Anyone pocket carry M&P compact?

[davidwilp]

Never thought I could until I just put it in the pocket of some cargo style shorts. I think I can pull this off and have it be a lot more comfortable for summer carry down here in S. Florida than IWB.

Last few days have been really hot and humid making it very uncomfortable for me to IWB. So, who pocket carries a M&P compact and please tell me your experience with it. Also what holster you use.

 

[45/70 marlin]

I have pocket carried my M&P compact in a cheap uncle mikes holster 4 or 5 times.Worked okay.However I prefer to carry a j frame in the pocket and another revolver IWB.The j frame fits in the pocket better and is easier to draw than the M&P.

 

[MotorCityGun]

I'm not sure if I would feel entirely comfortable or safe carrying my 40c, unholstered, in my pocket. In case you're not aware, the 40c does not have an external thumb safety. The "safety", if you will, is designed into the DAO trigger. Therefore, in my mind, an exposed trigger in my pocket is not a good idea, especially if/when I have to reach into my pocket to retrieve it in a hurry.

I use a kydex type IWB holster which form fits over the trigger guard, and I consider this to be a "safety". When it has been 85+ degrees on some days where I have not worn a t-shirt, I will actually pull up the elastic band on my underwear slightly to act as a cloth barrier between my skin and the grip of the pistol...sounds a little unorthodox, but it works for me.

 

[SMMAssociates]

david:

I'm wearing an M&P40C right now.... But in a DeSantis OWB....

No reason why you couldn't put yours in a pocket, but by itself, or in a pocket holster of some kind. Safe enough, IMHO, if there's nothing else in your pocket, but otherwise you need the holster to keep "stuff" out of the trigger guard.

It is kinda big, but probably not a lot worse than a J-frame.

I'm big enough (and old enough) that a square bottom shirt worn outside of my belt (Wilderness Trainer in "dress" clothes) lets me get away with about anything:

....

(OK, it's not an M&P40C, but I use an essentially identical holster for that. This one's a 5" Para PX745EM. It really is blue, btw....)

(Lest we start the "CCW Badge" wars, I'm a semi-retired rent-a-cop, and helped found the agency back in the late 60's. The badge is legitimate, although it doesn't convey a lot of authority anymore. After more than 40 years of carrying it, I just keep on doing so. I figure I'd lose it if I took it off .)

If, btw, you can stand and IWB, a good leather one with a protective top (you don't necessarily need a top strap, but you do need something between your gun and your skin on the inside) should work well if you can wear some sort of cover garment. "Tuckables", "SmartCarry", or the pocket gear will handle the rest, and the compact M&P's are close enough....

Regards,

 

[davidwilp]

I'm not sure if I would feel entirely comfortable or safe carrying my 40c, unholstered, in my pocket, .

I would never carry it unholstered. That is why I asked in ,my original post, for those who have pocket carried, what holster they used.

Also, there are models with a thumb safety. Though mine does not have one.

 

[TFred]

In case you're not aware, the 40c does not have an external thumb safety.

As subsequently posted, all the M&P compacts do have a variant with a thumb safety.

Here's the spec page for the .40.

Here's the picture:

TFred

 

[pberry]

That is the way I carry most of the time. If the pocket is deep enough I will use a pocket holster. The holster will set the M&P a little high in some pockets. I think about it a lot when its not in a holster. Usually when I am walking through parking lots I have my hand on the gun in the pocket. That helps hide it and also parking lots are the danger areas around here. It works very well in the pocket. I have been pocket carry for several years not. Mostly with out a holster. No problems yet.
Phil

 

[Kanewpadle]

I have carried my M&P 40C with thumb safety and without a pocket holster in my baggy shorts. Ok, not THAT baggy! The pockets are deep enough but the gun is a little heavy. A J frame is lighter but not as much punch of course.

I don't put anything else in the same pocket either. Bad idea.

 

[ab4ka]

I used to carry a XD9sc in a High Noon Pocket Grabber, so I don't see why a M&P compact couldn't be done. I don't, just because if I'm going to pocket carry it's either my Airweight Bodyguard or my LCP. I've got my M&P it's in a IWB holster. A word of caution, I would NEVER carry a gun in my pocket without a holster...I want that trigger covered.

 

[Zerteck]

I did today in a Desantis Nemisis pocket holster in cargo shorts it done fine.

 

[blastfact]

I pocket carry a PF-9. That is the limit for me. And yes I trust my PF-9. S&W makes nothing to compare. Revolvers, the new worthless Body guards. None of them stand up to my PF-9 for the mission at hand. After 5k rounds in almost 3 months. It's been near faultless. Just a lose screw. It's proved it's self on the range. It owns CC rights!

 

[SMMAssociates]

David:

I stuck my M&P40C into a front pocket of my jeans the other night.... Worked fine.... However, as I mentioned earlier, "naked" - nothing else in the pocket. Thumb or grip safeties can be fooled.... Would have been fine in a pocket holster, though, and maybe in a hip pocket. (The jeans are nominally the same size as the casual shorts most guys wear - we're not talking bike shorts .) (On me, that would look insane.)

Also, here in OH, while you can carry a loaded handgun in about any way you choose, in a vehicle it must be in a holster and on your person if you're wearing it. About any off-body carry technique (attache case, fanny pack you're not wearing, purse, or the glovebox) is OK. (The fanny pack probably would pass muster if worn, but "holster" isn't defined in law. If it doesn't say "holster" on the package....)

Again, DO use some kind of holster....

IMHO, the M&P40C is kinda big (as is an XD9SC) but a lot of those shorts have big enough pockets (as do my jeans)....

Regards,

 

[MotorCityGun]

I tried putting my 40c in the lower (button snap) pocket of my cargo shorts...yeesh. Not only did it NOT feel comfortable, due to the weight/heft of the pistol, but it was dangling and bumping my lower thigh with every little movement, including normal walking. I can't imagine what it would do if I started to jog or walk at a brisk pace. Plus the fact that I was unable to quickly and effectively draw it out of the pocket. For now, I guess I'll just stick to my IWB kydex holster.

 

[bronco45]

We just had a "local" guy blow off his testicles and who knows what else by carrying a "striker fired weapon" unholstered in a pants pocket.

When I was a Glock LE trainer one of the often heard and repeated caveats was: Never carry the Glock without putting it in a holster!!!
I think this warning applies to all weapons but especially to striker fired weapons.

A pocket holster (Uncle Mikes) will help immensely. The other thing a pocket holster does is stabilize the position of the weapon. Which aids in the drawing of the weapon. This is one means of carry and draw whether holstered or not that needs to be practiced repeatedly and often. After clearing the weapon of ammo and clearing the chamber then rechecking again and again.


Bronc

 

[MotorCityGun]

We just had a "local" guy blow off his testicles and who knows what else by carrying a "striker fired weapon" unholstered in a pants pocket.

When I was a Glock LE trainer one of the often heard and repeated caveats was: Never carry the Glock without putting it in a holster!!!
I think this warning applies to all weapons but especially to striker fired weapons.

A pocket holster (Uncle Mikes) will help immensely. The other thing a pocket holster does is stabilize the position of the weapon. Which aids in the drawing of the weapon. This is one means of carry and draw whether holstered or not that needs to be practiced repeatedly and often. After clearing the weapon of ammo and clearing the chamber then rechecking again and again.


Bronc

Safety first...I should've mentioned that I tried putting my 40c in my cargo pants WHILE it was (kydex) holstered.

 

[davidwilp]

I pocket carry a PF-9. That is the limit for me. And yes I trust my PF-9. S&W makes nothing to compare. Revolvers, the new worthless Body guards. None of them stand up to my PF-9 for the mission at hand. After 5k rounds in almost 3 months. It's been near faultless. Just a lose screw. It's proved it's self on the range. It owns CC rights!

Wow, a little paranoid and defensive there aren't we. Nobody put you down, relax.