Drawing from a pocket... any particular technique?

[308win]

Here is my pocket draw technique with the Mika:

Step 1: Decide I need to draw
Step 2: Insert hand in pocket and grab the 642
Step 3: Draw (no compensating angles, no compensating grip on the gun, no compensating techniques to make sure the gun comes out sans holster - in other words, no muss, no fuss, no hassels) and focus on next move.

 

[rainbowbob]

Here is my pocket draw technique with the Mika:

Step 1: Decide I need to draw
Step 2: Insert hand in pocket and grab the 642
Step 3: Draw (no compensating angles, no compensating grip on the gun, no compensating techniques to make sure the gun comes out sans holster - in other words, no muss, no fuss, no hassels) and focus on next move.

And 308win is NOT exaggerating. The more I read about all the "techniques" required by just about every other brand of pocket holster - the more convinced I am that if you haven't tried a Mika - you just don't know how easy and effective pocket carry can be!

 

[rdrancher]

+147.625 for the Mika. It won't come out with the gun EVER - and it does not print "gun".

I have a drawer full of pocket holsters, but 99% of the time I use Mika's round-cut and an Uncle Mike's #3.

A couple of my pocket carry guns have hammers. The Nemesis has a folded over lip at the opening that will snag the hammer upon draw most every time, the Mika and UM don't.

rd

 

[1KPerDay]

My nemesis has no folded over lip and doesn't snag the hammer on my S&W 37... maybe yours was jammed in a drawer and bent the top over or something.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Bone to Pick with Mika

Ok, Robert Mika never gets any bad press, so here goes.

I ordered my Mika in March - I e-mailed him a question, he called me within 90 seconds, had a great conversation, hung up and ordered.

I was excited to get my new holster, but I knew it would take several weeks, so I cooled my jets, and to be honest even kind of forgot about it.

So here's the slam, he e-mails me TODAY that it will ship out next Tuesday! So now I'm all excited to get my holster again, and will be watching the clock until Tuesday + ship time rolls around... Darn you Robert Mika! :banghead:

It would have been SO much nicer to plod through the next week in blissful ignorance, only to have the holster just show up... Like finding a 5 dollar bill in your pants pocket after laundry day... If he felt the need to follow up, how about waiting until Wednesday and saying "It shipped yesterday!"

Ok, hopefully it's obvious this post is tongue-in-cheek - the customer service has been stellar (although I really do wish he hadn't given me an update).

btw: I really like my Nemesis, and don't have a thing bad to say about it - used it w/ and w/o hammer with no problems - just wanted to check out the legendary Mika holster...

 

[1KPerDay]

did you get the square or round?

 

[FranklyTodd]

did you get the square or round?

I'd forgotten - I had to look back at my e-mail confirmation - I ordered "round." I think I read somewhere that round can work in all pants, while square works better than round in some, but not at all in others. Ergo (did I really just type "ergo"?), round is more versatile.

 

[1KPerDay]

thanks

 

[1KPerDay]

FIST kydex pocket holster. It has a little thumb tap on the back that allows you to push the gun out of the holster as you're drawing. Also, the tab will catch the upper seam on the pocket which helps prevent it from coming out with the gun. Works great.

Intriguing. I may get one of these, particularly for winter/coat pocket carry of a larger auto like the G23 or something.


http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/k5.htm

 

[rdrancher]

My nemesis has no folded over lip and doesn't snag the hammer on my S&W 37... maybe yours was jammed in a drawer and bent the top over or something.

Nope. The ballistic nylon material that is folded over the edge is double stitched outside and inside. Now rub your finger upward against the inside (like its a hammer spur) and you'll feel the lip (maybe 1/64 of an inch?). In my experience about 1 time out of 10 the hammer spur of my Model 36 caught on it ever so slightly during a fast practice draws and the holster came out of the pocket with the gun. Once in a million is too much for me.

Your experience may vary of course.

rd

 

[1KPerDay]

I see what you're describing now. Doesn't seem to be the problem with mine.

 

[wuchak]

The problem with it catching isn't a holster defect. Pocket guns should not have hammer spurs. Ever. There is no need for single action in a snub nose revolver and having the spur which can catch on the holster, clothes, etc is just adding an unnecessary potential point of catastrophic failure in drawing the gun. There is a good reason why the old timers bobbed the hammers and the manufacturers came out with hammerless models.

If you put a set of reasonable springs in a snubbie from any maker instead of the ridiculous lawyered up heavy springs they come with and you smooth up the action or practice it doesn't take long before your shots at 7 - 15 yards in DA will be as good as they are in SA. Sometimes I actually shoot better DA since the extra bit of tension in the hand on the pull helps to stabilize the gun.

I was thinking of getting a Mika before. After reading this I'm ordering one today for my SP101.

 

[rdrancher]

The problem with it catching isn't a holster defect. Pocket guns should not have hammer spurs. Ever.

Never said it was a holster "defect", just doesn't work for me.

I'm glad you've made up your mind on the spur thing, it's not an issue for me with the UM or Mika. And thanks for the insight, but I'll continue to carry what I choose to carry, thank you.

rd

 

[James T Thomas]

Different Strokes

Something different.

I would recommend applying some grease to the holster inside where it bears against the frame.

I just looked down inside and it was there. Where the cylinder front rests; mostly at the widest points, at the frame to barrel juncture, and at the front trigger guard to frame juncture. Oh yea, and on the sides of the front sight blade.

Of all things, I used Spark Plug release grease. It is a silicon compound and worked well.
If you don't have that, rub some candle wax on those same spots.

Depending on how deep your pockets are and whether your firearm has a hammer, it would be good practice to place the thumb of your drawing hand over the hammer end to preclude snagging until the draw is completed.

 

[1KPerDay]

FYI I've been wearing a different pair of jeans the past couple of days and it's a lot easier to get a clean draw from the pocket... the opening is more in the front and it seems to be a little wider/looser.

 

[Cosmoline]

Pocket guns should not have hammer spurs. Ever.

I haven't had any trouble with mine, either the DS or my earlier M36's. You simply keep a thumb on the hammer if you're doing a draw without a pocket holster. With a pocket holster it's a non-issue since the holster keeps the hammer from contacting the pocket.

 

[Mark K. C.]

I have a nylon pocket holster made by good ol' Uncle Mikes and it sticks like glue to my front pocket with no printing.Sure its a cheepo, but I've used it for about 4 years now and it is as good as the day I bought it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Well all you guys who pestered me to get a Mika, thanks. I ordered one yesterday.

Cool thing was, I put in the order on his website, and he called me the next morning to put to rest some concerns I had. Really cool. I'm looking forward to receiving it.

6 months of pocket carry has smushed the area around the hammer on my Nemesis holster and the spur snags. I may try to cut it as in the example above until my Mika gets here.

 

[rdrancher]

1K - You're going to love your Mika! The holster works great from day one, but it gets even better after a few weeks.

rd

 

[1KPerDay]

you won't have this problem for long with a Nemesis, either. After awhile, the holster will break in, and will never come out (when you don't want it to) again.

The only reason I'm trying a Mika is based on word of mouth recommendation AND because my Nemesis is wearing out (well, wearing out is not fair - it probably has a lot of life left, it's just getting old ).

The Nemesis will work perfectly, just give it a week. I don't even think it takes you pulling it out over and over to break in, it's just the gun sitting in there, especially while in your pocket.

Thought I'd post an update... I've been carrying every day since last may and the nemesis still comes out when I draw most of the time. However, I've been using the J-frame size nemesis holster to carry my Ruger LCP and it works great... it's loose enough that the holster never comes out and it holds the little gun just fine in my pocket. I may cut away some of the "tab" in front of the grip so I can get my fingers around it better, but for now it's working like a charm. Never thought I'd think my j-frame was a big gun but compared to the lcp it is.

Hopefully I'll get my Mika for the j-frame soon and can evaluate that.

 

[rainbowbob]

Hopefully I'll get my Mika for the j-frame soon and can evaluate that.

Two months is a long time to wait for the Mika. You should give the Chief a call or email and explain that you really NEED one now for your daily carry. Robert has a small operation without only a little part-time help last I heard. But he's pretty good about taking care of a squeeky wheel after that much time has passed.

 

[tyler500e]

I don't have any problems drawing my LCP from my uncle mikes pocket holster. The holster stays put rather well.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm in no real hurry and I'd rather he took his time and did it right. I just hope he doesn't forget.

Turnaround time is estimated to be a minimum of 8-12 weeks due to the overwhelming demand for my holsters. I will do my best to have your orders delivered within that time frame.

 

[Claude Clay]

elastic bands around the outside will create friction against the inner pocket material. and make sure the rear and front sights are not hanging up on the interior of the holster. with a p380 and a holdster [tm] you will never have a problem drawing and your accuracy will improve.