Considering a pocket revolver -- but do they actually fit in pockets???
- Thread starter OhioGuy
- Start date
I similarly have to wear suit pants or khakis most of the time so pocket carry is my thing as well. And i like to carry revolvers. I’ve tried most of the snubbies out there except for the Taurus 380. I tried two different Ruger LCRs and couldn’t make them work. They were also surprisingly inaccurate when compared to single piece barreled snubbies. They have a great trigger and are the same on height and length with the Smiths, but they are bigger in every other aspect (all the other measurements, especially the trigger guard) and even with boot grips i just couldn’t pocket carry it comfortably in the types of pants i have to wear.
I eventually settled on the Smith 442 pro series (and swapped out the springs for a Wolff kit) or a Charter Arms undercover lite. Charter sells a separate “no hammer spur” hammer replacement for their revolvers for really cheap, so you can make any of their models hammerless. The Charter is lighter and smaller (especially when hammerless) but i like how the 442 pro series will accept moon clips so i get more reliable ejection if i have to reload (i carry a speed strip for the reload).
Your pocket holster selection is also a big deal. Many are bulky. I selected a kydex one that only does a couple things. It covers the trigger guard, it keeps the gun upright in the pocket for a quick draw, and it has a hook causing it to catch and snap off as part of the draw stroke. Makes for very rapid deployment. Check out Boraii holsters.
In terms of 380 pistols, i also have tried several 380s, 32s and 9mms for pocket carry. I had an LC9 but it was too big and not very accurate. 32s had reliability issues. I’m currently using a Ruger LCP2 in 380 which shoots way more comfortably than most, and has been reliable so far.
Good luck on your search.
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I eventually settled on the Smith 442 pro series (and swapped out the springs for a Wolff kit) or a Charter Arms undercover lite. Charter sells a separate “no hammer spur” hammer replacement for their revolvers for really cheap, so you can make any of their models hammerless. The Charter is lighter and smaller (especially when hammerless) but i like how the 442 pro series will accept moon clips so i get more reliable ejection if i have to reload (i carry a speed strip for the reload).
Your pocket holster selection is also a big deal. Many are bulky. I selected a kydex one that only does a couple things. It covers the trigger guard, it keeps the gun upright in the pocket for a quick draw, and it has a hook causing it to catch and snap off as part of the draw stroke. Makes for very rapid deployment. Check out Boraii holsters.
In terms of 380 pistols, i also have tried several 380s, 32s and 9mms for pocket carry. I had an LC9 but it was too big and not very accurate. 32s had reliability issues. I’m currently using a Ruger LCP2 in 380 which shoots way more comfortably than most, and has been reliable so far.
Good luck on your search.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Look into the Taurus View revolver(it was a 85 with a very small grip and short barrel, with a clear side plate, later changed to an aluminum one). That'd be a great size for a pocket revolver, and in .38 special. They don't make them anymore, but you might be able to find them online.
Cheapshooter
New member
Would have been great. Except they were so great they only made them for a year or two it that! Maybe if they would have just called them something else, and never put the see through plastic side plate on it.
Amazing.......what's changed?
The late C.R.Sam (I'm jumping to the conclusion Sam passed on since he hasn't posted here since about 2004 & was in his late 80's at that time) - weighed all of 140/145 pounds & packed a 3" K frame in his front pant pocket.
He also packed a 4" and 5" (S&W M29/M28) in his jacket pocket.
Matter of fact, after spending the last hour looking back at Sam's posts to verify exactly what he packed and where, there's bunches of posts from the early days of TFL referring to "pocket carry" of all sorts of stuff.
Might not be a bad idea to rummage through some of them and find out how they all managed to do it.
The late C.R.Sam (I'm jumping to the conclusion Sam passed on since he hasn't posted here since about 2004 & was in his late 80's at that time) - weighed all of 140/145 pounds & packed a 3" K frame in his front pant pocket.
He also packed a 4" and 5" (S&W M29/M28) in his jacket pocket.
Matter of fact, after spending the last hour looking back at Sam's posts to verify exactly what he packed and where, there's bunches of posts from the early days of TFL referring to "pocket carry" of all sorts of stuff.
Might not be a bad idea to rummage through some of them and find out how they all managed to do it.
wild cat mccane
New member
You do have to test a revolvers actually as they are FAR more complicated than an auto.
I've shipped back 686s, GP100s, Taurus 66s. Binding. That also means I've owned those, so I don't dislike revolvers.
It's much worse than any auto failure because the gun can be done if you can't get the cylinder open and it won't rotate.
But to the OP question: no. Snubs in dress pants or normal fitted pants of a youth-middle aged man that doesn't buy big pants...just too big. They carry better than an auto in feel because the cylinder breaks up the shape, but the cylinder is so wide it's like a large cutie orange in your pocket. That's not realistic.
An LCP is way more comfortable.
I've shipped back 686s, GP100s, Taurus 66s. Binding. That also means I've owned those, so I don't dislike revolvers.
It's much worse than any auto failure because the gun can be done if you can't get the cylinder open and it won't rotate.
But to the OP question: no. Snubs in dress pants or normal fitted pants of a youth-middle aged man that doesn't buy big pants...just too big. They carry better than an auto in feel because the cylinder breaks up the shape, but the cylinder is so wide it's like a large cutie orange in your pocket. That's not realistic.
An LCP is way more comfortable.
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I wear only cargo shorts in the Summer, cargo pants in the Winter (nothing else). My S&W Model 36 is undetectable my front-right standard seamed pocket in its Bianchi pocket holster. It rides so well that I am unaware that it is there. So, it would seem to be a matter of what kind of pants a person wears.
Master Blaster
New member
Gotta Love a thread where people are debating whether it is possible to do something I have been doing daily for 22 years...
wild cat mccane
New member
How old are you and what's your profession.
Sluggederbore
Inactive
I used to have a 442 and it worked great as a pocket revolver. I plan to get another one some day.
I carry a S&W M642 in a Mika pocket holster in Wrangler jeans no problem. Also carry a Taurus TCP in a Mika pocket holster again no issues. I have carried for years a Keltec P32 in a Desantis pocket holster that I have about worn out with no issues. It can be done but you need to figure out how big and deep your pants pockets are to pick a pocket carry weapon.
I have a 2.25" SP101 and it doesn't really fit well in the pocket and I typically always wear cargo shorts/pants, maybe I just need ones with an even deeper pocket (cheapo Wrangler brand) but the grip sticks out of the pocket slightly so it's not totally concealed. For that reason I've considered a S&W 360 .357 which is smaller and definitely lighter (half the weight) but the issue is that they're not fun to shoot with 38's let alone 357's whereas the SP101 is easy to shoot, even with 357's. I'd definitely recommend the SP101 but make sure you have pretty deep pockets and don't forget that belt, cause it's hefty.
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the only real way to shut everyone up and your desert eagle et al. in your pocket is to model you carrying it in which ever fashion, standing and sitting. sitting is how the majority of the population spend their time and that plays a big part in the comfort and concealability of the pocket carry gun.