I carry the Spanish Inquisition® in my pocket.

It can come out of nowhere and nobody expects it.

It even has a nice little leather holster so it doesn't snag.

I carried a J-frame, either a 36 or 37 or similar for somewhere near fifty years usually just dropped in my right front pocket.

In the early 2000s, I discovered various pocket holsters, most of which worked just fine.

Now I carry a LCP Max in the same location in a small Kydex pocket holster. And a Hellcat, Glock 43 or SS CR920 IWB.

Bob

Pants and holster selection are important. I wear a lot of Wrangler utility pants and shorts that don't cost an arm and a leg and have belt loops that support a thicker 1 1/2" leather belt. I try to stay away from cargo pants or "tactical" pants that scream I'm-a-gun-toter-so-shoot-me-first. I can use them for IWB carry as well. I regularly carry a Sig P365X in a Vedder Pocket Locker holster. I also have a S&W 642 .38 Special I carried before obtaining the P365X in a leather, rough-out pocket holster with tabs to keep it from riding out of the pocket on a draw. The main drawback to pocket carry is drawing quickly while seated, particularly when wearing a seat belt. It helps to drill, to draw from a seated position. I try to choose a place to sit in public places that doesn't slow that process down even further. There's nothing without its limitations. Hopefully I'll never be tested. I don't count on it. Awareness, practice -- good luck and stay safe, redwood25.

quote:

In normal pants they both felt too big for the pocket and to me it looked like I was carrying small brick.

The revolver is small and has rounded contours, but a fat cylinder. The pistol is a little large for pocket carry no matter the size of your pockets. Personally I think the .380 pocket pistols are about the upper limit of size. I found even my P365 to be a little too big. Even with a pocket holster to protect/position the gun and break up its outline, completely hidden is not realistic. Think instead of unobtrusive. Yes, if anybody even looks there, there is something in your pocket, but it isn't blatantly or obviously a gun. Finally, you need pants with a loose enough fit and a large enough pocket that you can grip the gun and pull it out easily while still inside the pocket.

I’ve been a longtime fan of pocket carry of a S&W Model 642. I rotate a pocket holster from JW O’Rourke and R Grizzle. Spare ammo in a Barranti Leather 2x2x2 pouch. Works for shorts, jeans, khakis, and dress slacks alike.

Sometimes the J-Frame is a solo-carry, other times it’s a back-up to a larger handgun in a belt holster.

When I owned a Glock 26, I would occasionally pocket-carry it in a pocket holster from Kramer. Definitely required a certain choice in attire for that to work - I wear cargo shorts from Sam’s Club that feature particularly spacious front pockets. Jean pockets were a no-go for that one.

As with any other handgun used for actual carry, range-time practice and dry-fire time is a must.

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
I’ve been a longtime fan of pocket carry of a S&W Model 642. I rotate a pocket holster from JW O’Rourke and R Grizzle. Spare ammo in a Barranti Leather 2x2x2 pouch. Works for shorts, jeans, khakis, and dress slacks alike.

Sometimes the J-Frame is a solo-carry, other times it’s a back-up to a larger handgun in a belt holster.

When I owned a Glock 26, I would occasionally pocket-carry it in a pocket holster from Kramer. Definitely required a certain choice in attire for that to work - I wear cargo shorts from Sam’s Club that feature particularly spacious front pockets. Jean pockets were a no-go for that one.

As with any other handgun used for actual carry, range-time practice and dry-fire time is a must.

I ordered a Mika pocket holster for my 442 because it was affordable, and it seemed well thought of. If I end upliking pocket carry, I'll definitely order one from RGrizzle. I have holsters from him for all of my handguns.

I like variety, pocket carry, maybe. Also, not all pockets are equal, soon we have jacket weather.

We all know the handgun should be carried in something, while it’s in a pack, purse, or small duffle bag at times.

If wearing tight jeans, may not be the best for pocket carry.

I wear Duluth Trading Dry on the Fly pants and shorts. It was like the pockets were made for pocket carry. Works great and no problems drawing or even qualifying w/ my P365X wearing a Holosun 507k held safely in the pocket w/ a Vedder pocket holster.

I've only ever pocket carried a gun now going on 15 years now.

J-frames are hard because that cylinder is thick and your two enemies with pocket carry are:

1. Thickness
2. Weight

The key to successful pocket carry is the gun MUST be:

1. FLAT
2. Light

And you can't expect to be able to carry anything in tight jeans save maybe an NAA micro-revolver

I currently carry a Kahr CM9 but have over the years carried:

Kahr CW380
Kel-Tec P3AT
Kel-Tec P32
Ruger LCP

All of these meet the criteria of being light and flat

My go-to pocket holster all this time has always been the DeSantis Nemesis, I've tried leather and Kydex and all kinds but always come right back to this one

Desantis Superfly

Carried a PM9 for about 15 years and then switched to a P365, just a hair bigger going from 6 rounds to 10

Is it a gun in my pocket or am I just happy to see you?

I don't pocket carry often, but when I do it's with either my "Old School" Seecamp LWS380 or my Ruger LCP Max. Either of these .380 ACPs are comfortable in cargo pants/shorts, with the weight being comparable since the Seecamp is all stainless steel and the Ruger is polymer and alloy.

I've pocket carried my Kahr PM9 for at least 15 years with no problems.
And I'm not a big guy.

Back when I wore slacks to work, I'd pocket carry a P11.
Had a holster maker do a leather/kydex like a Crossbreed or Vedder, lesther out, kydex in, but without the clips, and trimmed the leather until it fit show i liked it.

I think a PF9/LC9 would've been a bit easier, for being thinner.

I’ll pocket carry my S&W 642 usually when wearing shorts without any issues. Works quite well and no one knows I’m carrying.

P238 in a RKBA pocket holster. Side facing in has rough out leather; side facing out (shown) has smooth (maker has retired).

I still like my P238, carry it often. I realize the limitations, my favorite load is with Lehigh bullets.

S&W Bodyguard 2.0 w/manual safety in an Alabama kydex pocket rig. Fast, light, 10 or 12-shot .380. Effortless.

I carry a 938 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.

Comfortable, and accessible.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I've pocket carried my Kahr PM9 for at least 15 years with no problems.
And I'm not a big guy.

My LCP disappears in a pocket inside a DeSantis Nemesis. Spare mag is in the other pocket inside a Mag-Packer.

My CM9 fits in a pocket, but not as well.

I carried a 442 for awhile in my right front pocket in a Nemesis holster. Pretty comfortable in cargo shorts. Jeans, not so much. Switched to a Kahr PM9 in a Don Hume holster. Much more comfortable and two more rounds. Works for me. Not too heavy, fairly comfortable.