A Little Help Here... Pocket CCW

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batbag12

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Hey all,

I carry a Glock 19 on a daily basis and have so for several years. It never gives me a problem 99% of the time. However, there are two situations where I find the Glock to be a bit cumbersome. In the summertime when shorts and T-shirt are almost an everyday thing and 7 o' clock at night when the wife tells me I need to run to the store to get something. I am just looking for something I can throw in a back pocket (hooked to a kydex trigger guard holster) and still keep perfectly concealed. My wife owns an LC9 that I have used for this purpose before but I find it to be a little too long and partially sticks out of my pocket.

I have decided it is time to find something more well suited to these situations and to buy it before summer gets here so I can be well versed with it. Just a few of my requirements.

1. Of course reliability is my #1 priority.

2. Since the pistol will only be seeing an absolute minimum of use I am looking for something relatively cheap. I am talking 300$ or less. Used or new doesn't matter.

3. I want something I wouldn't feel under gunned with. I feel comfortable with a .380 ACP but would prefer something bigger. Revolver or Auto, I don't care.

4. Something that will fit in a regular jeans pocket so 6.25" or less length. That is the smallest pocket I use. The closer to 1" width the better.

So I want to see if anyone has any experience they can pass on in looking for a pistol for this purpose. I have been looking at a few pistols but since the nearest real gun shop to me is over 100 miles away I have trouble getting hands on experience with them.

I have looked at Ruger LCR, LCP, Taurus TCP, small frame 85, Curve, S&W Lightweight, Glock 42, and a few others. Nothing I have enough experience to settle on just yet.

Any help would be great.

Thanks!
 
You might also want to consider the Remington RM380 and the Kahrs - PM9 / CM9, P380.

I pocket carry a Rohrbaugh R9 but they're expensive - in the $1,200 range.
 
Zerodefect, I was thinking about a little .38 +p revolver. I will probably only shoot this gun 50 times a year after my initial 200 round test so comfort in terms of shooting it a lot won't be a big concern. How does the little revolver conceal?
 
If a lc9 sticks out your pocket you have small pockets. Stick with the mini 380's. Also consider loaded weight. I'm happy with my s&w bodyguard no laser but you might not like the long trigger, that's the most common complaint. Glock 42 is the same size and larger than some 9mm subcompacts. Ruger lcr you will find is too large also. Kahr pm/cm9 will work but mine weighs 19oz loaded. Anything over a pound loaded gets uncomfortable for me after a while. But if I was going out after dark to a convenience store I would stuff my glock 26 or kahr cw45 and put on a cover shirt.
 
Since you are use to a Glock 19 why not look at a Glock 43. That is what my son did and he is happy with his choice.
 
If a revolver is to your liking, my every day carry is a S&W M442. I weighs only 15oz and does not print in my front pocket.

In your price range if you want a pistol look at the Kel-Tec P-3AT in .380 or the PF-9 in 9mm. All IMO of course. BTW, the .380 weighs only 8.9 oz and the 9mm a near 12.7 oz!
 
Kel-Tec P-3AT all the way. With the clip it literally disappears anywhere on the body. There is some .380 ammo out there that is no joke.
 
For beltless shorts i use the 3Speed Holsterfor my G19. I have worn this in bathing trunks at my neighborhood pool, with the grandkids (No I don't go in water, I just and watch grandkids play in pool) No one has ever given me a second glance.
kennydale-albums-ruger-sr40c-3-speed-holster-picture101340-glock-3speed.jpg
I also have one for my Ruger SR40C
kennydale-albums-ruger-sr40c-3-speed-holster-picture78063-icondraw-2.jpg
 
I agree Roscoe. If I go with a .380 I will be carrying the Underwood Xtreme penetrator ammo. That stuff is serious! As it sits I am thinking about an LCP but I am going to get into a Cabela's in a couple of weeks and go through as many different pocket guns as I can.

I have been looking at the Doubletap .45 ACP online for the last couple of hours. Does anyone have any experience with one of those? I imagine it kicks like a mule but I don't plan on shooting or carrying this pistol much. I will just shoot it for function checks every couple of months and carry it when my Glock is not ideal.
 
I front pocket carry a Smith 642 on occasion. Tough to beat for weight and comfort. I only front pocket carry in cargo shorts etc. I do have a friend that carries no holster pocket in the back Jean pocket for those grocery getter times. It doesn't print much, and it's an in and out kind of situation. The LCP does have me considering it given the advancement of .380 carry loads.
 
I care enough about other shooters to tell you that a .38 snubby is the smallest gun I'd carry if I could help it. Not here to start a caliber debate, but I want decent power and shootability in my primary carry gun with active shooter incidents on the uptick. Go try on pants and find some with bigger pockets, and an lc9 or even a Taurus millenium g2 (my current compact carry) will fit just fine
 
DO NOT carry your handgun in a pocket! You need to find a belt holster that will allow you a consistent, rapid, smooth draw without having to futz around fishing for your firearm that shifts around in a pocket! Plus if you are seated pocket carry is comparable to keeping your firearm at home. Pockets are for keys and combs, NOT FIREARMS.
 
In a .380 I like my KelTec P3AT for minimum pocket carry in the warm weather months. If I want something a little more upscale in caliber I go with my Kahr CM9 or my S&W Model 638.

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S&W 442 or 642, used. They're usually under $450 new, so you could likely get one for just over $300 used. With a good pocket holster, it is relatively invisible. It's also reliable and packs a good punch with +P ammo (i.e. Gold Dots). You just need to practice with it.

I carry TWO in the summer, left and right front pockets. That's 10 rounds without having to reload.
 
I carry a TCP and 85UL in their respective pocket holsters.

Out of the list you give, batbag12, I'd go with an LCP (or it's kin in autoloaders) or a snub nose revolver. My 85UL is good to go. My TCP took work to make it good to go and I can't recommend it.

EDIT: My 85UL was made hammerless, too. Just as Tallball mentioned on his 85UL.
 
Last edited:
Shootshellz said:
DO NOT carry your handgun in a pocket! You need to find a belt holster that will allow you a consistent, rapid, smooth draw without having to futz around fishing for your firearm that shifts around in a pocket! Plus if you are seated pocket carry is comparable to keeping your firearm at home. Pockets are for keys and combs, NOT FIREARMS.
Click to expand...

My everyday work clothing is a tucked in polo shirt with khaki type pants. My options are pretty much pocket carry or ankle holster carry. I chose pocket carry. It has limitations, but is still better than not carrying at all.

Now, for wintertime in situations in which I can keep a jacket on at all times, the shoulder holster with a larger gun gets the call.
 
For light clothing I carry my P3AT or my hammerless 85UL.

Basically a micro 380 or a hammerless 38 snub with a light alloy frame.

I just keep them in a pocket holster ready to go, and shove them into my pocket if I have a sudden short errand.
 
A Keltec P3AT is what you are looking for. I wear standard Levi's 505 jeans and the Keltec will disappear in my front and back pockets without an issue. I typically keep it in my back pocket opposite side from my wallet. I have a Kahr PM9 and it sticks out too far for carry in my back pocket and it does pattern some in my front pocket. I use some self defense JHP .380 ammo and I have no doubt it will do it's job if needed.
 
Shootshellz said:
DO NOT carry your handgun in a pocket! You need to find a belt holster that will allow you a consistent, rapid, smooth draw without having to futz around fishing for your firearm that shifts around in a pocket! Plus if you are seated pocket carry is comparable to keeping your firearm at home. Pockets are for keys and combs, NOT FIREARMS.
Click to expand...
I can not disagree more. Pocket carry may not be for you but I pocket carry all the time. I can draw as fast or faster than anyone carrying on a belt. Unlike with a belt holster I can pre-stage my hand on the gun without anyone noticing and if need be have it in service extremely fast.
 
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