Thoughts on pocket holsters

[burrhead]

I don't pocket carry as a rule because I find it uncomfortable and prefer IWB, therefore I've never given much thought to pocket holsters. Yesterday I had an occasion to slip a J frame in my pocket for a little "walk around" on my property. A few minutes later I went back inside, took the revo out of my pocket and, low and behold, the cylinder had become unlatched. :uhoh: It was locked when it went in my pocket because I did a quick round check and the gun locks up securely so I can only assume it really did become unlatched in my, somewhat, roomy pocket.
Just a word to the wise. Be safe.

[10-Ring]

I've used a Desantis pocket holster for a little over 10 months now and really like it.

[Kahr carrier]

I like pocket carry myself,I like the element of surprise ,I prefer the Kramer Pocket holsters.:)

[Okiecruffler]

I use pocket carry about 50% of the time, but I couldn't find a holster that I really liked for my Taurus. So I made one from a $12 leather wallet from Wallyworld. I've never had a problem with unlatching.

[CWL]

Pocket holsters are good. They're typically required for CCW carry anyway.

The best thing about pocket holsters is that they help keep the pistol properly oriented in your pocket for rapid access, helps keep out lint, as well as provides a trigger guard to prevent accidental discharges.

[22luvr]

I'm another die-hard pocket-carrier. A pocket holster for my particular needs must be:

1-lightweight
2-thin
3-flexible
4-inexpensive
5-disguise the profile of the gun
6-hold the gun in a fixed position and guard the trigger

I use Uncle Mike's soft, flexible, fabric holsters for this reason.

Although I have never checked out DeSantis, I have read testimonials on their new "Nemesis" line and they sound like a good bet.

[Kentucky Rifle]

RJ Hedley's pocket holsters meet every requirement with ease.

KR

[jar]

The best I've ever found is the Pocket Grabber from High Noon Holsters (http://www.highnoonholsters.com) .
Here's my Pocket Grabber for my SiG 230. It has a proprietary outer layer that really grabs your poscket and makes draw easy and sure.


http://www.fototime.com/38352A8CB3623E2/standard.jpg

Michael also makes a model with a built in mag holder.

I carry my Colt Detective Special in a pocket holster from Lou Alessi. It does a great job of masking the contours of the revolver.

http://www.fototime.com/16FFC2397E98D77/standard.jpg

It's a two layer lether holster with the inner layer cut away around the cylinder area.

[Kentucky Rifle]

You told me that those grips on your Colt were inexpensive...I don't care. I STILL like them! :)

KR

[jimmy]

To me, the pocket holster is an effective carry mode. I've used pocket holsters for years. I used to carry my S&W Model 38 in a Kramer. It's a good product, but unfortunately it doesn't fit the 342PD I now prefer. So, for the 342, I use a simple (and inexpensive) Uncle Mike's. For my Glock 26 the Galco Front Pocket is just right.

[Blackhawk]

Pocket carry REQUIRES a holster, IMO.

DeSantis Nemesis and Uncle Mike's are servicable cheap holsters, but RJ Hedley's are among the best.

[concerned citizen]

Balckhawk..I agree with you man, I would have bought 3 pocket holsters from him in the last 6 months alone. :what:

[WESHOOT2]

Guns need holsters.

Good holsters have no pricetag because they're priceless.

"Modern" money transfers are subject to corruption, but I defy you to hack a MO or CC.
(I don't take 'modern payment' either; MO or check - but I take personal :D )


ps them am some uuuuugly grips, ay? :neener:

[jar]

KR

Me too!

[Blackhawk]

"Modern" money transfers are subject to corruption, but I defy you to hack a MO or CC.Give me a break!

All the risk is taken by the Credit Card company for a fee of 2-1/2% or less depending on the merchant's volume. For products that are typically $45-$65, that amounts to $1.13 to $1.63. It's not worth the time and trouble to me to get a MO or CC, so I'd much rather pay higher prices and absorb the fee. The vendor will make more money and have more customers.

The method of doing business by cashier's check or MO (Cash In Advance) wouldn't change for practical purposes. The vendor would simply wait until the CC payment is posted to its account before proceeding with the order. They clear within a day so the vendor would actually have more money faster.

If a vendor gets a customer's money but gets shut down, or ends up in bankruptcy before delivering the merchandise, the customer is left with a mouthful of feathers. The customer takes all the risk.

However, if the same things happen and a credit card is used, the customer is out ZERO, nada, zip, because the credit card company assumes the loss.

The vendor's out nothing by accepting credit cards and the customer is proctected against the hazards of long distance transactions.

YMMV, of course....

[Dave R]

Burrhead, if you find pocket carry uncomfortable, you have never carried a P-32! A P-32 plus spare mag in a pocket holster is about the same size a weight as a wallet. If you can carry a wallet, you can carry a P-32.

And, of course, the new P-3AT that's coming out soon.

[rhedley]

I think your "SEEDY" comment comes close to a revealing character flaw. I don't believe you have incured any loss from the way I choose to do things. So why are you making such a public protest on this otherwise friendly forum?

[thisaway]

I carry my Beretta Tomcat in a DeSantis pocket holster called the "Trickster". I have had no problems with it, and it seemed fairly inexpensive for an all-leather holster.

[DeltaElite]

I always have a pocket gun on me.
I use the Uncle Mikes or Desantis nylon rigs, since they do not transfer moisture to the gun.
I ususally carry a 342 Smith in it, sometimes other guns.

[Seminole]

I've got to agree that P-32 fits the bill for pocket carry. I'm a little wary of such a small caliber, but the P-32 is usually my BUG anyway and virtually disappears in the pocket of pleated pants. Even in my jeans, it just looks like a wallet.

I've also carried a Makarov in a pocket holster, though only in pleated pants. It's too big for jeans-pocket carry. It's a lot heavier too (all steel construction, you know!), though absolutely feasible for carry in a pocket holster with the right wardrobe.

[Ultraman]

I have been pocket carrying for over 20 years now. I first carried "small" automatics, without a holster. With them I was always finding the magazine had popped out just enough to prevent it from working or found the safety had popped on. After discovering "pocket holsters", I started to use them... all problems disappeared ;)

I now pocket carry a S&W M-640 and have never experienced any kind of trouble. For "me" pocket carry is the only way to go.

http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Jan/20031315199915036303186.jpg

[Blackhawk]

Mea culpa.... :(

[Blackhawk]

Blackhawk, I'm just wondering how long you have been in business? Started in 1970. Started accepting credit cards a few years later when bonds weren't required, just imprinter deposits and a good financial statement. Never lost a dime on credit card transactions in business or personally, and neither have any of my customers via their cc transactions with my company.

Vendors have their own reasons for not accepting them, and that's just fine.

I was merely opining that they would get more business if they did, and that generally businesses that don't accept credit cards don't SEEM to be willing to give the customer any recourse if there's a problem. Those are my opinions, and if you don't like them, feel free to ignore them.

That, BTW, is an image promoted by the credit card companies in selling their products to consumers, and maybe it's true. I've had to have AMEX and other credit card companies force compliance from companies I've bought products from where there have been promlems with non-delivery, used merchandise represented as new, etc. My own merchant bank is meticulous about my making sure customers know exactly what they're getting billed for and what name is going to be on their statement in order to reduce chargebacks.

[WESHOOT2]

I will never accept credit cards or electronic money transfers; I will take a personal check (only been burnt one time); I only require half up front; I don't care if I don't gain a "McDonald's-mentality" customer; yes, perhaps I'm a mite eccentric.
BFD
:neener:

[Blackhawk]

I don't care if I don't gain a "McDonald's-mentality" customer; yes, perhaps I'm a mite eccentric. McDonald's takes credit cards...?! :neener:

We're all eccentric about somethings, and like you said, BFD.

Back to holsters.

The DeSantis Nemesis ones have their outer material made of some kind of material that almost seems like it's rubberized. It doesn't move at all in your pocket. The lining is a slick nylot that instantly lets go of the gun. Not bad at all! My only complaints are that the one for my P-11 was more than an inch too long and the sharp shape where it's just pinched off and sewn together print like a holster not disguising the shape very well.

[DonP]

I have the Hedley pocket holster with the panel to prevent printing. (Sorry RJ I don't recall the model #)

When combined with a P-32 it slides into a suit coat pocket, with the panel out, the gun very accessible and totally invisible. As far as anyone can see or even feel it's just a wallet. It's exactly what I needed for my situtation and great workmanship. I've had it for a few years and it's molded nicely to my pocket.

It also works in the pocket of a pair of jeans. (I should have bought a spare magazine holder at the same time, d'oh!)

I'm not as excited about the new kel Tec .380 though as some folks seem to be. If I want a larger carry piece there are a lot of choices out there, new and used, anything larger is going to be, by definition heavier and less concealable.

I'm just not sure the trade off between .32 and .380 justify's the extra size and weight, no matter how small. Any mouse gun is always a compromise to use when carrying anything larger isn't practical.

Now I have a question. Why can't I find any kind of cross draw holster that can be worn in a car comfortably? All I seem to find are cowboy action shooting holsters. I'd like to find one for road trips, that would fit under a jacket or windbreaker and make a small to mid sized semi auto easily available.

Don P.

[rhedley]

DonP

Try Sam Andrews at

http://www.andrewsleather.com/

[DonP]

Thanks for the tip Mr. Hedley.

His cross draw is exactly what I was looking for.

I ordered one today.

Don P.

[DonP]

Since he's cutting leather tomorrow I ordered one for my .45 Mil Spec and another custom that he's making for my Colt Govt. Pocketlite in .380.

Very nice and knowledgeable gentleman.

Don P.

[rhedley]

Very nice and knowledgeable gentleman

I thought you would like his holsters


Hedley pocket holster with the panel to prevent printing.

I call that my *Back Pocket* holster, I guess I should come up with a fancy name, but that is descriptive.

[Watch-Six]

I have pocket holster carried small handguns for several years. I don't like too much bulk to the holster. I used to carry a S&W J frame in a Kramer pocket holster. It was very nicely made, but just too thick and bulky. I have leather holsters from NAA for my NAA Guardian, but usually I have had adequate service from Uncle Mikes pocket holsters. Not fancy, but they have worked well for me. Watch-Six

[riddleofsteel]

When I carry my MK40 I pocket carry about 50% of yhe time. Nothing beats it for a quick dash to the Stop and Rob for a bag of chips and some drinks or deep concealment when a waist mounted holster would be prone to print too much. It is also a great way to carry a backup gun.

http://yerfrockethellhound.com/pocketcarry.jpg

[Kentucky Rifle]

Yes. That's RJ's "Back Pocket" model. I try to never wear a suit or sport-coat (I know...I'm a heathen.), but when I have to, I carry just like you. RJ's Back Pocket model goes into the inner pocket of the jacket. I've got a black one for my Seecamp and a brown one for my Guardian with matching pocket "spare magazine" pouches.

KR
P.S. He's a nice guy. Send him an e-mail and tell him that you just forgot to order the mag-pouch and you want one. All he'll say is yes or no (I bet on yes), but I'm sure that he won't be offended. Southern guy, Southern manners. <shrug>

[WESHOOT2]

= want it now

No, RIGHT now.