Pocket carry with a small auto - round in the chamber?

[Philip Marlowe]

I'm guessing this is a season appropriate post.

Do you carry a round chambered when pocket-carrying? Stupid question perhaps, but with all the moving and slapping against the leg, I guess I'm just a bit, uh, apprehensive.

That said, I'm contemplating getting a Kel-Tec P32 and carrying it a pocket holster for when clothing will dictate nothing else - preferably with a round in the chamber.

Thanks THR!

P.S. - Can anyone comment on the P32 (or any small auto) for someone with large hands?

 

[j21blackjack]

I carry a P3AT almost every day in my pocket. The trigger pull is so long and hard on the little pocket pistols, you'd have to be really dumb to have a ND with it. Why not a p3at over the p32? I'm guessing price and availability of ammo. Just make sure the gun is the ONLY thing in that pocket and you'll be fine.

I have fairly large hands. It's not the easiest gun to grip (p3at) and it hurts quite a bit, but no one ever said it was an all day range gun.

 

[Lou22]

I always pocket carry autos with one in the chamber. Either I carry a revolver (hammer down) or a DAO auto. And always in a holster. Never put anything else in the same pocket. Carrying this way is very safe. I've done it for years. Any safety I always leave off. I know an attack will likely be fast and furious - I just want to be able to point and shoot.

Lou

 

[barneyrw]

<<"Do you carry a round chambered when pocket-carrying?">>

I also have a Kel-Tec P32 and when carrying in a pocket, yes I carry with a round in the chamber. As previously said it has a long slow trigger pull so accidental discharge would be remote. At Best Buy I found a GPS carry pouch that the P32 fits in perfectly. It has a belt loop and is about 5" X 3 1/2" and a little over an inch thick with a full length zipper on the top. It is made by the same company that makes Swiss army knives. I find that carrying it in this pouch is more comfortable than pocket carry and it just looks like some electronic case on your belt.

 

[Guillermo]

I carry an NAA Guardian every day. As whether any gun is on my hip or in my pocket it is in a holster. And there is a round in the chamber

 

[geronimo509]

I carry a kahr mk9 in my pocket everyday with one in the chamber. Everyone so far is right when they said nothing else in the pocket and to carry it in a pocket holster.

Sorry, but I cannot comment on the keltec

 

[MCgunner]

DAOs allow it. I used to carry a little striker fired .25 ACP years ago. I carried it condition three for safety. I carry a Kel Tec P11 now mostly, with an alloy snubby .38 sometimes. Both are safe for pocket carry, the auto condition one. I would carry a single action like the Colt Mustang condition two if pocket carried if I had that gun, that's hammer down with a round in the chamber. The series 80 colt lockwork is safe that way if you keep your finger OFF the trigger as you cock the hammer. Even if it slips, the firing pin is locked. Train to cock the hammer with the off hand thumb on the presentation. That's more positive and a safer practice. Yeah, you might be fighting with your off hand, not ideal. but beats shooting your crotch OR condition 3. I would only carry a single action striker fired gun condition three. I would only carry a "safe action" gun condition 3. I have valuable jewels down there, valuable to me, anyway.

All in all, to me, it just seems safer and faster to carry a DAO or J frame for pocket duty.

 

[bensdad]

Pocket carry an LCP in a Desantis pocket holster. Cond. 0.

 

[Philip Marlowe]

Advice is greatly appreciated guys - thanks!

 

[woad_yurt]

P3AT user here. It'd be self-defeating to carry without one in the chamber. I have no idea how one would accidentally discharge the particular gun.

 

[Hawaiian]

I would not carry any gun without one in the chamber. I have two pocket guns. One auto and one shrouded hammer snubbie. Both go in a pocket holster with the trigger covered.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

As a general rule, I believe in carrying any gun fully loaded, as (I am fond of saying) they make poor bludgeons or throwing objects. This gun is meant to be carried chamber loaded. Older designs that are single action only with tiny little safeties and no exposed hammers or firing pin blocks should probably be carried chamber empty. These are the only exception I would make to the rule.

 

[model of 1905]

If you are not confident enough to carry cocked, locked and ready to rock, leave it at home.

 

[AKElroy]

Why go through the trouble to carry an unloaded gun?

 

[usp9]

Do you carry a round chambered when pocket-carrying? Stupid question perhaps, but with all the moving and slapping against the leg, I guess I'm just a bit, uh, apprehensive.

That said, I'm contemplating getting a Kel-Tec P32 and carrying it a pocket holster for when clothing will dictate nothing else - preferably with a round in the chamber.

Round in the chamber and ready...what other way is there, practically speaking.
A quality holster is a must. It covers the triger and holds the gun in proper position.
Nothing else in the pocket.
Apprehension is natural. You'll get used to it.
Kel-Tec quality and reputation has given me reason to avoid it but that's just me. I've used a Seecamp for years.
Pocket carry with an appropriate pistol is a great way to provide personal protection...you'll love it once you get "comfy" with it.

 

[legion3]

LCP in the pocket, round in the chamber.

Glock in the holster or in the pocket or in the "whatever", round in the chamber.

Any gun used for SD, round in the chamber.

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

I'm surprised you haven't had more caustic comments for even asking this question, but I'm of the opinion that it's better to ask a question and resolve the concern you have for the answer than to just keep quite because you are afraid someone might make light of the question itself.

I'm a senior citizen, and I've carried a concealed weapon (legally) since 1966. I would NEVER cc a firearm with a round in the chamber unless the first shot would be double action, but then every pistol or even revolver I've chosen to cc IS double-action first round fired.

I tried a Glock26 years ago, but the everlite trigger/striker simply did not give me the "warm and fuzzy" feeling that I felt necessary in a carry weapon with a round in the barrel. Last year I tried a Walther PPS, with the same result.

I feel completely safe with a DA firearm carried concealed, whereas I just couldn't get over the concern that in a potentially deadly confrontation I might shoot myself in the butt with a firearm with a lighter trigger pull on the first round trying to withdraw it in a crisis..

I had a P32 and feel you would be perfectly safe from nd/ad's with that pistol. The trigger pull is relatively heavy (all shots, not just the first) and your chances of an accidental firing are extremely slim. You can NEVER get a 100% guarantee against tragedy anytime you have a loaded firearm, but with a da first round you are about as safe as you can be, and a firearm carried for personal protection WITHOUT a round in the chamber is just a poor hammer.

I would no more carry my cc choice without around in the chamber than I would carry one of my 38cal. snubby's concealed with the hammer cocked. I think for the "average" person who carries a loaded firearm concealed is better off with a heavy DA first round... I know zillions of police carry Glocks daily and feel completely safe, but ND/AD's are not as uncommon with those pistols as you might think.. Ask a cop.

Just personal opinion, no offense to those who might disagree.


Since you had the concern about the issue, glad you asked the question..

Best Wishes,

jesse

 

[burningsquirrels]

when i have to dress up and can't place my CZ SP-01 on my hip, and if for some reason my already small IWB 380 is not an option, i can take a p32 riding in a pocket holster depending on what type of pants i'm wearing and if i have a jacket. no problems.

on carrying without a round in the chamber...
- you may not have the time to do so
- you may not have the free hand to do so, as it could be pushing or pulling someone out of the way or holding valuables
- on a pocket as small as this, it may be difficult to work the tiny slide in a rush
- on a pocket as small as this, you may need every last round possible.

 

[benderx4]

Seecamp LWS32 in a Desantis Nemesis with one in the tube.

LONG, firm DAO trigger pull ensures this thing only goes BANG when you want it to.

Nothing else in that pocket.