How did you get used to pocket carry?

SpringerXD · September 8th, 2009, 01:57 AM

I love the idea of pocket carry as a general concept, but here's the problem. I'm 46 years old and for my entire adult life, I've been used to having certain things in my right front pocket: keys, lighter, knife, and change. Plus, of course, I'm right-handed.

On the flip side, I love the idea for convenience. What could be more comfortable than just reaching into your right front pocket or having your hand resting on the pistol's grip if needed?

I've also considered the cargo pocket option, since I wear cargo pants often, but the feel is very awkward with having a weight there.

So for those of you who are right-handed but pocket carry, how big of an adjustment was it for you?

Thumper · September 8th, 2009, 02:03 AM

I just moved my stuff to different pockets and struggled with it until I re-learned where stuff was!

PastorPack · September 8th, 2009, 02:09 AM

Still making that adjustment now, but in all it has gone ok.

Moved wallet to weak-side rear pocket. Moved keys to weak-side front pocket. Cell phone ends up in weak-side cargo or strong-side rear.

Geno · September 8th, 2009, 02:10 AM

Not such a big adjustment as long as you do not violate your own rules.
My one and only rule is Nothing, Absolutely Nothing goes in my right pocket but my pistol. Sometimes the temptation is great when your other pocket or hands are full. Still, I do not ever violate that rule. Period!
In two and a half years, I've never broken my one and only rule.

Thumper · September 8th, 2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geno

Absolutely Nothing goes in my right pocket but my pistol.

+1! Excellent point!

ccwguy · September 8th, 2009, 03:55 AM

Just do it. Put it and only it in your strongside front pocket; put everything else in the most logical remaining pockets. It won't take long for muscle memory to kick in, and you'll become accustomed to it.

I had the same thoughts. I always(27 years of driving) carried my car keys in my right front pocket and always used my right hand for unlocking the car door. After a couple weeks of carrying them in my left pocket and an LCP in the right, it felt natural. It also feels better having one hand on my car keys and unlocking the car/house door while having the other hand on the LCP.

J Bowen · September 8th, 2009, 04:05 AM

you will get use to it with time.
be a good idea to keep something thin
in front of your pocket gun to help hide the imprint of
the gun while carrying. I carry a very thin leather jotter pad
in my pocket with my gun. works great and doesnt get
in the way. Even with inside the pocket holsters it can be
very easy to spot a gun imprint through someone's pocket.

what kind of gun are you pocket carrying?

SpringerXD · September 8th, 2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Bowen

what kind of gun are you pocket carrying?

Currently I don't, but I'm considering an XD Subcompact in .40 because of the concealability.

If they ever make the Sub in .45 ACP, I'm there.

EW3 · September 8th, 2009, 09:13 AM

An XD SC is going to be waaaay too big and THICK for pocket carry, IMO.

An LCP, a P3AT/P32, Seecamp, NAA Guardian; now they are ideal pocket guns; small, flat and designed with the pocket in mind.

I have an LCP myself and have the right front pocket regulated to that. Even when I don't have it, like at work, I make myself keep that pocket clear. No change or other objects go in there. I have my wallet in the left front pocket on chiropractors orders, so having a place to put my iPhone becomes an issue. I sometimes slip that in my rear pocket, but just know one of these days I'm going to forget, and sit on it, CRUNCH.

I'm thinking about getting a belt holster for the iPhone, since the right front pocket is reserved for the LCP.

jwhite75 · September 8th, 2009, 12:49 PM

I carry a J-frame. I too carry so much stuff...I had a system for everything where it went. I simply move my keys down to the cargo pocket and the gun to the right front pocket. Its a little different but I would rather have to search for my keys than my gun.

September 8th, 2009, 01:57 AM	#1
SpringerXD Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southeast Posts: 634	How did you get used to pocket carry? I love the idea of pocket carry as a general concept, but here's the problem. I'm 46 years old and for my entire adult life, I've been used to having certain things in my right front pocket: keys, lighter, knife, and change. Plus, of course, I'm right-handed. On the flip side, I love the idea for convenience. What could be more comfortable than just reaching into your right front pocket or having your hand resting on the pistol's grip if needed? I've also considered the cargo pocket option, since I wear cargo pants often, but the feel is very awkward with having a weight there. So for those of you who are right-handed but pocket carry, how big of an adjustment was it for you? __________________ "I practice the ancient art of Klik Pao." -miklcolt45

September 8th, 2009, 02:03 AM	#2
Thumper VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 5,590	I just moved my stuff to different pockets and struggled with it until I re-learned where stuff was! __________________ USMC 1968-1971 ALWAYS carry! - NEVER tell! *"Don't go to stupid places, with stupid people, and do stupid things!"*

September 8th, 2009, 02:09 AM	#3
PastorPack Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,124	Still making that adjustment now, but in all it has gone ok. Moved wallet to weak-side rear pocket. Moved keys to weak-side front pocket. Cell phone ends up in weak-side cargo or strong-side rear. __________________ God is love (1 John 4:8)

September 8th, 2009, 09:13 AM	#9
EW3 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 935	An XD SC is going to be waaaay too big and THICK for pocket carry, IMO. An LCP, a P3AT/P32, Seecamp, NAA Guardian; now they are ideal pocket guns; small, flat and designed with the pocket in mind. I have an LCP myself and have the right front pocket regulated to that. Even when I don't have it, like at work, I make myself keep that pocket clear. No change or other objects go in there. I have my wallet in the left front pocket on chiropractors orders, so having a place to put my iPhone becomes an issue. I sometimes slip that in my rear pocket, but just know one of these days I'm going to forget, and sit on it, CRUNCH. I'm thinking about getting a belt holster for the iPhone, since the right front pocket is reserved for the LCP. __________________ "Naked and Starving as They are We Cannot Enough Admire the Incomparable Patience and Fidelity of the Soldiery" – George Washington, Valley Forge, 1777.

September 8th, 2009, 12:49 PM	#10
jwhite75 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,306	I carry a J-frame. I too carry so much stuff...I had a system for everything where it went. I simply move my keys down to the cargo pocket and the gun to the right front pocket. Its a little different but I would rather have to search for my keys than my gun. __________________ Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS. "May God have mercy on my enemies...because I won't." -Gen. George S. Patton.

September 8th, 2009, 02:10 AM	#4
Geno Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SE Kansas, USA Posts: 182	Not such a big adjustment as long as you do not violate your own rules. My one and only rule is Nothing, Absolutely Nothing goes in my right pocket but my pistol. Sometimes the temptation is great when your other pocket or hands are full. Still, I do not ever violate that rule. Period! In two and a half years, I've never broken my one and only rule.

September 8th, 2009, 03:55 AM	#6
ccwguy Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 150	Just do it. Put it and only it in your strongside front pocket; put everything else in the most logical remaining pockets. It won't take long for muscle memory to kick in, and you'll become accustomed to it. I had the same thoughts. I always(27 years of driving) carried my car keys in my right front pocket and always used my right hand for unlocking the car door. After a couple weeks of carrying them in my left pocket and an LCP in the right, it felt natural. It also feels better having one hand on my car keys and unlocking the car/house door while having the other hand on the LCP.

September 8th, 2009, 04:05 AM	#7
J Bowen Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern USA Posts: 371	you will get use to it with time. be a good idea to keep something thin in front of your pocket gun to help hide the imprint of the gun while carrying. I carry a very thin leather jotter pad in my pocket with my gun. works great and doesnt get in the way. Even with inside the pocket holsters it can be very easy to spot a gun imprint through someone's pocket. what kind of gun are you pocket carrying?

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