Self limited concealed carry

When I started junior high school I started dressing pretty much the same way every day. Blue jeans, black T-shirt, flannel shirt over the black T-shirt. That's how I dressed until I got out of high school. When I got out of high school I got in the habit of wearing jeans and a t-shirt and a Dickies work shirt over the T-shirt at work. Then I joined the army. BDU pants issue t-shirt BDU blouse over the issue t-shirt.

The point that I'm trying to make is that I got used to dressing with an overshirt. I've been dressing like that for 40 years and it just happens that the way I normally dress is conducive to concealing a handgun. So, is easy for me to conceal a full size handgun without making any drastic changes in my wardrobe.

BUT

I understand that not everyone dresses that way or is allowed to dress that way due to their unique circumstances.

If pocket carry is all your circumstances allow then pocket carry. I would pick an auto loader over a revolver for pocket carry if only because it's easier to reload but still carry something.

I would avoid the gimmick holsters like a Sneaky Pete because they look like exactly what they are but find what works for you and carry the biggest gun you can reasonably conceal.

Kleanbore said:

I said that once. Stop.

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I was posting my post while you were posting yours. I wasn't ignoring your instructions.

Kleanbore said:

Nice idea--when it works out,

That assumes that you know when that is "enough" and when it is not.

Extra ammunition? Do you really think that if a couple of thugs have put you in danger and are attacking you that you will have any realisitc of reloading before being overcome?

No one can do that.

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It's funny how folks with shortcomings, feel everyone else has those shortcomings.

As I said before, I am confident with what I carry. For some reason you feel a need to criticize and chastise my choices personally, even tho I respect yours. Get over yourself.

We all make our own choices. I carry a compact (mid sized) handgun in a IWB kydex holster just behind my right hip. It hides well wearing a loose fitting polo or T shirt. If I want to look a little nicer I wear a fishing shirt from Academy. I do have a smaller option for when that is not possible it is a 6 + 1 round 9mm micro. I am really thinking that I would like to have a double stack sub compact option in either 9 or 40. Now is not the time to buy in my opinion though. I am going to wait until after the election/first of the year & see if things settle down.

A Springfield XD-S 9 in a pocket holster fits real well in the “pocket” on the side of my Bible cover. It’s a big Bible though.

buck460XVR said:

It's funny how folks with shortcomings, feel everyone else has those shortcomings.

As I said before, I am confident with what I carry. For some reason you feel a need to criticize and chastise my choices personally, even tho I respect yours. Get over yourself.

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To add: It’s also funny how some folks with opinions and personal preferences seem to think everyone should have those same opinions and personal preferences.

We all have to make a compromise on what we carry and how it fits in with our lifestyle. I live in the armpit of the South so I dress and carry according to the combination of my personal comfort level, my comfort level with various weapons, the concealability characteristics of said weapons, and on and on and on.

I’ll go ahead and say it again. Get over yourself.

Geez. Let everyone take a breath and remember THR rules. I am just glad people carry no matter how they do. So long as it’s safe to do so.

I shoot an Airweight J frame a couple of times a month in practice...

They may be popular (usually right up to the point the new owner actually shoots them) but they also are not a beginner's gun and in reality, more of an experienced shooters gun, especially if you hope to make them work with what you have.

If you shoot them the least bit realistically, especially when you add, movement, a couple of extra subjects to the equation, etc, you figure out pretty quick, they dont carry enough ammo, and youre not likely going to be getting them reloaded in the moment either, and especially if you arent well versed at doing so, to the point of doing it without thought.

And the J frames are at the bigger end of the smaller guns. Things generally just get worse as you go down in size. And the smaller you go, the more you need to practice, and as realistically as possible with them, if you hope to at least have a chance with them.


This is worth reading.

Any concealed carry handgun sacrifices power, capacity, and shootability for concealment over a long gun, so the entire premise of concealed carry is accepting a significant degradation in ability to defend yourself with a firearm. We all draw the line somewhere.

AK103K said:

You'd actually stand out more if you didnt have a knife clipped to your pocket than someone who does. Thats just everyday attire.

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Same, around here. Even in church the man without a knife clipped to his pocket is in the minority.

defjon said:

Hand to learn a new way to shoot, gripping / choking up and use wadcutters that even kick less than 130 gr fmj. Carry 90 gr critical defense 38s (they're even pink! Lol) ballistic testing looks pretty good on those though. Fast accurate shot placement is everything, along with reliability so for me the J was worth the investment.

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Curious if you've timed and how quickly you get on target at 7 or 10 yards out of a pocket.

I know in my experimentation if I don't already have a hand in a pocket (which is a silly assumption, as when I need speed on the draw is not when I'm aware enough to have a hand on my gun) it's not tenths of seconds slower, it's seconds slower to get into and out of a pocket, even with big pockets and a decent holster.

defjon said:

If you're just a regular joe civilian a 5 shot j frame will solve 99% of the role of a self defense handgun, probably for your entire life.

The rest is largely fear, hubris maybe. Carry more if you want, train with the J and you're on your way. (it rhymes, so it's true)

A member on TFL said many years ago (Mike Irwin maybe?) his 380 auto or j frame was just the starting pistol for the fastest 30 yard fat man's dash in history.

A pocket gun keeps you humble and focused on the role of civilian concealed carry- getting you and yours out of harms way.

I can post links of plenty of stories of guys with glock 19s or others trying to intervene in active shooter scenarios and often doesn't end up well.

Can't (and I've looked) found any CIVILIAN cases where the lcp or j frame etc wasn't enough to end the criminal action for the person. Criminal may survive (like that case with the mom in Georgia, home invasion) but hostilities ceased and that is the goal for us unless youre LEO.

Pocket 380/38 or under... You're not likely to try that, and that's PROBABLY good. Get outta dodge, call the pros.

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I call bull on this whole post.

Where did you get your statistics? I could guess, but it wouldn't be very high road and I bet the moderators would chastise me.

I don’t own a pair of those half-leg jeans things, but, if I did have a pair, as shown in the OP’s photo, with a “relaxed fit,” I think could manage to tote a 4” GP100, AIWB, if I cared to do so. The T-shirt could be tucked; I would blouse that apparently full-cut T-shirt over the grip. Yes, I would look “frumpish,” and would probably be affecting a stooped old man manner, to assist in the drape of the shirt’s fabric.

I am not saying that I do carry a 4” GP100 AIWB, with the shirt arranged as described above, but I could, because I have done it, a time or two. I would rather wear a closely-fitted shirt tucked, with the weapon outside the trousers, and a loose, full-cut shirt worn un-tucked, over the weapon.

I love the Snubbies and the Pocket guns. Really do not care what some internet guys say on this forum. Usually the same people. They are entitled to their opinion, but remember they are just internet posters ;like anyone else. And no. they do not know another persons skill level. And they are not experts. The thing is, if they are not competent with a snubbie, or pocket gun, then I do suggest they carry something else. Way too much judgement going on here.

If any Snubbie fans are out there the ROSCOE club just released a bunch of new Videos with the Snubbies. (The Snubbie Summit) featuring films
from The Snubby Summit organized by Andy Stanford are now available! Incredible lineup of the snubby masters sharing their insights: Massad Ayoob – Role of the Snubby for Cops Wes Doss and many more.
Great training videos, etc. Staff-Claud Werner Grant Cunningham, and others. Great resource.
https://www.imwithroscoe.com/news/

Years ago I knew a fellow that was know to CC a double barreled 12ga with a just barely legal barrel length, he was also know to wear a real leather duster/trench coat year round, in AL. Can’t isn’t the right word.

I’ve also pocket carried a W. German Sig P220 on more than one occasion, obviously those pants had huge pockets.

No matter what, carry what you want how you want and don’t bother to justify your decision to anyone. You’re the one carrying the gun, so who cares what others say.

DeepSouth said:

Years ago I knew a fellow that was know to CC a double barreled 12ga with a just barely legal barrel length, he was also know to wear a real leather duster/trench coat was ear round, in AL. Can’t isn’t the right word.

I’ve also pocket carried a W. German Sig P220 on more than one occasion, obviously those pants had huge pockets.

No matter what, carry what you want how you want and don’t bother to justify your decision to anyone. You’re the one carrying the gun, so who cares what others say.

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Well said! And become Proficient with what you do carry.

It's really all quite personal at the end of the day. Do the work, do the practice so you can have a REALISTIC assessment of your ability on a given platform.

Situation may also dictate which smaller gun you tote (as well as how).

When I do armed security for church, I tend to go with a hellcat (or ec9 before I picked up the HC).

These threads are always a predictable hoot of a dust up.

• "Why don't you carry a bigger gun?"
• "I don't like to/physically can't"
• Someone posts a picture of a duty pistol shoved 4" deep into their crotch and claims its comfortable.
• Someone brings up a j frame or .380 as being good enough 99.99999%
• Much gnashing of teeth of how they are going to get killed.
• "I live in a war zone and need a howitzer/I live in a Mayberry and our deputy only gets to carry one bullet"
• Pocket gun guy shrugs and makes claim he can put 7 rounds in a tea saucer at 25 yards while running and is lying.
• "It's not the odds, it's the stakes!"
• "Well if 5 beans in the wheel worked for my great granddad, then why won't it work now?"
• "Well, a Glock 21 and 4 magazines really doesn't weigh much more than an lcp.."
• "You're stupid!"
• "You're stupid!"
• *Angry hissing as everyone retreats to their camps sure in their superior debate skills*

Wait about 9 days, repeat thread.

I'm a big baby. I dont like carrying heavy guns. I whistle past the graveyard daily with nothing more than a pocket gun or even just a NAA in my pocket. It may get me killed, but at least my back doesn't hurt when I get home and I dont have to worry about upsetting my customers who wonder why the contractor is packing a heater (work attire for me is 8 days a week. As a business owner, it just is).

When I go out into the wilds, I pack a powerful revolver. When I go to the cabin, I find a 12 gauge is easy to keep within reach. However, when I'm out walking around, it's rare I have more a pocket gun. Truthfully, I spend more effort and time picking out my pocket knife for the day than worrying about how I'm going to dress around my gun.

I dont really care what you carry. Im happy that you're happy. Live by the gun? Rock on, you beautiful person. It's just not my thing, and I unabashedly carry a pocket .380/.38/(gasp!) .22 magnum because it is comfortable and better than nothing.

It is a constant theme on the High Road. Anyone with that carries a Pocket gun or Snubbie is always having to put up with the same crowd that wants to put them down. There use to be a time when folks could enjoy what they carry and not have to always go on the defensive from those that disagree. And the sad part is that some of these folks are moderators. And if a pocket gun enthusiast does put up a target or express what they are capable of, they are basically called a liar in so many terms. I have always said, it would be nice to have a separate Forum for Pocket guns and Snubbies that would be a safe haven from these antagonist. You do not like pocket guns or snubbies then just do not go on the forum, that simple. Let people have the freedom of choice. No one should have to go on the defensive for what they choose. And I have news for you, there are millions of people that shoot and carry pocket guns or Snubbies. Smith and Wesson has been selling the 642 by the millions and have heard they sell that gun more than any others. I belong to a group of folks that do meet and train with them and Yes, they can do wonders with them but none dare to post about the skills they are capable of. The funny thing is, most of us that love this small barrel guns, own and train with other defensive weapons as well and we even carry them. We enjoy both.
Sadly, I do not think it will change here. This is a great Firearm Forum and a lot of great folks. And I realize that we should not shoot all the dogs because a few have fleas.

Fiv3r said:

I dont really care what you carry. Im happy that you're happy. Live by the gun? Rock on, you beautiful person. It's just not my thing, and I unabashedly carry a pocket .380/.38/(gasp!) .22 magnum because it is comfortable and better than nothing.

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Agree!
We don't all live on the mean streets.
I comfortably carry edc.

Armored farmer said:

Agree!
We don't all live on the mean streets.
I comfortably carry edc.
View attachment 944012

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And not only that, but many of us actually enjoy shooting them. Love the challenge they give. I would rather shoot a pocket gun or snubbie (and Micro 9mm's) than any guns I own. That said, I think there is a time in the near future when I will just quite posting about them. Just causes to many problem here.

A big closet is a great place for a big safe and they work the same. Over time it fills up and you notice the things you like are not always the things you wear. Then you have to decide to make yourself wear them, make space to get something else or you can admire them in their storage space because you love them too much to sell.

Ernie Bass said:

It is a constant theme on the High Road. Anyone with that carries a Pocket gun or Snubbie is always having to put up with the same crowd that wants to put them down.

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Not putting them down, I have a number of them and shoot them regularly in practice. Simply questioning the choice of them as a "primary gun", based on my actual experience with them, and pointing out that you dont have to limit yourself, if you dont "want" to. To me, they are specialty guns with a more narrow use. I see them as a back up gun, not a primary gun.

You guys seem to be the ones butt hurt, when some of us question that. Thats all. Carry what you want, I really don't care.

What I do care about it, regardless of what you carry, is that people actually put in the time and constant effort to be the best that they possibly can be with what they choose, so if they should happen to decide to start shooting, they can actually afely get the gun into action under stress and hit what they are trying to, and not just throw rounds in that general direction in a panic and be as much a danger to everyone as the bad guy.

99.5% of what Ive seen at the various places (other than combat type courses) Ive shot at over the years has been, people dont shoot the least bit realistically in practice and think just because they can hit a bullseye somewhat regularly at fairly close distances, a couple of times a year, they are all set. That to me, is pretty friggin scary!