Biggest Pocket Carry Gun

[Zen21Tao]

My usual pocket gun is a .40S&W Kahr PM40. However, tonight when I had to run out for a quick errand I tossed my 3" S&W 629 (w/ unfluted cylinder) .44 Magnum in my pocket. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to carry. The biggest drawback wasn’t the weight, but that I couldn’t fit anything else in my pocket. For future quick errands I definitely think I like the 6 .44 Magnum rounds over 6 (5+1) .40 S&W rounds.

This brings up the purpose of this thread:

What is the biggest gun that you have actually pocket carried (to perform actual tasks, not just tossed in a pocket and walked around with in the house) and what was been your experiences doing so (e.g. printing, comfort, convience, etc.)?

 

[coelacanth]

I'm not particularly fond of pocket carry for a number of reasons but to answer your question a Star PD is the largest thing I can make work. ( Star PD .45 ACP is roughly equal in size to a Colt Officer's model 1911 ) I generally prefer a S&W Model 13 in an IWB appendix carry.

 

[mek42]

1911, 4" barrel. Wore it to the local gun shop specifically to ask about printing. Everything looked good. Was also told that people carry around a lot of stuff in their pockets these days (i.e., cell phones, PDA's, etc.) and that this makes it good for CCW - shapeless bulges aren't really 'printing' anymore. Anyway, the 1911 didn't even really bulge in the front pocket, but it does print in the cargo pocket where I'd rather carry it.

 

[george29]

Taurus Tracker .44 magnum (everyday CCW)

(Pictured in the hand of seller from Gunbroker)

One holster is my NAA leather pouch that fits the gun perfectly and allows me to carry in the pocket, the other holster is a Bianchi AcuMold that is one of the best OWB holsters I have ever owned. My preference is still pocket carry and it does not print but can get a bit tight in jeans. I can't think of any other caliber or weapon platform I would prefer to the one I currently use, believe me, it is not much more than carrying a J-Frame except for the weight issue, and all that does is prevent me from slipping the gun in my shirt pocket like I used to do with my S&W M60 Chiefs Special. I used to carry an Airlite 296 that weighed next to nothing, but I really wanted that extra advantage of being able to shoot magnum rounds just in case. I do like versatality.

 

[Essex County]

9mm Star BM. Think of it as a slightly shruken Commander. Essex

 

[rangerruck]

llama micromax 45, with a slide, trigger, and safety job, double stack 10 rounder.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Glock 26, a bit blocky for true pocket carry, but I did a few times. Inside pocket in coat sometimes, also outside leather coat pocket.

 

[chris in va]

P11. It resides in an IWB holster when in the pocket of my bike jacket though.

 

[Snowdog]

I carried a steel-frame Tangfolio EAA .40S&W Witness compact in my front pocket the day after I sent my K9 back to Kahr for "repairs". It was absolutely the most self conscious I've ever felt and I haven't a clue what I was thinking when I left the house.

BTW, the Kahr didn’t need “repair”; it was nothing more than the factory’s tight chamber typical of the early K-series and my first (and last) experience with American Ammunition.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

There is a difference between sticking a gun in your pocket for a quick trip out to your car or similar, and true practical pocket carry (i.e., the gun is comfortable to carry, accessible for a full firing grip and prints minimally if at all). I think lightweight small-frame revolvers and autoloaders up to about the size of a Kahr PM9 (my choice) are about the largest truly practical firearms for pocket carry. I tried a Glock 27 and it is just too large, blocky and squared off at the rear.

 

[MassMark]

I pocket carried a Colt Defender for about a year until I finally found holsters that didn't make me look like a fat guy with a gun under his shirt. I have tried every IWB option that I could think of and never ever liked it. I now carry a ParaCary 6.45 LDA which for some reason came with 7-round magazines, (thanks ParaOrdinance ). I frequently toss it into a pocket if I'm just running to the store. It's ludicrous to carry it in cargo-type pants, as it prints like no tomorrow and slaps you in the leg while you walk. However, it tucks nice, neat and accessable in a pair of jeans, (front or back).

I'm in the process of training with my S&W 642CT and it will become my primary small carry gun. the ParaOrdinance, for as small as it is - now feels like a brick compared to the 642. I'm getting spoiled by an Airweight....

 

[peacemaker45]

This was after I got my ccw, but before I started carrying religiously. I was in a nasty neighborhood of cincinnati, and had to get out of the truck to find the place I was supposed to deliver the next day. Due to a strange combination of circumstances, I had several guns with me, but only had .44 special ammo. As I had no desire to carry an unloaded gun, I loaded one of my Super Blackhawks, and stuck the silly thing, 7.5" bbl and all, into the inside pocket of my jacket. I guess that counts as pocket carry.

~~~Mat

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

In my dickies pants i can easily stick my SIG P239 in 357SIG without it printing much at all.

 

[tegemu]

I, very comfortably. carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, .45ACP, in a Sam Andrews www.andrewsleather.com pocket holster. Easy to draw and carry, prints like a wallet and reholsters easily.

 

[Nail Shooter]

I've carried either an MK9 Kahr or a J frame (always in a pocket holster). Those are the largest that I can get into the pockets of the pants that I wear.

Nail

 

[R127]

The biggest I've ever pocket carried was a fullsize steel frame CZ 75B in shorts that were cut with generous pockets. That's the key, the cut of the pants and the size of the pocket. You should wear a belt too, of course. I once wore the 75B on a canoe trip and then to a restaurant without getting made.

That said I find my Makarov to be a better size for pocket carry currently.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

"Here come da Judge!"

Big pockets need big fire power. Try this on for size:

Taurus "Judge" .45Colt / .410 shotgun shell

http://www.taurususa.com/whatsnew/revolvers.cfm

 

[FXWG]

www.andrewsleather.com

Thanks for that link.
I might have to give them a shout soon.

 

[aguyindallas]

S&W 642 in a Galco Pocket Horsehide...only way to fly.

 

[mainmech48]

An AMT DAO Backup in .45 ACP in a Galco pocket holster. About the same weight as a steel 640, same round count, and easier for me to conceal without 'printing' in most clothes.

 

[mavracer]

mainmech48

how do you like amt reliability,accuracy and control. I have one ariving today

 

[FJC]

I pocket carry a Glock 26 fairly often, especially in the summer. Works well IF you have the right pockets. And of course, use a pocket holster!

 

[mainmech48]

mavracer: I had two feeding malfs in the first fifty rounds OTB, both with 185 gr. Silvertips. I switched to generic hardball for the remainder of the break-in period, totaling 250 rds, and had no other issues.

The manual specifically states that the DAO was designed to be used with hardball ammo. Mine runs fine with Federal Hydra-Shoks in 230 and 165 gr. "Personal Protection" loadings, as well as Speer Gold Dot 230's. I have no sure way of knowing whether this is typical, so I'd recommend that you test yours with at least 100 rds of any ammo you'd like to carry. If there are any malfs, either find out why and fix it, or switch to another load.

The trigger pull is very heavy, and there doesn't seem to be much that can be done about it. The geometry necessary to put a relatively conventional DA mechanism (one with a hammer rather than striker) into a heavy caliber semiauto this small doesn't offer much in the way of mechanical advantage. When you also consider the way that the resistance values in all of the various design elements have to interact for the package to be safe and reliable within a relatively wide range of ammo variables, the mainspring is going to have to be pretty stout. Put the two together and it doesn't add up to being able to get a nice, light DA pull without compromising something more important.

It takes some work, but once you learn to control the trigger keeping your shots inside the "A" zone inside of about 15 yds isn't too tough, even with just a channel in the slide for sights. At 7 to 10 yds, where we're told most defensive shots are fired, it's actually fairly easy with some practice.

Recoil isn't nearly as bad as one might fear given the caliber and diminutive size. It's quite controllable with a firm grip and stance, and the relatively low bore axis helps a good deal. The difference between 230 gr. and 185 gr. loads is very apparent, and you might want to try some if you have problems with hardball. The Federal 165 gr. load is a relative powderpuff, and if yours runs well with it it'd make a good CCW load, IMO.

 

[mavracer]

thanks mainmech48

picked it up from pawn shop went straight to range shot some 230 jhp wwwb and 165 quik-shok fed every thing great BTW its used and has been ported, feed ramp polished and refinished. accuracy is plenty good.and recoil is not bad like you said.trigger is heavy but safe.only problem had some light strikes with Q-S ammo but was not impressed with quality of brass think i'll just burn it up and try 185 rem golden sabers found some for 12.65 a box

 

[Winter Borne]

I pocket carried an AMT BackUp 45 for a year until I got my keltec p32.