Hey all,

I have had my eye on a J frame for a while now and I would like to pick one up this year sometime. One model that I especially like is the M40 reissue. I have handled a couple and they are really beautiful handguns.
One of the reasons a J frame appeals to me is that I can slip it in a pants pocket and out the door I go without very much hassle at all.
The one I had been looking at is the 638 which is a bit lighter than the 40.

So I would like to know what you all think about pocket carrying of the M40 on occasion. Is it too heavy and would drag your pants down too much or would it work fine in the pocket?

If you were going to pocket carry every now and again would you go with a 638 or similar Airweight or would the M40 be a good option too?

Thanks for the help and your time.

BD

Hey all,

I have had my eye on a J frame for a while now and I would like to pick one up this year sometime. One model that I especially like is the M40 reissue. I have handled a couple and they are really beautiful handguns.
One of the reasons a J frame appeals to me is that I can slip it in a pants pocket and out the door I go without very much hassle at all.
The one I had been looking at is the 638 which is a bit lighter than the 40.

So I would like to know what you all think about pocket carrying of the M40 on occasion. Is it too heavy and would drag your pants down too much or would it work fine in the pocket?

If you were going to pocket carry every now and again would you go with a 638 or similar Airweight or would the M40 be a good option too?

Thanks for the help and your time.

BD

I used to pocket carry a Model 36. I also had an ankle holster for it but found the gun just too gosh darn heavy to ankle carry for any lenght of time.

I bought a 340Sc (11 oz. unloaded) from a Forum member here a couple of years ago. The weight difference between the 340Sc and 36 for pocket carry is HUGE. You can even wear the 340Sc in gym shorts with an elastic band and they won't sag. With the 36 they'd be half way down to my knees. Moreover, I can comfortably ankle carry the 340Sc.

There's nothing wrong with pocket carrying a steel J frame, but it there is a big weight difference between steel and alloy J frames. There's a good reason why there's the saying "carry a lot, shoot a little", but having a gun is better than not having one due to the weight hassle.

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NRA Life Member

I had a M40 before I traded it in for the no ils 642.

I also have a M638.

To me, the M40 was heavier for pocket-carry, and was relegated to iwb or paddle carry.

Get the Model 40 and buy a good belt for your pants. I've got one and carry this way all the time. I don't like to pocket carry in anything other than blue jeans though, and Wrangler jeans seem to have deeper pockets, so I don't have to wear a long shirttail as much.

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MARK

Back in the 50's, some of the old "dicks" carried a revolver in the outer pocket of their heavy overcoats. This was the version of "pocket carry" that they used to refer to. Now if all "went South" they might have to ruin a good overcoat but would still make it home to supper.

J frame makes a very important point. If you're carrying a steel J frame in a front pocket holster I also would suggest you utilize a good belt. Don't stick one of them in a pair of pants or shorts with an elastic waistband. You may wind up doing a Plaxico.

I carry a Mod 640 or a Mod 38 in the front pocket with a Nemisis pocket holster in cargo shorts often in warm weather. I find the aluminum Mod 38 much more comfortable than the all steel model 640. More often than not I use the Mod 640 in an IWB holster, occassionally in a Null SKR lightweight shoulder holster if I'm taking a long car ride.

Thats exactly what the model 40 is for! I carry a old one and before that I carried a snubbed hammer model 60 for about 30 years. I am a huge fat guy, so cant speak for skinny people but for me they are made to carry in my front pocket. I just cant see a holster for a snub. Years ago I did carry them over my left breast in uniform winter coats, also in vest pockets.

I wish I could carry in cargo shorts and Dockers and the like, but the pockets cause the weapon to beat my leg to death. If I wear cargo shorts, I tuck it into a cheap nylon belly band that closes with velcro and it has two holster pockets so I can put my three inch Model 13 in one as well and make it a primary. I'm amazed at how comfortable this is with a t shirt on.

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MARK

I carry a m 640 daily on a Milt Sparks pocket holster.

Tips.

1. Have a good belt as said.

2. Have a good pocket holster. Since I got my Milt Spark pocket holster carry became much more comfortable that when I used cheap Uncle Mikes and De Sanctic fabric models.

3. When shopping for clothes carry the gun and holster with you intro the dressing booth. Some jeans hide the gun better that others. In some case the but can or cannot be visible depeding on pocket design. Levi's are the better brand for me. IZOD seems very good on Dockers style pants. Cargo style pants for some reason make the gun beat my leg senseless. I use belt holsters them.

4. Check the pockets regulary and reinforse them if necessary.

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"Smith and Wesson and me."

M 640, M 18, M 586, M 12, M 17. In the past also M 15 and M 13.

I have a Kramer pocket holster and a Nemesis and I find either works very well. Usually I go for high end holsters but for me with this application the cheap DeSantis seems to work just as well.

Hi,

I definitely prefer an Airweight type J-frame in the pocket vs. a steel framed one. 15 oz. vs. 23 oz (+ weight of the ammo) makes the steel framed ones bounce around whereas the Airweights tend to just lay there when you move. Big difference that way.

Tonight I went out of town for dinner, and since it was cold I put on my 3" barreled officer's type 1911 style Kimber Ultra CDP, in a outside belt holster. It weights the same unloaded as my M36 does unloaded . . . 23 oz.

At the last minute I thought, what the heck and went ahead and also slid my 15 oz. Model 37 Airweight in my strong side front pocket too.

The pair was quite comfortable (and comforting).

Before getting the M37 last year, my pocket gun was it's steel framed brother, a Model 36. Although I never really had a problem pocket carrying the M36, the M37 was noticeably a LOT better in this role.

The Airweights are perfect pocket guns and my M37 is my "always" gun . . . and today my steel framed M36 rides in a Mitch Rosen belt holster when I wear it.

Two great guns . . . but two different primary roles . . . although either can do both jobs.

T.
T.

Sometimes, because of the weight, I did'nt carry my bobbed M60, figured, might as well carry my 1911 if I'm go'n to ware a holster. But now my 442 is so light an stays put in my pocket , I'm never without it. I love my High Noon Pocketgrabber, not cheap but you'll never have to buy another!!!

Thanks for that info Tom, it's just what I was hoping to find. Dad, Hubby and I were discussing the difference in weight between a Model 36 and our KImber Pro Crimson Carry II's and I thought the Model 36 was a little lighter.
I'm glad to know I was right(again) even if it's only by 5 oz

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A good pocket holster makes all the difference in the world. Ten years ago I would have told you that a 40 was too heavy for the pocket, and a 42 or 37 OK. A couple of years ago, after discovering that a Don Hume JIT slide works great as a pocket holster, I started carrying a 2" Model 15 in my pocket. Deep pockets and a decent belt help.

Nowadays, I am more likely to carry a 2" 12 in my pocket, but that weighs almost as much as a 40.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I like my K&D pocket setup made by Kevin Mandley.Fills the front pocket, of the Docker's I wear, very well and his design make my lightweight "Dural" Walther PPK leave no print at all. Load that little 7/65mm with $2 a round
"Fangface" and trust God that I will get the first one off. It is a very light carry setup