J-Frame Pocket Carry

[Peakbagger46]

The last couple of weeks I’ve found myself carrying my 340 (also my BUG on duty) in the front right pocket of my shorts. I get it’s generally a bad idea and I should be packing the 365XL but it’s been freaking hot here causing me to be lazy.

Anyhow, what pocket holster would you all recommend that stays in the damn pocket when drawing? My Desantis Nemesis certainly isn’t working well in that regard.

 

[Blue Jays]

MIKA Pocket Holsters will make your very heavyweight S&W 340PD feel much lighter!

 

[bubbatime]

You won’t find a better pocket holster than that made by AHolster. I own about ten of them for various guns and won’t use any other pocket holster.

https://aholster.com/pocket-aholster/

 

[wcwhitey]

The bottom is an Don Hume, top is a no name brand in stiff leather both both stay open for re-holstering. The hook at the bottom is important and stiff leather at the top both catch the pocket on draw.

 

[Tallball]

The Nemesis works fine if the pocket isn't too large for it.

One row of stitches will size a pocket down just fine and takes about five minutes.

 

[Anchorite]

I live on the northern gulf coast, so I can relate to the heat. We also have humidity here 10 months out of the year, so when I’m not in court, it’s flip flops and shorts.

I have an uncle mikes pocket holster that looks like a Mika knock off and works well for me when j frame carrying. The idea is to keep the revolver upright in my pocket, and this cheap holster does that job well. It’s also relatively loose enough that it stays in my pocket when I draw.
Another option may be local gun shows. There seems to almost always be a holster maker with a booth/table and he might fit you up.
And yet another option may be the fine guys at Alabama Holster, just down the road from me. They make a kydex pocket holster that is the bees knees.

 

[chicharrones]

Currently using an Azula JS trimmed by myself to meet my needs.

 

[rperyam]

I like the Recluse holster. Use it for my J frames and my Kahrs. Once you try the draw with it you see how easy it is and really breaks up the shape of a gun.

 

[1KPerDay]

I liked my mika. The top is spring loaded to stay open. Gun falls out if you sit back and put your legs up though.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have found the Alabama pocket holster to work very well for both semis and revolvers.
https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

 

[Haywood]

I used the cheep Uncle for years. They worked well. When they got old and smooth I glued a really rough pice of Emory cloth on them. It looks like a pice of screen. At a Gun show I found Ace Case Friction pocket holsters. I’ve been using them for maybe, ten years. They work pretty good. I mostly wear Wrangler Cargo Shorts.

 

[Bennj]

I have a Remora holster. I carry my 642 around the house and property (live in NJ and haven't applied for ccw yet) in front pocket of either jeans or cargo type shorts. Easy for me to draw out of the holster.

 

[AZAndy]

You might find this thread from a couple of weeks ago useful.

 

[JERRY]

Safariland model 25. Won't add bulk to your pocket.

 

[SteadyD]

I have found the Alabama pocket holster to work very well for both semis and revolvers.
https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

I agree, and I always have them extend the hook out an additional .75 inches or so to ensure it snags and stays in the pocket. They do it with no additional charge.

 

[243winxb]

Uncle Mike's S&W 337PD 10 oz. 38+P

 

[DeepSouth]

I have found the Alabama pocket holster to work very well for both semis and revolvers.
https://alabamaholster.com/product/front-pocket-holster/

I’ll second these. I’ve used a lot of pocket holsters over the years and these are probably my favorite, and definitely the most likely to stay in the pocket.
I will admit I’ve never used one for a revolver but if I started pocket carrying it much I’d definitely be getting one.

 

[19112XS]

I liked my mika. The top is spring loaded to stay open. Gun falls out if you sit back and put your legs up though

Me too. Love the Mika, a Pocket Max from El Paso Saddlery is much better for kickin' back. Great product, great service, ordered mine from El Paso, hated the wait but worth it.

I would definitely buy the Pocket Max and Mika Round again.

 

[shoebox1.1]

My charter undercover calls a nemesis home and has no issues

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been using a Mika Pocket holster for at least 12 years. IMO its an excellent pocket holster are a very fair price. ($31.95)

https://mikaspocketholsters.com/shop/

He sells other stuff too but not a lot of things.

 

[SteadyD]

I own three Mika holsters and have been unimpressed. They print more than others and they don’t allow for a complete grip. JMO.

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

I've had my Mika round cut for my 642 for probably 20 years. It's served me well and at this rate will probably never wear out. Pleased enough with it that I bought one as a give for a friend and last year bought a square cut for my S&W Shield. I've never felt the need for a different pocket holster.

 

[aaaaa]

I really like this holster but it is wider than most with the spare rounds in it and my 642 rides a bit high in it. My Elite holster keeps the gun probably a good half inch lower in the pocket. But this one does not pull out of the pocket, in fact, i have to pull the gun out, then bend the holster hard to pull it out of the pocket. So, the spare ammo is not going to be easy to get to but you will have spare ammo vs. forgetting to toss a speed strip in your other pocket. The gun should sit lower but the sewn seam blocks it at the trigger guard.

I generally carry the Elite, pictured below. I took out the red thread I had sewn in at the bottom since lint gets in the barrel (and rest of gun) regardless of whether the holster is open at the bottom. That way the gun sits lower. I trimmed the back edge to fit the curve of the pocket better, and later stuffed some foam in the flap which bulks it out in that thin area so it can look more like a wallet.

 

[omega5]

You won’t find a better pocket holster than that made by AHolster. I own about ten of them for various guns and won’t use any other pocket holster.

https://aholster.com/pocket-aholster/

I agree, AHolster or Alabama Holster. I have several of both and it's all I use for pocket carry.
Dano

 

[defjon]

I've used and still have the DeSantis nemesis, the Mika pocket holsters, all kinds of stuff

In the end the cheap uncle Mike's size 4 works best for me.

Small footprint, super light, breaks up the shape without adding hulk.

Now I do actually practice my draw, standing sitting prone etc. I've probably done this maybe 10 thousand plus times, draw -sight picture- fire, repeat. There's a certain motion in my draw, and the holster has a textured grabby strip across the middle, it never comes out with the gun. If you have a good place to practice drawing fast and firing, give it a try. Try it while moving- drawing as you step back or to the side, creating distance etc.

This is how I am well armed for my purposes with a 5 shot airweight. My 642 by the way looks like Jaws has used it for a chew toy. She sure is ugly. Ugly and innately familiar. I can stage my trigger and put rounds on target at the rifle range.

Anyway, I suggest the uncle Mike's size 4. I know everyone disparages pocket carry, but we all have to do what works best for us.

You don't need to apologize and you don't necessarily need to carry your p365 if it isn't working for you in the summer.

I just advise some practice so you can realistically assess your abilities and deficiencies for focused range sessions.

The light little revolvers are a worthwhile and rewarding pursuit but (at least in my case) it was a process of many years and I hated thr 642 and even lcr at first.