The J-frame: a carry 'mystery'.

[American1776]

Many people will assert that the 5 shot revolver is not the best concealment gun for pocket carry, because the cylinder makes the gun too thick. These folks typically advise a small 380 for pocket carry.

I've carried both types of guns. And if you look at the revolver and the small auto side by side, you'll *think* the auto is thinner and therefore easier to conceal in a pocket. However, I've found the opposite, and here's my take:

The revolver's contours are very different from the squared off shape of an auto pistol. The 'beaver tail' of all auto pistols always give away the silhouette of a gun shape more pronounced than the rounded silhouette of the revolver. The cylinder, while thick, actually takes the pocket material outward, thus further obscuring the 'gun shape' silhouette through the pocket.

For these reasons, I've gone back to a 649 for pocket carry purposes, loaded with 158 gr. 357 magnums.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Round parts of a revolver blend well into round parts of the carrier, just sayin'.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It takes a little skill and imagination and then NOTHING shows. First, tight pants might be an issue. Not necessarily but maybe. Think that through. Thin pants create more of an issue than thicker pants, like jeans. So that matters, too.

I pocket carried a Beretta 950BS 25 ACP pistol in my front pants pocket for years and years. I routinely placed a folded handkerchief in front of it to reduce the printing and then, one day on a whim, I picked up an old, thin leather card case and VOILA!!! It always looked square = wallet in front pocket = INVISIBLE. Worked like a charm and then one day I discovered pocket holsters - in a gun store in Tallahassee, FL in the early 1990s. Not sure how I missed them before, actually, but stuff happens. So, a little Kydex pocket holster worked perfectly but as I looked at my pocket I thought to myself, "Self, that would sure be less conspicuous with that leather piece in front of it". So I stopped the handkerchief trick but kept that leather piece and lo and behold, decades pass, and nobody has ever, not one time, pinned that gun.

Wait, I skipped a spot. I forgot to mention that I switched to a S&W M642 sometime after I left employment at a place where guns were forbidden but I was doing it anyway. I guess it was about 12 years ago I switched to the J frame, leather pocket holster, and same leather square in front of it to = wallet appearance. Yes, it is a little thicker than the little .25 auto but not to the extent that anyone could ever tell.

I happen to have developed a dislike of J frames for other reasons so I try to either carry a 2" K frame .38 or a 3rd Gen 9mm IWB or OWB but there are days when I still grab the J-frame and drop it in my pocket (it is easier to deal with, I admit that). Even sitting down it is invisible.

So, I will agree with the OP - it is very easy to pocket carry and conceal a J frame.

 

[AZretired]

I have a 638 and a 642 that alternate as my pocket carry guns in a homemade copy of a Galco pocket holster. Although I do occasionally carry IWB.

 

[Andy Lowry]

A good holster breaks up the outline quite well. I'm a big fan of Mika pocket holsters for revolvers-- yes, it looks like you might have a golf ball in your pocket, but it sure doesn't look like a gun.

 

[oneounceload]

Round parts of a revolver blend well into round parts of the carrier, just sayin'.

EXACTLY..........

Many people will assert that the 5 shot revolver is not the best concealment gun for pocket carry, because the cylinder makes the gun too thick. These folks typically advise a small 380 for pocket carry.

Look at your body and find square blocky shapes - you can't.......a revolver has the least amount and is mostly rounded. Mine blends in SO much better than any of my small 9mm semis.

What I would really like to try would be a lightweight J frame in 9mm; possibly something in scandium?

 

[Rpg]

My M38's, M40's and Centennials conceal in a pocket (no pocket holster) very nicely.

Of course, I shop carefully for my pants: deep loose pockets, garment cut nicely and good quality. I find Orvis slacks work well.

As a practical matter, worrying about whether your pistol 'prints' is a fool's errand. It's an affliction of the self conscious and inexperienced at concealed carry.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Well.. I carry AIWB

Depending on where.. it's anything from Model 60 up to a 5" 1911 I can even get my 629 MG under the shirt.

Printing, if you look close enough you may notice, ask me if I care. Nope.

But I can say I don't think I've ever been watched for that reason.

 

[diyj98]

I love revolvers, but I find a Ruger LCP conceals much easier in the pockets of my dockers or jeans.

 

[STCM(SW)]

"As a practical matter, worrying about whether your pistol 'prints' is a fool's errand. It's an affliction of the self conscious and inexperienced at concealed carry."

My though also...

 

[haywood]

I've been carrying a J-Frame in my pocket since 2004. Knowone has ever asked, "what's in your pocket ?"

 

[blues7]

I've been carrying a J-Frame in my pocket since 2004. No one has ever asked, "what's in your pocket ?"

Here's a clue...maybe it's time to put on a different pair of pants?

I agree...the J-frame conceals and lends itself very well to pocket carry. (But I still recommend laundering those pants. )

 

[haywood]

Here's a clue...maybe it's time to put on a different pair of pants?

I agree...the J-frame conceals and lends itself very well to pocket carry. (But I still recommend laundering those pants. )

BUSTED !

 

[gwpercle]

Don't take as fact what " most people" assert...."most people " don't know doodly-squat.

Free country , you carry what pleases you.

S&W 637 Airweight J-frame , 38 special, has put a smile on my face since 2004....it pleases me !

Gary

 

[elm_creek_smith]

On duty my S&W 642-2 back up rides in a pocket holster. Off duty I carry the 642-2 and a 12-2 or 13-3 OWB.


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[Abflyboy]

My G43 in a pocket looks exactly like a G43 and is a giant PITA to go in and out of a pocket.

My 340PD looks like nothing and is much easier to put in and take out of my pocket.

 

[Arik]

Can't do pocket regardless of gun. Can't even keep a wallet in the front pocket. Definitely a no no with a holster. Too uncomfortable. Some change, and maybe a receipt is it

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[since 61]

I CC a SW642, front pocket in a Mika holster. It fit fine, no problems until I put some Hogue 60000 grips on due to the recoil of those +P on my arthritic thumbs. The grips are great but the handle of the 642 was sticking out the pocket a little enough to be seen by someone behind me. I checked out a lot of pants and found the "Land's Inn" chino Khakis with the HD pockets are great with this setup. It buries the holster and pistol about an inch down in the pocket. FWIW

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've owned all sorts of pockets guns and I keeping going back to a revolver. A Kimber K6 does just fine in a front pocket or jacket pocket. Nothing like six rounds of 357 magnum.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Lots of variables to consider. Clothing, body type, holster, etc.

For me, pocket carry with my 642 is do-able, but not optimal. I wear relaxed-fit jeans 99.9999999999% of the time. When I've pocket carried it's been in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. It works fine as long as I'm standing or walking, but as soon as I sit down it looks like there's a baseball in my pocket. I've thought about getting a thinner pocket holster, but since a rarely pocket carry it hasn't been much of a priority.

I don't have experience with pocket carrying a semi-auto, but at some point I would like to try a LCP for that role. With the right holster it would look more like a cell phone or wallet in the pocket than a snub. Accessibility would again depend on clothing and holster choices.

This is aside from the fact that I'm one of those guys that typically carries a bunch of stuff in his pockets, so figuring out how to re-locate stuff can be a little tricky at times.

This is one of those things where there is no one absolute answer for everyone.

 

[Roland the Headless]

642 -1 here I got a inexpensive allen size 11, because it fit better that the one for j frames
I put it in my front and I forget about it ...for the most part
I used to carry a ruger blackhawk or a mk II in a shoulder holster
still carry a taurus model 66 in one today, but I might never go back to daily carry with a shoulder holster unless I can find one I like that carries a j frame

 

[Kanewpadle]

Lots of variables to consider. Clothing, body type, holster, etc.

For me, pocket carry with my 642 is do-able, but not optimal. I wear relaxed-fit jeans 99.9999999999% of the time. When I've pocket carried it's been in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. It works fine as long as I'm standing or walking, but as soon as I sit down it looks like there's a baseball in my pocket. I've thought about getting a thinner pocket holster, but since a rarely pocket carry it hasn't been much of a priority.

I don't have experience with pocket carrying a semi-auto, but at some point I would like to try a LCP for that role. With the right holster it would look more like a cell phone or wallet in the pocket than a snub. Accessibility would again depend on clothing and holster choices.

This is aside from the fact that I'm one of those guys that typically carries a bunch of stuff in his pockets, so figuring out how to re-locate stuff can be a little tricky at times.

This is one of those things where there is no one absolute answer for everyone.

Cargo pants.

 

[chief38]

The BEST POCKET CARRY SD gun for me is a M60-7. Fits into my LL Bean Jeans front pocket inside a DeSantis Nemesis Holster just perfectly. I doubt even guys who carry an Auto can or will dispute the superior inherent reliability of a Revolver. It also carries well in any other style of holster too. The only real down side to a J Frame is the 5 shot capacity, however the comparable sized Autos don't hold that much more that its worth giving up the revolvers reliability - IMO. In a weight to size ratio, it's just about impossible to beat the performance of today's Speer's Gold Dot Short Barrel HP or Buffalo Bores +P LSWCHP-GC.

If one were to ONLY carry OWB in a Belt Holster, the 3rd Generation Colt Dick Special is even better. It offers 20% greater firepower, a 2 ounce heavier package but in virtually the same sized package as the 5 shot Chief's. The problem with the Dick Spl. is it pushes the envelope for pocket carry.

And so that is the reason my EDC CCW is a S&W M60-7.

 

[springer99]

Scratching my head on folks that can't wear a J frame easily.

I guess if I only wore swim trunks or spandex, I'd be somewhat limited. But I'd also look foolish

My body style works best with cargo pants and suspenders so that's what you'll find me in most time. No problem carrying a wallet, doo-rag, mustache wax, loose change, car keys, pocket knife, pipe lighter and tamper, a 640 in one pocket and an NAA 22Mag in another.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Scratching my head on folks that can't wear a J frame easily.

That's ok. I scratch my head at people who think that just because something works for them it should work for everybody.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

I daily carry my 640-3 in a Uncle Mike's 36 holster in my front jeans pocket. The Hogue grip sticks out of my pocket maybe 1/4" which is easy to conceal with any t-shirt I have. I also carry IWB at times. No problems.

 

[Arik]

Scratching my head on folks that can't wear a J frame easily.

I guess if I only wore swim trunks or spandex, I'd be somewhat limited. But I'd also look foolish

My body style works best with cargo pants and suspenders so that's what you'll find me in most time. No problem carrying a wallet, doo-rag, mustache wax, loose change, car keys, pocket knife, pipe lighter and tamper, a 640 in one pocket and an NAA 22Mag in another.

It's more about comfort. I can wear a J frame but in a belt holster. Putting one in my pocket becomes uncomfortable when sitting and rubs my leg when walking. I've thrown one into my pocket before for a quick trip to the store but it's not something I want to carry all day.

On the other hand I can wear a 5lb gun all day in an IWB holster and never know it's there

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[tobimaru]

Lots of variables to consider. Clothing, body type, holster, etc.

Agreed.

Who here has a 28-30" waist? Anyone? Who is 130-140lbs fully clothed? Anyone?

Frequency of carry has a lot to do with it as well. I'd fully believe someone out there carries his revolver 24/7, 365 days a year at work and at home no matter what. However, that person is the exception. MOST people do not carry at work, and it's an afterthought even when they get home. For the couple days a week they actually carry (20-30hrs?) the revolver works. If you were bumping those numbers up to 100+ hours a week you might change carry pistols.

That said, I carry a steel frame 1911 some days and live with it. I totally understand wanting/liking/enjoying a revolver.

 

[joeintexas]

I wear either cargo pants or wrangler jeans most all of the time and have not had a problem with the 638, bg38 bodyguard or even the Ruger sp101 in the front pocket. If anyone has ever noticed they didn't say anything. Sometimes I really forget its there.

 

[Old cop]

My well worn Galco soft leather holster works great for any J frame, but my 340PD is my favorite due to its light weight. I've tried a variety of .380 pistols but cannot beat the reliability of a revolver for EDC.