Pocket Carry?

[Wee Hooker]

Like all carry choices, the answers somewhat depend on the individual. Body build, size, caliber/action preference/prejudges, typical style of dress.........
Personally, I find the BG380 about the perfect pocket carry gun. Flat, rugged/scratch resistant, reliable, manual safety AND a long DA pull.
Most of all, because it's such an unobtrusive carry, it tends to go with me when others sit home in the safe.

 

[les.b]

I carry every day in the front right hand pocket. 340 PD in a Galco horsehide pocket holster. Levi 550 jeans. You have to check out any brand of trousers you buy, the depth of the front pockets vary considerably. For example, I used to wear Levi 505s, but they shortened the front pockets to where they would no longer contain the gun. Surprisingly, the "relaxed fit" 550s were even deeper than the old 505s. I also tried Wranglers...too short in the front pockets. Tried Lee as well, no go. I haven't bought any new Levis recently, so they may have shortened even the ones that I named.

Here's the rig:



Lint... I brush off the gun every evening with a parts brush...cotton pants make more lint than synthetic materials. But one benefit of the centennial style of gun is that it is difficult for lint to get into the mechanism.

I wear this outfit almost every day (unless I have to wear a suit, which is rarely), and no one has ever even hinted that they can see anything. Very discreet.

Downside, hard to access when seated.

Best Regards, Les

 

[KalamazooKid]

I've tried (aka "spent a ton of money") to carry in holsters and simply can't get used to it. It's uncomfortable for me. I pocket carry a 340 PD (incredibly light) and feel at ease with it which means I'm going to carry it everywhere. I've tried ALL of the various options and long ago settled on the Mika holster pictured below.

I travel for business and when I'm in my vehicle, the pistol is on the seat next to me. No way you're getting it out of your pocket quickly when you're in the car seat.

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[Old cop]

I've pocket carried my J frames & LCP, w/a holster, for well over 20 years mostly due to ongoing back and hip problems. It works well in almost every circumstance w/the exception of sitting down. During long car trips I usually put my LCP in an ankle holster but still pocket my J frame.

 

[fdw]

Lot of questions, what I can mainly tell you that is after trying a few different pocket pistols including revolvers I settled on the Ruger LCP Custom.

Where I carry it depends on what I'm wearing. It's either front right, back right or IWB at 1 o'clock. IWB is by far the easiest to draw from.

The LCP Custom is awesome, I will say that.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Get a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for the pistol you like and try it. There is no need for us to "persuade you." Try it. If you like it, do it.

 

[Neumann]

I carry a small, .45 ACP semiautomatic in a Kydex holster by Detroit Holster. It is custom made to accommodate an under-barrel laser. That gives me 5+1 capacity with over twice the power of .38 Special, and half the felt recoil. It's also about 1/4" thinner than a 442. I carry an extra, 7 round magazine in my pocket, for a tactical reload if necessary.

The largest pistol I can reasonably carry in a side pocket is a Springfield XDm2, which holds 10+1 rounds in a flush magazine, 13+1 extended. European style pants tend to have small pockets (you don't need pockets when you carry a man-purse). I check before buying.

Pocket carry is good any time, in any kind of wardrobe (even beach shorts), and you can put your hand on the grip if a situation looks dicey without scaring others, and draw as quickly as from a belt holster from that position. It's easier to reach while driving than from an IWB at 4:30.

I know all about carry under a tank top or T-shirt. If you reach further than your belt buckle, it prints. I can practically read the logo, and can count the finger grooves in a Glock. T-shirt cover is surprisingly popular in some circles, so I've had plenty of practice observing.

 

[yep380]

In my opinion, you can't front pocket carry a Shield - it's too big.

A Glock 43 is a better pocket carry option as it fits, just barely.

For me, I front pocket carry a 438. If I need to go smaller, it's an LCP, which is undetectable. I'm sure a bodyguard would be as well.

A Shield is a great in-the-waistband gun (as is a G43).

If pocket carrying, get a pocket holster. At a minimum, Walmart sells the Uncle Mikes size 3 and 4 for $10 - it's a good place to start. There are plenty of affordable pocket holsters on ebay as well.

 

[tobimaru]

Bodyguard 380 or Ruger LCP II can be pocket carried all-day, every day.

I wouldn't fire from the pocket, too many variables plus I ALWAYS use a pocket holster so getting to the trigger is a no-go until it's drawn/out.

I prefer many other styles of carry to pocket. Sometimes though, usually for convenience, pocket carry just works.

 

[joeb1]

In my opinion, you can't front pocket carry a Shield - it's too big.

A Glock 43 is a better pocket carry option as it fits, just barely.

For me, I front pocket carry a 438. If I need to go smaller, it's an LCP, which is undetectable. I'm sure a bodyguard would be as well.

A Shield is a great in-the-waistband gun (as is a G43).

If pocket carrying, get a pocket holster. At a minimum, Walmart sells the Uncle Mikes size 3 and 4 for $10 - it's a good place to start. There are plenty of affordable pocket holsters on ebay as well.

I pocket carry my PC Shield 45. I pocket carried my Shield 40 before the 45. Prior to that I pocket carried my Ruger SR40c. I wear cargo pants. The tech pocket on the left side holds the larger magazine.

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[OLDSTER]

Pocket carry

Get a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for the pistol you like and try it. There is no need for us to "persuade you." Try it. If you like it, do it.

+1 Another vote for the DeSantis Nemesis.

 

[yep380]

I pocket carry my PC Shield 45. I pocket carried my Shield 40 before the 45. Prior to that I pocket carried my Ruger SR40c. I wear cargo pants. The tech pocket on the left side holds the larger magazine.

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Yes, with cargo pants you can pocket carry a shield. I'm sure with the right pockets someone could carry a DE in 50 cal.

With slacks or jeans, a shield is too big (for me anyway).

Fwiw, I also find the shield just on the other side of "too heavy" for pocket carry, even with big pockets.

If it works for you, stay with it. Everyone has their own comfort zone.

 

[Buford57]

My EDC is a 642 in a Galco horsehide. Reload is a speed strip in the watch pocket or lower cargo pocket or jacket pocket, strong side, depending.

I've also carried a Bersa Thunder .380 and a Remington RM380 in this manner in Desantis holsters. When in uniform I pocket carried a 2" Colt Lawman .357 in my weak side pants pocket in summer and a High Standard .22 Mag derringer in my strong side hip pocket. The Colt proved a bit of a burden and was replaced with an airweight Agent. Never noticed the rest after the first week or so.

The upside is that I don't have to give much thought to "dressing around the gun". The Galco is a work of art and drawing and even reholstering are smooth and uncomplicated. While the gun exits unimpeded, the holster requires both hands to remove from the pocket once it is in. The downside, as others have noted: it is virtually inaccessible when seated in a vehicle. I switch to IWB for known extended trips.

 

[Bleek Gilliam]

My P3AT rides in my pocket when belt carry isn't an option

And when pocket carry isn't an option due to the style of slacks I waistband carry it with a clip. Not ideal but at least I have it.

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[jyork08854]

Fascinating thread for me since I have only been carrying for 6 months. I use an Uncle Mikes pocket holster for my 9mm Shield. I wear cargo shorts 9-10 months of the year and bought tactical cargo pants for the cooler months. Upper right pocket. Still not the best for a fast draw but easy to get to if I have a few seconds. I have an OWB holster and an IWB holster came with the Crimson Trace green laser I bought at the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. I am going to try working with one of those. But the pocket is great for concealing in the South with minimal clothing. To date, I do not carry spare magazines unless on a road trip.

 

[Will41]

+1 Another vote for the DeSantis Nemesis.

This holster was so comfortable for about a year. After that, it would not stay in my pocket when a practiced drawing. So I called Desantis and they told me it was only meant to last one year.

I had no problem with Remora or the Mika pocket holster.

 

[Mildew]

I use a LCP in a super thin Blue Force Gear pocket holster. Great pocket holster. They are new, so there are just a few models currently available.

 

[CS45Fan]

I am not a big fan of pocket carry but there are situations when its the only choice. I normally carry my sig p290 or Kahr cm40 in a Boraii holster (you can google for pics of this combination). I find drawing sitting down is slow - especially in a car with a seat belt on. It does print a bit on me and feels heavy loaded at 24oz and 21oz respectively. If you want really light weight with little or no print you need to move down a caliber to the .380. A Ruger LCP is a a good choice. Bottom line one carry option (pocket) does not always fit every concealed carry scenario. Good luck.

 

[JLPiccard]

I personally don't carry in my pocket - primarily because with the guns that I have, it is hard to conceal in the pocket. One thing I would want to be careful about if I did pocket carry would be ensuring there is some way to protect that trigger guard area. My preferred method of doing that is a kydex holster - but however you do it, that trigger area needs to be protected to ensure that a negligent discharge doesn't occur.

 

[Bruce C]

I pocket carry a Sig P938 in my right front pocket sometimes without a holster but most of the time in a Red Turtle leather holster. I always were Duluth Trading Co. Flex jeans lots of room and deep pockets. Never have a problem.