Awkward situation, possible benefits of pocket carry

I just carry in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. It's not the size for the J-frame but a different size (size 4) because it worked better for me. I explored other pricier options but the way I wear my pants makes it not all that crucial. I wear them baggier than grown men usually wear them, but tighter then what you would call "baggy". The flap that provides support to maintain it in the upright position has kind of broken down. My setup probably wouldn't really work for many people.

I have heard piles and piles of good stuff about the Desanti Nemesis and Mika's pocket holsters. Support independent businesses with good practices, buy one from Mika. I've heard so much about how well he treats his customers.

I carry my keys and crap in my opposite pocket so I just look I am carrying a bunch of stuff. A very close look and someone might be able to see the grip but a J-frame has a less conspicuous profile than a pocket auto (imo).
 
I understand about having fun, but some things just don't add up to me, or to the decorum of this forum. Sorry, I just like to keep things as un-childish as possible around here.
 
I have a spare Seecamp I'll sell you for seven hundred bucks.
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Nice Dave....and here I was going to sell you that 1 of 1000 1873 Winchester I found for $50...

Now.......fageddaboutit :)

WildnyahnyahAlaska TM
 
Another pocket carry story....

Open carry states are cool. Driving cross country last year (military move) we stopped for lunch at a Cracker Barrel in Arizona (sadly, I don't recall which town). While we waited for our table, in walks a couple who made quite a stir: the dude was a non-descript WMA, but his girl was a smokin' hot Latina wearing a short halter top, some cutoff urban camo shorts, and a Ruger P-series pistol.:D

The hostess was disinclined to seat them.:) In fact, I think she was trying to signal her friend to call the cops. Fortunately, the manager showed up, and graciously seated them (I guess he was a gun guy) and scolded the hostess.

So, I was glad to find out I could carry open in this Cracker Barrel if I ever was back in town. I'm undecided as to whether this couple's stunt helped or hurt the image of responsible gun owners. But I am absolutely certain I was glad to have my hand on my pocket gun as the whole scene unfolded.:D

Cheers,
 
You should have asked for a picture.
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The better half wouldn't have appreciated that one.

I'm ashamed to say, my wife saw the gun before me, after herself being alerted by my then 2 year old: "why that girl have a gun, Mommy?". So much for my Condition Yellow while armed or whatever.

I'll blame the loss of SA on too many pancakes, too much driving, too little sleep, and target fixation at the halter top level....:D
 
I have a question regarding the OP.
Why don't you carry two guns? This way you can have your IWB and your pocket carry at the same time. I carry my BUG in my pocket and frequently have my hand in my pocket as I'm walking through a parking lot or talking to someone.
My pocket gun is a 442 and it goes in the support side pocket. Having your hand in your pocket does not appear "threatening" and reduces drawing time since you already have your hand on it.

Biker
 
Why don't you carry two guns?
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I've considered it Biker. Maybe some more training on my weak hand with the j-frame and I'd feel comfortable with weak-side pocket carry. I really don't relish the idea of carrying two guns around. The main problem with this is attire. I don't really dress around the gun(s). If I'm wearing something that I want to pocket carry in I probably can't carry IWB. Tight t-shirt or dress clothes. The opposite is not always true though, if I'm carrying IWB I can usually still carry in pocket so I may try it.

I did carry three to the movie theatre once just for fun. Then I realized what a spot I'd be in legally speaking if I had to defend myself.
 
I love my NAA Guardian for pocket carry. I've had it in my hand, in my pocket a few times as I've been accosted for cash on my way to or from work.

Because I work in human services I work in a bad part of town. Many programs like mine are affected by the NIMBY thing, so they stick us downtown by the railroad tracks two blocks up from the homeless shelter that is also a NIMBY candidate.

So when I stop for my morning cup of coffee at my favorite coffee shop, or go grab a sandwich at Subway or stop for gas in the morning, I get panhandled. Some folks take "no" personally. I run a vocational program too, so every now and then my reply to them saying "I ain't got no job" is "wow, I can find you one if you like".

That usually gets a response from the panhandler that Art's Grammaw wouldn't appreciate.
 
sundownrider

yeah I've got a .32 Tomcat. trigger takes some getting used to, but snapping on a fired case will do it. it's my main carry when I'm wearing shorts and t-shirt garb. a good derringer is a nice choice IMO, but I like my . 32 wish ammo was cheaper.
 
parrothead2581, orionengnr, Michael Anthony,
Thanks for the information on holsters. I'll give them a look. I've been carrying a Kel-Tec .32 in a DeSantis Nemesis, mainly when I'm on the road. I've used it in side and hip pocket and it works great, but there is that nagging mousegun question that sometimes make me long for a larger caliber. I really appreciate the help....thanks to all of you.

SundownRider, I have had excellent reliability with my Kel-Tec .32. The size is about as small and light as you can get. I've never had a FTF or jam. The trigger pull is fairly long (DAO) but light and smooth. The problem is that I'm not sure I can recommend it, as Kel-Tec has almost as many reliability issues (as a company) as Taurus or Charter. This seems to be a reliable caliber/model for this company. Their .380 is a very small package but seems to be problematic in reliability. My .32 was purchased as a used gun, and I was able to get a reliability history. It sure is concealable. Good luck in your search.

twb
 
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.
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Great story! I have countless times I've had that situation happen to me. Day and night. Now I'm no longer scared to walk around anywhere at night. But thankfuly, I've gotten comfortable with open carry (dunno if legal in your state) but I must say, sense I've had my XD on my side at all times, no one ever comes up to me, asking me for money, or anything. Now I feel safer protecting not only myself but my girlfriend and her lil girl.
 
TWB,
How long have you had that Nemesis holster? I've had the urge to get one but have been concerned that the "stickiness" of the exterior may wear off rather quickly. Any thoughts?
 
I need a smaller pocket gun than my XD40 SC. Anyone like the Beretta Tomcats in .32?
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I've been using one for the past 7 years. The first shot is kind 'a long and creepy, and breaks at over 10#'s; but, actually, that's a good thing. When I travel I can put my Alley Cat underneath my pillow without worrying about it going off. (Try that with a Glock!) ;)

The wide grip creates the feel of a much larger pistol; consequently, it transitions well; and, I'm able to shoot it a lot straighter than most small guns. The tip up barrel is a nice feature that I've gotten used to, too. Be aware that there's no firing pin block; and, as a result, the factory manual recommends carrying in C-3. (I don't; but, at the same time, I see only a very slight chance of dropping this little pocket pistol on the back of the slide and, thus, facilitating an ND.)

So far I've got almost 1,000 rounds through mine without a hiccup! I carry inside my left front pocket in a Galco pocket holster - The kind with that little hook that catches on your pocket and sheds the holster as you draw.

Mine's fitted with a Pierce, soft-rubber, wrap-around grip. I, also, carry 2 extra magazines in a small leather pouch - that's 22 rounds in all. (For all practical SD purposes, I consider each magazine as, 'one round' - Which is exactly how I'd use this pistol IF I ever really had to.) ;)

MyAlleyCat.jpg






A DeSantis, 'Nemesis' pocket holster won't lose its, 'stickiness' - At least not in the 3 years that one of my acquaintances has been using his. ;)
 
:) Exactly! (It's razor sharp; the lock is rock solid and won't vibrate off; but, best of all, almost nobody recognizes this little knife for what it actually is!) ;)

It's, also, out of production. Here's the latest offerings: (sans toothpick & tweezers, though)

Wenger 151 Ranger Knife
 
parrothead2581,
I've had the Nemesis for two years, and would estimate no more than 50 - 60 hours of carry. I use it when I'm travelling, mostly. It isn't a large mass to carry in a pocket. One the rare occasion I have to stop at a road side rest area, It's nice to have in the restroom area where you can be isolated easily in a tricky situation with your hands full. :D

So far it has held together well. It still has the tackiness to cloth, but not to touch of skin. I paid $15 for it from Dillon Precision, and bought it mainly because it was cheap and I was too lazy to make a leather holster for it. It's been worth more than what I paid for it, but even if I hadn't liked it, $15 is an amount that doesn't mean missed meals or gas.

It obviously is cheaply (but well) constructed, and I've also wondered how long it wil last. So far, so good.
twb
 
Hi All,

Michael A,
I know very well of the street urchins of which you speak. As mentioned in several of the replies, most of these "bums" are just looking for a handout. With this in mind, (and this question is for all of you), what would you have done if this person continued toward you, getting too close for comfort?

Now I know there are a lot of folks here who say that they would have no problem pulling out a gun for just about everything, but there also seems to be many cooler head folks who know that the "Clint Eastwood" approach is not always the smartest thing to do.

You saw no weapon in the scenario you painted. If this guy took another step toward you but did not demand money, and no weapon was observed in his hands, would you draw and point a gun at him anyway? Was he physically dominant?

In an earlier reply, someone quoted an instructor who suggested. "Sorry, I can't help you." followed by "Get back" and "Leave me alone". I think that I would most likely use very stern words first, followed by stepping back and or pushing the bum away if he came too close before pulling a gun. I have had to do this on occassion, but like you, was very glad to have a firearm handy just in case things escalated.

Circumstances will vary in all situations. I am just curious as to what you and others would actually do given your scenario with regard to actually pulling a gun. If the guy continued to approach you after being told to stop, would you be justified in pointing a gun at him even though you saw no weapon? LEOs, feel free to jump in on this question.


DS
 
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