Maybe I'm in a minority, but with a waist a bit thicker than I would like to have, I can't find a holster for in the waistband carry that I can live with comfortably. I know there are "holsters" that are really pouches that sit covering the family jewels and seem ridiculously difficult to get to if needed, so that leaves pocket carry. I wonder how many carry in the pocket vs carry in a waistband holster?
Pocket carry vs holster in the waistband
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
I use both types...
... depending on what I carry.
Pocket advantage: Can carry small auto (PM9 in my case) or snub (442 in my case) easily in most walking or even athletic shorts.
Pocket disadvantage: Can't use pocket for anything else. (Problem if carrying wallet, truck keys, and knife, for instance.)
Pocket advantage: No need for cover garment.
Pocket disadvantage: Nearly impossible to draw from seated position, such as anti-carjacker scenario.
You get the idea. It's a viable carry option, but it has limitations.
I strongly recommend you get a good pocket holster (DeSantis Nemesis and Simply Rugged Pocket Protector leap to mind), and make a hard habit of never putting anything else in the gun pocket. Keys can actuate a trigger; coins can wedge in actions; etc.
... depending on what I carry.
Pocket advantage: Can carry small auto (PM9 in my case) or snub (442 in my case) easily in most walking or even athletic shorts.
Pocket disadvantage: Can't use pocket for anything else. (Problem if carrying wallet, truck keys, and knife, for instance.)
Pocket advantage: No need for cover garment.
Pocket disadvantage: Nearly impossible to draw from seated position, such as anti-carjacker scenario.
You get the idea. It's a viable carry option, but it has limitations.
I strongly recommend you get a good pocket holster (DeSantis Nemesis and Simply Rugged Pocket Protector leap to mind), and make a hard habit of never putting anything else in the gun pocket. Keys can actuate a trigger; coins can wedge in actions; etc.
I pocket carry, but I do use a pocket holster that looks sort of like a large wallet when I'm carrying. It works great with cargo pants / shorts. Works ok with slacks. Doesn't work well with jeans. The gun I carry is a .45 AMT Backup.....for now, anyway. I would like to go to a smaller and ligher weight 9mm that can handle +P....., however no such miniture beast exists.
I pretty much always pocket carry. Like you, I find waist carry uncomfortable and a general annoyance. Problem with pocket carry is, to be comfortable, I pretty much need a small caliber single stack light weight auto (like a .380). I have several carry guns of larger caliber, including revolvers, but I've pretty much settled on a .380 for my daily concealed companion. I use an Uncle Mike's pocket holster (size 1) with Kel-Tec P3AT in it. Very quick to get to and barely prints.
One other problem with pocket carry, that I've had to learn to deal with, is that it does take longer to draw your weapon than from other type holsters. For me, its a pretty consistant 2-second delay/difference. Yes, I've timed this repeatedly against others using more traditional holsters.
oneounceload
Moderator
Solution: Put pocket gun or another in small holster in door map pocket where it is readily accessible
I have more than a generous waistline and don't have any trouble carrying IWB. I also pocket carry, depending on type of clothing I wear.
Is drawing from a pocket holster slower than having to raise a shirt and pull gun from holster? I don't know. However, I do know that having your hands in your pocket is very natural. When I see someone/something that looks suspicious, I simply put my hand in my pocket, ready to draw. I can't do that with a waistband holster. Of course, carrying in a pocket limits you in what you can carry.
Is drawing from a pocket holster slower than having to raise a shirt and pull gun from holster? I don't know. However, I do know that having your hands in your pocket is very natural. When I see someone/something that looks suspicious, I simply put my hand in my pocket, ready to draw. I can't do that with a waistband holster. Of course, carrying in a pocket limits you in what you can carry.
See, that's the real issue for me and why I pocket carry. I wear slacks and a tucked in shirt on a daily basis. Having an untucked shirt hang out over my waist is not acceptable for me. Vests, jackets, etc. - too hot to wear them 80% of the time - and I don't much like them anyway. That's really why I choose pocket carry.
It is more difficult and time consuming to draw from a pocket standing up. Sitting down, it's even that much more difficult. You just have to recognize this and understand the limitations of pocket carry.
2cooltoolz
New member
If I can't carry it in my pocket, it doesn't get carried. I have some "compacts" and full size handguns, but the only ones that get carried ride in my pocket.
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I found for me that I had a choice: carry something comfortable, . . . carry something comforting.
My full size all steel 1911 with 9 rounds in it are comforting, . . . I have forcibly made it comfortable.
I have IWB and OWB holsters, can carry either way, black & brown, and it just depends on where I'm going, . . . etc. as to which one I take.
Not meaning to disparage anyone else's choice, . . . but for me, . . . pockets are for keys, change, and other stuff, . . .
True statement: it took a while to get a holster that is comfortable but I can wear that thing all day & all night, . . . have to check myself sometimes, . . . I forget that it is there.
Vito, . . . you didn't say what you were trying to carry. What did you choose?
May God bless,
Dwight
My full size all steel 1911 with 9 rounds in it are comforting, . . . I have forcibly made it comfortable.
I have IWB and OWB holsters, can carry either way, black & brown, and it just depends on where I'm going, . . . etc. as to which one I take.
Not meaning to disparage anyone else's choice, . . . but for me, . . . pockets are for keys, change, and other stuff, . . .
True statement: it took a while to get a holster that is comfortable but I can wear that thing all day & all night, . . . have to check myself sometimes, . . . I forget that it is there.
Vito, . . . you didn't say what you were trying to carry. What did you choose?
May God bless,
Dwight
Draw time and relative difficulty; hand issues.
I suspect most of us are in the habit of practicing drawing from wherever we may carry. If there are any doubts about times required, or tendencies to snag on fabric or other obstructions, then more practice is indicated.
A couple decades ago, a kindly Gunny and his SGT assistant emphasized that on a really bad day, hands and arms might be disabled prior to the draw, so it was a really good idea to practice drawing with either hand, individually.
This is a MAJOR drawback to pocket carry. It's slow when using the primary hand. Try reaching across sometime... it's eye-opening. It can be done, but it is not easy.
This is probably the point where somebody will say, "but I'm aware all the time, I won't be surprised, and my hand is on the gun in my pocket." To which I'd say, you are more aware than I am, and you are luckier than I am - or you'd better hope you are.
The Gunny also taught how to cycle a slide with only one hand (using rear sights against a belt, boot heel, nearby wall corner, etc). For auto shooters, not a bad thing to practice every so often.
I suspect most of us are in the habit of practicing drawing from wherever we may carry. If there are any doubts about times required, or tendencies to snag on fabric or other obstructions, then more practice is indicated.
A couple decades ago, a kindly Gunny and his SGT assistant emphasized that on a really bad day, hands and arms might be disabled prior to the draw, so it was a really good idea to practice drawing with either hand, individually.
This is a MAJOR drawback to pocket carry. It's slow when using the primary hand. Try reaching across sometime... it's eye-opening. It can be done, but it is not easy.
This is probably the point where somebody will say, "but I'm aware all the time, I won't be surprised, and my hand is on the gun in my pocket." To which I'd say, you are more aware than I am, and you are luckier than I am - or you'd better hope you are.
The Gunny also taught how to cycle a slide with only one hand (using rear sights against a belt, boot heel, nearby wall corner, etc). For auto shooters, not a bad thing to practice every so often.
Pocket carry is a very limiting approach. I cannot personally imagine carrying any gun I would depend on for SD in a pocket or trying to get it out quickly enough. Although I suppose depending on the size of the pocket and the looseness of the pants you could do it. I don't think it could ever compare to a quality holster on a quality belt. I have to wonder how many of you pocket carry fans are guys who don't like to wear a belt most of the time?
Wearing an untucked shirt over an Uncle Mike's Size 36 holding my LCP
.380 w/10-rd. ProMag... Works great for me. Very comfy all day... 'Course the whole setup only weighs... what?... around 12 oz. (unloaded)... I use this same basic setup with some bigger guns/holsters too... And I've got a sizeable belly!
.380 w/10-rd. ProMag... Works great for me. Very comfy all day... 'Course the whole setup only weighs... what?... around 12 oz. (unloaded)... I use this same basic setup with some bigger guns/holsters too... And I've got a sizeable belly!
I pocket carried a J-frame S&W in a Mika pocket holster for 7 years then switched to semi auto. Through a friend I found the Bandera Gun Leather Co. "Beltster" here and it is great if you can have your shirt tail out or wear a cover garment. I still pocket carry a mouse gun sometimes but the Beltster is really great. Close to the body and I find the weight of the pistol isn't as big an issue as it would be with pocket carry.
Frank Ettin
Administrator
I'm heavy. I wear trousers with a 46 waist, and they're just a bit loose. I also carry whenever I legally can and have no problem carrying a Commander size 1911 IWB with a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 worn at about 3:00.
Comfortable IWB carry is helped a great deal by (1) the correct size pants; (2) a good, stout belt; and (3) a good holster.
Comfortable IWB carry is helped a great deal by (1) the correct size pants; (2) a good, stout belt; and (3) a good holster.
Shadi Khalil
New member
It does, the PM9, R9 and soon the Sig P290.
Rejoice.
2cooltoolz
New member
I don't wear my shirt tail out. And I only wear a cover garment a couple months a year. Pocket works fine for me. As far as the pinned/disabled hand, a valid point. Maybe I'll start carrying the Seecamp or NAA mini mag in the left pocket in addition to the PM9/442/LCP in the right. Maybe not. 
I find a 9mm or .38 special in my hand, in my pocket, VERY comforting. The LCP, slightly less so, but it's the least I ever carry, when I can carry legally.
Dwight55 said:
I find a 9mm or .38 special in my hand, in my pocket, VERY comforting. The LCP, slightly less so, but it's the least I ever carry, when I can carry legally.
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I normally carry a S&W model 642 in a holster in a front pants pocket, because I can wear any pants or shorts with a tucked in shirt. I don't have to let my shirt hang out. I don't have to wear a jacket. I don't have to use a fanny pack. The bad part is that I only have 5-rounds of .38 special. (Yes, I have speedloaders and speed strips.)
I just began trying a tuckable iwb holster with a full-size, steel pistol. Holster has 2 belt loops which are spaced about 4" apart. I haven't tucked yet. I just cover top of gun with a shirt or jacket. My pants are a little loose at the waist, so at least I don't have to buy any that are a size larger just to use for carrying iwb. I did buy a thick belt. So far so good. The good part is that I'll have 8-rounds of .45 ACP or 16 rounds of 9mm.
I'll still probably pocket carry most of the time, but at least I know a larger gun is doable.
I just began trying a tuckable iwb holster with a full-size, steel pistol. Holster has 2 belt loops which are spaced about 4" apart. I haven't tucked yet. I just cover top of gun with a shirt or jacket. My pants are a little loose at the waist, so at least I don't have to buy any that are a size larger just to use for carrying iwb. I did buy a thick belt. So far so good. The good part is that I'll have 8-rounds of .45 ACP or 16 rounds of 9mm.
I'll still probably pocket carry most of the time, but at least I know a larger gun is doable.
I frequently carry something like a Kahr PM9, Glock 27, or Kimber Ultra Carry in the same location shown by CWKahrFan. Exactly which one depends on the clothing worn. I have a FIST kydex clip-on holster for each pistol. This "appendix" method of carry offers quick access and printing is basically a non-issue. The limiting factor(s) (for me) is barrel length (due to comfort) and grip length depending on clothing (concealment).
If we go down to a Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3AT then I'll just pocket carry; I typically utilize a P3AT in addition to one of the previous pistols, because I could have my hand unobtrusivley in my pocket (if needed) if approached by someone. Picture someone walking up to you while you are loading stuff in your vehicle with the appearence of someone who is going to ask for directions or whatever. That 2nd pistol in pocket is there for that reason.
If we go down to a Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3AT then I'll just pocket carry; I typically utilize a P3AT in addition to one of the previous pistols, because I could have my hand unobtrusivley in my pocket (if needed) if approached by someone. Picture someone walking up to you while you are loading stuff in your vehicle with the appearence of someone who is going to ask for directions or whatever. That 2nd pistol in pocket is there for that reason.