Shield Plus Pocket Carry, Possible?

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alleninvegas

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Howdy all. Does anyone pocket carry the shield plus with the flush mag? If so, is it comfortable? What holster are you running, or what would you recommend?

I've always thought of the shield plus somewhere in between a micro and subcompact. I'm just wondering if the extra length and girth just make it slightly too large to pocket carry.

I live in Vegas and there are a couple of months where using the full appendix rig is just too much.

Cheers all and happy hump day.
 
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I have carried a Shield .01 with a crimson trace in a kydex holster which I made in the pocket for sometime not comfortable in jean type pocket but works good in kaki type I just purchased a shield plus haven't shot it yet but fits perfectly in same holster.
 
Everyone has an opinion, so here's mine.
FWIW, I once owned a 9mm Shield for about a year. When I carried it, it was in a Desantis pocket holster. Since the increased size of the grip frame area of the new Shield + is negligible it should carry as easily as the standard shield. Some would say it is right at the limit in size for pocket carry. However, I currently own a Shield .45 and it is one of the guns in my carry rotation, and I often pocket carry it and I am not a big guy. A little short for my weight maybe, but definitely not big.
 
With the Right Pants & Holster Pocket Carry of the Shield is Possible
Large Cargo Pocket Pants & it can work
This is with my Shield 2.0 in a Sticky Holster
 

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I can front pocket carry a Shield in 'Relaxed Fit' Wranglers, using a Blue Force Gear brand UltraComp pocket holster.

The thing to pocket carrying a pistol the size of Shield, is properly assessing the pant style and type of pocket. If you are not able to put you hand in the pocket, make a fist, then withdraw your fist, you would not be able to pocket carry anything in that pair of pants.

With jeans, if you normally wear 'Regular Fit', you would want to try 'Relaxed Fit', for the extra Thigh room.
Extra Thigh Room = Slightly looser Pockets = ease of Pistol Presentation.
If you already wear Relaxed Fit and they fit rather snugly, you would probably need to move up to 'Loose Fit', etc.

Another aspect of selecting pants for Pocket Carry is the type of 'Slash' cut for the Front pockets. A Horizontal slash would be very awkward. A Vertical slash would be better, but the pistol could bind during presentation. A Diagonal slash is pretty optimal.

As mentioned, Cargo pants/shorts covers this pretty well. Some brands of 'Docker' style do as well. Jeans are the toughest to sort through.

So... when shopping for Pocket Carry Pants:
Ensure that the pocket allows for the easy withdrawal of a fist.
For jeans, select a fit 1 style looser than normal (for more room in the thighs)
Ensure that the Slash Pocket would enable a snag-free presentation.
 
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I've pocket carried my Shield 2.0 many times, in Hagar work pants with the flush mag. I don't see why the + would be any different. If your belt can support it on your hip, it can support it in the pocket.

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Well pocket carry to means pocket carry witout holster in which case the shield is too big at least for me. I've been carrying the M&P380 in my pocket for years and I find it perfect. Am waiting with anticipation for Smith to make a M&P380 plus model like Ruger did as I feel that it would by the ultimate carry gun (at least until something else i like better comes along:D)
 
I felt it was a little too big for that. I wear regular jeans mostly. I also don't like that idea tactically, unless you train drawing from the pocket consistently.
 
I just tried it with Cargo pants and the extended mag. It works fine. Like others mentioned, get a good pocket holster.
 
Honestly I have not found a holster I really like so any pistol I carry is pocket carry. I rotate between a Mustang pocketlite, a G43 and shield. No extended grips for sure! And yes a big guy 6'1" and 280 with big pants pockets be they Wrangler jeans or adidas shorts.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Well pocket carry to means pocket carry witout holster in which case the shield is too big at least for me. I've been carrying the M&P380 in my pocket for years and I find it perfect. Am waiting with anticipation for Smith to make a M&P380 plus model like Ruger did as I feel that it would by the ultimate carry gun (at least until something else i like better comes along:D)
Click to expand...

Same here, Cajun. When the LCP Max came out I sent an e-mail to S&W suggesting they come out with a Bodyguard Plus, and I would buy one. I also sent a note to Ruger's CEO suggesting they simply add the manual thumb safety they already offer on the LCP .22LR to the LCP Max, and I'd buy one. But I'd rather have the BG Plus.

I'm not unhappy with the 6+1 in my Bodyguard but if I could get 10+1 in the same size and weight, I'd go for it.
 
I don't pocket carry anything unless the hammer and trigger are covered. When I put on my jeans, I reach for my gunbelt for the shield. I don't think about it, I just do it.

Have a blessed day,

Leon
 
My Shield never fit in any pocket of any pants I own. For that matter, neither does my p365. If you pocket carry you better make sure you can draw it safely and guickly.
 
Shield pocket carry

The key is deep pockets. I pocket carry my shield 9mm in LAPG operator tactical shorts or pants. Very well made and only $30. I use a DeSantis nemesis pocket holster. I only pocket carry so if I can't wear the LAPG stuff, I carry my bodyguard.
 
I have some cargo shorts that have very deep pockets from Cabela's that will hold the Plus.
I have an old Don Hume inside the waistband holster and wear a long tee shirt in the summer so I do not pocket carry my Plus or any other auto pistol. I do have a J Frame that I used to pocket carry once and a while.
 
Pocket carrying a handgun depends on how your pants fit you . 1- Slightly loose or looser fit . 2nd - IF the pocket is deep enough for the handgun you pick and is the pocket opening angle well and large enough for a quick clean draw if needed . I have pants I could carry a officer size 1911 or m&p sub compact it But it don't pocket carry .

Might be some more slender built people like AIWB as they can carry even larger pistols with limited to no printing . Even tuck a shirt in with the shirt tail rolled under in front for limited amount tucked ! I have a 5-9 daughter what can do this with a glock 19 .

Cargo pockets tend to ride lower on the leg and can flap around with the added weight of a pistol and will your holster hold your handgun upright . Then you have to decide if you can draw in a way that does not draw attention to you
 
Big here, 6'1", 280, and carried the shield in my gym shorts. They do have to be tied tight. Holster is a cut down Kramer pocket holster. G43 also goes in a Kramer and PM9 in in Safariland 25 if I remember correctly. Its the only way I carry.
 
I have a couple of shields and have carried them only rarely in a pocket.I usually wear cargo pants or relaxed fit jeans. A kydex Alabama holster is very comfortable. Having said this I have no intention of pocket carrying a handgun. Carrying is one thing. Getting it out in a hurry is completely different. To each his own.
 
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