Is the M&P Shield a pocket gun?

[CommonCents]

Everyone should list their height/weight for reference when discussing this stuff.

I'm wondering if people 'pocket carry' differently. Do you pocket carry by having the entire gun in your pocket? grip and all? In that case I'd see people saying no to the shield, and sticking to smaller guns.

Do others pocket carry by having the grip exposed? I could then see others saying the shield or 9c pocket carryable as long as you have your shirt for cover.

It'd be helpful if people designate their size and how they pocket carry so we compare apples to apples.

 

[speedyquad]

Everyone should list their height/weight for reference when discussing this stuff.

I'm wondering if people 'pocket carry' differently. Do you pocket carry by having the entire gun in your pocket? grip and all? In that case I'd see people saying no to the shield, and sticking to smaller guns.

Do others pocket carry by having the grip exposed? I could then see others saying the shield or 9c pocket carryable as long as you have your shirt for cover.

It'd be helpful if people designate their size and how they pocket carry so we compare apples to apples.

5'3", about 160lbs(think beer gut with out the beer). i generally wear cheap faded glory jeans and jean shorts from walmart...carpenter style. i don't like to spend money on clothes ...i pocket carry my 40c all the time...only one pair of these jeans pr shorts has a shallow enough pocket that just the very tip of the grip shows...i don't wear them often and when i do, it's with a long short and/or sweatshirt to cover it.

 

[drinva]

I believe true pocket guns are like, and the size range of, the Ruger LCP .380.
My Shield can be pocket carried, but it's a pocket FULL. Fits kinda nicely in a cargo pocket, but the weight is very noticeable.

DR

 

[RobzGuns]

Okay... 5'7" and 160Lbs... Like the OP.
Unlike the OP... While I COULD squeak into a Size 32/30 jean, since my 40s (I'm now 60), I'm now at a 33" waist, but my body doesn't tolerate 'Regular Fit' jeans and I've found 'Relaxed Fit' with a 34" waist, just plain more comfortable... AND allow me to pocket carry any of the 'Pocket 9s' (PF-9, LC9, Nano, Solo, P938, or Shield). Having written that, Not ALL Relaxed Fit Jeans (or Dockers, Slacks, etc) are created equal.
As I wrote before... One must check the Angle and Length of the 'Slash' of the front Slash Pocket. Some Brands' Slash is just barely long enough to get your hand into. Some Slashes are darn near Horizontal, rather than Diagonal. Diagonal, Longer Slash pockets are what you're looking for. Again... As I wrote before, Put your hand in your pocket and make a fist. Try to pull your Fist out of your pocket. If you can't, either the pants are too tight, or you need to try another style of jeans/pants.

In response to CommonCents...When I say Pocket Carry, I mean pistol Completely in the front 'Slash' pocket, with a good 2" to spare. When wearing Cargo Pants, I still carry in the Slash pocket, rather than one of the 'Patch' (External) pockets.

The jeans that work for me? Wrangler Relaxed Fit. Cargos that work for me? Wrangler Cargo. Slacks that work for me? 'Levi Travelers Dress Slacks'.

Another aspect of being able to Pocket Carry the Shield... The Pocket Holster. I have the Galco Pocket Protector and the Remora Pocket Holster with Sweat Shield. The Remora is thicker (probably due to adding the Sweat Shield) and fill the pocket more. The Galco is a Nice thick leather, but feels more comfortable.

If I left the grip exposed (in effect, turning the pocket itself, into a holster), I would be able to pocket carry my G26, XDMc, P-11 and other Compacts.

 

[timn8er]

I decline to post my dimensions. I will say I'm not a small individual & I'm not a giant either, as I've already stated. Let's say medium. Pocket carry to me is the pistol completely in the pocket, out of sight. I usually favor the house brand of jeans available at Sam's Club;their well made, not too costly, & fit me well. The pockets are generous with a wide opening. Agksimon already mentioned the cargo shorts I like, the Cabela's hiking shorts. They're very comfortable & the front right pocket just swallows my Shield in a Desantis pocket holster. I tried IWB, & it just wasn't for me;extremely uncomfortable, plus you still seem to need a cover garment. My favorite method of carry is with a Don Hume JIT Slide holster. I've got a couple, one for my M&P's & one for my 3rd Gens. They won't work when I'm wearing sweats, though. No belt loops.

 

[Navy74]

Pocket carry no problem

5'8", 185 lbs of pure muscle. Keep the Shield in the right front pocket, and the rest of my **** in the front left. Both pockets have a bit of a bulge, but look the same. Nobody notices. Must have vertical slash type pocket openings of course. Jeans don't work at all. Made my own holster out of that thicker shelf lining stuff. Everything slips in and out easy. I can reach in a pull the Shield out in a fraction of a second. Just keep the pants/shorts loose. No John Travolta Saturday Night Fever look.

 

[negi]

cargo pocket carry works, but it's a bit heavy.

pocket carry with jeans, no way no how. back pocket the gun pushes the pocket out very noticeably and the grip is extremely visible. front pocket, again way too big, and sitting in a car there is virtually no way you're going to be able to draw quickly.

IWB is the only way to go for shield concealed.

the only true front pocket carry i've found so far are the little 380s like lcp or bg380. wish s&w would make a 380 shield, i like my bg380 but i think i'd like a shield380 better.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The advantages to pocket carry is it is easy to draw a pocket carry gun (again without having tight pockets). It is comfortable to pocket carry. Also a man standing with his hand in his pocket, is not going to raise much concern, and that gives the pocket carry an advantage in the situation of who can draw first. Disadvantage is you have to watch the gun position when sitting.Bob

All of these are excellent points, and I will raise another good point about pocket carry. With pocket carry, there is no need for a cover garment, such as a coat, vest, untucked shirt, etc. It is simply easier to be armed at all times when using pocket carry.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Not to sound like a smart *** but the way I answered that question for myself was to go to the gun store, pick up a shield and slide it into my pocket. Walk around a bit and decided that it was too big for a pocket gun for me.
Did the same thing with the M&P380 and decided that "Yea this is for me".

Try it-you may very well have your answer.

Of course that isn't as much fun as an internet discussion regarding the topic

 

[Smoke]

I went to a gunstore and tried it too. It works in my work pants but it won't in dress pants or jeans

 

[SC_Mike]

From my experience, in cargo shorts and BDU type pants, yes. In jeans and certain dress slacks no. I also had to remember to use my thumb to cover the rear sight as mine had an edge that caught on the opening of the pocket.

I went back to a 640 and now trying a G42.



YMMV.

 

[M&Pmeister]

Some of it depends on your acceptance level for printing. The Shield will physically fit some of my pants and cargo shorts. Drawing from the pocket might even be decent, and if I stand still and relax, the outline doesn't much show even though I definitely feel the weight.

However... as soon as I start walking, or if I sit down, or do anything else that stretches the pants a bit, the pistol prints fairly clearly even with a pocket holster. I, for one, am very uncomfortable with that.

True pocket pistols like the BG380 are so thin and small, they don't print anywhere near as bad.

 

[Arndog123]

My Sig p938 makes a better pocket carry gun than either of my Shield's. With a flush mount mag it's pretty close in size to my M&P 380.

 

[Big Dog Dad]

Yes - depending on pants.

I usually carry a 642 in my front pants pocket. Some manufacturer's pockets are ideal. Duluth makes the best pants and best pocket size for carrying CCW in front pocket. I also have a shield in 40 S&W that I will carry in my front pocket. I'm 6'1" and 170# and I don't think either one prints in these pants. In some jeans manufacturers, I have a hard time with a Keltec 32 acp. Again, it all depends on who makes the pants, period.

-=BDD=-

 

[ccpacker]

My pocket shield is so comfortable that I forget I have it. Sometimes I have to return to my car to secure it because I forget in a place where it is not allowed. It and the pocket holster are completely out of sight. If some don't like it, that's fine, but don't say an emphatic "no" with much sarcasm, as if you were an expert. If it works for you, it works, if not, then it doesn't.

 

[kawalerzysta]

I usually carry my Shield in the IWB holster. However, I have no issues pocket carrying in Desantis pocket holster. I usually wear docker style pants, and have no issues.

 

[SoCalDep]

For me, the Shield is on the bubble as far as a pocket pistol goes. I think it's very dependent on the person... I'm 5'10" and about 190lbs with a 36" waste (wearing an AIWB holster).

I mainly carry my Shield (in the whole whopping week I've had it) AIWB in a 1441 Gear Shultz holster. It works great in that configuration, but I did carry it twice (for a full day) in my left front pocket while I carried another pistol AIWB (this was before I had a chance to test-fire the Shield and without a test fire I didn't want to depend on it as a primary pistol). It carried just fine in my jeans and I'd have no problem with pocket carry, but it's probably about as big as I'd go.

In addition to body type, I think some holsters can help or hurt. My pocket (and often IWB) holster is a Remora and it works great...It does a good job of reducing the profile of the pistol and it's only drawback (in my opinion) is that it adds a bit at the front of the muzzle, making the gun sit a bit higher. It works with the Remora, and I bet it could work even better with a purpose-driven rig.

 

[skip4309]

Everyone is different...heck, I don't even like keys or change in my pockets and only carry a pocket knife at work. That being said, with my wallet and smartphone I only have one pocket available I usually stick my BG380 in their during warmer weather. Cold and cooler weather gives me more options to carry my Shield or Glocks. I don't consider the Shield a pocket pistol. Those would be reserved for the Boberg, PM9 or Nano for 9mm. Most .380's would be considered pocket pistols...YMMV

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I love my shield but, for me, it's too much in the pocket


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[MacDonald]

If I wear my dress slacks, yes. The Shield can be a pocket gun ANYWHERE but where I wear my dress slacks (employer). When I wear my jeans, not so good as a pocket gun.