Pocket carry with 442?

C/O

C/O

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I currently use a Ruger SP101 for ccw. It is not a pocket pistol by no means, just to heavy. I have been looking at several options for pocket carry, but have been some what disheartened by the reviews and threads I have read on the semis such as the Kahr PM9 and been looking more closely at the 442.

If you carry a 442 could you please relate your experience with them as a pocket carry gun.
 
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Thats my edc a 442 in a uncle mikes #3 pocket holster. Very easy to conceal. takes some practice drawing from a pocket but a little more comfortable than IWB. I switched from my glock 27 to the 442 can't conceal the 27 in a pocket.
 
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it's in my pocket right now in an Uncle Mikes #3 sidekick. speer gdhp 135 gr +p short barrel. wood grips replaced rubber. conceals very well and easy to carry. it's what i carry most of the time.
 
I've owned one for 15 years and have carried it quite often in my front pants pocket. However, even though it's considered a lightweight revolver, at about 18 ounces fully loaded it's a bit heavy for me. When I say "heavy" I mean somewhat uncomfortable, as it makes my pants sag a little on the side where the gun is with jeans, and more so with dress slacks.

On the other hand, I have another J-frame (Model 317) which is an 8-shot 22 LR that weighs 9.8 ounces empty, and probably no more than 11 ounces fully loaded. Those 7 ounces between the two guns really makes a difference to me, and even though the 22 LR is not a great defense round I just find myself carrying the 317 a lot as it's just more pleasant to carry.

Keep in mind that my body frame/weight may have something to do with this, as I'm pretty thin and weigh 145 pounds. A larger/bigger person with larger and bigger pants may not be bothered as much with 18 ounces of weight in their front pocket. I've used both a leather pocket holster and a nylon Uncle Mike's and neither was much more comfortable than the other, though the leather one allowed for a quicker draw.

I'm considering getting rid of my 442 and getting one of the 10 ounce J-frames in 38 or 22 Magnum.

John Gross
 
The 642 (or 442 if you prefer) is the best pocket gun available in my opinion. Compared to your SP101, it will have more recoil so take that into consideration.
 
I carry mine in a Desantis Nemises? Any way, I wear alot of cargo shorts and pants and it works great, I often switch off with my 940 or 649.
 
icemn said:
it's in my pocket right now in an Uncle Mikes #3 sidekick. speer gdhp 135 gr +p short barrel. wood grips replaced rubber. conceals very well and easy to carry. it's what i carry most of the time.
Click to expand...

I carry a 642, but went to the Hogue Monogrips that cover the backstrap. I'm curious why you went to wood, and which ones.

I carry in a PWL owb holster and find I like that best, although front pocket if I want to conceal.
 
Yeah. I pocket carry with dress pants on because of the deep pockets and tucked in shirt. With jeans, I just IWB with a non-tucked shirt.
 
I carry the 442 in a DeSantis pocket holster daily and have done so for years (I alternate w/my Colt Cobra). In reading an earlier post I am 6'2" and weigh 200 so the 442 seems pretty light (a .22/.22 mag is not enough gun for me). One thing, these little guns take lots of practice to become profecient. That said, it is the perfect pocket carry, at least IMHO.
 
corgiS&W said:
I carry a 642, but went to the Hogue Monogrips that cover the backstrap. I'm curious why you went to wood, and which ones.

I carry in a PWL owb holster and find I like that best, although front pocket if I want to conceal.
Click to expand...

I went with the smooth cocobolo wood grips from Esmeralda. Idea is less to snag on in the pocket.
 
I carried my 442 w/ LG405's in the pocket sans holster for about a year, until recently. It just broke, so now it's being replaced with a different Centennial. While I did pocket carry it though, I tried lots of different pocket holsters and ultimately came to the conclusion that it just worked best for me to carry the gun 'naked'.
 
I carried a model 60 in pocket for many years switched to a 442. Then I went with a Ruger LCR lightest out there, Finnaly decided i sure could use the extra pocket space, ie knifes watch, etc and ended up carring a 327 night guard inside the pants. Like Clint says it should be comforting. I do like having 8 shots instead of 5. But all in all the 442 is a good gun.:)
 
Summertime I carry a 642 in a Mika pocket holster. It works for me in jeans or shorts. With a pocket holster, pockets that are inside the pants rather than sewn over the outside like with some shorts will hide the bulge more.
 
Here's the combination that works for me. These are Barami Hip Grips in combination with Tyler T-Grip adapters (Today I'd go with BK grip adapters). Either gun slips easily into a Levi's pocket with no pocket holster needed. The lip of the Hip Grips keeps the grips above the pocket line. Cover with a tail-out shirt and you're good to go. Just the thing for a quick trip to the nearby stop 'n rob.

John

BARAMIHIPGRIPS-SMALL.jpg
 
johngross said:
I've owned one for 15 years and have carried it quite often in my front pants pocket. However, even though it's considered a lightweight revolver, at about 18 ounces fully loaded it's a bit heavy for me. When I say "heavy" I mean somewhat uncomfortable, as it makes my pants sag a little on the side where the gun is with jeans, and more so with dress slacks.
Click to expand...

john,

What type of belt do you use when you pocket carry?

This is just my opinion, but I think a good gun belt is important even for pocket carry. I think that an 1 1/2" belt for jeans and a 1 1/4" belt for cotton casual slacks (Dockers) is important to be able to pocket carry.

If you are wearing wook dress slacks, then I think that is just the worse thing to try to conceal carry in. I realize that it may be necessary for your job (it is for mine), but it really sucks to try and conceal carry.

While I have not tried it yet, I'm really thinking about giving this company a try:

Leather Work Belt

If you scroll down the page, you see where he's come up with an ingenious way to make a double thickness belt.
 
I have pocket carried my 442 for many years in an Unkle Mikes #3. My 3" SP101 is in an IWB holster.
 
I picked up a 442-2 last year and use Speer 135 GD short bbl. loads in it which are very accurate in that gun. I also use an Uncle Mikes #3 pocket holster. It seems to carry the gun pretty well. That Speer load will hold 1" off hand at 7 yards in slow fire, perfect for that gun!!
 
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