I'm considering starting to carry a small semiautomatic in my back pocket.

In my case, it will be my Sig P238 380. But the same possibility would be there for M&P 380s or LCPs etc.

What are the plusses and minuses of back pocket carry?

Does anyone here do it?

What holsters are best?

Bad idea ! try drawing while seated.
Hard to reach in a hurry.
At one time I carried a AMT Backup .380 in my right rear pocket (1970s era) However this was a last ditch carry as I was carrying three S&W Revolvers in other areas. (Plainclothes assignment).

*** I worked for a patrol sergeant who was over weight. His "BUG" was a High Standard .22 Magnum Derringer. At three yards one cound not hit a B-27 target with either barrel. I think with all that extra weight it must have sprung the frame ?

I don’t even have a handkerchief in my back pocket. I was told years ago by physical therapists never to use my back pockets, as it was not good for spinal alignment.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Our P238 came with a SIG wallet holster, which hubby has used to back pocket carry on occasion. It's not his EDC, but he likes it as an option.

You’ll shoot your eye out

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213th FBINA

But only in very specific sets of circumstances. I would not recommend it for general use.

I tried it. Some pants were ok, others positioned the gun so I sat on it(ouch).I do front off hand pocket and waistband now. I can get at a gun with both hands and it’s more comfortable for me. I know a retired cop that carried a J-Frame in his back pocket at all times. It never bothered him.

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Two Handguns every day

Biggest issue is you are sitting or lying on your gun when you might need it. Same issue I have against pocket carry or small ob.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Back in the day when only the good guys (read badges) and the bad guys (real desperados or, more often, wannabee punks) ) were armed consistently I heard the following, or a variation of it, more than once.

DA: "Mister Officer could you please tell the Court just what aroused your suspicions that the defendant might be in possession of a handgun?"

Officer: "As I observed him from the rear I quickly noticed the almost perfect outline of an object worn shiny in the right-hand rear pocket of his pants. The outline of a small handgun was unmistakable and there were places where sharp corners of the weapon had abraded through the material. It was obvious to any reasonable person that he was accustomed to carrying an object of that shape in that pocket."

BTW IIRC shoot-through wallet holsters (to prevent printing and unusual wear as outlined above) are (still) AOWs but I never saw it charged. I never worked a wallet-holster involved homicide either but AOW might well have been charged in the throw-the-book-at-'em phase of an investigation had it been part of the evidence.

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On the whistle draw and fire 6

Bear Creek Holsters makes excellent back-pocket holsters:
Handcrafted Back / Front Pocket, Inside / Outside Waist Band Holsters | Bear Creek Holsters

A small gun such as my Seecamp .32 is about the same size as my large wallet. My Kahr PM9 was a bit too large IMHO. The biggest downside to this type of holster is that getting a proper shooting grip is difficult unless the back panel is left off (easily done with the Chicago screw attachment used by Bear Creek), but as noted above, the gun will print through the pocket.
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I gave up on this carry method and prefer the DeSantis Nemesis in my front pocket for both my PM9 and Ruger LCR. This holster allows me a proper firing grip before I even draw out of my pocket.

CF468588-6C3E-484D-87BF-DE844C582C91.jpg

Back pocket ?? Can't think of any pluses to that. Please enlighten

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John

Years ago during a deer hunting Hardees breakfast run, my buddy and I were treated to the spectacle of an elderly man with no visible signs of actually having buttocks, precariously carrying a J-frame, holsterless, in one of his jean's rear pockets.

It looked so ridiculous and thoughtless that I cannot fathom ever trying it myself........

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

I SECOND THIS POST.

I don't keep anything in my back pockets and haven't for several years.

When I was on patrol, i wouldn't carry a wallet in my back pocket, as I would be sitting on it all day. It irritated my Sciatic nerve, and then it was really a pain in the butt.

A pistol in my back pocket? No way!

Have used desantis superfly for a lcp as a rear pocket holster and front pocket . The outside flap breaks up the outline of the pistol .

I don't second the nothing in the back pockets because I carry wallets in my back pockets routinely, always have, and my spine has no issues therefrom. I will note, however, that when I travel I do NOT carry my wallets anywhere but in front pockets. But that's to prevent theft, not to do with spinal anything.

I had an old Bersa .380 (pre-Thunderer) that fit nicely into my back pocket but I simply did not like doing it. I have however, carried this in my back pocket, although it's been awhile since I did it:




AOW violations are Federal crimes so I can't imagine a local gendarme wasting his or her time with it.

For a $5.00 silly tax you can avoid the problem altogether.

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Come and take it!!

^^^Tried it. Didn't like it for all the reasons listed above ^^^

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What could possibly go wrong?

What you need to do is go old school pocket carry and use a S&W Safety Hammerless.

Attached Images

Bicycle Gun Ad.jpg (266.8 KB, 106 views)

You'll shoot your cheek off.

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No baby we aint

The back pocket just isn't practical or comfortable for all day. When taking the trash out really quick? That I've done yes - dropped my gun in right rear pocket for a few minutes, but not for anything beyond that.

My right front pocket I have carried many times like that - my SP101 or G26 slip into my right front pocket no problem.

i have never heard the back pocket/back pain relation before. i have been carrying a wallet, mostly empty, and a knife in my rear pockets for 45 years. i always thought my pain was from 2 motorcycle crashes and a nasty fall from a 20' ladder stand while looking for Bambi's dad and sleeping at the same time. who knew? krs

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Too good

Bad idea as is small of the back carry and in many cases, front pocket carry. I do sometimes carry an M&P 340 in my front pocket but starting to think that it is not that good a choice especially when seated like in a vehicle or dining in a restaurant etc. Impossible to draw swiftly unless standing. If you were to be knocked to the ground and on your back, rear pocket carry or small of the back carry would make it very difficult to draw the weapon at best and may injure you to the point where the fight is over anyway!

More likely to print.
More likely to make permanent “wear marks” like you see made by Skoal cans carried by guys that use canned tobacco.

As for a rear pocket carry holster I'd say it's impractical for most people. Pocket carry might of been a viable option from 1900 to the 1950s when most mens pants jackets were oversized to downright baggy but todays styles don't leave much room for pistols. From pictures I'v seen the vintage leather pocket holsters were used with big overcoats with large pockets, original gangsta style.

In years past, after retirement and when working in the gun shops where I worked, I did carry my BUG (Kel-Tec P3AT & later a Kahr Arms P380) in a Desantis Nemesis in my right rear pocket. Never had an issue with printing and never relied on that carry method for primary. Was certaining much more accessible than ankle carry. Most of the day I was standing or just propped up on a stool while working the counter/register.

Nickel plated, round butt, M36. Left rear pocket of my uniform pants. No holster. Made for a nice back up gun to my issued M15 on my right hip.

I want lie I have carried my M&P BG 380 in my back pocket sometimes.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I sometimes carry an LCP in a pocket holster, L/F pocket. One thing I’ve learned is the pocket holster MUST cover the mag button b/c the mag can pop out if you bump against something. I’d think this would be more pronounced in a back pocket w/you sitting on the gun all the time.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My BG 380 is carried in my front right pocket. I just bought its wheel gun cousin the BG .38 that will be carried IWB or in the same right front pocket. My wallet goes in my left front pocket. I would not carry anything in the back pockets. Sitting, standing, running, walking....An accident waiting to happen.

Carry how you want. Don’t let the irrational fears, deeply held personal carry issues, or mistakes made by those with a computer and a forum membership influence you. If you’re good with it, do it . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

That’s what your truck gun is for . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Had a buddy, BIG old boy that carried a Colt DS in his back pocket. Drove a Blazer. One day he had to get out to get to the drive-in window at the bank. Gun fell out, went off,but no one hurt . That was the last day he did that.

I have the same thing. Works great for something quick and easy if I don't want to carry something bigger.

only gun i ever lost was carried in back pocket. 1966 i carried a High Standard .22 magnum derringer. was horseback in a big pasture when my horse blew up unexpectedly and left me ironed out on the ground. horse ran off and i finally was able to catch him. my derringer was missing so i spent an hour trying to find where i got bucked off. anything i ever lost horseback, a spur or rope, or derringer, i've never found. this probably isn't a good illustration of why you shouldn't carry in a back pocket, but gave me a chance to re-live an incident from 50+ years ago. by the way, i bought another derringer just like it and it stays in the safe where it shouldn't get lost, but not guaranteed.

Context - I carried a Keltec P32 in a Don Hume back pocket holster for over a decade plus. Usually it was a backup to a primary, larger pistol, but it was glorious for slipping easily in back pockets of jeans and slacks. Even had it with me when I got married. As noted, many drawbacks to back pocket carry, but it seemed plenty viable in 20s and early 30s. My anticipated use was also usually for a rather proactive, surreptitious draw, not a reactive draw - I am really doubtful to their value unless you have a serious tactical advantage.

Relative to the OP’s ask -
First, single action in the back pocket makes me uncomfortable even in a quality holster. The 938’s safety lever is small IIRC, but I could foresee some butt scooting potentially disengaging the safety. Without a grip safety, the 938 is beyond my safety tolerance risk. Back pocket is DAO zone for me.

Second, I have tried slipping a larger gun, including J Frames with pocket holsters, into the back pocket. To me, they are obviously a gun and the takeaway risk is unacceptable. The 938 is small and might straddle the line, but with the size/steel frame I think it will print badly in just about anything less than brand new Carharrt work pants. I am smaller framed guy, so YMMV.

Bad idea,I front pocket carry a BG380 every day, would never consider rear pocket carry.From a security issue to difficulty drawing while seated it has few merits.When seated in the car I remove from my front pocket to a more accessible place while driving.

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SWCA#2288
SWHF#407

funny post...just stick it in your back pocket and see how it works for you. Everyone and everyone's situations are different. This isn't buying a new car.

You are fortunate. Many years ago, when I had a seriously painful back problem with sciatica, my doctor told me to move my wallet to a front pocket. He called it a "wallectomy."

I use back pocket when I'm walking and front when doing anything else . Usually got something in the bib pocket when wearing overalls. Ammo in left front pocket .

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

I keep mine in my back pocket when I'm walking forwards and in my front pocket when I'm walking backwards, that way I know whether I'm coming or going.

This thread brings this stat to mind from heyjackass.com

"Shot in the ***-o-meter, 2020"

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Interesting.

Over the years, I've had several wallectomies performed on me by the stock market.