Another holster thread- Pocket carry Shield 9

Bigmaxdog

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So finally found a way to carry my shield 9 in my front pocket comfortably and concealed in jeans, wanted to share.

Tried Desantis Nemesis, and Vedder's pocket holster (called pocket locker)- but they either made gun sit too high in pocket -or printed too big with the shield 9 in jeans.

So I had already bought this guy off of Amazon- CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster- love it as an IWB holster, still use it for my shield 45 BTW- highly recommend for IWB.

What I did was just take off the clip (couple screws hold it on) and it works great in front pocket. Looks like a wallet for the lower 3/4 of it, so if you have a sweatshirt or long t shirt covering the grip all you see is what looks like a wallet.

Then I took the "thumb release tab" idea from the Vedder holsters- took my wife's blow drier and heated holster up a bit- then bent the upper inside corner a bit outward with pliers.

Now when I reach in my pocket my thumb naturally goes to the tab- i push down a bit and out the gun comes away from holster- holster stays in pocket.

I should really start making these and selling them...

By the way the picture of me has the gun in my right pocket- my left has my wallet which actually is more visible.
 

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Looks very nice, but for me the Shield is way to heavy for pocket carry and with my tight jeans it is hard for me to "Dig" a Mini-Big lighter out of my front pocket!
 
Looks very nice, but for me the Shield is way to heavy for pocket carry and with my tight jeans it is hard for me to "Dig" a Mini-Big lighter out of my front pocket!

Never going to work with skinny jeans, or with anything else in your front pocket.
 
So finally found a way to carry my shield 9 in my front pocket comfortably and concealed in jeans, wanted to share.

Tried Desantis Nemesis, and Vedder's pocket holster (called pocket locker)- but they either made gun sit too high in pocket -or printed too big with the shield 9 in jeans.

So I had already bought this guy off of Amazon- CYA Supply Co. IWB Holster- love it as an IWB holster, still use it for my shield 45 BTW- highly recommend for IWB.

What I did was just take off the clip (couple screws hold it on) and it works great in front pocket. Looks like a wallet for the lower 3/4 of it, so if you have a sweatshirt or long t shirt covering the grip all you see is what looks like a wallet.

Then I took the "thumb release tab" idea from the Vedder holsters- took my wife's blow drier and heated holster up a bit- then bent the upper inside corner a bit outward with pliers.

Now when I reach in my pocket my thumb naturally goes to the tab- i push down a bit and out the gun comes away from holster- holster stays in pocket.

I should really start making these and selling them...

By the way the picture of me has the gun in my right pocket- my left has my wallet which actually is more visible.

You are a better man than me

Quick questions:

1) How do you quickly and efficiently draw while sitting?

2) How well do you do with the Tueller Drill, while pocket carrying the shield? You probable arent going to walk around with your hand on the gun

3) How would you quickly and efficiently draw if the bad guy jumped you from behind and the fight was on the ground?

4) How would you quickly and efficiently draw your weapon if for some reason your strong hand became injured (possibly in a fight)

If you can do all these things, you are a better man than me. I couldnt begin to draw my Shield from even loose pockets

I did the pocket thing for a little while with a CM9, but after practicing, and thinking about it, then being challenged with the above questions, I went back to IWB
 
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I think everyone will agree that pocket carry is the least "tactical" version of carry, in that it often does not permit the quickest and most efficient access to your firearm.

That being said I find I carry now every day since it is easier and more comfortable throwing it my pocket and having it so easy to conceal.

And to your first question- I just tried drawing while sitting and it worked great. The jeans I wear are Lee Modern Series- the have a certain % of stretch in them - don't know if it is spandex or something else- anyway they stretch almost like sweat pants so the pockets open up easily.
 
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I think everyone will agree that pocket carry is the least "tactical" version of carry, in that it often does not permit the quickest and most efficient access to your firearm.

Very true but as the old saying goes, it is better to have it on you then not at all.

I have not embraced pocket carry and not sure if i ever will, even with my BG380. In my opinion it is very uncomfortable, but i am still in the process of sizing up all my clothes because of carrying. Happy you found what works for you.
 
Sub compacts are simply too big and heavy for pocket. Believe me I wish it was more practical but ive tried a lot of things, including something very similar to what you did here.

Bodyguard or J frame are the best for pocket.
 
A Jframe would pull faster

To me, with a remora, in IWB, I am armed as quick as putting a pistol in a pocket

They also have a new holster that allows a tuckable shirt

Or, a cheap Uncle Mikes, with a clip, can be tucked around.

I see folks that stuff a too big gun in a pocket, and I believe that puts you in danger, as you cant get to it quick enough, in MANY situations that you might find yourself in.

I also see folks that marginalize their carry choices to be able to pocket carry by using a 32 or a 380. IMHO, the 9mm brings almost DOUBLE energy then a 380. It penetrates better, It opens wider, causing much more damage than the puny 380.
There IS a reason that NO Govt agencies carry a 380 as a primary gun.

If there is even a REMOTE chance that bullets could be slinging back at me (or my family), I want something that hits as hard as possible.

No I dont want to be shot with one, (Or even by a BB gun) and being armed is better than not......... BUT....... You have a choice in the matter

If you do choose to carry, why not carry something that has some more ummf. Of course a rifle is better, but my IWB holser for my AR hasnt come in yet :)

I carry a M&P40C IWB, and have 13 shots of HST, thats much more firepower than a 380 with 5 or 6 shots

But its a free country........
 
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Neat approach. Never would have thought of Kydex for pocket carry. The Nemesis worked fine for me, but only in jeans. Any pants with less structure let the weight of the gun sag, drag and beat my leg up (dress pants) or rotate the holster until the whole rig was horizontal (even the slash pocket of cargo pants).
 
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I like the bodyguard 380 for pocket duty

Looks very nice, but for me the Shield is way to heavy for pocket carry and with my tight jeans it is hard for me to "Dig" a Mini-Big lighter out of my front pocket!

I like the bodyguard 380 for pocket duty
It's a free country
 
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You are a better man than me

Quick questions:

1) How do you quickly and efficiently draw while sitting?

2) How well do you do with the Tueller Drill, while pocket carrying the shield? You probable arent going to walk around with your hand on the gun

3) How would you quickly and efficiently draw if the bad guy jumped you from behind and the fight was on the ground?

4) How would you quickly and efficiently draw your weapon if for some reason your strong hand became injured (possibly in a fight)

If you can do all these things, you are a better man than me. I couldnt begin to draw my Shield from even loose pockets

I did the pocket thing for a little while with a CM9, but after practicing, and thinking about it, then being challenged with the above questions, I went back to IWB
This is not aimed so much at the shield as to pocket carry. You are right drawing from the pocket is very difficult. That said I seldom sit and when I do I am driving if threatened I will likely just drive through or reverse out of the ambush. As I spend most of my day standing having my hand near or even on the gun is low key non threatening and fast. Given the dress code from work and my shoulder range of motion issues pocket carry works.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
 
Too big/heavy for pocket carry.
Those must be some massive pockets. I do not have a belly and am fairly fit for me a vedder holster aiwb. I can carry a full size m&p 9 or 45 with zero printing and some real capacity. Most crimes involve multiple offenders I encourage carrying as much capacity as possible. HOWEVER if you found something that works for you by all means do it. Carrying small is better than not carrying at all.
 
Too big/heavy for pocket carry.
Those must be some massive pockets. I do not have a belly and am fairly fit for me with a vedder holster aiwb. I can carry a full size m&p 9 or 45 with zero printing and some real capacity. Most crimes involve multiple offenders I encourage carrying as much capacity as possible. HOWEVER if you found something that works for you by all means do it. Carrying small is better than not carrying at all.
 
I sometimes carry my shield in a Mika pocket holster.If you buy your pants with large enough pockets.And wear comfortable pants not skinny jeans it will work.
 
Has anyone tried the DeSantis pocket-tuk with the Shield 9? I have one ordered. I used that holster for my much smaller Taurus TCP 380 for 3 years and liked it a lot.
 
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