Pocket Carry. Really?

[Guillermo]

I figure if i ever need my handgun

This indicates that during those 24 years you have not had to use your weapon, let alone draw under pressure.

If this is a correct assumption...it is not that what you are doing is working...it is that it is untried and thus unproven.

BTW...this is not a slam. I have been robbed twice at gun point. My gun was within arms reach...and I couldn't get to it. And when I did get my hand on it, my performance was not great...to say the least. (I practice a lot more these days)

I hope none of us ever have need for our preparation.

 

[Shanghai Dan]

I use a Pocket Holster for my Kel-Tec P32. It's in my right-rear pocket where a wallet normally would be. If I need to draw, it simply looks like I'm reaching for my wallet. Convenient, completely normal to reach for if I'm being robbed, and in a location that no one even pays attention to a "bump" in that pocket.

 

[rfwobbly]

I just picked up a 638 with an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. With somewhat loose fitting casual shorts, the draw from the pocket is more convenient, easier and faster than my 3/4 auto in the waist band. The holster stiffens the pocket so that the pull is clean and fast. And there's never printing with the looser casual dress. Worst case by far is bluejeans.

 

[David E]

I did a few practice draws from the pocket and the Uncle Mikes kept coming out with the gun.

I'll use a KyTac Pocket-Lockit tomorrow.

 

[gilgsn]

What people forget is that we are talking about survival from a violent encounter, and being able to draw and fire your gun, whatever it is, is not the whole story. At such short distances, you need to know how to retain that gun, and also put the aggressor down if your gun jams or you don't have time to get it out. The survival mindset and training shouldn't be limited to drawing and shooting. It should be an all encompassing system, including physical training, movement, escape, martial arts, even a bit of psychology. If you weigh 400Lbs and can't move, your gun might not be of much use to you. If you can't deliver or take a punch, where does that leave you? Sometimes the first sign of trouble might be when you hit the ground with a big guy on top of you and a broken jaw or a knife in your back.. How do you move to draw your gun then? Carrying a gun without a system is like eating healthy but smoking a pack a day..

 

[Rexster]

I have long been recommending against pocket carry of one's only or primary weapon. I tried it, for a while, and found that, during any activity except standing calmly, getting a hand into a pocket, and onto the weapon, and getting the weapon clear of the pocket, can be problematic. When trouble happens, it is a very human action to immediately bend at the hips, which affects front and hip pockets.

Some cargo pants' pockets are not so bad in this regard, but the advantage is still usually with a holster at waist level. Moreover, heavy weight in most most cargo pants can result in its own set of problems.

I do still carry in a pocket much of the time, especially in certain weather conditions, but it is almost always a secondary weapon. My primary rides at 0300. Nothing wrong with the appendix position, or front cross-draw, but the only feasible place, as well as the mandated carry method, of my duty pistol is on the "strong" side hip. I like consistency, so 0300 it is. My primary carry position may migrate toward appendix after I retire.

 

[mark1616]

I can draw my S&W snubbie from my pocket holster faster than I can draw my full size Ruger or my compact Kahr from their IWB holsters.

I have never been in an SD situation involving firearms, but I practice so that I can be as confident and proficient as possible with each of my chosen carry tools. Otherwise I would not carry them.

 

[asm19]

I have tried repeatedly to carry IWB; I just can't do it without proclaiming to the world "I have a gun!" I am 5'11" 190lbs and unless I wear a coat and big baggy pants, the IWB option is gone, even with the LCP or LCR. Seems to me that most proponents of this carry style are bigger guys, those with more girth around the mid section. It just doesn't work for us skinny guys.

For me, the pocket or ankle carry is the only option to effectively conceal a handgun. And since my wife took my LCP, my carry method of choice is the NAA black widow in my front pocket. True, I will not be able to get it out very quickly but better to have a 22 magnum in my pocket than the XDM at home in the safe.

 

[Warp]

I have tried repeatedly to carry IWB; I just can't do it without proclaiming to the world "I have a gun!" I am 5'11" 190lbs and unless I wear a coat and big baggy pants, the IWB option is gone, even with the LCP or LCR. Seems to me that most proponents of this carry style are bigger guys, those with more girth around the mid section. It just doesn't work for us skinny guys.

For me, the pocket or ankle carry is the only option to effectively conceal a handgun. And since my wife took my LCP, my carry method of choice is the NAA black widow in my front pocket. True, I will not be able to get it out very quickly but better to have a 22 magnum in my pocket than the XDM at home in the safe.

When I started carrying daily it was a Glock 26 IWB. I was 6'00" and 170 lbs

 

[camsdaddy]

I agree when I began carrying my Glock 26 AIWB I weighed 135 lbs I am 5' 7" and now weigh about 150 ish. I havent noticed it being easier with or without the weight. If you think a LCP screams you have a gun trust me relax. People are so preoccupied with themselves and their phones they arent paying you any attention. I rarely wear much more than a T shirt that fits and a pair of shorts or a pair of jeans there is no visible sign.

 

[MedWheeler]

Gilgsn writes:

What people forget is that we are talking about survival from a violent encounter, and being able to draw and fire your gun, whatever it is, is not the whole story. At such short distances, you need to know how to retain that gun, and also put the aggressor down if your gun jams or you don't have time to get it out. The survival mindset and training shouldn't be limited to drawing and shooting. It should be an all encompassing system, including physical training, movement, escape, martial arts, even a bit of psychology. If you weigh 400Lbs and can't move, your gun might not be of much use to you. If you can't deliver or take a punch, where does that leave you? Sometimes the first sign of trouble might be when you hit the ground with a big guy on top of you and a broken jaw or a knife in your back.. How do you move to draw your gun then? Carrying a gun without a system is like eating healthy but smoking a pack a day..

Good points, yes, but this is a "pocket carry" thread.

 

[27hand]

pocket gun

Whiile a bit larger than most "pocket guns", the Kahr P9 Covert is a nice little single stack 9mm. What I like about the gun is that it has a 3 1/2" bbl ( same as a P9 or CW9) but the grip length of a PM9

It does fit in a Docker style pants pocket and draws pretty easily without pulling the Kytac Pockit Lockit with the pistol.



Remember.

"It will happen when you least expect it"
"It will be over in seconds"
" if you don't know what to do, you won't do it"

Quotes from a carbine instructor.

That pistol sometimes rides in a Mitch Rosen IWB "clipper" or a DeSantis Apache ankle rig for deeper concealment. With enough practice, the presentation is not too shabby out of the ankle rig but it certainly is, at best, a marginal carry option and won't do anything for you at arms length.
I honestly think most of us will not ever be able to present when confronted at arms length unless you have the ability to "make distance" before drawing.

Then again, I'm just an old guy that knows very little on the subject.

 

[hardluk1]

David E It was a in-general remark saying that a pocket pistol can not be drawn an fired quickly .

Red cent Cargo pockets are more like wearing some belt bag. Extra steps to open and to then go for a pistol. Not the same as an ole pair of jeans or casual pants. + most all the para-mil/carry clothing out there you see on most instructor trainer types on tv look out of place in the public for the most part. Unless it's hunting season.

Good that we all have choices of what we carry and how to do it. If you prefer to carry IWB, OWB or pocket thats each persons choice. Over time each will find what works best for them.

 

[harmon rabb]

I have tried repeatedly to carry IWB; I just can't do it without proclaiming to the world "I have a gun!" I am 5'11" 190lbs and unless I wear a coat and big baggy pants, the IWB option is gone, even with the LCP or LCR. Seems to me that most proponents of this carry style are bigger guys, those with more girth around the mid section. It just doesn't work for us skinny guys.

For me, the pocket or ankle carry is the only option to effectively conceal a handgun. And since my wife took my LCP, my carry method of choice is the NAA black widow in my front pocket. True, I will not be able to get it out very quickly but better to have a 22 magnum in my pocket than the XDM at home in the safe.

What the heck are you wearing that a LCP prints on you? Spandex?

 

[mdauben]

Yes, it'll have to be addressed, but the point is, drawing a gun from a holster is faster than plunging into your pocket.

I don't think anyone can argue that drawing a gun from an exposed holster is faster than drawing one from a pocket. If you have an IWB holster with a shirt tucked over it, I would argue that the speed may not be very different.

IMO, pocket carry is a compromise but if the choice is between pocket carrying and not carrying at all, the choice is clear. Sometimes you simply can't, or don't want, to modify your dress to conceal a belt holster (IWB or OWB) and pocket carry is the only option.

Personally I do not know how people carry in pants pockets. I would print horribly when walking.

Its like CC in general, you may have to make changes in your wardrobe. For example, pocket carry in extremely tight fitting jeans just isn't going to work. Looser fitting jeans, dockers or cargo pants on the other hand is no problem. A pocket holster will often also help break up the outline of the gun even if it does still "print" (I would never pocket carry w/o a pocket holster, anyway, as it will also cover the trigger for safety and keep the gun properly oriented in your pocket).

 

[David E]

I don't think anyone can argue that drawing a gun from an exposed holster is faster than drawing one from a pocket. If you have an IWB holster with a shirt tucked over it, I would argue that the speed may not be very different.

No one is comparing a draw from an exposed holster to a pocket draw. Have you actually compared a concealment draw to the pocket draw? I have. Setting up the pocket draw as best I could (pocket bloused outward, which isn't good for concealment, even in a pocket) I averaged 1.44. This was using a S&W 642 from a KyTac Pocket-Lockit

My draw from a concealed belt holster averaged 1.02. This was using a full size 1911 from a KyTac Counter Attack rig.

IMO, pocket carry is a compromise but if the choice is between pocket carrying and not carrying at all, the choice is clear.

No argument from me!

Sometimes you simply can't, or don't want to modify your dress to conceal a belt holster (IWB or OWB) and pocket carry is the only option.

Citing laziness on your part as a valid reason for pocket carry won't fly with me, but I'd rather you have a gun with you, any gun, than none at all.

 

[oldfool]

"a few practice draws from the pocket and the Uncle Mikes kept coming out with the gun."
I think that happens a lot more often than acknowledged. Choosing just the right pocket holster for just the right pocket might be tougher than finding just the right IWB or OWB.

"have tried repeatedly to carry IWB; I just can't do it without proclaiming to the world "I have a gun!" I am 5'11" 190lbs"
Just get your legs shortened by 2" and eat more donuts; works for me !
5' 9" and 200#, it's all about where the overhang hangs, you know

Seriously, though, I don't see how IWB works so well for so many with double stacks or snubbies. Single stack, no camouflage required, any real loose t-shirt will do me.

 

[Jaymo]

My KelTec .380 has the pocket clip installed. It doesn't print. The pocket clip is all that shows, and isn't out of the ordinary since so many carry folding knives that way.
No holster to come out with the gun. I don't even have to leave my shirt untucked when carrying it.
I either carry it in addition to another auto or revolver, or I carry it alone when it's too blamed hot to wear enough clothing to conceal anything bigger.

 

[CTPhil]

Citing laziness on your part as a valid reason for pocket carry won't fly with me, but I'd rather you have a gun with you, any gun, than none at all.

There are lots of reasons people might not want to change their wardrobe. Laziness? Really?

 

[oldfool]

the KelTec clippy fits the LCP as well, but I just never found it all that handy on mine, whether clipped IWB, belt, or pocket.. just never have gotten around to taking it back off
(best use a little lock-tite on that thru bolt though, they will loosen off on round count if you don't)

PS
now don't be biting on the "laziness" bait, folks
living off welfare on purpose when you don't have to is lazy
legally carrying what you want how you want is a lifestyle choice ,yours and yours alone, you are not obliged to justify it to anyone

 

[Jaymo]

Amen, oldfool. It's too damned hot here in GA to go out dressed for CC with most guns in the summer.

 

[Warp]

Amen, oldfool. It's too damned hot here in GA to go out dressed for CC with most guns in the summer

It's too hot for shorts and a T-shirt?

 

[oldfool]

Jaymo was referring to CCW with such as a Desert Eagle 50AE
(obviously not for them that are too lazy to dress up for the occasion vs. wearing shorts & T-shirt, that's all)

 

[Guillermo]

It's too hot for shorts and a T-shirt?

I am carrying comfortably wearing shorts and a t shirt right now

 

[oldfool]

me too... but there are limits to what my overhang will hang over
very much about personal fit, that's all.. a lot of people skinnier than me can carry stuff under that T-shirt that just doesn't work for me
(good thing they make so many different guns, something for everybody)

too bad that thongs and wet t-shirts ain't fashionable for old fat guys, though
(your CCW piece ain't the only thing best left unseen though !)