Pocket Carry Uncomfortable

[Hang-Fire Hank]

Ladies & Gents: I'm really curious. I've read so many threads about carrying in a front pocket. How can you do that when you ride a bike, motorcycle, or are in your car? When your leg comes up (as being seated in a car), the pocket scrunches up & there's no room for a pistol/revolver. Or are you talking about just walking? If that's the case, do you take it out of your pocket when seated? That won't work in a restaurant, etc. I have a 642 and a 60. Neither are comfortable when seated. Most interested in your replies.

Respectfully,
H-F Hank
NRA Benefactor

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Hank;

As a practical matter, there are always tradeoffs with many holster designs and modes of carry in which they are used. You have noted a few of them. I rarely carry one gun, usually two, the pocket gun is my reserve weapon. The pocket holster is used by many as a backup, but yet by many others, as their primary and works very well for them.

The pocket holster is no panacea. It provides good concealment for small handguns when worn in the trouser front pocket, is reasonably accessible in most instances and convenient especially in warm weather. In cooler or cold climates they work well and are suitable in overgarment pockets and probably with fewer limitations. Personally, I would not use a trouser pocket holster for a primary defensive weapon knowing I would be limited to effectively draw by any of the circumstances you describe. For me it's pretty simple, I adjust holster/weapon selection based upon the activity or social circumstances I will find myself in accordingly.

I've been using one for longer than I care to admit and believe the pocket holster occupies a valuable tactical place among concealment holsters. We just need to think a little about where we're going to be and what we're going to be doing to realize it's best performance.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I doubt that I would carry a gun in a pocket on a motorcycle, much less a bicycle. Even getting in & out of a car, I have to be a bit careful. And, of course, that gun is not very accessible in a car, particularly when using a seatbelt. And this is all with pleated Dockers with deep pockets. Nevertheless, the position has its merits. When walking, the gun is right there, even in your hand, if necessary, while appearing completely non-belligerent.

But in many areas, you still need a gun accessible while in the car.

For me, pocket carry requires deep pockets and some care, and does not solve all my problems, but it is still worthwhile for many circumstances.

I HAVE seen folks carry 642's and such in Levis, probably without the gun's threatening to exit the pocket, but for me the concealment is less than acceptable, and the access is hopeless.

[Dan Cash]

I can carry a 642 in the pocket of my CARHART pants. neither of my two little auto pistols are comfortable or work in this position.Can't get at the pistol if I am seated in car or on motor cycle. My pants are hardly suitable for the office worker but that is how it is.

[indiandave]

I sometimes carry my 642 or a 12-2 in my front pocket. You have to make sure the pockets are large. Both guns get carried alot more in IWB holsters. I carry a cell phone,car keys,a knife,and money,etc. in my pockets. Not alot of room for the gun.

[681ismyfavorite]

if you pocket carry in the front pocket of jeans you will get the gun shoved back in to you.....however if you carry this way wearing "dockers" or slacks the pocket slides to the side of your leg a bit and doesnt let the gun jab you.

[Landpimp]

for me pocket carry is perfect, never bothers me, gun never shows, never falls out. It pretty much the only way I carry, even if I am wearing a shoulder holster with a HK, my 340PD is still in my pocket

you need the right pants(with a deep-ish) front pockets(I wear Charhart cargo pants alot, but levis were no issue, nor shorts) I have 2 pocket holsters depending on the cut of the pocket

yes in a car it close to impossible to get to.......so i have another J frame handy. For me the benifits out wiegh the drawbacks, there is something comforting about putting your hand in your pocket holding the grip....and no one knows

I can even pocket carry a HK USPs and you would never know, shocked me

[ACP230]

I don't have a problem pocket carrying in the car, except for some difficulty accessing the gun while seated.

Occasionally I've used an ankle holster with a Beretta 21A in it while on long car trips.
This backs up the M649 or M38 in my pocket.

In winter I often add the M38 in a Wild Bill's pocket holster in my coat breast pocket, or an M15 in a Bob Mika pocket holster in the breast pocket in the coat.

One way or another, I usually have a gun in a pocket that I can reach easily.

[speedingbullet]

Pants make a differnce.....pocket size that is. When I wear 505 Levi's I don't pocket carry...not enough pocket room.

As well, if I anticipate doing a great deal of sitting I won't pocket carry....I just can't get access fast enough when I'm seated. I don't find sitting with my J Frame in a Mika pocket holster uncomfortable however.

I think oldflatfoot says it well :

As a practical matter, there are always tradeoffs with many holster designs and modes of carry in which they are used.

- regards

[flop-shank]

When I go shopping for clothing. I try my guns, belt, spare ammo and holsters in each pair of pants. If the front pockets aren't deep enough for a J frame, I pass on that pair. I carry a gun in both front pockets all day everyday.

Don't get in the potentially deadly habit of moving your carry gun around from one location to another. So far as you are able always carry in the same place. If you ever need it, guessing where it is that day won't cut it.

[aterry33]

I pocket carry a 642 every day. It's fine in pants and jeans, so long as you don't wear really tight jeans. It is really no different than carrying a wallet. That is the beauty of the 442/642--they are an "always" gun. There's virtually no excuse not to have it with you. I know some people don't think it's an appropriate CCW, for reasons which I understand. But as they say, the best gun is the one you actually have with you.

I can't imagine any CCW would be comfortable on a bike! On a motorcycle, I'm sure you could figure something out.

[Crazy K38]

I have never really been a fan of pocket carry for a primary weapon, with a little J frame i would prefer high and tight OWB or IWB

[Robert B]

I pocket carry my J frame everyday either in Dockers or shorts. With practice I have been able to draw while seated just fine. I am glad I don't have the need for CCW while bikeriding as this seems dangerous as the gun could fall out of the pocket.

[Stubborn Dutchman]

I pocket carry my Kahr MK9 in a Kramer horsehide pocket holster most every day. The design of the holster prevents it from cutting into my body. The only downside for me is that, being overweight, it's hard to cinch my belt tight enough to keep my jeans from sagging.

In my jeans, this rig simply looks like a wallet in my pocket. I made the mistake of buying some cheap pants for work and they don't have a belt loop directly over the pocket. The wieght of the rig tends to cause these cheap pants to drop below the belt line in that area.

[Spotteddog]

If you can stand getting the snot knocked out of you when practicing, "pocket carry" was what the Ti guns were invented for, IMHO. Hard to imagine 10-11 ounces empty, 12-13 loaded being a chore to haul, or pulling your pants down off of your hips?

[Section30]

I have found that pocket carry works best if you find pants that have an inside zippered pocket. Why? As a previous poster mentioned, the geometry of these pockets lets the weapon settle to the side of your leg instead of the scrunch problem. Depending on how secure you need to be the zipper can be open or closed. Examples are 511 casual tactical pants and some Docker's. Unfortunately, Docker's seem to change designs all the time so finding them with the inside zipper is hit or miss.

For bicycling, any pair of shorts with an external secured rear pocket (assuming deep enough) works for me (zipper, Velcro flap or even a button) and I do a lot of road cycling.

For this discussion, none of this will work if you are considering anything larger than a j-frame.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I totally agree with "Oldflatfoot"
Jimmy

[Smitty500Mag]

Jeans are not the pants to wear for pocket carry. I hate jeans anyway they're made out of material that's thick enough to make army tents out of. Slacks, not gun grabber owned Dockers, are the way to go in my opinion. They're comfortable, most have big pockets and don't feel like wet canvas when they get sweaty.

Smitty

[flop-shank]

Loose fitting carpenter style jeans work great for pocket carry and a pocket draw. They wear well in the blue collar environment I labor in and the pockets are spacious. I wear Lee brand. I agree with Smitty, Levi's can go to hell. I'll spend my money elsewhere and have for nearly two decades.

[Gutpile Charlie]

I pocket carry all the time, with the rare exception of when I use a shoulder rig. I really like the shoulder rig in the winter, while wearing a sweatshirt, hoodie, sweater, etc. I can wear this under my clothing and be quite comfortable.

I'm a "big" guy, and I just wear clothes that allow for pocket carry. If you adjust the clothes to carrying, then it is not a problem.

In an automobile, on a long trip, I will take my "heat" out and put it in the center console. I just have to remember to take it out when stopping.

The only kind of "belt holster" carry I could possibly do is IWB, however because of my "girth", I feel that this would be a tad uncomfortable.

[Wayne02]

I guess I need to try some different style pants. The Lee jeans I wear normally are a no-go by a long shot in terms of pocket carry. The couple of "loose fit" or dockers that I have do allow pocket carry but the gun does not slip to the side of the leg when seated. This makes for a big ol lump on top of the thigh in the seated position, which is annoying to say the least.