Pocket carry bulge.

[Gato Montés]

I had been preparing diligently for the day Wisconsin got CCW. I have an assortment of pocket holsters (and regular holsters) for my Smith 642 that I bought and tried out before I actually had my permit, and all seemed well.

It wasn't until I found myself in a local retail chain that the bulge in my pocket really started to bother me; felt like everyone was eying the suspicious lump in my right side pocket. Most of that is just me getting used to the idea of carrying. I mean, you can obviously tell that there's something in my pocket, but the holsters do a good job of disguising that it's a gun.

It got me thinking though; how much bulging is too much? If anyone could post a picture of what their pants look like while carrying that'd be awesome.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

My pockets are always bulging, gun or not. I usually carry a wad of keys large enough to choke a goat, a phone, camera, gum, and so on. If people want to go around staring at the lumps in my pants they can imagine what they all they want.

 

[W.E.G.]

Belt holster and cover garment.

What is it with people thinking its a good idea to cram a handgun in a pants pocket?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

There is nothing wrong with the right gun in the right style pants pocket, IMO.

 

[Dr_B]

I don't like front pocket carry unless its with cargo shorts. If I have to pocket my J frame it is either in my back jeans pocket or in a coat pocket. That front pocket bulge probably looks like nothing to other people but it looks like a basketball to me.

 

[Gato Montés]

Belt holster and cover garment.

What is it with people thinking its a good idea to cram a handgun in a pants pocket?

That's not the question I asked.

 

[Averageman]

Welcome to the world of concealed carry.
Now quit being paranoid.
If you aren't a undercover Cop no one cares if you have "a bulge" or "print", more than likely they dont notice what color shirt you are wearing much less what is in your pocket.
Relax and enjoy it.

 

[wrs840]

Nobody notices but you. That will go away after less than a month of carrying. I carry a S&W 637 2-1/2"bbl in a Desantis Nemesis often, even in well-fitted jeans, even at family gatherings with hugs in abundance. Nobody notices.

The ONE time I've been sorta "busted" was with a LCP in a nice leather wallet holster in the right front pocket of dress slacks, by my 25 year-old nephew... We were discussing pocket-carry of iphones, and he pointed at my "other" front pocket and said "what's that?"

I said: "a journal". Blank stare. "A book". Blank stare. "I write stuff in it". "Oh. OK...", he said...

Inquiry over.

 

[theicemanmpls]

That's not the question I asked.

I pocket carry, IWB, and OWB carry. Nothing wrong with pocket carry. With loose fitting slacks it is no problem. S&W 442. For blue jeans, I pocket carry a 21A Beretta. Again, no problem.
I do clean the pistols montly. The pocket lint is always there. Btw, I use pocket holsters.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Most of that is just me getting used to the idea of carrying.

With that line, you answered your own question. Plenty of other objects that you normally put in your pockets will create a bulge, too. Try to think in terms of being unobtrusive and not "not even a hint." (Having said that, however, I find that the flatter automatics bulge less than a revolver's cylinder.)

 

[Stophel]

For some, pocket carry is pretty much the ONLY way to carry concealed. Inside the waistband? Are you kidding me? Both my pockets bulge anyway. Keys, change, pocketknife, box knife, etc.

 

[Gato Montés]

I knew I could count on you guys to snap me out of it. A couple more weeks and I'll probably get to the point where I forget I even have it on me.

For some, pocket carry is pretty much the ONLY way to carry concealed. Inside the waistband? Are you kidding me?

HEAR HEAR! Actually, I'd prefer to carry on the waistband, but when you're built like I am (uh, FAT, but I'm working on that...) and don't have the support of an ass to keep your pants up, a trip to Walmart can become a tricky affair indeed.

 

[Bubba613]

It wasn't until I found myself in a local retail chain that the bulge in my pocket really started to bother me; felt like everyone was eying the suspicious lump in my right side pocket

Maybe they had "ulterior" interests in the bulge in your pants? I dunno.

People don't see guns unless they are cops or other people carrying guns. People have so many black things hanging off their belts these days that another one isn't really going to arouse much suspicion.

 

[ACP]

I carry the gun the same way. Wouldn't change it.

How much bulge is too much?

I'd say if you can detect the roundness of the cylinder or the outline of the grip, you are either not using the proper holster, or the pants you are wearing are a) too tight b) don't have pockets deep enough or c) are made of an unforgiving material for CC.

You must somewhat adapt your clothing to your new permit. Try out different pants at some large, local chain store -- Sears, JC Penny, KMart, Target, etc. -- and pick a few that BOTH meet your seasonal/dress needs and have pockets loose and deep enough to a) not print your gun and b) allow for a good grip and draw on the revolver.

 

[Kendal Black]

Pleated pants, like Dockers, show less bulge than most types. Wear cargo shorts and you could hide a bazooka in there.

 

[Frozen North]

Nobody cares but you...

I just walked through the grocery store with my shirt hiked up over my OWB holster. No one noticed, if they did, they didn't say anything.

The paranoia will pass.

 

[kgpcr]

If anyone asks what the bulge in your pants is just tell them. "I am real happy to see you" that will shut them up

 

[Al Thompson]

Pocket carry all the time with a S&W J frame. Some stray thoughts:

Only thing in the pocket is the firearm. You do not want any stuff impeding your draw or getting wedged in the trigger guard.

Pocket holsters make things easier. Highly recommend.

Some pants are more suitable than others due to pocket construction. I don't wear jeans much anymore due to that issue.

Speed strips (load 4 or 5, not 6 cartridges) carry better than speed loaders, but are slower to reload.

A spare magazine is very prudent as somewhere around 90% of your malfunctions are magazine related.

Regardless of what you carry, a weekly brushing to get rid of the pocket lint (at least for me) is needed.

 

[Plan2Live]

I think my 17 year old son nailed it. After being similarly self-conscious when I first started carrying, my son commented that I had a concealed carry permit not an invisible carry permit. Gotta hand it to him on that one!

 

[Gato Montés]

I have another somewhat related question; when you guys packet carry in a coat pocket, do you still use a holster? All this talk about being able to shoot from the pocket implies that it's not necessary, so long there's nothing else occupying that pocket.

 

[Hangingrock]

Should someone ask tell them that’s the side you dress on

 

[Al Thompson]

P2L, good one. Sounds like he's coming along...

Nasser, coat pockets tend to be shaped a bit differently. More of a pouch than a bag, though YMMV.

I have shot through a coat (thank you Goodwill) and it works, though your shots tend to go low. Requires you to pivot away from your strong side so you can generate some slack in order to raise your POI to a good spot.

Pants, the pocket holster gives you a properly oriented platform to start your four count draw. Due to pants pockets being more rounded that jacket pockets, the firearm will tend to orient itself with the heaviest part down. Usually that's the butt of an auto and the cylinder of a round gun.

 

[zorro45]

Pocket carry

You can get a seamstress to modify the pockets on your pants by making them longer and heavier material, also spare mag pocket can be put in the left front pocket. For cargo shorts it helps to get the bulge behind the flap for the small outside pocket, this makes it pretty much invisible. Just tell her you have to carry a big marine radio in your pocket.

 

[wrs840]

Nasser, IMO pocket-carry (in any pocket) requires a holster that shields the trigger first and foremost, and it also slows lint/debris encroachment into the mechanisms. Both are crucially important.

 

[conw]

Is that a pocket pistol, or are you just happy the law changed?