Pocket Carry w/out holster - unsafe? need advice

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RedneckUF

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My CCW is on the way, and I have a question about carrying. Until about two month ago when I acquired a S&W 642 (oh yeah!), I had all full size firearms.

When going to work, I wear a suit everyday. When not at work, I have about 10 pair of the same design cargo shorts, each just a different color. (what can I say, when I find what I like, I stock up). At work, when wearing the suit, I can't wear a cover garment. I almost never wear the jacket when in the office.

I plan to carry the 642 in my front pocket or maybe clipped to my cowboy boot shaft with a clipdraw. I am a girthy individual, or amply fed as I like to say, and think that even on the cargo shorts days, I don't think my polo shirts that i wear will provide sufficient cover, even untucked.

I worry about carrying with a pocket holster that if I have to draw quickly, the holster will come out of the pocket with the gun, or it will just add bulk (i HATE having a lot of stuff in my pockets).

Therefore, I thought that I'd just stick the loaded gun in my pocket with no holder and nothing guarding the trigger. However, I do worry about shooting myself in the leg or shooting my b@ll$ off. The gun has such a long damn trigger pull, though, so that may not be a problem.

after sufficient rambling and set-up, here's my question:

Is carrying in the pocket with a holster or trigger guard unsafe? Any input is appreciated, especially those that carry this way.

Thanks,

Trip
 
ALWAYS use a holster!
Keeps the trigger covered and safe, plus keeps at least some lint and crud off your revo. If you pocket carry, NOTHING ELSE GOES IN THAT POCKET!There is no compromise where safety is concerned.
My everyday carry is a S&W 340sc. I have two uncle mike's soft nylon holsters I rotate out if one gets damp. They add virtually no bulk, and I haven't had the holster come out with the draw. Best $12 I ever spent. The oldest one is two years old!
I hear people recommending "Mika" pocket holsters....never tried one, but a lot of people use them.
Get one of the uncle mike's for starters.....you'll have plenty of opportunity to spend more $$ on holsters as you go.
Hope this helps!
Mike
 
I choose to carry in a pocket holster when I carry in my pocket. I choose this because it keeps the gun in an upright postion and it doesnt roll around. I have heard that those that carry without a holster devote that pocket to the pistol and nothing else. I dont see how you can accidently shoot yourself with a DAO pistol I am sure it can be done but not likely. I would just carry in a cheap uncle mikes or other holster if for no other reason it breaks up the outline.
 
holsterless methods are for transitional carry, like from the front pocket of the pants to the coat pocket when walking in the parking lot...et cetera...

a descent pocket holster will have minimum bulk, keep the gun properly oriented for a speedy draw, and helps break up the outline of the "gun".....

the DAO revolver should not pose a problem with the trigger uncovered while in the pocket as long as nothing else is in there with it, as this should be in any event.

however, the uncovered trigger could pose a problem if the gun were to get disoriented in the pocket and you suddenly have to draw it, possible grabbing the gun in a bad way.....the holster will prevent that and make the presentation of the gun in a defensive scenario so much easier....
 
I believe it is safe in your pocket with a holster. I tried it without a holster and the gun moves around too much and often prints. The holster keeps the gun from printing for the most part. I would not pull it out though by grabbing onto the trigger. You loose some speed, but you have discreet convenience.
 
I don't believe its unsafe to carry the 642 in a pocket. I used to do so. Several problems, the firearm tends to show its outline through the pocket, the hard metal of the firearm will wear out the pocket as you bump into stuff.
Think of the wear pattern from a can of smokeless tobacco or pocket knife.
A holster will also protect the firearm. I'm happy with a Mika.
 
Start with an Uncle Mike pocket holster. Cheeeeep! (Darn it, I meant to say "Thrifty") It will stay in your pocket when you draw your weapon, yet will come out with it when you remove it. With the trousers I wear (chinos, not jeans), no printing.
Cordially, Jack
 
I don't believe you are too likely to shoot yourself accidently with a long, heavy DA trigger. I do think that the other concerns are valid, though, such as the difficulty of finding/orienting a loose gun in a pocket, should you need it in a hurry. It also seems to me that such a gun would need additional maintenance, as pockets are typically filled with lint and other debris that will make a revolver unhappy.
 
Take a look at the Safariland Model 25 Inside-The-Pocket Holster. The cost is around $25.00. It's made of an extremly thin material that covers and protects the trigger but does not add bulk to the gun.
 
The DeSanti Nemisis is also a very good line of holsters for this. Make sure that the gun is the only thing in your pocket, no loose change, etc.
 
Pocket holsters can keep a gun upright. Otherwise, it may twist and turn in your pocketses.
One of their greatest benefits that I've found is not the covering of the trigger (never been able to simulate tripping the trigger of a DA gun in the pocket) - it is keeping out an incredible amount of lint and garbage. It is a dust cover.
I just use an Ipod case. Doesn't form-fit, doesn't have a flap to hook onto your pocket... but it keeps the gun upright in my pocket, and doesn't cause the gun to collect excess lint, also covers the trigger. I think you need to practice shoving the holster away when you index onto the gun, IME. Carry in the pocket minus holster seems to be safe, but it's much more comfortable with a holster. Less jostling around, less mess to clean out. Also, you don't stand the risk of scratching your finish so much when you dump a handful of change into your pocket.
 
For the most part I use a holster for the reasons that have been given. There is one pair of pants I have that the pockets are not deep enough to use the holster and when carrying then I go without the holster and live with the rotation of the piece.

Either way, it is the only thing in that pocket. I don't consider the gun without a holster so much a safety issue as it is a issue of keeping the gun in a proper and comfortable position. (my 2cents)

Bottom line : I consider holstered to be better.
 
Thanks for the input. The uncle mike's and nemesis are on the way! May buy the safariland one soon too.

I appreciate it.

Trip
 
I carried a Kel-tec P-11 for ten years in my front pocket w/o holster. Other than regular lint removal, not a problem, but then again I never carried it with one in the pipe. Now my regular carry gun is a NAA mini mag. Custom fitted holster works well, pistol is drawn easily and pocket lint is less of a problem. 002.jpg
 
Actually it holds five, and I have practiced reloading till I can reload in less than a minute, the holster carries five extra cartridges.Thus far no one has volunteered to be a test dummy for even one 40 gr. 22 mag at 1100 fps.BTW its louder than my 45 and has more flash.
 
the NAA mini mags are well built guns and with magnums are suprisingly "potent" if you will for such a small gun. as long as its roll is a BUG and not your primary i'd say carry it.
 
I've been known to carry a Taurus 605 in a Don Hume pocket "001" holster.

http://www.donhume.com/products/ProductsPage.cfm?ProductID=31

These holsters minimize printing, cover the trigger and keep the grip pointed up. Best of all, the hook at the bottom grabs the corner of your pocket and lets you draw just the pistol, leaving the holster in your pocket.

Highly worth looking into...

Steve
 
holster

+1 for the DeSantis Nemisis
+1 for stopping gun from wearing a hole in your pant
 
It is not unsafe, per se, insofar as making it more likely to shoot yourself. However, a pocket holster will position and protect the gun, as well as break up its outline. If it is loose in your pocket, turns and twists and gets wadded up, it will not be available if you really need it, and that could get you killed.

The concern about pulling the holster out of your pocket along with the gun is a valid one. I don't like holsters that are overly dependent on a certain technique to work, e.g., rocking them backwards to snag on your pocket or pressing them against your leg. The first time you do the slightest thing wrong, up comes the holster. I like one that fits relatively loosely (just enough to hold the gun upright and no more), has a "rub strip" (my term) to grip my pocket and leaves room for my second finger to slide up under the trigger guard for a proper grasp on the gun butt. I am very pleased with a Mika pocket holster for my Kahr PM9. http://www.frontiernet.net~akim
 
http://www.kramerleather.com/products.cfm?categoryID=28

I use a kramer with my 642, I have been carrying it daily for 4 years, breaks up the outline of the gun, protects it from lint, and most importantly keeps the gun oriented in the same way for a fast draw.

Expensive by well worth it. IIRC Dillon carries them for like $70.

I used a desantis leather holster, and tried a nemesis. The nemesis works great with my G26 (carried less due to size) but, I had my 36 chiefs special slide out and fall on the floor one day when I crossed my legs, I dont trust it with a revolver because the inside is too slick, and the shape of the revolver makes retention a problem with the nemesis.

The Kramer is the best.
 
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