Can Pocket Carry Be Beat? Observations from the Laser Range.

B

Bartholomew Roberts

Moderator
My typical rig is a Glock 19 in a Sparks Versa-Max 2. At seven yards, I am at a pretty consistent 1.8-2.0 to get an A-zone hit on the head of an IPSC target. On a related note, if I start firing as soon as I have sights on the torso A-zone, the first shot comes at about 1.3 and the third shot to the head A-zone still comes at about 1.8-2.0.

Today, it occurred to me that I should do some pocket carry work since I’ve been carrying that way more frequently now and I rarely get to practice the drawstroke like that at the range. I set up the shot timer with a 1.8 par time and went to work with a Glock 26 and Galco pocket holster.

The first thing I learned is that pants matter. The shorts I was wearing had deep vertical pockets and my draw times were not only glacial; but occasionally the pocket holster would still be on the gun. And I was starting with my hand on the gun even! Then I changed shorts and totally new paradigm. The pockets were cut lower and the hook on the Galco holster caught every time. I just established a master grip and pulled the gun out of my pocket naturally.

It was just boring. Making A-zone head hits in under 1.8 (which is difficult for me with my normal rig) wasn’t even challenging. At 3/4 speed I could make the hit easily and still have time to think about it before the par buzzer sounded.

The flip side is carrying a Glock 26 in a pocket holster looks like you’ve got the paperback copy of Monster Hunters, International stuffed in your front pocket. It doesn’t look like a gun; but it doesn’t look normal either. But the results seem pretty unbeatable...
 
yeah, there is pocket carry that doesn't look like anything is in your pocket, then there is pocket carry that looks like you've stolen the Gideon's Bible from your room at Motel 6.
 
A properly made and properly fitted pocket holster will NEVER come out with the gun. I repeat, NEVER.
Get in touch with Robert Mika Holsters, and order one with the square bottom, and one with the round bottom made for the gun you will be carrying, and the shape of your pants pocket. Your problem will be permanently solved.
I Have been using them for 10 years and have never had one draw with the gun.
 
made for the gun you will be carrying, and the shape of your pants pocket
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That’s kind of the point I was making. The shape of your pants pocket is an important factor. I agree a holster custom made for the gun you are carrying AND the shape of your pants pocket is unlikely to come out with the gun. Now all you need to do is have the same pants pocket in every set of pants/shorts you wear.*

*And for the record, the same manufacturer made both pairs of shorts I used here.
 
I pocket carry occasionally. When I have been to the range, I find that I am much quicker if I start with my hand in my pocket and on the gun (premise that I know a threat is present) than with normal belt holster carry where I can't rest my hand on the gun without the world knowing. However, pocket carry is much slower than belt holster carry if I have to start with my hands in the same position off the gun, such as in surrender position.

Pocket carry is also much slower for me when seated.
 
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I think that’s an important point. If you don’t start with a mastergrip on the pistol (and good pockets), pocket carry is very slow. The big advantage is that you can assume a mastergrip on your pistol in a way that doesn’t alert others. However, if you aren’t able to use that advantage, pocket carry is painfully slow.
 
B. R.
Give Robert a call. Number is on his website. Explain your situation, and he will be able to tell you if he can help. This is one site where you get to talk to the man himself, so what have you got to lose? He won't try to sell you something that he thinks won't work.
 
I have tried pocket carry with a G26 and it just doesn't work for me and my pockets due to the shape of the pistol. For me, it's a lot easier to get a revolver like a 642 or 342 out of a pocket quickly though a G26 is far easier to shoot well once it is out.

I practice a lot with the 642/342 J frames and it isn't difficult for me to get first round hits on a 6"x11" target at five yards in less than one second if I have my hand on the revolver when the beeper goes off. But despite not practicing much with the G26, from the low ready, it always beets the J frames for me, especially when the distances grow.
 
Bartholomew Roberts said:
I think that’s an important point. If you don’t start with a mastergrip on the pistol (and good pockets), pocket carry is very slow. The big advantage is that you can assume a mastergrip on your pistol in a way that doesn’t alert others. However, if you aren’t able to use that advantage, pocket carry is painfully slow.
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I don't pocket carry and don't plan to, though I understand why some end up going that route. I don't think it's that discrete. If I see a guy walking around with his hand stuck in his pocket, it stands out to me. If I were in some self defense situation, or in an altercation with someone that was escalating then a hand in a pocket is a big warning signal to me. Hands kill.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 
Some of you have massive pockets. Gun belt + loose clothing = I assume you have a gun. Clothes that hang to one side because you decided to carry a heavy pistol without a gun belt is the same assumption. Its not nearly as discrete as some people want it to be when you get past the small .380 class of guns and even those are sometimes pushing it.
 
I am 6' 4", 275 lbs and there is no way I could conceal pocket carry a G26 or something like it. When I pocket carry, which is often, it is something like a LCP II which disappears in the pocket. I use a kydex pocket holster with a hook on it.

When I can, I am going to carry a double stack like an XDM compact or a G19-size IWB. Because I can conceal it that way! I always want to carry the most gun that I can conceal (and be comfortable, honestly.)

So if I had a full grip on my pocket pistol, it would be faster than drawing from IWB concealed, of course. If I had a full grip on both, I'll take the bigger gun. But it would be 7 rounds of 380 slightly less accurately vs 14 rounds of 9mm more accurately. I guess its a choice that has to be made, balancing power, capacity, speed, and 'concealability.'
 
If by pocket carry you mean in the front pocket on ones strong side, I find it difficult to draw from a seated position, especially in a motor vehicle. I usually slide it under my strong side thigh, still in the pocket holster.
 
1. Discrete pocket carry can be tough to suss out in the day of smart phones. Is that a J-frame or an I-phone or is he H-appy to see me? Assumes appropriate pocket gun and holster and pants, shot or long.

2. The discrete hand resting on the grip at T=0 is of great advantage and comfort, no doubt.

3. Glock 26 in a front pocket requires a LARGE front pocket and preferably pleated pants.
 
If by pocket carry you mean in the front pocket on ones strong side, I find it difficult to draw from a seated position,
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This...

Pocket carry is one of those things that tends to work out well on the range and not so well in reality.
 
The big advantage is that you can assume a mastergrip on your pistol in a way that doesn’t alert others.
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Be careful this is kind of a faulty thinking and reliance upon the "combat fairy". While the ignorant might allow you to get a nice grip on that pocket rocket....

The informed and dangerous know that hands kill and you sticking your hand deep in your pocket is not the deception you think.
 
There were a few times in my life when I had a gun in my right hand, had my arms crossed in front of my chest with it under my left armpit assessing a potential threat without them having a clue. Or maybe they did and didn't press their luck any further! :D

On one occasion they thought I was oblivious when they tried a verbal armed robbery of my friend at an ATM, they had no idea where that Sig in my hand came from.. ;) The biggest luck they had that day was that they did not display a knife or a gun, just threatened to shove a 45 in his face. Then all of a sudden it was "nonono, we are only joking" while running there arses off back to the getaway car.

I have observed the same thing about pocket carry, by the time you get it out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be dead and buried. Mexican carry is so much faster, quieter and smoother.
 
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