r/CCW • u/n1tsua1337 • 2d ago
Pocket carry Other Equipment
Hey everyone I made this post to get some ideas of what’s a good choice for pocket carry. I’d also like to see some pictures of some peoples setups as well.
Here are a few options I have thought about just haven’t decided. Recommendations would be appreciated as well. A external safety would be a nice touch too. I am also open to DA options.
Sig 365 w/ saftey SW 642 ultimate carry Shield plus w/ saftey Glock 43 Possible a ruger of some sort just have never shot or held one.
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u/NunyaBidness925 2d ago
Lcp2 is great when wearing slacks and shirt tucked in. Thin and small. Put it in pocket holster and doesnt look sus.
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u/RagingTroll08 2d ago edited 2d ago
A Keltec P-32 in a PJ pocket holster. He’s the only person I’ve found that actually molds the outward side completely flat. Prints just like a wallet or phone, and it’s only 10oz with 8 rounds and the holster.
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u/chad4359 2d ago
I love my PJ pocket holster. I've had a couple Alabama holsters and they are nice but the PJ is just a little better
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u/RagingTroll08 2d ago
The only issue I had with it was there wasn’t enough clearance between the front strap and the hook, but 10 minutes with a dremel and it was good to go.
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u/Chubaichaser 2d ago
This, entirely.
I've yet to find a better fit for pocket carry than a P-32 with Fiocchi/Sellier&Ballot/Privi Partizan fmj.
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u/playingtherole 2d ago
The r/p365, Shield + & G43 are a little big to front pocket carry, for me. I suggest you go to a gun store and ask to see & put them in your pocket, think about adding a holster also, and bend, squat, walk around and sit, to see if the size is do-able. These are a great choice, similar in size to the others. But again, unless you have deep front pockets, or cargo pocket carry, a little big, IMO.
The OG Ruger LCP is probably the best choice, due to size and slimness, as opposed to the 642, but also the worst to aim and shoot. So that's the compromise. You should be able to find an LCP MAX to put in your pocket and try out, which is in-between the LCP and the subcompact/"micro" 9s, as is the S&W Bodyguard 2.0. Compare sizes & specs here.
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u/DelightfullyDivisive 2d ago
My LCP2 conceals great for me in a pocket holster. When I carry it, I have a +1 mag in it so I can get my pinky around it, and it still doesn't look like a gun.
My j-frame is a bit too big. I EDC the J-frame appendix, and it conceals great under an un-tucked shirt. I put a larger grip on it to make it more shootable.
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u/MotorheadBomber 2d ago
S&W 638 in safariland pocket holster. I carried a glock 43 for years and i still think it is one of the CCW greats, but i have never considered it a pocket pistol for the pants i wear it would never work.
The UC s&w's look great but i'm really weary about all of the QC issues S&W is having in the new plant. I got the 638, painted the front sight, took it to the range and put a lot of different pressure loads through it, ordered a holster, shoved it in my pocket, and moved on to other endeavors. I wouldn't overthink it.
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u/goallight 2d ago
I gave up pocket carrying. Anything I feel that would be effective is to big so I just awib everything. Even the BG2.0 just prints to much for me. If I were to try something again, I would probably have to look into a .32 or 22mag , but I feel that is giving up a lot do to me being in NJ. (10rd limits)
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u/waltherspey 1d ago
What is your idea of effective?
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u/goallight 1d ago
Personally to me, 22lr is better than nothing but I try to stick to 380 as my smallest protection caliber. I’m in NJ so I am limited to 10rd and I don’t fully trust rimfire for protection. However, I have no problem with people that choose to carry any caliber they feel comfortable with.
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u/waltherspey 1d ago
Pocket carry a .38? Pretty easy
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u/goallight 1d ago
I don’t not like revolvers but I am not a fan of them for ccw. I don’t shoot them as well. It’s a me problem but I a feel more comfortable with pistols
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u/Academic_Ice_5017 2d ago
I sometimes pocket carry a beretta 21A, but not often. Generally I am just going to carry AIWB anymore. Pocket beretta is good enough for a trip to the mailbox or whatever
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u/BigPDPGuy 2d ago
I guess it depends on the style of pants you wear. 365 and 43 are a touch too big for pocket carry usually. Bodyguard 2.0 is pretty tits
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u/EndorAG5757 4h ago
Bingo. Just like inside the waistbang carry one has to dress for it. So take comments like, “I print pocket carry“ with a grain of salt. Skinny jeans and anything tight isn’t going to work.
Person’s size also matters….
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u/cjguitarman 2d ago
On rare occasion I pocket carry a P365 in dress slacks or khakis. It prints more than I want and it’s too heavy to be comfortable. It doesn’t work at all in jeans because it’s too tight to draw. G43 is slightly larger than a P365.
I sometimes pocket carry a Beretta 21a Bobcat. That still prints but is lighter. If I were going to buy something else for pocket carry, I would consider Keltec P-32, J-frame, or maybe a Bodyguard 2.0.
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u/Tropical_Tardigrade 2d ago edited 2d ago
Ruger LCR in a Desantis Nemesis holster is a good balance of comfort, concealment, draw-ability, and shoot-ability to me.
I have a Mika pocket holster on the way because I read their reviews yesterday and felt a moral obligation to buy one.
Edit: took the pinky extension off my wife’s Ruger EC9S today. It fits in the same holster and shoots way above its low price.
Comments made based off front pocket carrying both in Duluth’s Ballroom jeans and flex firehose cargo pants. If you have small pockets or require something completely unnoticeable, go smaller.
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u/diamondbackdustpan 2d ago
Shield plus isn’t huge but I would say it’s still a lot to fit in your pocket. Maybe the shield but I couldn’t see rocking it.
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u/bgunter418 2d ago
I pocket the Ruger lcp or lcp max depending what pants I wearing that day it doesn’t really print at all and with lcp sometimes I forget it’s in my pocket
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u/KnifeCarryFan 2d ago edited 2d ago
I have a 432 UC and FWIW, I would never buy another J Frame in .38.
.32 H&R is the round that is meant for the J-frame and it improves the design significantly. You get an extra round, less recoil, and excellent ballistics with JHPs even through a 2-inch barrel. I carry my 432UC a lot and I no longer carry my 442 at all. It's form factor is great for AIWB or pocket, and it's so easy to just grab it and go.
The 432/632 UC, as a complete package, addresses almost all of the historical complaints about the J-frame. It's a great defensive weapon.
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u/_goodoledays_ 2d ago
J frame is great but you need big pockets. They’re girthy. I really like my 432UC .32 H&R J frame, but if I pocket carry it’s usually a coat pocket or something like that.
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u/HerbDaLine 2d ago
Ruger LCP Max in a Vedder pocket holster.
It comes with a 10 round magazine and 12 round magazines are available. Hornady Critical Defense, Remington Golden Sabre Short barrel version and Federal Punch all work in mine.
Shop around for the LCP Max as prices vary quite a bit based on the seller and finishversion chosen.
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u/tightywhitey26 2d ago
- 1 for the LCP max. I carry my in an Alabama front pocket holster every time I leave the house. So comfortable you'll forget it's there.
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u/Lazy_Satisfaction_58 8h ago
This - LCP Max in an Alabama pocket holster with the thumb release. It is invisible.
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u/No_Elephant1763 2d ago edited 2d ago
I carry a DB9 in a pocket holster on the regular. I can take a pic when I get home. I’m personally not a fan of 380 and the DB9 is similarly sized & +p rated if that’s your thing.
Edit: this is the holster I use. Similar to the Vedder pocket locker. https://www.ebay.com/itm/275939314426?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=wjo-uvfDTEy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=moXB8X2ySKi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
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u/IrwinJFinster 2d ago
My friends and I shot Sig P365, P365 SAS, P938, P938 SAS, Ruger LCR .38, LCP, LCP Max a few weeks back. None of us could hit a 12” plate at 15 yards with the LCPs. For a front pants pocket I would pick the P938 (non-SAS) or P365 SAS. The SAS sights snag less, especially on the chunkier P365 in a pocket. The SAS sights are fine once you get used to them, although conventional sights are better generally (i.e., I would suggest SAS sights for pocket carry but not otherwise).
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u/IrwinJFinster 2d ago
Oh, smallest guns for pocket carry are Seacamp .32 or .380. The .380 is a bear to shoot.
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u/EndorAG5757 4h ago
I pocket carry a sig 365 in a Desantis holster. I tried using a p365x with a Trijicon RMRcc but it was just too big. So I got a separate slide and grip module so I can change it out whenever.
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u/Call_me_Tom 2d ago
I wear 5.11 cargo pants and shorts and pocket carry a P365 with a WML and MRDS. It conceals fine for me.
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u/GarterAn 2d ago
An old post of mine with pictures LCP Max https://www.reddit.com/r/CCW/s/05kUnSB69S
This was before the S&W bodyguard 2.0 release. I’d likely go bodyguard if I was buying today.
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u/bigjerm616 AZ 2d ago
Have you tried putting a loaded P365 / Shield / G43 in your pockets? It doesn't go as well as you'd think.
380 / 32 / 38 for pockets.
When I pocket carry, it's almost always a P-32. Sometimes an LCP.
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u/EndorAG5757 4h ago
P365 in a pocket holster works fine. Depends on the size of the person or the pants they wear, doesn’t it?
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u/RecoilRider 2d ago
My vote would be a J Frame in something like a Desantis gun hide or a sticky holster. Super comfortable.
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u/HamsterChieftain 2d ago
I pocket carry a j-frame when I have to tuck in my shirt. I had to change the grips. (The UC may or may not have soft enough grips to soften the recoil enough, and you can't practice a lot if you need physical therapy every 20 rounds.)
Printing is less of an issue if you modify the holster to make it print like a wallet or phone is in there. I hot-melt-glued a piece of foam to do this.
Whatever you do, have nothing else in that pocket except the holstered firearm.