Pocket Carry Question

[Dosjoel]

Greetings,
As an experienced CHL and GSSF competative shooter, I have carried and owned lots of different pistols. We have been told that if you carry, do it all the time. Otherwise you are playing a guessing game. OK, but for a fact there are many times when I do not bother to put on an IWB rig and the right cloths to conceal my Glock G19, 17, 26 or Sig P220. Thus the question about pocket carry.

I want a quality gun in 9mm or 45 that I can just stick in a pocket holster when I go out the door no matter what I am wearing. I have had some experience...

I had a KelTec P3AT 380 which, in a pocket holster, was perfect. But decided to get away from the .380 and besides I did not like the Kel Tec. I tried the PF9 and the P11 in 9mm but still did not like the Kel Tec. I got a G26, the perfect small carry gun IMHO however its still a little too bulky for the pocket.

So now for the question. Limiting myself to either 9mm or 45acp. what is your experience in pocket carry? I like the Kahr PM9 and PM45. They both look good on paper but are very expensive. Do they really work in a pocket? Does the Taurus 709 fit in a pocket (I have pretty big pockets at 6' 1" and 245)? Is the beautiful and expensive Springer EMP too big? I think weight is a major factor in pocket carry and surely those 3" 1911s are too big, right?.

Looking forward to learning from your experience. Thanks in advance.

PS I am new to this forum so please forgive me if I have somehow violated any protocols. Thx

[G26ster]

Greetings,
As an experienced CHL and GSSF competative shooter, I have carried and owned lots of different pistols. We have been told that if you carry, do it all the time. Otherwise you are playing a guessing game. OK, but for a fact there are many times when I do not bother to put on an IWB rig and the right cloths to conceal my Glock G19, 17, 26 or Sig P220. Thus the question about pocket carry.

I want a quality gun in 9mm or 45 that I can just stick in a pocket holster when I go out the door no matter what I am wearing. I have had some experience...

I had a KelTec P3AT 380 which, in a pocket holster, was perfect. But decided to get away from the .380 and besides I did not like the Kel Tec. I tried the PF9 and the P11 in 9mm but still did not like the Kel Tec. I got a G26, the perfect small carry gun IMHO however its still a little too bulky for the pocket.

So now for the question. Limiting myself to either 9mm or 45acp. what is your experience in pocket carry? I like the Kahr PM9 and PM45. They both look good on paper but are very expensive. Do they really work in a pocket? Does the Taurus 709 fit in a pocket (I have pretty big pockets at 6' 1" and 245)? Is the beautiful and expensive Springer EMP too big? I think weight is a major factor in pocket carry and surely those 3" 1911s are too big, right?.

Looking forward to learning from your experience. Thanks in advance.

PS I am new to this forum so please forgive me if I have somehow violated any protocols. Thx

Depends on your weight and the size of your pockets. I'm 5'7" and 160 lbs. The Kahr PM9 was a great gun while I had it, but was too bulky and heavy for me to pocket carry. So, I sold it. I now have a Sig P238 .380, but you want a 9mm. If 20 oz loaded in your pocket suits you, and your pockets are not too small, go for it. The 3" 1911s (like the EMP 9mm) are about 25 ozs unloaded, and you'd need pretty good size pockets. A PM45 is only sightly larger than a PM9.

[ntexaschl]

Welcome to the Forum, Dosjoel. A thread that addresses this topic, at least somewhat anyway, already exists in this Forum. Here's a link.


viewtopic.php?f=23&t=34896&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jbirds1210]

I pocket carry a Glock 26 in a Mikas holster. I pair of cargo shorts from Sam's club seems to conceal it just fine.

Jason

[KFP]

I pocket carry a PM9 and a S&W snub nose revolver, I'm very pleased with both of them. I am shocked with how well the snubbie conceals in a variety of positions, including pocket carry. I realize that you're trying to minimize calibers, but having a revolver in the stable is a good idea IMO.

With all of that said, here are a couple of pages to take a look at:
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.mouseguns.com/CompactCompare.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Welcome to the forum!

[The Annoyed Man]

My principle carry weapon is a 3" Kimber in .45 ACP, but at 25 oz with an empty magazine, I consider it too heavy (and really, too big) to pocket carry. It gets worse when you add ammo. And then there's the spare magazine, etc. However, when only pocket carry will do, I have a S&W M&P340 in .357 magnum. It weighs 13 oz empty; it is tiny; and although it is "only" 5 rounds, when it comes to hitting power, I'll put a .357 up against a .45 ACP any day of the week — and I love me some .45 ACP. And a speed loader with another 5 rounds doesn't weigh much and you can toss it in a cargo pocket for "just in case." This one is my 3rd pocket revolver, the other two being a 642 Airweight in +P .38 Special, and a 640 all stainless (and heavy) .357 magnum. I own a Keltec too, and like you, I hate that thing. I don't even know why I hang onto it, except maybe it conceals more easily than even my revolver. But I never feel quite comfortable with it. And even if you carry a .38 Special, with +P ammo, you're far exceeding .380 for power.

All of that is to say that you theoretically can pocket carry a .45... I can get my Kimber into a pocket... but it is not even close to an ideal solution because of the weight. I'm a 1911 guy at heart, but I really like a 5 shot pocket revolver in a good self-defense caliber. Other pocket sized pistols like the Glock 26 may work well in a pocket, but even those weigh a lot more than a good lightweight revolver.

[CaptWoodrow10]

Welcome to the forum!
I would have to agree with TAM. A good snubby in .357 or .38 is always a good option, though I can't make myself carry anything other than a 3'' Kimber. I love me some .45 1911s. Call me a discriminator, but you just can't beat the 1911 design. (Not trying to start a 1911 vs. other gun debate here.)

[davidtx]

We have been told that if you carry, do it all the time. Otherwise you are playing a guessing game.

My CHL instructor made another point about carrying all the time. He painted a scenario where you had to explain to the grand jury why you picked THAT day to carry. I think this is probably more relevant to those that carry infrequently, but it motivates me to carry all the time.

I pocket carry a S&W 642, but I almost always carry a 5" 1911 IWB as well. The more I do it, the more I see the 642 not as a backup gun but as an alternative weapon. If I'm in condition orange but not ready to pull the 1911, I can have my hand in the pocket and prepared to shoot thru my pants if needed. I find that option very reassuring.

[The Annoyed Man]

Welcome to the forum!
I would have to agree with TAM. A good snubby in .357 or .38 is always a good option, though I can't make myself carry anything other than a 3'' Kimber. I love me some .45 1911s. Call me a discriminator, but you just can't beat the 1911 design. (Not trying to start a 1911 vs. other gun debate here.)

No argument out of me. There are lots of good gun designs, but only a couple approach perfection — the 1911, and a good revolver.

[CaptWoodrow10]

Welcome to the forum!
I would have to agree with TAM. A good snubby in .357 or .38 is always a good option, though I can't make myself carry anything other than a 3'' Kimber. I love me some .45 1911s. Call me a discriminator, but you just can't beat the 1911 design. (Not trying to start a 1911 vs. other gun debate here.)

No argument out of me. There are lots of good gun designs, but only a couple approach perfection — the 1911, and a good revolver.

Couldn't have said it any better myself.

[carlson1]

I have almost completely limited myself to pocket carry. I carry a S&W 340PD with a speedloader or speed strip.
My favorite holsters are the Desantis:



and a Galco made out of horsehide:

[Excaliber]

Greetings,
As an experienced CHL and GSSF competative shooter, I have carried and owned lots of different pistols. We have been told that if you carry, do it all the time. Otherwise you are playing a guessing game. OK, but for a fact there are many times when I do not bother to put on an IWB rig and the right cloths to conceal my Glock G19, 17, 26 or Sig P220. Thus the question about pocket carry.

I want a quality gun in 9mm or 45 that I can just stick in a pocket holster when I go out the door no matter what I am wearing. I have had some experience...

I had a KelTec P3AT 380 which, in a pocket holster, was perfect. But decided to get away from the .380 and besides I did not like the Kel Tec. I tried the PF9 and the P11 in 9mm but still did not like the Kel Tec. I got a G26, the perfect small carry gun IMHO however its still a little too bulky for the pocket.

So now for the question. Limiting myself to either 9mm or 45acp. what is your experience in pocket carry? I like the Kahr PM9 and PM45. They both look good on paper but are very expensive. Do they really work in a pocket? Does the Taurus 709 fit in a pocket (I have pretty big pockets at 6' 1" and 245)? Is the beautiful and expensive Springer EMP too big? I think weight is a major factor in pocket carry and surely those 3" 1911s are too big, right?.

Looking forward to learning from your experience. Thanks in advance.

PS I am new to this forum so please forgive me if I have somehow violated any protocols. Thx

I can verify that the Kahr PM40 (just about the same size as the 9mm) carries well in a good pocket holster. After having tried several others that now take up room in my unused holster box, the best holster I've found for this purpose is the Fist K5. In my experience, the "sticky outside" holsters that "stick like flypaper" - don't.

The Fist K5 model neatly solves the problem of having the holster come out with the gun during a high stress draw by providing a platform for the thumb to push against so the gun exits the holster smoothly in the pocket each and every time. Its kydex construction and coverage design completely eliminates printing. It's custom made for the gun, and it's available for revolvers too.

I agree with TAM that pocket carry of a heavy gun isn't either practical or comfortable. I tried it with the Kimber Ultra Carry as he did, and concluded it wasn't a good way to go for the exact same reasons he outlined. Even if the weight didn't bother you, the sag of your pants makes it obvious that there's something both heavy and unusual in the pocket.

[G26ster]

The Fist K5 model neatly solves the problem of having the holster come out with the gun during a high stress draw by providing a platform for the thumb to push against so the gun exits the holster smoothly in the pocket each and every time. Its kydex construction and coverage design completely eliminates printing. It's custom made for the gun, and it's available for revolvers too.

I am looking at a RKBA pocket holster for my P238. I expressed my concern to Stephen at RKBA about pocket holsters that don't stay put in dress pants or shorts (not cargo). He said he was aware of this issue and could add a kydex thumb push-off to aid in it staying put. So, I have to ask, is the kydex thumb push on your Fisk somewhat flexible, or is it rigid, as I'd hate to have it digging into my leg all day?

TIA

[Chemist45]

I am 5'9" and 155 pounds.
I carry a Kahr PM9 in a front pocket holster if I am wearing pants with loose enough pockets (Dress pants and cargo pants).
It does not work in jeans.
I prefer a DeSantis type holster.

This works for me.

[Excaliber]

The Fist K5 model neatly solves the problem of having the holster come out with the gun during a high stress draw by providing a platform for the thumb to push against so the gun exits the holster smoothly in the pocket each and every time. Its kydex construction and coverage design completely eliminates printing. It's custom made for the gun, and it's available for revolvers too.

I am looking at a RKBA pocket holster for my P238. I expressed my concern to Stephen at RKBA about pocket holsters that don't stay put in dress pants or shorts (not cargo). He said he was aware of this issue and could add a kydex thumb push-off to aid in it staying put. So, I have to ask, is the kydex thumb push on your Fisk somewhat flexible, or is it rigid, as I'd hate to have it digging into my leg all day?

TIA

The Fist thumb push off is rigid but small. Take a look at the photos and video the link in my post connects to. I've never experienced any discomfort from it.