Convince me that a J-frame would be perfect for pocket carry

I've carried a 642 and a 340 in different pocket holsters for years now. Currently I'm using a Mika holster and love it. Some days I actually can't feel the gun and holster in my pocket and for just a brief second think that maybe I've left it at home. :)

Buy the J-frame and don't look back!
 
I've been carrying a S&W 642 as a back up gun for several years. Stainless steel and alloy, so not much worry about perspiration. Light weight, even loaded. Using a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster, I carry it in my dress slacks at work. In blue jeans on weekends, and especially in cargo pants with plenty of bulky pockets for speed loaders (when not carrying my semi-autos).

The town council passed an ordinance a couple of summers ago and they won't allow me to wear shorts. Something about frightening women, children and domestic animals. :eek:

Bullet launchers being only half of the equation, I carry mine with Hornady Critical Defense +P ammo.

Pistols08003.jpg
 
J Frame is ideal

In my experience, a J frame disappears in all but the shallowest/tightest pockets. As long as it is a light weight alloy and a concealed hammer it won't drag you down while moving or hang you up while drawing. Another often overlooked advantage concerns reliabilty. Pocket holster or not, guns in pockets get lint and fuzz in them and small autos can be finicky about that while a revolver will power right through it.

_________________________

eschew obfuscation ;)
 
Glock 'em down said:
Yeah, but if you're gonna "holster up" why would you mess with a simple J frame? :confused: Why not carry a full size pistola? If belt carry is uncomfortable (like the OP said) it won't get carried. To me, the J frame sits in my pocket just as comfortable as my wallet, pocket knife and car keys.

Naturally and as always, YMMV.

At least with the Jaybird in your pocket, you've accomplished Rule #1...Bring a gun!

If some of you here have not read "The Rules" please do. :D

Rules for a Gunfight
Click to expand...

It's a little hard to fit all of your friends that have guns in your pocket, so a J-frame is the next best thing!:D
 
During the summer my Model 49 rides in a holster wedged between the drivers seat and the center console/seat of my F150. When I get out it only takes a second to drop it in the srong side front pants pocket. It's not at all uncomfortable, as a matter of fact I find it rather reassuring...
 
All depends on how you're dressing. If it's really cold and I'm dressed appropriately, I feel comfortable with my 637 S&W, 2-1/2" bbl 38 Spl.(+p) Airweight. When it's 30's and higher, I'd rather have my Ruger LCP. The arguement isn't just size but weight as well. Back in the car/truck and at home, I have larger, heavier and more powerful weapons.
 
Too many things to go wrong with small pocket autos.

I have to admit some of the kahr's look tempting, but I worry about mag releases being tripped.

Had a P32 Keltec and did this more than once. Have seen others do this as well.

This is hand to hand territory, and envision the perp grabbing the gun and it not cycling the next round.

Safety on a PPK or the like in a stressful situation would be a downer.

I want a belly gun producing the biggest hole possible and that has reliability.

Hard to beat a Jframe.
 
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Convince yer own-dangself. Grab a timer, tape a couple of 9" paper plates up at 10 feet and 7 yards, stuff your gun in your pocket, place your trigger finger along the bottom of the frame above the trigger, and wait for the beep with as many different carry guns as you can lay hands on.

Unless my timer's lyin', I can place three on the close plate and two on the far plate with my 638, my wife's 642 and a Ruger SP 101 (not the DAO model) more quickly and more accurately than with any other gun I front-pocket carry. Model 60-9 is a close 4th and DAO Ruger SP 101 is 5th.

My Kel-Tec P3AT is way back in the pack, but I keep it and my NAA-mini for deep-conceal, last ditch guns. I was so embarrassingly slow with my 1966-made PPK, it roosts elsewhere. 'Sides that, the P3AT shot rings around it, out-concealed it, out-quicked it, and out-functioned it.
 
All I can add is that there are a lot of jeans carrying the J frame revolvers
down here. Because it just fits naturally. I'v never had any reason to draw it but won't doubt for a minute that it will be there when I need it.
Frank
 
I have my 342PD with me everyday and I wear either jeans, shorts, or dockers. I choose to go with the lighter 10.5 oz higher priced model "airlite" insted of the 15oz "airweight" but I also wanted mine for summer bike rides and light weight clothing. You can't beat the airlites! I have mine loaded with shot shels for dogs on the trail and hornady critical defense rounds for the street. Unlike the others here I do not carry extra loads. But keep in mind how much ammo can weigh.
Good luck and start shootn!
 
I work in an office usually wear khaki pants to work,,carry a J frame in an uncle mikes pocket holster every day in my right front pocket,,carry my wallet in the left front pocket,,cant tell the difference..it may not be my favorite gun or the best looking gun I have but it is my most carried gun probably carry it 90% of the time.....
 
340PD everywhere I go. 38+p's and a speed strip. Was looking at the 442
as well. In the waist or pocket cant go wrong.
 
omgur2 said:
I have my 342PD with me everyday and I wear either jeans, shorts, or dockers. I choose to go with the lighter 10.5 oz higher priced model "airlite" insted of the 15oz "airweight" but I also wanted mine for summer bike rides and light weight clothing. You can't beat the airlites! I have mine loaded with shot shels for dogs on the trail and hornady critical defense rounds for the street. Unlike the others here I do not carry extra loads. But keep in mind how much ammo can weigh.
Good luck and start shootn!
Click to expand...

I really wish you would reconsider this. Five rounds go hella fast, especially when one or two of those 5 are ratshot! A Bianchi speed strip loaded with 5 more rounds weighs mere ounces in weight but a TON in reassurance.
 
I love the 642 in my pants (Jeans) pocket. One thing really nice about that method of carry is this.... you can be walking along in the store, or down the sidewalk in town, whatever, with your hand on the grip of your little power-house and nobody would be the wiser. If some perp came up to rob you.... ooooops, surprise!!! But, the thing I don't like is when driving, it's not easy to get it out of pocket! Best of both worlds is an OWB holster for a small auto (PM(?) stongside and the pocket gun in the off-side pocket. I need to look into that soon!

Buy the J Frame.... they really pocket carry perfectly in blue jeans or dress slacks!


Glock 'em down said:
Yeah, but if you're gonna "holster up" why would you mess with a simple J frame? :confused: Why not carry a full size pistola? If belt carry is uncomfortable (like the OP said) it won't get carried. To me, the J frame sits in my pocket just as comfortable as my wallet, pocket knife and car keys.

Naturally and as always, YMMV.

At least with the Jaybird in your pocket, you've accomplished Rule #1...Bring a gun!

If some of you here have not read "The Rules" please do. :D

Rules for a Gunfight
Click to expand...
 
I've been carryin a M60 no dash with a 1 7/8" barrel in my rear pocket for almost a month now. The only rub (no pun intended) is that it has a homemade bob job on the hammer and needs some refinement (filing and polishing). Several times I have forgotten I'm even loaded. No, wait, I mean the gun is loaded...er, in my pocket.
 
spotch said:
So I recently bought a S&W M&P 9mm and soon realized that there are times when I just won't want to carry something that big. My first thought was to just get a Ruger LCP so I know I have something that I can carry in the pocket of absolutely any outfit. But then I look at something like this...
Smith & Wesson 442 .38 Spl+P 1-7/8" Black $361.00 SHIPS FREE

and think ".....I bet I could make that work in gym shorts and fitted dress slacks!....... somehow..... :( "

So if you're reading this and bored, please convince me that I would be able to carry the gun I linked to above in the pocket of just about every pair of pants/shorts that I own without drastically altering my pants pockets. And maybe more importantly, that I could actually draw it out of the pocket in an emergency without having to take the pants off first.

I want to believe! It's just so much bigger than all the guns that are widely viewed as 'true pocket guns'.
Click to expand...

Can't no one convince you and it stick. You just got to do it and if you like it continue. If you don't sell the gun and get another one. Carry guns are personal opinion anyway. I feel fine carrying a J frame in my pocket or on my hip or a 4" 19 on my hip. You need to decide for yourself.

Convincing me got me 4 Glocks and I hate Glocks.
 
So about a year ago, in my little town, well, in the littler town next door, was a small grocery/convenience store. The aged (70+ yo) lived above it, with his wife.
A mini-gang, two young guys and their girl driver, decided to break in late one night. Upon hearing unexpected sounds downstairs the old guy puts his hammerless J-frame in his pocket and goes downstairs, really only expecting to face down a raccoon.
One of the young guys spots him, knocks him down and they both begin kicking his old body. He manages to point his pocket at one of them and fires, the bullet going through one guys neck and lodging in the thorax of the second perp, both of whom fall to the floor, hors de combat.
Is that a good enough reason?
 
Noah Vaile said:
So about a year ago, in my little town, well, in the littler town next door, was a small grocery/convenience store. The aged (70+ yo) lived above it, with his wife.
A mini-gang, two young guys and their girl driver, decided to break in late one night. Upon hearing unexpected sounds downstairs the old guy puts his hammerless J-frame in his pocket and goes downstairs, really only expecting to face down a raccoon.
One of the young guys spots him, knocks him down and they both begin kicking his old body. He manages to point his pocket at one of them and fires, the bullet going through one guys neck and lodging in the thorax of the second perp, both of whom fall to the floor, hors de combat.
Is that a good enough reason?
Click to expand...


Wow. I don't wish much of anyone dead, but I sure do love a story with a happy ending.
 
I own plenty of handguns . . . but my 1971-made J-frame Airweight (Model 37) is ALWAYS in my front pants pocket (in a DeSantis Nemesis).

It's just the perfect little gun that can get the job done with speed and accuracy, if necessary . . . while also be very stealthy. Best of all . . . it is ALWAYS with me . . . the perfect little CCW handgun!!!

Also I generally carry the steel framed 1964-era Model 36 (the nickel plated one below) in a belt holster, it is also pictured below in another pocket holster I sometimes use, an Uncle Mike's, depending on the pants I'm wearing.

2456564IMG2613copy2-c-web.jpg
 
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