Concealed carry and cargo pants.

[emilianoksa]

With some kind of frame inside the pocket to disguise the gun's shape, and something else to hold it in place, is the cargo pants pocket a good way to carry?

I suppose it would depend on the method of opening the pocket.

What about lightweight vests with an internal pocket, similarly bulked out to disguise shape, as an alternative to a shoulder holster?

I've been thinking about concealed carry a lot recently, and I'm not stupid enough to think I'm the first to consider these possible alternatives for summer carry.

Just wondered if somebody could tell me why, or why not, they are a good idea.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Cargo pants - which are mostly what I wear on my own time, or some other pant with a similarly large front pocket, e.g., Carhartt "Hamilton" pants - are a great way to carry a pocket gun. I do not like to carry the gun in the "cargo" pocket on the lower leg as it slaps and bangs back and forth when I walk. There are also other concealment and deployment issues as well. I save the cargo pockets for other items. The large pocket will allow a larger gun than might ordinarily be possible, even up to the size of a mini-Glock in a pinch. This is really a little bulky, but I can carry a Kahr PM9 very unobtrusively. It is also important to note that the large pocket allows you to get a better grip on the gun when drawing. Be sure to use a pocket holster as well, to protect the gun from lint/dirt and position it upright.

 

[Clipper]

When I wore cargo pants, I carried a Taurus PT-145 MilPro with no problems...There's really no need to limit yourself to 'pocket' pistols...

 

[oneounceload]

which are mostly what I wear on my own time, or some other pant with a similarly large front pocket, e.g., Carhartt "Hamilton" pants - are a great way to carry a pocket gun. I do not like to carry the gun in the "cargo" pocket on the lower leg as it slaps and bangs back and forth when I walk.

BINGO - I wear cargo shorts 95% of the time here in FL. The "cargo" pocket is good for lightweight things (like my wallet after the wife goes shopping) or a cell phone. The main pocket with a pocket holster is the better location

 

[dancingbear1564]

I just buy my pants and shorts 2 sizes bigger and go for an IWB. By preference I use a cross breed holster, with a mag carrier on my opposite hip IWB. I can carry my XD-40SC any time of year in anything I wear. I normally wear khakis and a t-shirt and you can't see my piece at all. just something to think about,maybe even talk about!

 

[NG VI]

The leg pocket is a terrible place for anything heavy like a pistol, it will just knock you in the knee every step you take, and be extremely uncomfortable. The ordinary pockets on cargo pants tend to be pretty roomy though, and let you carry a bigger pocket gun.

 

[Harvey]

Here's a great holster that simply does not print, in any pocket......http://www.pocketholsters.com

 

[psyopspec]

What about lightweight vests with an internal pocket, similarly bulked out to disguise shape, as an alternative to a shoulder holster?

If you're wearing a vest, you've got a cover garment. Just go IWB and you're good to go. I tried carrying in a 5.11 vest a few years back. It just listed to one side and was horribly uncomfortable, chafed the neck.

I have carried a pocket pistol in a pocket holster in a cargo pocket, but I wouldn't want to on long walks. NG VI is quite right though, often the regular trouser pockets are roomier in those pants.

 

[denfoote]

With some kind of frame inside the pocket to disguise the gun's shape, and something else to hold it in place, is the cargo pants pocket a good way to carry?

Cargo pants and shorts.

I carry my G26 in the right front pocket.

 

[T. Bracker]

Somewhere recently I saw a pocket holster designed especially for the large leg pocket of cargo pants. Can't remember the brand right now, it might have been a DeSantis, I will have to look back for it. It had a large, wide base to keep it centered and the gun butt pointing up to the top of the pocket, as most regular pocket holsters will get turned all around it that large pocket.

Yep, just checked and it is called the Cargo Nemesis, with a built in spot for a extra mag as well. You can see it on the DeSantis website.

 

[bigfatdave]

Put an object of similar hardness and weight in your cargo pocket and go for a walk ...
Then tell me exactly how it is superior to pocket or IWB carry.

Put your pistol in the cargo pocket in whatever orientation you want and practice presentation for 10 minutes ...
Then tell me exactly how it is superior to pocket or IWB carry.

 

[Leader]

Before we can offer suggestions as to the best carry method, just what are the carry laws in Peru?
Where I'm at printing is no big deal, as open carry is also legal.
When I do carry concealed, I use a Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB holster & my gun just disappears. Any holster of that type will hide most any handgun and be VERY comfortable.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have two other reasons, which I alluded to earlier, for not carrying in the leg/cargo pocket. In a front pocket, if you're in a situation that might turn ugly but has not gotten there yet, you can have your hand unobtrusively in the pocket and ready to start the draw with your hand already on the gun, without yourself appearing threatening and escalating the situation. Second, the typical Velcro flap closure of the cargo pocket slows your draw as well as the noise of ripping it open possibly attracting unwanted attention.

 

[nerfsrule2]

Cargo pants - which are mostly what I wear on my own time, or some other pant with a similarly large front pocket, e.g., Carhartt "Hamilton" pants - are a great way to carry a pocket gun. I do not like to carry the gun in the "cargo" pocket on the lower leg as it slaps and bangs back and forth when I walk. There are also other concealment and deployment issues as well. I save the cargo pockets for other items. The large pocket will allow a larger gun than might ordinarily be possible, even up to the size of a mini-Glock in a pinch. This is really a little bulky, but I can carry a Kahr PM9 very unobtrusively. It is also important to note that the large pocket allows you to get a better grip on the gun when drawing. Be sure to use a pocket holster as well, to protect the gun from lint/dirt and position it upright.

.. That's how I carry..Even the Kahr PM9..

 

[CooperThunder]

With cargo pants I thigh carry...this is what I use...where I bought it from too....
http://www.handgunholsters.net/

 

[DAdams]

Columbia Lander Pants.

Pocket behind the regular pocket. Allows the handgun to be carried in a large zipped (or unzipped) pocket behind a regular pocket. This does the following:
allows for larger grips than you might usually be able to get by with in a normal pocket, zipper if you need to secure and not worry about it falling out on the floor, at church, in the movies, while eating at the girlfriends house....
Since the pocket is behind another pocket.....there are three layers of fabric, knocking down the "print" potential.
These are available in shorts as-well.
Wish they did them in Navy.
Nice pocket for a small flashlight or knife. Aren't over the top taticool looking.

 

[Spad2008]

I wear Cabelas trailhiker pants and routinely carry my Taurus PT111 in the right front pocket, being right handed. My Sig P6 fits well to, along with my CZ PO-1. My wife sewed aflat piece of canvas on the inside front of one of the front pockets as an experiment and it did a good job of hiding the print. Inthe summer Ihave cargoshorts from Wall-Mart and Cabelas that the pistols fit in the frontpocket. Dockers also have a big frontpocket. I am 6'3" tall, and have put on a lot of weight, so right now I don't use my IWB holsters. Even put the little Kel-Tec P32 in the pocket at times. Nothingwrong with pocket carry if you practice. The IWB is superior because it more accessible in different positions. Bill

 

[possum]

as far as cargo pants/ shorts there are holsters that you can get that make that work out just fine. i haven't done it for carry but i was quite suprised at a course with Rob Pincus when he pulled a j frame out of his cargo pocket.

 

[scoutsabout]

Nope.

 

[Ed Harris]

I want something plain vanilla and ordinary which doesn't look military or scream "COP!" I wear the Duluth Trading Company everyday work pants. Pockets are deep and work fine with a pocket holster. They come in big boy sizes too, so there is no trouble getting them a couple inches larger in the waist for an IWB holster, etc.


http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/clothes-workwear/mens/mens-pants/95016CL.aspx?feature=product_5

 

[green country shooter]

de santis - i bought one to try it. they make make that holds the (for example) glock 26 plus a spare mag. It's long enough to be stable in the cargo pocket and it doesn't pound you as much as a gun does that fits looser in the pocket.
It's ok, but heavy and not a quick draw.

 

[Dr_2_B]

My experience with cargo pants has been that most of them actually have smallish front pockets because the other pockets require space. But you can find cargo pants with larger front pockets. Here's why I say this: I decided some time ago that I would carry in only one of two places... front right pocket or right hip. (These days it's really only the right hip) This will prevent the eventuality of me needing the gun in a panic situation when my faculties aren't at their best and fumbling to find the thing.