

Buy the J-frame and don't look back!

I've been carrying a S&W 642 as a back up gun for several years. Stainless steel and alloy, so not much worry about perspiration. Light weight, even loaded. Using a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster, I carry it in my dress slacks at work. In blue jeans on weekends, and especially in cargo pants with plenty of bulky pockets for speed loaders (when not carrying my semi-autos).

The town council passed an ordinance a couple of summers ago and they won't allow me to wear shorts. Something about frightening women, children and domestic animals.

Bullet launchers being only half of the equation, I carry mine with Hornady Critical Defense +P ammo.

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Retired Police, Life NRA

In my experience, a J frame disappears in all but the shallowest/tightest pockets. As long as it is a light weight alloy and a concealed hammer it won't drag you down while moving or hang you up while drawing. Another often overlooked advantage concerns reliabilty. Pocket holster or not, guns in pockets get lint and fuzz in them and small autos can be finicky about that while a revolver will power right through it.

_________________________

eschew obfuscation

It's a little hard to fit all of your friends that have guns in your pocket, so a J-frame is the next best thing!

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

During the summer my Model 49 rides in a holster wedged between the drivers seat and the center console/seat of my F150. When I get out it only takes a second to drop it in the srong side front pants pocket. It's not at all uncomfortable, as a matter of fact I find it rather reassuring...

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"Shall not be infringed"

All depends on how you're dressing. If it's really cold and I'm dressed appropriately, I feel comfortable with my 637 S&W, 2-1/2" bbl 38 Spl.(+p) Airweight. When it's 30's and higher, I'd rather have my Ruger LCP. The arguement isn't just size but weight as well. Back in the car/truck and at home, I have larger, heavier and more powerful weapons.

Too many things to go wrong with small pocket autos.

I have to admit some of the kahr's look tempting, but I worry about mag releases being tripped.

Had a P32 Keltec and did this more than once. Have seen others do this as well.

This is hand to hand territory, and envision the perp grabbing the gun and it not cycling the next round.

Safety on a PPK or the like in a stressful situation would be a downer.

I want a belly gun producing the biggest hole possible and that has reliability.

Hard to beat a Jframe.

Convince yer own-dangself. Grab a timer, tape a couple of 9" paper plates up at 10 feet and 7 yards, stuff your gun in your pocket, place your trigger finger along the bottom of the frame above the trigger, and wait for the beep with as many different carry guns as you can lay hands on.

Unless my timer's lyin', I can place three on the close plate and two on the far plate with my 638, my wife's 642 and a Ruger SP 101 (not the DAO model) more quickly and more accurately than with any other gun I front-pocket carry. Model 60-9 is a close 4th and DAO Ruger SP 101 is 5th.

My Kel-Tec P3AT is way back in the pack, but I keep it and my NAA-mini for deep-conceal, last ditch guns. I was so embarrassingly slow with my 1966-made PPK, it roosts elsewhere. 'Sides that, the P3AT shot rings around it, out-concealed it, out-quicked it, and out-functioned it.

All I can add is that there are a lot of jeans carrying the J frame revolvers
down here. Because it just fits naturally. I'v never had any reason to draw it but won't doubt for a minute that it will be there when I need it.
Frank

I have my 342PD with me everyday and I wear either jeans, shorts, or dockers. I choose to go with the lighter 10.5 oz higher priced model "airlite" insted of the 15oz "airweight" but I also wanted mine for summer bike rides and light weight clothing. You can't beat the airlites! I have mine loaded with shot shels for dogs on the trail and hornady critical defense rounds for the street. Unlike the others here I do not carry extra loads. But keep in mind how much ammo can weigh.
Good luck and start shootn!

I work in an office usually wear khaki pants to work,,carry a J frame in an uncle mikes pocket holster every day in my right front pocket,,carry my wallet in the left front pocket,,cant tell the difference..it may not be my favorite gun or the best looking gun I have but it is my most carried gun probably carry it 90% of the time.....

340PD everywhere I go. 38+p's and a speed strip. Was looking at the 442
as well. In the waist or pocket cant go wrong.

I really wish you would reconsider this. Five rounds go hella fast, especially when one or two of those 5 are ratshot! A Bianchi speed strip loaded with 5 more rounds weighs mere ounces in weight but a TON in reassurance.

I love the 642 in my pants (Jeans) pocket. One thing really nice about that method of carry is this.... you can be walking along in the store, or down the sidewalk in town, whatever, with your hand on the grip of your little power-house and nobody would be the wiser. If some perp came up to rob you.... ooooops, surprise!!! But, the thing I don't like is when driving, it's not easy to get it out of pocket! Best of both worlds is an OWB holster for a small auto (PM(?) stongside and the pocket gun in the off-side pocket. I need to look into that soon!

Buy the J Frame.... they really pocket carry perfectly in blue jeans or dress slacks!

I've been carryin a M60 no dash with a 1 7/8" barrel in my rear pocket for almost a month now. The only rub (no pun intended) is that it has a homemade bob job on the hammer and needs some refinement (filing and polishing). Several times I have forgotten I'm even loaded. No, wait, I mean the gun is loaded...er, in my pocket.

No CCW here in New Jersey
But I am ready if the Supreme court restores our 2nd Amendment rights:

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Vote Responsibly

Can't no one convince you and it stick. You just got to do it and if you like it continue. If you don't sell the gun and get another one. Carry guns are personal opinion anyway. I feel fine carrying a J frame in my pocket or on my hip or a 4" 19 on my hip. You need to decide for yourself.

Convincing me got me 4 Glocks and I hate Glocks.

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One gun is never enough...

A few of my J Frames

Attached Images

CIMG0007-1.jpg (118.5 KB, 55 views)

So about a year ago, in my little town, well, in the littler town next door, was a small grocery/convenience store. The aged (70+ yo) lived above it, with his wife.
A mini-gang, two young guys and their girl driver, decided to break in late one night. Upon hearing unexpected sounds downstairs the old guy puts his hammerless J-frame in his pocket and goes downstairs, really only expecting to face down a raccoon.
One of the young guys spots him, knocks him down and they both begin kicking his old body. He manages to point his pocket at one of them and fires, the bullet going through one guys neck and lodging in the thorax of the second perp, both of whom fall to the floor, hors de combat.
Is that a good enough reason?

They are beautiful.