Pocket Carry only for 380s...I don't think so! (with Pics)

[StrikeFire83]

So earlier this week we had a lively discussion as to the merits of all these tiny .380s that are coming out (more now that the S&W and Diamondback are out in the wild) given the high price of the ammo, its scarcity, and the fact that many 9mms exist that can be concealed in virtually the same conditions.

Well, I say let the free market sort it out and if people want the .380s and continue to buy them, huzzauh and good fortune my friend. Hell, I even bought a Kel-Tec P3AT several years ago that I never carried much and have only put like 200 rounds through, and yet they got my money.

But I'm posting this thread because a lot of people gasped in consternation that I'd try and pocket carry a 9mm, my Kahr PM9, and said that only baggy clown pants/overalls would hide the weapon. Well, I manage to carry it in several types of pants without anyone being the wiser. In the pics below I have the Kahr in one pocket and my wallet in another. So let's play a game. Try and guess which pocket the gun is in and tell me if I'd be easily "made" out in public.

Jeans


WHICH POCKET...



Kahkis


WHICH POCKET



Slacks


WHICH POCKET

 

[David E]

Need better pics and tagline............

 

[StrikeFire83]

Better pics, yes. iPhone camera leaves something to be desired. My old digicam some time ago and haven't gotten a new one yet. But aside from the slacks pic which is a little dark, I think people can see everything they need to in order to prove my point.

 

[harmon rabb]

380 is coming back. even bud's has it in stock now.

in any event, i find that the pockets on jeans tend to be much smaller than those in the dress slacks that i wear on a daily basis. i've been pocket carrying my bersa thunder of all things lately in slacks, then switch over to my lcp or 442 when i wear jeans.

cliff notes: you are right -- some pants have large pockets in which you can conceal something much larger than a p3at, lcp, etc.

 

[DeepSouth]

I pocket carry a KAHR to, their PM45. I do wear the Carhartt Carpenter pants because they have deeper pockets than your average jeans.

I've never been made to my knowledge. The general public just doesn't pay much attention to that particular area of a mans body if you know what I mean.

 

[pingpingping]

I'm not a .380 man either...You won't be made

 

[Coyote3855]

I pocket carry a KelTec P3AT or a Kahr .380. I'm usually wearing Carhartt work pants because they are sturdy, comfortable, and as Deep South says, have deep pockets. Over time, wear on the outside of the pocket takes the general shape of the gun and DeSantis Nemesis holster, but no one has every asked me if there's a gun in pocket. My problem with pocket carry is the limited ability to deploy quickly, especially from standard jeans or when seated. I've started to carry a larger pistol again, IWB, and consider the pocket gun backup.

 

[Guns and more]

I especially liked the ones where you are invisible. If I had the cloaking device, carry would be easy.
I have a PM-9. FOR ME, it's too big for a pocket.

 

[tkopp]

Do the same sitting down

 

[BlayGlock]

I carry an MK9 in a pocket all the time and nobody the wiser.

 

[camsdaddy]

I "COULD" pocket carry my Glock 26 without 98% of the world noticing. That doesnt mean its comfortable, I know its suppose to comforting not comfortable. I find that when I sit down which I do a good part of the day it prints like a brick. I guess if I slid my legs completely under my desk it would be ok. I also would have a hard time drawing its small enough to carry just not draw quickly. It like drawing a well block figured Id make the Glock joke. I can just choose not to. I do respect your dedication to make it work its more gun than a 380 which is never a bad thing.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ Well, pocket carrying a G26 seems like it would be pushing it, at least for me. I'm 5'10" and about 195, so I'm a pretty medium sized dude, at least when it come to fatso America these days, and pocket carrying a Glock 26 wouldn't really be feasible for me. But for a big dude, say 6' 3" and up with a big frame and pockets, I'd say it could be doable.

For me, if I'm going to belt carry a gun, it better have more than seven shots. Especially when a good IWB holster can easily conceal a G26 or an XD-Sub compact.

 

[pstmstr]

I have carried my PM9 in the pocket as well. But......get a timer and see how long it takes to get it out and pretend to put a shot on target. It took me 6.27 seconds in live fire to get it out, put 6 rds on target. 4 of those were getting it out. I think I'm better off with an IWB holster and shirt tail out.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't question any of your assertions. I have a PM9 myself, and it conceals unobtrusively (but not completely, as there is a little bulge, similar to the photos) in relaxed-fit jean, slack or cargo pant pockets. It is a little tight in a standard jean pocket, and here is where the issue arises. Especially if it is going to be your only gun, you need to leave enough room to get your fingers around the grip for the draw.

 

[Diggers]

No one is going to get made while they pocket carry unless the grip is sticking out of their pocket.

IF people even notice the obvious bulge, they don't even think about it.

Which is why I like pocket carry, the chance of someone knowing I have a gun is pretty much zero.

The down side for me is, depending on the pants, it does get uncomfortable after a while, and the bigger/ heavier the gun the more uncomfortable it is.

Which is the whole idea behind the small light mouse guns made for pocket carry

 

[DeepSouth]

get a timer and see how long it takes to get it out and pretend to put a shot on target.

The wonderful thing about pocket carry is that MANY times you will be able to start your draw with your hand already on your weapon, now what is your draw time?

 

[Guns and more]

Where are the car keys, the cell phone, the change, the lighter and a pack of smokes?
Oh, and the folding knife I hear everyone carries. Oh, and the extra mags?

 

[Diggers]

Heh heh Guns and More, I always find my self looking for a place to put the stuff I would have carried in that pocket.

 

[TimboKhan]

Who said you couldn't pocket carry a Kahr? It's not like they are some huge pistol, man. If you had made the argument for a Glock or something, that would be one thing, but a Kahr is relatively small and flat....

 

[pstmstr]

yes you can start with your hand in your pocket and I often walk thru a parking lot or somewhere exactly like that. It's a good way to conceal a small pistol like the Kahr, just slow, even if you start with a hand on the gun. I'm going to compare times to a j frame hammerless the next time I go out. Keep in mind, in 4 seconds, it's probably over.

 

[Jim PHL]

I carry a j-frame in an Uncle Mike's nylon pocket holster in my right front pocket much of the time. If someone were to look there wondering whether there was a gun in my pocket, they would surely be able to tell it was there.

Pics are one thing, but I'd guess in person if someone was scrutinizing closely enough, they'd be able to tell you were carrying that Kahr.

 

[AKElroy]

I carry a G27 in a desantis nemesis in my right front pocket nearly every day. The left has two loaded mags to help balance the weight. It prints. 10+ years, and no one has noticed. People just do not pay attention.

So what if LE detects it; that is not the standard in Texas for failing to conceal. A CCW is considered concealed here if it avoides detection by casual observation. LE is not casual observation.