Snubbie, too big for pocket too fat for IWB, how to carry?

[kgriggs8@yahoo.com]

I have been carrying a snubbie for several years on and off. I just have not found a comfortable way to carry one other than in a coat pocket in the winter. I want to carry my 638 much more often but even with a pocket holster, I can't carry it in a pants pocket. IWB is no better. What do you guys do that makes it comfy?

[scubie02]

the type of pants/shorts pocket makes a big difference--you will find it slips right inside some and disappears, and doesn't work with others. My j frames are fine with some shorts or cargo's or whatever, but not most of my jeans just because the pockets are too shallow for one thing. Pleated pants/shorts usually work better than non in my experience. I think it also helps to still wear a pistol belt for the added support so the weight doens't pull on the pants/shorts as much, but it's not absolutely necessary.

You could also try an ankle or belly band holster (neither optimal for speed in most situations but better than nothing, although I didn't love the one belly band one I tried) or maybe a crossdraw holster, but then if you are going to have a holster and cover garment, you might as well carry something bigger.

[popeye]

Try the S&W/Hogue "BANTAM" grips. I've been using regular issue magna? wood S&W grips with a Tyler T for 30 yrs.. Ths bantam rubber 1 piece makes a big difference.

[1BLINDREF]

I carry my 642 in an Apache Ankle Rig to work every day. While not the fastest draw, at least it's with you.

[mtnbkr]

I either carry mine in a pocket or in an OWB holster.

Chris

[MCgunner]

I can carry a snub just fine in a pocket with a boot grip and largish pockets of my carpenter's jeans. I bought "thunderwear" recently for my not so pocketable SP101 and it's proving to be worth the price of admission even though I think the price was a little steep. That 27 ounce gun with rather large Hogue on it is very comfy in the thunderwear and I carry my reloads in it, too. It also has a pouch for cash if I'm on a trip and carrying a few hundreds. Pretty neat rig. I like it better'n IWB, though it's a little slower to get to, especially seated. On a trip, I'll have the SP101 in there and probably my little Kel Tec 9mm in a pocket, though. I won't lack speed with SOMEthing. LOL Around here, though, I've left the pocket empty and not felt disarmed.

[Ric]

for IWB, try one of these from Hoffners. high ride but thin.
http://www.hoffners.com/min4a.jpg

I use it with an SP101.

[TOADMAN]

OWB Belt holster....I have lots of button down shirts that are designed to wear untucked (camp shirts)..

[Pistol Toter]

Carrying a gun is NOT COMFORTABLE! Now that said, I carry one every day of my life and for all but just the occasion employ a pancake style leather holster, a Bianchi 7L . To say, I don't know it's there, would not be true, but it is not a burden, it's not "uncomfortable", it's just there. If you are going to carry a firearm some adjustments must be made in wardrobe to accomadate the gun. It's a matter of fact, come to grips with it, carry in your pocket, under your arm, which still requires some allowance in shirt size; IWB which is a litle harder to see or OWB either way your shirt is going to cover your weapon. Again, I prefer the pancake which is high, tight and accessable with minimal bulk. Works for me. P.T.

[ronto]

I carry the DAO SP101 in a UM #3 pocket holster every day in my jeans front pocket. At first I thought I had a brick in my pocket...Now I hardly notice it...Just takes getting used to.

[Stainz]

I had an UM's Sidekick #4 for my AMT DAO .45 Backups... now, there was a brick! I traded them towards a new 696 & 296 over 4.5 yr ago. While the AMT's were common pocket carries in jeans, they were too-much in dress pants. The 296 just didn't fit properly in the Sidekick, so I changed the grips to UM's Combats and carried it in an 'Old World Leather' #33473 pancake holster - an UM's closeout special. I don't like belt toted holsters - so it didn't see much toting.

I discovered - via the infamous 'The 642 Club' thread here - Robert Mika's excellent holsters... my 296 was a pocket carry, with those OEM boots, of course. I also got a J-frame holster from him - so, a 642 was added last Feb. Believe me, the package - holster with gun inside - seems less than J-frame - or L-frame - alone! And, the holster can be 'adjusted' for proper concealment, with the enclosed hammer not a drag problem. It blends in so well, you think it's a wallet in my RH front pocket - which is where I had been carrying my wallet ever since I was in the USN overseas... Nixon was President. Oddly, only a few pair of my shorts have pockets that are too short for the 296 - yet, the 642 fits fine. I have one with me all of the time... even in church!

Stainz

[Richard Simmons]

I use a Renegade ankle rig for both my S&W M38 and or M49. Love it.

[The Lone Haranguer]

The thickness/diameter (bulge) of the cylinder makes the snubnose revolver a little bulkier than its short height and length would suggest. The cylinder tends to dig in when carried IWB, and they can bulge and be tight fitting in small pockets. But in large enough pockets - with a pocket holster to protect it and break up its outline - they are OK. Not being bound by a dress code, I prefer cargo pants and "relaxed fit" jeans. Also wear a belt even if you are not carrying it on your belt, as even lightweight ones tend to pull and drag your pants down.

[Papaster]

Comfortable is far less important than comforting. I'd rather feel my gun in discomfort, than forget it's there. However, there are modes that are more comfortable than others. For me the most comfortable is OWB in a slide Ambi KNJ holster http://knjmfg.com/id2.html that I picked up for less than $9. It is a great fit for my taurus model 85. I wear it about 4 or 5 o'clock un-tucked.

[Crow61]

I carry my S&W model 10 snubby in an uncle mike's nylon IWB holster. I just wear a loose fitting T-shirt or polo shirt. I also wear a tucked in T-shirt under to keep the grip from digging in and being directly against my skin.

I do have to readjust at times, but usually have no problem.

[medmo]

I know you said that you tried IWB and you don't sound to fond of the CCW method...... For IWB to be comfortable I have to wear pants that are +2 in the waist size. Also smaller non-rubber grips help out like Eagle Secret Service Grips.

[ArchAngelCD]

You might like a Speed Scabbard. DeSantis makes a very good Speed Scabbard which holds the gun close to the body so it conceals well yet it's still comfortable. http://www.desantisholster.com/002.html

Another option is a hard holster like the one Fobus makes. It too holds the gun close to the body and it's very comfortable. https://secure.fobusholster.com/cata...roducts_id=158

You can try an ankle holster.

I carry my M638 in my front pocket in a Mika holster and I also like the DeSantis Speed Scabbard too.

[Schwebel]

Have you tried carrying it at 1:30 in a IWB right before your hip bone? I find that if you can find a IWB with a little bit of a cant, it is comfortable and never "pokes" at me when moving around. Or what about a OWB, I have a Galco pancake with a nice thick belt, it works great.

I have carried on the ankle, but really don't ike it. While comfortable, it takes to darn long to get to the gun. If all else fails, get a shoulder holster.

[DAdams]

I have been pocket carrying for awhile and found that a slight trouser/short adjustment can make all the difference.
The holster itself is crucial as well. Mika round cut works well for me in most cases. I have a DeSantis Nemesis which sometimes works better.

Here is a thread on shorts and slacks in the 642 Club I put together. Perhaps it will help.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...rs#post3580879

Complete with photos.



642 With Mika Round Cut.

In fact my wife just called, she is at Gander Mountain stocking up on Columbia Lander pants as I am writing this.

[OBXMIKE]

My wife always picks out my pants.....she gets funny looks from the sales people when she tells them "I need a 38" waist, with pockets big enough to carry a gun....."

[curlyhoward]

I've been using pocket carry for a long time. I do my own modification on the revolver handle to make it more compact. If the pocket is too shallow you need an outside the pants shirt or something (always good anyway as it covers up possible gun outline) plus I wrap a bit of cloth around the handle so if the shirt blows up or something it just looks like a handkerchief stuffed in my front pocket.

[Jack2427]

I have been carrying professionally for 40+ years. I have developed the following formula; under 16oz(unloaded) it can be a pocket gun, over that is it a holster weapon. Included in holster weapon is a vest carry, BDU pocket carry, or jacket pocket carry. The forumla has never failed me. With the lightweights, a pocket holster is a must, there are lots of good ones available, the primary characteristic of the pocket holster is that is must hold the weapon available for presentation(used to call it draw) in the same position inside the pocket. I do not like IWB carry much either, but it is better than nothing. For a hideout, a belly band or ankle might be OK, but I am not fond of them.
My BUG for years has been a S&W 940, mainly for caliber compatibility with my BHP, or my Beretta(overseas govt contracts), or other situations where a 9 is necessary. When carrying a long gun, the BUG becaomes a real hideout, and In have gone as small as the KT P3AT, but its not a wheelgun, and I prefer a revolver for the last ditch stuff, always goes bang, several times. I have used the 940 on a concealed vest pocket, and a BDU pocket, but I do have a M37 and a 442 for true pocket guns.
It is all in how you address the problem, virtually all of the above opinions are valid, it just boils down to how you are most comfortable, both in the comfort of carry and the confidence in using the weapon from that position.

[Gordon]

Clip Draws eliminate the holster for waist band carry. Otherwise I'm with Stainz .

[GunNut]

I've been carrying my 340PD for the last 4 months in my front right pants pocket, in cargo pants/shorts.

I'd probably recommend adjusting your dress attire, rather than making the gun fit where it don't want to.

Steve