Post by woodyz on Oct 12, 2016 18:21:34 GMT -7
Pocket Carry Part 1: Why Pocket Carry?
by Keith Coniglio
With advances in both modern materials and design, concealed carriers now have the viable option of carrying a duty-sized caliber in a "mousegun"-sized package, and many citizens are choosing pocket carry for these diminutive defensive tools. However, there are valid safety and reliability concerns with this method of CCW. So ... why choose pocket carry?
For many, it's simply a convenience issue. Strapping on a decent belt and holster rig simply to walk down to the mailbox seems like overkill, whereas discreetly slipping a wallet-sized pistol in a pocket is an acceptably small price for peace of mind. In other cases, environmental factors come into play. For those living in extremely hot climates, a wardrobe designed for concealing a belt-holstered pistol might not only be uncomfortable, it would likely make the wearer stand out in a crowd. Those in frigid environments may find a J-frame .38 in a parka pocket much more accessible than a full-size .45 under layers of clothing.
Arguably, though, most pocket-carriers do so because they spend much of their time in places where CCW may be legal but is "socially unacceptable," making absolute concealment paramount - something more easily achieved with a firearm completely ensconced. Many corporations, fearing liability issues, have blanket "have gun, will terminate" policies. Those self-employed in anti-gun regions run a very real risk of losing considerable business if word gets around that they go about armed. And, especially in light of recent acts of terrorism, being "made" by a member of the non-carrying public may inspire a panicked call to police, with potentially disastrous results.
Whatever your reasoning, if you choose this mode of carry, be aware that it is not a "fire and forget" method. In fact, it could be argued that it requires even greater diligence in practice. Loosely carrying without protecting your trigger guard begs for a negligent discharge, and the closed environment of a pocket makes for a veritable lint factory. Use of a pocket holster can mitigate both risks, but pay attention to the fine details.
• Ensure that your selected holster fully encloses the trigger guard, and that there isn't a gap which might allow fabric from clothing or the holster itself to snag on the trigger.
• Make it a habit to holster the gun outside the pocket, where you are able to see anything touching the trigger, and then positioning the combined unit as desired.
• Don't carry anything else in the pocket with your gun! Items such as keys may work themselves into the trigger guard even with a holster, and rummaging around for cash can open the door to a negligent discharge.
• Even holstered, lint and debris will collect in muzzle, slide frames, and revolver cylinders. Inspect your pocket-carried pistol regularly, and clean both it and its holster dutifully.
Choosing to pocket carry your defensive pistol also has some unique challenges in terms of printing. In Part Two, we'll cover some scenarios for accidental exposure that you might not have considered – but should!
Keith Coniglio is a father, software tester, NRA-certified pistol instructor, and devoted Second Amendment advocate. He is also the editor-in-chief of Descendants of Liberty Press, a site dedicated to rekindling Americans' passion for - and defense of - their Constitutional rights and personal liberty.
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Pocket Carry Part 2: Leaving a Bad Impression
by Keith Coniglio
You may have the impression that a diminutive pistol in a quality pocket holster frees you from being mindful of your wardrobe and activity choices - that pocket carry is an alternative to "dressing around the gun" for concealment. If so, you might want to sit down, because it's not good news. Underestimating the human power of observation (even when employed subconsciously) is a tremendous mistake.
Below are some real-world, first-hand examples of things going unexpectedly wrong with pocket carry. In each case, a small "pocket gun" was in use, as was a quality holster - but only a moment's slip took the "concealed" out of CCW.
A father standing in line directly in front of me bent abruptly from the waist to scoop up his fussing toddler. I reflexively glanced down at the child - and my eyes were caught by the familiar sight of serial numbers stamped into a J-frame bottom strap. The pleats of the man's "business casual khakis" concealed the revolver well while standing still, but the design of the slash pocket allowed it to blouse open as he bent.
A coworker at a former employer revealed his armed status (grounds for termination) when the company ordered new conference room chairs. His rear pocket holster was covered by an untucked shirt during normal movement, but allowed him to leave the perfect outline of a grip frame and trigger guard in the soft, smooth leather that replaced the fabric-covered seats we'd been using previously.
An elderly couple in a dusty truck pulled up to my house to ask for directions. I leaned in through the window to point to their map, pressing my leg - and the Nemesis-holstered pistol in my cargo pocket - against their door in the process. As I stepped back, I realized the light colored road dust left a rubbing outline of the pistol on my contrasting black shorts. For the record, you can get the same effect with the contrast between dry khaki shorts and wet surfaces like freshly-washed cars.
My own experience with rear pocket carry once resulted in making a subtle "thunk" as I leaned against a conference room wall. Years behind a desk also allowed my magazine floorplate to wear a distinct pattern into multiple pairs of jeans, noticeable any time I failed to wear a shirt long enough to cover my pocket - even when I wasn't carrying there. It also provided a small – but just large enough - lip at the top of my pocket, sometimes catching the hem of my untucked shirt when I bent at the waist to wash my hands.
While the risk of exposure may be reduced with a firearm completely enclosed in your garments, there are still plenty of opportunities for Murphy's Law to wreak havoc, opening the door to everything from mild embarrassment to loss of employment to criminal charges. Pocket carry is a viable option, not a perfect solution. It still requires mindfulness and some accommodation to keeping from "getting made."
/////
Pocket Carry Part 3: Avoiding the Fine Print(ing)
by Keith Coniglio
You can't predict or mitigate every scenario for discovery when pocket carrying, but there are some simple steps you can take to minimize your risk:
1. Become wardrobe conscious. Look for distinctive wear patterns on the outside of your carry pocket, especially around magazine floorplates or hammer spurs not completely covered by your holster. Also keep in mind that there are variations of material and cut in clothing. Gun and holster combos virtually invisible in your current cargo pocket may stand out when you switch brands, or even if your current brand outsources elsewhere. Don't assume that buying "the same thing I always buy" will result in the same fit.
2. Get moving. Being undetectable as you stand before a mirror doesn't mean your gun isn't printing when you move. Rear pockets may droop and cargo pockets may swing oddly enough to attract attention as you walk. Front slash pockets on slacks and khakis tend to bloom open if you bend from the waist. There is no easy way to check this, but it is important. You may be able to make use of a cell phone video, but it would be best to have a trusted friend spot for you.
3. Be consistent. Humans notice patterns (sometimes subconsciously) and inconsistency draws attention. This is especially true among people who spend extended time together, such as coworkers. If you always drop your keys in your left pocket when you're carrying, don't switch to the right when you aren't; if you place your phone in your shirt pocket when armed, always carry it there. Be aware of how low your pant cuffs hang when carrying, and don't hitch them higher when you're not. Small details matter.
4. Watch your back. When carrying in a back pocket, wear shirts long enough to accommodate the need to bend or lean forward from the waist, or to lift your arms above your head. These movements could allow your shirt hem to hook behind the holster or any exposed part of a grip. Also remember to lead with your shoulder or hands when leaning back against a wall, lest the unexpected "thunk" lead to uncomfortable questions.
5. Harden up. Bulk draws attention, so most pocket holsters are made of thin, soft materials. These don't resist pressure well, however, and can leave distinctive impressions of cylinders and grips on surfaces like leather upholstery, or produce a rubbing effect outline when leaning against wet or dusty surfaces. Consider adding rigidity to your holster with kydex inserts. This thin, stiff material can be purchased online for as little as $4 a foot and becomes temporarily pliable after only a few seconds under a heat gun, allowing you to easily trim and shape it to suit your needs.
You've likely put a great deal of thought into choosing a firearm, defensive ammunition, and holster. Remember to put as much thought into your potential tells to avoid getting tripped up by "the fine print."
www.secondcalldefense.org/blog
by Keith Coniglio
With advances in both modern materials and design, concealed carriers now have the viable option of carrying a duty-sized caliber in a "mousegun"-sized package, and many citizens are choosing pocket carry for these diminutive defensive tools. However, there are valid safety and reliability concerns with this method of CCW. So ... why choose pocket carry?
For many, it's simply a convenience issue. Strapping on a decent belt and holster rig simply to walk down to the mailbox seems like overkill, whereas discreetly slipping a wallet-sized pistol in a pocket is an acceptably small price for peace of mind. In other cases, environmental factors come into play. For those living in extremely hot climates, a wardrobe designed for concealing a belt-holstered pistol might not only be uncomfortable, it would likely make the wearer stand out in a crowd. Those in frigid environments may find a J-frame .38 in a parka pocket much more accessible than a full-size .45 under layers of clothing.
Arguably, though, most pocket-carriers do so because they spend much of their time in places where CCW may be legal but is "socially unacceptable," making absolute concealment paramount - something more easily achieved with a firearm completely ensconced. Many corporations, fearing liability issues, have blanket "have gun, will terminate" policies. Those self-employed in anti-gun regions run a very real risk of losing considerable business if word gets around that they go about armed. And, especially in light of recent acts of terrorism, being "made" by a member of the non-carrying public may inspire a panicked call to police, with potentially disastrous results.
Whatever your reasoning, if you choose this mode of carry, be aware that it is not a "fire and forget" method. In fact, it could be argued that it requires even greater diligence in practice. Loosely carrying without protecting your trigger guard begs for a negligent discharge, and the closed environment of a pocket makes for a veritable lint factory. Use of a pocket holster can mitigate both risks, but pay attention to the fine details.
• Ensure that your selected holster fully encloses the trigger guard, and that there isn't a gap which might allow fabric from clothing or the holster itself to snag on the trigger.
• Make it a habit to holster the gun outside the pocket, where you are able to see anything touching the trigger, and then positioning the combined unit as desired.
• Don't carry anything else in the pocket with your gun! Items such as keys may work themselves into the trigger guard even with a holster, and rummaging around for cash can open the door to a negligent discharge.
• Even holstered, lint and debris will collect in muzzle, slide frames, and revolver cylinders. Inspect your pocket-carried pistol regularly, and clean both it and its holster dutifully.
Choosing to pocket carry your defensive pistol also has some unique challenges in terms of printing. In Part Two, we'll cover some scenarios for accidental exposure that you might not have considered – but should!
Keith Coniglio is a father, software tester, NRA-certified pistol instructor, and devoted Second Amendment advocate. He is also the editor-in-chief of Descendants of Liberty Press, a site dedicated to rekindling Americans' passion for - and defense of - their Constitutional rights and personal liberty.
/////
Pocket Carry Part 2: Leaving a Bad Impression
by Keith Coniglio
You may have the impression that a diminutive pistol in a quality pocket holster frees you from being mindful of your wardrobe and activity choices - that pocket carry is an alternative to "dressing around the gun" for concealment. If so, you might want to sit down, because it's not good news. Underestimating the human power of observation (even when employed subconsciously) is a tremendous mistake.
Below are some real-world, first-hand examples of things going unexpectedly wrong with pocket carry. In each case, a small "pocket gun" was in use, as was a quality holster - but only a moment's slip took the "concealed" out of CCW.
A father standing in line directly in front of me bent abruptly from the waist to scoop up his fussing toddler. I reflexively glanced down at the child - and my eyes were caught by the familiar sight of serial numbers stamped into a J-frame bottom strap. The pleats of the man's "business casual khakis" concealed the revolver well while standing still, but the design of the slash pocket allowed it to blouse open as he bent.
A coworker at a former employer revealed his armed status (grounds for termination) when the company ordered new conference room chairs. His rear pocket holster was covered by an untucked shirt during normal movement, but allowed him to leave the perfect outline of a grip frame and trigger guard in the soft, smooth leather that replaced the fabric-covered seats we'd been using previously.
An elderly couple in a dusty truck pulled up to my house to ask for directions. I leaned in through the window to point to their map, pressing my leg - and the Nemesis-holstered pistol in my cargo pocket - against their door in the process. As I stepped back, I realized the light colored road dust left a rubbing outline of the pistol on my contrasting black shorts. For the record, you can get the same effect with the contrast between dry khaki shorts and wet surfaces like freshly-washed cars.
My own experience with rear pocket carry once resulted in making a subtle "thunk" as I leaned against a conference room wall. Years behind a desk also allowed my magazine floorplate to wear a distinct pattern into multiple pairs of jeans, noticeable any time I failed to wear a shirt long enough to cover my pocket - even when I wasn't carrying there. It also provided a small – but just large enough - lip at the top of my pocket, sometimes catching the hem of my untucked shirt when I bent at the waist to wash my hands.
While the risk of exposure may be reduced with a firearm completely enclosed in your garments, there are still plenty of opportunities for Murphy's Law to wreak havoc, opening the door to everything from mild embarrassment to loss of employment to criminal charges. Pocket carry is a viable option, not a perfect solution. It still requires mindfulness and some accommodation to keeping from "getting made."
/////
Pocket Carry Part 3: Avoiding the Fine Print(ing)
by Keith Coniglio
You can't predict or mitigate every scenario for discovery when pocket carrying, but there are some simple steps you can take to minimize your risk:
1. Become wardrobe conscious. Look for distinctive wear patterns on the outside of your carry pocket, especially around magazine floorplates or hammer spurs not completely covered by your holster. Also keep in mind that there are variations of material and cut in clothing. Gun and holster combos virtually invisible in your current cargo pocket may stand out when you switch brands, or even if your current brand outsources elsewhere. Don't assume that buying "the same thing I always buy" will result in the same fit.
2. Get moving. Being undetectable as you stand before a mirror doesn't mean your gun isn't printing when you move. Rear pockets may droop and cargo pockets may swing oddly enough to attract attention as you walk. Front slash pockets on slacks and khakis tend to bloom open if you bend from the waist. There is no easy way to check this, but it is important. You may be able to make use of a cell phone video, but it would be best to have a trusted friend spot for you.
3. Be consistent. Humans notice patterns (sometimes subconsciously) and inconsistency draws attention. This is especially true among people who spend extended time together, such as coworkers. If you always drop your keys in your left pocket when you're carrying, don't switch to the right when you aren't; if you place your phone in your shirt pocket when armed, always carry it there. Be aware of how low your pant cuffs hang when carrying, and don't hitch them higher when you're not. Small details matter.
4. Watch your back. When carrying in a back pocket, wear shirts long enough to accommodate the need to bend or lean forward from the waist, or to lift your arms above your head. These movements could allow your shirt hem to hook behind the holster or any exposed part of a grip. Also remember to lead with your shoulder or hands when leaning back against a wall, lest the unexpected "thunk" lead to uncomfortable questions.
5. Harden up. Bulk draws attention, so most pocket holsters are made of thin, soft materials. These don't resist pressure well, however, and can leave distinctive impressions of cylinders and grips on surfaces like leather upholstery, or produce a rubbing effect outline when leaning against wet or dusty surfaces. Consider adding rigidity to your holster with kydex inserts. This thin, stiff material can be purchased online for as little as $4 a foot and becomes temporarily pliable after only a few seconds under a heat gun, allowing you to easily trim and shape it to suit your needs.
You've likely put a great deal of thought into choosing a firearm, defensive ammunition, and holster. Remember to put as much thought into your potential tells to avoid getting tripped up by "the fine print."
www.secondcalldefense.org/blog
