Pocket Carry

[leadcounsel]

I am also a lawyer and here were my solutions:

1) I carried a full size Glock 35 off body and secured it in my office
2) I then moved to a small sized XD and carried in a IWB tuckable holster
3) Then I moved to a much easier to carry .357 Ruger SP101 in a crossdraw IWB tuckable holster and life was great - very comfortable under most situations, esp driving.
4) I also sometimes carried the PT3AT in my pocket instead


You can get an excellent small frame revolver for $300 and a holster used for $25 if you bargain hunt. New all of it for under $500. Given your (and my) dress limitations, a .38 is sufficient for our needs and you can bump to the .357 which is obviously one of the most potent.

 

[ArgosTCS]

Well, I went to the gun show and put the cart before the horse: I paid $550 cash for a CPO P229 in .40 cal. I probably could have gotten it for a little less, but I liked the way it looked. However, it in no way satisfies the pocket carry end of my need. I'm now on the lookout for a used airweight J-frame.

 

[scubie02]

even +P 38's are pretty snappy in the lightweight j frames--you may want to try out a snubbie 357 if possible before you buy--many people buy them, then end up shooting 38's because the magnums are too much. I have both j frames and a new PM9, btw. I think the 642 fits more nicely in a front pocket--shape is less square, etc. The PM9 might actually recoil a bit less. Both nice guns.

 

[Breakdaddy]

I've fired a friend's 442 alongside the PM9, both with factory WWB loads. The PM9 recoils significantly less with these loads. I haven't fired +P through the .38spl but Cor Bon DPX 115gr +P (9mm, Kahr)has comparable recoil to the factory WWB loads. YMMV with various loads, etc. but this was the primary reason I bought my PM9 over the venerable 442. Having said that, the 442 is an excellent carry piece, if a bit larger than the PM9 (but, as stated, less boxy).

 

[Alphazulu6]

What are you able to wear and how big of a frame are you?

 

[Alphazulu6]

Your firearm depends on your life situation and what you can and cannot do. I have to dress in business suits very often so cannot carry a heavy or bulky weapon when out about town but in winter I can carry almost anything. So to match both types of carry I have found a Glock 23 and a Kel-Tec P3AT are a great way to go. I would never go into any smaller than a .380 (9mm short) as you need the ballistics past 200 ft lbs and 11" to be effective and a .380 is the smallest caliber to cut those standards.
The little Kel-Tec P3AT is 10 oz loaded w/ 7 shots and I was hitting 2" 5-shot groups at 15 yards with it! Of course it took much practice to get the reflex shooting up to standards but that should be the case if you carry any weapon. With a De Santis back holster and Don Hume front carry holster you can make this little powerhouse vanish in even the thinest worsted wool suit pants/jacket.
The only "concern" I would see with a .40 cal is that its penetration is over 20 inches and that could pose a problem in a CCW if you ever have to use it (you are responsible for that bullet even after it hits its target). Overall the Glock is a simple, easy, and guaranteed to shoot firearm.
For the past 3 years I have never had a problem with either and would recommend that line-up to anyone that is still employed and cannot wear the "I'm packing a 1911 vest" or a "Fanny Pack" which btw I would compare to a purse (just my personal opinion). At any rate just pick a firearm that you are accurate with. #1 rule is you are responsible for your shot groups. So get out and get that practice in! Be safe.

 

[kashton]

This is an option:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=284351

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by jfh:
so, for those of you who front-pocket carry with SAs,

how many of you have tried shooting from within the pocket without drawing?

I don't understand your question. Shooting from within your front pants pocket would only put a bullet into your thigh or kneecap. To bring the gun to bear on an attacker but still shoot from inside the pocket (and this would have to be done at contact distance), it would have to be carried in a coat (e.g., suit coat, winter jacket, trench coat) pocket. Also, to do actual live fire practice is going to eat up a lot of coats. Personally, I don't put a lot of stock in being able to fire through a pocket.

That said, a concealed/enclosed hammer revolver should work fine for this. A shrouded or exposed hammer revolver may get bits of cloth trapped between the hammer and frame and tie up the mechanism. An autoloader will likely trap the case in the ejection port or snag or otherwise impede the slide from moving, turning it into a single-shot. (I have no citation for this, there not having been a lot of studies done on the subject.) There was a gun rag article a few years back about firing revolvers through a coat pocket. Interestingly, the discharge blew three holes in the pocket - one where the bullet exited, and one on either side of the barrel/cylinder gap.

To the OP: when I am just going out for a quick trip but still want to have decent armament, I'm very pleased with my Kahr PM9 in its Mika pocket holster.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Another vote for a S&W 642. I carry one dailly to work in an Apache ankle rig. Ankle holster is a great option. Although not as fast to draw, it doesn't print and you don't loose the use of your pocket. It is easy to access if you are seated at a desk or in a car. If I am the last one to leave the building or leaving after dark, I'll put my 642 in my pocket for the walk to my car. Wheel gun is a good first gun and the 642 is a great little shooter. At 15oz, you'll forget you are carrying it. You can get them new for around $350-$375. Save up a couple of more dollars and get a Sig P239. You can get a CPO (certified pre-owned) for about $500-$550. They are available in 9mm, .40S&W, and .357sig. They are very easily concealled in a IWB holster. You can carry it as a primary and your 642 as a BUG in an ankle rig. Works real nice for me

 

[jfh]

"...Shooting from within your front pants pocket would only put a bullet into your thigh or kneecap."​

No, it doesn't have to, if that front pants pocket is big enough. Short of actually firing, I have tested that hypothesis with my 340 (j-frame) with certain pants I own. I can get my finger on the trigger and rotate the firearm enough to get off a true defensive shot without (ostensibly) hitting my thigh / knee / whatever.

I think I've even seen jeans advertised for CC that promote front pocket carry with their pocket design--but they were ungodly expensive, IIRC.

I also remember that article you cited about firing from a coat pocket--which is a possibly more likely scenario than a pants pocket. You're correct about the clothing issues for the shrouded (though I judge it unlikely) or SA use from the pocket--but it doesn't hold true for my 640 / 340 j-frames. Those hammers are completely concealed.

For me, for right now, that's why I've chosen a 340 to carry--it's even possible to fire from within a pocket and remain in the action without a disabled firearm. I used to carry various semi-autos, and I may even buy a Kahr for carry, but getting that first shot off under disadvantanged circumstances is important to consider.

Jim H.

 

[ArgosTCS]

Problem solved this morning. I bought a new 442 for just under $370. Now, all I have to do is procure a suitable pocket holster and self defense ammo, and I'll be set.

So, to recap, I initially wanted something to carry and shoot for fun, all in one package. This turned into thinking maybe two firearms would be the best way to go. Final solution: 442 and a P229 in .40 caliber (certified pre-owned). Total cost to me: $950. I'm pretty pleased with that.

 

[Byron]

I too live in TN and have a carry permit.I settled on The Beretta Tomcat. Byron

 

[obiwan1]

Argo:

I think you made good choices. Pocket holsters run in price from about $15 and up - heavy on the up. Take a look at the Mika, Uncle Mikes and DeSantis Nemesis. Each inexpensive and each work well. Also take a look at Active Pro Gear. Don Hume also makes a nice one at not much more cost. I used a Rybka pocket holster for years in conjunction with a PPK. Just about anything decently designed will work well regardless of price. You could drive yourself nuts doing a google search under "pocket holsters".

The SIG is reasonably easy to carry (ask sky marshals - they know) but that's another topic. Welcome to the club.

 

[mavracer]

your doin' fine. I'm not a fan of the 40 but they work ok. ranger t series look to be solid performers and I've seen them for sale recently for a good price(sportsmansguide for~$15 per 50). Sigs are great guns, the wifes 226 is boring you stick 15 rounds in pull trigger 15 times and put 15 holes near center of target, Its a garbage disposal too any ammo.
good luck on the j. many people just never get rid of them I know my 442 is not for sale.

 

[Golddog]

After carrying a steel J frame comfortably in various pockets (with a pocket holster, to keep out dirt and dimes) for years, it dawned on me that I could never shoot any 2" J decently without warming up with a few cylindersful down range - a luxury that bad guys are not known to allow. If you think you want a J, grab one and shoot at something seven yards away without any practice. That may change your mind, as it did mine. Now I'm trying a Kahr CW9, which I can shoot OK without ten minutes of practice.

The CW9 is slimmer through the grip than the MK9 and lighter. While the extra half inch on the barrel and again on the grip frame make it larger in the pocket than the MK9, it's probably easier to shoot well because you get a full grip, and it's still smaller overall than a J.

 

[glassman]

I have two

When dressed casually (jeans/dockers) the 642 loaded with 135 gr jhp goes in the pocket. When in a suit, the beretta tomcat loaded with hydrashock jhp is with me. The revolver tends to print in a lightweight pair of trousers. Also found the kahr a bit big for pocket carry and a bit pricey as well but ymmv.

 

[Essex County]

J frames and pocket holsters go togeather like soup and sandwich. I've considered going the Kel Tec route as several friends have but I guess I'm too satisfied with the old Smith to change. Essex

 

[ravencon]

For pocket carry with light weight suit trousers my choice is the S&W 340 SC. Any of the Airlite models should do nicely.

I'm surprised you won't be carrying to the court house. Even here in gun unfriendly Massachusetts you can check your gun when you enter the courthouse (though it is a annoying and time consuming to do so).

 

[Noxx]

If you're working at a law firm, make sure you spend some of your budget on extra mags, I understand they're just rotten with muggers.