The J-frame: a carry 'mystery'.

[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

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[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.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I have always felt the J-frame was too large for pocket carry. I do pocket carry a 12-oz AirLite 351c sometimes, but I'm more likely to carry the NAA Black Widow. 9-oz of stainless steel but so much smaller and narrower than a J-frame it really disappears in a pocket, even when sitting.

 

[Arik]

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.

36 jeans for IWB carry! That being said some 36 feel like 12 and some feel like 50. I went to buy a new pair of jeans the other week. Nothing fancy just for work. I went to buy the same exact pair I have that got too dirty and were starting to rip. I couldn't even put them on let alone button them!?! What gives?!?! Same exact pair that I was already wearing, the same ones that start to fall off without a belt! I know new jeans are a little tight but I couldn't even button these. Someone somewhere is messing with sizes!!!!

My work doesn't care so I carry most of the day. I don't at home but I have one near by

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've never been able to pocket carry .... I wear Wranglers (34 waist) 95% of the time.....OK I can get a gun in there but ..... digging it out is another matter.

I can and did just last weekend pocket carry my 337PD/ with old Uncle Mikes Pocket holster...... in suit pants to wedding ...... 1PM till 11PM......

My other choice was/is a "Colt mustang pocketlite"....... which looks like I'm carrying my wallet in my front pocket..........

To the points above; my wife has a theory that manufactures.... are 'tightening up" on their numbers..... saving a little bit on each piece of clothing will add up over thousands of units. Machine cutting vs. human may also impact sizes.......

I do know I've got several 36" belts (IWB carry) that are shorter ( one to two inches) than the 20 year old belts they are replacing.

 

[The Big D]

Never heard of it.

I carried a gun for 30 plus years before I joined this Forum and first read about 'pocket carry.' To be perfectly honest, I thought folks were referencing carrying a gun in their back pocket. I simply could not imagine carrying one in a front pocket.

I soon learned some do carry in their FRONT pocket. Got a Mika holster and tried it. NO BUENO!!!!

First, it is very difficult to sit, well nigh impossible to draw whilst sitting, and maybe I am more active than some but found it burdensome.

I DO carry IWB and OWB with zero difficulty but pocket carry simply is not doable for me. And I wouldn't be caught dead in cargo pants/shorts.

All said, I have learned much new stuff on this Forum and please do not construe my remarks here as suggesting you are wrong in your means of carry.

Be safe.

 

[haywood]

Since I started carrying, when I buy pants, I try how the gun fits before I buy. If I can't carry and draw my 442 from the front pockets I don't buy them. When I buy a suit I get measured with my carry guns. If shirts don't cover the gear on my belt, forget about it.

 

[chief38]

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.

Get a few pair of LL Bean Natural fit jeans - the front pockets are larger and deeper. Plus ----- their Jeans are GREAT!

 

[chief38]

I carried a gun for 30 plus years before I joined this Forum and first read about 'pocket carry.' To be perfectly honest, I thought folks were referencing carrying a gun in their back pocket. I simply could not imagine carrying one in a front pocket.

I soon learned some do carry in their FRONT pocket. Got a Mika holster and tried it. NO BUENO!!!!

First, it is very difficult to sit, well nigh impossible to draw whilst sitting, and maybe I am more active than some but found it burdensome.

I DO carry IWB and OWB with zero difficulty but pocket carry simply is not doable for me. And I wouldn't be caught dead in cargo pants/shorts.

All said, I have learned much new stuff on this Forum and please do not construe my remarks here as suggesting you are wrong in your means of carry.

Be safe.

Like anything else, it takes a few days to get comfortable with ANY carry method. Secondly, all of a sudden the girls started starring at me with a smile - I wear LL Bean Jeans (Natural fit) they have huge front pockets that are deeper too. BTW their Jeans are also top notch!

 

[blues7]

I find that there are times that pocket carry works well and other times not so much. Some pants accommodate that form of carry better than others...and at times even if the pocket is commodious enough, the way the gun lays in the pocket may or may not "feel" just right.

When it works well, I'm fine with it. When it doesn't, or I don't want to carry in pocket, I carry AIWB with my Dark Star Gear (Boltaron) holster which is nigh on perfect for the job. "Horses for courses" and all that.

 

[Protected One]

My J frame carries VERY well in a belt holster at 4:00 and is no problem concealing what so ever. In fact, it carries more comfortably than my Shield 9mm or Glock 23. BUT...it doesn't get carried very often because of the capacity.

 

[blues7]

My J frame carries VERY well in a belt holster at 4:00 and is no problem concealing what so ever. In fact, it carries more comfortably than my Shield 9mm or Glock 23. BUT...it doesn't get carried very often because of the capacity.

Agree. My 642-1 is my walking around gun. Walk the dog, go to the mailbox etc. (And only some of the time.)

Otherwise, and especially if I get in the 4Runner to leave my home, one of my Glocks gets the call.