Carrying a gun in your pocket is as old as, well…handguns. Pocket carry offers an effective way to carry a self-defense handgun in situations when inside or outside waistband holsters or ankle carry are impractical. It could be in the summer when you are dressed in shorts and a tank top, making concealing a gun in a holster practically impossible, or the dead of winter when heavy clothing and boots limit your options. However, pocket carry isn’t as simple as just buying a small gun and dropping it in your pocket; there are some things to consider.
Types of Pocket Carry Guns
The Queen Anne pistol, a small flintlock muzzleloading pistol developed in the 17th century, is generally considered the first pocket pistol. Being a muzzleloader meant you only had a single shot, and being a flintlock meant there was always a risk of the priming powder leaking out of the frizzen pan into your pocket, but it was better than nothing. The advent of metallic cartridges in the 19th century gave rise to derringers and, eventually, small revolvers. The first autoloading pocket pistols appeared just after the turn of the 20th century, thanks to the genius of John Browing. Manufactured by FN, they were chambered in .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP and were wildly popular because of their fast action and capacity of between six and eight rounds. Called Vest Pocket pistols, over a million were sold in the first 15 years of their production.
These days, pocket pistols come in all types of actions. These include derringers, small revolvers, small semiautos, and a whole range of odd little guns that can fold up to the size of a cell phone or even a stack of credit cards. Although .25 ACP is no longer a common caliber, semiautomatic pocket guns are available in .22LR, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, and 9mm. Revolvers and derringers are chambered in .22LR, .22 Magnum, .38 Special, and even .357 Magnum and .45 Long Colt. Each type of pocket gun comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks, but all are easily concealed in pants or a jacket pocket.
Pros and Cons of Pocket Carry
As with anything, pocket carry comes with some pros and cons. On the positive side is its versatility. With the right gun, you can carry no matter how you are dressed. In the summer, all you have to do is drop it into the pocket of your pants or shorts with no concern over not wearing a belt or it becoming visible because your shirt is short or tight. When wearing a large coat or layers in the winter, you can slip your gun into your jacket pocket while being assured that you can draw it quickly without worrying about moving a bulky cover garment aside. Once your gun is in your pocket, it is well concealed. Finally, because pocket guns are small, they are lightweight and comfortable to carry.
On the other hand, many pocket guns come in smaller calibers than most people like to carry for EDC. Although there are a few in 9mm, most are in .380, .32, and .22LR. Another potential drawback is that small guns are more difficult to shoot accurately, especially over longer ranges. They also generally have less capacity than larger semiautos, reducing your available ammunition. This is also true for many small revolvers and especially for derringers. It takes some practice before you can get your hand in your pocket and draw quickly, especially if you are wearing tight pants.
Pros:
- Versatility
- Ease of concealment
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Limitations on the caliber
- Limitations on the size of the gun you can carry
- Limitations on capacity
- Accessing your gun quickly takes practice
Safety and Pocket Carry
Safety is an important consideration no matter how you carry, but it is especially important with pocket carry. Any internet search for guns going off in people’s pockets will return multiple events. Sometimes, the carrier is wounded, and sometimes, a bystander is, but most of the time, they have something in common -the person carrying the gun in their pocket was not using a holster.
A Good Holster Can be a Matter of Life and Death
It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of using a quality holster when pocket-carrying. It must cover the trigger of your gun and be stiff enough that the trigger cannot be depressed by anything outside the holster. Do not use a soft nylon holster with all the sturdiness of a sock. This is especially important with derringers that generally do not even have a trigger guard. Another advantage is that many purpose-made pocket holsters include a concealment flap on the outside of the holster that disguises the shape of the gun and keeps it from printing in your pocket, thereby improving concealment. I personally use a Desantis Superfly Pocket Holster, but there are plenty of good holsters available.
Another critical safety measure is to carry nothing else in your pocket with your gun. Nothing else in your pocket means NOTHING else. This includes keys (which are especially prone to getting into the trigger guard), a pen, a roll of antacid mints, or even a stick of gum. Doing so is not only unsafe, but it may hinder your ability to access your gun and draw it quickly in an emergency.
Learning to Access and Present Your Handgun
There is a learning curve to pocket carry. Just as you must learn to clear your cover garment when drawing from an IWB holster, there is a knack for getting your hand into your pocket and getting a proper grip on your gun to draw it. This is especially true when using a holster that has a concealment flap. Consequently, training to draw from the pocket is important and should be practiced regularly, but fortunately, you can do it at home. Just ensure your gun is unloaded, then wear the same clothes you will be wearing outside the house, put the holster and gun in your pocket, and practice. If you add a laser trainer to the session, you can even practice getting a first-round hit. It will be time well spent.
Some Popular Pocket Carry Guns
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of small, reliable guns ideal for pocket carry, no matter what type you prefer. I will go through a few of them here.
Semiauto Pistols
Most concealed carriers prefer a semiautomatic pistol, and there are lots of them made for pocket carry in most calibers.
S&W BodyGuard 2.0 (Added by Editor)
The newly released S&W Bodyguard 2.0 is quickly gained popularity as one of the best semiautomatic pocket pistols on the market. While being small enough to fit in your pocket, it allows most people to get a full grip on the pistol. Also, with the standard magazine, you get a capacity of 10+1.
KelTec P32
The P32 was one of the first modern polymer-frame pocket pistols to hit the market, and it is still being manufactured today. It is small, light, reliable, and very easy to conceal. The main drawback is that it is only a .32 ACP.
Walther PPK/S .380 ACP
The PPK/S has been around for a long time and is still an excellent handgun. Since it is an all-metal gun, it is heavier than polymer-frame guns, but there’s no question about the quality. Originally, it was only a .32 ACP, but the .380 version gives you more horsepower if you ever need to use it.
Sig Sauer P938 Legion
If you are like me, you do not carry anything smaller than 9 mm, but fortunately, there are plenty of nice 9 mm pocket guns. The Sig P938 Legion is an aluminum frame auto SAO handgun that gives you a 7+1 capacity of 9 mm.
Taurus G2S
One of my favorite pocket guns is the Taurus G2S. A polymer frame single stack version of the G2C, it holds 7+1 rounds of 9 mm. Although listed as a Single Action with Restrike, it really amounts to a DAO with an internal hammer.
Revolvers
Although there are not as many pocket revolvers on the market, they do exist.
Ruger LCR
The Ruger LCR is available in everything from .22LR clear up to .357 Magnum, but the most practical caliber would be .38 Special. At only around 14 ounces, a magnum round would not be easy to shoot. It has a 5-round capacity in the centerfire calibers and eight rounds in .22LR.
Derringers
I have to admit I am not a fan of derringers, but if you like them, some of the best come from Bond Arms. Available in every popular handgun caliber you can think of, they are heavy steel single-action handguns. All are break-action, and most have two barrels, so if you can’t settle the problem with two shots, you’re probably in trouble. Nevertheless, they are high-quality guns, and Bond sells a lot of them.
Conclusion
Flexibility in how you carry a concealed handgun is a critical aspect of being prepared under a wide range of circumstances. Pocket carry adds another technique to your toolbox and is worth considering for anyone who legally carries a handgun every day.
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