Is the M&P Shield a pocket gun?

[jeepjamie]

For me it's a no. Again all depends on your pockets. I'm 5-9, 170lbs and it while i can get it into my jeans pockets, there is no way it's coming out quickly and it prints badly. BG380 is a great choice (tried a friend) and will be picking the ne CT version up soon. I carry my shield in a Foxx Trapp IWB kydex (exceptional for the $45) or an ankle rig. The shield for me makes a great ankle gun.

 

[tedburns3]

I don't understand why so many people can't pocket carry the Shield! As I have already stated, other than it being a little hard to draw from a seated position, It works fine for me, & no, I'm not a giant. You guys must be wearing "skinny jeans"!

Yeah, I don't see what all the 'hubbub' is about...the De Santis Nemesis designed for the Shield fits fine in my jeans. I wear mostly Levi's 527 Low Boot Cut jeans, or 501's. Size of the pocket is not an issue. However, the gun is a bit 'heavy' for all-day pocket wear but I don't carry 24/7, either.

I 'wish' that I were 5'9" and like the poster above me. I weigh 205 lbs and 5'9", same height. Yes, I am overweight. Size pants are usually 38 or 36 waist. My DOB is... , My SS# is... My Driver's License is...., my mother's maiden name is... Is there anything else I should provide?

If one were to rate a 642/442 in an UM or Nemesis a '10' and a '9', respectively, I'd rate the Shield in a Nemesis ~ '6.5 or 7', adequate.

So, for me, it indeed is a pocket gun, less than ideal, but certainly 'adequate', and thus acceptable. But I would not carry it in a suit's front pocket or dress slacks.

Later: My comments were based on carry with an empty magazine. I may change my opinion about the weight aspect when factoring in 8 rounds of HST. Sorry about that, but haven't carried it loaded yet- only shot it at the range a few times and placed empty firearm in a Nemesis in front pocket to see how it felt and whether it would fit. Will update.

 

[tedburns3]

Yeah, I don't see what all the 'hubbub' is about...the De Santis Nemesis designed for the Shield fits fine in my jeans. I wear mostly Levi's 527 Low Boot Cut jeans, or 501's. Size of the pocket is not an issue. However, the gun is a bit 'heavy' for all-day pocket wear but I don't carry 24/7, either.

I 'wish' that I were 5'9" and like the poster above me. I weigh 205 lbs and 5'9", same height. Yes, I am overweight. Size pants are usually 38 or 36 waist. My DOB is... , My SS# is... My Driver's License is...., my mother's maiden name is... Is there anything else I should provide?

If one were to rate a 642/442 in an UM or Nemesis a '10' and a '9', respectively, I'd rate the Shield in a Nemesis ~ '6.5 or 7', adequate.

So, for me, it indeed is a pocket gun, less than ideal, but certainly 'adequate', and thus acceptable. But I would not carry it in a suit's front pocket or dress slacks.

Later: My comments were based on carry with an empty magazine. I may change my opinion about the weight aspect when factoring in 8 rounds of HST. Sorry about that, but haven't carried it loaded yet- only shot it at the range a few times and placed empty firearm in a Nemesis in front pocket to see how it felt and whether it would fit. Will update.

Update: My Shield weighs 24.1 oz. (1.5 lbs.!) with 7 + 1 of HST 124gr. I am downgrading the rating for pocket carry from '6.5 to a 7' to '6.0 to 6.5'- barely acceptable due to weight, not fit.

Compare: My 442 with CT LG-405 grips and 5 rounds of Speer 135gr +P GDHP weighs only ~1 lb. (16.9 oz.), nearly 8 oz. (1/2 lb.) less than the Shield! Quite a difference!

Update: I don't care much for IWB holsters and much prefer pocket carry. However, and due to the weight loaded with the Shield, I went ahead and ordered a 'Sticky' holster MD-2 from Amazon. Will see how that goes. Apparently the 'Sticky' holster doubles as a pocket holster, but main advantage appears to be comfort IWB and there are no clips or belt attachments.

 

[tedburns3]

Update: My Shield weighs 24.1 oz. (1.5 lbs.!) with 7 + 1 of HST 124gr. I am downgrading the rating for pocket carry from '6.5 to a 7' to '6.0 to 6.5'- barely acceptable due to weight, not fit.

Compare: My 442 with CT LG-405 grips and 5 rounds of Speer 135gr +P GDHP weighs only ~1 lb. (16.9 oz.), nearly 8 oz. (1/2 lb.) less than the Shield! Quite a difference!

Update: I don't care much for IWB holsters and much prefer pocket carry. However, and due to the weight loaded with the Shield, I went ahead and ordered a 'Sticky' holster MD-2 from Amazon. Will see how that goes. Apparently the 'Sticky' holster doubles as a pocket holster, but main advantage appears to be comfort IWB and there are no clips or belt attachments.

Update: Sold the 442, sold the Sticky, got a Remora RFT and use IWB for the Shield and quite pleased with the setup. For pocket carry I prefer the Nemesis and UM #4 for the Shield.

 

[dullh]

Is the M&P Shield a pocket gun?

To me, no. Why?

Semi-auto pistols do not have a grip contour that's conducive to a positive, reliable draw from a pocket.

I prefer revolvers to fill the pocket role. Revolver handles naturally "find" your hand in the pocket, so that's what I carry in that position.

 

[SteveMac]

I don't think the Shield is "intended" to be a pocket carry as much as the BG380. But there isn't a definite "yes or no" that someone else can give to you for your situation IMO. I think each situation depends on three P's. Person, Pocket and Pants. Some people won't pocket carry period, so it's a No there. Some people who would pocket carry may have pockets or pants that aren't really good for pocket carry. Then there are some like me. I have some pants where pocket carry with the Shield works, loose khakis or relaxed jeans. And then I have dress pants for work where it won't work. So, as you see, I am both a yes and no depending on pants and pocket.

If the question changes from "IS a" to... "CAN a Shield be pocket carried, if the right conditions are met?",,,, then I say Yes, and get a holster that is really good at masking the weapon profile. My Recluse does a good job of that.

I'm new to CC, and I read a lot more than I post, but that's my two cents.

 

[SteveMac]

Backside of Recluse. I couldn't get two pics in post above. Second pic kept overwriting first pic....

 

[greg_r]

I pocket carry my 40 Shield from time to time. It's ok as long as I'm standing, but prints when I sit or bend. I much prefer IWB with a good tuckable holster.

 

[Two Guns]

I have no problem pocket carrying my 9mm Shield in my LL Bean pants or my Levis. But I am a 6'2" Skinny guy.

 

[Jim1392]

I went to a gun show in Greensboro today and had really good chance to handle a Shield 9. There is no way I could pocket carry that gun. OWB, IWB for sure, pocket I just don't think so. Plus I doubt if I did there would be a way I could get it out of my pocket if I was sitting in my car if I had it there.

 

[bulldogman]

Yeah sure you can pocket carry a shield as long as you have a piece of yacht rope holding your draws up. IMO its too heavy and just a bit too large for pocket carry, the bodyguard 380 is another story.

 

[ChiefStealth]

Around the house, I keep the Shield in the right-rear pocket of my jeans. Carries, just fine. In, and out.. very easy. When I sit, I take the Shield out of the pocket. I've tried the front pocket, but the Shield sinks down into the pocket too much. It wants to ride slide down. Not comfortable. Can't get it out very quickly.

 

[RobzGuns]

Yeah sure you can pocket carry a shield as long as you have a piece of yacht rope holding your draws up. IMO its too heavy and just a bit too large for pocket carry, the bodyguard 380 is another story.

LOL...
And... It definitely helps if one's waistline is smaller than their Hips.

 

[075]

I carry one during the Winter in a few different Filson coat front right pocket during the cold months.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

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.

I had a similar experience with the Glock 26/27 series. I had to cover the rear sight with the thumb to draw the gun from the pocket without snagging. I went back to J-frame .38s for pocket carry and carry full size wheelguns and bottom feeders IWB.

 

[Doug M.]

Pocket carry is a niche practice. Drawing from sitting is a complete cluster, so most of the time when traveling I have something else in a small bugout bag that I can grab without moving from my seat. For me, the ability to be armed almost all the time and yet look conspicuously unarmed to all but the most observant is of great value. I wear dress clothes most of the time at work, but rarely a coat (not in court often, and I have no heat tolerance), so any kind of waist area carry is a fail. Pocket carry works well in that setting. I use a Kramer Leather pocket holster for my G33 and it works well. A tightened belt is needed, but other than that, no allowance needs to be made. I am pretty sure a Shield would work for me given that background.

However: being armed is a priority, not an option. I make it work. I generally refuse to carry a J frame alone unless there is no other option due to some weird fact pattern. This is maybe 1% of the time at most. Other than that, a J frame is a 2nd pistol at best and probably a 3rd. I doubt anything would work well in pocket carry for me if I wore jeans, but I wear cargo pants/short most of the time when not at work.

I am also reasonably large and muscular (6'1+, 225-230; 37-ish trouser, 50 coat); heavier than I would like to be, but not as near bad as the average American. Fitness is also a priority, so HARD CV (goal is at or above 85% of MHR at least 4 days/ week, and 30 minutes is unsat unless I simply don't have time for more) and relatively hard weight training are among the majority of my personal activities. I am alive today after a surprise diabetic diagnosis and hospitalization followed by a nasty blood clot due to that set of priorities, so it ain't gonna change even though I am not in LE anymore. Very few people who don't know my well have any idea how old I am and how heavy, because of the fitness plan. I don't waste my time at sporting events, or watching them; don't have a boat, etc. I train. I work. I sleep.

 

[hardluk1]

What kind of a question is the OP asking. You have pants with pockets ?? so see if it works for you then you will find your answer to your question

 

[tedburns3]

What kind of a question is the OP asking. You have pants with pockets ?? so see if it works for you then you will find your answer to your question

I think the thread is about how well or not so well the Shield pocket carries for people with their varying body shapes and clothing- IOW, what seems to work, and what does not.

 

[shutupdata113]

The shield is NOT a pocket gun, it's too big and belongs on the hip. The BG 380 is a pocket gun....

 

[Pointblank2U]

6'3", 225, I have carried the Shield in my pocket as well as the Glock 26/27. The trouble is the draw, the Shield is a bit long in the butt. The best pants for pocket carry are from Cabelas:

Cabela's Aged Khaki Side-Elastic Flat-Front Pants : Cabela's