Is Pocket Carry Fast Enough

[tops]

Don't get me wrong, I like pocket carry. I like it so much I sometimes pocket carry a back up.

But my primary will always be a more capable gun in a more capable caliber carried IWB, OWB, or in some rare circumstances in a shoulder holster.

My thinking is opposite of you. I figure my need for self defense will be fast and close up so my pocket gun is my primary gun. My backup gun in an OWB or shoulder holster will be a "N" frame .357M or .44M. A .45ACP could also be used for a BUG but I usually stay with revolvers. Larry

 

[BloodyThumb]

With more practice, you would know the answer to that question. The old saying is, "Train the way you fight."

Not to nitpick, but the old saying is that you will fight the way you train.

There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in the two statements.

Originally....

"You can only fight the way you practice"

― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy

 

[Jebus35745]

The 365 seems easier to carry then the K frame in the pocket and don't consider it a sub caliber. Tonight when we walked the gun was clipped to the top of my right pocket easily accessible. I have to admit I don't practice drawing and need to start. Practice with my hand in the pocket and with my arm down by my side as when walking. The big city crime is coming to a suburb near you. Glad to hear a lot of you pocket carry, Larry

 

[gym cat]

Interesting Post----Thinking Matt Dillon "Gunsmoke"

 

[ladder13]

I pocket carry because it suits my lifestyle of wearing shorts and a tee most of the time.

Either a LCP MAX, Seecamp, or P365. All are for self defense distance, not target shooting.

I don't need to shoot them every week either, they are all reliable.

My days of lugging around a full size gun are past, except for hunting big game.

 

[snowman1967]

It is not practical for me to pocket carry. 1) I wear jeans. Jeans or jean shorts. 2) I carry my keys in my strong side pocket. If it is just a key fob, fine. If it is for my old truck, I need to physically access those keys to use. 3) I am of short stature. I carry either a s&w shield 9 2.0, an m&p .45 2.0 c, or a mossberg mc2c I will be adding to my carry rotation. Neither one of these will fit comfortably nor discreetly in my pocket. But, this is just me. It is different for everybody.

 

[Protected One]

Drawing from the pocket is slower than just about any other mode of carry, short of off-body or ankle. Drawing from the pocket with your hand pre-positioned on the gun is faster than drawing from any other concealed mode.

As to how much slower or faster, that depends on the person and which carry modes are being compared. A timer will answer the question for you definitively.

Faster or slower only matters depending on the situation... and situations can vary in MANY ways.
To the guy sitting in the corner of the restaurant watching the doors it probably doesn't matter how fast his draw is if something happens because the threats eyes probably aren't on him. To the guy walking through the parking lot to his car and seeing three doors open on the car next to his... draw speed matters more! All the potential situations in between those two will each have their own requirements.

 

[NYlakesider]

"Is Pocket Carry Fast Enough" Quote OP.

Well I sure hope so! I find in reasonably normal times and places a pocket carry works out quite quite well. (make your own definition of reasonable)

I have been carrying since the early 1970s. I have carried all sorts of guns in all sorts of holsters in all sorts of places. Living in the city area a serious gun in a serious holster was paramount.

Now where I live and where I end up I find a small gun (Ruger LCR .38) in a pocket holster works quite fine. Just grab it going out the door, insert in pocket without even breaking stride!

Can I out draw Wyatt Earp in a gun fight heck no, but I have it with me and over the course of time I consider myself quite street wise! In my car its impossible to get to fast or even sort of fast. At times I have been known to put gun in another more favorible location when driving! Like said I have a good mind set and normally have a way out with a 4,000+pound weapon controlled by my right foot.

Afoot, again I am aware of my surroundings and hope that will be a big factor in what might happen.

In a more serious situation/area I will be packing much stouter weaponry in a belt holster.

Due to circumstances my legal carrying days MIGHT be over or heavily restricted soon, a lot is going on right now that I will have to figure out.

 

[old tanker]

Nobody wants to be shot with even a marginal caliber.

Trouble is when somebody is really on the fight, all calibers are marginal!

They won't quit until they are dead, and even if you've killed them, they may not die fast enough to keep them from killing you.

 

[haywood]

I pocket carry and waistband carry every day all day. I also try to go to the Range twice a month. Hopefully I'll not need to draw or shoot anywhere els.

 

[Pisgah]

It really depends on how much you sit each day. Pocket carry while sitting is only slightly better than unarmed altogether if you need the gun quickly. In that scenario, almost any other carry method is preferable.

But if you're on your feet most of the day, or at least when you feel you need protection the most, pocket carry is absolutely fine. If you stay aware of your surroundings and perceive a potential threat developing, it is awful nice to be able to casually slip a hand in to a pocket and be ready to go.

 

[heeter3]

Here in AZ it's shorts and t shirts 99% of the time.I pocket carry 99% of the time and buy my shorts with deep front pockets.Its easy to rotate my carry between a 442,3 in model 36,detective special and old colt cobra.The holster is the key for me and my Desantis's are perfect for what I need.Like many have said it's easy to stage your hand on your weapon if condition yellow should arise without raising much concern from bystanders.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A leather belt slide holster for a 1911 will carry any single stack Shield with perfection........I use mine like that a lot.

 

[AlHunt]

To the OP, I'd just say to practice the draw and decide if it's fast enough for you. Concerning pocket carry while driving, just slip it from your pocket and set it somewhere handy.

I like a J frame in the side pocket, depending on the accessibility of the pocket in question.