Preferred Carry Method

[Usury]

I'd like some opinions and options on preferred carry methods. I currently pocket carry (in a holster) a Ruger LCP. However, I just cannot feel completely safe having to potentially rely on a .380 round for protection of life and family. Therefore I purchased a Glock 36, but am curious on what my carry options are. I really don't see myself being able to pocket carry this monster relative to the LCP (although Desantis does make a pocket holster for it). What other options? My job requires business casual dress, but that includes "tucked-in" shirts (and no jackets most of the year), so most holster carry is not an option either (although I did find one inside the wasteline holster that is designed to allow a shirt tuck of 3-4". I also saw some interesting shoulder and undershirt setups. What experience does everyone have with any of these with a larger pistol that can make recommendations? Also, I'm a bigger guy, so I worry a little than any inside wasteband holster will not be comfortable. Thanks.

[southfork]

They make a band that goes around your chest with a pocket in it, I have a glock and it has a built on spring for belt carry, I also have a inside carry holster that clips to your waste band but not hidden with shirt tucked in, you may want to look at the one that straps around your chest or some sort of one for pocket carry.

[Shortstack]

I felt the same way. I wanted a legitimate pocket carry pistol in a major caliber. And one of those scandium featherweight 357 revolvers with a 1.9 inch barrel? With ballistics of a 38 caliber but the recoil of a 357? No way

So I purchased a Rohrbaugh 9 millimeter. A tiny bit larger than you LCP 380 auto, but in a major caliber. If you want a 380, just get a seacamp 380, which fits into the front pocket of a dress shirt, and is swallowed by a normal front pocket

Check out my thread in the firearms section for pics and a full write up. And don't balk at the $1,190 price tag. What is your life worth?

[TomD]

Small pistol in major power round? How about Glock 29 in 10mm? 10mm is a very serious round. The pistol is fairly flexible, you can buy 40 S&W barrels for it. You'd need an appropriate recoil spring and mag too.

Another type of concealed weapon. :flute:

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x229/TomD77/misc%20stuff/DSC2804tm.jpg

[Toxa]

Usury what is the problem with .380? It does have plenty of power to incapacitate. Plenty of penetration with right ammo, look at buffalo bore hard cast lead bullets, those are smoking hot for little 380. Most important thing to remember is a shot placement and not the size of your round. Double tap to center mass, practice practice practice. Little LCP is scary accurate out to 15 yards that I shot it. Trigger is long and kind of heavy, but with practice you can keep 5 inch rapid fire group at 15 yards no problem. Don’t feel like you’re under power with that little 380. If you are anticipating a gun fight then batter bring a rifle.

[branshew]

5 rounds of 158 gr. JHP .357 in my front pocket, no holster.

Alternately when that isn't feasible, the same 5 rounds IWB at 1:00. I'd like to try a canted IWB at 6:00.

Yes - it is one of those Scandium framed pocket cannons. I am not at all trying to come across with any over the top machismo or bravado. I just figure that if I can carry the high power load - why not do it. I do occasionally carry 158 gr. .38 +P at night due to the .357 flash out of the short barrel (when I remember to change).

I would also like to point out that the "ballistics" of .38 and .357 are very different.



Hey TomD - Is that Ft. Story?

[Nickelless]

Branshew, what make of .357 are you carrying? I was looking at a Taurus 85 (five-shot) and Taurus 856 (six-shot) a while back. I had a Rossi 5-shot .357 but sold it to buy an SKS, and a .357 is at the top of my list of guns to buy and keep.

I'm driving most of the day, so I just keep my Glock 26 in my front pocket with 10+1 rounds of Federal JHP, with my shirt pulled over my pocket. I know a G26 is a little big for a "pocket gun," but since nobody sees my pocket, it works for me.

[LukeNM]

Check this out... I just received the SuperTuck Deluxe IWB holster from them for a Glock 27 with CT Laserguard installed on the pistol. Haven't tried it out yet but the reviews and YouTube videos attest to this being one of the best things out there for comfort and concealability...

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

[hoarder]

A Glock is not a concealed carry piece, it's a fat combat handgun. If you weigh 300 pounds and live in a cold climate, you might be able to hide it under heavy clothing. Another option is a shoulder holster under a jacket, but you can't take the jacket off without revealing it.

Small revolvers are much easier to conceal than semi autos because the muzzle is narrow and the bottom of the grip is tapered, or can be. If you prefer semi-autos, Kahr P9 or Rorhbaugh (as noted earlier) can be concealed because they are thin.

[Not Sure]

I'd like some opinions and options on preferred carry methods. I currently pocket carry (in a holster) a Ruger LCP. However, I just cannot feel completely safe having to potentially rely on a .380 round for protection of life and family. Therefore I purchased a Glock 36, but am curious on what my carry options are. I really don't see myself being able to pocket carry this monster relative to the LCP (although Desantis does make a pocket holster for it). What other options? My job requires business casual dress, but that includes "tucked-in" shirts (and no jackets most of the year), so most holster carry is not an option either (although I did find one inside the wasteline holster that is designed to allow a shirt tuck of 3-4". I also saw some interesting shoulder and undershirt setups. What experience does everyone have with any of these with a larger pistol that can make recommendations? Also, I'm a bigger guy, so I worry a little than any inside wasteband holster will not be comfortable. Thanks.

Putting the bullet where it counts is paramount. European armies and police forces have successfully used the 9mm Kurz (short, aka .380 ACP) for decades.

That being said...

"Business attire," eh?

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=2769&CatalogID=393

[Shortstack]

5 rounds of 158 gr. JHP .357 in my front pocket, no holster.

Alternately when that isn't feasible, the same 5 rounds IWB at 1:00. I'd like to try a canted IWB at 6:00.

Yes - it is one of those Scandium framed pocket cannons. I am not at all trying to come across with any over the top machismo or bravado. I just figure that if I can carry the high power load - why not do it. I do occasionally carry 158 gr. .38 +P at night due to the .357 flash out of the short barrel (when I remember to change).

I would also like to point out that the "ballistics" of .38 and .357 are very different.



Hey TomD - Is that Ft. Story?

You would like to point out what exactly? That barrel length makes no difference? Is that it? Your 1.9 inch barrel is effectively the same as a 4 inch barrel? What is the velocity of your 158 gr. .357 round when coming out the end of that 1.9 inch barrel? Maybe 1,000 feet per second? All you get is the recoil of a 44 mag with the ballistics of a 38. And how is that second shot? Hope your first .38 hits (I mean your first +p .357 round)

[TomD]

You would like to point out what exactly? That barrel length makes no difference? Is that it? Your 1.9 inch barrel is effectively the same as a 4 inch barrel? What is the velocity of your 158 gr. .357 round when coming out the end of that 1.9 inch barrel? Maybe 1,000 feet per second? All you get is the recoil of a 44 mag with the ballistics of a 38. And how is that second shot? Hope your first .38 hits (I mean your first +p .357 round)



These tables were done using a 2-1/2 inch S&W Model 19 but at that barrel length there is a substantial energy difference between 38Sp and 357. (link) (http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38vs357snub.htm)


A stock S&W Model 19 2 1/2" revolver, except for the stocks, was used for the chronograph results shown below.

Velocities are based on 10-shot strings of fire about 10' from the chronograph screens.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x229/TomD77/temp%20stuff/yy.gif

The tables below show that 357 really starts to perform with longer barrels. Look at the 18" barrel, the 357 approaches 7.62X39 energy levels.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x229/TomD77/temp%20stuff/tttt.gif

[ToBeSelfEvident]

.357 out of a snub is just not a very good idea. The S&W 642/442 Airweight .38 Special is a good compromise for carry.

[Argentsum]

I go with a 9mm @ 6 o'clock, iwb, canted.

Its a bit cumbersome (I don't think I'll win any fast draw competitions),
But its comfortable.

[SilverCity]

Glock 26, G27, G33, or G36 in a F.I.S.T. Ultrathin Kydex IWB at 2:00 or 4:00

or Mexican carry Glock 30, G19, G23 at 2:00

I am 6ft 180lbs and these all carry easily under a tee shirt or sweat shirt/jacket nine months out of the year.

To the OP: you might look into a good ankle holster if you must carry OTJ

SC

[branshew]

You would like to point out what exactly? That barrel length makes no difference? Is that it? Your 1.9 inch barrel is effectively the same as a 4 inch barrel? What is the velocity of your 158 gr. .357 round when coming out the end of that 1.9 inch barrel? Maybe 1,000 feet per second? All you get is the recoil of a 44 mag with the ballistics of a 38. And how is that second shot? Hope your first .38 hits (I mean your first +p .357 round)

Chillax dude. I didn't attack you or your post. I was only pointing out that there is more to ballistics than just the diameter of the bullet. No need to get your panties in a wad over it.

However, since you brought it up - If you are telling me that .357 and .38 +P are the same out of a 1.9" barrel then you are wrong. By your logic, one could say that 9mm, .38 Sp., & .357 Mag are ballistically the same because the bullet diameter is within 1/100 of an inch.

Sure - recoil isn't pleasant and I don't want to shoot a box of 50 rounds of .357 at the range, but I have put enough time behind the gun such that I am comfortable with said carry arrangement.



Nickelless - It's a S&W M&P 340 (non CT). I had a 442 for a long time and I upgraded to the M&P primarily for the better front sight. The fact that it is lighter and better made than the 442 is a bonus. Having the option of 2 calibers could also prove an advantage if ammo is scarce.

Usary - I've heard good things about the Crossbreed Supertuck as LukeNM mentioned. May be worth checking into if you are looking at carrying that Glock.

[Book]

http://2cooltoolz.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/waycutdownnemesis.jpg

Kahr 9mm in front pant pocket holster.

:flute: works for me in the summertime with cargo shorts