Pocket Carrying a Glock 26 or Springfield XD-Subcompact???

[StrikeFire83]

So, I'm moving on from my Kahr PM9 because of my inability to get acceptable combat accuracy at 7 yards after extensive practice. For the record, the gun has functioned just fine.

I shoot both the Glock 26 and the Springer XD-9 3" Sub-Compact volumes better than the Kahr, and I'm considering purchasing one of these models.

So how feasible is pocket carry for either of these guns?? Does anybody here do it? Reading the specs, the Glock 26 seems to be a pinch thinner than the XD, but I don't know how either would pocket carry.

Anyone with any experience?

 

[Tooquick11]

I have an xd subcompact and for me there is NO WAY I could pocket carry it comfortably. It would really depend on your build... I carry my xd subby iwb. As far as a pocket carry it's gonna be really hard to beat your pm9 unless you downsize in caliber. I purchased a p380 and it goes everywhere with me. XD is just a bit to big and too heavy to be in my pocket... Good luck

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I tried a Glock 27 briefly as a pocket gun. It was OK in a pinch, but IMO it is too large to be truly practical. Even in a pocket holster and a large cargo pant front pocket, it looked as if I were carrying a thick paperback novel, with noticeable "printing." I also had to slide it out with two fingers on the grip before I could obtain a full grasp.

 

[R. Deckard]

Glock 26

Glock 26 I can pocket carry in a jacket but no way in a pair of slacks or khakis.

Deckard

 

[GunNut]

In cargo shorts/pants it's possible, but the wait swinging around really starts to bother you after a while.

 

[IdahoLT1]

Both the G26 and XD SC are larger in almost every dimension than the Kahr PM9. Unless you wear baggy pants or a very large guy, its going to a PITA to pocket carry a G26 or XD SC.

 

[stainone]

9mm scxd

i like the scxd inwb holster or a friend uses a clip on!the xd i like the best cause even in the dark you can feel if its ready to go,13rds,not that heavy,fits my hand,a little fat but not enough to make or break me from any other gun.good luck!

 

[StrikeFire83]

I'm 5'10" and 185 lbs, so not a large guy by any stretch of the imagination. I was pretty sure the XD compact would be too thick and tall to pocket carry, but I was hoping for a miracle with the Glock 26. Oh well, I'll have to see what I see at the gun show after christmas.

 

[atomd]

I've owned both the baby Glock and baby XD and tried both with pocket carry. I've worn carhartts and somewhat loose fitting pants and it doesn't matter. They are both way too big and heavy for pocket carry. They both make a great CCW for belt carry no doubt though. Don't kid yourself, they aren't a pocket gun. Heck, the Kel-Tec PF9 isn't much of a pocket gun and it's much thinner and even lighter than both of those choices. The only way you're gonna carry a Glock 26 or a Subcompact XD in your pocket is if you are a guy with a 60" waist with pants pockets that can hold a basketball or if you don't mind a gigantic bulge that looks like you are trying to smuggle a brick or 2 in your pocket.

I would highly recommend going with something MUCH smaller and lighter. Someone here will probably say that they pocket carry one of these guns...but they are the exception, not the rule. Those guns aren't even remotely close to pocket guns in my book.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

The largest 9mm semi I've been able to pocket carry has been the Kel-Tec P-11. I wouldn't even try to pocket carry my XD9sc. (I do love the gun, though!)

 

[larryh1108]

Ditto all of the above. The PM9 was a pocketful so I bought the LCP. Next to the LCP, the PM9 felt like a brick and my Baby Glock wasn't an option for pocket carry. However, with a good IWB holster the problems disappear but if it is pocket carry only you may decide to keep the PM9 after you try all others out there. Don't sell the PM9 until you find something that works for you.

 

[Rock]

Cut a 6" long piece of 2x4 and carry that for a while. If that works for you pocket carry of a g26 might work as well.

 

[David E]

The G-26 and 3" XD are ok for pocket carry, but you have to have three things to make it work:

1) The right pocket, such as those found on Docker's type pants.

2) The right pocket holster. (I favor the ones by www.kytac.com)

3) The right attitude or desire to do so.

They are heavier than the PM-9, so will a larger/heavier gun work in as many situations as the smaller lighter gun? Is a different gun choice the answer? (Like a S&W 642) Is pocket carry the only option you have? How about a G-26 in a 5.11 holster shirt ? http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCsQrQQwAg

 

[Inspiribomb]

I have a XD-40 SC and there is no way I could pocket carry it with any degree of comfort, if I could even fit it into any of my pockets. The XD is a fairly thick gun.

 

[308win]

I'm 5'10" and 185 lbs, so not a large guy by any stretch of the imagination. I was pretty sure the XD compact would be too thick and tall to pocket carry, but I was hoping for a miracle with the Glock 26. Oh well, I'll have to see what I see at the gun show after christmas.

I am roughly your size and an XD9sc is my most often carried handgun; I would not consider it a pocket carry weapon except in an emergency in some type of cargo pocket.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I have a G26, and as others have stated pocket carry is a bit of a stretch. It can work with the standard 10-rnd flat base mag, but it will print even with loose pants. The XD is even slightly more blocky so I doubt that would work better. If you really have to avoid being seen, I'd say no way for these options.

Have you considered getting a small revolver for pocket carry? My j-frame disappears in my pocket, shoots accurately at 7 yards, and packs enough oomph to get the job done. Aside from that, the KelTec PF9 would make a good alternative. Beyone that, you enter sub-caliber territory... P32/P3AT, LCP, etc.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ It's funny, because I have a Smith and Wesson 638, which is a .38 special with a tiny mostly shrouded hammer that you can also cock back and fire single-action if you have to. THIS is my everyday carry gun. It also has a long double action trigger pull like the Kahr, but the trigger is very "tight" for lack of a better word and I find it easier to shoot than the kahr. Right now I can keep all my shots within a small paper plate at 7 yards while firing as fast as I can double action. So yes, the j-frame is my pocket carry gun for the time being.

I guess I can think about small IWB carry with the Glock 26/XD sub compact because most days at work I can wear a polo shirt un-tucked. I'm just worried about about sweating on the gun too much. In central Texas we had something like 62 OVER 100 degree days this year, and I'm of Irish/Norwegian descent and sweat like a whore in church. Even walking form air-conditioned car to air-conditioned building when it's 104 with 68 percent humidity can be a sweaty proposition.

 

[WRGADog]

G26 and XD9sc are both too big for pocket carry

I would go to a S&W j-frame revolver, or drop down to a small 380, if you must abandon the PM9. I also have a Walther PPS, and despite being very slim, it is too heavy for pocket carry IMO. Personally, I would keep practicing with the PM9 until you have mastered the accuracy issue. My PM9 is my constant walking companion and I also keep a larger gun (92FS, XDm) in my truck at all times.

 

[JAREDSHS]

I regularly carry a Glock 33 in my right jeans pocket every day in a cheap
uncle mikes pocket holster.

 

[Rexster]

Well, there is pocket carry for transportation reasons, and pocket carry for a "go to" gun. These wide-bodied striker-fired pistols have some strikes against them for pocket carry as go-to guns. The worst strike is that when held in a firing grip, the rear of the slide BULGES, which complicates a smooth draw. Another strike is that the pocket must be extra-voluminous, to allow a good firing grip to happen in the first place. The third strike is more universal, regardless of gun, and involves the difficulty of getting a hand around that gun, and getting it out, if a contact-distance struggle is in progress before one goes for the gun. The larger and more bulging the weapon, relative to pocket size, the more difficult this will be.

Bad guys don't announce their attacks from across a street.

Personally, I prefer spurless revolvers for pocket carry, and for the pocketed weapon to be one of two guns. I do have a Seecamp auto, as a niche gun, and notably, it is not striker-fired, so its slide bulges less from the hand.

 

[ar10]

I can't answer for any brand other than the XD, and my answer is don't, and it's not because of weight or bulk.
Assuming you''re carrying for SD and you need to get to it quickly it'll probably get hung up somewhere in your pocket. And if you're not used to the gun the urge to put your finger on the trigger at the same time you're pulling the gun out. That's a very dangerous situation.

 

[Zip06]

I am 5'9" and weigh 180lbs. I have no problems at all carrying a G26 in a KyTac pocket holster. Khaki's are fine as are cargo shorts.

 

[jad0110]

Really, it sounds like your 638 is your best option. I have it's cousin, a S&W 642, and honestly there is no pocketable gun that I have fired that can match the J Frame for speed and accuracy, at least in my hands.

But hey, there's nothing wrong with buying another gun just because you want it !

It also has a long double action trigger pull like the Kahr, but the trigger is very "tight" for lack of a better word and I find it easier to shoot than the kahr.

You and I are likely in the minority, but I do agree with you. I've gotten to the point where I really prefer the firm, positive trigger return of revolvers in general. Granted, Kahrs do have really nice, slick triggers. The only thing I have against them is the somewhat mushy return.

I guess I can think about small IWB carry with the Glock 26/XD sub compact because most days at work I can wear a polo shirt un-tucked. I'm just worried about about sweating on the gun too much. In central Texas we had something like 62 OVER 100 degree days this year, and I'm of Irish/Norwegian descent and sweat like a whore in church. Even walking form air-conditioned car to air-conditioned building when it's 104 with 68 percent humidity can be a sweaty proposition.

Waaay too much information . Joking aside, I live in a hot, muggy climate and I regularly carry a blued S&W Model 15 with no issues. I just wipe it down every day with a silicone rag and give it a good cleaning when needed.

Rexster,

Great post. The thing I've found with my 642 is that the backstrap is rounded enough to make for an easy, smooth draw while the grip frame is prominent enough to get a perfect grasp on quickly and effectively, yet it isn't so big that it screams "gun" in your pocket. Again, the J frame works for me, and I respect the fact that it isn't optimal for others.