Five tips for pocket carry

[Trebor]

Here's my latest Michigan Firearms Examiner article with more tips for CCW holders:

Five tips for CCW pocket carry

"One popular concealed carry option is pocket carry. Some concealed carry permit holders chose pocket carry as their primary carry mode while for others prefer to use it as an alternative for those times where they can’t carry a larger gun in a belt holster. Whatever the reason, here are some tips on how to effectively pocket carry a defensive handgun."


If you missed them, here are two of my previous articles with more CCW tips.

Advice to new concealed carry permit holders

Advice to new CCW holders: Part 2 - Carry like a pro

 

[Skribs]

Excellent write-up. On the subject of holsters, also make sure that the holster/pocket combination will keep the gun in said holster. Nothing has given me more chills than reaching into my pocket to pull out my LCP and put it away than finding it's wandered around and I'm gripping it by the muzzle.

I read through your other two posted, and it's all good information, especially for a newcomer (I'm not, but I was not too long ago).

 

[huntsman]

Good stuff, I adhere to all your recommendations.

 

[Cosmoline]

Good tips! I hadn't thought about the off-side issue for BUG's but it's a good point.

 

[Skribs]

I hadn't thought about the off-side issue for BUG's but it's a good point.

I had, but because I am severely left-eye dominant I wouldn't be much good shooting off-side anyway.

One thing I was thinking of that could be added is to store magazines on your support side or speedloaders on the left side. I'd shoot my LCP one-handed, and I had the holster+magazine holster in one Desantis Nemesis, but I realized if I draw with my left hand and shoot with my left hand, it is going to be VERY awkward to get that magazine out with my right hand.

 

[beatledog7]

Excellent article, your best yet.

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. If you like my stuff, please subscribe and share with your friends.

Btw, I just got back from dinner with my wife. I had to wear a nice, tucked in dress shirt so, guess what, pocket carry was the way to go for that.

 

[nachogrande]

+1 for carrying a pocket bug in weakside rear/front pocket as you might be involved in hand to hand. also carry a knife. neck knives imo are VERY fast to get into action and extremely effective with some training.

 

[MrDig]

Good tips all of them. All things being equal shot placement is more important than caliber and practice is the best way to do that.

 

[David E]

I had, but because I am severely left-eye dominant I wouldn't be much good shooting off-side anyway.

Why? It's a simple technique to shoot with the off side effectively.

I had the holster+magazine holster in one Desantis Nemesis, but I realized if I draw with my left hand and shoot with my left hand, it is going to be VERY awkward to get that magazine out with my right hand.

Strong side carry, ok. Store the mag in your off side pocket.

Gun in off side pocket along with mag makes sense, even if you start out shooting with the off side hand. When empty, transfer gun to strong hand while fishing out the mag with the other.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I could have done without all the popups, but I find nothing to disagree with in the actual content.

 

[Trebor]

Yeah, I can't do anything about the ads, sorry. They gotta have ads if they are going to keep paying their writers, but I hate popups as well.

Glad you liked the actual article though.

 

[bergmen]

Very good article. I have followed your points since I started pocket carry some time ago.

Pocket carry is very appealing to me for a few reasons:

1) I pocket carry an S&W Airweight in a slim, fabric pocket holster and it conceals very well.

2) I can arm myself in seconds when heading out the door with what I am wearing (almost always cargo pants or cargo shorts) without strapping on, or inserting an IWB or OWB holster and putting on a cover garment.

3) Very comfortable and does not print.

4) If need be I can take the all inclusive rig out of my pocket and store in another location (center console of vehicle, desk drawer at home, etc.) very easily in one move.

5) Most important - I can cover my weapon very discretely while assessing a potential threat, just stick my strong hand in my pocket and grasp the revolver grip. Support hand goes in the left pocket also so it just looks like I'm standing there with my teeth in my mouth and doing nothing.

Dan

 

[Skribs]

David, my right eye sucks, which is why I have to shoot left-handed. Unless I'm just point shooting, I kind of do a cross-eye stance where I hold right handed and use my left eye.

Gun in off side pocket along with mag makes sense, even if you start out shooting with the off side hand. When empty, transfer gun to strong hand while fishing out the mag with the other.

True, but its easier if you have the option to carry opposite side. I say speedloader left side since you have to load that in the left side of any currently-produced revolver. Also, because I wouldn't be shooting right-handed, I'd have to switch hands twice.

 

[David E]

David, my right eye sucks, which is why I have to shoot left-handed. Unless I'm just point shooting, I kind of do a cross-eye stance where I hold right handed and use my left eye.

A lot of people do that with great success. I might suggest that instead of "kind of" shooting that way, you dedicate to shooting that way.

its easier if you have the option to carry opposite side.

If I'm carrying a primary strong side, sure, but if the pocket gun is my only gun, I want it on my strong side.

I say speedloader left side since you have to load that in the left side of any currently-produced revolver.

Many accomplished revolver shooters load using their strong hand.

Also, because I wouldn't be shooting right-handed, I'd have to switch hands twice.

If _I_ carry in my off side and subsequently have to shoot with that hand, I will gladly shift to my strong hand to do a reload, as my follow up shots, if any, will be fired strong hand.

If you're shooting left handed and your speedloader is in your left pocket, per your suggestion, how do you load the gun?

 

[Skribs]

If you're shooting left handed and your speedloader is in your left pocket, per your suggestion, how do you load the gun?

By having a semi auto instead of a revolver.

 

[David E]

By having a semi auto instead of a revolver.

Unless you're shooting a Hollywood Special, even a pocket size semi-auto runs out of ammo eventually.

Feel free to substitute "magazine" for "speedloader."


The question remains unanswered.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I go against the grain and don't use tip #2. I just drop my lightweight snub in my pocket and go. Been doing it a long time and am comfortable both with carrying and drawing in that fashion.

 

[David E]

Interesting. Tip #2 is probably the best one. (use a pocket holster)

Once you use a good one, all the benefits become obvious.

 

[Skribs]

Unless you're shooting a Hollywood Special, even a pocket size semi-auto runs out of ammo eventually.

Feel free to substitute "magazine" for "speedloader."


The question remains unanswered.

Yes, but I find it easier to load a magazine with my right hand than a speedloader. Just me, personally. It's one less step than having to swap to my right hand, which then means I either point shoot or add another step of swapping back in order to use the sights.

 

[David E]

Are you right or left handed?

If you're right handed, but left eye dominant, it's easy to shoot "cross-eyed" with a handgun. You do not need to shoot a handgun left handed just because you're left eye dominant.

 

[TT]

I go against the grain and don't use tip #2.

Me too. I use a handkerchief tied in a knot to hold a J-frame in the right orientation in my pocket (nothing else in the pocket), works great. I've tried pocket holsters from several prominent manufacturers and had them all come out with the gun at inopportune times. They also make it look like I am carrying a small dictionary in my pocket.

 

[Skribs]

If you're right handed, but left eye dominant, it's easy to shoot "cross-eyed" with a handgun. You do not need to shoot a handgun left handed just because you're left eye dominant.

I thought that. But at the range, when I switched hands, even with a lot less practice left-handed I was shooting much better.

 

[Doghandler]

Me too. I use a handkerchief tied in a knot to hold a J-frame in the right orientation in my pocket (nothing else in the pocket), works great. I've tried pocket holsters from several prominent manufacturers and had them all come out with the gun at inopportune times. They also make it look like I am carrying a small dictionary in my pocket.

It's right on page one of "The Pocket Guide to Lethal Force", use a pocket holster. Maybe you're carrying the wrong book.

 

[David E]

I thought that. But at the range, when I switched hands, even with a lot less practice left-handed I was shooting much better.

Then, were I you, I'd be curious as to why, along with various other specifics. But if you think you've found what works for you, that's what counts.