What Do You Carry?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Autodidactic said:
I heard that pocket carry can be faster in some situations. For example, in a coat pocket one might have their hand already holding the gun in a dangerous situation and able to either pull it quickly, or even shoot through the coat.
Click to expand...

True, but that is predicated on you seeing and/or recognizing the threat ahead of time, which certainly isn’t something I’d depend on. Also pulls one of your hands away, and probably your dominant one, from being able to be used to defend yourself from a blitz style attack, which may or may not be important.

Also, even IWB at 3 or 2 o’clock you could do something similar with a thumb hooked on the belt under the shirt and on the pant line. Still concealed but pulls almost 0.3 seconds off my draw (of course on a square range and not in a bad, dynamic, situation).

That said, when it’s real cold up here I do like the revolver in the winter coat pocket as an option for sure!
 
@ThomasT mentioned pocket carry- By far my favorite way to carry.

1) Ruger LCP2 - 380acp my lightest weight and smallest carry, for those hot and sticky days.
2) S&W 442 - 38 special my favorite carry, good balance of weight and power.
3) Taurus 605 -357 mag when you want a little more power.
4) Bond Arms Rowdy- 45/410 by far it has the most different loads available, but comes with the lowest capacity.
5) Taurus 415 - 41mag this requires larger pocket pants, but I have carried it. It is a better choice for pack carry or OWB.
 
ThomasT said:
Over the last week I have been trying several different guns for pocket carry. This is in honor of the new Texas constitutional carry law. So far from my selection I have carried a 442 in 38 special, a 431PD in 32 mag, Beretta 950 Jetfire 25acp and a Ruger EC9. Of all the Jetfire is hands down the easiest to carry. The EC9 is flat and fits well in a pocket but just doesn't slide in and out as slick as the snubby guns.

So I would like to hear what you guys have on you. Please don't turn this into a caliber war. Mention what caliber of your gun if you want but no put downs on others choices please.

I am also considering getting a Ruger LCP II in 22lr. I admit to being a fan of the 22lr for civilian use.

I am trying to stay away from belt carry and IWB. There is enough in my waistband now without shoehorning a gun in there too.
Click to expand...

Because it has been summer, I'm often carrying a Ruger LCP. However, I frequently pocket or pack carry a S&W 642 .38 special or Shield 9mm too. I'd say the latter two are really my main carries being out a full day.
 
Last edited:
These are my EDC (OWB/IWB, briefcase, and bug)....I like redundancy. The P365 is carried in a front pocket in a hard pocket holster that covers both sides of the trigger.

IMG_1225-2.jpg
 
ThomasT said:
I would love to have a TCP 32acp. I had the TCP 380 and didn't shoot it very well because of the recoil of such a light weight gun and the long trigger pull. But it rode in a pocket extremely well. So did the Kel-Tec 32 I stupidly sold. I stuck that one in my pocket when I got it way back in 2005 and forgot it was there. I went out to eat at a restaurant and stuck my hand in my pocket and found the gun. Oops! I had no legal carry back then but no one ever knew I was armed. And I shot that gun pretty good.
Click to expand...
I always wonder what happened before wide spread legal carry. I guess many just armed themselves anyways according to some stories?
 
Last edited:
ThomasT said:
Thank you. Yes I am mostly concerned with pocket carry. I have tried IWB and its not for me.
Click to expand...
I largely agree. I don't find IWB comfortable with all but the most smallest pocket pistols. For example, my new Tomcat .32, or an LCP, are comfortable IWB due to micro size. But subcompacts aren't very comfortable.
 
ThomasT said:
Your choice of a couple of 1851s would not be my first or second or even third choice but I am not here to criticize or question your choice. I will leave that to the resident self styled experts. So thank you for responding with an honest answer. I would like to see a picture of your 1851s if you get a chance to post one. I am sort of looking for an 1851 myself and started a thread in the BP forum on just such a gun. Have a look if you get a chance.
Click to expand...
One thing that opened my mind on this is in the Paul Harrel video on these black powder pistols, he mentions that some people live in countries where that is all they are allowed to own, OR, due to their legal history that is all they are allowed to own. I think he states that this is why the topic of their efficacy is worth covering. For some people it's their only option for a firearm.

Also, to your point, I'd love such a BP reproduction revolver one day.
 
Last edited:
I prefer pocket carry to anything else. The pockets I use are quick to draw from, and all but one are easy to draw from either sitting down or standing.

All of my carry guns are DAO (or a close equivalent). All of them are as close to snag-proof as possible.

I've had to wear bib overalls lately for medical reasons. The 44 special Charter Arms revolver fits in the bib pocket perfectly with its holster. It's my favorite way to carry so far.

In warmer weather (most of the year) I wear cargo shorts. My Ruger LCR 38 special is very light and doesn't weigh the pocket down. My long ape arms put my hand right on the grip when I reach down.

In cooler weather I prefer to carry my LCPII in the breast pocket of a flannel shirt or light jacket (or the LCR in the pocket of cargo pants).

If I'm walking the dog or something like that when I know I won't sit down, sometimes I carry my Taurus Model 85 in the back pocket of my jeans. It's a "rescue gun" that I gave some TLC to before I ground off the hammer spur.


Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special

Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special


Ruger LCR in 38 special

Ruger LCR in 38 special


Ruger LCPII 380acp

Ruger LCPII 380acp


View media item 3936
 
Autodidactic said:
I always wonder what happened before wide spread legal carry. I guess many just armed themselves anyways according to some stories?
Click to expand...
Round here, all the old men were/are armed. Anything from great-granddad’s hand-me-down Smith J frame that hasn’t seen fifty rounds it’s entire life, to Ruger LCP’s, and 4-3/4” SAA’s.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
Round here, all the old men were/are armed. Anything from great-granddad’s hand-me-down Smith J frame that hasn’t seen fifty rounds it’s entire life, to Ruger LCP’s, and 4-3/4” SAA’s.
Click to expand...
I know lots of owners that aren't really "gun people" don't shoot more than a box of ammo through their guns, but how did that J frame stay low count?
 
I have been studying the pockets on a couple of my pants and have been trying to figure out if there is a way to replace the soft, lightweight pocket material with a pocket made out of Denim or Canvas. It could also be shaped so that the barrel was in its own sub pocket so it would stay oriented without needing a bulky pocket holster.

My wife is a top notch seamstress and she said it would be hard to remove an old pocket and replace it with a new pocket. Too bad some clothing manufacture can't come out with a line of pants that had "Gun Pockets" already built in. I had a pair of Khaki shorts that had a pouch at the bottom of the right pocket that I am sure was added to hold a Flip Phone. The barrel of my snub 38 or Kel-Tec 32 fit perfectly in that little pouch and stayed right in place all the time.

IIRC it was the Old West lawman Dallas Stoudenmire who had leather pockets sewn in his pants to carry a couple of short barreled single actions.
 
ThomasT said:
I have been studying the pockets on a couple of my pants.....

........Too bad some clothing manufacture can't come out with a line of pants that had "Gun Pockets" already built in. I had a pair of Khaki shorts that had a pouch at the bottom of the right pocket that I am sure was added to hold a Flip Phone. The barrel of my snub 38 or Kel-Tec 32 fit perfectly in that little pouch and stayed right in place all the time.

IIRC it was the Old West lawman Dallas Stoudenmire who had leather pockets sewn in his pants to carry a couple of short barreled single actions.
Click to expand...

There are many manufacturers that offer concealed carry clothing/pants. Here are a couple: https://ccwbreakaways.com/ and /https://www.gunmann.com/concealed-carry-pants/.
 
Autodidactic said:
I know lots of owners that aren't really "gun people" don't shoot more than a box of ammo through their guns, but how did that J frame stay low count?
Click to expand...
A better statement would’ve been “probably hasn’t seen fifty rounds it’s entire life”. My brother-in-law’s mother has her fathers Mdl 36, that has been fired only twice. I’d imagine a lot of it comes from “It’s a revolver, it works.”

On the other hand, my father has my great-grandmother’s snub nose Iver Johnson 55S in .22LR that has been shot so much it’s dangerously close to being out of time and the barrel is very nearly shot out.... among other issues.
 
ThomasT said:
I have been studying the pockets on a couple of my pants and have been trying to figure out if there is a way to replace the soft, lightweight pocket material with a pocket made out of Denim or Canvas. It could also be shaped so that the barrel was in its own sub pocket so it would stay oriented without needing a bulky pocket holster.

My wife is a top notch seamstress and she said it would be hard to remove an old pocket and replace it with a new pocket. Too bad some clothing manufacture can't come out with a line of pants that had "Gun Pockets" already built in. I had a pair of Khaki shorts that had a pouch at the bottom of the right pocket that I am sure was added to hold a Flip Phone. The barrel of my snub 38 or Kel-Tec 32 fit perfectly in that little pouch and stayed right in place all the time.

IIRC it was the Old West lawman Dallas Stoudenmire who had leather pockets sewn in his pants to carry a couple of short barreled single actions.
Click to expand...

Just picked up some work pants from TSC that had large pockets with double material! Wife thought I was crazy when I found out. LOL went back and bought eight pairs in three different colors. Baggier than I wanted but other than that good to go. But might carry AIWB with the rest of the Tier One Operators, since they are cut big enough. But big enough and pockets are heavy duty enough to pocket carry my P365. But man that pistol is heavy in the pocket. Awaiting its shoulder holster.
 
LeftyRed said:
Just picked up some work pants from TSC that had large pockets with double material! Wife thought I was crazy when I found out. LOL went back and bought eight pairs in three different colors. Baggier than I wanted but other than that good to go. But might carry AIWB with the rest of the Tier One Operators, since they are cut big enough. But big enough and pockets are heavy duty enough to pocket carry my P365. But man that pistol is heavy in the pocket. Awaiting its shoulder holster.
Click to expand...
What was the brand?
 
I never pocket carry without a good pocket holster that covers the trigger.

A good, properly-sized pocket holster doesn't slow down the draw at all and helps keep the handgun oriented properly in the pocket.

And I seriously don't want to put any 38 caliber holes in my midsection because I got hung up on an oddly-shaped branch or something.
 
Taurus G2C for past 4 years or so. A60 for the 15 or so years prior to the G2C. Both function perfectly. No malfunctions at all......ever.
 
ThomasT said:
I have been studying the pockets on a couple of my pants and have been trying to figure out if there is a way to replace the soft, lightweight pocket material with a pocket made out of Denim or Canvas. It could also be shaped so that the barrel was in its own sub pocket so it would stay oriented without needing a bulky pocket holster.

My wife is a top notch seamstress and she said it would be hard to remove an old pocket and replace it with a new pocket. Too bad some clothing manufacture can't come out with a line of pants that had "Gun Pockets" already built in. I had a pair of Khaki shorts that had a pouch at the bottom of the right pocket that I am sure was added to hold a Flip Phone. The barrel of my snub 38 or Kel-Tec 32 fit perfectly in that little pouch and stayed right in place all the time.

IIRC it was the Old West lawman Dallas Stoudenmire who had leather pockets sewn in his pants to carry a couple of short barreled single actions.
Click to expand...
This doesn't quite address a pocket that is also a full holster, but recently I bought some 5.11 tactical pants that are built for carry. They are like suped up cargo or hiking pants. There is a mag carrier pocket, etc. The next level up of pants even has practically invisible inline knee pads.

ALWAYS BE READY (511tactical.com)

I got them as hiking pants and an alternative to jeans which I already have. They've worked great so far though for having a pocket gun and mag in the magazine pocket.
 
I am so glad I mentioned my crazy idea of adding heavy duty pockets to pants. You guys gave me some great ideas and links to pants that should do what I want already made and available for sale. I really like the one called "Proper Mens Tacticle Mens Pants" sold on Amazon. I like the canvas construction. I have always liked pants made of heavier material. Sort of like wearing Armour I guess.

We have a new TSC. I will check out their pants. I have read Duluth Trading Company has good CC pants and I think they have a store north of me up around Sanger Tx. I really like to try cloths on before I buy them. Plus my doctor gave me a new diabetes drug that is also a weight loss pill so I need to see where I stabilize at before spending a whole lot on clothing.

I used to do work for an old man many years ago that wore bib overalls for daily wear. It was a long time before I found out that the old fart had a 4" model 10 in his pocket everywhere he went. I never spotted it until one day he showed it to me. This was 25+ years ago way before any CC was allowed in Tx.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Who carries a pocket pistol?
2 3 4 5
Replies
115
Views
7K
Stevie-Ray
Stevie-Ray
cdahl383
  • Locked
New to holsters and carrying
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Father Goose
Father Goose
F
  • Locked
Single action pocket guns, what condition do you carry in?
Replies
7
Views
1K
10-Ring
1
David4516
  • Locked
  • Poll
.38 Super vs .357 Mag
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
20K
tipoc
tipoc
V
  • Locked
What do you carry?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
2K
jmace57
jmace57
Back
Top