Pocket Carry Factors

[jwalker497]

Regarding Pocket Carry, what is most important factors when trying to conceal a small semi-auto comfortably and discreetly via a front pocket pocket holster?? Is it Length, Width, Height? I am thinking that Height or Grip Height is the most important, followed by Width and Length tied for second. I think a taller gun would be difficult to conceal in the pocket.

This cam about as I was comparing the specs of the Kahr P380 which seems pretty tall (3.9in) for a tiny gun as compared to the Ruger LCP (3.6) The kahr is shorter @ 4.9 in length whereas the LCP is 5.16in. And the Kahr is thinner @ .75in vs the LCP @ .820in. Although the Kahr wins 2 of 3, the most important for pocket carry to me seems the grip height, isnt that where most printing would occur?


Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[GunNut]

Assuming you are talking about small pockets like those found in jeans, I have found it is the length of the grip that makes the gun concealable or not. The grip is really the only part of the gun that will protrude in a standard pocket holster, and having it stick out there will print.

 

[gwlammers]

IMO grip height is most critical. Width will just make a bigger bulge. Height as the potential of causing the butt to be exposed. A grip that is too long (tall) can prevent or delay you from presenting your weapon and that could be deadly at the wrong time.

 

[chicharrones]

All three dimensions have to be considered as well as weight. However, between the two guns you mention it is a virtual tie in my opinion.

Definitely go to a gun shop and compare the two in person. That way you can hold them side by side and see if one is really that much smaller than the other. Plus, is that small smidgen of grip length loss worth giving up how it fits in your hand when it's time to fire the pistol?

If you are like me, you will end up with different sizes of pocket guns for different types of pants. Whenever possible, I always go with the biggest pocket gun I can as long as it can still be effectively drawn from my pocket.

 

[gearhead]

I selected grip height, because for an autoloader the practical minimum barrel length for defensive calibers is 3" give or take a quarter inch. With this limitation, almost all true compacts within a given caliber will be within a quarter inch in overall length but the grip height is where the design tradeoffs show up. The best, most efficient designs will reliably pack the most ammo into the shortest possible grip length.