Author Topic: Auto vs. Revolver for Pocket Carry (Read 25641 times)

Raptor · « **on:** November 29, 2013, 10:13:21 pm »

Well, my finances have finally cleared up to the point where I think I can finally afford a dedicated carry piece, and I've pretty much 100% decided that I'm going to get a Beretta Nano. However, I've done some thinking (always dangerous), and I've realized that while I was originally planning on carrying the Nano in a belt holster, I've come to the conclusion that for various reasons (weather, wardrobe considerations, needing to be "discreet" at times), I'm also going to probably have to carry the gun in my pocket a good deal as well.

If I'm going to carry in my pocket a lot, should I stick with the Nano, or would I be better served with a snubnose revolver? What issues would stem, if any, from carrying a semi-automatic pistol in my pocket? I realize that I'd have to re-arrange what goes in which pocket. I'm more concerned with a possible negative impact on the pistol's reliability (dirt and lint getting into the action) and possibly accidentally engaging the magazine release. No matter what I choose, I will of course use a pocket holster.

Thanks in advance.

WeTheArmed.com

Grant · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2013, 11:32:38 pm »

I ALWAYS* Carry a Ruger LCP. I've accidentally released the mag ONCE, and I'm using an el-cheapo Uncle Mikes pocket holster. I carry left-front pocket (so that WOULD put less pressure on the mag release button), I figure it's accessable with my weak hand, will be short-range. Better than having two guns on my right side only accesable by my strong arm.

As long as it is in a pocket holster and you examine it (as you would any carry piece) I wouldn't worry about reliability problems. Depends, maybe the mag release would be easier to hit? But as far as lint,etc. just keep an eye and clean ti if it needs it, one or two, even ten days shouldn't do it.

* Caveat being I mean in "town" enviroments and not my everyday work.

scarville · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2013, 03:11:12 am »

Reminds me of a story.

A couple of years ago a Glock Rah Rah Boy was bragging about how his gun could stand a week long immersion in salt water, an overnight rinse in a "highly chlorinated" pool then buried in the sand. Naturally it performed perfectly. I told him that was wonderful and asked how it fared after being carried in his pocket for a few weeks without a good cleaning. He went off on a rant about how his tests were realistic whereas I was worried about "pocket lint".

To be honest, I was also thinking about coins and keys.

To answer the original question, I don't know if the Nano would be better than a J-frame or other snubbie for your needs. If it were me, I would thoroughly examine it daily for a while. The Nano has a polymer frame so it will pick up a static charge and attract dust and the dreaded pocket lint like crazy. I can also tell you that every time I've tried to fire an autoloader from a pocket it jams. However, I never tried it with the Nano so maybe it will work.

schapm · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2013, 06:49:19 am »

I won't write much, as I need to get to my deer blind, but as one skinny little sh** to another- get the auto. If concealment is a priority I think you'll find a small frame revolver is rather conspicuous in a slender man's pocket.

luke213(adamsholsters) · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2013, 08:07:46 am »

I prefer an auto just from the size perspective. I've not had any problems with my gun functioning even covered in lint. Honestly I've had wood chips from the chainsaw cause malfunctions on my primary but not lint in the pocket. I do blow it out from time to time etc but I like the thin profile.

Luke

Sent from my XT875 using Tapatalk

GaBoy45 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2013, 09:07:45 am »

In all honesty the only time I pocket is when it's cold and I wear a bulky coat or really hot in the summer with cargo shorts or dressed up. I prefer a revolver for the first 2 scenarios but if you wear jeans that are the least bit fitted something like the lcp is much better.

Kaso · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2013, 09:17:05 am »

*Totally forfeits man card* "But what if I want to be fashionable, and wear skinny jeans?"

Kaso

onesmack4u · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2013, 09:49:03 am »

I carried a j frame daily for several years as a backup. I have tried numerous autos. The main failing is an accidental mag release. The only auto that I have not had this problem with is a Kimber Solo. It is my current pocket carry gun. I have had it over a month without dropping a mag in my pocket. It has an intentionally difficult magazine release. The LCP is also ok, but you may hit the magazine release depending on how you dress and how much you move around. If you have it in your budget the Solo is the best pocket auto that I have tried and I have tried the Sig 238 and 290, Ruger LCP and LC9, Taurus PT 22 (Beretta copy), Kimber Solo, and I have even briefly carried a Glock 27. The j frame is a good option too. It will work despite dust bunnies and costs less than most good pocket autos. If your budget is under $500 you won't do any better than a j frame.
If you are going to carry it all day every day, then it is worth spending more to get exactly what you want. If you are only going to pocket carry occasionally, then go with the j frame.

alone · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2013, 09:58:23 am »

What do YOU shoot best?

My suggestion is Mr. H's Drill:

-Take a piece of typing paper, fold in half, fold in half again.
-Five yards, five shots. ( no matter the action type, or how many rounds the handgun holds)
-Shoot various action types (semi, or revolver,) and calibers with different loadings.

Whatever YOU get the best first hit, with quick effective follow up shots in the less time IS THE platform for YOU.

Keep in mind if a serious situation presents itself, it will most likely be only YOU and nobody else from the Internet. At that point, YOU have to not only have confidence in the firearm, also know it like a body part.

-Dress around the gun...
- Comforting not comfortable. - Jeff Cooper

alone.

strangelittleman · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2013, 10:09:33 am »

Quote from: alone on November 30, 2013, 09:58:23 am

What do YOU shoot best?

My suggestion is Mr. H's Drill:

-Take a piece of typing paper, fold in half, fold in half again.
-Five yards, five shots. ( no matter the action type, or how many rounds the handgun holds)
-Shoot various action types (semi, or revolver,) and calibers with different loadings.

Whatever YOU get the best first hit, with quick effective follow up shots in the less time IS THE platform for YOU.

Keep in mind if a serious situation presents itself, it will most likely be only YOU and nobody else from the Internet. At that point, YOU have to not only have confidence in the firearm, also know it like a body part.

-Dress around the gun...
- Comforting not comfortable. - Jeff Cooper

alone.

Very good advice. Follow it.

Grant · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2013, 10:22:08 am »

Ditto. Excellent advice.

One thing I do ask: Does left-hand pocket carry reduce accidental mag-release? Because for over a year I've carried a Ruger LCP and only had it happen once.

ksuguy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2013, 10:28:31 am »

I've done it with both my Ruger SP101 and my CZ82. Both worked fine. The key is making sure your pants have big enough pockets, and it helps if your shirt is long enough to hang down over it a bit.

Also, I dedicated one pocket for the gun. You can put your wallet, keys, change, etc. in the other one. You don't need that s___ in there messing up your gun.

alone · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2013, 11:23:34 am »

Quote from: Grant on November 30, 2013, 10:22:08 am

Ditto. Excellent advice.

One thing I do ask: Does left-hand pocket carry reduce accidental mag-release? Because for over a year I've carried a Ruger LCP and only had it happen once.

Limited experience with a LCR, that shared, I never had a problem with left-hand pocket carry.

Keep in mind, I am nearing 6 decades in age, have gray in mustache and beard, and it seems my hair worn in ponytail has split ends, again...

So I date myself in sharing, only once, did I have a mag "release" in pocket carry, and that was with a Beretta 21-A Bobcat in .22 LR.
WE did not have the guns back then we have today, still, and just me, I would kill to have another one these 21-A's and no, I would have no problem in CCW-ing one...

My other tidbit is, and granted I am probably alone in this, still a 1 1/18" NAA mini-revolver in .22 LR, especially with a factory lanyard "hole",is a very viable tool in the "tool box". Yep! I'd kill to have another and again would have no problem having this "tool" in my "toolbox".

alone

strangelittleman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2013, 11:24:54 am »

Quote from: ksuguy on November 30, 2013, 10:28:31 am

I've done it with both my Ruger SP101 and my CZ82. Both worked fine. The key is making sure your pants have big enough pockets, and it helps if your shirt is long enough to hang down over it a bit.

Also, I dedicated one pocket for the gun. You can put your wallet, keys, change, etc. in the other one. You don't need that s___ in there messing up your gun.

Excellent point.
I haven't brought it up before because I thought it goes w/o saying.....But nearly every day I hear people bringing up, "what if (insert object) get tangled up with the handgun..." Really now...If one hasn't thought through to the point to NOT have anything in the pocket other than the handgun, then they have not even began the mental process of the realities of EDC and should not be packing at all.
I don't care what type of weapon I have in the pocket, be it knife, baton or firearm, that will be all I have in it. No knife and gun, nor any other combo, only one or the other.

luke213(adamsholsters) · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2013, 11:53:08 am »

I should say I do encounter mag release problems more on the left pocket carry then the right, I do however make a point to check it while working. Typically it does not happen for me in town, or normal day to day stuff, what seems to kick it off is firewood more than anything else. When I use my leg to push a round up onto the splitter and stuff like that I often will trigger a mag release. However I can reach down even though my pants and reseat the mag without any issue. It's a concern, especially if your not used to it or aware of it, but honestly for me it's a non issue. When I'm working it's super super unlikely I'll need my backup gun, and that's the only time it presents itself really. Also I'm used to the things that cause it and tend to reach down right after doing something I think might have popped it to check and reseat it. It's become a habit for me, and granted most of the time it doesn't disengage, but it's frequent enough that I'm aware of it.

Luke

scarville · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2013, 12:11:29 pm »

Quote from: Kaso on November 30, 2013, 09:17:05 am

*Totally forfeits man card* "But what if I want to be fashionable, and wear skinny jeans?"

A serendipity of more women carrying concealed firearms is that gun manufacturers and holster makers have had to create models that make it easier to conceal under tight or revealing clothing.

alone · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2013, 12:21:04 pm »

Firewood does a LOT of interesting stuff, and not only to firearms...
BTDT and still BTDT's

Ain't life fun at times?

alone

luke213(adamsholsters) · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2013, 02:03:06 pm »

Firewood is my weekend work pretty much year round getting wood for myself and my dad that's 20 cord;)

Pain in the butt and back;)

Luke

Sent from my XT875 using Tapatalk

MTK20 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2013, 05:29:26 pm »

I think you should first see what you shoot and hit the best with raptor (like alone and the others have been saying). Admittedly I do not pocket carry, but I am skinny and my L frame revolver disappears on me. From first glance I think a j frame revolver would be less likely to have issues with lint (and certainly mag releases). If you got it hammer less it would also eliminate any worries of snagging (hopefully).

sohmdaddy · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2013, 02:47:32 am »

I think you should get the Nano, and then start saving up for a revolver.

In my opinion, it should come down to what you are most effective with. Also consider that an extra magazine is easier to carry than a speed loader and faster to use than speed strips. Also, there are other options for deep concealment than just pocket carry. The Galco Belly Band makes my 229 disappear when I dress in slacks and a tucked in shirt.

As far as firing from the pocket, revolver with a fully shrouded hammer wins that argument. The Beretta will likely jam after one shot, or may be pushed out of battery and not fire at all.

Printing, the revolver may print more, but unless you are wearing the spandex leggings that are so popular with the ladies these days, it won't register to most people that you have a gun. Either gun, revolver or automatic, is going to look like at thick wallet or a sandwich when combined with the pocket holster.

So get the Nano, and then get a revolver, because why limit yourself? And get a belly band for your Sig. Keep your options open. That's my two cents.

schapm · « **Reply #20 on:** December 01, 2013, 07:05:47 am »

I like sohmdaddy's thinking. No reason to not eventually have both!

dot4x4 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 01, 2013, 10:44:36 am »

I say revolver, but for a different reason. In May of this year I got injured at work. Torn tendons in my wrist. This COMPLETELY compromised my grip. Of course it was my dominant hand. This made it so that my carry gun, M&P9c, was useless to me. I couldnt load a magazine or rack the slide, much less even use my normal holster to draw from. Because of my build and only having an IWB with about a lot of cant my holster was useless to me too.

I ended up having my wife load up my magazines (I could only load 5-6 rounds with only one hand) and I got lots of practice using my belt or a table to rack the slide. Then I had to get a pocket holster and carry left handed. (only my Wife ever noticed the obvious bulge in the jean pocket, in cargo jeans she had to be looking for it) After surgery on my wrist, and LOTS of pysical therapy I am just NOW able to use my normal holster and fire/reload with my right hand again.

During this time I realized a couple of things... A small revolver would have been perfect for this time, easier to load one handed, and more comfortable in the pocket. I also plan on getting a complete left handed set up in case this happens again. This will be done AFTER I get either a S&W 340(stainless) or a Ruger LCR.

So I vote for the revolver, just in case the unforseen happens and you lose function in one hand.

Lupinus · « **Reply #22 on:** December 01, 2013, 11:35:39 am »

Quote from: Kaso on November 30, 2013, 09:17:05 am

*Totally forfeits man card* "But what if I want to be fashionable, and wear skinny jeans?"

Kaso

Then you should have no problem carrying whatever you want in your purse

In all seriousness, if you like autos better get a small auto for pocket carry. If you like revolvers better, get a small revolver for pocket carry.

alone · « **Reply #23 on:** December 01, 2013, 12:51:28 pm »

dot4x4

Thank you for sharing! I hope you heal up well, soon and with no repercussions.

I was born and raised with this "thinking" and often have been chided for sharing such. Currently I am sorta "down" myself, only for me it is my weak side.
Just me, still the only mag I can load, is a USGI/Colt with the dimpled follower, for the "as JMB designed" 1911.
I can run a bone stock "gumbint" model of 1911 just fine, with "being down".

Hint: As designed, meaning NO Full Length Guide Rod, I can shove the muzzle against anything to rack the slide.
(granted, not a good idea to go to slide lock in the first place...)

I carry a snub-nose K-frame, in case anyone was wondering.
Oh, and since have no holster(s) for this handgun, or any others...I carry sans holster.
I also have no slings for any long guns either...

Still I have CCW-ed this gun and others ( including a 1911) w/o holster during blistering summers, winters are easier of course.

I feel Boyd sums it up pretty well:

Mindset, skill-sets then tool sets, in that order.

alone

cpaspr · « **Reply #24 on:** December 01, 2013, 04:00:41 pm »

As has already been said, find what you shoot best among the pocket carry options, and then carry that.

My LCR fits just fine in my left front pocket, be it jeans or khakis. If wearing a sweater, left appendix carry using the same pocket holster (no clips - I made the holster fuzzy side out, so it holds in place just fine).