Is There Others Growing Tired of Packing?

[Tslepebull]

I have been pocket carrying a KAHR CM9 in a DeSantis Nemesis for some time. I replaced a Taurus TCP because I wanted to move up from .380 to 9mm. In cargo pants or shorts, or dockers this is a very comfortable carry. The little pat on my thigh when I walk is comforting. Jeans are a problem because there is not enough pocket room. Like a country hotel, jeans have no ballroom. When I wear jeans I stitch to my IWB holster and a flowery Hawaiian shirt pulled out of my waist band.
i need it.
To me, carrying is like wearing a seat belt; if I knew when I was going to have a wreck I would put it on. Otherwise I just assume I need it.

 

[raymo2u]

i dont know about your pants but my gun gets stuck when i try and remove it quickly from my pockets unless its my sig p290rs or my jimenez ja22 anything bigger seems to snag one way or another if i get stressed, which is terrifying. i use a fobus holster, imo, theres nothing faster. i reach and pull and its pointed, but i can open carry so for you it may not be suitable, depending on your gun try a belt-clip holster or buy a wallet holster and a micro pistol, the pf-9 has one with the trigger and barrel exposed for quick shots

 

[LimaCharlie]

I carry a government size 1911 and a spare magazine on my belt. I pocket carry a BUG which is a Springfield XDS-45 .45 ACP or a Sig P938 9mm with a spare magazine. No, I don't get tired of carrying them.

 

[11e40]

i carry a 1911 commander .38 super on my right hip with a good holster & belt. presents pretty quick for an old guy & pretty accurate up close. practice practice & some more practice.

 

[smithman 10]

I find myself having to remember to take my J-frame out of my right front pocket because I've got so used to carrying. Fall asleep on the couch watching old movies on TV with it in my jeans.

After a long enough time carrying it becomes such an ingrained habit you almost can't leave home without your EDC.

It's like not having your watch or wedding ring on when you leave. You gotta turn around and drive back and get your piece if you forget it or you just don't feel right the rest of the day.

Heck, I'd carry out of habit after the Second Coming I'm so used to it by now.

 

[Rastoff]

Using a shot timer, from draw to first shot averages .75 seconds or just over.

This is not a flame, but I'd sure love to see that. If you can put a shot on target in .75 seconds I'd be impressed. My fastest timed shot was from the ready, gun out and pointed down at about a 45deg angle. Just bringing it up and shooting a good, on target shot, was ~.7 seconds (don't remember the exact time for the first shot as I usually only care about controlled pairs) and the second shot at 1.2 seconds. That's as fast as I've ever done it, at least while I was timing it.

So, to get the gun out and put a shot on target in .75 is impressive to me. You have my admiration.

However, to say that a pocket gun is faster is still marginal. You're assuming you'll have recognized the threat long before you have to present the gun. Most encounters aren't like that. Now, time it with your hand at your side. I believe the belt holster will be faster.

 

[forrestinmathews]

The folks comparing pocket drawing to IWB drawing are not comparing apples to apples. If you're going to compare draw to first shot times start hand on gun both times or hands relaxed at sides. Remember this: pocket carry doesn't work so well from seated positions. Carry two guns in case one screws up or can't be accessed. One on the hip and one in the pocket. Remember not to let your hip holster block your pocket.

Alloy framed .357 J frames with light bullet screaming magnums loads are very jacket pocket friendly and readily palmable to transfer from jacket to pants as necessary.

 

[RussC]

The struggle I have is the Shield is the bomb. I enjoy shooting her and have come to the point where I can shoot tighter groups at 7 yards with my Shield than my full size XD 45. However, in the end I don't feel like I work and live in a war zone and if I ever needed to defend myself the odds are it will be 3 ft, 3 shots and 3 seconds. 3 ft does not require accuracy of a Shield so comfort can play into my weapon of choice and if a mouse gun will mean I will pack more often maybe it will be a better choice.

Time will tell.

Russ

 

[catcus-jack]

I carry my Shield in the pocket of Cabala's 7 pocket hiker pants, of which all my pants are.

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

They have very large front pockets, allow for a very easy, quick draw and there is no "printing" at all.
I can draw and shoot from an IWB holster in an average of 1.5 seconds. When I pocket carry and see a threat, I already have the gun in my hand and most of the way out of the holster, but still hidden in the pocket. Using a shot timer, from draw to first shot averages .75 seconds or just over. As long as you have big pockets and have the gun in your hand, pocket draw can be twice as fast as IWB draw.

How about a video?

 

[Smitty357]

Its real hard to pull a weapon from inside ur pocket when ur life depends on it. Especially if u get in a scuffle (maybe someone sneaks up on u). I dunno about u guys, but its pretty hard to dig in ur pocket in a situation like that. Its also hard to gig in ur pocket when someone is possibly dragging u to the ground.

Also if u are sitting in ur vehicle. Its pretty hard to draw a weapon from ur pockets. Heck i have a hard time digging change out of mine, lol

 

[jstanfield103]

I agree with the op. I was tired of trying to carry the heavier 9mm LC9 to be specific I picked up a BG380 one day and purchased it and after shooting it I have never carried anything else. I used to tell all my friends that the 380 is a worthless round but after shooting my BG380 it has changed my mind. I Love the BG380 and I also tried the Shield had it for about 3 weeks and traded it, just too big to pack easily. I just bought my first M&P9 FS I Love that gun for range and home defense but to big to carry.

 

[Stratajema]

...However, in the end I don't feel like I work and live in a war zone and if I ever needed to defend myself the odds are it will be 3 ft, 3 shots and 3 seconds...

My advice to people who live in a "war zone" is not to buy a gun but rather to spend their money on moving out of the bad neighborhood. That alone greatly reduces (but does not eliminate) the need for a gun. If one carries a mouse gun, one should consider carrying a high-tech knife for backup.

 

[D-Hop]

Basically what it comes down to is what works for you. Unfortunently I can't carry at work. I do carry when ever not at work and from the time I wake up till I go to bed on my off days. I carry IWB at abou 5 o'clock using a raven phantom holster. Often after I've had my mp40c on for awhile I almost forget I have it on. I can get to my gun easily from most any position even sitting and laying on my back. As I have practiced drawing my gun from many positions. I rarely wear a shirt tucked in so that isn't a problem. I will say I have contaplated getting a smaller gun maybe a 380 for a pocket gun for special occasions like when I do need to tuck a shirt in. But for the other 98% of the time I will be packing my mp40c IWB.

 

[RussC]

Just a thought and not a flame. If you are faster out of a pocket than you are IWB, then your not very good at the IWB. Have you ever put a shot timer on it? There is no way someone who is well trained is faster out of a pocket that they are out of a proper IWB holster. It isn't even close. That being said, it is my belief that speed of draw is not paramount when it comes to a carry gun. It is nice to carry in a manner that allows a swift draw, but an extra second is probably fairly low on the list of things that will allow you to survive an attack.

K1500

I can pocket draw sweep safety acquire target (point aiming) and dry fire in 1.5 seconds.

There is no way with dress shirt tucked in around my IWB that I can come close to 1.5 seconds.

Pocket also provides the advantage that you can have your hand on the weapon if you feel a threat without drawing attention.

The only time IWB may be an advantage over pocket is a car jacking but if you are seat belted and wear over the kidney it could be a toss up which method would be more advantageous.

Bottom line pocket for me is more convenient when I don't have the time to tuck my shirt in around my holster or after bathroom breaks.

I have been very vocal regarding my pleasure owning a Shield 9mm but after 17 months of pocket packing 24 oz for 10 hours a day I am rethinking if a 12 oz loaded LCP would make more sense for my lifestyle.

Russ

 

[Proline]

Its real hard to pull a weapon from inside ur pocket when ur life depends on it. Especially if u get in a scuffle (maybe someone sneaks up on u). I dunno about u guys, but its pretty hard to dig in ur pocket in a situation like that. Its also hard to gig in ur pocket when someone is possibly dragging u to the ground.

Also if u are sitting in ur vehicle. Its pretty hard to draw a weapon from ur pockets. Heck i have a hard time digging change out of mine, lol

This. Agree fully. Pocket carry has its place in some clothing you dress in but I highly doubt you will draw faster than IWB consistantly and in a variety of different clothes especially in the heat of the moment.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I agree with Smitty and that's why I move my gun into my jacket pocket sometimes or in between the seats while driving.

Point aiming during dry fire?? Okay, time to take that theory to the range and see if you get live fire hits on your dry fire training.

I'm not trying to rile you up too much here partner, but it's looking like a lot of your training is based on what you believe and not what you can achieve. Dry fire is only good if you do so honestly while acquiring a decent sight picture. You're doing just as I thought, starting with your hand on the gun and point shooting.

When you use a little tiny gun that fits in your pocket and carries a tiny amount of tiny bullets, you've got to put them in a tiny group on the target/assailant. That requires the use of the sights whether irons, optics or lasers.

 

[4506517]

OP,

I worry that you don't consider accuracy important in an exchange @ 3 ft. Accuracy is important if the distance is measured in inches.

I'm not here to criticize your choices. I just hope you are never involved in an exchange of lead.

Good luck. I hope you never need it.

 

[Walkbyfaith]

Russ, I have been debating lately to get a smaller gun for pocket carry myself. Love my Shield, but actually prefer the trigger on the Kahr pistols. Looking hard at the Kahr CM9, would be a lot better for pocket carry than the shield thats for sure. Never felt comfortable pocket carrying the shield because to me its too big. But the CM9 is thinner and all around smaller than the shield, plus its still a 9mm which I personally am comfortable carrying. Still thinking if I can actually bare the thought of giving up my shield. Like I said I do really prefer the trigger on the Kahr so it might be a good switch who knows.

 

[M29since14]

...Are there others beginning to question if the added weight and size of the 9mm single stack a better choice over a mouse gun considering most self defense situations occur within 3 ft with 3 rounds and ending in 3 seconds.

I don't usually carry a gun all day long. When I do carry a gun I tend to adjust according to the situation. In really hot weather, a smallish pistol like an LCP is about as much gun as I am willing to lug around. In winter weather, a bigger gun is more practical. I don't like .380s but on the other hand I have them, and there is no doubt in my mind that an LCP is much better than no gun at all. I do not like pocket carry (except in a winter jacket) and agree with others who have said a good belt makes a huge difference in carrying handguns.

 

[44 Mag Fan]

Having been there and done that I believe that a J frame in the pocket works. Close encounter 2 rounds in the chest threat over. Other BG rethinking his mistake. I went home that night, bruised and cut but I went home.