I love shooting the Shield, but wonder if it is practical to pocket carry. I have a 442 that I carry now, and would like to get a 9mm to share the duty. The Sig P 938 is an awesome carry gun, but 2x the price of the alternatives. I've thought about the Nano, P290, and CM9. The obvious size and weight choice would be the Kahr, but as with the others, they all seem to have a lot of problems. I know the Shield is not perfect, but seems the most reliable. Having love handles makes IWB uncomfortable. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. If the Shield carries as well as my 442, it's my 1st choice.
POCKET CARRY
- Thread starter Edknn123
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Florida J Frame
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I'm 6'2' 200 lbs and can pocket carry the Shield in most pants in a Sticky holster. I usually wear Dockers with a pleated front to help with printing. Cargo shorts work but forget about tight jeans. It's a bit heavy but not uncomfortable.
tjhodges310
Member
My Shield is IWB only. I use the Bodyguard for pocket carry.
BlackTalonJHP
Member
^This for me also
Magload
US Veteran
Your love handles can't be any bigger then mine and my EDC is a Shield 40 IWB. After a couple days of carrying it I don't even notice it anymore. I carry it just aft of the side pants pocket. I am a digital clock guy but I would guess the rest of you would call that 3:30 or 4 o'clock. I did collect a few holsters before I got one I like. Don
I've been Front Pocket carrying my Shield for over 3yrs now.
Jeans - Wrangler relaxed Fit. If 'Relaxed Fit' fits you snugly, move up to 'Loose Fit'.
Slacks - Dockers, Wrangler Slacks, or similar cut.
Cargo Pants/Shorts - Kept in the inner 'Slash' pocket... Not one of the outer 'Patch' pockets.
I take my Shield pants shopping with me, so I can test the fit in the store. If one style doesn't work, I try something else, until I find a Brand and cut that works.
Some brands that DON'T work... Levi's, Harley-Davidson and Old Navy
Jeans - Wrangler relaxed Fit. If 'Relaxed Fit' fits you snugly, move up to 'Loose Fit'.
Slacks - Dockers, Wrangler Slacks, or similar cut.
Cargo Pants/Shorts - Kept in the inner 'Slash' pocket... Not one of the outer 'Patch' pockets.
I take my Shield pants shopping with me, so I can test the fit in the store. If one style doesn't work, I try something else, until I find a Brand and cut that works.
Some brands that DON'T work... Levi's, Harley-Davidson and Old Navy
prplbkrr
Member
Try Duluth Trading Post Firehose Flex Pants. I can carry a full size, 5" 1911 in the front pocket. Those pockets are huge. They are all I wear. 6', 200 lbs. You can pocket carry anything if you get the right wardrobe.
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Amen to that. When I shop for pants, I take a small measuring tape and check the pockets before I even try on the pants. If they don't measure at least 12 inches deep, I know they'll never work for pocket carry. I also prefer pleated pants, though I have at least one pair of plain front pants with 15-inch deep pockets that work well. Add an outside-the-pants shirt, and no one will ever notice.
I bought a Shield 9 to pocket carry, but I had some initial problems with its recoil spring assembly, which forced me to temporarily use my M&P 40c as my EDC. You know what? I've learned that the chunky 40c pocket carries just fine with a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and the right pants. The extra weight of the 40c doesn't bother me much because I'm 6' 240 lbs., and I'm used to having my pockets weighted down with all manner of stuff anyway. My Shield is up and running now, so my problem becomes, which one to carry? Come to think of it, that's a good problem to have.
HappyPuppy
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I don't like to dress based on what I will carry. What I carry has to fit with how I dress first.
I carry a kahr CM9 in my rear pocket in a pocket wallet holster. That works well for pretty form fitting slacks.
Since its summer I wear cargo shorts a lot. Then I use the shield in a sticky holster in my front pocket.
When I am working out,cycling etc. I wear a smart carry holster and carry either.
I carry a kahr CM9 in my rear pocket in a pocket wallet holster. That works well for pretty form fitting slacks.
Since its summer I wear cargo shorts a lot. Then I use the shield in a sticky holster in my front pocket.
When I am working out,cycling etc. I wear a smart carry holster and carry either.
Protected One
Member
Agreed. I like my style of dress, and rather than change it to fit around a gun I bought carry guns that work with my style of dress (Bodyguard .380 & Shield 9mm).
Have you thought about OWB? I'm 6'-3"and 200lb, but getting a shield out of a pocket holster (quickly) is no easy task. I carry OWB at 4:30 without any problem at all.
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I've found that the larger & heavier guns are too much for me to pocket carry. I'm 6' 2" & 190 but anything beyond 15 ozs. pulls my pants down, not my best look. The 442 or M&P .380 (dress slacks) seem to do the job just fine.
Jim1392
US Veteran
I carry my Shield in a Remora IWB holster at about 3:30. It's also made so you can use it for pocket carry. For me it's just a tad too heavy and I have a hard time getting it out of my pocket. Also sitting in the car with it in my front pocket is not only uncomfortable but almost impossible for me to pull it out.
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I pocket carry a Taurus 617 7 shot revolver daily. It is in an altered Desantsis Nemisis pocket holster. I do have a few issues with it, but it works for me. My draw is not lightning fast but adiquate. At 67 years old nothing is lightning fast any longer.
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Shield pocket carry
First of all, I've never had an issue regarding the reliability of the Shield over the 6 months I've owned it. Not one misfire or jam. I pocket carry it using a DeSantis holster in cargo pants or shorts using the inside pocket, not the outside pocket on the legs. If I don't have room for it, I carry a Sig P238 or my Bodyguard using Cor-Bon .380 Pow'rBall ammo (a really nasty round providing a JHP without the jams). But my Shield is by far my favorite carry. Regards, Elliot45
First of all, I've never had an issue regarding the reliability of the Shield over the 6 months I've owned it. Not one misfire or jam. I pocket carry it using a DeSantis holster in cargo pants or shorts using the inside pocket, not the outside pocket on the legs. If I don't have room for it, I carry a Sig P238 or my Bodyguard using Cor-Bon .380 Pow'rBall ammo (a really nasty round providing a JHP without the jams). But my Shield is by far my favorite carry. Regards, Elliot45
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LOL... Thank goodness that someone invented the 'pocket pistol'. This makes me wonder how you guys would have carried in the 'Old Days' before Subcompacts came on the market (Pre LCP, P32 days).
(I'm guessing... Chief Special or Beretta Jetfire?)
While this goes against any/all 'Dress To Conceal' articles ever published, at least the Subcompact market has made your attitudes a viable option.
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I'm 6'3" and weigh 245. I've carried my CM9 for 3 yrs. in Wranglers both relaxed fit and cowboy cut with no problem in my home made milk jug holster. I've found the CM9 to be absolutely reliable. I've had occasion to use it on poisonous snakes and various pests several times.
Protected One
Member
LOL... This makes me wonder how you guys would have carried in the 'Old Days' before Subcompacts came on the market (Pre LCP, P32 days).
(I'm guessing... Chief Special or Beretta Jetfire?)
Nope....Walther PPK
