ny32182
Member
Cliffs:
I'm a left handed shooter who would like the ability to pocket carry an M&P Shield. I've never pocket carried anything and one of my main concerns is that bumping into something could hit the mag release inadvertently. Is there a such thing as a hard pocket holster that protects the mag release button? IF so, please recommend a model or three... again, I'm a lefty if it matters.
Long version:
I like carrying big guns. I just shoot them better, and I'm a firm believer that if you are carrying a gun that you can't shoot well, you are actually carrying a brick. And not a very good one. My carry gun for the last several years has been a G19.
Well... I'm finally hoping to let go of my denial and admit that I don't carry as often as I should due to the time and trouble of strapping up an IWB, and the weight of the G19, while tolerable, can get tiring after a long day.
I handled/briefly shot a Shield when they first came out, and while it is not nearly as comfortable as a midsize/compact gun, even with my big hands, I CAN get a decent grip on it. Even with the flush fit mag, my pinky is about half on it, and I feel like I have some decent control. With the 8rd mag my pinky is all the way on it and it points pretty nicely.
This is in stark contrast, to, say, an LCP, over which I have absolutely zero control. I'd feel better armed with a sharpened pencil. Seriously. I shot a G42, and can't get any pinky on it, plus .380, so no thanks. I always figured if I went to any subcompact it would be the Shield. They went on sale locally for $380 out the door at PSA, so I pulled the trigger and am now the owner of a brand new Shield 9mm. Also the overall design is very familiar to me as I put in a lot of competition time with the 5" Pro, so that is another plus.
Anyhow, I'm aware that most consider this gun borderline holster/pocket. I would like to have the ability to do both, so, I will definitely get an IWB for it, and hopefully it will be nicer from a weight perspective to carry all day vs. the G19.
But, I'd also like the ability to very quickly throw it in my pocket for, example, short trips to the store or something. I realize it might be big and heavy for this purpose, but again, my goal with the pocket carry will be speed-optimized, short stretches, not all day carry (I'll have the IWB for that), and getting the overall percentage of time that I actually carry up significantly from where it is now.
So, what pocket holsters meet my requirements? 1) Got to protect the trigger well if I'm going to put a round in the chamber. I don't care how heavy the trigger or what else is not in the pocket, if it is sitting right next to my jewels, the only way there is going to be a round in the chamber is if the trigger is well protected. If not I'll go empty chamber for pocket carry. 2) Protect the mag release... it is not reversible, and as a lefty it is going to be facing outward and thus likely pretty easy to bump something and inadvertently release the magazine.
What have you guys used, and what am I not thinking about as a first timer pocket carrying?
I'm a left handed shooter who would like the ability to pocket carry an M&P Shield. I've never pocket carried anything and one of my main concerns is that bumping into something could hit the mag release inadvertently. Is there a such thing as a hard pocket holster that protects the mag release button? IF so, please recommend a model or three... again, I'm a lefty if it matters.
Long version:
I like carrying big guns. I just shoot them better, and I'm a firm believer that if you are carrying a gun that you can't shoot well, you are actually carrying a brick. And not a very good one. My carry gun for the last several years has been a G19.
Well... I'm finally hoping to let go of my denial and admit that I don't carry as often as I should due to the time and trouble of strapping up an IWB, and the weight of the G19, while tolerable, can get tiring after a long day.
I handled/briefly shot a Shield when they first came out, and while it is not nearly as comfortable as a midsize/compact gun, even with my big hands, I CAN get a decent grip on it. Even with the flush fit mag, my pinky is about half on it, and I feel like I have some decent control. With the 8rd mag my pinky is all the way on it and it points pretty nicely.
This is in stark contrast, to, say, an LCP, over which I have absolutely zero control. I'd feel better armed with a sharpened pencil. Seriously. I shot a G42, and can't get any pinky on it, plus .380, so no thanks. I always figured if I went to any subcompact it would be the Shield. They went on sale locally for $380 out the door at PSA, so I pulled the trigger and am now the owner of a brand new Shield 9mm. Also the overall design is very familiar to me as I put in a lot of competition time with the 5" Pro, so that is another plus.
Anyhow, I'm aware that most consider this gun borderline holster/pocket. I would like to have the ability to do both, so, I will definitely get an IWB for it, and hopefully it will be nicer from a weight perspective to carry all day vs. the G19.
But, I'd also like the ability to very quickly throw it in my pocket for, example, short trips to the store or something. I realize it might be big and heavy for this purpose, but again, my goal with the pocket carry will be speed-optimized, short stretches, not all day carry (I'll have the IWB for that), and getting the overall percentage of time that I actually carry up significantly from where it is now.
So, what pocket holsters meet my requirements? 1) Got to protect the trigger well if I'm going to put a round in the chamber. I don't care how heavy the trigger or what else is not in the pocket, if it is sitting right next to my jewels, the only way there is going to be a round in the chamber is if the trigger is well protected. If not I'll go empty chamber for pocket carry. 2) Protect the mag release... it is not reversible, and as a lefty it is going to be facing outward and thus likely pretty easy to bump something and inadvertently release the magazine.
What have you guys used, and what am I not thinking about as a first timer pocket carrying?
