Questions on pocket holsters

[critter]

Hay guys, please enlighten me on the function of pocket holsters for small handguns. I would presume they afford some protection from wear to the finish from 'bouncing around' in the pocket and to help keep fuzz, crud, dirt, etc. out of the gun. Perhaps it also helps prevent printing of the gun's shape.

And I would presume they are for keeping the gun in the same position in the pocket so that it can be retrieved easily when needed. True? BUT what is that 'perfect position'? Should the gun be kept perfectically vertical or should it 'lean' forward to present the grip better OR should it 'lean' backward-maybe to conceal better?

Also, should the trigger be covered/open (presumably on a long-pull double action type trigger)? How is it assured that the holster does not get drawn with the gun?

Thanks for opinions from those with experience with the above.

 

[444]

I think you pretty much covered it. It keeps the gun in an upright position in your pocket, it makes printing less of an issue, it covers the trigger guard for safety, and it keeps forign material out of the gun (to some extent).
It seems that a lot of people carry a pocket holster in their strong side front pocket. I have tried this and it is a very good method, however I don't carry mine that way for a number of reasons. I carry mine in my strong side, rear pocket. A few of the reasons: For most of my life I have carried my change, keys, and knife in my front strong side pocket. I don't want to change now. I have other stuff that is carried in my weak side front pocket per SOP(spare keys, folded money, can of Copenhagen, and Surefire Executive flashlight). I don't want to put all this stuff in one pocket. Another reason is that I can't carry at work. So, again, I put the stuff that goes in my front, strong side pocket in there at work and don't want to start switching around. I want to carry my gun in relatively the same place all the time. It really isn't possible to carry them in the exact same place all the time, but you can be close. My primary CCW gun is carried in an IWB holster just behind my strong side hip. When I open carry, shoot matches, or attend shooting classes I carry a belt holster even with my strong side pants seam. So, if I have to reach for a gun, I know that no matter what or how I am carrying, it is going to be in the strong side rear quadrant. This also applies to muscle memory; Every time I draw from relatively the same area, this is ingrained into my subconscious. I don't want to complicate things by carrying different guns in different locations on my body.
As an example, I have carried a knife of some kind in my strong side front pocket since I was about five years old. For the last five years or so, the knife has had a pocket clip. If I am wearing a gun in a belt holster I often move my knife somewhere else so the clip doesn't rub up against the holster or possibly scratch the gun. When I need my knife my hand immediately goes to that same spot where I have carried it my whole life. When it isn't there it screws me all up. Same would go for a gun. Without conscious thought I know where my gun is just like I know where my wallet is.

 

[CWL]

Here's one o'mine. It's a right-side pocket holster for my P32 made by Don Hume.

Notice the hook in the leather under the barrel? It's design is to catch in your pocket as you draw your pistola, the holster catches and hangs onto your pocket while the gun slips out into your hand. Quite a handy feature, I've never had it fail in any practice draws at any speed.

They do protect gun and trigger as well as limit printing, and it will keep your pistol grip-upwards, but you cannot expect it to remain in exactly the same position/angle in every pair of pants for the simple reason that pockets are cut to different sizes and angles, depending style of pants (jeans, slacks, BDUs, etc... A good holster should give you reasonably the same position for fast indexing and draw.

 

[alamo]

The holster design of some back pocket holsters holsters make it easy to draw just the pistol and not the holster along with it. Some have the holster part stitched completely to the anti-print panel, others do not and these are the best ones:

http://www.hedleyholsters.com/howto.html

 

[tbeb]

pocket holster

I carry a snub .38, that has a hammer spur, in a pocket holster. Holster covers trigger and hammer. Holster stays in pocket when I draw. Holster hides gun so you can't tell what's in pocket. I use a Mika holster because it works and is very inexpensive.

 

[10-Ring]

I carry in my right front pocket w/ a DeSantis hoster. It helps in maintaining the guns position & break up the line so as not to print "GUN" Also, it helps in acquisition & presentation