kcbet2
Member
I front pocket carry my Shield in jeans daily and I hardly know it's there.
Is the Shield at 24.1 oz too heavy for the pocket?
- Thread starter RussC
- Start date
9mm Shield with Laserlyte carried in DeSantis superfly in front pocket, no matter whether shorts, jeans or dress slacks. It's in my EDC rotation. I will admit, I think it's right at the limit for pocket carry, but it works for me. A good friend can't see how I can do it, but once you're used to it, you don't even notice it. I will likely change to a .40 cal, sans the laser in the near future. 
papersniper
Member
Thanks. I'd not looked at that pistol in 380, but did the 9mm version. I think Kahr makes ones of the "prettiest" pistols, but ended up getting a Springfield XD3 with the short barrel as my #4 carry pistol. Seems like I always am attracted to the 380s, but just don't seem to ever buy one! Maybe someday.....and the Kahr will be near the top of the list.
papersniper
Member
I know what you mean, but that's over simplified IMHO. What's adequate? I'd rather have a shotgun with me, but I cannot carry it around all day. A 32 ACP is very comfortable, but then I don't think it's adequate, not really. Life is a compromise.....for me that's a 9mm for EDC.......but occasionally I admit to taking a 32 acp when nothing else is "appropriate".
I think what we're trying to say is that one must make adjustments and compromises when we decide to carry. If we're expecting carrying a pistol to be totally comfortable and still be a "major" caliber, we're kidding ourselves.
I applaud you carrying a 1911, but for me that would not work. For me it's the single stack 9mm most of the time.....and in an IWB or OWB holster......that works for me. But not everyone would be okay with what I have decided....and that's okay; keeps the market competitive!
Redlegvzv
Member
Yes, I find the Shield to big/heavy for a suitcoat. But for a winter leather jacket or a motorcycle jacket (I ride) the Shield is fine.
I carry my Sig P238 otherwise.
That looks like a cw380 based on the serial number plate location.
A cm9 is about as large as I can go for pocket carry with the pants I wear and it's about 15oz empty. No way I could do a Shield that way without changing to a different style of pants to open up the top of the pocket more to accommodate it's extra height.
Have not had any issues with the magazines on mine, but I, too, have read where the feed ramp was a touch too long on some examples and was breaking magazine followers. I don't have any insider or personal knowledge on the issue, so I could only speculate as to the cause and fix.
Ruger PF11???
Sounds like your confusing the Ruger LC9/LC9S with the the Kel-Tec PF-9 or P-11.
The PF-9 is both smaller and lighter, but comes with quite a rough recoil. I pocket carried that for several years before the Shield came out.
checkmyswag
Member
To heavy? I dont know but it is too big.
Yes it is. Just make sure you don't compromise your life.
ChiefStealth
US Veteran
This last weekend I carried my Shield, for short periods, in the front pocket of my jeans. Was just a couple of times, for just a few minutes at a time. I was surprised that the shield totally disappeared into the pocket. No grip sticking out. No real bulge in the pocket. I did not notice the weight. It is slow getting the Shield out of the pocket, but it was not at all uncomfortable carrying that way.
I love my Shield but after 2 years pocket packing 24.1 oz I got out of the habit 2 months ago and don't miss the weight Has anyone else found it difficult to get back into packing after an absence?I hate to admit it but I am thinking about buying a 12.1 oz loaded Taurus TCP stainless and shelf my Shield.Russ
Is that loaded weight ? S&W lists shield @ 19 0z, 6-rds 165gr ranger weigh 3.3 oz = 22.3 oz
Kel-tec p3at = 11.1 loaded or Taurus TCP 12.8 loaded if we ignore the round in the chamber.
So the choice is yours 2 kel-tec, 14 rds of 380 for 11.1 in each front pocket or 7 rd of 40 SW at 22.3. Enjoy. Be Safe,
Absence-I have carried for 37 yrs, I have never had a good reason not to carry. I will admit, days that the back was sore, bad hip, knee I considered going lighter ( unarmed ), and I asked myself what was different today? NOTHING The world was the same, I had received NO threats, I had no more or less money, I was not going to a different part of town, etc. So I just tucked a 638 in right front, a couple of speed loaders in left front, Kershaw or Cold Steel, since I was not carrying because I KNEW there was trouble. Be Safe,
Last edited:
ScrapmasterFlex
Member
I don't want to argue with people nor start any problems, however,
having said that,
I'm here to tell you I pocket carried the Shield all day, every day, for about 40 days after I got it. I bought the Shield the first of August I believe, and spent all the free cash I had on the Shield and some extra 9mm and a range session or two. (I'm not carrying a brand new, unfired gun, obviously not.) I had no more spendable money so the best I could do was a $11 Blackhawk inside-the-pocket holster for "Glock 26/27, Kahr PM9, and Most all subcompact 9mm and .40 S&Ws" .. which worked perfectly. I then put the Shield in the right front pocket of generally-speaking cargo shorts for the entire month of August. In September I bought a Galco King Tuk which I have carried the Shield in since.
It might not be THE IDEAL method of carrying a Shield, but I'm 5'8" and 140lbs. and I pocket carried the Shield every day, and my retired-police-commander and homicide investigator father could never tell where i had the Shield (so i would never say until he could spot it, which he didn't).
It can be done , pretty easily. Is it a POCKET PISTOL? No... but that's not mutually exclusive IMHO.
having said that,
I'm here to tell you I pocket carried the Shield all day, every day, for about 40 days after I got it. I bought the Shield the first of August I believe, and spent all the free cash I had on the Shield and some extra 9mm and a range session or two. (I'm not carrying a brand new, unfired gun, obviously not.) I had no more spendable money so the best I could do was a $11 Blackhawk inside-the-pocket holster for "Glock 26/27, Kahr PM9, and Most all subcompact 9mm and .40 S&Ws" .. which worked perfectly. I then put the Shield in the right front pocket of generally-speaking cargo shorts for the entire month of August. In September I bought a Galco King Tuk which I have carried the Shield in since.
It might not be THE IDEAL method of carrying a Shield, but I'm 5'8" and 140lbs. and I pocket carried the Shield every day, and my retired-police-commander and homicide investigator father could never tell where i had the Shield (so i would never say until he could spot it, which he didn't).
It can be done , pretty easily. Is it a POCKET PISTOL? No... but that's not mutually exclusive IMHO.
papersniper
Member
Ruger PF11???
Sounds like your confusing the Ruger LC9/LC9S with the the Kel-Tec PF-9 or P-11.
The PF-9 is both smaller and lighter, but comes with quite a rough recoil. I pocket carried that for several years before the Shield came out.
Man, I wasn't even close to what I meant to say!
What I meant to say was the Kel-Tec PF-9.....I have a Kel-tel P-11, so that's my excuse for the number confusion. However, the only Ruger I own is a revolver; so no idea where I got THAT!
The BG is my EDC, but it is back with it's maker, getting the laser screw removed. I tried everything, but it would not budge. So I have been carrying my 9mm Shield with CT Laser in a DeSantis Superfly, in the front pocket. It has been working out just fine. I may continue after the BG come back home.
Last edited:
After 2 1/2 years pocket packing my Shield 9mm in a DeSantis Nemesis I purchased at Buds today the Taurus 738 stainless for $245 (Buds accepted my bid).
I wanted to stick with S&W and purchase the Body Guard but I couldn't get past the lousy trigger.
Hands down the Taurus has the best bug trigger among all major brands including Ruger LCP and loaded I will be exactly 1/2 the weight of my Shield and that is a very big difference in the pocket.
I will miss my big dot night sights. The Taurus barely has sights but in the end comfort won out.
Russ
I wanted to stick with S&W and purchase the Body Guard but I couldn't get past the lousy trigger.
Hands down the Taurus has the best bug trigger among all major brands including Ruger LCP and loaded I will be exactly 1/2 the weight of my Shield and that is a very big difference in the pocket.
I will miss my big dot night sights. The Taurus barely has sights but in the end comfort won out.
Russ
dullh
Member
"Is the Shield at 24.1 oz too heavy for the pocket?"
No. But it is too awkward for pocket carry, just like any compact auto would be.
The best piece for pocket carry is a 5-shot J-frame revolver. Not awkward in that position at all.
No. But it is too awkward for pocket carry, just like any compact auto would be.
The best piece for pocket carry is a 5-shot J-frame revolver. Not awkward in that position at all.
papersniper
Member
After 2 1/2 years pocket packing my Shield 9mm in a DeSantis Nemesis I purchased at Buds today the Taurus 738 stainless for $245 (Buds accepted my bid).
I wanted to stick with S&W and purchase the Body Guard but I couldn't get past the lousy trigger.
Hands down the Taurus has the best bug trigger among all major brands including Ruger LCP and loaded I will be exactly 1/2 the weight of my Shield and that is a very big difference in the pocket.
I will miss my big dot night sights. The Taurus barely has sights but in the end comfort won out.
Russ
Russ, I would like to hear more about this pistol once you're shot it a bit. Maybe you can start another thread somewhere?
ruthless robbie
Member
I love my Shield but after 2 years pocket packing 24.1 oz I got out of the habit 2 months ago and don't miss the weight.
Has anyone else found it difficult to get back into packing after an absense?
I hate to admit it but I am thinking about buying a 12.1 oz loaded Taurus TCP stainless and shelf my Shield.
Russ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEPqBwUIr6k
Personally if you're going to drop down to a 380 I would suggest the Ruger LCP. I would also suggest carrying FMJ rounds because most 380 hollowpoints don't penetrate deep enough through ballistics gel. Also, many 380 hollowpoints will not expand, mostly due to low velocity from a small cartridge out of a short barrel.
Last edited:
papersniper
Member
I agree with your comments on the FMJ bullets with lighter powered pistols like the 380, and in my case, my tiny 32 acp.
Interesting video on the Taurus 738. Anyone else own one and can confirm what the video describes? I have not have a problem like that with the self-loading pistols I own, and most of the carry guns are DOA or "striker fired".
I have heard similar anecdotal stories on some other pistols, but I do not recall which pistols.
Anyone comment?
Interesting video on the Taurus 738. Anyone else own one and can confirm what the video describes? I have not have a problem like that with the self-loading pistols I own, and most of the carry guns are DOA or "striker fired".
I have heard similar anecdotal stories on some other pistols, but I do not recall which pistols.
Anyone comment?
Last edited:
Paper sniper
I wil provide a range report.
I am especially interested in the trigger to see if it will fire if I will need to rack slid if I don't reset trigger before I fire another shot.
I knew about that problem with older models so hopefully it has been corrected but if not such is life.
Russ
Similar threads
