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Pocket carry of J-frame: with or without holster?

vito

vito

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For those who carry a j-frame in their pocket (pants or jacket), do you use a pocket holster or carry it loose in the pocket? I find that some pants that I own, like my Eddie Bauer jeans, have a large enough pocket to safely hold any of my pocket holsters, while my Wranglers do not. I can still carry my 640 in my Wranglers, but only if I forego the holster. The only negatives I see about not using a holster are that the trigger is not covered, and that you have to clean it more often due to lint accumulation. I wondered what others do for j-frame pocket carry.
 
I carry my M340PD all the time in my left front pants pocket.
Always in a holster.
Jim
 
MIKA's pocket holster for me, tried without a holster and it doesn't stay straigtht. It ends up rotating so I can't reach in and grab it right.
 
Over the years, I've carried my M38, M42 and M 40 in my pocket. I've occasionally tried pocket holsters but always go back to just the pocket.

I've never seen a benefit to the pocket holster for me (only the manufacturer).

I often carry a handkerchief in my pocket as well.

People self consciously worry about 'printing'. I think this comes more with novice CCW's and tends to go away with time and experience.

We all know that we don't put our finger in the trigger guard until the sights are on target. Thousands of repetitions presenting the revolver from the pocket makes it automatic.

I've never had a problem with pocket crud gumming up the revolver. Of course, I wipe it down before and after carrying. But I do that for any handgun I carry, pocket or holster.

Just my opinion, of course.
 
IMG_0953.jpg


In my pocket every day. A 340PD, so light it is almost unnoticeable.

terry
 
I pocket carry my Model 38 Airweight without a holster. I've tried a couple --- didn't like them.
In Wranglers; my 38:
Doesn't print
Doesn't move
Doesn't get "linty"

Plus, I can stick my hand in my pocket and be ready to draw without fussing with a covered trigger guard. In fact, when trouble shows itself, having your pocketed 38 in a ready-to-draw grip without attracting attention is one of the biggest advantages of pocket carry.
 
I pocket-carry almost all the time and for the past several years use a holster. That way the gun does not flop around, the trigger is covered and it's just more comfortable. Others don't, as someone above has posted, and it really comes down to what works best for you - there's no hard and fast rule here.
 
As far as printing goes, I'd worry more about why someone was looking at the front of my trousers close enough to notice the faint outline of a firearm.
I do use a home made leather pocket holster. It gives me peace of mind knowing that the triggers covered and it holds my snubby in a stable position. I made it rough side out and the holster does stay in my pocket on the draw stroke.

Out of curiosity I did try just dropping an unloaded snubby in my pocket and walking around the house. It turned enough to make just removing from my pocket difficult. "Hold on a second Mr. bad guy while I dig my snubby out."
The thing I like about making my own holsters is that I can custom cut them to fit the pocket of my favorite jeans.
 
1) I can't conceive of pocket carrying without a holster. No way. This applies to both my G33 and my M940. A good holster covers the trigger and keeps the firearm properly oriented all the time.

2) DRESS AROUND THE GUN. If you can't use a holster when you pocket carry in certain trousers, don't pocket carry in those trousers. If you are dedicated to pocket carry as a primary means (and there are good reason to do so) get rid of the trousers that don't work with pocket carry. Get your priorities straight. It's about fighting, not fashion. Don't do anything not compatible with carrying all the time, and doing so safely.
 
Pocket Rocket

Once, when I was a young, inexperienced and stupid LEO, I dropped a Colt .25 auto out of my front jeans pocket while changing a flat along the side of New York's Grand Central Parkway, after dark. If the gun hadn't nudged my right foot upon falling, I just might not have realized I'd dropped it and I would have driven off without it. THIS CURED ME OF POCKET CARRY OR ANY OTHER FORM OF MEXICAN CARRY.

A handgun, even one that his been deburred, dehorned and rendered buttery smooth, is still hell on pockets. I can only offer my opinion based upon my experience and that is to carry the gun as though you may someday actually have to use it. Pockets come in all depths, some allow your wallet, keys, cellphone to fall out. Then, there's the matter of how you're built. Any slouching while seated might allow the gun to fall out. What if this happens at a family gathering and a child finds it before you realize it's no longer in your pocket?
 
federali said:
Once, when I was a young, inexperienced and stupid LEO, I dropped a Colt .25 auto out of my front jeans pocket while changing a flat along the side of New York's Grand Central Parkway, after dark. If the gun hadn't nudged my right foot upon falling, I just might not have realized I'd dropped it and I would have driven off without it. THIS CURED ME OF POCKET CARRY OR ANY OTHER FORM OF MEXICAN CARRY.

A handgun, even one that his been deburred, dehorned and rendered buttery smooth, is still hell on pockets. I can only offer my opinion based upon my experience and that is to carry the gun as though you may someday actually have to use it. Pockets come in all depths, some allow your wallet, keys, cellphone to fall out. Then, there's the matter of how you're built. Any slouching while seated might allow the gun to fall out. What if this happens at a family gathering and a child finds it before you realize it's no longer in your pocket?
Click to expand...

I carry a S&W 642-1 airweight stainless steel revolver all the time in my front pocket and it has never fallen out. I have a good size pocket and it rests there well in my pocket holster.
I worry more about the CA 44 special in my galco holster
being exposed than my pocket carried 38. I never carry anything along with it in the same pocket though. I wear my keys on a chain around my neck to avoid losing them.

And if I am the least bit worried about printing I carry the
642 in my pocket and don't carry the other one, or if I am
going to a civilian medical facility.
 
All of my I, J, and J-"Magnum" frame snubs are pocket carried in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster. I tend to prefer Size 4, as it covers more of the trigger area than Size 3.
 
Correction on Pocket Rocket

I should have mentioned that I was referring to pocket carrying a gun without any form of holster. I have indeed carried a gun in a high-friction pocket holster and I felt it was safe and reasonably secure.
 
Most days my J-frame rides in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster, which works very well. Keeps the gun positioned for a smooth draw, and will not move in the pocket.

Days I wear my Wranglers the J goes in an Uncle Mike's Size 3, a model I used for years before discovering the Nemesis.

I won't consider carrying without a holster if only because I don't want to risk the gun shifting to a position that would complicate the draw even slightly.
 
I am a Private Investigator, but I also own a contract Security company. A few years ago I had an assignment where I was guarding a Woman who was carrying a large amount of jewelry. Very expensive jewelry. I was carrying my Glock 23 in an OWB holster, but wanted a BUG. I dropped my M340PD in my pocket without a holster in my suit pants. It moved all over the place.:eek:
That's when I got a pocket holster. That revolver now lives there all the time, and I literally forget it's there.
Jim
 
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