In Or Out Of The Pocket

[Mainsail]

Wow, 100 responses to a poll where the issue isn't clearly defined. In other words, 100 people have a strong enough opinion to vote in a poll where the question isn't even clear. I guess that's how people with no qualifications and no experience get elected. What does the OP mean by "enough"? I asked- no answer.

Anyway, I suppose any gun is enough if it's one with which one is comfortable. I try to keep to realistic situations in which I might find myself. Hollywood style bank robbery....not so much. I try to base my self-defense plan and minimum carry gun on making a COM shot in the distance I might find in places like a restaurant, and have the shot be effective, based loosely on the Luby's shooting.

Can I defend myself and my family from a shooter at distances I might find inside a restaurant...so 35 to 45 feet or so? I can with a 1911, or a G29 even, or my Sig P239 9mm. So for me those are enough. I'll trust the 9mm if it's loaded with 147gr Federal HSTs minimum.

Now, do I think my wife's P238 (.380) with 90gr Critical Defense rounds can do the job (45 feet or so accurate, decent shot placement, and effective)?

For me the answer is no.

So it kind of boils down to, What do you consider a likely threat scenario, and what gun is 'enough' for that?

If you have to answer no, the gun I'm carrying isn't enough for the type of scenario I realistically envision I might find myself in, then you need to ask yourself why you're settling for that gun.

 

[kokapelli]

Next time I post a poll I'll ask you to Frase it since you are obviously so much smarter than me

 

[Mainsail]

Next time I post a poll I'll ask you to Frase it since you are obviously so much smarter than me

Well, I suppose finding offense where none was meant is certainly easier than explaining what you're asking. I guess that’s the world in which we live now- everyone desperately looking for some reason to be offended.

My comments were directed at the 100 people who voted for either of two options, even though the actual issue isn’t clearly stated. As the first person to even respond to your thread I think it would indicate my willingness to help. 460Kodiak, Kleanbore, MedWheeler, 1John1:9, Dave T, and others have all made salient points, all of which you seem to have ignored. So I no longer think you were ever asking for help; you made a decision and are now looking for comfort with it. Looking at the poll results, such as they are, you seem to have found your comfort.

Good luck.

 

[verdun59]

Maybe enough is in the eye of the holder....

 

[kokapelli]

Well, I suppose finding offense where none was meant is certainly easier than explaining what you're asking. I guess that’s the world in which we live now- everyone desperately looking for some reason to be offended.

My comments were directed at the 100 people who voted for either of two options, even though the actual issue isn’t clearly stated. As the first person to even respond to your thread I think it would indicate my willingness to help. 460Kodiak, Kleanbore, MedWheeler, 1John1:9, Dave T, and others have all made salient points, all of which you seem to have ignored. So I no longer think you were ever asking for help; you made a decision and are now looking for comfort with it. Looking at the poll results, such as they are, you seem to have found your comfort.

Good luck.

I haven't ignored any of the posts. I was interested in how people feel about the subject and what their opinions are, not in criticizing them.

 

[X-Rap]

I see the answer as being the same as those who carry a revolver. Is it enough? Probably.
We all have limitations in our lives and one of mine regarding personal weapons is my lifestyle and work seldom allows me to have a full sized pistol on my belt.
I spend a lot of time crawling around under vehicles and equipment in my down time and work construction for a living.
When I carry a larger gun it is almost always a double stack semi auto in a paddle style holster so I can remove it if needed. I will use belt or IWB if I'm not headed for my shop or Job but other wise it's my 380 in the pocket and a G19/26 in a Paddle more than likely stuck in the console.

 

[NOMI WASP]

Next time I post a poll I'll ask you to Frase it since you are obviously so much smarter than me


LOL Watch it or someone will tell on you

 

[TestPilot]

Enough for most "encounter," "shooting incident."

Not enough for most "fights."

There is a critical difference between them.

 

[Gun Master]

Check The Poll Results

Now, 7-30-14 (3:45PM CST), Pocket Carry "Is" Enough is almost 82%.

Each to his/her own needs and situations though.

 

[Gun Master]

Next time I post a poll I'll ask you to Frase it since you are obviously so much smarter than me


I find every post I make on THR someone tells me I'm not allowed to have an opinion because they are soooo much smarter. Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one.

"Having" and "Being" are two different things.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

As one of the 100 that voted in the poll I feel I have to defend myself...I thought it was pretty plain and a simple question in my mind so I voted.

Never thought that would make a problem for anyone or that I was voting on something earth shaking like a public election. It's just a simple question on a gun board.

VooDoo

 

[Gun Master]

As one of the 100 that voted in the poll I feel I have to defend myself...I thought it was pretty plain and a simple question in my mind so I voted.

Never thought that would make a problem for anyone or that I was voting on something earth shaking like a public election. It's just a simple question on a gun board.

VooDoo

Exactly, except you don't have to defend yourself or apologize for your opinion.

 

[george burns]

Carrying in a pocket gives you more options than strapping a large gun to your waist or shoulder, It's more likely you will "have" to use a pistol that is exposed, or easily spotted instead of a hideout gun, thus giving one more options before deciding in some situations if you can survive once you engage.
In other words you are saying "I am in" when packing a 1911 in a shoulder rig, vs a 380 or 9mm in a IWB or small of the back rig. Having been padded down once and having the Cop miss the gun completely, until I pointed it out to him, which he will never forget. "they were just searching everyone in an area after a crime".
I also believe in carrying a knife, as it never runs out of bullets and is quieter. There are different scenarios, "too many to get into here" where stealth is handier than brute force when confronted with a myriad of situations that could happen.
I would choose to be able to evaluate first before deciding on my actions.

 

[snooperman]

Like Vodoun da vinci, I think Kokapelli had a very simple question to his post that I answered and voted without any problems. Either it is enough to pocket carry or it isn't. For me it is. Snoop

 

[george burns]

Pardon, but nothing is ever simple when it comes to carrying a gun. It should be brought out "why" one does something, and if they haven't thought of why they do it a certain way, perhaps they should.
It's not just a matter of placement, and comfort, but use and repercussions of our actions.

 

[Gun Master]

Complicated ?

It's a poll. Basically, a "yes" or "no" question, like Voo reiterated in posting # 61.

 

[TarDevil]

I'm not sure why it was all the difficult. Do you feel you can carry "enough" gun in your pocket to defend yourself or not?

 

[Gun Master]

Pocket Carry OK ?

I'm not sure why it was all the difficult. Do you feel you can carry "enough" gun in your pocket to defend yourself or not?

Over 82% say "Yes", thus far.

 

[george burns]

I am in accord with that. I pocket carry 90% of the time.

 

[kokapelli]

I guess that pretty much settles it. Pocket carry is overwhelmingly acceptable to the vast majority of our members.

 

[snooperman]

Pocket carry has been around for a long time. John Wilkes Booth carried one ,and so did many before him and after him as well. One Jesse James cut his Colt pistol off at the frame , carried in his coat pocket and robbed many banks with it. I have a picture of it and many other pocket pistols in my gun library. The pocket pistol was very popular then and even more so today , and for a good reason. The fact that there are so many models available today is a testament to their ease of carry and popularity.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I carry Appendix most of the time but when I'm casual I pocket carry a variety of stuff...luckily I can pocket a number of guns from a Ruger LCR to a Colt 1903 (coat pocket when it's not Appendix carried) and a Glock 26.

I do not feel under gunned with any of my pocket guns. Might be delusional but I think pocket carry is fine/plenty based on my proficiency with the guns I have in my pocket. It's simple for me and very effective and I think it can be for others as well.

Everyone? I'm not a big believer in one size fits all....but I think the fact that so many before us have pocket carried shows the precedent.

VooDoo

 

[TarDevil]

Over 82% say "Yes", thus far.

Well, I'm not in that 82%, but it's a free country!

 

[Gun Master]

Well, I'm not in that 82%, but it's a free country!

Yes, it is, and God bless you.
I'm with you, not against you. I'd carry more if possible.
Just thankful that I can legally carry at all. My choice is what is feasible for me.
Everybody has that same choice too, except the criminals. The bad guys don't get my vote.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I just found this so I'm in here late. The poll seems to indicate that pocket pistols are adequate for self defense for most people most of the time. I have to agree with this because a good number of people aren't going to dress around their pistol, especially in the summer. All one has to do is look at the sales of what I call sub compact 380's. I would guess they outsell everything else 2 to 1. I don't have any stats to back that up but I've seen women buying those every time I'm in the LGS.

My feeling is light, small, and concealed everywhere, everyday where it's legal. I have 2" 38 that I carry just about everywhere. I just bought a PPK and hopefully my wife will learn to use it. She didn't like the revolver so we are going a different direction in hopes that we can find something she can shoot.

I have larger pistols and revolvers and WA is an open carry state. If I wanted I could carry just about anything but I don't. 2.5 pounds of iron is a lot of weight even in a holster so I try to keep my carry around 1.5 pounds loaded. That seems to be the sweet spot and something that I don't notice. Much more than that seems to be an anchor tied to my posterior.