A Little Help Here... Pocket CCW

I can put my Kangaroo Carry on in about 7 seconds. In goes my Kahr CM45. NO .380 in my pocket, No thanks. I'm much happier with a 45, but that's just me.

I paid $316 for my Kahr CM45

Here is what I have successfully pocket carried over the last 18 years. I always carry in a good pocket holster, never bare.

S&W chief special 1 7/8" model 36 also in a Desantis pocket holster specific to this model (leather). Kramer pocket holster horsehide

S&W 642 1 7/8" Kramer pocket Holster horsehide.

Keltec P-32 leather custom pocket holster made by me.

Ruger LCP .380 in a leather pocket holster custom made.

Colt Mustang Pocket lite .380 in a Kramer leather pocket Holster

Glock 26 in a Desantis pocket holster ( bigger pockets in pants! 5.11, or cargo jeans ) or levis with the largest pockets.

I pocket carry on a daily basis always unless in the PRNJ or NYC....

You need a good holster and belt the holster must be specific to the gun.
You need to select pants with larger deeper pockets when you buy pants. Pockets vary greatly. Some Dress pants have big enough pockets for the Glock.

batbag12 said:

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?

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Why would you feel you need 200 rounds out of a revolver before carrying it?

ACP said:

S&W 442 or 642, used. I carry TWO in the summer, left and right front pockets. That's 10 rounds without having to reload.

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New York reload except carried in both back pockets.

i would wait....chances are Remington will eventually release the RM380 in 9mm

I'm thinking a .380 is best for you. $300 or less is right around the mark where most of the popular .380's are. A lot of guys here have their favs, but here's a list to look at:

Ruger LCP Custom (The one with the red trigger and good sights)
Kel Tec P3AT
Taurus TCP
Kahr CW380 (this may break your $300 threshold, but it's close to it if you shop around)
S&W Bodyguard (this one has a manual safety if you're into that)

I don't think Remington's worth looking into or supporting. Also, if you're looking for something a little smaller that's a little less powerful, Kel Tec P32. Weighs under 7oz I believe.

'Pre-stage my hand on the gun'? Must be a psychic if you know when you are about to be attacked (or look like you are playing pocket pool all the time). Once again, handguns are for HOLSTERS, not POCKETS. And you physically can not draw from a pocket faster than a belt holster, period, especially if you are seated. And don't get me started on the folks who manage to shoot themselves in the thigh or buttocks when attempting to draw from a pocket.

Shootshellz said:

'Pre-stage my hand on the gun'? Must be a psychic if you know when you are about to be attacked (or look like you are playing pocket pool all the time). Once again, handguns are for HOLSTERS, not POCKETS. And you physically can not draw from a pocket faster than a belt holster, period, especially if you are seated. And don't get me started on the folks who manage to shoot themselves in the thigh or buttocks when attempting to draw from a pocket.

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First of all, the trigger finger isn't supposed to go in the trigger guard until the muzzle is on the target. Same with a hip holstered gun.

Personally it is difficult for me, if not stupid for me, to loop my finger in the trigger guard while the gun is in my pocket. The gun has to clear the pocket before I can do that, because of two reasons. One, my pocket holsters cover the trigger, two I have to keep my hand "slim" to draw the gun.

And if you think pocket holster carry is the only type of carry with negligent discharges, then you haven't searched around the internet enough.

I have a P32 or P3AT in a pocket holster in my back pocket at all times in the office. The P3AT less often because it has an Armalaser TR1 and is a bit more bulky. One can actually two of these pocket pistols rather easily or a NY reload.

I carry the Kel Tec .380 in a Desantis ruberized pocket holster. I've carried it for years. Small, light and handles nicely.

I probably carry my LCR more than my LCP and LC9s combined. The LC9 is much easier to shoot accurately the weight of the LCR is hard to pass up.
I will also add that far more than 200 rounds will be needed to really master shooting a lightweight snub.

LCP. PSA has them for two bills right now!

Why not just keep using the 19? If carried AIWB, it is easily carried under a tee shirt in the summer. I do it with a 17 all the time. If you feel the need to downsize, try a 26. At least that way, you still have a realistic gun.

'Pre-stage my hand on the gun'? Must be a psychic if you know when you are about to be attacked (or look like you are playing pocket pool all the time). Once again, handguns are for HOLSTERS, not POCKETS. And you physically can not draw from a pocket faster than a belt holster, period, especially if you are seated.

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I agree.

Its bad enough your hampering things choosing a "little" gun, but then to make it harder to get to and into action quickly, just seems like youre planning to fail. If you really think its the way to go, run some "realistic" drills and see how it goes.

QUOTE: "...'Pre-stage my hand on the gun'? Must be a psychic if you know when you are about to be attacked..."

You don't have to be "psychic" to have a little situational awareness about your surroundings and social interactions. And if you're wise enough to pay attention to the possible threats around you and heed waving flags, "pre-staging" your hand on a pistol in a pocket without betraying your intentions or capabilities, could well give you a couple of extra seconds in drawing your firearm and committing to self-defense.

No way you find a new LCR for under $300.

My pocket guns are

KelTec P3AT P-32 PF-9

PPK/s

Colt Mustang

S&W 36 , 49

sometimes a Beretta Jetfire.

Based on some of the recommendations some of you guys have great old big pockets! And must be wearing suspenders to carry all the weight! A .45 ACP for pocket carry???

Personally in jeans I find even my S&W 642 too big (thick). Generally for pocket carry it's either a KT P32 or P3AT, very slim and short. I also have Beretta and Browning .25's but I won't talk about those due to all the hate mail they generate.

I prefer my IWB and convenient or not I carry to the store, restaurant, church, everywhere I go except work. Kahr PM45 in a High Noon Split Decision. My friend pocket carries a LCP. I've shot it and I'm not very comfy with it. I can hit the target at self defense range but no groups. I group at 3" at 21' with my Kahr. I can draw and fire in 3 seconds. I might be able to do that from a pocket but my Kahr doesn't ride there.

browningguy said:

Based on some of the recommendations some of you guys have great old big pockets! And must be wearing suspenders to carry all the weight! A .45 ACP for pocket carry???

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Since only two of us mentioned a 45, I guess that's directed at me...

I dont pants pocket carry my Kahr CM45, but its certainly small enough to do so. Its effectively the same size and weight as the Ruger LC9. I do carry it in a jacket pocket in winter.

I struggled with pants pocket carry for a number of years, and was just never comfortable with it. I dont like wearing a belt, and dont have the correct shape that a belt is capable of keeping my pants secured at my waist. I tried suspenders to help with the weight of a handgun in my pocket, but that didnt solve the problem of the weight, and bulk of a decently effective handgun. A P32 was about my limit for comfort, and size/weight, but I didnt think 32acp was effective enough.

I carry my CM45 in a Kangaroo Carry. I keep it attached and adjusted to my size when I'm not wearing it, and because it has a bit of elastic at the closure, its easy to slip over my head, and when I get home, easy to wiggle out of. It take all of 7 seconds to put on, and then put my shirt on. It easily, and comfortably carries a much larger, and heavier handgun, than what can be pants pocket carried.

If your primary carry is a G19.......i would choose the G43........

same platform, so all the controls are the same, same caliber, can even use the same magazines.......and its easy to pocket carry.

My take on it would be an LCR or S&W J-frame for you.

There you have your primary concern of reliability covered well. It's also my choice due to the fact
that I can carry bullets with a cutting-shoulder on them. At short-barrel numbers, that's important to me
for effectiveness.

M-Cameron said:

If your primary carry is a G19.......i would choose the G43........

same platform, so all the controls are the same, same caliber, can even use the same magazines.......and its easy to pocket carry.

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Won't use the same magazines. G43 is a single stack