Pocket carry for LEO backup gun?

[David Sinko]

There are lots of good ideas here. I will go with the weak hand front pants pocket. The bulge will be clearly identifiable as a small revolver to anybody who knows what he's looking for, but as long as it's not easily snatched that shouldn't be a problem. The radio might impede access but that problem can be solved easily enough. Sitting down is not a problem and I don't think the gun will fall out if I have to fight with somebody. As far as weight distribution and back problems, I don't know what's worse, carrying the gun on the vest or in a pants pocket. I'm sure that will be a factor too. I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Dave Sinko

 

[tpd223]

Are you using a pocket holster?

Just wondering. I use a Nemesis holster for my 642 and it doesn't look like a gun, looks like I have a wallet or something else un-gun-like in my pocket.

 

[conagher]

As long as I am wearing BDU pants (which is most of the time) I carry a j-frame in the weak side pocket. Pocket holsters seem to add too much bulk. I just sew a seam in the pocket that holds the gun tightly. I have been doing this for over ten years without any problems. I also keep the first chamber empty just in case the trigger gets pressed accidently.

 

[WC145]

As long as I am wearing BDU pants (which is most of the time) I carry a j-frame in the weak side pocket. Pocket holsters seem to add too much bulk. I just sew a seam in the pocket that holds the gun tightly. I have been doing this for over ten years without any problems. I also keep the first chamber empty just in case the trigger gets pressed accidently.

I don't use a pocket holster either but I cannot imagine a situation where the trigger could be pulled accidently in my pocket, even with the relatively light 8lb DA pull my gun has. IMO, whatever infinitesimal chance there is of that happening is not enough to make me carry only 4rds in a 5rd gun. I figure if I ever need my BUG I probably need every round it'll hold and I sure as hell don't want to have to pull the trigger twice to get the first round off!!

 

[David Sinko]

I am using a pocket holster and it is also a Nemesis.

I have never carried one less round in a revolver in anticipation of an accidental discharge. That said, I hope your empty chamber is the next one in line and not the one under the hammer. One of the reasons I carry a small frame revolver is for the heavier trigger pull which should prevent just such a problem.

Dave Sinko

 

[sheriffoconee]

Dave and I agree, I would fully load your cylinder. The hammer block will keep it from accidently discharging if you fall on it, for instance, and the trigger pull eliminates the likelyhood of discharge by touching the trigger...carry it fully loaded with confidence

 

[flop-shank]

Add one more to the list. I'd recommend fully loading the gun. If you really are concerned about the trigger getting pulled, then use a pocket holster. I do all the time, and no one notices. My Mika PH prints the least. One can further camoflage the gun by wadding a hanky in the bottom of the pocket in front of the holster.

 

[conagher]

I may be worrying to much about an accidental discharge while pocket carrying. When I started carrying that way I carried the gun fully loaded with five rounds. However, I have a job that requires me to foot patrol rugged terrain. Occasionally I have fallen and landed right on the gun and wondered what would have happened if a rock or sharp stick would have been sticking up and the only thing covering the trigger was a thin piece of cloth. I have also occasionally ended up on the ground trying to handcuff suspects and later wondered about the trigger accidentally being pulled or the gun coming out.

I also remember an article in a gun magazine (possibly American Handgunner) that had a picture of a pair of pants with a hole in them. The article went on to explain how the person had a small semi-auto pistol in his pocket and something(I think keys) got caught in the trigger guard and fired the pistol. I know an LEO who always carried a North American Arms .22 in his pocket. He did not carry it in a holster. One day when he went to remove it it was cocked. I know two people personally who have had weapons discharge while in their wastebands. The weapons were not in a holster. I am not sure exactly what happened because I was not there. One was an LEO and the other was an LEO's son who was a life long hunter and IDPA shooter. All of this has made me very nervous about carrying a gun that is not in a holster. However, I have a lean frame and carrying the j-frame seems obvious enough. Carrying it in a holster would even make it worse. All of this is why I decided to carry it with the first chamber empty. I can actually draw and fire it pretty quickly.

 

[MaximumLawman]

If I'm wearing a leather jacket, I carry a mod. 49 or 649 in the left pocket. If I'm not wearing a leather jacket, I carry it in my weak front pocket, both in a Mica pocket holster just to keep the front sight from poking holes in the pockets.

 

[tpd223]

If I were you I strongly think about one of the thin kydex pocket holsters, would protect both you and the gun in a fall, and break up the outline of the gun.

 

[NE450No2]

WC145

The only problems I had was sometimes the pocket would get worn and need to be sewed up or the pants replaced. The City furnished our uniforms so it was not a big issue. Later when pocket holsters became available I use one designed for a S&W 38, as it kept the end of the slide on the semiautos from wearing a hole in the pocket.

Actually the LW Commander and the Glock rode better in the pocket as they were flatter. Also because they were "taller" than smaller guns, they did not get turned "cattywompas", or "crosswise" in the pocket making them hard to pull out.

At first I worried about carrying the Glock 17 in a pocket, but I never had it "go off" when I did not want it to...

At times it was mildly uncomfortable physically.... But VERY comfortable Mentally.

In my 30+ years on the Job I never worked even a part of a single shift without at least 2 handguns.

 

[Lew Archer]

My wife, an LAPD officer, in her patrol days in Southwest and Rampart Divisions, carried a S&W 3913 in a Mika pocket holster in her weak side front uniform trouser pocket.

She liked the 3913 due to commonality of caliber/operation with her Beretta 92 and she shot well with it. However, she had some reliability problems which discouraged her from carrying it, so she switched to a S&W 642 in a Galco pocket holster, in the same location.

Many LAPD patrol officers utilize pocket carry for their back up gun...it is one of the most popular methods. Some use the front pocket, others the rear pocket. Mika holsters were popular--they used to be sold in the gun shop at the Academy. Mika, of course, was an LAPD officer, and a very highly regarded one at that.

The J frame is still very poplular--particularly after the Airweight versions were approved a few years ago. Many choose the Baby Glocks. However, the weight saved by carrying an Airweight (or lighter) J frame is a strong selling point for many patrol officers, given all the other equipment they carry every day, 10-12 hours a day.

 

[Bull100]

Never carried a backup in 25 years of Law enforcement and will not carry Backup now that I'm retired. There are so many reasons that I don't. But the main reason I guess is that I never knew of any officer that I ever worked with that ever had a need for one. Now that I'm retired I even have less of a reason to think I will ever need one. To tell you the truth I always had doubt as to the reasons that some officers carried a second gun especially those guns that were not authorized for the officers to carry. Carrying one gun can be uncomfortable but comforting. Carrying 2 guns or more would be uncomfortable and no more comforting than one when I think of worrying about loosing an extra, having it stolen, or attempting to find a safe place for it to be stored when I go into a place that I can't carry it. did I say it's not for me?

 

[WC145]

Never carried a backup in 25 years of Law enforcement and will not carry Backup now that I'm retired. There are so many reasons that I don't. But the main reason I guess is that I never knew of any officer that I ever worked with that ever had a need for one. Now that I'm retired I even have less of a reason to think I will ever need one. To tell you the truth I always had doubt as to the reasons that some officers carried a second gun especially those guns that were not authorized for the officers to carry. Carrying one gun can be uncomfortable but comforting. Carrying 2 guns or more would be uncomfortable and no more comforting than one when I think of worrying about loosing an extra, having it stolen, or attempting to find a safe place for it to be stored when I go into a place that I can't carry it. did I say it's not for me?

Hell, this mummified thread is old enough that I'm retired from LE now as well! I seldom carried a BUG off duty, almost never do now, but I never worked without two handguns on me and my long guns in the vehicle.

 

[Doug M.]

Never carried a second gun; agency rules forbade it, in fact. That said, never saw/see the need for one. To each, his/her own, of course.

Be safe.

*
I've seen this position asserted by command personnel from one or more Maryland agencies in some article. I was appalled. Dereliction per se. It should be a violation of your state workplace safety agency's rules and union contract, and any command officer who asserts such a position should be fired RIGHT NOW. The liability for prohibiting such a common place piece of safety gear is staggering. I can't imagine ever working without at least two pistols, plus at least one long gun.

I started with an ankle holster, set up for the off hand. It allowed me to draw discretely if someone walked up on me. (The better answer is of course to get out of the car really fast, or drive away if you have to.) As I got older and less able to get to it, I played with different options, finally settling on a chest area holster attached to my vest straps. I could reach it easily with the off hand, ok with the primary, and it worked well with a zippered jumpsuit. I worked like hell to make sure I never had to wear that silly two piece uniform, of course - a solution in search of a problem if there ever was. At least all of ours had zippers and fake buttons. If you have to wear a coat for any reason, there is a good argument for having a pocket pistol in the coat pocket, probably at the off hand side. That would be about the only time I can see pocket carry without a holster.

 

[shell627]

I have always carried at least 2 guns.Most of the time a jframe In left,offhand pocket this summer I switched to glock 42 because I shot it better weak handed.I do have to work at arranging my duty belt to leave pocket clear.

 

[t2203]

When I worked the road I carried a detective special in my left pocket. When prices climbed I swapped it for a shield. Works well in my 511's that I wear now. When we get detailed out I wear BDUs and fits nicely in the pants or the slash pockets on the shirt. I always carry it opposite of the gun hand.

 

[The Big D]

Really?

Though it should have been obvious, my 'ever carried a second gun' comment referenced my never carrying more than one (1) handgun. I often had a shotgun available...even when in mufti.

I was a LEO for thirty and one-half (30.5) years. I worked primarily in very large urban environments but was on the clock in forty-six (46) states. I was in contact with thousands of LEO's in my career. They were from many agenices...large and small. NEVER, EVER, DID I HEAR AN ACCOUNT FROM ANY LEO WHO EVER HAD THE NEED FOR A SECOND HANDGUN.

In addition, I personally never had a need for a second handgun and have been involved in many incidents requiring use of a gun. That includes both on- and off-duty scenarios. Moreover, I have never had a non-intentional misfire/fail to fire in almost forty (40) years of shooting.

To opine that command officials were derelict in their duties is simply ignorant on your part. Even more ignorant are your statements regarding safety rules and the union contract. I can assure you we were wholly in compliance.

Be safe.

*
I've seen this position asserted by command personnel from one or more Maryland agencies in some article. I was appalled. Dereliction per se. It should be a violation of your state workplace safety agency's rules and union contract, and any command officer who asserts such a position should be fired RIGHT NOW. The liability for prohibiting such a common place piece of safety gear is staggering. I can't imagine ever working without at least two pistols, plus at least one long gun.

I started with an ankle holster, set up for the off hand. It allowed me to draw discretely if someone walked up on me. (The better answer is of course to get out of the car really fast, or drive away if you have to.) As I got older and less able to get to it, I played with different options, finally settling on a chest area holster attached to my vest straps. I could reach it easily with the off hand, ok with the primary, and it worked well with a zippered jumpsuit. I worked like hell to make sure I never had to wear that silly two piece uniform, of course - a solution in search of a problem if there ever was. At least all of ours had zippers and fake buttons. If you have to wear a coat for any reason, there is a good argument for having a pocket pistol in the coat pocket, probably at the off hand side. That would be about the only time I can see pocket carry without a holster.

 

[David Sinko]

I see my old thread has been brought back from the dead. A few comments...

I tried the font pocket pants carry but it didn't work out for me. There's just too much stuff on the belt, especially now that we carry tasers. A taser serves a very valuable purpose in the grand scheme of the use of force. I'd rather have a taser on the weak side instead of a backup gun in the front pocket. Of course I DO carry a backup gun, on the front of the vest. Lately it's my 2" 625 with extra loaded moonclips in my bag.

There seems to be some hostility toward the very concept of the backup gun. Mine sees frequent use on the street, dispatching sick and injured animals in an often urban environment using shot loads or reduced loads. There has never been any collateral damage. I'm well aware that the day might come when it saves my life. Likely, no; possible, yes.

And the best news of all? I'll be retiring ASAP after the new year.

Dave Sinko

 

[KarmannGhia]

I alternate between my LCP and my 642 in my weak side front pocket (in pocket holster). I adjusted my taser position on my belt in order to have access to my left front pocket. I actually get mad at myself on the rare occasion when I forget and leave for work without my backup. I train and practice drawing with my left hand (should my strong arm/hand be disabled).