Pocket Carry...ain't workin'...

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Nightcrawler

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Okay, I recently got my Utah CWP. I've never had one before, so I'm figuring out ways to carry my handguns. Of my five handguns, only two are not on consignment right now, my Colt Gov't Model and my S&W 642.

With the nice High Noon Slide Guard holster I have for it, I can effectively conceal the Government Model at roughly my 8 o'clock position, if I'm wearing a buttoned-up, un-tucked shirt over my t-shirt. An unbuttoned shirt risks blowing open, and those swoopy concealment vests are too dorky looking even for me. Problem is, the butt sticks out badly when I lean forward, and often it's hot enough where I don't want to wear an overshirt.

The snubby...I'll admit I don't yet have a holster for the snub. So I've been playing around with ways to conceal it. I've successfully attempted pocket carry in my left front jeans pocket. It's effectively concealed, but prints badly. The only reason I can get away with it is that most people just aren't that observant (and even those that are ususally aren't examining my pelvis). Still, there has to be a better way. I'm wearing regular relaxed fit jeans, no butt-huggers or anything (the idea of me wearing butt-hugging jeans revolts even me, LOL).

Any holster recommendations? Remember, it gets hot here. I'd like something that I can get by with a t-shirt and jeans. I'm thinking something like Thunderwear, maybe.
 
Blue jeans are pretty tight and restrictive for sticking a revolver in the front pocket. Some dockers or khakis work much better. And hearing that you've got guns in consignment, you sound like you're on a tight budget, an Uncle Mike's pocket holster might help you out with that outline.
 
I agree with the "frog," and what he said aint "bull." :D

To effectively pocket carry you need deep pockets and a looser fit. This doesn't describe jeans. I know it isn't easy for you young guys, but go modify your wardroabe.

Be aware that people will look at you funny when you're in a store looking at pants, but checking out the pockets first... :)

A good pocket holster (and Uncle Mike's will do) tends to take care of the printing problem, and it will keep the gun upright at the same time. Carry without a holster and you may end up grabbing the muzzle. :eek:

Correctly done, pocket carry works. I've done it for over a half century and never been outed.
 
Blue jeans are pretty tight and restrictive for sticking a revolver in the front pocket.
Click to expand...

To effectively pocket carry you need deep pockets and a looser fit. This doesn't describe jeans. I know it isn't easy for you young guys, but go modify your wardroabe.
Click to expand...

Maybe standard Wanglers don't work, but check out the new Wrangler cargo jeans. They have really roomy pockets. With a good pocket holster, they'll hide either my Taurus 85 or my Kel Tec P11. I can't do that with most jeans. Also (and I know about Levis anti-gun corporate policy) Levis carpenter's jeans have really deep, roomy pockets, more so than the Wrangler cargo jeans.

My preference is the Wranglers because I just like cargo pockets for wallet and such. I don't like sitting on my wallet, too full of credit cards and it's uncomfortable...:banghead: The Wranglers have a neat cell phone pocket on either side and my NAA mini and it's "holster grip" fits in one of 'em, the cell phone in the other. Don't have to wear my cell phone on my belt with the Wranglers.

I just picked up another pair of Wrangler cargos on sale for $14.88 at WalMart the other day. I've carried IWB one day since discovering these jeans. :D The carpenter's jeans do have a deeper pocket and hide the gun better, but the cargos are just too good. The gun rides a bit high in the pocket, but the opening is big and if the leather holds the gun forward in the pocket, there's no problem. I can't use the finger extention on my KT cause the magazine is located such that it'll protrude from the pocket, but with a standard magazine in place it rides concealed....just.
 
And hearing that you've got guns in consignment, you sound like you're on a tight budget, an Uncle Mike's pocket holster might help you out with that outline.

You can find an uncle mike's pocket holster for around $10, and it works perfectly for a S&W j-frame. Speaking from experience.

-David
 
NC,

The answer to ALL your pocket carry needs is: a Robert Mika holster. This "pearl" is designed to stay in place in your pocket and it has a wide mouth to let you get your finger down to the trigger guard as you draw.

For the record, it's the only holster I've tried, but it works great and is perfect for me. Plus, the price and service you get from Robert are totally first rate. (I have a round cut.)

Hope this helps. (I'm really enjoying your work w/ Correia.)

Regards,
fiVe
 
One way to help keep a revolver from printing in the front pocket.

Keep the wheelgun in a pocker holster, and get one of those little coin purses, and keep it in that pocket between the holster and the outside of the pants. Yes, it violates the "nothing else in the pocket" principle, but it conceals the outline. The pocket looks full, but that's it.
 
Remember you have to dress around the gun must rethink your wardrobe. Also when carrying concealed on the hip you must learn to squat and not bend over.
 
I'm in South Texas. recently acquired a Gov't Model as well. I was lucky enough to have a friend loan me some of his holsters to see what worked best for me. I got to tryout two Milt-Sparks, a Cross Breed, and a Ky-tac.

I had great luck with the Milt Sparks VMII being able to conceal it at 1.30, 5 and 10.30 (o clock) and the same with the Ky-Tac Braveheart http://www.kytac.com/ I ended up ordering both and am currently borrowing the kytac until mine come in.

My typical day wear is jeans and tshirts. As for shirts, get one size larger and if possible a bit "thicker". What I mean is you don't want to wear one of the thin tshirts from say Mens Express, or Aeropostale. The thicker ones help break the outline.

If carrying in jeans is what you want go to your local mall and see where the Kids (skaters/Urban ware) are buying thier jeans. I've got some nautica and fubu jeans with some truly HUGE pockets. With the way the legs flare out (not quite bell bottoms) I find I can ankle carry my BUG as well without printing.


Definately get a pocket holster for your Revolver. it'll break the printing and make it seem like a camera or as others have said will make it seem like a full pocket.
 
try carpenter jeans - i have some from Sportsmansguide that would work.

The front pocket is cut fuller and a S&W model 38 (older pre P+ shrouded hammer model) disappears in it.

p.s. love your on-line story, keep writing like that and you'll be able to afford many more firearms and no consignments!
 
I'd stick the durn thing in Ling's back packet if it were me...:D

Best recall - I loaned Old Fuff my Blue Jean Pocket Stretcher [tm], he is making new ones off my design - "one of these days" the Old Fuff will have these ready to sell...;)

Oh all right NC, just because I like and you all, and there is that story you and Larry are doing...

I'm over 50 and still wearing jeans...

Galco Belly Band offers a lot of options.

For shirt tails that flap in the wind , go to a bait shop [Southern for Store with Fishing supplies] and get the lead or the *cough* non-toxic lead and insert into the tail.

Yep, we been doing this this since I was a brat and Old Fuff was a handsome Stud.

Slit the tail, and sew to prevent unravel - like a button -hole. Insert lead, remove when doing laundry / taking to cleaners.

Works on Sport Coats, Light Jackets, Over sized shirts worn as over shirt...

We did it so when tossing garmet back to draw, the garment went back...faster, better, and allowed for smoother , faster, trouble free draw from concealment.

Split shot crimped onto a wire works...as does a pc tubular solder off a roll of plumbing solder.

Yeah I know, not all hi-tech, not newfangled, just another one of them Old Practical things been working for a long time still does.


OH! < light bulb > , I need to market Tactical Lead with a Carbon Fiber dispenser [patent pend]....Hey Old Fuff! Gots us another idea!!!




:D

Steve


ps - yeah, use that trick in the story - Me and Phil don't care...
 
I agree that the MIKA pocket holster (round bottom for me) is the way to go. I carry a 642 in regular levis and levis shorts, as well as slacks or suit pants. I've tried others but Robert Mika's is my choice. It's stout enough to cover the gun shape and just large enough that you can get a full firing grip in the pocket. Mr. Mika is a great guy to deal with, too.
 
I have not read the other post, but for your 1911 you want a Max-Con V by http://www.brommelandgunleather.com/ There is nothing that can touch it. You do need to go to one size larger cloths and you need a GUN belt. This holster is so comfortable I been known to fall asleep wearing it. I do a lot of sitting and this thing is still comfortable. I have tried a lot of IWB holster

For pocket carry I cannot do it with anything but kaki pants. Cargo pants would work too.
 
I have a Mitch Rosen pocket holster for my 340PD. Works nice, breaks up the print, holds it in the right direction, and keeps all the lint out of it.
 
+1 for a Desantis Nemesis. It's a great holster which IMHO ranks up there with holsters 5 times it's price and does an excellent job of breaking up the outline.
 
I carry a Taurus .38 in my front pocket. The gun is held in a Mika or a Galco holster, depending on which type of pant I'm wearing. The Mika works great, but the Galco has better retention in some types of trousers.
The Mika is quite a bit cheaper then the Galco, so that's the holster I'd go for first...if I were you.

I'd strongly suggest not carrying any gun in your pocket without a holster...that's an AD or ND waiting to happen!
 
A popular trend these days is to wear a light, short-sleeved, square-bottom button-down shirt untucked. This is just awesome for concealing a pistol. You can do the same with a slightly oversized golf shirt. If you carry behind your hip, you do have to be careful not to bend over. Either don't bend at the waist, or move your carry holster up to appendix position.

Instead of wearing dorky convealment vests, try cool, outdoorsy fleece vests from Sierra Trading Post.

Stick the pocket holster in your back pocket.

- Chris
 
Pocket carry may be workin' better'n you think. As many others have asserted, a simple $15 pocket holster will do pretty much everything needed there. I occasionally wear jeans that are pretty tight, but the object in my pocket remains unrecognizable. It's OK for you to have something in your pocket.
 
I cannot get pocket carry to work for me. I went back to IWB. Its a whole lot better for me.
 
The best way I have found to carry a J-frame like your 642 is a Barami Hip Grip.
Click to expand...

The Barami Hip Grip is a good idea -- albeit it gets the gun too close to the skin for me.

I had got in the habit of carrying a Colt Detective Special Mexican carry -- with the butt hooked over the belt. With a shirt or t-shirt tucked in and bloused, the butt was covered, but it was a little too insecure.

So I made an IWB holster to carry the gun low -- the top edge of the holster is level with the belt. It carries just as before, but very securely, and the butt is easily concealed by the slack in a bloused shirt.
 
Holster selection

It's the proper holster choice that conceals the pistol. For the 1911, about the best is the www.miltsparks.com. I prefer their VM2. It's a IWB that hides a 1911 great about 4 o'clock. I use a Galco pocket holster to hide my Ruger SP101 in my jeans and you really can't tell it's a gun.
 
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