Downside to pocket holster...

[Filbird]

I've been carrying a S&W 442 in a DeSantis pocket holster for a couple of years now, and thought it was pretty much the ideal combination - until today.

In another forum someone asked the general question, why do you carry concealed? I was struck by how many people carry concealed today because of past incidents that occurred inside their cars: either potential road rage or someone trying to car jack, etc.

On the way home from the grocery store this afternoon, stopped at a stoplight and thinking about that question, I realized that with my lap/shoulder seat belt on, and sitting at my usual angle, it would be nearly impossible for me to get to my weapon in my front pocket if someone were to try to jerk the door open or reach through the window. Of course, I try to keep the doors locked at all times, but... it just goes to show that there is no ideal combination. I'm not getting rid of the DeSantis, it works so well in most other situations, but when I'm driving my car, I may as well not be armed at all.

 

[keith44spl]

After that little ambush thing awhile back in my unmarked...

Couldn't draw my sidearm because of the seatbelt harness.

Now keep an extra backup in the front seat pocket or between the seats, it's right handy there ya know.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[flop-shank]

I'm not getting rid of the DeSantis, it works so well in most other situations, but when I'm driving my car, I may as well not be armed at all.

Not true. When you get in your car draw the piece and put it under your left leg, for a right hand draw. Do the opposite (right leg, left hand draw) when seated on the passenger side. Reholster before you get out of the car. If you crash and loose the gun, your BUG becomes the primary. You've raised a good point.

 

[Capt Steve]

I like to keep the truck gun holstered but in the center console. Being right handed this works better for me than the door pocket. In a sudden stop or accident if won't go flying, is easily accessible and allows me to comply with the local statutes. My pocket holster is right next to it in the console so switching to pocket carry only takes a second. YMMV

 

[OKFC05]

My favorite place for a pocket holster is in the slash pocket of a vest. I have several different weights of vest up to a warm down-filled one.

I can easily draw from almost any position, and it is so easy to casually slip a hand into the vest pocket in a questionable situation. You can stand right in front of someone with a gun pointed straight at them without showing it. Learned that little trick from a KY State trooper who shot through the pocket when a gun muzzle came out of the window on a traffic stop; the trooper was unhurt.

In addition, I can slip off the vest and drop it into the trunk when going into a prohibited area, and the person with me need never know there is a gun in it.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I also pocket carry. I carry another gun in the center console. I am always sure to take it into the house when I get home. Don

 

[GatorFarmer]

Ankle rigs, and to a certain extent shoulder rigs, are a solution to that, if you're worried about it. I took to carrying two 1911s for a time, one on my hip, and one in a Galco Miami Classic. The second one was there so that I could get to my gun while seated.

If you wear armor, you can also tuck a BUG up under your left arm by attaching a holster to the panel carrier.

 

[PDL]

An old friend LEO years ago use to have a holster above his visor. When he got in the car, the gun went from body to visor.

 

[NE450No2]

Since we send a lot of time in a vehicle, vehicle carry is important.

Carrying a gun under your leg, or in anywhere but securely on your person is a bad idea.

The best plan is to use what has become called an "anti car jacking" holster.

The idea is, when you get in the car you take the "anti car jacking" holster, and attach it to your belt to the left of your belt buckle, then you gtake your carry gun and place it into the holster.

If you are attacked while in the vehicle it is the easiest place to get to a gun...

When you need to get out of the vehicle, you place the gun in your normal concealed carry position, and remove the "ACJ holster".

It is a little bit of a pain, a little bit of extra work... But IT IS the BEST way to "do it".

For a left handed person, you just need to learn to shoot with your right hand.

 

[NE450No2]

Also let me add if you normal carry gun is a semi auto then your "anti car jacking" gun needs to be a revolver, as semiautos tend to malfunction when the slide hits arms and clothing when fired in close quarters.

A little bit of extra trouble... Yes. But, HOW MUCH is YOUR life worth???

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Every holster design involves compromises among the four factors of comfort, accessibility, security, and concealability.

There is no "perfect" solution for every user or every set of circumstances. What works for one person in one situation will not perform equally for every person in every situation.

Only the user can determine which factors are most important for their needs, and how much of the other factors he is willing to compromise in order to emphasize those.

 

[Old cop]

I agree with all these points and add one more suggestion. As a lefty I normally carry IWB appendix, left for me and right for others. I can easily get to my model 638 if necessary.

 

[russp1]

I've been giving this some thought while looking for a holster for my 442. I want to go with a pancake on my right hip and have been considering the Galco Cop 3 Slot so I can switch to cross draw while driving.

 

[feralmerril]

I havent taken time to read every post here, but here is my take. I have a quality pocket holster for my model 40. I seldom use it. The holster comes out of my pocket with the gun. I do use it when I just put the gun in the consel. The gun is just fine in my front pants pocket. Years ago I had several uniform jackets issued me that came with a inside breast pocket holsters sewed right in that fit a snub perfectly. They were the absolute best way to pack a snub, but that only is a solution in winter. I had a friend that flew helicopter on the sheriffs dept that wore a shoulder holster that worked out well, but thats a isolated senerio for that job. Face it. Most of us spend most our time sitting. I suppose a left handed guy is better off driveing a car. For driveing I still think a crossdraw rig better. However for uniform jobs I doubt its permited anywhere but a small poduck dept.

 

[PersonalSecurity]

I agree with all these points and add one more suggestion. As a lefty I normally carry IWB appendix, left for me and right for others. I can easily get to my model 638 if necessary.

Appendix carry solves the car problem for the most part. Its growing in popularity.

Cons - uncomfortable if not in "Bruce Lee" shape and can be very dangerous if not careful.

 

[watchmanjimg]

Since we send a lot of time in a vehicle, vehicle carry is important.

Carrying a gun under your leg, or in anywhere but securely on your person is a bad idea.

The best plan is to use what has become called an "anti car jacking" holster.

The idea is, when you get in the car you take the "anti car jacking" holster, and attach it to your belt to the left of your belt buckle, then you gtake your carry gun and place it into the holster.

If you are attacked while in the vehicle it is the easiest place to get to a gun...

When you need to get out of the vehicle, you place the gun in your normal concealed carry position, and remove the "ACJ holster".

It is a little bit of a pain, a little bit of extra work... But IT IS the BEST way to "do it".

For a left handed person, you just need to learn to shoot with your right hand.

I totally agree. Lately I've been experimenting with a Blackhawk paddle rig in the appendix crossdraw position for car carry. It's not something I'd use outside the car, but it works great while seated. As you pointed out, this solution simply requires a little bit of extra work.

 

[Moondancer]

Here's what works for me with my 442.

Disclosure: I'm fairly 'rotund' (5'7" / 240 lbs.).

I have two pocket holster, an Uncle Mikes and a Double Triple. The Double Triple is my actual pocket holster, the Uncle Mikes is my car holster. When I get in the car, the 442 goes into the UM and rides between my seat and the center console just in front of the seat belt latch. When I exit the car, the 442 gets transferred to the pocket and the Double Triple.
Since I've got a 1.25 hour commute through suburbs, city, and country this works well for me.

ETA: The company I work for prohibits CCW on the premises via work rules. As I reside and work in Indiana, as of July it's illegal for companies to terminate employees as long as the employee keeps his/her LEGALLY owned and carried gun locked in their car. I have to leave the 442 (or Kimber Compact of Springfield Armory Mil-Spec) locked in the car while I'm actually working.

 

[APS]

I don't have the problem of accessing my OWB or IWB or pocket carried gun while seated in my pickup with the belt on but it is obviously slower than if I was standing. If on the belt, I just lean forward 6" or so and can get it. If in the pocket I have to straighten my right leg out to the left to get it. Not very fast.
For those of you that stick your gun between the seats or in the center console what are your thoughts on a car wreck or an intentional hard rear ender? Will the gun continue to be there? You might need it in the intentional case or if the other person in the wreck thinks it's your fault and comes for you.
I was rear ended at @10mph and my glove compartment door popped open and some stuff I had in the back seat flew into the front.
Also have read that some ankle carry which is fast in the vehicle and slow everywhere else. In my state I can't have more than one on me.

 

[PetersCustomLeather]

Not true. When you get in your car draw the piece and put it under your left leg, for a right hand draw. Do the opposite (right leg, left hand draw) when seated on the passenger side. Reholster before you get out of the car. If you crash and loose the gun, your BUG becomes the primary. You've raised a good point.

I have done the same now and then BUT..... it can be dangerous too! If you don't recall, I am about 99.9% sure that in the famous FBI Miami Shootout, the agents had done the same and when they crashed and the gun fight started, both agents could not find their guns as they had flown all over the car! I don't recall if they used backups or what, but I think both were killed during the shootout and a big probabliltiy was because they lacked the fast early fighting ability because their weapons were carried in that method.

 

[gregintenn]

If I feel the need to defend myself while behind the wheel, my car is a much more formitable weapon than any handgun. In other words, I'm not gonna shoot ya when I could drive over ya.