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 Pocket Holster Hesitation 
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 Post subject: Pocket Holster Hesitation
PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 4:42 pm 
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(I searched many times but could not find this topic addressed in another thread. Please direct me to it if one exists.)

I currently have an IWB for a full size semi-auto. Works slick, but there are times I would like something easier to conceal. I am pondering a gun small enough for easy pocket carry, perhaps a revolver (e.g. 642 Centennial).

I have read The Book, which lists numerous advantages of pocket carry. Makes good sense. I am so close to being convinced, but...

Where does a (pants) pocket-holstered gun point when the bearer is seated? Every time I sit down in a crowd with folks seated in front of me, such as in church or at a concert or at a restaurant, I think about whether the barrel would indeed be sweeping those in front of me. Sure seems like it would be. If so, I find that troubling.

My IWB nicely points the gun down whether I am standing or seated. I have a shoulder holster for biking, but it is angled upward and is generally not a concern.

Answers/thoughts/comments/tips?


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:56 pm 
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The gun would be in the pocket holster and in the pocket so no problem sweeping people IMHO. I always have a gun in a pocket and holster.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:17 pm 
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When you put a gun in a case, do you ensure that the cased gun never points at a person?

A holstered gun is a cased gun. Cased guns do not fire. No problem.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:50 pm 
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Andrew Rothman wrote:
When you put a gun in a case, do you ensure that the cased gun never points at a person?

A holstered gun is a cased gun. Cased guns do not fire. No problem.

Yeah. After all, whenever you're walking around with a holstered gun in the house, you're sweeping people in the basement.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:30 am 
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When you put a gun in a case, do you ensure that the cased gun never points at a person?


Well, I haven't carried a loaded gun in a case yet. Not saying it's wrong, just stating that I haven't done that, technically. Yes, I have swept people with an unloaded cased gun, so I get your point.

Quote:
A holstered gun is a cased gun. Cased guns do not fire.


Makes sense. I wouldn't try to convince an officer that a holster is a case :shock: , but from a practical standpoint it's hard to argue with that. Hadn't thought of it that way before, believe it or not. Seems elementary once you mention it.

Quote:
...whenever you're walking around with a holstered gun in the house, you're sweeping people in the basement.


I don't mind sweeping the little orange guy with sharp teeth and pointy ears who lives under the staircase. :evil:

Well I may give it a whirl. If I do, I'll make sure nothing else is in the pocket, no shirttail wedged in the trigger guard, holster completely covers trigger guard, and use general safe, steady, and unhurried holstering/reholstering only as needed, handling only as needed, etc.

Thanks all for the feedback.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:05 am 
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Cool. You got good advice; hope you give it a try.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 am 
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TopGear wrote:
Well I may give it a whirl. If I do, I'll make sure nothing else is in the pocket, no shirttail wedged in the trigger guard, holster completely covers trigger guard, and use general safe, steady, and unhurried holstering/reholstering only as needed, handling only as needed, etc.



You just hit on the important parts. :D

A properly-built gun in a properly-built holster does not go off. You are entirely right, there are some hard and fast rules (at least I think there are) for pocket carry. NOTHING else goes in that pocket, make sure the trigger is covered, and don't handle it unless you need to. The same rules that apply to regular holsters apply here.

It takes a little getting used to, especially at a movie theatre or church with tiered seating. You'll get more comfortable with it once you start doing it. It's no different from any other holster, it takes a little time to build confidence.

-Mark


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:03 pm 
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Change of plans. I decided instead at the last minute to try SmartCarry with my existing trusty full size pistol (Ruger P89). I read a post of Andrew's (if I recall correctly) about carrying a full size Ruger semiauto every day with SmartCarry for years.

I've had it about a month now, and love it. I am carrying pretty much whenever I can now, which is a good thing.

- It's not quite as easy as plopping a holstered pistol in the pocket, but it is pretty close. Just put the thing on in the morning, take it off at night. No need to undo the velcro, just slip it on and off as a loop.
- It conceals even a large gun surprisingly well. If my shirt must be tucked in, pleated pants work well. I usually wear my shirt untucked. I don't have to wear loose tropical outershirts to conceal well. Shorts/pants and a normal T-shirt suffice.
- It's comfortable enough that I often wear it all day and forget I am wearing it (that can be good and bad). Sitting is comfortable. You can feel the gun/holster when bending to pick something up, however. I have found that squatting works better for that, and is better for the back anyway.
- It stays put, seems well made, and stays clean. It's a strange concept at first. I am very impressed with the concept and the product.
- I realize it's not for the fastest draw in the West, and it lacks the pocket carry advantage of being able to grip/shoot from the pocket, but it is convenient enough that I will be carrying most of the time -- which is a worthwhile improvement for me.

Incidentally I have gotten over the uneasiness about carrying a loaded pistol in a holster that points forward when seated (see start of thread).

Now I can take the $$$ saved and spend it on a different gun that would be more fun to shoot than a snubby.


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:31 pm 
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If you think it's comfortable with the P89, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven when you get a smallish gun. :)

Reminds me of a story...
Quote:
The Poor Jew had come to the end of his rope. So he went to his Rabbi for advice.

"Holy Rabbi!" he cried. "Things are in a bad way with me, and are getting worse all the time! We are poor, so poor, that my wife, my six children, my in-laws and I have to live in a one-room hut. We get in each other's way all the time. Our nerves are frayed and, because we have plenty of troubles, we quarrel. Believe me -- my home is a hell and I'd sooner die than continue living this way!"

The Rabbi pondered the matter gravely. "My son," he said ,"promise to do as I tell you and your condition will improve."

"I promise, Rabbi," answered the troubled man. "I'll do anything you say"

"Tell me -- what animals do you own?"

"I have a cow, a goat, and some chickens."

"Very well! Go home now and take all these animals in your house to live with you."

The poor man was dumbfounded, but since he had promised the Rabbi, he went home and brought all the animals into his house.

The following day the poor man returned to the Rabbi and cried, "Rabbi, what misfortune you have brought upon me! I did as you told me and brought the animals into the house. And now what have I got? Things are worse than ever! My life is a perfect hell -- the house turned into a barn! Save me, Rabbi -- help me!"

"My son," replied the rabbi serenely, "go home and take the chickens out of your house. God will help you."

So the poor man went home and and took the chickens out of the house. But it was not long before he again came running to the rabbi.

"Holy Rabbi!" he wailed, "help me, save me! The goat is smashing everything in the house--she's turning my life into a nightmare."

"Go home," said the rabbi gently, and take the goat out of the house. God will help you!"

The poor man returned to his house and removed the goat. But it wasn't long before he again came running to the rabbi, lamenting loudly, "What a misfortune you've brought upon my head, Rabbi! The cow turned my house into a stable! How can you expect a human being to live side by side with an animal?"

"You're right--a hundred times right!" agreed the rabbi. "Go straight home and take the cow out of your house!"

And now the poor unfortunate hastened home and took the cow out of his house.

Not a day had passed before he came running again to the rabbi. "Rabbi!" cried the poor man, his face beaming. "You've made life sweet again for me. With all the animals out, the house is so quiet, so roomy, and so clean! What a pleasure!"

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PostPosted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:56 am 
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Thanks for the strory Andrew..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 2:51 pm 
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I've been carrying a small revolver for three years now in a pocket holster. I stopped noticing it was even there about a week after I started carrying. In fact, I have to remember it if I go to Wisconsin, or into a federal building, courthouse, or wherever.

If I were to carry a full-sized gun anywhere on my body, whether in a Smartcarry deal, an IWB holster, or even OWB but under a loose garment, I'm pretty sure I would always feel the weight.

The tradeoff is obvious: Big gun means big stopping power and more rounds, small gun means less stopping power and fewer rounds. (Mine is a 5-round J-frame Taurus titanium in .38 Special.)

Seems to me the final word on this is: Will you actually, really, for-sure carry a big gun every day? If the honest answer is no, then consider the smaller gun.

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 4:22 pm 
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Quote:
Seems to me the final word on this is: Will you actually, really, for-sure carry a big gun every day? If the honest answer is no, then consider the smaller gun.


I understand what you're saying about comfort and weight, and I agree -- better to have a smaller gun on hand than a larger gun left at home, to paraphrase the saying. Which, of course, is why I was looking at snubby pocket carry earlier.

It's not that I don't feel the weight of the gun and the spare 15 rd. magazine. I certainly do feel it, except when I have forgotten about it. It's like my Red Wing boots. They're heavier than bare feet or tennis shoes, but I can wear them all day and often forget I am wearing them.

The gun's weight is distributed nicely and loads the hips rather than the pants/belt. I don't have to hitch up my pants or adjust my belt. So I feel the weight, but little pressure, making it comfortable.

I wore it for 13 hours yesterday without any complaints, including several hours of driving, and that's par for the course. That won't earn me a medal or impress anyone on this board, but it is a big improvement for me to be able to carry a very familiar gun comfortably, all day, well-concealed.

So yes, for the foreseeable future, I plan to continue carrying this gun every day. If that changes, then I will find another gun/holster combo suitable for me for everyday carry. That said, it sounds like SmartCarry is not for everyone, but that's not an issue, since they have a nice guarantee.


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