Pocket Carry - The 21 foot "test" everyone should take

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Situational awareness, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to put your hand in the pocket ahead of time, that's the main advantage pocket carry offers.
 
OK, first an attacker (pro criminal) is not going to intentionaly broadcast his attack, so expect it to be a surprize. secondly backing up or standing on one foot I'd not rccomend as one puts you off balance and the other you risk tripping on something you can't see. I agree with the step forward and move right or left. take advantage of his forward momentum against him, this may buy you needed time. 3 a knife is faster at close/fast encounters. lastly all pockets are not created equal. most are cheap material. even not being a tailor by any means can sew around an empty pocket with a holster in it so it won't move/turn when in the pocket. if serious about pocket carry get a tailor to replace the cheap fabric with a heavier one, with a holster outline. yes the upgrade may cost more than the dockers.
 
ankle carry, leave for the pro's. many, even pros will take their eyes off their attacker to look down at their ankle and invite a boot to the face or worse. also will leave you bent over one or both hands on your ankle, off balance and wide open.
 
It's been my experience that criminals don't typically start attacking from 20' away.
There make some excuse to get within arms reach before making their real intentions known.
Practicing using pepper spray is probably more useful than practicing the quick draw with your handgun.
After all, you can walk down the street with a pepper spray in your hand an not freak folks out.
 
do you ever pull it out accidentally when you shake someones hand? lol.
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I suspect you're kidding, but anyway...

Shake hands with right hand, while the gun is in the left-side pocket. Most people who even slightly have a hunch that you might be armed will be watching what your right hand is doing.
 
If someone is running at me full bore, I'm going to first step out of the way then try to deflect him. That'll give precious seconds to free my pistol.
 
There is a dangerous assumption being made here, simply getting the gun out and shooting will not save you in the attack being described unless you get CNS shutdown at a distance in which momentum won't carry through with a stab or slash.
You simply must be able to move and deflect the initial attack while or soon after drawing and firing before the attacker regains his balance and composure.
Think of it more like a kids game of gotcha last only with a deadly twist.
 
nachogrande said:
ankle carry, leave for the pro's. many, even pros will take their eyes off their attacker to look down at their ankle and invite a boot to the face or worse. also will leave you bent over one or both hands on your ankle, off balance and wide open.
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I'd leave ankle carry alone period. When we do back-up guns at quals, it seems I'm the only one using pocket carry. I normally have drawn and fired all my shots before anyone else has even taken their first shot. Ruger LCR.

Even in jeans or cargo pants, I find the LCR very quick to produce out of my pocket.
 
I guess this was derived from the 21 foot rule that the Police use. It states that an Officer can use deadly force against an aggressor armed with a handheld weapon (knife,bat,tire iron, etc.) once the aggressor is within 21 feet. Or something to that effect.

I dont recommend kicking a charging opponent. Stepping out of the way is much more effective. Like stated, that will then give you time to draw your gun , sword, or whatever you happen to have in your pocket.
 
You can also fire a revolver from the pocket without drawing if needed. Autos will get one shot off, but only one.

And don't discount ankle carry as a very valid BUG carry position. I can get to my ankle gun faster when seated or driving than the one on my belt.
 
Cocked and Locked,

Great snubby photos!

I note you have 5 Nyclads in one picture, then in another a cylinder full of varying headstamps.

Care to share what those loads are?
 
I use a cane or walking stick. It is not seen as a weapon by most people. If attacked I can step sideways &use the cane or W.S.to block or hit with as I draw my carry gun. I was taught to move &deflect attacker or attacker's as it can give extra sec.s! I was also taught at this point everything go.s! Throw groceries at them, move to put something between you & attacker! Anything that gives you time!
 
Best carry I ever had was a Bianchi OWB crossdraw and a 65-5 S&W. I carried it when I was younger for backpacking. It was always in a position to reach easily. More than 40 years later I am still most proficient with a waist level cross draw but the 65-5 is too much for me. I am fortunate to have done well enough to afford ccw any way I want. I still carry cross draw, but I have vests made to fit me and a jframe snub at at a 40 degree cant. The gun pocket fit is made to fit the j frame. I can reach this standing, sitting walking. The vest is cut my way from leather and looks like a high end ranchers vest. I have more than one vest and the gun pocket holds the gun in the same position, or the guy making them does not get paid until it does. If the vest prints my CCW, once again, the guy does not get paid. In addition I at times need a walking stick and my choice is a light Irish Blackthorn. In other words I "pocket carry" but I have taken pocket variation out of the equation.
Yes there is a bug but it is hidden in plain sight, no it is not a belt buckle.

blindhari
 
Old Fuff

Most people who even slightly have a hunch that you might be armed will be watching what your right hand is doing.
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I do not care if they are watching what I do with my right hand. Hopefully, they will see my hand in my pocket and suspect that I am armed and look for an easier target.
 
Under the circumstances (which are not predictable) distracting a potential assailant’s attention away from which hand might have a weapon may, or may not make a difference. If they expect that a weapon (if there is one) will be drawn with the right hand, and can see that hand is empty, they may be less alert and this can work to your advantage. Never underestimate the value of surprise. For that reason I do what I do. Others of course can make their own choice.
 
Col. Cooper keeps me alert and my j frame clone I can get out fast enough plus I just about to use a cane all the time so I have it, a good flashlight, lockback folder and my Old Charter 38.
 
Under the circumstances (which are not predictable) distracting a potential assailant’s attention away from which hand might have a weapon may, or may not make a difference. If they expect that a weapon (if there is one) will be drawn with the right hand, and can see that hand is empty, they may be less alert and this can work to your advantage. Never underestimate the value of surprise. For that reason I do what I do. Others of course can make their own choice.
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My primary is in my right pocket...this and a small can of pepper spray is always in my left pocket. :D Hey, it's just a .22, but I figure it could have a strategic advantage if I can't get to my primary for some reason. Heck, I can palm the gun folded and you can't see it iin my hand. :D It COULD come in useful depending on circumstances and it's no harder to carry than a pocket knife.

6r7gab.jpg
 
Loaded or not, i would never point a real gun at a person unless it was in defense. Maybe i'd consider it with a safety barrel but even then that is something ingrained in me as a no/no.
 
I think that convention holds that it takes 1.5 seconds for a terrible bad man to cover seven yards. They make a free smartphone app that'll signal/relay various time inputs.
 
A little voice in the back of my head says using one of those $50 blank guns or a starter pistol is the way to do this.

Think Brandon Lee.

Sounds like good training, though.
 
I passed this test earlier this month live and in 4d with a knife (NPE) and stopped the threat in his tracks.
 
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