Pocket Carry

[steve2267]

What sidearm do you think is best for pocket carry? Kahr PM9? Glock 26? J-frame? Other?

IMHO, nothing beats a J-frame for pocket carry. In my experience, a hammerless J slides out of the pocket oh-so-easy. Also, in the pocket, the curves and bumps of a J are less recognizeable as the straight lines and angles of a semi-auto.

Before a recent family vacation to Florida, I tried a PM9 in my pocket(s) -- both in jeans, dockers, and swim trunks. The problem I continueally experienced was that the rear of the slide (directly above the backstrap) kept catching on the top of the pocket as I tried to draw it. Further, the straightness of the slide precluded me from rotating it out of the pocket. Contrasted with this semi-auto drawing difficulty, a S&W 642 just seemed to flow right out of the pocket.

So, while a 9mm semi-auto packs more punch than the .38spl, and is more easily reloaded, and additional ammunition is more easily carried on board (esp. in the case of the PM9 whose magazines are so flat and small), to me the J-frame rules supreme for pocket carry. Plus, with the recently developed Speer .38spl +P 135gr Gold Dots... I'm not sure you're giving up a whole lot to the 9mm loads -- yes, some, but not that much.

Do you agree or disagree?

Am I missing something when it comes to pocket carrying a semi-auto? I tried the PM9 in both an Alessi Pocket Holster as well as an Uncle Mike's #2 pocket holster (similar to the Desantis Nemesis).

[JMusic]

Depends Steve on how "deep" you need to conceal. I seem to notice weight more than shape. So when I carry pocket I use my 638. I like the PM 9 in a Yaqui at 3/4 hip. I use a t shirt or if casual a button up or crew and wear it out. Like you I agree some of the 38's are just as good as the nine's. I like the 158SW's myself.

I carry 2 weapons on my person, usually not at the same time. SW638-70%, PM9-30.

Jim

[DocH]

Never been much for pocket carry,but when I did it was an airweight snub,but always in a pocket holster to prevent continuous shifting of the gun,and only with loose khaki or dress pants.
I tried it with the MK9,but the all steel was just to heavy for it to work.Same problem,the back of the slide wouldn't roll out as easily as a revolver. Walking the beach is about the only time I'd pocket carry now with the old Mod.37.
In the case of a snub revolver or smaller auto IWB appendix just works better for me. I've also come to prefer the snub K frames over the J's for such carry. A round butt with a grip adaptor and a bobbed hammer works pretty well. The Barami hip grip is a good option for me too,with either a K or a J.

[Beagles747]

Where I work it's almost impossible to carry. I basically work at an auto parts counter at a large Auto Dealership in the Phoenix metro area. There have been a few occasions when I felt I needed to have a little something at work depending on political or other types of situations going on down town and not wanted to be completely unprepared. What I do is I take a portable package of tissue ("Puffs" is a good one) and it has a resealable flap to get at the tissue and I tuck the gun inside the package and close the flap on it or let the handle protrude slightly. I have done this with an NNA .22LR revolver and a Kel-tec P3AT and they both hid well. I practiced a little getting it out quickly and it wasn't to bad but it was much much slower than IWB carry for sure! It worked well in my front right pocket, and if you bump into anyone it feels soft.

-John

[steve2267]

I would never have thought to try to conceal a handgun in a pocket pack of tissues -- neat idea! Unfortunately, I have nothing as small as your P3AT, but will tuck the idea away. Thanks!

[Brownie]

Steve,

John [ Beagles747 ] mentioning the P3at Kel-Tec 380 brought an idea to mind here. In another thread about your vacation and carrying a gun while swimming was discussed for options.

I have a P32 Kel-tec 32acp and I would not think twice about taking it right into the water without worrying about keeping it dry. A can of compressed air bought at radio shack and used on keyboards, etc would dry it quick once back to the room.

Off topic here some, but the mention of the Kel-tec brought it to mind and might be something to consider. We can't keep them in the shop. Reliable and easy to use like a revo, just point and click.

Just a thought.

John,

Neat "out of the box" thinking to find a way to carry a gun when one can't have one.

[Brownie]

John sent me the following pictures of his description here:

What I do is I take a portable package of tissue ("Puffs" is a good one) and it has a resealable flap to get at the tissue and I tuck the gun inside the package and close the flap on it or let the handle protrude slightly.

You can click the pics for a larger view

[Beagles747]

I would never have thought to try to conceal a handgun in a pocket pack of tissues -- neat idea! Unfortunately, I have nothing as small as your P3AT, but will tuck the idea away. Thanks!

Every once and a while I come up with something...;)

Thanks Brownie for posting those pics. I'm still having some computer problems!:mad:

-John

[doc watson]

Being an old revolver man, I go with the Smith and Wesson M642, carried in off hand side in a Mika pocket holster. I find it works in jeans, shorts and casual attire.

[Sgt443]

Count me on the revolver side for off duty/EDC. My Colt Magnum Carry (bobbed hammer and "melted") is either in the belly band/appendix carry or in the off hand front pocket. A couple of speed strips carries the reloads.

Lonnie

[BillinPittsburgh]

I find that size is more critical than weight for good concealment in a pocket. Often, when I go to pocket carry, it is because I am carrying someplace where, although legal, there could be serious consequences for getting caught with a gun. So, discretion is absolutely critical.

I have found that a North American Arms Guardian .380 in a Ron Graham Maverick holster (with the anti-print panel in place) carried in the front pocket works very well. My gun has Novak tritium sights, and they do not interfere with the draw. This gun is comparable in size to a Kel-Tec P-32 although a little thicker and a lot heavier.

I have also used a Kel-Tec P-32 for this purpose, and found that it works very well in a Ron Graham Super Cookie or Night Owl holster. My P-32 has Wolff 11 lb. recoil springs (factory standard is 9 lb.), +10% extra power magazine springs, and a David Clay tritium channel sight, which is a significant improvement over the factory sights.

I have successfully carried a Glock 26 in a pocket using a Kramer pocket holster, with no one spotting the gun. However, daily carry of a gun this big will pur a lot of wear and tear on pants. I have had no issues in drawing this gun from a pocket.

Relaxed fit pants go a long way towards keeping a pocket gun from being spotted and towards speeding the draw.

I have carried a North American Arms .22 lr. revolver in a pocket as well, but I think that this gun lends itself more to deep, creative concealment (I like the tissue pack idea) than for ordinary pocket carry.