The pocket draw

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So as not to highjack the thread on pocket carry, I have a question for all you pocket carriers (of which I am one-both as backup and primary).

I often carry a Ruger LCP in a Mika pocket holster. (I ALWAYS use a pocket holster when carrying.) I can grasp the gun and draw it fairly efficiently. For my Kahr MK9, it becomes so big that it is hard to grasp for a draw. Likewise for the Ruger LC9 that I have tried. I see others carry Kahr 9's, even 45's, certain baby Glocks, etc in the pocket.

Perhaps my trouble is a small pocket, big gun & big hands-don't know.

Please give me some pointers on how you grasp and draw your pocket-FULL gun. Especially, do you try to get a 'shooting grip' on the gun while in the pocket or 'two-finger' it out then rearrange to a shooting grip?

Thanks.
 
It just depends on the gun's relationship with the pants.

In khaki pants that I wear for work, I can pocket draw a snub nose revolver slicker than snot while standing. The hammer spur has been removed to make that draw consistent under stress. If I wear jeans, sometimes I can carry the snub nose revolver and sometimes I have to move to the smallest gun I have (NAA .32ACP Guardian). Even then it depends on the jeans pockets, because in some I can draw fairly quickly and others, not so much.

In those khaki pants while standing, I can get a full grip on the gun when drawing. Same goes for most of the jeans I wear. I try to not wear the jeans that restrict my draw to a partial grip. Same goes with the gun choice of the day. I pick the gun I can get the best grip on coming out of my pocket.

What makes the larger "pocket" autos harder to get out quickly is that hunk of slide and frame above the palm of the hand. Snub nose revolvers are relatively banana shaped compared to auto loaders and that helps tremendously with pocket draw.

I do have a friend of mine that wears the tight cowboy cut jeans pocket carrying an LCP. He has to pull the pistol out with a finger and thumb then re-grip. I can out draw him every time with a ready to fire gun in most pants I have and I don't have to be fast to do that.
 
I pocket carry a LCP and a Taurus 740 slim (roughly about the same size as the aforementioned Kahr and LC9). I carry both in Desantis Super Fly holsters, usually without the shield (dress pants works better w/ the shield). The Taurus won't work in all pockets, too bulky for some situations.

I draw the LCP by putting my hand on the grip and pulling it out, easy as pie. The Taurus I put my pinky and ring finger around the butt and my thumb on the top of the rear sight (which protrudes about 3/8" above the top of the pocket holster). Keeping my thumb on top of the sight/slide enables me to guide the Taurus out of the pocket without snagging the slide in my pocket on the way out. I can settle my grip in one fluid motion with one hand as the Taurus clears the pocket - pointer on the slide above the trigger (or on the trigger as the situation demands) , middle finger drops down on grip, thumb wraps around the opposite side.

David
 
Oh Come On Guys, It's not rocket science guy, in the highly unlikely event you are actually attacked by a bad guy or a maverick lump of ballistic gelatin just grasp the GRIP that's why it is called that and point the end where the bullet comes out at at the attacker and pull the BANG SWITCH. Simple as pie and no mystery to it.

If you don't want to be a gelding and continue to have a sex life that does not include guns then keep it in a pocket holster that protects the BANG SWITCH. That's what they are designed for.
 
w2fnt said:
Oh Come On Guys, It's not rocket science guy, in the highly unlikely event you are actually attacked by a bad guy or a maverick lump of ballistic gelatin just grasp the GRIP that's why it is called that and point the end where the bullet comes out at at the attacker and pull the BANG SWITCH. Simple as pie and no mystery to it.

If you don't want to be a gelding and continue to have a sex life that does not include guns then keep it in a pocket holster that protects the BANG SWITCH. That's what they are designed for.
Click to expand...

Yet another useless post, by you w2fnt, that adds nothing to the thread starter's question. :barf:
 
chicharrones said:
It just depends on the gun's relationship with the pants.

In khaki pants that I wear for work, I can pocket draw a snub nose revolver slicker than snot while standing. The hammer spur has been removed to make that draw consistent under stress. If I wear jeans, sometimes I can carry the snub nose revolver and sometimes I have to move to the smallest gun I have (NAA .32ACP Guardian). Even then it depends on the jeans pockets, because in some I can draw fairly quickly and others, not so much.

In those khaki pants while standing, I can get a full grip on the gun when drawing. Same goes for most of the jeans I wear. I try to not wear the jeans that restrict my draw to a partial grip. Same goes with the gun choice of the day. I pick the gun I can get the best grip on coming out of my pocket.

What makes the larger "pocket" autos harder to get out quickly is that hunk of slide and frame above the palm of the hand. Snub nose revolvers are relatively banana shaped compared to auto loaders and that helps tremendously with pocket draw.

I do have a friend of mine that wears the tight cowboy cut jeans pocket carrying an LCP. He has to pull the pistol out with a finger and thumb then re-grip. I can out draw him every time with a ready to fire gun in most pants I have and I don't have to be fast to do that.
Click to expand...
I like the fact that your pants and your gun have a relationship. Now talk about thread deviation. You seem to be a world renowned expert on everything up to and including relationships of inanimate objects. Give it up guy. You pull your pants on the same way I do. One leg at a time.
 
Well, I suppose I should have responded in a different way to you w2fnt. How about a rewind and this as my response?

When you pocket carry a concealed handgun, what combination of clothing, gun, and holster works well for you? Do certain combinations make drawing from your pocket easier or more difficult? In you case what is your favorite gun to carry in your pocket? Any reason for a favorite, whether it is due to style or function.
 
I totally agree with Chicharrones post #2.
That mirrors my exact experiences.
And I can definitely pull my Smith M 37 much faster than I can my Diamondback .380 or Khar PM9.
And the Khar a bit faster than the .380 due to the bigger grip.
Fortunately most of us wont have to be a Matt Dillion type if trouble comes our way if you do your best to pay attention to what's going on around you.
 
I like the fact that your pants and your gun have a relationship. Now talk about thread deviation.
Click to expand...

I really don't think you quite understand the varied meanings of the term relationship ...
 
I only pocket carry while on duty. I keep my LC9 in a pocket holster in my left rear pocket it. And my M&P 45 on my right hip. If one arm is incapacitated I can use the other to get to a weapon. It is not easy to draw, but if I am needing a back up gun I am already screwed.

If not on duty, I carry the lc9 IWB, strong side. I can not do pocket carry comfortably otherwise.
 
Sorry if I'm misunderstanding but whenever I draw my DB380 from pocket, the holster always comes with it. So, I've got this really slow three step motion (draw with right in near firing grip, discard holster with left, slap left hand on top of right or just fire one handed) Am I missing something?
 
I pocket a Glock 26 at times. I only do it with cargo pants or it takes me ten minutes to draw. The key element in pocket carry is a pocket pistol. Subcompact autos may fit in your pocket, but they are not pocket pistols. P-3at and LCP are pocket pistols. They will fit in most pockets most of the time and the draw can be done smoothly.

You need baggy pants to carry a larger pistol.

A proper pocket holster is also critical. I HATE anything made of leather! I am a big fan of the DeSantis Nemisis holster. It is nice when they have that "foot" on the bottom of the holster. You can use the back of your middle and ring finger on this foot to help push the holster off.

I think of it this way...

Sometimes I can get away with stuffing my G26 in my pocket.

Most of the time I can get away with stuffing my Bersa .380 CC in my pocket.

I can always fit my LCP in my pocket.

I usually find it easier and more comfortable to hang the Glock on my belt, and that is how I carry most of the time.
 
Frozen North,I was wondering why you dislike the leather pocket holsters?

DoomGoober,what kind of holster are yopu using for your Diamondback?
I am using an RKBA leather holster in my DB.
 
Because leather does such a nice job gripping the gun! That is why we use it on belt holsters. I have owned several leather pocket holsters, they all seemed to have some retention to them. They were all a pain to get the gun out of no matter how I tried to break them in. My ideal pocket holster covers the gun well, but does not grip it at all. This is a tall order from any material! Leather seems to soak up sweat much more than the rubberized holsters like the nemisis. The gun can really hang up if the leather is damp.

I just feel that there are much better materials on the market to make a pocket holster out of.
 
DoomGoober said:
Sorry if I'm misunderstanding but whenever I draw my DB380 from pocket, the holster always comes with it. So, I've got this really slow three step motion (draw with right in near firing grip, discard holster with left, slap left hand on top of right or just fire one handed) Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Yes, you are missing a holster that doesn't come out with your gun. Check the Desantis Nemesis or Super Fly models. The gun slides out of the holster easily, the outside of the holster is made of tacky material that holds the holster in the pocket. A little gentle side pressure as you draw sticks the holster to your pocket/leg, the gun pulls clear easily and cleanly.

David
 
With large enough pockets like those of cargo pants, as well as a Mika pocket holster, I was able to get a full grasp on my Kahr PM9, and I have medium-sized hands. The square rear of the slide and the prominent rear sight are not quite as easy to draw as the more rounded contours of a concealed-hammer revolver. Nevertheless, with the right combination of gun, pocket and hand size, draw from a pocket can be quite fast, especially if you get to start with your hand already on the gun.
 
The only time I pocket carry is with slightly baggy cargo shorts. They tend to have big enough pockets for my sr9c. However, its not too hard to see that its a gun if you knew what you were looking for. Big pockets are your friend.
 
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