Is the M&P Shield a pocket gun?

[muldoon14]

I've been looking for a pocket CCW. I really like the Shield, but have seen differing opinions in whether in actually carries well in a front pants pocket (I'm 6' 3" 210). Leaning towards the Bodyguard .380 because of its small size, but would prefer the higher caliber in the Shield. Opinions?


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[williamlayton]

Not in my ownership opinion.
Blessings

 

[hogwylde]

Definitely not a pocket gun.

 

[timn8er]

I regularly carry my 40 Shield in a Desantis pocket holster. It won't work in tight fitting pants, but these days I'm more of a relaxed fit kind of guy, so no problem.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Been There. Done That. I'll also say NO. (unless you take size 84 pants.) . It's thin but not small. About the same footprint as a M&Pc and allot bigger than a BG380. If you want a pocket pistol ( ie. not a revolver), the BG380 is a much better choice despite the smaller cal.
i.e a 380 in the pocket is better than the 9mm left at home.

 

[Maximumbob54]

It may be if you have a rough enough or thick enough material in the pants to not drag down from the weight. Otherwise I would say no.

 

[timn8er]

Been There. Done That. I'll also say NO. (unless you take size 84 pants.) . It's thin but not small. About the same footprint as a M&Pc and allot bigger than a BG380. If you want a pocket pistol ( ie. not a revolver), the BG380 is a much better choice despite the smaller cal.
i.e a 380 in the pocket is better than the 9mm left at home.

I don't wear size 84 pants, & like I said, I don't have a problem. I will say this; trying to draw a pistol from your pocket while seated is no fun at all. I also sometimes carry in a Don Hume JIT slide belt holster. It depends on the activities planned & if I can wear a covering garment. We have open carry here but that's something I don't care to do.

I would also add to the OP: Probably the best thing you can do is go to your LGS & try them both on so you'll have a real idea of what will work for you, not just internet opinions.

 

[eveled]

I have a 9mm Walther PPS, I can pocket carry in some of my pants, but the best pocket gun by far is my 442, or any Jframe for that matter. Ed.

 

[speedyquad]

i don't have the shield, i have a 40c. i carry my 40c in my jeans or shorts pocket all of the time...my pants don't slide down any more than normal(my wife says i have no butt)...

pant size-32x30...i'm not a big guy

 

[lrmnut]

I say yes it fits better then my 642 almost as good as my khar CM9 don't like the trigger on the Khar MHO I make my own kydex pocket holster's and leave them with as little contour as possible on the outside pocket side.

 

[jimjc]

No ...now that doesn`t mean if you need something once and a while it may work but all the time pocket carry I don`t think so...Inside the waistband holster is the place IMO

 

[kozmic]

If you can comfortably conceal a Shield into your front pocket you're a better man than I.

 

[wdmshooter]

I have been pocket carrying my 9 and 40 shield in my pocket for over 1 year. It conceals well and is very comfortable.

 

[VCaruso]

Works In My Pocket

I used to carry a Keltec .380 in my front pocket and have moved to a 9_Shield. No big change for me and I feel a lot better about having 9mm cart's in my gun versus .380.

It does print slightly, but have never had someone question it in almost a year of carrying it. There are some obvious drawbacks for carrying in your pocket, but as someone mentioned, they would rather have something in their pocket compared to it sitting at home looking all shiny and clean. I probably would not carry the Shield if it did not have a safety on it.

Take my comments with a grain of salt or two....I just have a hard time carrying IWB.

Vince

 

[CC83]

Won't fit in my 33x32 jeans.

 

[foggood11]

Pocket carry works for me, and is my preferred mode.

Exclusively carried the 642-2 Airweight pictured for several years (yes, I'm left handed). But since getting the Shield in July, it's been the go-to EDC.

I typically wear the "comfort" style pants, as I appreciate the extra room and like pants to fit a little looser. The Shield works well in virtually all pants, except those with slightly smaller pockets. The Shield's height (top of slide to bottom of flush mag) is a fraction too large to permit a smooth draw. It's doable, but in a life and death moment, I don't want a firearm getting hung up. So, on smaller-pocket days, I'll slip the j-frame in there. It's slightly shorter, and the rounded grip makes it easier to draw and present. That said, I'm comfortable, content, and competent with either of them.

Shield weight is manageable in a front pocket, but if it was any heavier, it wouldn't be. It's right on the edge, and is noticeably heavier than the Airweight. Sometimes I have to reach down and feel for the j-frame just to make sure it's still there.

Concealability is excellent - I use Kramer horsehides for both.

Try it and see what works for you.

 

[Crab 945]

NO !!!!!!!

 

[vsraptor]

I'm 6'2 200 and there is no way my shield will fit in any of my jeans. I tried to pocket carry in cargo shorts but it wasn't comfortable. Wether in my hip or thigh pocket it felt like I was carrying a brick in my shorts. I'm not a fan of the lopsided sag either.

 

[agksimon]

I pocket carry my Shield 9 and my M&P compact 9 in these pants of which I have a couple of dozen pair:

Cabela's Legendary 7-Pocket Hiker Pants : Cabela's

They have huge front pockets with a bellows on the very front of the pocket (that you can't see in the photo) and the little pocket on the front of them breaks up any pattern, so there is absolutely no printing. If I see a threat, I have my hands in my pockets, with the gun part way out of the pocket holster, which doesn't draw the attention that getting ready to draw from an IWB will do. Using a shot timer, gripping the gun and having it part way out of the holster, I can draw, shoot and hit a paper plate at seven yards, in .7 of a second pretty consistently. That's just over half the time of what I draw from an IWB holster.

 

[Kitgun]

No. Not even with cargo style pant pockets.