Pager Pal vs Smart Carry

NCHornet · March 5th, 2007, 03:13 PM

My wife and I own a wedding photography business and most of the time I leave my CC gun in my truck while working. Well a situation took place last weekend to make me now want to have something on me and not in the truck. I will be using my Sig P232, .380 for this need, not my larger daily carry gun.The Smart Carry looks interesting but could be a pain when having to use the bathroom. I have read some good and some bad about the Pager Pal. I did notice on the PP website they are offering a new model with a lower drop as that was a problem with many folks is the bend in the holster didn't match their body. Just wanted to get some feedback before I laid down the cash$$ If anybody wanted to get rid of either one please let me know.
Thanks for the help.
NCHornet/Kevin L.

Rotorflyr · March 5th, 2007, 04:39 PM

From everything I've read, I'd choose the Smart Carry, I've seen more negitive feedback on the Pager Pal then any other "holster" Now that's not to say some people aren't happy with the Pager pal and it may work for you, but I'd shy away from it myself. As for the bathroom issue, I think you'd get used to dealing with it pretty quickly and don't think it would be any more of an issue then any other IWB holster.

(There's also Thunderwear and Belly Bands, not to mention other "clothes" that may work for you as well)

MrPoker · March 5th, 2007, 05:14 PM

I own a pagerpal and it's the biggest POS 'holster' I have bought to date. I wont even sell it because I couldn't do that to even a stranger :)

JimmyC4 · March 5th, 2007, 05:23 PM

From the instructions at SmartCarry's website:

FOR MEN ONLY:

If you have to relieve yourself, the fact that you're carrying in SmartCarry® does not prohibit you from using a urinal in the normal manner! If you find that your firearm is blocking your access to the fly in your underwear, use your thumb and index finger to move SmartCarry® to the right (if you're right handed - reverse for left handed users) and access the fly in your underwear with any of your remaining fingers. Then release the firearm and precede as usual. The side of your hand will keep the firearm out of your way. You can also grasp the barrel/slide of the firearm with your weak hand, through your trousers, and simply move it to your left/right for easy access to the fly in your shorts. From personal experience, I can tell you this works very well, does not take any longer than normal and I carry a full size M1911A-1! Tip: A few practice runs in the privacy of your home before you carry in public are a big plus!

As with any other product, you need to read the instructions!

Forget the Pager "POS" Pal...

plblark · March 5th, 2007, 05:40 PM

doesn't the Smart Carry have a 60 day trial period. You like it or you return it?

Hivoltage · March 5th, 2007, 05:49 PM

I like my Smartcarry, works real good for me.

NCHornet · March 5th, 2007, 07:23 PM

jimmy,
Thanks for explaining that as that was the only negative I could think of.
Mr. Poker,
I would be willing to pay for your time and shipping to see if it would work for me, how about it?

I do have a belly band and use it often, don't see the T shirt type to have any advantage over the Belly band, just wanted something below belt because during the weddings I have to do a lot bending and I have had a loose mag fall out before. I appreciate the help and advice.

MNBurl · March 5th, 2007, 07:37 PM

Smartcarry is the best option of the two. I have one and use it a lot.

TN_Mike · March 5th, 2007, 08:26 PM

I own both a Pager Pal and a SmartCarry.

For what it's worth, I use the SmartCarry when I need deep concealment and the Pager Pal is even now gathering dust in the "dead Holster Box". It never gets used.

It is not comfortable, it is hard to draw from (the SmartCarry isn't exactly easy but it is a darn bit easier than the PP) and it just didn't work for me.
Besides, who the heck carries or uses a pager now a days?

I'd go with the SmartCarry if that is what you have your heart set on. But, better yet, I'd ge5t a good strong side IWB holster and wear a jacket / outer shirt to cover it. I can cover my Glock 23 in an Outside the waist band holster with a loose fitting T-shirt and with any of the IWB holsters I have it disappears. And it is MUCH easier to get to and draw the gun.

Hivoltage · March 5th, 2007, 08:43 PM

If you like the Smart Carry....look at this!!

http://www.activeprogear.com/defender.html

March 5th, 2007, 03:13 PM	#1
NCHornet Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mt Airy, NC Posts: 1,840	Pager Pal vs Smart Carry My wife and I own a wedding photography business and most of the time I leave my CC gun in my truck while working. Well a situation took place last weekend to make me now want to have something on me and not in the truck. I will be using my Sig P232, .380 for this need, not my larger daily carry gun.The Smart Carry looks interesting but could be a pain when having to use the bathroom. I have read some good and some bad about the Pager Pal. I did notice on the PP website they are offering a new model with a lower drop as that was a problem with many folks is the bend in the holster didn't match their body. Just wanted to get some feedback before I laid down the cash$$ If anybody wanted to get rid of either one please let me know. Thanks for the help. NCHornet/Kevin L. __________________ When Seconds Count, The Cops Are Just Minutes Away!! Carry On! NCHornet

March 5th, 2007, 05:40 PM	#5
plblark Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 284	doesn't the Smart Carry have a 60 day trial period. You like it or you return it? __________________ For MN specific carry information and a great shooting community, check out forum.twincitiescarry.com

March 5th, 2007, 05:49 PM	#6
Hivoltage Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Newark, Ohio USA Posts: 736	I like my Smartcarry, works real good for me. __________________ Nothing Wrong With Shooting as Long as the Right People Get Shot. Clint Eastwood, Magnum Force, 1973

March 5th, 2007, 07:23 PM	#7
NCHornet Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mt Airy, NC Posts: 1,840	jimmy, Thanks for explaining that as that was the only negative I could think of. Mr. Poker, I would be willing to pay for your time and shipping to see if it would work for me, how about it? I do have a belly band and use it often, don't see the T shirt type to have any advantage over the Belly band, just wanted something below belt because during the weddings I have to do a lot bending and I have had a loose mag fall out before. I appreciate the help and advice. __________________ When Seconds Count, The Cops Are Just Minutes Away!! Carry On! NCHornet

March 5th, 2007, 07:37 PM	#8
MNBurl VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,338	Smartcarry is the best option of the two. I have one and use it a lot. __________________ MNBurl Side Guard Holsters "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking" - George S. Patton.

March 5th, 2007, 04:39 PM	#2
Rotorflyr Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Among the living Posts: 452	From everything I've read, I'd choose the Smart Carry, I've seen more negitive feedback on the Pager Pal then any other "holster" Now that's not to say some people aren't happy with the Pager pal and it may work for you, but I'd shy away from it myself. As for the bathroom issue, I think you'd get used to dealing with it pretty quickly and don't think it would be any more of an issue then any other IWB holster. (There's also Thunderwear and Belly Bands, not to mention other "clothes" that may work for you as well)

March 5th, 2007, 05:14 PM	#3
MrPoker Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 28	I own a pagerpal and it's the biggest POS 'holster' I have bought to date. I wont even sell it because I couldn't do that to even a stranger :)

March 5th, 2007, 05:23 PM	#4
JimmyC4 Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 1,863	From the instructions at SmartCarry's website: FOR MEN ONLY: If you have to relieve yourself, the fact that you're carrying in SmartCarry® does not prohibit you from using a urinal in the normal manner! If you find that your firearm is blocking your access to the fly in your underwear, use your thumb and index finger to move SmartCarry® to the right (if you're right handed - reverse for left handed users) and access the fly in your underwear with any of your remaining fingers. Then release the firearm and precede as usual. The side of your hand will keep the firearm out of your way. You can also grasp the barrel/slide of the firearm with your weak hand, through your trousers, and simply move it to your left/right for easy access to the fly in your shorts. From personal experience, I can tell you this works very well, does not take any longer than normal and I carry a full size M1911A-1! Tip: A few practice runs in the privacy of your home before you carry in public are a big plus! As with any other product, you need to read the instructions! Forget the Pager "POS" Pal...

March 5th, 2007, 08:26 PM	#9
TN_Mike VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: West TN Posts: 7,720	I own both a Pager Pal and a SmartCarry. For what it's worth, I use the SmartCarry when I need deep concealment and the Pager Pal is even now gathering dust in the "dead Holster Box". It never gets used. It is not comfortable, it is hard to draw from (the SmartCarry isn't exactly easy but it is a darn bit easier than the PP) and it just didn't work for me. Besides, who the heck carries or uses a pager now a days? I'd go with the SmartCarry if that is what you have your heart set on. But, better yet, I'd ge5t a good strong side IWB holster and wear a jacket / outer shirt to cover it. I can cover my Glock 23 in an Outside the waist band holster with a loose fitting T-shirt and with any of the IWB holsters I have it disappears. And it is MUCH easier to get to and draw the gun. __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -Barry Goldwater 1968

March 5th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#10
Hivoltage Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Newark, Ohio USA Posts: 736	If you like the Smart Carry....look at this!! http://www.activeprogear.com/defender.html __________________ Nothing Wrong With Shooting as Long as the Right People Get Shot. Clint Eastwood, Magnum Force, 1973

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