j-frame pocket carry

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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Can a j-frame REALLY be pocket carried without it looking like you have a mouse in there?

I'm talking dress slacks, going to the office, sitting in a meeting room discreetness needed.

I held the Ruger LCR this morning ($429, BTW). Man...that felt pretty doggone good. It's got me rethinking my (unsuccessful) search for a KT PF9. I stand in front of 50 people on a regular basis. Discretion is the better part of valor, you know. Whatever I choose needs to disappear. I know the PF9 does.

Any pics of folks with a j-frame in the pants pocket (preferably dress slacks, not jeans)?

Q
 
Yes, it can. Small grips that don't go below the frame help. I carried one every day for most of a year. Nobody every suspected a thing.

The LCP REALLY disappears, though.
 



Adapted for the front pocket...once in a Blue Moon, rides in a Shoulder Holster.

S & W Model 36
 
I used to think so, then 8 or so years ago I started carrying a P32 in the pocket. Do I still feel a J frame is suitable for discreet pocket carry? Not so much, though it can obviously be done as it has for decades.

These days, I feel small-frame revolvers are best carried in a belt holster of some form. I feel the same about nearly all "pocket pistols" of yesteryear, including the Colt Mustang.
 
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I carry a light weight snubby in my pocket (with a holster).

It'll be obvious there's something in your pocket, but the audience won't be able to tell what it is (except for the gunnies...they'll have, at least, a pretty good idea).

Light weight fabrics will tend to print more then a heavier weight (such as used for Dockers). Light colors will print more too, so go for darker colors.
WEAR A GOOD GUN BELT! Even the lightest of snubbies will drag the trousers down on the side the gun is carried.

And, be prepared for someone to ask you what is in your pocket.

Couple of options:
Since you face the audience, put the gun in a back pocket(during the presentation...make sure the grip doesn't extend outside the pocket).
Wear a sports coat or suit jacket during the presentation.

If you work for a company that prohibits firearms on the premises, you really want to consider not carrying. As the moderator of a presentation, you'll be quite visible.

The Ruger LCP is another option, BTW. It does conceal better then a snubby.
 
The same LGS had an LCP, but no ammo. Sticker price was $329, IIRC. It is super discreet, but I just don't see how anyone can shoot those little firecrackers with accuracy. The PF9, while a little snappier due to the 9mm (vs. .380), FEELS good and fills the hand a little bit more.

The LCR got me thinking j-frame for a little bit, and the inability to find a PF9.

Since the state seems to be in no goldurn hurry to get my plastic to me, I guess I can dial it down a notch as well... :cuss:

Q
 
I conceal carry a Taurus Model 605, All Titanium (15oz) snub, .357MAG in my pocket, sometimes with/without a pocket holster, no problem. With an untucked shirt it carries in a small belt slider just as well. In the pocket my hand is on it more than not.
 
I pocket-carry a 642 in a Desantis Nemesis, almost every day.

How noticeable it is depends on the pants, as others have said.

There are different cuts of dress slacks.

It also depends on the nature of your business. Some people always have pockets full of stuff. Others don't.

Lately, it seems people have so much electronic crap on their belts in leather holsters, a gun OWB might not attract any attention.:)
 
Another thing to consider is that dress pants are ususally lighter weight material than jeans so it might be more obvious you have something heavy sagging in your pocket. Also the cut of the fabric on the opening of the pocket is important. If the opening curves down, the butt of the revolver might be visible.
 
The major point of Pocket Carry, is that one is not wearing a jacket or coat or long sweater or sweatshirt to allow IWB and a larger Arm.


Printing is easily prevented if need by, by any sheet of paper folded into a quarter size, or any used envelope folded in half, and set between the Arm and the outside fabric.


If need be, have a Seamstress replace existing suit-trouser or other pants pocket, with a deeper, sturdier fabric one.


With Pocket Carry, virtually no one would ever expect it...and there are no mannerisms advertising it unconsciously.


Lastly, of course, a 'Bobbed' Hammer will avoid potentially embarassing Hammer Spur catches or hang-ups, were one to have occasion to Draw.
 
I conceal carry a Taurus Model 605, All Titanium (15oz) snub, .357MAG in my pocket, sometimes with/without a pocket holster, no problem. With an untucked shirt it carries in a small belt slider just as well. In the pocket my hand is on it more than not.
Click to expand...

Some of you folks have got to actually read the original poster's requirements.
You don't wear an untucked shirt at a business meeting or chairing a presentation.
 
For the record: yes, I think a j-frame, in an appropriate pocket holster, can be concealed adequately in dress pants. To do that successfully, you might need to get a custom pocket sewn in, as Glockman... pointed out.

Having said that, I also think a LCP / Kel-Tec does conceal better. In its cheap holster (c/w 2nd mag), it fits nicely into a hip pocket.

If the office dress culture fits it, I would probably just wear a sports coat all the time. But, I'm of the age where a sports coat is 'normal' office dress. My daughter's SO--age 30--does not, AFAIK--and he works at a Fortune 500 company.

Jim H.
 
I pocket carry a J frame frequently. About the only time I don't is when I have a 1911 strapped on under a jacket.

I wear dress slacks or khakis. I shop for pants that have a deep enough pocket, and if needed, use iron on patches to reinforce it.

I use a Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. I tried a Nemisis, but I prefer Uncle Mike's. I like a Bodyguard frame. A centennial works well too.

I have found that a gun belt is still helpful, especially if you are light in your other pants pocket. The gun belt helps keep your belt line straight. The Belt Man makes some excellent gun belts that look like dress belts.

there are some significant advantages to a J frame in the pocket. They are significant enough that many who carry a service gun on a belt still have a j frame in a pocket.
 
Dear Quoheleth,

I'll be the dissenting voice here. I tried j-frame front pocket for about a year, and for the same reason you mentioned, standing in front of groups at work, I eventually did not keep it up.

LBS
 
I would venture to guess, that a J-Frame in a Hip-Pocket, where no garment is covering it, would be entirely conspicuous to any halfway savvy person who is not asleep or blind.


I wear tucked-in Shirts, always have.


Short Jackets or outer Garments which can ride 'up', are iffy, as for maintaining descretion with IWB or OWB.


Hot Climes, unless one is remaining constantly in an Air conditioned setting, tend to discourage secondary upper outer garments.
 
I've been carrying my J-Frame Smith (a 340SC) for about a year now. Pocket carry depends largely on the pants. For more formal wear, I have one suit, a Perry Ellis, that has deep enough pockets and a coat that's cut just right to help hide it. I know pleats aren't all the rage right now, but they also aid in concealment.

I have three holsters for this gun: An Uncle Mike's for the pocket; a Desantis "Tuck This!" for a tucked IWB, which works most of the time that pocket carry won't; and a DeSantis Apache ankle rig, which I use on days where most of my time will be spent sitting.
 
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Well everyone's got .02, here's mine.

First it all depends on...
1. Your size; big guys w/big pockets have a much easier time
2. Your pants; some pockets are better than others and dress pants are terrible at concealing the outline of a J frame. Jeans do great as do heavier fabric dockers but my suit pants or dress pants show every line.
3. The holster; even some of the top end only EXAGERATE the shape of a gun when it's in the pocket. It's actually not too easy to find one that's flat on the front with the molding to the rear. You need one but which one can be challenging. You need good retention too because in some combinations, you can dump a j frame out of the pocket by just sitting down and then standing up. I did that with loose dockers, an Uncle Mikes pocket holster and a 642.

Another point is that i do think more people will notice or even suspect a weapon than we might think. On these forums all we hear about are the sheep that don't notice the sky is blue. I agree with that to a point but i think some take that too far. Depending on the regulations where you work, being made could end a job and really hurt a family so you have to balance risk of being made verses the consequences versus the likely hood you'll ever need to defend yourself.

For me, after making that risk assessment; I stopped carrying a J frame 642 and now i pocket carry either a Ruger LCP or a 2nd generation Keltec P3AT; both in .380. I carry ball ammo for greater reliability and penetration.

I also carry a good folder and a good light like a Surefire Backup.

I would spot a J frame in a guys pocket immediately and I think others would to. I think some of the holsters out there for LCP's and P3AT's do a great job of making what's in your pocket look like a square flat something; more like a wallet. I would sacrifice speed of draw by a second or so to get that kind of concealment.

I've also tried smart carry. I think it's a sound way to carry and I've done so with a P3AT but I could never be totally confident that a certain move or action wouldn't somehow dislodge it and let my gun fall out so I eventually gave up on it.

You'll hear some talk about pocket carrying a 3" 1911. More power too them but for the average joe I think a J frame is a stretch.

Oh yeah, it's not comfortable in dress pants. It pulls and feels like you have a big chunck of something and it doesn't look good either. May be silly concerns to some but it's part of the overall consideration. I'm not kidding my self though, an LCP is a last ditch piece in my opinion but you have to do the risk assessment; something I don't think a lot of guys do. I think a lot of guys start out carrying a big gun, high capacity, with extra mags only to get tired of it within the first year.

then they fall back to ether a true pocket carry or nothing at all. I've carried a long time and lots of differnt guns and now find I use about 1 of 4 rigs depending on conditions. Of course if the risk is elevated I try to stay away but if I can't I try to dress so I can accomodate a more significant weapons.

1. Office/dress/tucked: P3AT/LCP; and at times (dockers) a J frame 642
2. Casual but hot and a lot of strenuouse activity; a Kahr P9 w/1 extra mag, IWB in an UBG holster
3. Casual all other times with suitable cover; Colt New Agent .45

The only other gun I periodically carry is a Ruger SP101. it's really not as practical as the other 3 setups but I just like it!

A Kahr MK9 is also good for concealing IWB with a fine dress suite. It doesn't print because of the shorter grip but it's a 9mm and it shoots FANTASTIC because of the weight.

Good luck on your own choices!

God Bless Gideon
 
Standing in front of people giving presentations is definitely a deep concealment situation, if anything. It's all fine for the magazines to publish pictures of Clint Smith with an N-frame .357 "concealed" in the right front pocket of his tactical pants, but he's a shooting instructor. Everyone already knows that he's got a heater on him.

If you really don't want to be made in the rest of the world, the J-frame in a pocket of dress pants is probably out. Ankle carry can have risks as well; you've got to have your mind on your pants cuffs every time you stand, as opposed to what you're going to say next.

As much as it might be frowned upon, it might still be worth thinking about some sort of off-body carry (ie: executive day planner or something mission-specific), either that or develop a love of those small plastic .380s.

just another internet opinion.
 
I think a lot of guys start out carrying a big gun, high capacity, with extra mags only to get tired of it within the first year.
Click to expand...

I think you may be right in a lot of cases, but an important part of being dedicated to self-defense is being willing to invest the time, research, and some money into finding what setups work for an individual. Going to full time pocket carry of a small caliber gun is what happens when someone gets burned out on the search. It's understandable how easy it is to come to that point, but if you try hard enough you can have it both ways. But it takes time, money, and practice to conceal a weapon with better power/capacity than a mouse gun around different forms of dress. Everyone has to decide what compromises work for them. Power, capacity, size... in many models, a mouse gun does the minimum of all three. If it has to be small, you might as well preserve the other two as best as possible. I'll leave it up to each individual to determine what that means for them.

The best concealment setup I ever found for a professional dress environment was a PM9 in High Noon tuckable IWB. Very comfortable, very concealable, still a 9mm (I realize caliber is subjective, 9mm is just my preference for a minimum fighting caliber). Unfortunately, the PM9 was the weak link in that system, and after growing frustrated with repeated failure of the weapon, I gave up on it.

For me, pocket carry of a J Frame with no other weapons is a last resort. I see mouse guns as the weapons to carry when one can't carry a weapon, or as backups to something else. Others see it other ways, and I respect that; just my thoughts.
 
I had one (642) in my pocket all day at work today. I'm in sales talking with a lot of people and have never had anyone suspect a thing. I carry it in a Mika holster these days. Right now I have a KT P32 with me.
 
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