Trouble Drawing a Semi-Auto from a Pocket

[Tequila jake]

I've tried carrying my Kahr PM9 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster, but it's really hard to draw from a pocket, even when wearing pleated Dockers--and you can forget anything with tight pockets like Wranglers. So, I've started carrying it in a fanny pack, which I really don't like. Or, I just revert to my S&W 642, which is no trouble to draw from any reasonably sized pocket.

I really don't want to go to anything smaller, like a Kel-Tec 3AT--9mm is the minimum caliber for me and they just don't get much smaller than a Kahr PM9.

Are all compact and larger semi-autos this hard to get out of a pocket?

Opinions? Suggestions?

Tequila Jake

 

[Lou22]

I carry my PM9 in a pocket holster (Mika), and as long as I'm standing, it'll draw fairly easily (I normally carry it in loose, Docker type slacks). Drawing while sitting can be tough, and like you said, drawing from jeans pockets (other than loose shorts) is about impossible. When I have the jeans on I carry the P3AT.

Lou

 

[loplop]

Thanks for posting; I've long been considering a PM9 for pocket carry. I, too, have no problems drawing my S&W 442 from a pocket holster... I assumed the PM9 would draw fine, too. Is it the shape? The "banana shape" of the revolver sure is easy to grab.

 

[3rdpig]

Not sure why you're having problems drawing something as small as a PM9 from a pants pocket unless you're hands are too big for your pockets or you're wearing jeans. I've got big hands and even with relaxed fit jeans it's a struggle getting my hand out if I'm holding anything larger than a dime. With jeans I carry a P3AT and usually go in with my thumb and forefinger and pinch the gun to draw it. Drawing while sitting is, as you say, next to impossible. While that works, it's not a secure draw and a .380 isn't my idea of a main carry gun.

For that reason I've all but given up on wearing jeans, I now almost exclusively wear cargo pants. I really like the Carhartt cargo pants as they're made well and look pretty good. I can put semi autos like the PM9 (I don't have one but have something almost identical in size but considerably heavier) and easily get my big paw in, grip the gun and draw it normally. The cargo pocket will conceal something as large as a Glock 26. To support the weight I put a pair of Perry suspenders on top of my T shirt and put a either a knit shirt or a cotton button up shirt over that and leave it untucked. I use a good belt and keep it one notch looser than I'd use without the suspenders, the pants with the gun in it just seem to float. The weight is not noticeable even with something as heavy as a loaded Glock 26.

This has become my favorite carry method. The gun is well concealed, can't drop out unless you're doing handstands, but is easily and quickly presented at need. And a man standing with his hands in his pockets is very natural looking. And in this day and age of cell phones, Ipods and pocket computers, cargo pants are also becoming more mainstream.

 

[Tequila jake]

Trouble Drawing a Semi-Auto from a Pocket Reply to Thread

3rdPig,

Couldn't be the size of my hands because they are very small. Maybe it's the DeSantis Nemesis holster--a post on another forum said I need to look for a holster made specifically for the Kahr.

Thanks for the info on the cargo pants. I've pretty well decided that I'm going to stop wearing jeans and start wearing Dockers (or cargo pants) almost all the time. Sounds like you're method of wearing the suspenders is a good idea.

Tequila Jake

 

[Texas Colt]

I've had the same problem using my Nemesis holster with my PPK. It's very awkward to draw. I don't have any trouble using that same holster with my Colt Cobra revolver.

I just started looking for a leather pocket holster for the PPK. Another have any suggestions on a good brand?

Another alternative is using a belly band. I just ordered one from Midway and it should be here in a couple days. I'm hoping it will make for a convenient carry method during the summer months while wearing a t-shirt.

 

[loplop]

I don't know if Kramer makes pocket holsters for the Kahr, but I'd check on it if I bought one. I *really* like my Kramer pocket holster for my J-frame snubby. I nearly had a coronary when I was told the price... But after trying it... It came home with me. Great holster.

 

[James NM]

Drawing from a pocket is more difficult than a holster and requires a different technique. I'm no expert but here's what I do:

Out of the pocket, don't grip the gun as you do out of a holster. The V of your palm should touch the grip & you should remove the gun with the hand flat, fingers pointing down. As you clear your pocket you can get a proper grip. If you try to get a shooting grip on the gun in your pocket, it's hard (if not impossible) to remove the gun.

As an example, try this:
Empty the contents from your pocket. Insert your empty hand. Make a fist. Now try to quickly remove your empty hand from your pocket. Pretty tough huh?

If you pull the gun out with your hand flat it will come out much easier.

I think now is where I'm supposed to run the disclaimer.

 

[Texas Colt]

Thanks James. I'll give that a try.

My Desantis belly band came in today... pretty cool way to deep conceal a BUG. I wore it around the house this evening with the PPK and it was very comfortable. Should be great for summer as a primary carry rig or anytime as a backup to my 1911.

 

[RNB65]

I carry a Kahr P9 in a pocket holster and I have no problem drawing. I'm not going to win any quickdraw contests, but I have no problem getting it out. If the bad guy has you at gun point and you think you're going to outdraw him, you're dead no matter what type of holster you're using.

Try a different holster. I use a Fist kydex pocker holster. It has a little thumb tab that catches on the pocket seam and keeps the holster from coming out along with the gun. It works great. Just do plenty of practice with an unloaded gun.

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/k5.htm

 

[Kor]

JamesNM has a pretty good method...never thought of 'wiping' the gun out of the pocket like that.

I've always gripped the gun in my pocket with the ball of my thumb resting on the rear sight, so that the thumb 'shrouds' the grip tang and slide corners on the way out of the pocket.

That said, I pocket-carry my S&W 642 INSTEAD of my Kahr MK40, my Colt Pocket Nine, my FEG SMC-918, my Kel-Tec P3AT, or any other auto-pistol, simply because I get a clean draw every time with my snubby, while the autos seem to hang up about 33% of the time...

 

[tegemu]

Perhaps you are wearing too tight trousers for pocket carry and/or don't have the right kind of holster. I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II in all of my trousers with absolutely no problems. I carry it in a Sam Andrews www.andrewsleather.com pocket holster. The holster is thin stiff leather, pre-formed to my thigh, draws and reholsters easily and prints like a wallet.

 

[xy17]

RNB65

"If the bad guy has you at gun point and you think you're going to outdraw him, you're dead no matter what type of holster you're using."

If your hand happens to be on your gun, while it's in your pocket, is there a chance you can effectively shoot him through your holster and pocket?

XY17

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I carry a PM9 in a High Noon Pocket Grabber sometimes. The squarish protrusion of the rear of the slide, as well as the rear sight, do make it more likely to snag near the top of the pocket compared to a shrouded or concealed hammer revolver. The pocket needs to be large enough to allow you to bunch your fist around the grip and to not allow the gun to bind up. For a gun the size of the Kahr this pretty much lets out regular or slim-fit jeans. In relaxed-fit jeans, cargo pants and most casual slacks this is not such a problem. Also, the Nemesis is a "universal fit" holster. Is it possible that it covers up too much of the trigger guard and frontstrap? IMO it is essential that you get a full grasp on the gun butt, with your second finger sliding up naturally under the trigger guard. If you have to grasp it with one finger, pull it partway out of the holster and then finish acquiring your grip, the gun is more likely to snag.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by xy17:
If your hand happens to be on your gun, while it's in your pocket, is there a chance you can effectively shoot him through your holster and pocket?

You have to be able to rotate the gun so its muzzle points at the attacker. This is feasible (but only at contact range) if the gun is in a coat or jacket pocket, but not in a pants pocket.

 

[RNB65]

If your hand happens to be on your gun, while it's in your pocket, is there a chance you can effectively shoot him through your holster and pocket?

Not really. The pocket holster covers the trigger. You'd have to have some darn big pants pockets to be able to draw the gun from a holster and rotate it towards the BG. If you're pockets are that big, you'd be better off just drawing the gun completely out of the pocket.

Even if you are able to fire, the chance of hitting the bad guy is marginal at best. And a semi-auto probably won't have enough room in a pocket to cycle, so then you're really screwed.

If the BG has the drop on you, just give him what he wants and don't do anything that might cause him to pull the trigger.