Pocket carry help!

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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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I have just recently obtained my CCW license and I currently have a S&W M642 revolver that I'm carrying in a Bob Mika pocket holster, in the front right pocket of a pair of jeans I carefully sought out they it had a nice big pocket and was relaxed fit. The only problem is, this is what my setup looks like from outside the pocket (click on images to enlarge):

pocket1.jpg

pocket2.jpg

pocket4.jpg

pocket3.jpg

I feel that this isn't how a pocket carry setup should look. One can clearly see a definite bulge, does it look unnatural or does it shout "gun", or does this look okay? Is bulging acceptable with pocket carry if there is no printing of a "gun" shape? And is my gun printing a "gun" shape? I bought a S&W M642 under the impression that it would be great for carrying in the pocket, but I'm not sure I'm getting good results with it!

I need some recommendations on what I should do. I have carried this way a couple times in public but with a large flannel shirt that covers the pocket pretty well. I am afraid of going out with just a T-shirt on as it's getting warmer outside but I don't feel comfortable doing so yet.

Please critique how bad this looks and give me some advice as I really am not sure how this should look at all. Thanks for your time!
 
Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? Ha.

Seriously, though, that bothered me a little when I tried an Airweight for carry. I love revolvers and think they have some distinct advantages over automatics, but I carry an LCP because it's a lot thinner. As others have suggested, it's not likely someone will notice, but it did bother me.

You might also try a longer shirt. I find that a longer shirt in a plaid pattern tends to conceal a firearm really well.
 
COOLDILL,

I deal with this problem by using a more compact gun. Usually a WALTHER PPK. You can also add something to your pocket to break up the outline. I was wearing my PPK yesterday and slid my small cell phone into my pocket. It blurs the pistol shape outline and as long as it is not too large, does not effect my draw or comfort wearing it.

Also, consider looser pants, like cargo pants.

Jim
 
The first thing someone new to concealed carry needs to learn is that nobody's looking nor will notice. I carry my "wallet" and cell phone in my left front pocket, which bulges more than that. Don't worry, be happy.
 
It does not look bad at all. As long as you can get a good grip on your 642you don't need to change a thing. People are much more likely to notice if you are wearing tacticool pants (although I do wear them on every so often) and gun themed shirts. Looser cargo shorts or pants would help, but they are not necessary.

Enjoy your 642, I've carried mine for almost three years now and love it.

Also what every you do, DO NOT PUT ANYTHING ELSE IN THE SAME POCKET AS THE GUN AND HOLSTER.

A good read is Ed Lovette's "The Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup, and Concealed Carry standard" I think anyone who carries a revolver should have this book IMHO.

Sorry for the bad photo, but here's my 642 with Pachmayr compac presentation grips.
 

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A Blackhawk size 3 holster would not be as bulky but it would be more lumpy. I'm using one with a 642 and no one has said anything. Also since KS and my state (IN) are open carry, maybe nobody cares.
 
Anyone asks; you play a lot of pool, and prefer to carry your own cue ball.. :evil:

Seriously, no one (other than some of us fellow carriers) is gonna notice, or figure it out if they do. I carried an all-steel snub revolver like that for years as an off-duty gun. If I was ever made, it wasn't brought to my attention.
 
Like everyone said, don't be paranoid. The only person that would think that's a gun is a fellow CCW holder.

But, I have to ask.....is it comfortable? Looks like it might be a bit tight when you sit down.
 
How often do you take a serious look at another feller's front pockets? Nobody is going to stare long enough to realize what you have stuffed in that pocket, or at least we hope not.:evil:

The Mika pocket holster is bulky to start with but will configure to the gun and to your leg.

Don't give up on it yet.
 
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Another voice here saying no one will notice that lump in your pocket let alone guess it is a gun. At least no one that will come up and voice their guess to you.

When I look at other people that are looking at me, they almost never look at, or near my crotch. I can't speak for what people look at while I'm walking away, though. :D
 
You're good to go. :) Carrying a gun is much easier if you think "unobtrusive" instead of "not even a hint." If anyone even notices that little bulge, it is almost inconceivable they would associate it with a gun.

There would probably be less bulge with a small flat automatic, but (provided your pockets are large enough), the revolver, with its more rounded grip shape and contours in general, is a little easier to draw from the pocket.
 
I carry the same setup in the summer and the Mika holster is one of the best in terms of comfort, especially for long hours of carry. Being new to concealed carry can make you a bit more paranoid about being watched by others, when in reality hardly anyone is paying attention to you or what may be in your pockets. In this era, everyone carries everything on their belts and in their pockets, including cel phones which are larger than some guns, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Your pictures don't show anything I'd be overly concerned about.

Part of the comfort and getting used to it can be found by carrying around the house. Whatever you do, don't fidget with it and don't keep adjusting it while you're out and about. That will call attention to you more than you realize.
 
You are worrying way too much. Nothing I saw in those pictures screams gun! Nothing you carry will completely disappear, that Mika holster is doing it's job by breaking up the outline of your revolver. I have been carrying a J frame in a Mika pocket holster for a very long time and no one ever thought I was carrying.

Because you are new to carrying you think everyone will see your gun. You see what you know is there, they have no idea. Most people have no idea what's going on around them other than their cell-phone. In a few weeks you won't even think about it so save yourself all the grief and just stop worrying now.

Relax, it looks fine...
 
ColtPythonElite has it right.

People who don't carry won't even guess that it's a gun, and people who do legally carry will only wonder what model you are carrying.

Don't worry so much.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! I went to the ol' Wal-Mart today and tried on some different jeans. I bought a pair of Wrangler relaxed fits, and this is now what the same set up looks like in the pocket:

pocket1.jpg

pocket_2.jpg

pocket_3.jpg

pocket_4.jpg

I like these jeans because they are more comfortable and I prefer the color. Does this look like an improvement over my original pics or should I go back to my old jeans? Thanks!
 
Man 99% of the world will never suspect you're carrying a gun!
It's good that YOU are concerned because it means you understand the first, best order of carrying concealed it to carry in a manner that makes you feel you might be caught...
BION there ARE people out there carrying concealed who could care less whether you notice a bulge in their pocket.

The KEY to CC is to carry the gun "high" relative to your pants...which means carry in the watch pocket of your jeans.
 
Jeans aren't the only pants in the world. As a matter of fact they are a terrible choice in most self defense or survival situations. They're usually too tight unless they're too baggy. The pockets are small and tight. They're difficult to stretch and squat in. If they get wet they stay wet for hours. They're heavy but not really warm. Etc.
I prefer good quality cargo type or carpenter style work pants from Carhartt or similar.
They are much better suited to carrying guns, knives, pepper spray, etc. and are much better than jeans in all combat situations.
 
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