Wanted to get experienced opinions:

Every YouTube video I watch suggests to make your carry pocket only for your gun. If unholstered, I would completely understand, however, if your gun is in a holster, the bottom 3-4 inches of your pocket should be fine to place keys, spare change, etc. without coming in contact with the gun at all.

When I start carrying (J frame 638 on order - should be here next week), if I transition to stuffing everything into my left pocket, and fight to get everything out (since I'm not as tactile with my off hand), I don't imagine I would want to continue pocket carry.

Does anyone using a pocket holster put anything else in the same pocket? Obviously it couldn't be much, but I'm looking to see if there are drawbacks that I'm not thinking of.

Thanks,
William

Nothing in the same pocket as the gun, nope nope nope - it's just asking for trouble.

That is exactly what I have seen when I look online, but then again there are people who say carrying in the pocket period is asking for trouble.

What exactly is the concern with keys (for example)? I have about 5 keys (work, home, car) and they wouldn't come anywhere near half way up the pocket holster. What is the potential issue?

(Not arguing, just honestly curious)

That should be fine if you stay standing and don't move at all. Sit down and everything shifts. Nothing in the pocket except gun and holster.

If...

you had a pocket deep and wide enough to carry all of your pocket contents and the holstered gun without having the gun stick out; and the bottom contents didn't allow the gun to shift position; and there is no way the stuff on the bottom to migrate upward and scratch the gun or get in the way of a draw...

it's still a bad idea . Sorry!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

get a dog snap and hang the keys off a belt loop.

I pocket carry most of the time along with several othe r methods. I never have anything else in with the holstered gun. Change and other things can work their way into the holster. Think about reaching for your gun, pulling it and it has a dime wedged in jamming the trigger. Asking for a minute to clear probably will not work well. I carry my knife, 2 speed strips and a key in the left pocket. That is almost too much.
Congratulation on the 638 nice gun. Good luck and be safe

Several years ago I read a report in which a man put his keys in his right front pocket along with his mouse gun. When he tried to pull the keys out of his pocket, the key ring caught the trigger. He pulled harder. Bullet went through his leg and came out just above the knee. The report never mentioned a pocket holster.

I work with keys every day. I could see how some key chains could enter the pocket holster.

So as a rule the gun is the only thing that goes in that pocket. Safety over convenience.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

This is a bad idea, whether you have a pocket holster or not (I don't ).

I hadn't considered things moving when seated - that makes perfect sense now. Thanks!

And I hadn't thought of other things in the pocket causing an accidental discharge. Thanks.

Not only can things shift and get mixed up with the gun it is also uncomfortable having other stuff in the pocket poking you in the leg. I would also recommend to ALWAYS use a holster, for obvious safety reasons, and it helps keep dirt and lint out of the gun too.

I carry a 638 as well and I might add the hammer channel will also collect a little pocket lint and gunk. It's never been a problem but I will blow it out with canned air occasionally.

Enjoy your new 638.

Pocket gun lives alone in the pocket. With or without a holster. I recommend the holster.

I carry a holstered 642 in my right front pocket, jeans or slacks or suit, makes no difference, they all work.

Left pocket has cash. Back pocket has a wallet. Shirt pocket has ID case and a pen. Other back pocket has a knife unless I have a vest or suit coat on, then the knives go into those pockets. Change can go in any pocket EXCEPT the gun pocket until I dump it in the car.

I carry a lot of keys and miscellany. Car keys and miscellany are on a carabiner and either hook on a belt loop, go in a coat pocket, or hook onto a briefcase. House keys go in the cash pocket, a vest or coat pocket, or the briefcase. That's a lot of stuff. NOTHING goes near the gun.

I can accomplish the foregoing in any weather and in any street clothes. If I am down to shorts and a T shirt the ID case can go in the cash pocket or the other back pocket. Even if a knife is in there. Nothing touches the gun. Ever.

Nope, nothing but the gun. I won't even have a nickel in the same pocket as a gun...

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NRA Life Member

I pocket carry all the time. Nothing in the pocket except a 342Ti in a Mika. Ever.

But hey, it's your jewelry, do as you please!

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I really don' understand why this question would even be asked. When I pocket carry a gun, I'm right-handed so the gun goes in my right pocket in a holster I made that catches on the pocket when drawn. My keys then go in my left pocket. I don't carry change if I can help it. It doesn't take much dexterity to pull your keys out of your left pocket with your left hand.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I concur with the "nothing besides gun and holster" crowd. I have absent-mindedly put keys in that pocket, only to find it hard to extract the keys, and more important, taking up so much slack in my pocket, it's hard to get my hands around the grip. Coins could fall into the holster, jamming the gun in place or worse.

I put my keys on a belt loop. If I'm in a hurry, it put keys in a jacket pocket or my weak side pocket - key, remote, and TrackR device.

Cargo Pants or Shorts have come in very handy. I also hang a lot of junk on my belt. Pepper Spray, Flashlight, Multi-Tool, Phone. One Snub
AIWB the other in the Left Front Pocket. The Right Front Pocket gets the Speed loaders. Back Pockets get a Wallet on Left Moneyclip on Right. If I have Cargo Pockets I can carry more stuff. I also have a Chiropractor on Retainer.

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Two Handguns every day

If you are pocket carrying, hopefully with a holster, there should be NOTHING else in there but your gun. Excrement occurs and if there is any possible way whatever else you have in your pocket can jam up the works in some fashion it will, at a very bad time.

Exactly, pretty much end of discussion... intelligent discussion, that is...

So you put your keys and some change in your pocket under your holster are you going to have to pull your gun out to get them every time you need them? My pockets sure aren't big enough to reach pass a gun in a holster. Bad idea un safe and not very handy anyway. I can see it now. Here lady can you hold my gun while I get my change. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Very simple remedy for this, put your keys in a different pocket.

Nothing goes in the gun pocket except the gun and holster!

I like the KISS principle. Adding something to my gun pocket is just asking for ole Murphy to rear his ugly head.

I have posted this before and thought it may add to this thread. IMHO, pocket carry is only as good as the pocket itself. My neighbor is a seamstress and I have her sew my right pockets to fit my BG380 and Nemesis holster. Most pockets are a bit too deep to get a good purchase on a small gun and they cause the gun to print more.

She sews the bottom of the pocket off flat to bring the rig up to a comfortable position. Then she sews the contour of the holster paddle. This kind of locks the Nemesis into position. She then tacks the pocket to the outside off the pant leg with matching thread so it stays in place when you draw. This profile leaves a place for an extra mag on the side.

So, my right pocket is dedicated to my pistol, nothing else. I would highly recommend to those who pocket carry to employ your wife, or yourself if you can manage a needle and thread, to consider something like this. Then, you can be Fast Draw McGraw .

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

110 zillion. %.

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Spin The Wheel

I wouldn't dare have anything in my gun pocket but my gun....

Don't help Mr. Murphy.

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

Gun in pocket holster in pocket.

NOTHING ELSE.

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2B1ASK1

Nothing in my gun pocket but my S&W .38+P 442-Pro in a Galco pocket holster.

I pocket carry, the problem I had with keys is(are?) one time , I was at home, not thinking I dropped keys in front right pocket with gun. and when I went to pull my keys out they brought the gun with them and dumped it on the carpeted floor. I had probably done this before with no problems . No foul , no harm but after that I decided to make darn sure the gun went in the right and keys in the left .
If have some jeans with a watch pocket and have put keys in there, but its separate from the lower pocket and safe.
Gary

I carry. 360PD daily. Cargo shorts and untucked t shirt, right hand pocket., left pocket gets keys and reading glasses. Left cargo pocket is the cell phone. Drop pouch on belt. Knife in right cargo pocket or on belt.
Jeans, IWB , same holster as in pocket. Keys and glasses in right pocket. Cell phone in left . Knife on right pocket or on belt. Drop pouch on belt or under cell phone in left pocket.
Tucked in shirt or dress pants. Ankle holster. Everything else in pockets. I don't like ankle holsters other than you still have a gun. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1454809064.707458.jpg

I would not carry anything but the weapon and it's holster in the pocket if I carried in that manner, I carry my J frame IWB and it conceals well and is comfortable as well. Nothing gets in the way, not even pocket lint.

I never put anything in my right front pocket except a pocket pistol. My wallet and pocket knife go in the left front pocket along with an extra mag. Keys go on my belt or belt loop with a snap on ring that also holds all my keys. If I wear a jacket the keys go int the jacket pocket.

I never want anything that could interfere with me getting my pistol out and that includes no rings on the right hand and not watch or bracelet on the right wrist.

A secondary benefit is there is nothing to scratch your gun. For both reasons, don't crowd the pocket with your gun in it.

If and when I pocket carry nothing but the weapon is in that pocket. But I truly feel pocket carry should be your last resort... IWB holster is my preferred carry. Locatoin is best on the hip. Small of the back if I have to. But small of the back presents many of the same issues pocket carry does hard to get to and hard to clear clothing to employ your weapon.

Nothing ever in pocket with a gun with or without a holster. One mistake you can't take back and it might take your leg or............

Looks like I'm with the majority here. Only thing in the pocket with the gun is the gun. I wear cargo shorts 365, so I've got the system down to a science. Wallet, phone, keys, gun, knives, all have their place, and it doesn't change. Even when I belt carry, nothing goes in the pocket that usually holds the gun, and most of the time I still have a pocket pistol.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Fill your pocket with junk. Put your gun in with the junk. Wait for a high stress situation like a robber pointing a knife a you. Get excited. Yank our gun out. Have some junk in the process get snagged on your trigger guard or trigger. Shoot off your junk in the unintended discharge. Listen to the robber laugh while you are screaming and he is removing your wallet.

Don't even need high stress.

Guy in local Walmart was in checkout. Reached in his pocket for money. Gun and money in same pocket. No holster.

Bang. Just nicked his knee, hit the floor and went ...somewhere. No one else hurt.

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USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

I may be the exception here. I have everything in my left front pocket and a J frame in Galco pocket holster in right front pocket. I do though slip my iPhone between back of holster and my leg. I can get to my gun easy enough although a bit harder to get my phone out and real hard when driving but I usually won't answer it then anyway.
I'll likely start using cargo shorts this summer for the extra pockets and replace my carpenter jean when they wear out with cargo pants.

I almost exclusively pocket carry a pair of J-frame Airweights in DeSantis Nemesis holsters. A holster is always used. I might occasionally slip a pocket handkerchief in my off-side pants pocket between the holster and my leg, but that is the only thing I will carry in the pockets besides the holstered revolvers. If I have more stuff to carry than pockets, well, it's then time to start making some decisions.

Regards,

Dave

I never carry anything but the gun inside a pocket holster and
keys especially remote are so expensive if you lose them i wear then on a strap made for that around my neck. That solves the pocket problem for keys and leaves more pockets free.
I carry speed loaders in a shirt pocket for my S&W 38 and my
extra magazine is on the glock holster for my 45acp.