pocket carry no holster?

[C0untZer0]

Practicing a draw and having a problem like that puts a lump in my stomach and I say "dead" out loud

I have a full-sized CZ copy I keep in my car, in a Gum Creek under-the-dash holster, cocked & locked. Practicing drawing that thing, clearing the safety and aiming it it leftward across my body is really difficult. I've often hit the muzzle on the steering wheel, forgotten to disengage the safety or pulled the trigger before the gun is even aimed. I keep practicing until I can do it 100 hundred times straight without making a mistake. A week later I'll do the drill again, and the first dozen or so times I'll make those same mistakes again. My confidence level is pretty low that I'd be able to deploy that gun in a car jacking. Kind of disheartening so I keep on practicing...

 

[Flechette]

I have a full-sized CZ copy I keep in my car, in a Gum Creek under-the-dash holster, cocked & locked. Practicing drawing that thing, clearing the safety and aiming it it leftward across my body is really difficult. I've often hit the muzzle on the steering wheel, forgotten to disengage the safety or pulled the trigger before the gun is even aimed. I keep practicing until I can do it 100 hundred times straight without making a mistake. A week later I'll do the drill again, and the first dozen or so times I'll make those same mistakes again. My confidence level is pretty low that I'd be able to deploy that gun in a car jacking. Kind of disheartening so I keep on practicing...

I agree. The skill of drawing your weapon effectively is often overlooked. Many people I know buy guns, shoot them for a day and then carry them without much further practice shooting or drawing.

Riding in a car is another reason I do not like IWB right hand draws. When sitting in a car it is almost impossible to get it out within 20 seconds. Comfort is terrible too.

For a car I use a cross draw, appendix or shoulder rig, all guns on the left side.

 

[Wanderling]

You don’t want to end up famous like this guy..

https://nypost.com/2015/06/13/accidental-shooting-in-lobby-of-waldorf-astoria-hotel/

 

[Swifty Morgan]

I may get attacked for this, but I use a super-cheap Uncle Mike's Sidekick holster. It works great, and I can't seem to wear it out. I think I paid $5 for it. It's some kind of fabric, and it has rubbery stuff on it to make it stick to the pocket when you pull your gun. It blocks the trigger but allows easy access when you need it.

I can draw pretty much instantaneously, no problem.

I have leather holsters, and they cause problems. They're bulky, and it's hard to adjust them so the gun WILL draw but WON'T fall out. Have you ever seen someone yanking as hard as he can on a gun in a belt holster because the gun refuses to come out? Have you ever seen someone pull a gun with the leather belt holster still attached and blocking the barrel? These things are funny...as long as he's not doing it in a self-defense situation.

You can definitely see the gun through the pocket, but the shape is ambiguous, so no one has ever accused me of "printing."

 

[Flechette]

You don’t want to end up famous like this guy..

https://nypost.com/2015/06/13/accidental-shooting-in-lobby-of-waldorf-astoria-hotel/

Something tells me that there is more to this story.

Probable a lot of alcohol.

 

[Wanderling]

Something tells me that there is more to this story.

Probable a lot of alcohol.

From what I recall reading at the time this happened, a woman was trying to squeeze past him in a crowded reception area and somehow his gun went off. Perhaps her purse snagged on the trigger.

None of this would’ve happened had the trigger been covered.

 

[Terminatorret]

Put a wood grip on it so it doesn't drag, and slip it in your pocket. That's the way I've carried for years. If your pockets are large enough for a nice pocket holster, then more power to you. My Wrangler's pockets just fill up with unnecessary bulk when I try pocket holsters. I've tried Mika, DeSantis, Remora and Galco...too much bulk for Wranglers.

 

[bannockburn]

stevehgraham

I did a little test awhile ago for another member here who asked about pocket holsters. I tried four of them: two which were like the fabric pouch kind like your Uncle Mike's holster and two that were leather and had a small tail or hook on one end of them.

I found the fabric pouch kind worked fine; got a good grip on the gun, every draw was easy, and the holster stayed in the pocket. The problem with the hook design was that unless you made a conscious effort to keep the hook portion firmly planted in the back seam of the pocket, the holster would come out with the gun when drawn.

 

[Wanderling]

I pull the gun back and up in the same motion and the hook works as intended.

I also wear stretchy Wrangler Bootcut jeans and in one pair the pistol in a pocket holster prints like crazy, on another - same size, cut, everything - it looks like a wallet (actually the wallet prints much more). I guess it depends on the way each individual pocket was sewn.

 

[dbmjr1]

If I had to shove a revolver in my pocket, I'd feel safe.

If I did it with foresight, I'd have something that covers the trigger. Sticky Holster, etc.

At minimum I'd have a Kydex trigger guard tethered to a belt loop. This might be superior for a number of reasons.

I've been known to toss an LCR in a leather holster in my pocket. I've got some minimalist holsters, and printing can be less of an issue in a holster.

 

[Flechette]

From what I recall reading at the time this happened, a woman was trying to squeeze past him in a crowded reception area and somehow his gun went off. Perhaps her purse snagged on the trigger.

None of this would’ve happened had the trigger been covered.

So what do people think of clip grips? They do not cover the trigger.

 

[Wanderling]

I am pretty familiar with these from Glock forum and the consensus was to only use these ClipDraws (I think that’s what they are called ?) with a little plastic trigger protector on a lanyard that gets pulled off as you draw.

 

[Flechette]

Edited below

 

[Flechette]

I could see that with Glocks since their triggers are relatively light and close to a cocked striker fired gun without a safety.

But for a double-action revolver or auto with a first pull of 9 lbs of force? That does not worry me. Remember, the trigger guard serves a function.

I am pretty familiar with these from Glock forum and the consensus was to only use these ClipDraws (I think that’s what they are called ?) with a little plastic trigger protector on a lanyard that gets pulled off as you draw.

I could see that with Glocks since their triggers are relatively light and close to a cocked striker fired gun without a safety.

But for a double-action revolver or auto with a first pull of 9 lbs of force? That does not worry me. Remember, the trigger guard serves a function.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I personally am not a big fan of pocket carry with or without a holster. The draw is too slow, the gun, even a Baby Browning prints, and when sitting you would probably be dead before you got the gun out. Plus, I want my primary gun in the same place and in the same holster all the time.

That said I often carry a .22 North American Arms in the watch pocket of my jeans but it is a backup gun unless it is in my swimming trunks.

 

[Wanderling]

I could see that with Glocks since their triggers are relatively light and close to a cocked striker fired gun without a safety.

But for a double-action revolver or auto with a first pull of 9 lbs of force? That does not worry me. Remember, the trigger guard serves a function.

Which is to prevent the trigger from being engaged by the rim of the holster on re-holstering... or pretty much anything else coming in direct contact.

It does not protect from things coming sideways.

The super heavy trigger pull is a big advantage. But I'd still be wary of leaving the trigger exposed. Personal preference. On LCP however, the pull is not *that* heavy.

I personally am not a big fan of pocket carry with or without a holster. The draw is too slow, the gun, even a Baby Browning prints, and when sitting you would probably be dead before you got the gun out. Plus, I want my primary gun in the same place and in the same holster all the time.

That said I often carry a .22 North American Arms in the watch pocket of my jeans but it is a backup gun unless it is in my swimming trunks.

In my case, pocket carry makes all the difference. I can't stand IWB. I tried...

I specifically chose the original LCP because it's one of the smallest .380 handguns on the market. No problems with printing even with stretchy Wrangler jeans. And I literally do often forget it's there. As to the draw speed - it depends. I'd say I can draw at least as fast, if not faster, because if something doesn't look right, I can always slip my hand in my front pocket in advance without anyone around me giving it any thought. With IWB carry, I'd have to wait until the danger is manifested, lift my shirt, and reach for the grip. OTOH I can do that pretty fast. So in the end, I think it's a wash, speedwise.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

In my case, pocket carry makes all the difference. I can't stand IWB. I tried...

I specifically chose the original LCP because it's one of the smallest .380 handguns on the market. No problems with printing even with stretchy Wrangler jeans. And I literally do often forget it's there. As to the draw speed - it depends. I'd say I can draw at least as fast, if not faster, because if something doesn't look right, I can always slip my hand in my front pocket in advance without anyone around me giving it any thought. With IWB carry, I'd have to wait until the danger is manifested, lift my shirt, and reach for the grip. OTOH I can do that pretty fast. So in the end, I think it's a wash, speedwise.

I do not like inside the waist either. I also think it slows things up, and I am a firm believer in being the first to fire. We all have different opinions based on our experience.

That said, I do use a groin holster for one of my backup guns, as well as an extremely slow ankle carry for another backup gun. My extra magazines for my primary gun are usually inside the waistband in the summer.

I am amazed that you can hide your Ruger in your jeans because I can't really hide my Baby Browning which is considerably smaller. It may be the difference of the cut of the jeans since I alway wear stretch denim as well especially since I want mine tight. I like to be able to move in them and that I could not do very well if they were not stretch.

If I did not already have a Seecamp 380, the new Ruger would be my choice for a smaller backup gun.

 

[Wanderling]

I do not like inside the waist either. I also think it slows things up, and I am a firm believer in being the first to fire. We all have different opinions based on our experience.

That said, I do use a groin holster for one of my backup guns, as well as an extremely slow ankle carry for another backup gun. My extra magazines for my primary gun are usually inside the waistband in the summer.

I am amazed that you can hide your Ruger in your jeans because I can't really hide my Baby Browning which is considerably smaller. It may be the difference of the cut of the jeans since I alway wear stretch denim as well especially since I want mine tight. I like to be able to move in them and that I could not do very well if they were not stretch.

If I did not already have a Seecamp 380, the new Ruger would be my choice for a smaller backup gun.

Your jeans must be skin tight...

I own three pairs of Wrangler Bootcut stretchy jeans (the worst kind for printing), regular fit, all the same size.

In two of them, LCP (in Ruger pocket holster or a Sticky holster I just bought) doesn’t print. You can see that I have something in my pocket, but it’s actually less noticeable than my normal size wallet.

In the third, the pocket is either a bit smaller, or sewn differently, and sometimes the grip prints. But you’d have to really pay attention to see it and know what it is. Using a flush mag plate (the one without pinky rest) helps.

In most of my shorts, it’s impossible to see that I have anything in my pocket at all, and none of them are baggy.

By contrast, I pocket carried G26 in a Remora, and while it didn’t print as a gun, in these jeans it did stick out like a really fat wallet. I.e. looked ugly and drew attention, even if you wouldn’t be able to say what it was.

To me, LCP is carry heaven. I am 5’-10” and somewhat overweight, pushing 215, and IWB with Glock is just not comfortable. I can find a spot that feels OK, today, but the same spot would be very uncomfortable tomorrow. And the biggest problem is driving and sitting down, which I do all the times throughout the day. So I can carry my G26 if I am meeting friends for dinner downtown (and driving through some pretty bad areas along the way, not a place to have a car breakdown), but there’s no way I can comfortably carry it daily, every day, without going OWB. And that’s a whole different set of issues.

With LCP, I can just throw it in my front pocket, and it’s indistinguishable from a moderately sized wallet.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I have a full-sized CZ copy I keep in my car, in a Gum Creek under-the-dash holster, cocked & locked. Practicing drawing that thing, clearing the safety and aiming it it leftward across my body is really difficult. I've often hit the muzzle on the steering wheel, forgotten to disengage the safety or pulled the trigger before the gun is even aimed. I keep practicing until I can do it 100 hundred times straight without making a mistake. A week later I'll do the drill again, and the first dozen or so times I'll make those same mistakes again. My confidence level is pretty low that I'd be able to deploy that gun in a car jacking. Kind of disheartening so I keep on practicing...

Then there's the fact that you're more likely to have it stolen out of your car than actually use it to stop a car jacking