Keys in same pocket w/ holstered gun?

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William Walker

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Wanted to get experienced opinions:

Every YouTube video I watch suggests to make your carry pocket only for your gun. If unholstered, I would completely understand, however, if your gun is in a holster, the bottom 3-4 inches of your pocket should be fine to place keys, spare change, etc. without coming in contact with the gun at all.

When I start carrying (J frame 638 on order - should be here next week), if I transition to stuffing everything into my left pocket, and fight to get everything out (since I'm not as tactile with my off hand), I don't imagine I would want to continue pocket carry.

Does anyone using a pocket holster put anything else in the same pocket? Obviously it couldn't be much, but I'm looking to see if there are drawbacks that I'm not thinking of.

Thanks,
William
 
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Aahzz said:
Nothing in the same pocket as the gun, nope nope nope - it's just asking for trouble.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I have seen when I look online, but then again there are people who say carrying in the pocket period is asking for trouble.

What exactly is the concern with keys (for example)? I have about 5 keys (work, home, car) and they wouldn't come anywhere near half way up the pocket holster. What is the potential issue?

(Not arguing, just honestly curious)
 
If...

you had a pocket deep and wide enough to carry all of your pocket contents and the holstered gun without having the gun stick out; and the bottom contents didn't allow the gun to shift position; and there is no way the stuff on the bottom to migrate upward and scratch the gun or get in the way of a draw...

it's still a bad idea :). Sorry!
 
I pocket carry most of the time along with several othe r methods. I never have anything else in with the holstered gun. Change and other things can work their way into the holster. Think about reaching for your gun, pulling it and it has a dime wedged in jamming the trigger. Asking for a minute to clear probably will not work well. I carry my knife, 2 speed strips and a key in the left pocket. That is almost too much.
Congratulation on the 638 nice gun. Good luck and be safe
 
Several years ago I read a report in which a man put his keys in his right front pocket along with his mouse gun. When he tried to pull the keys out of his pocket, the key ring caught the trigger. He pulled harder. Bullet went through his leg and came out just above the knee. The report never mentioned a pocket holster.

I work with keys every day. I could see how some key chains could enter the pocket holster.

So as a rule the gun is the only thing that goes in that pocket. Safety over convenience.
 
This is a bad idea, whether you have a pocket holster or not (I don't ).
 
I hadn't considered things moving when seated - that makes perfect sense now. Thanks!
 
Not only can things shift and get mixed up with the gun it is also uncomfortable having other stuff in the pocket poking you in the leg. I would also recommend to ALWAYS use a holster, for obvious safety reasons, and it helps keep dirt and lint out of the gun too.

I carry a 638 as well and I might add the hammer channel will also collect a little pocket lint and gunk. It's never been a problem but I will blow it out with canned air occasionally.

Enjoy your new 638.
 
Pocket gun lives alone in the pocket. With or without a holster. I recommend the holster.

I carry a holstered 642 in my right front pocket, jeans or slacks or suit, makes no difference, they all work.

Left pocket has cash. Back pocket has a wallet. Shirt pocket has ID case and a pen. Other back pocket has a knife unless I have a vest or suit coat on, then the knives go into those pockets. Change can go in any pocket EXCEPT the gun pocket until I dump it in the car.

I carry a lot of keys and miscellany. Car keys and miscellany are on a carabiner and either hook on a belt loop, go in a coat pocket, or hook onto a briefcase. House keys go in the cash pocket, a vest or coat pocket, or the briefcase. That's a lot of stuff. NOTHING goes near the gun.

I can accomplish the foregoing in any weather and in any street clothes. If I am down to shorts and a T shirt the ID case can go in the cash pocket or the other back pocket. Even if a knife is in there. Nothing touches the gun. Ever.
 
Nope, nothing but the gun. I won't even have a nickel in the same pocket as a gun...
 
I pocket carry all the time. Nothing in the pocket except a 342Ti in a Mika. Ever.

But hey, it's your jewelry, do as you please!


;)
 
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I really don' understand why this question would even be asked. When I pocket carry a gun, I'm right-handed so the gun goes in my right pocket in a holster I made that catches on the pocket when drawn. My keys then go in my left pocket. I don't carry change if I can help it. It doesn't take much dexterity to pull your keys out of your left pocket with your left hand.
 
I concur with the "nothing besides gun and holster" crowd. I have absent-mindedly put keys in that pocket, only to find it hard to extract the keys, and more important, taking up so much slack in my pocket, it's hard to get my hands around the grip. Coins could fall into the holster, jamming the gun in place or worse.

I put my keys on a belt loop. If I'm in a hurry, it put keys in a jacket pocket or my weak side pocket - key, remote, and TrackR device.
 
Cargo Pants or Shorts have come in very handy. I also hang a lot of junk on my belt. Pepper Spray, Flashlight, Multi-Tool, Phone. One Snub
AIWB the other in the Left Front Pocket. The Right Front Pocket gets the Speed loaders. Back Pockets get a Wallet on Left Moneyclip on Right. If I have Cargo Pockets I can carry more stuff. I also have a Chiropractor on Retainer.
 
If you are pocket carrying, hopefully with a holster, there should be NOTHING else in there but your gun. Excrement occurs and if there is any possible way whatever else you have in your pocket can jam up the works in some fashion it will, at a very bad time.
 
So you put your keys and some change in your pocket under your holster are you going to have to pull your gun out to get them every time you need them? My pockets sure aren't big enough to reach pass a gun in a holster. Bad idea un safe and not very handy anyway. I can see it now. Here lady can you hold my gun while I get my change. Don
 
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I have posted this before and thought it may add to this thread. IMHO, pocket carry is only as good as the pocket itself. My neighbor is a seamstress and I have her sew my right pockets to fit my BG380 and Nemesis holster. Most pockets are a bit too deep to get a good purchase on a small gun and they cause the gun to print more.

She sews the bottom of the pocket off flat to bring the rig up to a comfortable position. Then she sews the contour of the holster paddle. This kind of locks the Nemesis into position. She then tacks the pocket to the outside off the pant leg with matching thread so it stays in place when you draw. This profile leaves a place for an extra mag on the side.

So, my right pocket is dedicated to my pistol, nothing else. I would highly recommend to those who pocket carry to employ your wife, or yourself if you can manage a needle and thread, to consider something like this. Then, you can be Fast Draw McGraw :).

 
I wouldn't dare have anything in my gun pocket but my gun....
 
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