Awkward situation, possible benefits of pocket carry

M

Michael Anthony

New member
A few nights ago I was leaving the gas station/corner store. It's often very busy at all hours and is my regular stop while on walks or my way home.

I was leaving the store with two of the fat bottles of Gatorade and my keys in my hand. I pass a guy walking in, we made eye contact and nodded at eachother. This is the customary greeting here. Well as I am getting to my car door he turns around and yells "hey man" in a semi-friendly manner.

He then gives me "the schpiel" which around here is pretty well-known. In your area it may vary. It's a parking lot dweller's sob story, and it runs together worse than Wildalaska signing his name. His was the all-time winner. Thank the photographic memory for the direct quote:

"Hey man I'm down here visiting my mama at the hospital and I got my wife over there in the van and this guy in here said he'd give me a ride and man that ATM over there kept my card and I just need a little bit of money to put some gas in the van so I can get back to the hospital" The only punctuation he used were repeated attempts to shake my hand.

He was very nervous and kept walking towards me and reaching out to shake my hand. I'm no parking-lot commando so I didn't want to throw my gatorades at him and do a sidelong roll while drawing but I really didn't want him near me either. I was also sort of pinned against my car door and I didn't really want to try and get in the car with stuff in my hand. This opening line could easily have been a distraction.

Sooo being the quick analytical thinker I am, I said loudly "Oh hold up wait hold on" Like I was the nervous, confused one. I looked around, set the bottles down and started patting myself. I stuffed my hand in my pocket to my 642 and said "Nope, I don't have anything for you." He looked kind of pissed and took a step in and said cooly "That's cool man." and offered another handshake. I didn't accept but I didn't move either. He got the idea and moved on, but I felt so much better being able to have an actual grip on my weapon in an inconspicuous manner.

I've heard arguements for and against pocket carry, and I pocket carry about half the time, IWB the other half. I think pocket carry here was the best place for me to have it.
 
I think that's a great illustration of why pocket carry's a great way to go. You also I think hit on what's necessary for pocket carry: enough gun in a small package. I'm thinking hard about the M&P revolver Smith is making now, in .357.

Great illustration.
 
Good point. It's also handy to be able to casually walk around with your hand in your pocket and on the grip. BTW, good distraction on your part by patting yourself down to get your hand on the gun. I would recommend ordering him to come no closer when he began easing in on you for a "friendly" handshake.
 
Yeah, I feel it looks more innocent given that he was asking for money.

I know it is becoming the prudent thing to do but I am not in the mindset that I should scream "Don't come any closer." or "Get away" at every person that comes in my bubble. Not when I am armed. Ironically, I am much more brave when unarmed. (another thread entirely).

Even though I am fairly young, I am sort of old fashion. The realist in me recognizes that now more than ever, every person is a potential threat but I can't start barking at every person who feels slightly menacing. A few years from now that probably will no longer be the case. Unfortunately.

Even funnier, that is exactly what I would advise anyone I care about to do.
 
In winter I always keep my DAO SP101 in my coat front pocket. Keeping your hand in your pocket and on the grip and finger on the trigger in a threating situation is very comforting...I would sure hate to ruin that coat by blasting a hole in it...But the BG would feel a lot worse...And very surprised I might add.

BTW, I tried dry firing and it doesn't get snagged, which may not be the case with every coat. It's been tried with various materials and it does NOT cause a fire.
 
Im a firm believer in pocket carry.

Good line from the bad guy...here is how it reads :)

WildHeymanimdownherevisitingmymamaatthehospitaletcAlaska TM
 
I like when the same person approaches day after day with the same story: My wife is pregnant and we got evicted and have almost enough money for the hotel across the street we dont want to stay in our van again can you spare $20?

My first response was "Oh where is your wife?"

"uhhhh shes uhhh, not here."

"Okay, maybe if you produce a pregnant wife I might find a way to produce some help."



Another all time favorite was the crack-ho that runs up to the vehicle and makes elaborate gestures at what she will do for you. She is quite persistant! Doesn't want to take "NO" for an answer until she sees the openly carried pistol on the hip.
 
Me fully understands your post and me agrees with anyways being lawfully armed and prepared, but me also thinks the dude just wanted to scam you for a few dollars not harm you and that's how me would have seen it.
 
That routine gets very old. My daughter spent the first 4 months of her life in the hospital. Daily drives for visits and distaste for hospital food gave me a large handful of these kinds of situations. Really, I didn't know that in a 4 block radius there were so many people in the same predicament:rolleyes: Anyway, these kind have absolutely no scruples at all. If I were them, I wouldn't be asking me for money. I mean, I'm a big guy. I stand 6'4" and go a good 230 right now. I have been taught that when people target individuals with an obvious physical advantage over themselves, the odds of them being armed increases dramatically. I have a standard response for them. "Sorry, pal, I don't carry cash" If they persist, I cooly say "I told you I can't help you". My posture should not elicit a second attempt, but it usually happens. I am armed at all times, but I don't think these types of people want anything more than a handout. You never know, though. Stay safe and don't give up any of your personal space or comfort zone. Strong, commanding words usually get the job done. Mr. .357 is there in case they dont.

Starsky said:
Me fully understands your post and me agrees with anyways being lawfully armed and prepared, but me also thinks the dude just wanted to scam you for a few dollars not harm you and that's how me would have seen it.
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What are we, 12?
 
"The fastest draw is the one with your hand already on the gun." Was that Ayoob, or someone else.

As I've posted in other threads, my pocket P3 is my constant companion.

Word of caution: pocket carry is great for anything standing up for all the reasons mentioned. However, you're hosed if you sitting--in the car, at dinner, catching a film or show. I always try to have an ankle or cross draw gun for these eventualities.

When I scrape up some more fun money, I want to try out a J-frame in the pocket and on the ankle and see how it compares to my big/little Kel-tec combo for "casual" carry....
 
Word of caution: pocket carry is great for anything standing up for all the reasons mentioned. However, you're hosed if you sitting--in the car, at dinner, catching a film or show. I always try to have an ankle or cross draw gun for these eventualities.
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Bet ya my gun (if I can ever find it) that I can draw faster from my back pocket that you can from an ankle, even if I am sitting :)

WildseecampAlaska TM
 
I am glad the sob-story phenomenon is widely known so you know what I am talking about. This really was the best. He got all the details out fast, and it was a lot of details. I was expecting him to start describing the loss of his job and an alien abduction.

It is a pain to draw from the pocket sitting. I'm working on it here at work and the only way I can draw at an acceptable speed is with my spare hand pulling the pocket away. Oh well. You accept a certain level of risk everytime you get out of bed. Sometimes even if you don't.

Wildalaska have you checked the hamper for your seecamp?
 
Bet ya my gun (if I can ever find it) that I can draw faster from my back pocket that you can from an ankle, even if I am sitting
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No bet.

You're one of them guys.;) I'll stuff a gun in my back pocket at home or someplace else open carry or flashing would be okay, but not out and about.

Point is, if I'm wearing something that covers the overhead view into my back pocket, I'll be wearing a real gun on my hip instead.:D

"...if you stuff a J-frame Smiff in yur back dungaree pocket" is the punchline to some type of joke, if I'm not mistaken.:cool:
 
Wildalaska have you checked the hamper for your seecamp?
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Yep.

Under the bed too.

I tend to bet SWMBO hid it...

"What you looking for old man? I dont know about this thing, why you lose gun in house, abenayo, abenayo (danger danger), so stupid you are. Why you not have nice safety hobby like cutie sweetie wife do knitting!" meanwhile knowing full well where it is and giving me those INSCRUTABLE looks...

This from a women who thinks guns are bad but wants me to shoot lousy drivers...."why you not shoot him! He is numbnuts driving!"

WildomylifeisashamblesAlaska TM
 
What are we, 12?
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No VUPDblue, me has underwear older than 12, hell me has guns much older than 12 and me has even been retired from my law enforcement career for several years now, but me says what me wants still. If you can't understand having fun posting then me feels bad for you. :)
 
Ken prefers the third person himself.

And on occasion we like to use the royal we.

Both are great for gunshops :)

Hi we would like to see that AK, it would be wonderful for our collection.

WildtestingtoseeifyouwillselltokeneventhoughheactsandlooksabitweirdAlaska
 
Thanks for sharing the story. You definitely have a point.

John Farnum teaches a standard reply for everyone approaching you on the street: "Sorry, I can't help you.", followed by the "Get back!!! Leave me alone!!!" if the person persists. He recommends not allowing anyone to close distance on you. This has worked for me fairly well, though I never had to scream at anyone.

My Dad had one I liked, too: "Hey, buddy, I'm workin' this side of the street."

What do you use to keep your 642 from printing, and keep it in a good position?

twb
 
Good job Michael :)

TWB, FWIW, I use a Kramer pocket holster. It looks like a wallet in the front pocket. I've heard the Don Hume's do the job nicely as well, and are quite a bit less expensive.
 
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I have a Hume for my j-frame. It's very nicely made, and reasonably priced (~$35).

I really like the DeSantis Nemesis. One (~$15) holster fits everything from a j-frame to a PM9 to a P45 to a Kimber Ultra Carry to a G-26/27...

Lots of people seem to like the Mika holster for the j-frames. Just another option.

Good luck, and please let us know what you end up with.
 
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