Revolver pocket carry

I have on occasion carried a 442 in a Kramer Pocket Scabbard as a backup. Personally, I regard pocket carry of one's primary handgun as truly sub-optimal and undesirable, but only because I think there are other methods of deep-cover carry that might not entail so many drawbacks.
 
In an hour or so I'll walk my dog with a S&W 642 in my front pants pocket. It's easy to access when walking.

I have small 9mm pistols, too, but I'm more slightly more comfortable/confident carrying a snub revolver.

It took quite a while (decades) to find a small 9mm pistol I could shoot as well as a snub, but I eventually found a couple, and...

I'm still carrying the snubby. Same as 1980-something whenever I got my first one. Go figure. :)

Smith And Wesson Model 642-2

Smith And Wesson Model 642-2

 
I have a 642 that I carry in a Sticky in my back pocket of my Levi’s. It’s actually too big I feel but works fine in the cooler months when I’m wearing enough clothes to cover my back pockets. I carried it today on a hike here in northern Michigan with my wife. I will say presentation from a back pocket is quick and smooth for me. I am however looking for a semi automatic that will cover me in the warmer weather. I like back pocket carry because I carry my phone, wallet/knife in my front pockets. So far I’ve not found a more comfortable way to carry than back pocket and I am more inclined to actually carry if I’m comfortable. I’ve been in jeans and T shirts or button down with the tails out my whole life, just turned 68. Other than maybe going to cargo pants I’m not likely to ever change. I still love revolvers though and actually prefer them over bottom feeders 😁
 
Old Dog said:
I have on occasion carried a 442 in a Kramer Pocket Scabbard as a backup. Personally, I regard pocket carry of one's primary handgun as truly sub-optimal and undesirable, but only because I think there are other methods of deep-cover carry that might not entail so many drawbacks.
Click to expand...
Here on the hot, humid, sticky, windy northern gulf coast, pocket works better for me. I don’t often wear undershirts so anything IWB is going to be worse than a case of jock itch after an August football practice. It’s often windy here, so hiding my Colt Agent under any shirt is going to get made at the worst possible moment. Tucked in shirt and OWB carry? No thank you. I prefer discreet carry, so pocket for me is deep-cover.
 
LCR .22 LR with a Hamre Forge Hook grip. (I have a .327 LCR with the same setup but only took this pic of the .22 LR.) 20231223_164858.jpg
This is how I carry it in my pocket. It's perfect. No bulge. Absolutely no discomfort. A shirt that overhangs the grip by about 2" perfectly conceals it. Quick access.
20231223_165000.jpg
 
I have a 642, a 442, a 638, and a 437, all machined to accept moon clips.

I have carried the 642 and 442 the most in the pocket with a pocket holster.

I got the 638 to have the ability to cock the hammer but it has been more difficult than imagined. It takes two thumbs due to the small hammer spur peaking out through the shroud.

I use the 437 to practice double action shooting with the j-frames and not put extra wear on the Centennial models.

The 437 came machined for moon clips from S&W and I got hooked on moon clips.
 
I sometimes carry my S&W 442 in my front pocket in either a Sticky holster or an Uncle Mike’s pocket holster. The Uncle Mike’s does not stay in the pocket when pulling the revolver out, but it’s good for narrow pockets.
If the grip were longer it would show in my pockets. I pretty much always wear Wrangler Authentics cargo pants or shorts.
Sometimes I will carry in the cargo pocket. The problem is the pocket is big so the 442 isn’t snug so when I walk the gun is banging on my upper knee a bit. I think if I got a pocket holster with a wider footprint it would work a lot better.
To be honest I am getting sick of buying holsters to add to the holster storage box and not on top of my dresser for every day use.
IMG_3995.jpeg
 
Toward the end of my LE career I returned to carrying a revolver much of the time when off-duty, or when attending meetings or teaching at seminars in convention centers. Handier in soft clothes, and it didn't require I wear a suit/sport coat for the meetings, seminars, etc. I also started adding a few more J-frames to my working collection. ;)

I've chosen all of my newer jeans and slacks for their ability to carry/conceal a J-frame in a front pocket. Yes, being seated/belted in a veh restricts accessing. In winter weather, I'll sometimes slip a pocket-holstered snub into a handy zippered inside breast pocket. FWIW, when I was serving as a firearms instructor, I used both front pants pocket and inside jacket pocket carry methods for drawing while running through qual scenarios and drill sessions, so they were something that got a fair amount of practice and reinforcement. I've not seen any reason to change since my retirement.

Also, being prepared to draw from both types of pocket-holster carry locations is something for which I've prepared when engaged in my normal activities, like being seated in the chairs and sofas at my cigar club, as well as from kneeling/crouching positions, etc. It's the seated belted driving positions that can involve more challenges. (I haven't adopted ankle-carry myself, although it was a popular option for cops when seated in marked & unmarked veh's.)

One or another of my usual forum avatars display some of my J's. I generally favor the lighter models (642's, M&P 340's or a nifty 37DAO), although my older 649 Bodyguard is still a very comfortable and well-worn option, if just a bit heavier in the pockets. Granted, the lighter J's do involve more recoil and require more effort when running them in quals and drills, but that's one of the inevitable trade-off's for lighter weight with any handgun. ;)

Some of my normal options:





Then again, some days when I'm feeling revolver-ish, and will be wearing a cover garment, I still enjoy breaking out the old 3" nickel 36 I bought as a young cop. That old Shoemaker paddle conforms nicely to the hip and shoots about as well as my old issued 4" 66 or 686 wheelguns. ;)
 
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