Pocket Carry Practice?

Groundhog · May 25, 2007, 10:44 AM

I have noticed many folks on here that advocate carrying a pocket gun for CCW. I don't know if all these types of guns are referred to as 'mouse' guns or not but I'd have to assume they are pretty small. My question is this:

If you use a pocket carry gun as your primary CCW, do you also practice with it regularly?

This is mostly a curious question from my perspective. I tried a number of pistols before settling on carrying a full sized service pistol. My rational ended up being that I wanted to have on me a gun that I was willing to practice with A LOT so I'd get good at it. After trying those small guns, it just seemed like they'd be really painful to shoot very much. So, if you carry one, do you really practice with it a lot or what?

Spenser · May 25, 2007, 10:56 AM

You can get away with something a bit bigger that doesn't kill you to practice with. For instance, a Glock 26 or 27 can hide pretty well in the right kind of pocket. Those are two pistols that aren't bad to shoot a lot.

I do agree that most people don't practice a lot with the pocket mouseguns. They bite, or recoil so sharply they just aren't fun to shoot. I think the majority just practice enough with them to prove they work, and that they can sort of hit what they are aiming at. It's the whole "carry a lot, shoot a little" thing.

gvf · May 25, 2007, 11:04 AM

I just got a Colt Detective. (2", .38). No bite, little perceived recoil, highly accurate, fun to shoot. Get one of those, better made 60 years ago than present ones. You'll want to go back to the range the next day. Known as THE most accurate snub. Guns & Ammo: http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/ct0507/

kcshooter · May 25, 2007, 11:10 AM

I shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry more than I should probably, about 300-500rds a month. Love shooting 1911's and the compactness of that one doesn't discourage shooting.
I shoot my Taurus 651 .357 only as much as I have to because it's not really a fun gun to shoot. I prefer a larger frame and barrel on revolvers. Maybe 150 rounds every couple months.
I shoot my P11 just enough to know I can count on it. Maybe 100 rds a month after I got thru the first 500-800 rds of proof firings. I'll be slowing down on that one too now that I know I can count on it, most likely 3 magazines a month, 36 rounds.
Not really pocket guns as I don't pocket carry but they are all small concealable guns.
You have to practice and prove the guns you carry most, even if it isn't as much fun as the fullsized 1911 or 92fs or other guns that you bring to the range with you for the fun of shooting.

Johannes_Paulsen · May 25, 2007, 11:14 AM

I just got a Kahr MK9 that I intend to mostly carry in the pocket. It may not quite be small/light enough to be considered a mousegun, but close enough for me. I put 100 rounds through it last week, and don't think practicing with it will be too much of a problem. (Wasn't quite as fun to shoot as the Glock 19 was, but I'm not complaining.)

I am more worried about being able to present it well. I bought a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster for it, and I'm not too impressed with it so far -- it seems to come out with the gun maybe 20% of the time when drawn. I suspect that many pocket carriers don't practice presentation nearly as much as they practice shooting.

(I have a slightly different setup for my jacket/vest pocket carry which works perfectly, but with summer coming up, I'm going to need a better pocket holster.)

osuflipster · May 25, 2007, 11:16 AM

I pocket carry my Kel-tec P-32, and practice with it a-lot. It is actually enjoyable to shoot and is accurate when doing two handed slow fire. I also practice one and two handed rapid fire. I can put all seven rounds of 32 on target, so don't feel undergunned. I also have G26 with pocket holster that never gets carried, I agree you can make it work, but you have to dress around the gun. The P-32 fits in all pockets, thus it always gets to go out.

slow944 · May 25, 2007, 11:20 AM

I carry a KT P3AT in my front pocket most of the time. I take it to the range with me when I shoot my other guns for practice. I always put a couple of mags thru the P3AT just to make sure it's still working with the load I'm carrying and to see if their still hitting where I'm aiming.

rantingredneck · May 25, 2007, 11:30 AM

I shoot my Guardian .32NAA about once every other month. 2-3 mags or more per session. I can keep 3 mags of Corbon 60gr ammo in the 9 ring at 7 yds. Plenty accurate for a 2 inch barrel and no sights.

Don H · May 25, 2007, 12:28 PM

I pocket-carry a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45ACP. I'm getting close to 3,000 rounds through it and neither I or my wife find it painful to shoot it a lot.

workingstiff · May 25, 2007, 02:27 PM

I conceal a 642 in the front pocket in a Mika holster. I quit regular practice with it at about 1,000 rounds. It went bang every time. Now it gets 100 rounds before its twice yearly cleaning. If I'm gonna clean it I'm gonna shoot it first. Pretty acccurate at close range point and shoot.

I have other revolvers and pistols for range duty.

Mannlicher · May 25, 2007, 04:25 PM

I have used a Sam Andrews Pocket holster for many years. It just is the best. Does not print, and the rough leather keeps in in the pocked when you draw the revolver. This is a Taurus 85CH, DAO .38 SP.
The Taurus gets regular range time, with HydraShock 125 grain JHPs.

UltraTacky · May 25, 2007, 07:48 PM

I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II that I love, but I carry my 642 more often. I go to the range about every two weeks and I always run 50 rds through the 642, with at least 50% weak-handed. I found a remarkable increase in accuracy and recoil control with this routine.

Double Naught Spy · May 25, 2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

If you use a pocket carry gun as your primary CCW, do you also practice with it regularly?

Yes, and because it is a smaller gun and of a smaller caliber than I would rather be using for self defense, then practice is all that much more critical. Along the same lines, I also practice with both hands. Should I end up in a situation where I lose the use of my strong hand, then my situation is undoubtedly very bad and so it means that it is that much more important that my weak hand shots are effective.

GeorgeF · May 26, 2007, 12:19 AM

Yup - put at least 24 rounds through my Mustang Pocketlite every range session (2x a month). Pleasure to shoot and reasonably accurate - pie plate at 7 yards easily.

Overman · May 26, 2007, 12:50 AM

I carry a snubnosed Smith & Wesson most of the time. .38 or .357 depending on my mood. Fits very well in a front pocket. Practice with them a lot. If I'm practicing with hot loads, I'll wear a shooting glove. Or just practice with light .38 loads.

Sure, with an Airweight S&W, it can hurt shooting hot loads, but I don't practice for enjoyment but to know how to use my weapon when I need it. So I'll shoot some hot loads, then back off with some lighter loads and a glove. And so what if it it hurts a little. Getting used to that, and shooting with precision and without blinking or flinching is good practice in and of itself.

Voyager AL · May 27, 2007, 07:53 AM

Like Overman, I carry a Airweight in a Mika in my front pocket, and yes, I practice pulling it out often. The Mika has NEVER came out with the gun. Its a pain in the butt to get the holster out. Its a perfect holster. I now never use my smartcarry, Mika for me!

tegemu · May 28, 2007, 09:07 AM

I pocket carry my Kimber Ultra Carry II and fire it abiout twice a year to keep it functioning. Most of the time I shoot one of my other 1911's for practice.

MacGille · May 28, 2007, 09:25 AM

When I do carry,(not often) I use a .38 derringer. I have shot it at cowboy action shoots enough to know where the bullets go, but I don't practice with it for obvious reasons. It is for those situations when I have no other choice but to kill someone. (pretty rare) I am confident that at 10 feet or less it will be effective. Since I don't live in a war zone, it is sufficient. Although living in Stockton, CA is close to a war zone. Reality is that if you don't hang out in the bad part of town and don't dress like a gangster, there is not much to worry about. I also carry a Scottish fighting dagger sometimes although it isn't as easy to conceal.(10" blade) I find the knife to be a great deterrent in close encounters. Just show it and the BGs flit.

Since I don't mind getting close in bad situations I don't need a huge gun or a zillion bullets.

glassman · May 28, 2007, 09:36 AM

I pocket carry a beretta tomcat when I have to go into the city (philadelphia). I go to the range an average of once a week and put 50 rounds down range at each session before moving up to my cz75 or python. My thinking is that if I have to use it, I want it to be second nature to me! At home, I practice drawing it from my back pocket, point of aim, flipping the safety and dry firing on a snap cap.

Stevie-Ray · May 29, 2007, 03:13 PM

Whenever I go to the range I shoot all 3 of my normal carries. Kimber UCDP .45, G26, and KelTec P32. I also carry a HKUSP45C once in a while, but it has been fired way more than the others with the same ammo as the Kimber. It gets the range treatment about every 3 trips. As the P32 performs double-duty as primary at times, and as BUG, it is used every trip.

bisley7 · May 29, 2007, 03:27 PM

Colt Mustang PocketLite in the front pocket of Wrangler relaxed fit jeans. I take it to the range for "exercise" all the time.

dyoun06 · May 29, 2007, 03:29 PM

My S&W 340PD weighs in at 12.5 ounces (unloaded), is scandium/titanium/SS. Uses 357 or 38+P loads. And can be comfortably carried in pocket or concealed holster.

pangris · June 5, 2007, 12:09 AM

I've used my daily carry - a S&W 642 - at several classes, including a revolver class at Thunder Ranch and a regular pistol class at Shootrite.

It is HARD to keep up in a "regular" iclass filled with autos, if not impossible, but it makes you think...

biere · June 6, 2007, 10:59 PM

My backup handgun is a s&w 642 and generally it is pocket carried.

And yes I practice drawing and shooting it.

One thing I noticed right off is that in some positions my iwb is hard to get to while the pocket gun is easy. And sometimes the opposite is true.

I mostly shoot 38 special instead of 38 special +p in the 642 just because I prefer lots of practice with the 642 vs. the price the +p ammo brings into the equation.

I sold my glock 27 after getting tired of trying to practice with it a lot.

IWB I carry an all steel 1911 in 45acp, either fullsize of 4.25 inch slide length.

I don't mind taking a class with the 1911.

I know from trying to get proficient with the 642 that it is a backup gun and not something I am going to carry multiple reloads for.

And that is just how things worked out for me.

May 25, 2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Groundhog Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 406	Pocket Carry Practice? I have noticed many folks on here that advocate carrying a pocket gun for CCW. I don't know if all these types of guns are referred to as 'mouse' guns or not but I'd have to assume they are pretty small. My question is this: If you use a pocket carry gun as your primary CCW, do you also practice with it regularly? This is mostly a curious question from my perspective. I tried a number of pistols before settling on carrying a full sized service pistol. My rational ended up being that I wanted to have on me a gun that I was willing to practice with A LOT so I'd get good at it. After trying those small guns, it just seemed like they'd be really painful to shoot very much. So, if you carry one, do you really practice with it a lot or what? __________________ Greg Miller "Remember, a valid point never overrules a family tradition." - Me

May 25, 2007, 11:04 AM	#3
gvf Junior member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 1,226	Colt Detective I just got a Colt Detective. (2", .38). No bite, little perceived recoil, highly accurate, fun to shoot. Get one of those, better made 60 years ago than present ones. You'll want to go back to the range the next day. Known as THE most accurate snub. Guns & Ammo: http://www.gunsandammomag.com/classics/ct0507/

May 25, 2007, 11:16 AM	#6
osuflipster Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 129	I pocket carry my Kel-tec P-32, and practice with it a-lot. It is actually enjoyable to shoot and is accurate when doing two handed slow fire. I also practice one and two handed rapid fire. I can put all seven rounds of 32 on target, so don't feel undergunned. I also have G26 with pocket holster that never gets carried, I agree you can make it work, but you have to dress around the gun. The P-32 fits in all pockets, thus it always gets to go out. __________________ H&K P7 PSP S&W M66 3", M625 3", 1911 SS 5" Target Browning Hi-Power 9mm, Buckmark Plus .22lr Glock 26; Kel-Tec P32

May 25, 2007, 11:20 AM	#7
slow944 Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Location: DFW,TX Posts: 406	I carry a KT P3AT in my front pocket most of the time. I take it to the range with me when I shoot my other guns for practice. I always put a couple of mags thru the P3AT just to make sure it's still working with the load I'm carrying and to see if their still hitting where I'm aiming. __________________ I Have A 45 And A Shovel. Don't Mess With Texas! DFW,TX.

May 25, 2007, 02:27 PM	#10
workingstiff Member Join Date: June 13, 2005 Location: The 13th Colony Posts: 18	Snub I conceal a 642 in the front pocket in a Mika holster. I quit regular practice with it at about 1,000 rounds. It went bang every time. Now it gets 100 rounds before its twice yearly cleaning. If I'm gonna clean it I'm gonna shoot it first. Pretty acccurate at close range point and shoot. I have other revolvers and pistols for range duty.

May 25, 2007, 10:56 AM	#2
Spenser Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 408	You can get away with something a bit bigger that doesn't kill you to practice with. For instance, a Glock 26 or 27 can hide pretty well in the right kind of pocket. Those are two pistols that aren't bad to shoot a lot. I do agree that most people don't practice a lot with the pocket mouseguns. They bite, or recoil so sharply they just aren't fun to shoot. I think the majority just practice enough with them to prove they work, and that they can sort of hit what they are aiming at. It's the whole "carry a lot, shoot a little" thing.

May 25, 2007, 11:10 AM	#4
kcshooter Junior member Join Date: May 6, 2007 Posts: 439	I shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry more than I should probably, about 300-500rds a month. Love shooting 1911's and the compactness of that one doesn't discourage shooting. I shoot my Taurus 651 .357 only as much as I have to because it's not really a fun gun to shoot. I prefer a larger frame and barrel on revolvers. Maybe 150 rounds every couple months. I shoot my P11 just enough to know I can count on it. Maybe 100 rds a month after I got thru the first 500-800 rds of proof firings. I'll be slowing down on that one too now that I know I can count on it, most likely 3 magazines a month, 36 rounds. Not really pocket guns as I don't pocket carry but they are all small concealable guns. You have to practice and prove the guns you carry most, even if it isn't as much fun as the fullsized 1911 or 92fs or other guns that you bring to the range with you for the fun of shooting.

May 25, 2007, 11:14 AM	#5
Johannes_Paulsen Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 297	I just got a Kahr MK9 that I intend to mostly carry in the pocket. It may not quite be small/light enough to be considered a mousegun, but close enough for me. I put 100 rounds through it last week, and don't think practicing with it will be too much of a problem. (Wasn't quite as fun to shoot as the Glock 19 was, but I'm not complaining.) I am more worried about being able to present it well. I bought a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster for it, and I'm not too impressed with it so far -- it seems to come out with the gun maybe 20% of the time when drawn. I suspect that many pocket carriers don't practice presentation nearly as much as they practice shooting. (I have a slightly different setup for my jacket/vest pocket carry which works perfectly, but with summer coming up, I'm going to need a better pocket holster.)

May 25, 2007, 11:30 AM	#8
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	I shoot my Guardian .32NAA about once every other month. 2-3 mags or more per session. I can keep 3 mags of Corbon 60gr ammo in the 9 ring at 7 yds. Plenty accurate for a 2 inch barrel and no sights.

May 25, 2007, 12:28 PM	#9
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	I pocket-carry a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45ACP. I'm getting close to 3,000 rounds through it and neither I or my wife find it painful to shoot it a lot.

May 25, 2007, 04:25 PM	#11
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I have used a Sam Andrews Pocket holster for many years. It just is the best. Does not print, and the rough leather keeps in in the pocked when you draw the revolver. This is a Taurus 85CH, DAO .38 SP. The Taurus gets regular range time, with HydraShock 125 grain JHPs. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

May 25, 2007, 07:48 PM	#12
UltraTacky Member Join Date: March 11, 2007 Posts: 28	I have a Kimber Tactical Ultra II that I love, but I carry my 642 more often. I go to the range about every two weeks and I always run 50 rds through the 642, with at least 50% weak-handed. I found a remarkable increase in accuracy and recoil control with this routine.

May 26, 2007, 12:19 AM	#14
GeorgeF Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2004 Posts: 572	Yup - put at least 24 rounds through my Mustang Pocketlite every range session (2x a month). Pleasure to shoot and reasonably accurate - pie plate at 7 yards easily.

May 26, 2007, 12:50 AM	#15
Overman Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2005 Location: Colorado (not Denver or Boulder) Posts: 186	I carry a snubnosed Smith & Wesson most of the time. .38 or .357 depending on my mood. Fits very well in a front pocket. Practice with them a lot. If I'm practicing with hot loads, I'll wear a shooting glove. Or just practice with light .38 loads. Sure, with an Airweight S&W, it can hurt shooting hot loads, but I don't practice for enjoyment but to know how to use my weapon when I need it. So I'll shoot some hot loads, then back off with some lighter loads and a glove. And so what if it it hurts a little. Getting used to that, and shooting with precision and without blinking or flinching is good practice in and of itself.

May 27, 2007, 07:53 AM	#16
Voyager AL Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Pittsburgh,PA Posts: 221	Like Overman, I carry a Airweight in a Mika in my front pocket, and yes, I practice pulling it out often. The Mika has NEVER came out with the gun. Its a pain in the butt to get the holster out. Its a perfect holster. I now never use my smartcarry, Mika for me!

May 28, 2007, 09:07 AM	#17
tegemu Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2005 Location: Orange Park, Fla Posts: 1,019	I pocket carry my Kimber Ultra Carry II and fire it abiout twice a year to keep it functioning. Most of the time I shoot one of my other 1911's for practice. __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence in their behalf. - George Orwell

May 28, 2007, 09:25 AM	#18
MacGille Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2006 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 976	When I do carry,(not often) I use a .38 derringer. I have shot it at cowboy action shoots enough to know where the bullets go, but I don't practice with it for obvious reasons. It is for those situations when I have no other choice but to kill someone. (pretty rare) I am confident that at 10 feet or less it will be effective. Since I don't live in a war zone, it is sufficient. Although living in Stockton, CA is close to a war zone. Reality is that if you don't hang out in the bad part of town and don't dress like a gangster, there is not much to worry about. I also carry a Scottish fighting dagger sometimes although it isn't as easy to conceal.(10" blade) I find the knife to be a great deterrent in close encounters. Just show it and the BGs flit. Since I don't mind getting close in bad situations I don't need a huge gun or a zillion bullets. __________________ If ye love wealth better than Liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than the animated contest of Freedom, go from us in Peace. We ask not your counsel or Arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen. --Samuel Adams--<*ixoye><

May 28, 2007, 09:36 AM	#19
glassman Junior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 3	I pocket carry a beretta tomcat when I have to go into the city (philadelphia). I go to the range an average of once a week and put 50 rounds down range at each session before moving up to my cz75 or python. My thinking is that if I have to use it, I want it to be second nature to me! At home, I practice drawing it from my back pocket, point of aim, flipping the safety and dry firing on a snap cap.

May 29, 2007, 03:13 PM	#20
Stevie-Ray Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: The shores of Lake Huron Posts: 4,783	Whenever I go to the range I shoot all 3 of my normal carries. Kimber UCDP .45, G26, and KelTec P32. I also carry a HKUSP45C once in a while, but it has been fired way more than the others with the same ammo as the Kimber. It gets the range treatment about every 3 trips. As the P32 performs double-duty as primary at times, and as BUG, it is used every trip. __________________ Stevie-Ray Join the NRA/ILA I am the weapon; my gun is a tool. It's regrettable that with some people those descriptors are reversed.

May 29, 2007, 03:27 PM	#21
bisley7 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2007 Posts: 10	Colt Mustang PocketLite in the front pocket of Wrangler relaxed fit jeans. I take it to the range for "exercise" all the time.

May 29, 2007, 03:29 PM	#22
dyoun06 Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2007 Posts: 133	S&w 340pd My S&W 340PD weighs in at 12.5 ounces (unloaded), is scandium/titanium/SS. Uses 357 or 38+P loads. And can be comfortably carried in pocket or concealed holster.

June 5, 2007, 12:09 AM	#23
pangris Member Join Date: September 20, 2002 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 65	I've used my daily carry - a S&W 642 - at several classes, including a revolver class at Thunder Ranch and a regular pistol class at Shootrite. It is HARD to keep up in a "regular" iclass filled with autos, if not impossible, but it makes you think... __________________ The best instructors in the country come to Louisana - www.louisianaselfdefense.com

June 6, 2007, 10:59 PM	#24
biere Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: tn Posts: 504	My backup handgun is a s&w 642 and generally it is pocket carried. And yes I practice drawing and shooting it. One thing I noticed right off is that in some positions my iwb is hard to get to while the pocket gun is easy. And sometimes the opposite is true. I mostly shoot 38 special instead of 38 special +p in the 642 just because I prefer lots of practice with the 642 vs. the price the +p ammo brings into the equation. I sold my glock 27 after getting tired of trying to practice with it a lot. IWB I carry an all steel 1911 in 45acp, either fullsize of 4.25 inch slide length. I don't mind taking a class with the 1911. I know from trying to get proficient with the 642 that it is a backup gun and not something I am going to carry multiple reloads for. And that is just how things worked out for me.