Advantages of Pocket Carry

[PeterJLH09]

Just a quick question. I've heard a lot of people talk about pocket carrying. I personal have never owned a "pocket gun." Not that I have anything against it at all. I'm honestly curious as to the advantages of pocket carry. And again, I'm not attacking it, just curious, cause I never have pockets carried. There's a possibility of my getting a pocket gun, and I'm just curious.

 

[Mike Elzinga]

I have a S&W 642 that I carry in my pocket almost all the time. I dont know there are really any performance advantages, it just enables me to carry a gun (or a 2nd gun) when clothing style or hot weather or some other restriction makes a bigger gun a pain to carry. I like mine just because it is no inconvience to carry it, a snubbie in your pocket it always better than a bazooka in the closet.

 

[sj kahr k40]

Some advantages to pocket carry, easier to conceal a smaller gun, can have your hand on your gun in still appear non threatening, I frequently carry a LCR in my front pocket as a backup to my EDC

 

[pudly]

Pocket guns are small and light and very easily/effectively concealed. No worries about cover garments or issues with IWB belt carry. It obviously is not for those who OC.

Being on the small side affects your caliber choices. They have their place, but aren't for everyone.

 

[gunowner930]

You don't need a "pocket gun." If it can physically fit in your pocket i guess its a pocket gun. Depending on how you dress it comes in handy if you want to CC. People think I'm crazy for pocket carrying a Glock 21, but it works, at least for me anyway. It's barely noticeable to someone not looking for it. If somebody sees the bulge, I just tell them its something else....

 

[2500ekW]

I pocket carry an LCP because it's the only way to carry 24/7 and still wear slim fitting, fashionable clothing.

 

[Steve]

With a good holster, a pocket gun doesn't print at all. Once you get used to carrying one that way, you may never go back to a waist holster. Invisible, lightweight gun. What could be better? I know quite a few folks who only carry this way. Others use it as a back up piece.

I vote strongly in favor of the idea. And have by practice for years.

 

[Vince49]

Comfortable and comforting.

Right front pocket carry a G27. For me it is comfortable and convenient. As previously posted I can have a hand on my gun without appearing threatening. I have tried other means(IWB, ankle etc.) and none are as easy for me as pocket carry. Some say the G27 is too big for pocket carry, I disagree. I do not print, even my LE family members have had to ask if I am carrying and they know I do. My daily wear helps too I wear Carhartt carpenter jeans for work and play.

 

[indykid]

About the only disadvantage I find to pocket carrying is that when I am seated it is really difficult to draw the weapon easily if needed. That is where practice comes in.

The big advantage though is that as I am a fairly skinny thing, hiding even a medium sized pistol is a chore unless I have a jacket on. Pocket carry is virtually invisible, and even with jeans on only looks like I am carrying my wallet or a large cell phone in my pocket.

 

[mbaza3]

I am more likely to care my pocket pistol which is the biggest advantage that I can see.

 

[col132]

I've worked UC for several years. Although pocket carry is somewhat slower into action than other modes of carry, sometimes it is the only option. In hot weather, with a t-shirt and jeans, it is much better than constantly worrying if your gun is printing through your shirt, particularly when sitting down. Good IWB or not, to a trained eye, a gun is always printable through a thin shirt. Advertising your gun, whether LE or a private citizen, is never a good idea. You're definitely target #1 if things turn to crap, which is good for me because it might give me another tenth of a second to get my gun out of its pocket holster and onto target. A pocket holster is also excellent when wearing shorts, when an ankle holster is not an option.

On a personal lever, I am a true believer in rule #1: always have a gun. A pocket holster is excellent when with the family at the grocery store, church, or at a sporting event.

 

[Miner]

Just purchased a pocket carry for my wife. She found herself without her revolver during work. She cleans at night. The revolver was in her way and out in the open. She recently told me that she takes it (the revolver) with her and leaves it in her purse. It does no good when your gun is away from you. I carried her new pocket gun for a few days. Its like: picking up your wallet, keys, change and 380 in the morning. I'll be buying the same gun. I am sold.

 

[jesse485]

Pocket carry is how I carry when I'm not carrying. I can sometimes get away with a PM40, but I can almost always get away with my P32. I use a convertible holster for my P32 for front and back pocket carry.

 

[paddling_man]

Kel Tec P3AT in a pocket holster - rear, right hip pocket. Completely concealable and better than a rock. I wouldn't be clearing insurgent structures in Iraq with a pocket .380 but - for those times that a larger IWB/OWB is impractical - it sure is nice. Sig P238, LCP, LCR, 642, etc..

They have a place and I consider them the derringer of the 21st century man.

 

[sepe]

I haven't tried pocket carry with my Glock 27 but then again I just open carry. I'm not too concerned if people notice. I do want to get a S&W 442 or 642 just to have a back up option. Probably would pocket carry that.

 

[PhilB]

I have a couple guns I pocket carry. When I'm out in remote fields with my metal detector, I carry a Beretta model 21 to scare off dogs. Anyplace else I carry a Taurus 709 slim. It fits fine in my right front pocket and is easy to get out. I wear bib overalls most of the time and the pockets are fairly large. I can even carry my XD40 subcompact or Taurus PT145 without them showing too bad. The only down side I've found to pocket carry is keeping the gun clean. I have to clean the gun more often to make sure that pocket lint doesn't foul the action.

 

[latigo]

Here's an article I wrote on pocket carry awhile back.

http://americansheepdog.com/Forum/entry.php?36-Pocket-Carry-Why-not-give-it-a-try

 

[JohnP82]

I always have my KelTec p32 on me in my pocket. So easy to forget it is there and still always have it. Usually it is a BUG to my main carry, but it is convenient for a quick trip to the store down the street or something like that. Also great for summer when wearing shorts and a tshirt. Great for deep concealment when needed, and like said before you can have your hand on it while still in the pocket and nobody know any better and you can be ready to go if need be. Another good thing about having a second gun on me is that I have no idea how a situation may occur and maybe I will have better access to my BUG than my main carry piece.

 

[Cam]

Advantages I see are the same as what's been mentioned already. #1 is the fact that you have it with you. #2 is the near disappearing act a person can do with a small gun and good pocket holster. #3 at least for me, is that it is so much more comfortable and I can draw it just as fast as I can one of my semi-autos on my hip. What's not to like about all that!

I'm getting to the point that I leave the bigger guns at home and toss a J-frame in my pocket most of the time. Too easy!

 

[00BlasterResto]

I loved my LCP, I kept it in my front pocket everyday. I shot it quite a bit like I do all of my guns though and it started to get quite a bit of pocket wear on it, a freind offered me a fair price so I sold it. Now that it is gone I miss it and have decided that I will need to replace it with something soon.
Really nice for days like today, I am going to my girlfreinds family's house and will be concealing a bit more than I think I will need. Not going without though, never cared much for the pocket gun idea until I owned one I got on trade.
Merry Christmas!