A question for pocket carriers

[Rat Robb]

Just as the poll asks.

I never use a holster, just slide my S&W 442 into my pocket and go. But last weekend a friend of mine, whose opinion I value, said that I should get a pocket holster in case something gets hooked on the trigger. I wear Dickies work pants/shorts or jeans 99.9% of the time and never saw this as a problem.

Just wanted to see what the masses had to say.

Thanks,

-Robb

 

[M-Cameron]

probably a good idea.....pocket holsters are cheap, treatment for a bullet wound in your thigh because your keys accidentally looped around the trigger, is not.

also helps to keep lint and junk out of the gun.

it also looks better if you are questioned by an officer if you have some form of holster, as opposed to just tossing it in your pocket.

 

[quatin]

Always use a holster.

 

[doc.lonestar]

Ruger LCR pocket carry - I used to carry in a Blackhawk! #4 but now prefer leather pocket holsters. I never liked the feel of having my LCR in my pocket without it. while confident that nothing will happen without one, it just gives me a little more peace of mind.

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't use a holster when pocket carrying, mostly because if I'm pocket carrying, it's no more than the 80 ft to my trash can or mail box. Other than that I tend to carry IWB.

 

[Big Boy]

Pants material is loose and can let things get into triggers. Leather doesn't so easily bind and will keep things out of that area.

I walk to my car every morning pocket carrying WITHOUT a holster. But that's because I can't have it at work, so after the walk to the car it stays in the glove box. If I carried in pocket for any real amount of time a holster would be 100% necessary

 

[HGUNHNTR]

It is the law here in Georgia, but I would use a holster even if it weren't.

 

[Axel Larson]

No I do not use a holster but I only pocket carried once, when a friend let me barrow one of his guns.

 

[MJ_ATL]

I always use a holster for pocket carry for three very important reasons...

1. Safety - I carry a Kahr PM9 and having the trigger covered is mandatory in my mind
2. The holster breaks up the profile of the gun and it looks like a wallet in my pocket.
3. Georgia Law requires a holster for anyone carrying a gun.

 

[Tinpig]

I always use an Uncle Mike's soft pocket holster when I'm carrying a snubby.

It protects the trigger and finish, breaks up the revolver's outline and keeps it more secure.

Tinpig

 

[FrogDog22]

I pocket carry with a holster. I like that the holster keeps my gun in a consistent position. My little 380 has room to roam otherwise.

 

[BADUNAME37]

One would think.......

We all hope nothing ever happens when we are carrying, none of us want an accidental-discharge.

I would think that, should there ever be an AD and someone gets injured or even killed, not having a proper holster for the weapon would be one of the first things looked at, in my opinion -- especially if the lack of holster is primarily what caused the AD in the first place, i.e., keys snagged in the trigger, key ring snag, something else in the pocket snags trigger, something else snags trigger of gun anywhere else on the person, not necessarily in a pocket!

That goes for every way of carrying, not just pocket-carrying!

 

[JTQ]

Clint Smith has an article on this in American Handgunner, pg 24.

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHMJ11/

 

[Old Fuff]

It depends on the size and shape of the pocket, but I learned long ago that if you simply drop a gun into the pocket and later reach for it, it may be in an entirely different position then what you expect.

Like muzzle up, butt down...

A good pocket holster insures that this won't happen, and also distributes the weight so there is less snagging, and therefore printing.

Therefore I always use a holster.

 

[Snowbandit]

I have two for small revolvers but the one that gets used almost constantly is made out of leather by Galco. If I ever manage to wear it out the next will be the same except made from horse instead of cow. A decent holster maintains the gun in the proper orientation, helps break up the outline and protects the trigger. Ever snag your pants on something enough to rip a hole in them? With my luck that something would go right into the trigger guard and I don't need that kind of aggravation. I don't worry about other things in the pocket getting in the way because NOTHING else EVER goes in that pocket.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Bad things can happen with a semi auto with one in the pipe bouncing around in a pocket - even by itself in the pocket. The only way I would carry w/o a pocket holster is if the chamber is empty.

 

[CTPhil]

I use a simple sleeve type pocket holster, it prints like a wallet.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

.

I currently don't use a pocket holster, but the only reason I don't is because the one I ordered from Galco is back-ordered.



As soon as it gets here I'll use it 100% of the time.





Not only does it protect the trigger, if you ever accidentally leave coins or something in your pocket they won't mar the finish on your gun.

.

 

[armsmaster270]

Another reason is pocket material is often thin and the weapon can wear a hole through it if unholstered.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Robert Mika Pocket Holsters are like a Naugihide outside with a band of anti-slip material like they put under throw-rugs to keep them from sliding across the floor - very sticky-feeling, but not wet or sticky.

His holsters keep the sweat out of the gun as the holster is nearly waterproof! When you draw, you can have confidence that the holster will stay in the pocket, every time! I had an Uncle Mikes pocket holster that was a joke. It was made for my gun, however, every time I pulled my gun out of my pocket, there was Uncle Mike, covering the trigger guard and the gun -- NO THANKS!

Another thing, if your pockets happen to be much larger than your pocket holster, draw around the holster on one side (from the inside of the pants) and sew up the line so the pocket now has like two seperate compartments. If the second compartment is too small for anything, just continue the sewing over, on an angle, to the top of the pocket. That way the whole pocket will be like a funnel-shape into where the holster and gun are.

 

[wh!plash]

If you are carrying a loaded gun on your person, and you're not actively using it, it needs to be secured with the trigger covered.

 

[Strykervet]

I pocket carry rarely, when I do it is with a 340PD with no holster. I don't put anything else in the pocket with it either, so the pocket sort of is the holster.

 

[clutch]

I pocket carry a 442 in a uncle mikes holster or a nemisis depending on which one fits the pocket. It breaks up the outline and helps to keep crap out of the gun.

Not much chance of accidentally touching off a 442 so the holster isn't a safety system. For other guns the holster is definitely part of the safety system. Safe action types are only safe when holstered.

Clutch

 

[AKElroy]

Get a holster. I never leave the house unarmed regardless of what I am wearing. Some slacks require switching to a smaller, lighter gun, but I have that covered. IMO, Desantis Nemisis is a great option. My typical CCW is a lightly modded G27 w/ a full-sized G22 mag in a matching nemesis holster in the left pocket.

The mag helps balance the load.

My second choice is a S&W Scandium 340, C/T grips w/ two HKS speedloaders in the off pocket.

 

[wrs840]

My 637 2-1/2"bbl rides in a Nemesis. If I have pants on I'm armed, and this combo is a favorite of mine for around the house wear.