642 as a pocket gun - I don't get it?

[dave3006]

I went to a local gunstore today to try a S&W 642 as a front pocket gun in Dockers pants. I normally carry my Glock 27 IWB when I wear Levis. I would like something for when I have to "dress up".

I don't get it.

They let me put the gun in my front pocket. However, anyone who is paying attention would easily be able to see the butt of the grip through the opening of the pocket. Dockers pants have the pocket opening at an angle, not straight across. I did not have a pocket holster. However, I would expect that the holster would make things worse. The pocket is just not deep enough to conceal the gun. I guess you could use a handkerchief or something. But, that would interfere with your draw.

I hear everyone refer to this as a pocket gun. What type of pants are you wearing? The 642 is actually longer than my Glock. Neither seems right in a front pocket role.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Dockers are made by Levis, correct? Levi is anti-gun. There's your answer. My 642 fits in all my pants, even dress slacks. You need some pants with real pockets.

 

[JoeHatley]

Jacket pocket, vest pocket, back pocket...



Works great!!

Joe

 

[jdl357]

I like shorts or pants like these. I can easily carry a j frame without detection.

 

[JNewell]

anyone who is paying attention would easily be able to see the butt of the grip through the opening of the pocket

Yes -- but it's easy to find pants with pockets on the seams, rather than at an angle. You need to look for pants with that type of pocket style to make this work, at least that's been my experience.

 

[Old Fuff]

I buy my pants at places like Target or J.C. Penny's, and make sure the pockets are deep enough to conceal a gun. You'll often find that the lesser known brands are better then the big names.

Besides having deep enough pockets, effective pocket carry requires a top-quality holster to go with the gun.

If you buy the right kind of pants (for any occasion) with deep enough pockets and match the revolver to a good holster you'll find pocket carrying a 642 or similar C.I.A. Taurus is easy.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

I wear Kahki's, usually Ralph Lauren and Old Navy. No problems.

Funny, not sure if RileyMc is serious or not, but the only pants that I can't get them into are my 1 pair of Levi's Jeans! Everything it works great.

 

[kngflp]

I just tried on some dockers last week and they fit real funny, the pleated fronts bloused out pretty bad with a gun in the pocket. I usually wear old navy cargo pants and shorts and I pocket carry a kel tec p-11 or recently a Taurus 650, but as I grow closer to graduation, graduate school, and a real job some slacks are in order. My problem has been that the material of most slacks is thin and I print badly. I need to get a pouch type pocket holster.

 

[flip180]

if you buy a Milt-Sparks pocket holster, you'll be able to conceal it in any pair of pants or shorts reguardless of the type of pockets it has.

Flip.

 

[SnWnMe]

Not a carry I would recommend but an Uncle Mike's clip on IWB holster (looks like a piece of felt with a clip) will allow you to clip the gun to your undies in the 1200 position. It's held in place by your pants or shorts. It does not print at all. You can even walk around without a shirt on as long as your undie's waistband rides below your beltline.

 

[Kestrel]

Riley - good analysis on the Levis! I don't buy them either...

Dave - try wrapping the 642 with a sheet of newspaper and put it in a brown paper lunch sack. Then stuff it in the pocket and it shouldn't be visible...

Just kidding.

A 642 has fit fine for me in khaki shorts, khaki pants of various brands - even sweat pants and gym shorts. Just try it with some other brands and cuts.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have tailored suit pants it fits in and cargo pants, khakis, non tailored dress pants, shorts, jeans (Sonoma and Lee have bigger pockets than Levis). The pants also have to be somewhat loose fitting, they can't be skin tight.

The secret is that you have to check the pockets when you buy the pants to make sure that the gun will fit comfortably, I always buy mine big enough to carry my glock 26 in a DESANTIS NEMISIS. That means I have to carry when I go shopping, which is not a problem since I always carry.

I have had the tailor at the local dry cleaner sew a bigger pocket in a couple of suits I have, IIRC she charged me $10 to put a whole new right pocket in. You also still need a good stiff belt to hold those pants up even with pocket carry.

 

[HiWayMan]

What Master Blaster said. If you need to, extend the pocket. Even a denium pouch type pocket sewn into a pair of slacks works well. The heavier pocket material cuts down on printing.

I wear BDUs and I haven't had a problem with the grip sticking out, provided the piece is outfitted with a two finger grip. I also use a Uncle Mikes IWB as a pocket holster because the clip breaks up the profile, and the clip pushes the grip to the center of the pocket opening so it is easier to grasp quickly. I also use a Mika Pocket Holster like jdl357 has pictured, which I find somewhat bulky, but very effective.

 

[Morty76]

If you have a Belks department store near you get a pair of Guyz brand jeans. They have very deep pockets and the opening is cut at an angle. I can fit my Browning HP and it's holster in the front pocket of those jeans. It swallows my 642 perfectly.

 

[nitesite]

Are your grips like these:

or these?

The latter conceal in all but the most top-opening pockets.

 

[lesjones]

Like others have said, check the pants before you buy.

Columbia has some nice-looking khakis that have a second, zippered pocket behind the main pocket. The slimmer boot grip is easier to conceal, but I use lasergrips, and they work fine with this setup.

 

[Penman]

Dockers tend to have shallower pockets than some of the other clothing brands.

 

[fiVe]

So far, I've only pocket-carried in jeans, but I've had absolutely no problems.

 

[roo_ster]

I wear a lot of Old Navy cargo shorts/pants as well as their baggiest blue jeans. No problems.

Also, my suit pants (Nordstroms), wool sport slacks (Men's Warehouse), and khaki pants (Eddie Bauer) all work with my Taurus 651/Uncle Mikes #4.

I rarely carry my Kel-tec P32 since I bought my Taurus snubbie. 5x.357mag > 8x.32ACP.

The Kel-tec P32 get worn more as BU to my full-size SW1911 (with spare mag).

 

[Rangie]

Wrangler Jeans 13MWZ have just enough pocket depth to cover a 642.

 

[Clemson]

Guys, I wear Dockers to work virtually every day. I find that they have deeper pockets than most other pants. I pocket carry a Centenial model S&W (model 342) with the original S&W boot grips in those pants all the time, and I have never, ever been "made."

Clemson

 

[sloman]

Dang! YOu guys have some big pockets

I don't know how you all do it, I have tried that with my j frame and it feels like a big wad in it flopping around! Then, drawing while seated in a car is a pain! Well, to each his own!
Sloman

 

[Clemson]

Nope! It won't work well for seated draw -- car or otherwise.

Not all J-frames are created equal. Pocket carry is very comfortable with a 342, tolerable with a 642, and impossible with a 640. It all has to do with the weight of the gun. An 11 oz gun carries better than a 16 oz gun, etc. Pocket carry also assumes a good (preferably leather) pocket holster to hold the gun in position.

Clemson

 

[Jack2427]

Been lugging hardware around for over 40 years. Come by a couple of good formulas for hideout guns:

1. Under 16 oz, will work in a pocket rig, meaning in a pocket holster or a designed pocket.

2. Anything heavier needs an belt or other supported holster carry (shoulder, vest etc..).

Spent the last few years as LE/security trainer in various places, S&W 442 favorite pocket gun, and 940 for other carry(for reasons of ammo availability). Fortunatley wore a tactical vest most of the time and the 940 was well carried concealed as a BUG, never needed it for that, but it felt good. Thought about the better punch of a 357 snub, but in the end had to bow to convenience of ammo availability. BTW 38 special ammo is usually available most places, but not in the varity and specialty types we are used to in USA.

 

[Newton]

Sorry, it still looks like you have an orange in your pocket, especially if the 642 is in a holster (and of course it needs to be).

I have seen a LOT of people who are obviously carrying something bulky in their front pockets here in Arizona, I always reason that it's a firearm, even if it's actually something else, and that's the point.

You are probably being "made" and don't even know it. People don't walk up to you and say "Hi, is that a 642 in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me". I see guys who carry EXTERNALLY here, and people don't walk up and ask them about their gun, go figure

Don't get me wrong, I would rather carry a 642 than my P-3AT (which is what I actually carry in my front pocket) but revolvers were called belly guns for a reason.