Is it safe to pocket carry?

Gun, shooting and equipment discussions unrelated to CHL issues

Moderator: carlson1


Topic author
pcarlinjr
Junior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:59 pm

Is it safe to pocket carry?

#1

Post by pcarlinjr »

I was told that it wasn't safe to carry in a jean pocket. I know that some people like to carry in a fanny pack. I would think that as long as the safety is on and nothing else but the gun in the pocket, you would be fine for carry.

Hope this isn't a dumb question, but would rather be safe, then well... shot or worse!!!
User avatar

Keith B
Moderator
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 18502
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:29 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#2

Post by Keith B »

pcarlinjr wrote:I was told that it wasn't safe to carry in a jean pocket. I know that some people like to carry in a fanny pack. I would think that as long as the safety is on and nothing else but the gun in the pocket, you would be fine for carry.

Hope this isn't a dumb question, but would rather be safe, then well... shot or worse!!!
Carrying in a pocket is fine if you have a pocket holster to cover the trigger. I carry a Kahr PM9 in a Desantis Nemesis holster in my jean pocket frequently.
Keith
Texas LTC Instructor, Missouri CCW Instructor, NRA Certified Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun Instructor and RSO, NRA Life Member

Psalm 82:3-4
User avatar

Jim Beaux
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 1356
Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:55 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#3

Post by Jim Beaux »

pcarlinjr wrote:I was told that it wasn't safe to carry in a jean pocket. I know that some people like to carry in a fanny pack. I would think that as long as the safety is on and nothing else but the gun in the pocket, you would be fine for carry.

Hope this isn't a dumb question, but would rather be safe, then well... shot or worse!!!
Without a pocket holster it depends on the weapon. I often carry my LC9 or SW 638 snubby in my back jeans pocket - both are snag free, double action and have a long trigger.

I would never carry one in the pipe with a sa trigger (or a Glock ;-) ) without a proper holster.
“In the world of lies, truth-telling is a hanging offense"
~Unknown
User avatar

The Annoyed Man
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 26852
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Contact:

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#4

Post by The Annoyed Man »

Pocket carry is fine. Use a pocket holster (they are very inexpensive), and don't stick other things in the pocket like keys, etc.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"

#TINVOWOOT
User avatar

Jumping Frog
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 5488
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:13 am
Location: Klein, TX (Houston NW suburb)

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#5

Post by Jumping Frog »

Pocket holsters have been recommended above because bumping into a stick, or a steel rod, or anything else small enough and stiff enough to push on a trigger through the pants fabric can cause a discharge in the pocket.

A proper holster will prevent a situation where a trigger is pressed externally through the fabric by a device.

I've read of news stories and threads from various forums where people without a pocket holster learned that hard way.
-Just call me Bob . . . Texas Firearms Coalition, NRA Life member, TSRA Life member, and OFCC Patron member

This froggie ain't boiling! Shall not be infringed! Μολών Λαβέ
User avatar

RPBrown
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 5038
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 11:56 am
Location: Irving, Texas

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#6

Post by RPBrown »

The Annoyed Man wrote:Pocket carry is fine. Use a pocket holster (they are very inexpensive), and don't stick other things in the pocket like keys, etc.

:iagree:
NRA-Benefactor Life member
TSRA-Life member
Image
User avatar

carlson1
Moderator
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 11776
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:11 am

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#7

Post by carlson1 »

RPBrown wrote:
The Annoyed Man wrote:Pocket carry is fine. Use a pocket holster (they are very inexpensive), and don't stick other things in the pocket like keys, etc.

:iagree:
:iagree: I have carried a back up in my pocket for decades and so for so good.
Image
User avatar

C-dub
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 13562
Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 7:18 pm
Location: DFW

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#8

Post by C-dub »

And even when talking about fanny pack carry it is usually a fanny pack designed for carry that will have something covering the trigger. If not, then the same advice would apply to get a pocket holster or something to cover that trigger so that when you reach your hand in there to get it you don't inadvertently pull the trigger. The fanny packs I've had were designed for carry and I could only grab the grip to deploy it and could not get my finger into the trigger guard until after drawing it just like my other holsters.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargent Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
NRA Patriot-Endowment Lifetime Member---------------------------------------------Si vis pacem, para bellum.................................................Patriot Guard Rider

patterson
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 543
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:51 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#9

Post by patterson »

pocket carry isn't for me cuz if you find yourself in a situation where you need your firearm in a hurry you have to pull it out of your pocket still holstered then remove the holster
User avatar

carlson1
Moderator
Posts in topic: 2
Posts: 11776
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 1:11 am

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#10

Post by carlson1 »

patterson wrote:pocket carry isn't for me cuz if you find yourself in a situation where you need your firearm in a hurry you have to pull it out of your pocket still holstered then remove the holster
Then you do not have the right holster. Real locket holsters will remain in the pocket when the firearm is drawn.
Image

patterson
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 543
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:51 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#11

Post by patterson »

carlson1 wrote:
patterson wrote:pocket carry isn't for me cuz if you find yourself in a situation where you need your firearm in a hurry you have to pull it out of your pocket still holstered then remove the holster
Then you do not have the right holster. Real locket holsters will remain in the pocket when the firearm is drawn.
I don't have the right firearm either mine are considered full size

patterson
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 543
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:51 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#12

Post by patterson »

with the jeans I wear OWB is the only comfortable way for me

cyphertext
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 4
Posts: 690
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:31 am

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#13

Post by cyphertext »

patterson wrote:
carlson1 wrote:
patterson wrote:pocket carry isn't for me cuz if you find yourself in a situation where you need your firearm in a hurry you have to pull it out of your pocket still holstered then remove the holster
Then you do not have the right holster. Real locket holsters will remain in the pocket when the firearm is drawn.
I don't have the right firearm either mine are considered full size
So you are commenting on something that you have no knowledge or experience with?

patterson
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 7
Posts: 543
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:51 pm

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#14

Post by patterson »

yes no experience with it but my comment is it is not for me the only way I feel comfortable carrying is OWB
User avatar

AlaskanInTexas
Senior Member
Posts in topic: 1
Posts: 540
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:27 pm
Location: DFW

Re: Is it safe to pocket carry?

#15

Post by AlaskanInTexas »

I like pocket carry because it is a much more natural draw in certain situations (I don't have the skill yet to draw quickly from IWB, without it being a huge dramatic production).
Post Reply

Return to “General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion”