[Air,Land&Sea]

Just wondering if anyone else has tried every single pocket carry firearm ever made and just can't warm up to any of them? Fantastic guns, but just wondering if I'm not alone.
Disclaimer:
It might just be me.

[Standing Wolf]

Pocket carry is a good way to end up with a gun full of lint.

That said™, I generally just drop a gun in a pocket if I'm going to take out the trash or pick up mail. I've found it helpful to run some patches through my main carry gun once a week.

[Sistema1927]

Hmmm, my Kahr PM9 spends most of its time in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster in my front pocket. I re-lube it once per week (Kahrs like to be "wet"), and yet I have yet to clean out any lint.

Same for the 642 that pulled duty before the Kahr, or for the P32 that takes over when even the Kahr and 642 are too big.

For me, pocket carry is the best way to CCW.

[Pilot]

I carry a 642 in a Uncle Mikes #3 pocket holster sometimes. No lint, no printing, now worries.

[big inch]

I carry my P-3AT in a Mike's ITP holster, and I have never noticed any lint in it. I don't clean it quit as often as I probably should, though. :uhoh:

I prefer having it in my pocket, because if I have it IWB, I may forget I have it on me. :scrutiny:

[Vern Humphrey]

I have been known to drop a Colt Detective Special into a coat pocket or pants pocket while going out the door. When I carry this gun normally, it's in a pancake style holster high up in the 4:00 O'clock position.

The only thing about pocket carry is properly orienting the gun for the draw. I put my thumb on the hammer when I draw -- and try to see trouble coming, so I don't have to rip it out.

[denfoote]

I'm just not crazy about the carry mode itself.
I loath tying up TWO pockets in order to carry weapon AND extra ammunition!!

The only time I do it is when I'm wearing "tactical" shorts or pants, or the social situation demands no other carry mode!!

I have to admit, carrying a KT P3AT on a belt holster is a bit weird!! :evil:

[mtnbkr]

I have to admit, carrying a KT P3AT on a belt holster is a bit weird!!
Heh. I've been carrying a P32 on a belt holster when I didn't feel like tying up a pocket.

Chris

[snubby]

I find pocket carry of my 340PD (also in a Desantis Nemesis) to be a very comfortable (and comforting) method. Nothing quite as reassuring as having a grip on a 357 mag when in an environment of dubious potential, while still appearing "casual" and nonthreatening.

[P95Carry]

Pocket carry is my second option ... always. But not a blatant anti!

I am infinitely more at ease with my usual OWB 3 to 3.30. But .... sometimes pocket is only way to go - and so, if for example I choose the R9 - it goes into a pocket holster - either a K&D or an Uncle Mikes ... just depends on the pants and pocket size etc. Equally, might just be that NAA Mini is all the option I might have ... again, slip in pocket.

I do also include tho in my options, an occasional use of ankle rig.

The final decision in any given clothing/seasonal situation will be what is the smallest I need to go to - for conditions .. and so pocket does and will feature ... now and again ... plus of course at times .... same comes into play just for BUG.

I also BTW if employing pocket - turn pocket inside out and de-lint to the max, before use!

[Vern Humphrey]

Some times you don't really want to go through the rigamarole of putting on an IWB, chambering and loading a .45, putting on a magazine pouch, and so on just to go to the store. A Colt Detective Special in the pocket is a good choice in cases like this.

[critter]

I rarely carry in the pocket but when I do, it is just dropped in the pocket without a holster, usually for a quick trip as mentioned above. Yeah, I know that is not optimal as the gun can become 'disoriented'.

However, I have big 'fists' and every pocket holster I have tried seem to place the gun so the grip is hard against the rear of the pocket. No room to get hold of the grip as my fist is invariably longer than the grip. Makes for VERY slow draw. Makes 'anticipating trouble' VERY important.

Pocket holsters that have somewhat of an 'FBI cant' seem to place the gun with the grip sticking up high and showing out of the top of the pocket.

Maybe I just haven't found the right pocket gun and pocket holster.

[Nick96]

it's probably more of a geographical thing. Where I live there are two seasons - really hot & humid - and not so hot and humid. When typical attire is shorts & a tee shirt (or really dressed up with a polo shirt & dockers) - pocket carry is very appealing.

I wear a heavy cover garment maybe a dozen times a year. Not enough to warrent carrying a big, heavy, bulky, hi-cap anything. So anything with reasonable power, that's reliabile, is compact, is light weight and acceptably accurate within about 30 feet is going to work well for me.

Power to you all that live in areas where you can comfortably carry really big & heavy guns. But for the probably 30% of us that live in more temporate zones - pocket carry is very appealing.

NOTE: I just learned that 50% percent of the U.S. population lives within 100 miles of an ocean, Gulf or Great Lakes coasts. Since the Mid Atlantic, Pacific and Great Lakes states are predominentally "Blue States" (limited gun ownership and much more limited personal carry options allowed) - practically no one without "government" connections in those areas can carry concealed. Most every where else, it's hot & humid - so the light clothing issues I discuss above apply. So the logical conclusion has to be that a light & small handgun should be the prefered choice for most persons who carry firearms for personal defense. Argue what you want - but facts are facts. Small, light, compact, concealable, accurate & reasonably effective handguns are the most practical personal defense weapons in this country.

[Vern Humphrey]

The mid-atlantic states, from Virginia, south, are almost all shall-issue states.

I lived in Virginia when that state first adopted shall-issue, and now live in Arkansas. Yes, we have four seasons -- but summers can get very hot and humid. I mostly carry a full-size M1911 (Kimber Custom Classic) in an IWB. When it really gets hot, I carry under a T-shirt.

With my holster design, there is leather between gun and skin, and I sweat-proof the leather with Sno-Seal, so the gun is protected and I'm comfortable.

[cls12vg30]

I carry a P32 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster as a BUG. That holster is fantastic, it's my favorite pocket holster ever. If it prints at all it prints like a wallet, and that funky textured rubber-like outer shell really grips the fabric, guaranteeing that the holster stays in the pocket when the pistol comes out.

[P95Carry]

Vern ... ''Sno-seal''?? Not something I know of - can you elucidate a little for me .... I sweat buckets :)

[Vern Humphrey]

Sno-seal is a wax-based waterproofing compound very popular among skiiers, backpackers and mountain climbers. You can find it in most Wal Marts.

I block the holster with water or alcohol -- I wet it down, put the gun (wrapped in a plastic bag) in the holster, and force the leather to conform to the gun's shape. When it dries, I warm it with a hair dryer, and liquify the Sno Seal, then rub it in good. It completely impregnates the leather and makes it water and sweat proof.

[P95Carry]

Thx Vern ... I obviously haven't been too observant in WalMart!!! I'll take a peek next time - sounds like a useful ploy.

[El Tejon]

Good thing it never ever gets hot and humid in this dark blue Great Lake state. :D Handguns are comforting, not comfortable, at least that's my philosophy.

Each to his or her own, just understand the limitations and dangers of pocket carry and you will be able to beat back "it's all you need" advice from the gun shoppe. :)

[MICHAEL T]

Lets see my PPK/S works good in my pocket so does my Colt Mustang and old CA Undercover. Nope my Commander and Govt won't fit and weight to much anyway. Long live pocket pistols.

[Dave Markowitz]

Sno Seal (http://www.atsko.com/snoseal.html) .

Great stuff! I use it on my boots, and I've also used it on a couple of leather rifle slings.

[pete f]

sorry but thread hijacking taking place....

If you have kids who play baseball, put the balls in oven with just the inside light on then wait till the baseballs are warm to the touchand rub in sno seal, does not affect playablity of the baseball but keeps it from getting water logged with left outside overnight from the dew or when playing in wet grass








and now back the original thread.....

[The_Shootist]

Once summer (ie t-shirt/shorts uniform) comes in another couple of weeks, its back to exclusive pocket carry for me. Not that I can't carry a G19,686+ or 1911 in shorts/t-shirt weather, its just you have to more aware of printing and concealability issues with those size pistols in hot humid weather.

But if I drop my P-32 (Hedley Holster w/spare mag) or Bersa Thunder .380 (in a Desantis Nemisis - which is a popular holster for pocket carry and rightly so) then concealability / comfort are non-issues. About the the only guns during the summer I carry IWB are my SP 101 or my POS Colt Defender.

But the most important and favourable thing about pocket carry (for me anyways) is the ability to draw quicker from that mode vs IWB. I can literally pull my P-32 or Bersa from my pocket in a split second vs clearing leather in IWB mode. If you can deliver 8 shots of .32/.380 in under 2 seconds, thats gotta be good enough for all but the most "doomsday" scenarios in civilian self-defense.

Course if I'm travelling along the open roads towards the border or throughout Texas, I find it just as easy (and more comforting) to be packing my 1911 or 686+. :D

[magsnubby]

I used to be very anti pocket carry. Then i actually tried it for awhile. A S&W 642 felt a lot better in my pocket than in an IWB holster.

[tpdtom]

I like my 442 , Kel Tec P11 , Colt Detective Special , and especially my Kahr PM9 for pocket and ankle carry , but I AM anti no-holster . With an auto there are loads of issues , and with a revolver while you can shoot right through a coat pocket you need to clean and inspect your gun every time you carry in that method , even for a short distance . I know it works well in big slash coat pockets but generally , tactical and maintenence problems are avoided with a good holster . Now they can be had cheaply ie: Mika's or DeSantis , and great leather is always available ie: Alessi , PCS, Sparks etc...Just my .02...Tom

[at-home-daddy]

With my current life status (see my User Name), that's really the only way I can carry right now. Too many little hands tugging at my trouser legs and waistband while we're out and about... So: a P3AT in a Hedley.

[Rem700]

Nick96
Mn,Mi, Oh, are all Great Lakes states and have ccw.

[another okie]

When it's 95 degrees and 95 percent humidity pocket carry is just about it. My Taurus 85 titanium weighs 13 ounces and rides great in a Kramer pocket holster. The Kramer holster seems bulky when you handle it but it does a great job of breaking up the outline. I have added laser grips to my Taurus and they seem to really help. Spare ammo is in an "Ammo Wallet," a little dark plastic box that looks totally non-threatening, so you can carry it in your off pocket with your keys, and if you pull it out no one notices. It would be a slow reload - well, that's one more compromise from carrying my Remington 1100 Competition Master, which is what I would prefer to have with me all the time.

It took lots of experimentation and time to come up with this package, but it all seems to work together and work well for me.

[jamz]

In the summer at work, it's all I can do while wearing a polo shirt. Pocket carry is a must then.

http://www.mricenter.com/jamz/dailycarry.jpg

In the winter, the same gun goes IWB.

-James

[OtG]

Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are all shall-issue states.

New Hampshire and Vermont have very few restrictions on places legal to carry. I don't know much about the others.
Check www.packing.org