J-frame pocket carry help!

[Alk8944]

I don't see imprinting at all. Yes it looks like you have something in your pocket but it could be a phone or set of keys or a case for eyewear. I think you are feeling the early on carry jitters.

What he said, in spades!

Quit thinking about it so much, no one, including girle, wanders around watching everyone's front pockets. And even if they did very few would even suspect it was a gun.

I work in an office that has a low threshold when it comes to these things. It was even objected to when I used a picture of a nicely engraved 1903 Colt as a screen saver! I have carried a Model 12 or 10 2", or a 640-1, in my right front pocket, in jeans on Fridays, every day I have worked there for over 6 years, and there has yet to be a single question raised!

 

[Maccabeus]

Jeans and Duct Tape

In the spirit of Easter (it lasts 50 days, you know), I'm resurrecting this thread.

I had posted earlier about a duct tape pocket holster for a j-frame. I recently finished and tested out a new version. See attached pics. It is definitely minimalist. All it does is give some stability and a fair amount of trigger protection (better than cheap leather, but not to the level of kydex or thick leather).

It consists of a thick paper liner and about 6 layers of duct tape in most places. I have about 8-10 layers of tape over the trigger area on the side facing away from my body.

Works great and, in terms of the OP, fits great in a pair of jeans (at least in my 505s).

YMMV

 

[jeeps]

My smart phone prints more ! Your photo looks like pocket junk no-body will notice ,been doing it for 4 decades and nobody says is that a gun in your pocket.

 

[Kensterfly]

My carry is a Model 37 snub. I sometimes pocket carry in a lightweight pocket holster - right front pocket. Could be jeans or even dress slacks for church. No one notices.

My other method is using a leather clip holster IWB: cross draw. Or, same holster, cross draw but instead of IWB I clip the holster OWB but between my pants and the belt. It's a little more comfortable that way. I carried that way last night under a Mexican style Guayabera shirt. We were at the local winery. I was on stage singing Karaoke several times. Lots of people. No one noticed.

On the way home we made a quick stop at the grocery store. My bride stayed in the car. We were in my 68 Mustang convertible, top down, and she felt a bit vulnerable sitting out in the parking lot, so I unholstered my JFrame and handed it to her. She asked "you've been carrying all night?" Even she didn't know.

Of course, this brings up another issue: why she won't carry her OWN Jframe! She got her CHL the same time I did. I'm still working on her to get her to carry.

 

[Donn]

I know you think it sticks out like a porn star's you-know-what. Trust me, the local gentry won't notice. Current and former LEO's along with most of us who carry will know but that's about it. Go about your business. You've probably got other things to worry about. This ain't one of them.

 

[Kensterfly]

Current and former LEO's along with most of us who carry will know but that's about it. Go about your business. You've probably got other things to worry about. This ain't one of them.

Do cops really scan everyone in the room to see if they are printing a weapon?

Same question for civilians who carry. I certainly don't check out everyone I see to see they are packing. Just curious if this is common among people who carry.

 

[Doug M.]

While given my social circle I tend to think most are carrying, a large # of the current and former LEO I know will in fact look for signs of weaponry. Not just guns; knives, biker fighting rings, all sorts of stuff.

 

[luangtom]

I have carried my 340PD in a Nemesis since the 340PDs were introduced and I most often now wear black Wrangler regular-fit jeans, now that I am retired. I have not been told that I show. Some may know that I carry, but not most that are out and about. Just don't draw attention to yourself by adjusting and feeling to see if it feels right. Carry secure and be safe.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'd be concerned if I saw a bulge in a woman's pants...

I'd tell y'all a story about what happened in the French Quarter years ago to a fraternity brother but I'd get dinged.

 

[hangnoose]

NOT A DENIM/BLUE JEAN FAN FOR POCKET CARRY

The back pockets are generally too shallow, the front pocket openings are hard to get your hand INTO when standing, let alone get them out of with a handful of snubbie, or while sitting. The best method I've tried is to replace the pocket liner with a heavier canvas type cloth, cut to hold the gun, or gun/holster right where you want it & it looks best. The worst is if the pocket is so roomy the gun/holster turns sideways. A longer shirt wouldn't hurt & forget skinny jeans or God forbid spandex. +1 for cargo shorts/pants with a modified pocket.

 

[nawilson]

The back pockets are generally too shallow, the front pocket openings are hard to get your hand INTO when standing, let alone get them out of with a handful of snubbie, or while sitting. The best method I've tried is to replace the pocket liner with a heavier canvas type cloth, cut to hold the gun, or gun/holster right where you want it & it looks best. The worst is if the pocket is so roomy the gun/holster turns sideways. A longer shirt wouldn't hurt & forget skinny jeans or God forbid spandex. +1 for cargo shorts/pants with a modified pocket.

1) You can buy holsters that have a flat bottom to better keep the gun straight up. It is best to match the holster to the design of the pocket.

2) Skinny jeans? Not sure how many on this Forum would wear skinny jeans!

 

[hangnoose]

SKINNY JEANS

The last pair I had was in 1969, & real mod.

 

[chief38]

I use a DeSantis Nemesis Holster for pocket carry because I like very much how it defuses the guns shape to be flatter.

Secondly, I buy Natural Fit Jeans (mine are form LL Bean) and they are slightly roomier and slightly baggier than traditional Levy's or Wranglers. The pockets are also deeper and larger on the LL Bean's than most and allows for more than enough room for Roscoe. Also allows an easy draw without fighting to get your hand in you pocket. You should try a pair - they aren't expensive and they last forever. LL Bean also sells them in Relaxed fit but those are a bit too baggy for my liking but large frame guys might like them even better.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
1. Invest in larger pants.
2. Consider IWB at 1-2 O'Clock
*** My real life experience: Avoid pocket and ankle carry !
Can you draw your pocket carry CCW while sitting ?
Ankle Carry- If you need your CCW (really, really quickly) how long does it take ?

 

[vito]

If you REALLY can't get over your anxiety about printing, you could consider carrying a smaller gun. A 380acp is very equivalent in effectiveness to a 38 Special from a 2-inch snubbie, and generally is smaller and certainly flatter. One of my carry guns is my Ruger LCP, with a Crimson Trace laser sight, carried in an inexpensive Uncle Mike's pocket holster. It carries 6 +1 round, lies small and flat in my pocket, and even works when wearing a wool suit (which gives very little support to anything of weight in the pocket). I personally prefer to carry my 642 OWB in a Bianchi holster, with a speed strip or two in my right front pocket, but on occasion will carry the LCP in my right front pocket. (A friend, who knows I carry, once jokingly reached over and before I could react ran his hands over me in a quick pat-down while asking if I was carrying. He said "glad to see you are not carrying here" and totally missed the LCP in my pocket. Ever since that incident I am much quicker to react if anyone is that close to me.)

 

[shep854]

You can also slip a piece of cardboard or plastic outboard of the holster to smooth out any distinct shapes.

 

[1911luver]

Jframer looking at those pictures there nothing to me that screams "gun" at all. A wallet and or iphone or similar smartphone will produce a very similar bulge.

That being said if your comfortable as in physically carrying the gun and it doesn't cause discomfort in your pocket,id say carry on. The fact is its normal for those new to carrying to feel this way I did,we all did I think. I've been carrying concealed for 15 years and no one has ever noticed and like you I carry a J frame in a pocket holster. Trust me 95% of people will never notice that bulge in your pocket and if they do the same amount will not think its a gun.

 

[craiginCT]

large revolver holsters - you have REAL options!

I have just recently obtained my CCW license and I currently have a S&W M642 revolver that I'm carrying in a Bob Mika pocket holster, in the front right pocket of a pair of jeans I carefully sought out they it had a nice big pocket and was relaxed fit. The only problem is, this is what my setup looks like from outside the pocket (click on images to enlarge):









I feel that this isn't how a pocket carry setup should look. One can clearly see a definite bulge, does it look unnatural or does it shout "gun", or does this look okay? Is bulging acceptable with pocket carry if there is no printing of a "gun" shape? And is my gun printing a "gun" shape? I bought a S&W M642 under the impression that it would be great for carrying in the pocket, but I'm not sure I'm getting good results with it!

I need some recommendations on what I should do. I have carried this way a couple times in public but with a large flannel shirt that covers the pocket pretty well. I am afraid of going out with just a T-shirt on as it's getting warmer outside but I don't feel comfortable doing so yet.

Please critique how bad this looks and give me some advice as I really am not sure how this should look at all. Thanks for your time!

I wholly understand the frustration of trying to find a way to carry concealed when you favorite gun is a revolver that is the size of a loaf of bread... well, sort of...

Go to Holsters by Stoner Holsters and see their offerings and options. I have a S&W 19-3 357 w/ 4" barrel and a Taurus 66 with 6" barrel. The Stoner Model 415 IWB holster, with appropriate options, does a very nice and comfortable job hiding those monster guns and carrying them without a ton of fidgeting or fondling to see if everything is still where it should be. The holsters are NOT cheap, but then they aren't the most expensive on the market either. You're getting an excellently crafted piece of leatherwork when you order those. They'll last a lifetime. I ordered a Left & a Right holster for each of my revolvers and my Sig P226, so that I can comfortably switch sides, crossdraw, or use them for 'small of the back' carry also, with either hand. Get the holster wax also to make the draw and re-holstering smoother.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Living in the Northwest makes CCW easier. In the summer at night I wear a small leather 2" holster in front and a fiber vest. No issue.

In the winter, I wear a leather jacket which has a built in pocket behind the zipper flap and the gun does not show at all.

I also wear casual cut jeans most times around town as I am retired.

 

[doc84]

This, very reasonably priced, pocket holster has worked for me for a long time. It is ambidextrous and is the best "any pants" pocket holster that I've ever had. Made by a veteran owned small business too.

Quality Custom Military Gear - CSM Tactical Gear - csmgear.com