POCKET CARRY SUGGESTIONS (CLOTHING & HOLSTER BRANDS) FOR EDC - CCW

[chief38]

I've got two EDC/CCW carry methods that I have been using for over 3 decades when pocket carrying. After trying many different holsters and pants here is what I have deemed numero uno. Just let me state that for the past 44 years I have basically carried only two different guns for EDC. For the first 40 it was a S&W M60 and for the last 4+ years it has been a Sig P365 - just so you know what I am referring to carrying.

The pocket holster I have found to be #1 above all the rest is the DeSantis Nemesis. It is extremely light weight, inexpensive, comfortable in your pocket, successfully breaks up the gun's profile, has a built in retention hump to keep it in your pocket when drawing Roscoe, and is sweat proof. It fully covers the trigger and guard and is made for both small revolvers and auto loaders. They do last for many many years and can be bought online and in many gun stores.

LL Bean Double L Jeans in Relaxed Fit happens to have huge oversized and deeper pockets than any other brand of Jeans I have ever tried. They are superb for pocket carry!! I've had pretty much all the major brands over the years too. As a huge bonus, they happen to be excellent Jeans, last forever and are super duper comfortable as well! BTW the pockets are super strong and have never ripped or come apart.

For shorts (if you live in a warm climate as I do now) I have found that Costco's Union Bay Cargo shorts are the ticket! They are extremely comfortable, long lasting, have great velcro on the pocket flaps and have huge "pistol pockets". They are also ridiculously inexpensive and I own at least a dozen pairs in 5 colors. BTW, they also last just about forever!!

I do not pocket carry every single day, but I'd estimate I do at least 60-70% of the time now. This is what I have found to be the best combo for that purpose and while I have mentioned all of the above in other posts over the years, I have never dedicated a Thread to this combo. Hopefully this will answer some questions some might have and bring ideas to some contemplating pocket carry. This is just what I have found works the best and as always, YMMV.

[robertrwalsh]

I also like the DeSantis product. I do not often pocket carry but that is what I use with a Colt DS when I do. That is usually with a set of Dickie's khaki slacks. Never tried the LL Bean product, will have to check that out.

[NYlakesider]

I have many hours of pocket carry with my Uncle Mikes size4.

It does a very good job of concealing a J frame or Colt dick special size revolver. As comfortable as something like that can be. Living in the peoples republic of NY that last thing you want is someone to see it and make a "man with a gun call"

I carry it in cargo shorts, blue genes and any other pants I am wearing.

[UNCLE PAULY]

My personal favorite:

Sig P365. - Alabama Holster co. and Duluth Trading Company firehouse cargo pants / shorts.

J frame - Uncle Mikes holster and same pants / shorts.

[Shibadog]

I’ve had good luck wing Levi’s Signature Gold relaxed fit jeans. Nice deep pockets + the watch pocket will hold a speed strip or a single stack magazine in a leather holder. Used them for years for a Smith J or a Sig 938. And the Mika pocket holsters work great. Cheap, well built and long lasting. Plus he’s a great guy to work with👍

[USMCshooter]

Vedder Pocket Locker for LCP Max or Kimber Micro380 in cargo pants or cargo shorts.

[Rpg]

I wear Orvis slacks, primarily because they have deeper pockets than other off the rack pants.

I carry a M38 when I pocket carry. I don’t use a pocket holster, but the only thing I carry in that pocket besides the M38 is a handkerchief.

[ruger 22]

My EDC is a 649-2 and depending on the pants I have on the holsters are either Mika,(for suits a round; for Levis a square), and for large pockets a DeSantis Nemesis. If I could only have one holster it would be the DeSantis.

[tlawler]

When I pocket carry, it’s an M342 in a Mika Pocket Holster.

[erikpolcrack]

Kel-Tec 32 or Ruger LCP 380 in any pocket holster that grips the pocket.

[2wheels]

When I pocket carry, its with a Gen 1 Shield in a DeSantis pocket nemesis, in front pocket of Carhartt Dungarees.

[78bagger]

Sig 938 in a Sticky holster for cargo shorts in summer. In cool weather, the Sig just slides into the back pocket of my wranglers with a little Tee shirt to cover the top.

[Buford57]

Galco horsehide for J frames. Nemesis for the Shield. Carhart jeans and cargo shorts or Wrangler cargo pants. When forced to wear a suit, I opt for the J frame or an RM380 in an Uncle George wallet holster.

Before someone gets their shorts in a knot the UG is made to fit in the hip pocket with a flap to the rear so it "prints" as a wallet. It stays in the pocket when the gun is drawn. No need to post a copy of an ATF letter about a completely different product.

[SixgunFife]

I’m a DeSantis Nemesis fan, as well, having used one sized for a J-frame and another for a Glock 26 (for Sam’s Club “Savane” brand shorts and their deep, slashed front pockets, the 26 was perfect).

In recent years, I’ve moved to leather pocket holsters for my S&W 642. My most-travelled is one from JW O’Rourke / O’Rourke Leather. I’ve also picked up a Ryan Grizzle holster and now I swap them back and forth. Spare ammo for the 642 via a 2x2x2 pouch from Barranti.

Sometimes the 642 is a back-up to a larger gun on the belt, but it’s often a primary / solo choice, as well.

[haywood]

I have mostly used Uncle Mikes Pocket Holsters since 2004. I always carried a lightweight J Frame in my offhand pocket and various larger guns in the waist. These days with old age aches and pains, I’ve put my Shield 9 in my pocket at times. Actually it depends if I’m going out or just hanging around the house. Now that jacket weather is here, I’ve moved one of the guns to my jacket pocket for easy retrieval when out and about. Warm weather is Wrangler Cargo and Duluth Cargo Shorts. Cool Weather Mostly Wrangler Cargos.

[OLDSTER]

I've pocket carried my Seecamp for several years in this holster from Jackson Leather. Great product.

[JH1951]

I've been carrying a 649 in a Mika pocket holster for years & years without any problems or issues.

[serger]

I've got a 442 in a Mika that goes lots of places with me.
And the Mika is right around ten years old now.

[edl]

You can bring the pants to a tailor and have the pockets deepened. I have had this done with most of my pairs of pants that came with too tight of a pocket. You don't want it too deep to the point where the muzzle of the gun taps you on the knee when you walk. Also, this will not work with super tight fitting pants.

[chief38]

Originally Posted by edl

You can bring the pants to a tailor and have the pockets deepened. I have had this done with most of my pairs of pants that came with too tight of a pocket. You don't want it too deep to the point where the muzzle of the gun taps you on the knee when you walk. Also, this will not work with super tight fitting pants.

For pocket carry "Relaxed Fit" pant's and jeans with oversized loose pockets are the way to go IMHO. Purposely buying them that way in the first place make more sense to me than buying pants too tight and then having to have them modified. I do understand that if you bought a bunch of really expensive pants prior to pocket carry then it might make sense to modify them - got that. The last time I went to the tailor the prices were such that I decided to just buy new clothes rather than modify them. To shorten a pair of jeans was about the same price as a new pair in the correct length - just did not pay!

[ISCS Yoda]

Originally Posted by JH1951

I've been carrying a 649 in a Mika pocket holster for years & years without any problems or issues.

Let me restate that:

I've been carrying a 649 in a Galco nylon pocket holster for years & years without any problems or issues.

I just switched to a Mika. Excellent!

I carry a Walther CCP in a Remora pocket holster with no issues and when I go mousegun in a pocket the Beretta 950BS sits in a little Remora pocket holster.

Lots of choices. Those work.............YMMV

[Doug M.]

Most of the time, a Glock 33 in a Kramer Leather pocket holster. 20+ years like that. Sometimes, a G 42 in a Mika pocket holster. This is usually based on specific issues, like after my bypass.

Trousers are usually cargo pants. About a year ago I started transitioning to the Duluth Fire Hose line. I like them. Sometimes I carry the G42 in a zipped pocket of athletic training pants, again, a niche use.

I live a quiet life, mostly to-from the house and office with some short side trips. When I go out of town, I am more likely to transition to a RDS equipped Shield or G17 in a Dale Fricke belt holster.

[Chubbs103]

I'm the odd-ball. The DeSantis Nemesis never really worked for me. When I pocket carry, it is in a Milt Sparks horsehide pocket holster.

Duluth and 5.11 pants/shorts work fine for pocket carry.

[H Richard]

I'm not tall, take a 30" inseam and most of the jeans I try I can't either get the gun in the front pocket, or it won't fit in the pocket. I'll be trying the LL Bean jeans soon to find out. Does Costco have on line buying as I don't live anywhere near one?

I have pocket carried the Ruger LCP in my home made holster with rough side leather out so it stays in the pocket when gun drawn.

[OLDSTER]

Seecamp in a Sticky for blue jeans and shorts. Sig 365X in a Sticky for "cargo" pants.

[Old cop]

My J Frame Blue Force Gear pocket holster is the lightest, thinnest I’ve found. It doesn’t even print in thin dress slacks. My original model LCP is in a DeSantis pocket holster, but the LCP2 & MAX also work w/the DeSantis.

[ACORN]

I pocket carry my Ruger EC9S in an Uncle Mikes #3 IIRC.
Don’t even know it’s there.

[Magnum_PI]

Definitely good recommendations.

I've run the gambit on autos and J Frames for pocket carry and always came back to J Frames. Love them.

640 Pro and Mika. It just works.

I always pocket carry. Low threat lifestyle, and it's too hot most of the year, but I'm always armed.

[max503]

It's strange, but I prefer the "bigness" of this Galco pocket holster. Just seems comfortable. Holds the G42 firmly. Works fine if I'm rolling around on the driveway, changing oil on the car or napping on the couch. It just works.

[Birdhunter6]

640 Pro in a Desantis Nemesis EDC, speed loader in the watchpocket. Loose fit carpenter jeans or cargo pants most days. When I wear pants with pocket that aren't as "roomy" the same holster accommodates my G42. When forced out of my rural comfort zone, the pocket rig moves to my support side as a bug and I add a 3" K frame or G43X strong side IWB.

[zeke]

It's winter, and it be cold up here. Switch to Carhart dual front overalls and pocket carry a G23. Yes the pocket be modified, but not wanting to "coat" carry and do want access with cold gear on.

[Guevera]

Pocket Concealment Systems makes great leather pocket holsters. I never understood the appeal of those padded holsters that make it look like you’re shoplifting a Club Sandwich.

Edited to add an image of one of their excellent products. Don't know them and have no interest in any of it other than appreciation of a nice product:



Pocket Concealment System, Inc. - Innovative Handgun Holsters

– Pocket Concealment System Inc

[Guevera]

I'm going to give this a bump just because I appreciate pocket carry and am interested in what people might have to say about this subject.

[Oldsalt66]

M&P 9c in a DeSantis Nemesis.

[Mr. Vito]

I've tried numerous pocket holsters and like the OP, prefer the Desantis Nemesis for the two guns that I most often carry, one at a time, as my everyday concealed carry. The Nemesis works well for both my S&W 642, with a speed strip in the pocket below the holster as well as for my Ruger LC9s. But when I feel the need or desire to have a bit more capacity, I carry my Glock 26. But even with the lightweight Desantis Nemesis, the Glock is just a bit too thick for conmfortable pocket carry. I usually use an OTW holster on my right side, with a second magazine in an OTW holder on the left side. That gives me 21 rounds total and I am more than happy with that amount.

[Guevera]

Another Pocket Concealment Systems product:

[WardenRoss]

My faithful Galco...

[ISCS Yoda]

I decided pictures were required. Ignore the Galco belt holster - the other two are the real deal for pocket carry.




As for H Richard:

I'm not tall, take a 30" inseam and most of the jeans I try I can't either get the gun in the front pocket, or it won't fit in the pocket. I'll be trying the LL Bean jeans soon to find out. Does Costco have on line buying as I don't live anywhere near one?

My inseam is 28" so I'm REALLY not tall. My J-frame fits into every pair of jeans that I own, Wrangler, LL Bean, even Maker's Mark (Sam's/Walmart). I reckon you need to try a smaller gun!!!

As for Costco, I doubt that they sell holsters on line but everyone else does so finding one that works for you should be easy....

[garddogg56]

Even though I'm a new owner to a Sig 365 I pocket carry a BG .380 it's the perfect pocket carry. I IWB the 365

[haywood]

Looks like I was last here in Oct. of 2023. I’m still using Uncle Mikes #4 pocket holster with a 638 or 442. Wrangler or Duluth Cargo shorts. Shield 9 is in the waist. When I get home in a month, it will be time to switch it up and bring out the bobbed 37 for pocket carry. I’ll probably bring out a 3” 36 also. I think it will fit in the Duluth pockets, they are deep.

[TX-Dennis]

For the last couple years I have pocket carried a Taurus GX4 in a DeSantis Nemesis V5. I have previously carried a CZ Rami and a Ruger LC9S in the same holster. The holster is probably close to 10 years old and still holding up well.

The pockets of SOME Wrangler jeans are deep enough to pocket carry. Some models are not. I can also pocket carry (barely) in Carhartt work pants, and those cheapo store brand jeans from Academy. My wife has forbidden me to buy any more of the Academy jeans, though. She says they look like "old man" jeans. Well, I'm not exactly a youngster any more.

[Major 2]

Plus 3 on DeSantis Nemesis, I have several...
That said, I have returned to my M36 in a Nemesis.
I did carry my now sold SIG 365 in one as well, but a
a disturbing issue arose, My 365 was Apr, 2019 build date.
Supposably, after the broken firing pin issues were addressed.
But, non the less, my gun was sent back for that very issue in June "19".
Returned repaired under warrenty.
Then in Jan. of this year, after a range outing and 2 weeks CCW.
I discovered the pin had broken again. What was most disturbing?
was I was unaware until the next range trip, and the gun failed to fire.
I carried it almost two weeks in an inoperable condition.
Not only DISTURBING but now I have no confidence, so it was again sent to SIG, repaired and SOLD.

I have carried the S&W Mod 36 since 2009 , and now again,
I have also placed an order for 642 Performance Ctn. an it will be carried in a Nemesis.

[crows]

I have said it before in other pocket carry discussions, but I will mention Wright holsters as my favorite. I have a couple for larger than normal pocket carry handguns, and a third one on the way. They work fine for me.

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Originally Posted by Major 2

I carried it almost two weeks in an inoperable condition.
Not only DISTURBING but now I have no confidence, so it was again sent to SIG, repaired and SOLD.

Thank you for sharing.

[Mick2]

Vedder Pocket Locker will carry a Kahr K9, Sig P938, Ruger LCP just fine. I really like the solid protection of the triggers on all, the shield for the thumb safeties on the Sig. They do not abrade the gun, or put any chemical on it. The don't 'show'. They wear well, stay in your pocket when you pull the gun out and I can feel confident even with little kids standing/sitting on my lap.

[Major 2]

Originally Posted by Major 2 View Post
I carried it almost two weeks in an inoperable condition.
Not only DISTURBING but now I have no confidence, so it was again sent to SIG, repaired and SOLD.

Originally Posted by SGT ROCK 11B

Thank you for sharing.

Please don't misunderstand, SIG has a sweet gun in the 365.
It's just the early intro guns, 2018 -19.
I understand the next generation addressed the issue,
supposed to have had in my gun.

[Rustyt1953]

[max503]

Any good shorts out there that don't have cargo pockets? I've got some blue ones from uniforms I used to wear, but now I'm retired and navy blue is no longer my thing.

[BabaBlueJay]

I used to like the soft holsters until I tried an Alabama now I'll never go back. The added safety and retention is crucial.

[Rustyt1953]

After 11 years I still have all my appendages.