Ways to carry 442

[HorizontalMike]

Pocket carry only on a J frame, but almost never carry a J these days now that we have things like the Glock 19 (same real estate, three times the ammo capacity).

I see folks take this position on CC a lot, so Shawn is only saying what many out there feel. To each his own I guess. We all know the advantages of high capacity pistols.

However for me, I worry about all of the possible negatives... an AD from an inadvertent "unlock" while pocketing, jams, cuts from incorrect firing position, failure to cock&lock when carrying, failure to readily "unlock" in an emergency situation, etc.

My position is that I carry to "avoid" a gunfight and NOT to "engage" in a gunfight. I figure my little 642CT has enough firepower to either stop a criminal assault, OR serve as enough cover fire to get my butt out of harm's way before all hell breaks loose. Nothing more, nothing less.

THAT is why I love my little OWB carry J-frame 642CT...

 

[drummer007]

IWB appendix position using a clipdraw.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I don't see the point of adding a lot of weight to an Airweight revolver. I tend to avoid leather if possible. I mostly just use one of those cheap Uncle Mikes pocket holsters. They weigh next to nothing.

Uncle Mike's Inside-the-Pocket Holster Ambidextrous 5-Round Revolver

 

[307-Niner]

I carry my J frame OWB. With a good holster & belt, it disappears under a t-shirt. I do have a pocket holster as well(Galco) that I use occasionally.

If you choose pocket carry, ALWAYS re-holster the gun OUT of your pocket, then stuff the holstered gun back into your pocket.

 

[Waywatcher]

I don't see the point of adding a lot of weight to an Airweight revolver. I tend to avoid leather if possible. I mostly just use one of those cheap Uncle Mikes pocket holsters. They weigh next to nothing.

Uncle Mike's Inside-the-Pocket Holster Ambidextrous 5-Round Revolver

I agree about not wanting to add weight to an airweight. My El Paso leather weighs exactly 1.5oz and is thinner than the Nemesis it replaced. My car key weighs 1.6oz by itself. Thus, my El Paso leather pocket holster weighs less than my single solitary car key. (Unfortunately I didn't have the scale when I had the nemesis so I don't have its weight.) What does an Uncle Mikes weigh?

 

[Waywatcher]

Pocket carry only on a J frame, but almost never carry a J these days now that we have things like the Glock 19 (same real estate, three times the ammo capacity).

Similar real estate, sure, but if you retook that picture with the revolver underneath the glock will appear much bigger due to perspective.

Also, try pocket carry with a Glock 19! Shape matters too!

 

[OldSquid]

I prefer pocket carry, and use the inexpensive Uncle Mike's or Blackhawk pocket holsters. I also carry my 642 in an IWB holster. As small and light as a snubby is, I haven't found any one IWB holster that is actually any better than another.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I equip most of my Centennial and Bodyguard J-frames with Barami Hip-Grips. This enables me to carry them in my right front Levi's pocket with no holster required. The lip of the grip goes over the edge of the pocket, exposing just the grip. The gun is always accessible, draws easily, and makes for maximum concealment with the shirttail out. The guns do not "print" when carried in this manner. Sitting down is no problem, and the gun is quite secure. Here's a photo of a 642 and a 442 so equipped. The grip adapters I use with the Hip-Grips give my hand more purchase and control. Depending on the tactical situation, it's easy to remove the gun and otherwise secrete it, with no holster as evidence on your body that you were carrying a gun.

John

 

[Guevera]

"Simply Rugged" makes a pocket holster for the J frame that is really nice. Thin, unadorned leather means the revolver is held securely and the outline broken up without added bulk.

I never understood why people liked padded pocket holsters that made you look like you were shoplifting a club sandwich.

 

[MaxS]

Nate Squared original holster (IWB)- most comfortable holster I've used in 20+ years. I forget that I have it on! It has a soft piece of suede between you and the gun. Wear my 638 in it almost every day.

 

[CajunBass]

How do you carry your J Frame? I've always pocket carried but just bought a Don Hume JIT Slide to try. It hasn't arrived yet but was wondering about the pros and cons of OWB carry.

I carry my 442 in a Hume JIT. As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty close to the perfect CC holster. I literally forget that I'm carrying it.

I don't care for IWB, ankel, pocket, or under the hat carry. I like mine right there at 3:00 OWB, all the time.

My wife carries her 642 in a dedicated carry purse. We put a set of those Hogue Tamers on hers and she was shooting lights out with it the other day. She loves those grips.

 

[RobzGuns]

I never carried a 442, but my friend's 442 carried us during a few adventures.

 

[SWIll]

In the pocket in a Nemesis, or appendix in a Galco Sto N Go.

 

[radar1972]

OWB in a leather American Pride holster (best $25 leather holster for a J-frame).

Occasionally pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis.

 

[cnette01]

Currently I use a Mika's pocket holster. I also just bought a pancake holster from Simply Rugged for OWB carry. I'm looking forward to trying it out soon.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

My 642 rides in either a Galco pocket holster or in a Snubbyfan AIWB holster.

 

[shouldazagged]

Pocket carry every day for over sixteen years, in a DeSantis Nemesis or Uncle Mike's #3. I would never carry without a holster, even though my J-frame has an enclosed hammer. Too much risk of the gun shifting or even inverting, screwing up the draw, and collection of lint and crud. I also want the trigger covered, despite the gun being DAO. Just cautious that way.

 

[Rick_A]

The 442 goes on the ankle or pocket depending on dress.

The 649 goes IWB with pocket carry when needed.

20150109_153932 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

The holsters are inexpensive but work well.

 

[vito]

The lightweight j-frame snubbies are really easy to carry in almost any configuration, as indicated by all of the responses so far. For close-in personal defense it would be hard to beat this type firearm with its 100% reliability and adequate caliber for stopping the threat. I prefer OWB with my shirt untucked, but often pocket carry as well (especially when on my motorcycle in warm weather in just a t-shirt, where the wind often blows the shirt up and would fully expose the gun with an OWB holster). And especially when wearing lightweight clothing, such as shorts and t-shirt in the summer, a lightweight pocket handgun is so easy to carry you can almost forget you have it on. You might want to consider the Remora holster which can serve as both a comfortable pocket holster and an IWB holster (despite the lack of the clip, the material of the holster keeps in securely when inserted into your waistband).

 

[eveled]

Barami hip grip gives you the ability to carry IWB without a holster, but doesn't interfere with holster carry.