Pocket Carry vs Tuckable – Deep Carry Options
BY PGF
12 months ago
I know some folks that carry a .380 pocket pistol as their primary weapon. I never thought much of this idea, although in testing this method some years ago, it is simple and comfortable but it was easy to see that it would not be the best option for me. If you are properly prepared and practice how to be safe with it, you can easily carry it concealed without drawing attention, which is the biggest plus. The main concern is the weapon falling out of your pocket, depending on the type of pants you wear. I hate those little in-pocket holsters. Drawing rapidly from those is awkward and slow.
I will say this without equivocation, I do not recommend off-body carry in a bag or purse, or fanny pack. Don’t do this! Learn to carry on your person.
Here are some other thoughts on IWB and Pocket carry.
Carrying a gun can be complicated. Not always, and not even most of the time, but sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes that means changing how you dress, which can often cause issues when it comes to concealed carry. Deep concealment exists because certain clothes aren’t carry-friendly. When you find yourself in a less-than-stellar means of dress, you aren’t left with many options, and the two most consider are pocket carry or a tuckable IWB rig.
Today we are going to compare and contrast the two methods of concealed carry and try to dig into the advantages and disadvantages of both. This isn’t a contest where we declare option A is better than option B. Instead, we want to deliver the truth about both carry styles so you can make a more informed decision.
Upon a promotion at the day job, I found myself in a new style of dress, and that style wasn’t carry-friendly. This led me down the road to figuring out what best worked for me.
Deep Concealment Carry Methods
There are more than two ways to dive into deep concealment. We have options like ankle carry, the Phlster Enigma, belly bands, and more. In the future, we plan to explore more options, but to maintain focus, we are going to keep this conversation at pocket carry and tuckable IWB rigs.
Pocket Carry
Pocket carry has been around for about as long as guns have been. Back in the day, guns like the original Philadelphia Derringer were designed for the coat pocket. In the early 1900s, the idea of pocket carry was common enough that it made its way into the names of weapons. The Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless, for example, emphasized pocket carry.
More at the link.
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On May 7, 2023 at 10:53 pm, Dan said:
Life isn’t always simple. You have to vary your carry methods to match circumstances. This can require an investment in a variety of holsters. Sometimes it means carrying a different handgun. But it doesn’t change the reality that in todays world filled with random mass violence it’s imperative to be armed AND READY at all times. Take the time to learn how to carry in multiple manners and practice doing so. Embracing concealed carry is a lifestyle. Lifestyle’s require effort. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. That requires effort. P to the 6th. Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
On May 8, 2023 at 12:11 am, The Ecstasy Of Gold said:
IWB cowboy style like Lee Van Kleef right by the Johnson.
The 9mm kurz (short) isn’t so bad now that they make good HP for them.
Lately practicing quick draw and it is almost Blondie in a poncho fast!
Go with what works for you regarding holsters and calibers.
You figure it out with practice and training so you aren’t caught with your pants down when the purging of kulaks begins.
On May 8, 2023 at 12:37 am, PJ said:
I have a Keltec P-32 like the one in the picture (but NO grip extension – that is not needed). I experimented a bit with different pocket holsters but never found one that I liked. Going without a holster always ends up with the barrel pointed up. I finally took a block of cedar the same thickness as the gun and cut it to fill the space below the trigger guard and barrel, kind of an L shape, and sanded the edges smooth. It is not attached to the gun but in pocket it is a relatively quick draw and it doesn’t print, and the gun won’t flip over. It looks like I have a wallet in my front pocket.
I don’t carry that gun any more because the trigger is lousy and FMJ ammo not very effective, and I am paranoid about rim lock.
On May 8, 2023 at 8:31 am, Faramir said:
Something to consider as well is a DA/SA or DAO/DAK action carried under a tucked shirt holsterless. I learned that method a while back and regularly carry a flavor of CZ 75 Compact that way. The DA trigger press is long and heavy enough to allow such carry safely and allows one to conceal really quite well with a fighting pistol even in professional clothes.
On May 8, 2023 at 10:05 am, Chris said:
One critical quality of a holster is that it must completely cover the trigger guard, in a way that does not allow access to the trigger. The illustrated holster, like all soft holsters, fails that test. Two additional qualitites of an acceptable holster are mentioned on Active Self Protection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox7GrdjqRXk. The holster must hold the firearm securely and must allow access to the firearm reliably.
One quality pocket holster that passes the acceptable holster test is the Vedder Pocket Locker Holster. https://www.vedderholsters.com/pocket-locker-holster/. If you pocket carry, please use an acceptable pocket holster.
On May 15, 2023 at 8:17 am, Frank Trappist said:
You should try a good pocket holster, if you have not.
That would be something like a Pocket Concealment Systems holster, with the appropriate shape for the pants you typically wear. Dress pants and jeans need different geometries, or the gun will “fall over” in your pocket and not be positioned correctly for your draw.
Costs three times what the DeSantis costs; is at least 3 times better.
I’ve been using them for 25+ years, and own half a dozen. Well worth the investment, and they last.