Thoughts On Pocket Carry

G

Gunmeister

New member
My personal opinion is that pocket carry is probably the least desireable method to carry your piece.
With the upsurge in popularity of .380 mouse guns that are being produced and sold as fast as the gun makers can manufacture them, more and more folks find pocket carry to be a very comfortable option. Again, IMHO, pocket carry doesn't cut it. There are many reasons not to carry your little gem in your pocket, one reason is pocket lint (we all have it). If your piece is properly lubed, it will attract lint like metal shavings to a magnet. If you choose a pocket holster, make sure that your gun fits it properly and comes out of it easily and the holster stays in your pocket when you draw your piece, you don't want to draw your gun with the holster still on it.
More importantly is the fact that your gun is practically inaccessable when stuffed into your pocket while sitting down. Imagine being relaxed in your easy chair watching your TV and a BG kicks in your front door. Will you be able to rapidly draw your gun from your pocket? I doubt it. I keep my CCW between the cushion and the chair, easily accessable yet out of sight. Let's say you're in your car with your seat belt on and your gun is stuffed into your pocket, while stopped at a traffic light or stop sign a BG yanks your door open or puts a brick through your window. Will you be able to get to your gun in an attempt to defend yourself ? I don't think so. I have an Uncle Mikes pocket holster attached to my car seat with Velcro between the seat and center console. Again easily accessable yet out of sight.
Now I don't expect everyone to agree with me, I just wanted to give you a few reasons why, in my opinion, pocket carry is not a great carry method. I agree its fine while your standing or walking but not worth a dam while your seated. I prefer to wear my gun neatly tucked into the proper Uncle Mike's nylon IWB holster worn outside the waist band but under the belt, at the appendix position. Very comfortable, well concealed (even under a tee shirt) and easily accessable not to mention not at all expensive.
An often quoted saying: A concealed weapon is not always comfortable but is always very comforting (or something like that).
Just something to think about while stuffing your piece into the front pocket of those tight fitting cowboy jeans.:eek:
I solicite your opinions both pro or con.
Regards, JW:D
 
There have been times I have carried a small gun in my pocket but to be honest it is rare. Though I do like the ability to carry it that way at times.

I opt for either an ankle or some type for belt/waist carry method when practical. However when I am going to be walking in the mall I sometimes just opt for the pocket. When I'm driving It is neither in the pocket or a holster. I have a neat easy access pocket in the door.

Other than walking open carry on the farm I don't really carry a gun in the house.

I never ever had a lint problem with a gun though I guess it is possible but not really a concern. I do suspect most "pocket guns" are not carried in a pocket. If I think back over 15 years mine has been in the pocket less than 20% of the time.
 
Pocket lint is not a problem if you clean your gun. Also, washing and drying your pants with the pockets inside out minimizes lint.

I carry a 9mm in the car in a holster under the dash.
I don't live where I feel it necessary to have a gun in my pocket at home.
BTW- an ankle holster is an interesting place to carry a gun that you don't need to get to in a hurry.
 
It's quite easy to pull the gun and holster combo of your pocket and set it aside before you sit down to drive or watch TV.
 
I pocket carry in a holster quite a bit, especially in summer. Lint is not a problem with a pocket holster. Except while wearing some jeans, pulling a gun while seated is not difficult.

So what are some good reasons where pocket carry is an advantage? The most obvious is where dress does not easily allow one to carry otherwise. I know some posters will jump in and say you should dress to carry, rather than carry to your dress. I agree to a certain extent, but unless you just cruise the malls or the back trails, there will be situations where belt carry is not a good option.

Second, suppose you're walking to your car at night and you see three or four guys who look like they might be a problem. If you put your hand on a gun on your hip, it's pretty easy to tell what you're doing. You lose any tactical advantage. However, putting your hand in a pocket is a natural thing to do; for example, to retrieve keys. You don't lose the element of surprise if the need arises and, if the threat never materializes, you don't necessarily look like a deranged killer ready to draw down on unsuspecting citizens.

BTW, ankle holsters are a horrible way to carry except for a backup gun or if there is simply no other way.
 
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When I'm carrying, 90% of the time it'll be in a pocket holster. Works well for me. If it doesn't for you, there are other methods. ;)
 
I only pocket carry my BUG. in my front left pocket. If something don't feel right I can just casually slip my hand in my pocket
 
Gunmeister:


My personal opinion is that pocket carry is probably the least desireable method to carry your piece.
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I feel the opposite, although I take my gun out and leave it in a place for easy draw in my car, on my seat or under something and resting right next to me at home.

Pocket carry (Airweight J-frame) is the most desirable, because I can keep my hand on my gun at anytime for a quick draw and nobody knows but me.:D

And who the heck wears tight cowboy jeans nowadays anyway? I don't like to show off my camel toes, "hee hee hee!"
 
As far as lint in the barrel, when I pocket carry, I stick an old orange rubber ear plug in the end while pocket carrying.
 
I pocket carry a Ruger LCP in a nice little holster from the Simply Rugged company out of Wasilla, Alaska. It can get hot here in CO in the summer and this rig works well even with a tucked in T-shirt and jean shorts that have generous front pockets. The small gun w/o a spare magazine is better than nothing when dressed for outdoor activity in the simmer (summer).

It is beyond me how some of you Southern men CCW in the summer. Maybe you just get used to the heat?

When it cools off a little here in CO, there are more options with long jeans and t-shirt with untucked outer shirt, etc. One can even manage a full-sized 1911 w/an extra mag as long as one has a proper belt and holster.
 
The main type of pants and shorts that I wear is khaki. Nothing is more comfortable than putting my snub nose revolver in my pocket--not much bigger than a glasses case or blackberry. Jeans do make it more difficult which is why I am looking for an IWB holster.

I think it's all in what you get used to. Personally, I think IWB would be uncomfortable as I hate the though of havind something stuck in my belt. If you're going to have OWB, you might as well open carry. Around the ankle doesn't appeal to me--I even hate tight socks!

It's all about personal preference and comfort. Also, for me, pocket carry allows deep concealment as I am not even aware of it being there.
 
I've pocket carried with no holster, but had the gun in my jacket pocket, it is a secure enough pocket to where the gun won't fall out, plus it was more easily accessible and more subtle than pants pockets. It's also more comfortable than IWB or ankle.
 
My personal opinion is that pocket carry is probably the least desireable method to carry your piece.
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You are entitled to your opinion but it lacks merit in terms of analysis, reality and facts.

WildandunclemikestuffistheworststuffyoucanrelyuponforccwAlaska TM
 
I agree with WildandhisanalysisofpostersopiniononpocketcarryAlaska. I pocket carry probably 95% of the time. Carrying the j-frame in an open ended holster in the jacket pocket, the first shot, I wouldn`t neccesarily have to draw if the SHTF. I can buy a new jacket. As far as lube goes, on a pocket carry revolver I prefer some of the drylubes that are available. Before practice season`s, gun gets sprayed with regular wetlube , practiced with, thoroughly cleaned/inspected. When done and ready to CC its sprayed with drylube, wait to dry, loaded and holster. Since this is a weekly routine theres not much worry about pocket lint. In the car(If not in jacket)CW goes in center console.
 
i carry my kel tec p32 in my right wallet pocket, easy to get to, and you can carry no matter what mode of dress(assuming you are wearing pants/shorts).

i have a xd40 in the truck, and lots better guns at the house than the kel tec, so accessibility while sitting is unimportant.
 
Let me start by sayin' that the author of this thread knows what he's talkin' about. I teach self-defense pistol combat classes,and as of late more and more of my students show up to class with these pathedic little .32's and .380s' or pocket guns. And without fail,in every class when we come to the "Quick draw and burst fire" part I always have at least 1 or 2 people who can't get their gun outta their pocket or the holster comes with the gun. In any case those who pocket carry take a ridiculous amount of time to draw and fire,so I end up failing them.

Another thing that really gets to me is alot of people have no problem dropin' $700 or more on a gun but then for reasons I can only fathom they buy the cheapest run of the mill holster they can find. I myself own 8 hand guns(4 autos and 4 revolvers) and for every gun I own I have custom made to the exact specs' of the gun holsters,for some guns I have multiple custom holsters for different carry positions depending on the season and what I'm wearing. Do custom holsters cost alot? Yes,they do. I paid $180 for a shoulder holster set up,and the the quick and easy draw from that tailored holster makes it worth every penny. Don't settle for the "good enough" holsters,shop around;you'll be glad you did.
 
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