Looking for a new carry gun

[chicharrones]

Hadn't thought about pocket carry before. Anyone have a link to beginner's guide on pocket carry?

Here's a size comparison of many pocket guns.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B22wLsyYEkTOMDU4MjJlNTktOTRlZi00NTJkLWE0MGMtZmEwNGFlMWE3ZDlm/view

It's actually a link from this stickied post. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...iagrams-pocket-auto-comparison-charts.558765/

 

[bangbang01]

Jeepers, buddy, calm down. Yes, as a matter of fact, I'd rather carry IWB or OWB than in my pocket. As I said, at least for me... I don't wear baggy pants... trying to draw a weapon out of my pocket and presenting in any reasonable time is futile, but I can carry my CM9 tucked up at 4 O'clock in my waistband and have access to it no matter what position I'm in, certainly more so than trying to dig one out of my pocket. In lieu of carrying a piece in my toolbag, I carry a collapsible baton... it looks like a tool handle and no one is the wiser, and I don't have to keep my bag secured.

I guess I'm lucky... I work for myself. If I get somewhere and don't like the looks of the place, I just drive on. The best way to not lose a fight is to not enter it.

The difference is that you're not getting fired when someone sees your piece. Also, if you're carrying in your waist, you're wearing pants that don't fit you or you're uncomfortable. It's one or the other. If you're a big guy that needs a belt to hold your pants up, this doesn't make sense, but if you have a 32 inch waist and a flat stomach it makes a lot of sense.

Pocket carry is all about the style of pocket, not the tightness of the pants. I can draw a little LCP or p32 from a pair of cargo pants or shorts with decent pockets just as fast as I can draw my p01 off my waist. I can actually draw my pf9 from my back pocket with a belt clip faster than I can draw the same gun from my waist, but it requires a jacket or sweatshirt to conceal.

I went back to school in my late 20's and now work a white collar job. I wear a different outfit and work in a safer environment, but the drill is still the same. Get caught with a gun, and you lose your job. I know of 2 other guys I currently work with that carry. One of them pocket carries a Seecamp 380 in a wallet type holster and always wears dark slacks. He's been at this game for a LONG time. The other carries a micro Kimber in a standard pocket holster. I can see him print, but apparently nobody that gives a rip can.

 

[bangbang01]

The pants are the Duluth firehose pants with large cargo pockets on the thighs. Any have any experience carrying in a thigh pocket opposed to a front pocket? I currently put my wallet in one and never have an issue with binding, from the looks of it pocket holsters seem to be about wallet sized correct? I also wear them a size or two big. When I first started considering concealed carry a friend recommended to wear larger pants and I find them much more comfortable that way anyways.

Thanks again for information and feedback, especially count zero. If it isn't a Sig, Glock, s&w, Springfield, Ruger, walther, or CZ I doubt I know the company. Still really new to handguns.

The problem I've found with carrying in that side pocket is that the weight of a gun will cause it to swing back and forth against your leg all day. You might not find it a big deal. But I find it super annoying after a while. Your front pocket on your dominant side is ideal. Having the right type of pocket, holster and gun in a pair of cargo pants makes drawing even from a seated position while driving not too bad.

People will talk all kinds of smack about cheap little plastic guns, but they serve a purpose. My Kel-tec p32 weighs 6.6 ounces and is only 3/4 inch thick. Carrying it is literally like having a wallet in your pocket. If you're not ok with a 32acp, they make the exact same gun in a 380acp, and it only weighs a little over an ounce more. If you don't like the Kel-tecs, there are several brands that make a little poly 380 that isn't much bigger, but I have found the Ruger LCP to be the biggest pocket gut that still carries like a wallet with the right holster.

Pocket guns can be extremely reliable, but the odds of getting a lemon are higher, and they typically require a break in period unlike most modern pistols that fire a service caliber (9mm and up) . So don't carry one until you got 250 rounds or more through it without a failure and at least 50 rounds of that being your carry ammo.

 

[chicharrones]

The problem I've found with carrying in that side pocket is that the weight of a gun will cause it to swing back and forth against your leg all day. You might not find it a big deal. But I find it super annoying after a while.

I've only worn shorts with pockets on the thigh, and any thing with weight in there gets annoying to me as well. Swing, swing, swing, bash, smack, etc., etc.

 

[paulsj]

Currently have a CZ P07 and while it works for sweatshirt and coat weather I'd like to have something smaller to carry, especially at work where my manager had taken a strick no print policy similar to what I imagine Cali or NJ would have. (I don't actually know the laws in those states I've just heard they are draconian at best)
The features I'm looking for are SA/DA with a decocker and would prefer no manual safety. My top picks right now are Sig p239 or CZ RAMI BD. Given that the Sig is a bit more cash than I'd like to put into a carry pice and the RAMI is apparently a fool's errand to try and find I'm interested in other options I might not be aware about. I know the Walther p99c fits the bill and is currently my fall back if I can't find my other two choices.

Anyone have a CZ PCR able to attest to how easy it is to carry? I work as an electrician and fairly active on the job.

Both you mentioned are larger than needed and would be pia to carry daily. I would get LC 9. Small reliable and cheap to buy. I would seek out one of them special ones with chromed slide because the standard ones rust easily.

 

[Mike .45]

I do agree about the swaying in a cargo pocket. There are ways to mitigate it based on body type and choice of pants. We are all different what works for some won't work everone. I don't carry in the cargo pocket with shorts or thin khaki pants. Too much swaying back and forth but I don't own any khaki pants anyway. It works fine for me in work pants but I wear double front pants that are thicker and have a lot of structure to them and I have tree trunks for legs so my pants are not overly baggy.

The flip side for me is that I can't appendix carry due to the discomfort (And imho Glock leg is preferable to Glock junk) and I print horribly if I pocket carry.

In all honesty I carry IWB 95% of the time anyway. It just isn't feasable for me if i put my tool bags on.

Agreed on smaller and/or inexpensive guns. They have their place.

 

[bangbang01]

Both you mentioned are larger than needed and would be pia to carry daily. I would get LC 9. Small reliable and cheap to buy. I would seek out one of them special ones with chromed slide because the standard ones rust easily.

Forgot about the lc9. It's got a nice little thumb safety on if too. Cheap, safe, and extremely reliable.

 

[Kendahl]

If you're willing to go down to .380, consider a Kahr CW380 or P380. It disappears in a front pocket. The 7-round extended magazine with a collar gives you a three-finger grip. Kahr's CT380 has a longer barrel and is the same height but bigger at the bottom of the grip. A MagGuts kit in either would give you 8+1 capacity. ShootingTheBull410's Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup on YouTube has recommendations for self defense cartridges. Pocket holsters from Recluse, PJ Holster and Alabama Holster provide positive retention to keep the gun from slipping out.

 

[Charlie98]

Also, if you're carrying in your waist, you're wearing pants that don't fit you or you're uncomfortable. It's one or the other. If you're a big guy that needs a belt to hold your pants up, this doesn't make sense, but if you have a 32 inch waist and a flat stomach it makes a lot of sense.
.

My pants fit me just fine, and they are comfortable with or without my piece, carried inside or outside. I will give you a little credit, however... it does matter how you are built. What works for skinny guy may or may not work for Bubba... and that's an important point.

 

[bangbang01]

My pants fit me just fine, and they are comfortable with or without my piece, carried inside or outside. I will give you a little credit, however... it does matter how you are built. What works for skinny guy may or may not work for Bubba... and that's an important point.

You need n extra inch or so in the waist even for something as thin as Glock 43.......no?

About the big guy vs small guy, my step brother is 6'5" 330 lbs and played division one football. He front pocket carries a S&W shield in cargo pants without really printing..........yes, he's that big.

 

[tomrkba]

“No printing” means loose shirts, a heavy gun belt, a holster with lots of forward cant (strong side carry) or an appendix carry holster with wedge, wing and lots of adjustment in many dimensions.

Never lean over to pick up an object. Take a knee with the strongside knee on the ground to eliminate printing.

Change your holster and gear before you change your gun. One of the best strongside holsters is the Milt Sparks Criterion. It features tons of forward cant and is extremely comfortable and durable. You may be able to carry your current gun with it. I do recommend IWB mag holders that sit deep. I buy holders for the max size mag available. For example, I use Glock 17 holders even if I am carrying G19 or 26 mags.

Get a gun with a short grip if you have to change your gun. Try guns that are Glock 26 in height and shape. The shorter the grip, the less cant is needed. However, you need at least 15 degrees. More cant lets you carry a larger gun. I consider a gun to be too tall when it measures 5” from the bottom of the mag to top of the slide. My personal “max” is a Glock 19 though sometimes I can get away with a Glock 30.

Consider carrying in the appendix position with a mag on the other side in front. Include a wedge and wing on the holster. The wing tucks the grip into you so the point of the mag doesn’t print. The wedge tilts the rear of the gun into you and makes things more comfortable. You will need to discover what slide length works best for you since long slides will dig into you after awhile.

 

[helitack32f1]

I am a skinny dude that conceal carries a Glock 23 IWB at about 4 o'clock and on the other side of my body is a Glock 22 magazine in a cheapo Glock OWB holster as well as a Buck knife. At one time I bought an LCP for the times I felt I could not conceal the 23 but even during the summer while wearing shorts, I have been able to effectively conceal the Glock 23, under a t-shirt. I have spent a lot of time looking in the mirror over the years to find the best ways to move and bend over without printing and it is very helpful. Combine that with always being mindful of who is where and how you move in front of people always helps, as long as you do not act like a person carrying a gun.

Anyway, that being said, if I were you, i'd go with the Sig you mentioned. Nice looking gun, great size and, well, it is a Sig! For cheap and inexpensive, the Bersa does feel nice but I am unsure of their track record. One gun that would be inexpensive and is reliable and was onr of the most accurate handguns I have owned was my Makarov in .380 acp. Really wish I had not sold that.

 

[bannockburn]

I have found pocket carry to be very easy and comfortable to do with my Kahr CM9. For something a bit larger, like my CZ P01, I much prefer a good IWB holster like the DeSantis SOF-TUCK or their OWB Mini Scabbard.

 

[Ignition Override]

chicharrones brought up problems with guns in pockets. I'm aware of different pocket carry options.

Has anybody else here actually watched (on Youtube) the armed robbery in a pawn shop which suddenly became a shootout?

The sudden Shootout was between the two thugs and the Lady Staffer who remained On Her Feet, maybe 15-20 feet from the robbers, who had already spent a few minutes inside the pawn shop.

When the lady staffer pulled her gun on the thugs and began firing, the other two staffers, very overweight, ducked and stayed flat on the floor behind other various display counters, unable to remove their small handguns from the very tight pockets.

 

[Charlie98]

You need n extra inch or so in the waist even for something as thin as Glock 43.......no?.

No. I still wear the same 34x36 Levis I've been wearing for 20 years, the Kahr is so thin, tucked into a Galco suede holster, I just let my belt out one hole and I'm golden.

As I said, what works for me may or may not work for the OP. I KNOW pocket carry does not work for me and my circumstances because I spent a fair amount of time training trying it. I also tried appendix carry. Hopefully everyone that carries actually TRIES their carry method with live fire training... sitting, standing, knocked to the ground, driving a vehicle. You don't want to find the shortcomings to your carry method at the Moment of Truth.

 

[Kaybee]

For myself. I am interested in the Springfield XDE. If you have any interest at all in sa/da guns it's worth checking out because, politics aside, there is no other sa/da gun like it in it's class. (single stack 9mm, polymer, 1" wide).

 

[armoredman]

The PCR is the best CCW pistol I ever found, but it might be a bit larger for what you want. The RAMI is awesome, but the BD model is better with the decocker, in my mind. Also, I need that 14 round mag to control it - is too short. Many of the real pocket autos are too dangum short to hang on to, for me, and I have average size mitts. I do confess I am really interested in the Ruger EC9S, a real economy beater gun that still has 7+1 rounds of 9mm on tap. No night sights possible, though, but $220 shipped, (reported), for budget minded people like me...

 

[If1HitU]

I only Pocket carry my 380's & J frames .38's in my front right pocket,I make sure the shorts or long trousers/pants have deep pockets and are loose enough to not show prints.

 

[SeanSw]

Although I don't carry my PCR I originally chose it over the P-01 and P-07 because it felt slimmer with softer contours and no tactical rail which would have been useless for me. Something about the texture of that gun just didn't scream CCW. The dimensions are outwardly similar to the P-07 but the PCR is less blocky and with the addition of super thin VZ grips it has a very slim grip which remains extremely comfortable. Still, I have not found a good holster for carrying it and default to my single stack xds.

With slim grips the handle width of my pcr is 29mm vs 24mm on the xds. The PCR carries twice the payload for not much more gun. For rolling around on the floor at work the major portion of the frame is 28mm, while the widest portion of the PCR is 34mm at the slide stop lever, which is routinely customized for an even lower profile. For even deeper carry I use a Beretta Pico. It's at the extreme end of pocket .380s, just 18mm at it's widest, and there's nothing wrong with a plain ol' Ruger lcp, LC9, or M&P shield either.

 

[armoredman]

SeanSw, check out High Noon Holsters, specifically this one,
https://www.highnoonholsters.com/leather-holsters/iwb-holsters/extreme-duty/down-under
This is the one I carry my Phantom concealed with, on a High Noon Rock Steady gunbelt - works great under a loose t-shirt, even in AZ heat.

 

[All ln]

I've looked and tried many. The two that are in my "carry" rotation are both 9mm. The Walther PPS and the Springfield XDS. Both incredible and extremely reliable. Both soft "shooters" and accurate.

 

[somethingbenign]

So picked up my new pistol yesterday. A CZ RAMI. Wasn't a decocker model but when I picked it up I knew I had to take it home. Really helps that the manual safety can't be turned on when the hammer is dropped so I don't have to worry about it getting bumped on. Thanks for all the advice. I have a few more questions but I'll post up in the appropriate sections.