I hate carrying a pocket gun!!!

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eric.cartman

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<rant>

OK. So I have a Ruger LCP. It's the only gun I can really carry comfortably 24/7. I'm 6'4" 175lbs. So not much on my bones... so I can't really hide a gun on my belt all that well... so I carry a small semi-auto in my pocket. Carrying anything on my belt just pulls my pants down and is so uncomfortable, I hate it.

Fine, so I carry the LCP in my pocket. I shot the gun 3 months ago, maybe 50 rounds. Then again last weekend; another 15 rounds. That's 15, not 50.

When I was done shooting it, I reloaded it with my Federal HP ammo. The gun failed to chamber the round it was so dirty... after 65 rounds!!!!!!! And being carried in the pocket for 6 months. Great. I took it home. Stripped it. Cleaned it. That was 2 days ago. 2 days later the gun is dirty again... all the link and crap getting in it. Grrrrrr!!!!!

</rant>

Anyways. Do you guys have any recommendations for me? I carry the LCP in a pocket holster (Nemesis I think). It still gets dirty from just carrying it. There is this brown stuff on it in the little spaces. I thought it was dirt, but looked like dried oil mixed with crap. It's annoying as hell. I would love to carry something on my belt, but that's not gonna happen. I'm a software developer and it just wouldn't fly at my job. Though I pocket carry here no problem.

Is it just the nature of the beast? IF you carry one in the pocket it WILL NEED constant cleaning, dedusting every few days/weeks?

Thanks! And sorry about a long post. Just a bit frustrated here :uhoh:
 
pull your pockets inside out when you wash pants to reduce lint and junk
and use weapon pocked for nothing else
 
Suggestion?

642 oiled with something thin (Rem Oil, Militec, etc.) and wipe it off every now and again.

Bottom feeders are also lint catchers.
 
memphisjim gives good advice. In addition, I recommend at least 200 rounds through the LCP as a minimum break-in. I carry my LCP in a leather Alessi pocket holster originally made for a P32. Every evening, I take it out, wipe it down, and blow off any lint, etc. Every range trip, I shoot a magazine or two through it, and give it a thorough cleaning when I get home. Since break-in, it has functioned flawlessly.
 
I thought it was dirt, but looked like dried oil mixed with crap.
Click to expand...

did you clean it when you first got it? mine had a fair amount of cosmoline or similar on it when i first took it out of the box. you need to thoroughly clean that out in order to prevent it from accumulating debris to the point it is.

good luck!
 
The lint does'nt know the difference between your barrel and your bellybutton. It will show up anywhere it can.
 
If you're a developer, have you considered ankle carry for while you're at work? It's much easier to get to from a seated position than one in your pocket. Many of the LEOs in my office carry their BUGs on the ankle because of the amount of time they spend seated. Just a thought.

Other than that a gun carried in a pocket, whether or not it's holstered, is gonna accumulate "gunk" by nature of the carry mode. Guns are typically (relatively) wet and attract pocket lint.

I know you said you didn't want to carry on your belt but, a decent belt and holster can make all the difference in the world. You can get decent belt and carry on your hip the rest of the time.

6'4" at a buck 75 doesn't preclude one from putting a decent holster in your pants, if you choose to work at it for a second.
 
If you completely strip the gun down, clean it thoroughly, lube it up and take it to the range, see if it will shoot without jamming. If it jams, you might not have a lint problem.

Maybe a back-pocket wallet-style holster will negate all your problems.
A good gun belt done right should definitely not allow the 'weigh-nothing' LCP to pull your pants down.

There was a wise post on this site, who knows how long ago. It said something to the affect...

"You're going to have to buy different clothes or wear your clothes differently."
​
That was the key for me. I work with a tucked in shirt. I found a tuckable holster, and just had to jump in and start experimenting. After enough carrying, it all just fell into place, and I carry a larger gun than you.

I would think that the LCP would be a breeze to carry.
 
Last edited:
Legionnaire,
I did shoot few hundred rounds though it when I got it... back when you could still get 380. Gun never has a single issue. Well, except that FTF after shooting I described.
 
Skinny guys can actually hide the biggest guns. Wear a size larger pants and a loose shirt.

I wouldn't know personally. I'm... drought and famine resistant. :rolleyes:

My LCP works fine in a pocket holster. Gets lint in it but hasn't failed. I keep it clean. I disassemble the mag I carry in my opposite pocket about 2 times a month. Gets lint and crap in it. The mag in the gun stays clean.
 
As stated it's the nature of the beast. Quick wipe down every week or two keeps it at bay as well as washing pants with the pockets inside out as also stated.

I carried my Glock in an OWB holster open carrying for five days when doing yard work and landscaping. I was filthy as was the outside of the gun. My p3at stayed in my pocket of sweatpants when I called it quits and get dressed to relax on the couch. After the five days I broke both open. The Glock was filthy outside but pretty clean inside. P3AT was fine outside but had a good three times as much crap inside stuck to the lube and my dogs hair was even in the mix. Both fired fine but let me know that the P3AT needs care every two weeks.
 
Get a good belt -- www.tandyleatherfactory.com -- has a sale on solid leather belts. You have to cut the billet to length and punch the holes, but the buckle cut and snaps are already installed. You can get a bunch of good, solid gunbelts for about half what a holster maker would charge for one.

Punch the middle hole about where your current belt is punched, and put three holes ahead and behind. Carry your gun in an IWB, and cinch the belt tight.
 
Been pocket carrying Kel-Tec P3ATs and Kahr PM9s for years. Never had a problem with lint causing reliability issues.
 
I'll try to say this without sounding too hostile but,

When you say you can't carry anything bigger than an LCP comfortably, what I HEAR is, "I am unwilling to adjust my lifestyle and wardrobe to conceal something bigger." You're big enough to carry anything you want to. (Most people are.) And if you're tired of pocket carry, why not get something bigger?

I steer people away from little guns in general. Shorter barrels have lower velocity. Shorter guns have a smaller sight radius and are more difficult to aim well. Smaller guns have less mass and therefore more felt recoil.
 
When you say you can't carry anything bigger than an LCP comfortably, what I HEAR is, "I am unwilling to adjust my lifestyle and wardrobe to conceal something bigger."
Click to expand...

And I hear LAZY as well. :rolleyes:

I'm a relatively short/fat guy (which many say is the hardest body type for concealing a larger firearm) and IWB carry a G19 or 1911 all the time. NEVER been made. Pocket carry is my LAZY way of carry for a BUG or just running out to the store or something since there's already one in my pocket anyway.
 
I'm 6'4" and 185 to 190 at any given moment (so we are close in size) and I have very little problem concealing a 2" snub in my waistband or in my right pocket with an Uncle Mike's holster. I also carry a P3AT the same ways. My best mode is 1 size larger waistline and good loose fitting shirt tails that tuck over (unless pocket carrying). But lint, grease, dirt, etc. is still going to be a constant maintenance requirement (for some reason it is worse with the P3AT). Lately I've contemplated a 3" or 4" 1911 and have no doubts IWB carry will be fine; skinny or chunky.

Edited to say that my P3AT now often sits in a one size or so larger pocket holster and that has seemed to cut down on lint, dirt, etc. But not completely.
 
My pistols are all too big for pocket carry, but I'd opine that you need to break down that LCP, clean the bejeezus out of it, and use a very minimal amount of lube, something dry if you can.

A lot of folks make the mistake of thinking that ample lube cures all ills, but in fact it can serve as a dirt magnet. As far as cleaning is concerned, though the names escape me at this point, there are some very good aerosol spray cleaners out there that will help you get into all the nooks and crannies. Start with a totally clean gun, lube it very lightly (and only at the recommended points), and I think you'll find you have fewer concerns.
 
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