Should You Pocket Carry A Pistol?

Conceal carry is a very hot topic in the gun community and there are a variety of different opinions on the best way to conceal carry.  Maybe you are considering pocket carry because it seems easy and efficient to just throw your pistol in your pocket and go.  But is pocket carry a good route to go?

Pocket carrying a pistol seems very simple and straightforward, but it is a bit more complex of a topic.  When considering pocket carry for your pistol, you need to take into account the type of gun you have, the type of wardrobe you wear, and the pros and cons of pocket carrying.

Below, a deeper dive into your pistol, wardrobe, and the possible drawbacks of pocket carrying a pistol will help evolve your answer on whether pocket carrying a pistol is right for you.

The Gun

The type, size, and caliber of your gun are going to be the first and most crucial aspects to consider.  If considering pocket carrying, your current gun or your next purchase of a firearm should consider the parameters below.

There are several options for types of guns to pocket carry.  Semi-auto pistols are the most common pocket carry guns because of their compact nature.  But small revolvers can also be used for those that like the reliability of revolvers.

The size of the frame on your gun is going to be the next aspect to consider for pocket carrying.  Many manufacturers are making pocket pistols specifically for pocket carrying.  They are lighter, thinner, and better shaped for pocket carrying.

These pocket pistols are going to be much smaller than popular conceal carry guns like the Glock 19.  Even the Glock 19’s subcompact counterpart, the Glock 26, is still going to be a bit on the larger side for getting in a pocket of your jeans. However, the Glock 42 is built specifically for pocket carry.

Comparison of Popular Glock Models

As you can see in the comparison above, the Glock 42 Pocket Pistol is smaller and much lighter compared to the subcompact and compact models.  But there is a major difference outside of size in these three models of Glocks: their caliber.

Within a decrease in frame size, pocket pistols also tend to be smaller calibers such as .380 ACP and .32 caliber. There are models that are 9mm and .45 ACP as well, but they are not as abundant as the .380 ACP.

Most of these caliber guns are either 5+1, 6+1, or 7+1 when it comes to capacity.  There are rare instances where you will find models that are 10+1, but also tend to be on the larger size of the pocket pistol spectrum.

Ultimately, it comes down to the preference of the carrier and what gun they are comfortable with.  A good place But size to fit comfortably in a pocket should be a major consideration.

Wardrobe

Besides the actual weapon you will pocket carry, your wardrobe will play the next biggest part in determining if you should pocket carry a pistol.

Your daily wardrobe needs to be adequate and conducive to pocket carrying a pistol.  Jeans and other loose-fitting pants make good options to pocket carry weapons.  Winter jackets and other coats are also viable options.  But there are still specifics that you need to pay attention to.

Tighter-fitting jeans are a popular trend today, but they are not a good fit for pocket carrying.  The goal is to conceal the weapon, but if the jeans are tight to where the outline of the gun can be seen, you are defeating the purpose.  Looser jeans also allow for easier access into the pocket to retrieve the gun if the situation calls for it.

You could pocket carry in a back pocket as well, which would be an option for people on the go, but not necessarily for people who will be sitting frequently.  Finding an easily accessible pocket that will also conceal the weapon is vitally important.

Now, don’t go and just throw your pistol in your pocket.  Your wardrobe needs to include a pocket pistol holster.  Trigger safety is an absolute must when it comes to any type of concealed carry, especially pocket carrying.  Accidental discharge can occur if the trigger is not safely contained by a holster, especially now that many pistols have passive safeties.

Be sure to safely secure your weapon in a pocket holster before placing it in any pocket to conceal carry.

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to any type of concealed carry, and pocket carrying is no different.  The pros of pocket carrying are pretty straightforward.  For the minimalist type of person, pocket carry is great because it does not require a gun belt or bulky holster and is very convenient to include in your daily carry items.

Pocket carry also has the ability to be easily concealed with the right gun and wardrobe.  This could be more comfortable to the carrier in their everyday activities versus other types of concealed carry such as Inside Waistband.

The pocket carry allows the carrier to discretely access their gun in their pocket in case of an emergency without alerting a potential threat that they are in fact carrying a firearm.  This movement has much less movement than say lifting your shirt to access the firearm that is holstered in the back of your waistband.

Cons of pocket carry tend to be more on the technical side but have more impact on the ability to use the firearm.  First is the limiting factor of having your firearm in a pocket.  Though you can discretely access it, draw times may be slower as you try to pull the firearm out.

Having the right firearm and wardrobe is generally a con, simply due to needing smaller weapons and the right clothing to conceal.  One might also see the size and smaller caliber of pocket guns as a con due to comfort with bigger frames and calibers.

Is It Right For You?

With the information above, there is much to consider about pocket carrying.  Ultimately it is up to you based on your gun, wardrobe, and weighing the pros and cons.

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