P-3AT pocket carry without holster

ElMonoDelMar · January 14th, 2007, 01:13 AM

How safe is it to carry a Kel-Tec P-3AT in an empty back pocket without a holster? I hear some people say it's not a problem because the empty pocket isn't any different than something like a smart carry. Other people say carrying any DAO gun without a holster is just a bad idea.

What's the consensus on the forum?

Pete · January 14th, 2007, 01:28 AM

I would at least use a wallet holster if you're carrying in the back pocket, otherwise you'll be printing and someone will either take exception or try and take the gun off you.

http://www.pocketholsters.com/Kel-Te...t_holster.html

ElMonoDelMar · January 14th, 2007, 01:36 AM

Good thinking with regards to printing. Would you still not recommend no holster carry for an empty front pocket?

Pete · January 14th, 2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElMonoDelMar

Good thinking with regards to printing. Would you still not recommend no holster carry for an empty front pocket?

I would recommend it with either a DAO semi or a revolver in DA. Many people do, you just need to be aware it's there sufficiently.

Gideon · January 14th, 2007, 02:27 AM

I carry a P3AT everyday, front right pocket. I definitely recommend a pocket holster for the following reasons:

1. Safety; not a big risk as your comparison with a Smart Carry is accurate ( I have one) however, the time the gun spends loaded but without the trigger covered does create opportunity for accidents. If you have to pull your pistol out to leave it in the glove box it's nice to have that pocket holster. I have forgotten myself and dropped keys in with my P3AT. Pocket holster also protects the pistol if you get poked, cut, etc. across the pocket. I know, not likely but...

2. Printing; as mentioned they print, period, having a block or wallet shape to break up the outline is good.

3. Dirt; It'll help to some degree, to keep crude out of the end of the barrel and the trigger group

You can get an Uncle Mikes pocket holster so cheap there's no reason not to have one and I think there's enough benefit (especially with printing) to recommend one. Are you likely to shoot yourself if you don't? No, I don't think so but I'd still recommend one...

God Bless
Gideon

ElMonoDelMar · January 14th, 2007, 02:54 AM

If I get the uncle mikes, should I get the one for .22-.25 cals or the one for most .380's? I remember hearing someone say that one of the .380 holsters didn't fit their kel tec because the gun was so small.

purple88yj · January 14th, 2007, 03:00 AM

I pocket carry an AMT .380 Back-UpII in my right front all day, almost everyday without a holster. It is a single action gun with a concealed hammer. It does have a safety lever and a grip safety, but I still have no worry about an accidental discharge. The only nuisance is that without a holster of some sort, the pistol tends to perform acrobatics as the day goes on.

I have carried this one now for nearly a year in this fashion, and have yet to find the safety knocked off.

retsupt99 · January 14th, 2007, 09:44 AM

They have a kydex pocket holster that is super thin and has a thumb push for ensuring that ONLY the KelTec comes out of your pocket...

OMO

Stay armed...stay safe@

ret

tegemu · January 14th, 2007, 09:54 AM

I think holsterless pocket carry is a recipe for disaster. Too many things can go wrong with a device that you are placing your life expectancy in. If for no other reason, the pistol can and probably will reposition itself such that drawing it would be very problematical.

Smith10 · January 14th, 2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gideon

I carry a P3AT everyday, front right pocket. I definitely recommend a pocket holster for the following reasons:

1. Safety; not a big risk as your comparison with a Smart Carry is accurate ( I have one) however, the time the gun spends loaded but without the trigger covered does create opportunity for accidents. If you have to pull your pistol out to leave it in the glove box it's nice to have that pocket holster. I have forgotten myself and dropped keys in with my P3AT. Pocket holster also protects the pistol if you get poked, cut, etc. across the pocket. I know, not likely but...

2. Printing; as mentioned they print, period, having a block or wallet shape to break up the outline is good.

3. Dirt; It'll help to some degree, to keep crude out of the end of the barrel and the trigger group

You can get an Uncle Mikes pocket holster so cheap there's no reason not to have one and I think there's enough benefit (especially with printing) to recommend one. Are you likely to shoot yourself if you don't? No, I don't think so but I'd still recommend one...

God Bless
Gideon

+1 great post, would add that the pocket holster also keeps the gun oriented correctly so you don't have to fish for it in your pocket.

January 14th, 2007, 01:13 AM	#1
ElMonoDelMar Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 337	P-3AT pocket carry without holster How safe is it to carry a Kel-Tec P-3AT in an empty back pocket without a holster? I hear some people say it's not a problem because the empty pocket isn't any different than something like a smart carry. Other people say carrying any DAO gun without a holster is just a bad idea. What's the consensus on the forum?

January 14th, 2007, 09:44 AM	#8
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,804	See Fist, Inc... They have a kydex pocket holster that is super thin and has a thumb push for ensuring that ONLY the KelTec comes out of your pocket... OMO Stay armed...stay safe@ ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

January 14th, 2007, 09:54 AM	#9
tegemu Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orange Park, Fla. Posts: 997	I think holsterless pocket carry is a recipe for disaster. Too many things can go wrong with a device that you are placing your life expectancy in. If for no other reason, the pistol can and probably will reposition itself such that drawing it would be very problematical. __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell

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January 14th, 2007, 01:28 AM	#2
Pete Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,572	I would at least use a wallet holster if you're carrying in the back pocket, otherwise you'll be printing and someone will either take exception or try and take the gun off you. http://www.pocketholsters.com/Kel-Te...t_holster.html

January 14th, 2007, 01:36 AM	#3
ElMonoDelMar Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 337	Good thinking with regards to printing. Would you still not recommend no holster carry for an empty front pocket?

January 14th, 2007, 02:27 AM	#5
Gideon Distinguished Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,209	I carry a P3AT everyday, front right pocket. I definitely recommend a pocket holster for the following reasons: 1. Safety; not a big risk as your comparison with a Smart Carry is accurate ( I have one) however, the time the gun spends loaded but without the trigger covered does create opportunity for accidents. If you have to pull your pistol out to leave it in the glove box it's nice to have that pocket holster. I have forgotten myself and dropped keys in with my P3AT. Pocket holster also protects the pistol if you get poked, cut, etc. across the pocket. I know, not likely but... 2. Printing; as mentioned they print, period, having a block or wallet shape to break up the outline is good. 3. Dirt; It'll help to some degree, to keep crude out of the end of the barrel and the trigger group You can get an Uncle Mikes pocket holster so cheap there's no reason not to have one and I think there's enough benefit (especially with printing) to recommend one. Are you likely to shoot yourself if you don't? No, I don't think so but I'd still recommend one... God Bless Gideon

January 14th, 2007, 02:54 AM	#6
ElMonoDelMar Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 337	If I get the uncle mikes, should I get the one for .22-.25 cals or the one for most .380's? I remember hearing someone say that one of the .380 holsters didn't fit their kel tec because the gun was so small.

January 14th, 2007, 03:00 AM	#7
purple88yj Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 1,100	I pocket carry an AMT .380 Back-UpII in my right front all day, almost everyday without a holster. It is a single action gun with a concealed hammer. It does have a safety lever and a grip safety, but I still have no worry about an accidental discharge. The only nuisance is that without a holster of some sort, the pistol tends to perform acrobatics as the day goes on. I have carried this one now for nearly a year in this fashion, and have yet to find the safety knocked off.