Thinking pocket carry....

Nathan · August 16, 2014, 10:48 PM

Anybody like the S&W Bodyguard at $269??

Sarge · August 16, 2014, 11:36 PM

I certainly don't dislike it. I've got an old LCP that is stone reliable and accurate enough that I'm not gonna replace it; but if I was starting fresh looking for a pocket 380, I'd give the Bodyguard a hard look.

Yung.gunr · August 17, 2014, 01:29 AM

Seems like a good price to me. Pocket carry is not my favorite anymore. Too many negative aspects.

RodTheWrench · August 17, 2014, 01:58 AM

See if DeSantis makes their Nemesis pocket holster for that. You'll love it! My LCP rides all day long in my right hip pocket in the correct position because of it.

AK103K · August 17, 2014, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Too many negative aspects.

Except sometimes for outer coat pocket use, I found the same.

What I found to replace it, has become one of my most versatile and favorite holsters for small guns, the Smart Carry.

My pockets are left to all the junk I usually have in them, I can easily access the gun while seated, and I can wear anything, even just a pair of sweat pants or a swim suit.

smokehouse4444 · August 17, 2014, 08:31 AM

I had several folks recommend the SmartCarry for carry while in my scrubs. I've heard very nice things about it. May have to go ahead and pony up for one soon.

As for pocket carry, I think the biggest semi-auto you are going to find that is somewhat carryable and comfortable is the Kahr CM/PM9, or Rohrbaugh-size 9mm's. Other than that, you will need go 380. I have settled on the 100gr Flat top hard cast from either Underwood or Buffalo Bore. Those loads start getting you into lower 9mm power.

I have found that the Sticky/Remora holsters work very well for both IWB and pocket carry, whichever you may prefer at the time. I have been super impressed, however, with the StaysPut sticky pocket holster. Got one for my Colt Mustang Pocketlite, and it is the best pocket holster I have tried...not very expensive as well. I am keeping a look out for a Kahr CW380 for use while I'm doing the "dirty" work around the property.

Nathan · August 17, 2014, 08:42 AM

Right now, I'm more interested in what peoples shooting results are with the gun. Is it a decent gun? It is really hard to imagine getting much for $270. The laser Alone probably cost S&W $75. That doesn't leave much design, build, market and sell the gun with! That is my issue. It fundamentally doesn't make a lot of sense.

BTW, I'm setup to pocket carry a S&W 640 357 mag or a KelTec P32 now, so not sure why I like this. I would probably sell the P32 with it's leather holster and mag holder to buy this....hmmm

herdman · August 17, 2014, 10:42 AM

I have the M&P version of the Bodyguard. No laser. I would recommend not getting the laser version. I have a friend with the laser version and it really just adds confusion to the gun, IMO. The laser is kind of awkward on that gun and I found no real use for it.

I carry it in a Desantis Nemisis holster either in front pocket or sometimes a cargo pocket. It would also work in back pocket and you can use it somewhat inside the waste band(hip or appendix).

As for the quality. It is of very good quality, but has a long trigger pull. There is a safety on it as well. You could really not sue the safety as the trigger pull is really long(you have to make that call).

All in all like it for what it is intended: pocket gun. It is not what I would lable as a fun range gun really, but good for a small gun. 10 yards or less is what it is made for.

JAREDSHS · August 17, 2014, 08:31 PM

i love pocket carry. that's where you will find my M&P Shield 9 every day.

kostner · August 17, 2014, 10:00 PM

Have pocket carried a SW442 daily for twenty five years and not planning to change. Have keep an eye on the new line of pocket pistols but haven't seen anything worth the changing for.

ScotchMan · August 17, 2014, 10:59 PM

I really like small revolvers for pocket carry. I haven't come across a semi that was in a caliber I liked (bigger than .380), and had really good reliability reports, especially considering the gun would be an understudy to a larger, IWB handgun. I have a lot of confidence that a revolver will still work after many hundreds of hours in a pocket without a cleaning. A semi-auto, maybe.

This may be of some interest... http://everydayloadout.com/revolvers...day-carry.html

IDbound · August 17, 2014, 11:14 PM

Had one and at first liked it. Then after about 100 rounds I had FTF issues and it needed to be double and triple fired to set off a round. I lost confidence and spent money for a Sig 238 and have never looked back.

Erikbal · August 19, 2014, 01:13 PM

That's a great price considering they go for 450 here. I paid 350 for mine brand new a few years back. It's been a very solid gun and had never given me a single failure of any kind. Yeah the trigger kind of sucks but it's not really meant to be a range gun. I use my sr9c for that.

Alpena · August 22, 2014, 11:34 AM

Love the idea of pocket carry. I've actually been thinking about it for a while now since it's a lot easier than iwb. I've been looking at doing so with a colt .380 or sig p232. A shield might be the way to go, I've just never handled one. There used to wallet holsters for the Beretta 21a that allowed you to draw and fire the Beretta while holstered. But then the ATF declared it an NFA device or something and now they're pretty much gone. I would've loved one of those.

To summerize, yes pocket carry is great.

Sarge · August 22, 2014, 02:23 PM

I used to fret over the reliability of pocket autos vs revolvers.

I've intentionally let my LCP/spare mag get caked with hay chaff until it covered the extractor and barrel around the ejection port, plus every other grungy thing that can get into a gun working around a farm. It never failed to empty out both mags w/o a malf and realistically, that's all I can ask of a pocket gun. Don't get me wrong; I like revolvers. But pocket autos have advanced light years in the past three decades and I don't ever worry about this one not working.

horselips · August 22, 2014, 03:11 PM

Pocket carry has a huge caveat - whatever you're carrying can't stick out or it's nor really concealed. Unless you're skinny and your pants hang loose, a J frame, which is well over a full inch thick - more like an inch and a half after you add a holster. That's REALLY THICK. If your pants pocket is anywhere near close to your thigh, forget about it. It'll PRINT, big time. You'll have to wear a coat or jacket year 'round to make it work. For pocket carry, select a weapon less than an inch thick - much less. Like a KelTec P32 or P3AT. If you insist on a revolver, and I do, pack a .22 WMR NAA Mini revolver. Super small and super light, and with modern ammo, crafted specifically for these guns, made by Winchester, Hornady, Federal and others, you can count on thousand feet per second velocity, amazing penetration, and assured dramatic expansion. It ain't your father's .22 Mag anymore. Times, and ammo, have changed. Nowadays, almost every caliber is effective for SD.

I've carried a NAA Mini Revolver for 25 years. It has never printed, or caused an unintentional display, no matter whether I'm sitting, kneeling, stretching, whatever. And because of it's size and weight, it never, ever gets left at home. Rule One - Have a gun. If anything in your wardrobe has ever caused you to leave your carry gun home, you bought the wrong gun.

AK103K · August 22, 2014, 03:24 PM

Everything prints eventually, even if you dont notice it.

My buddy has carried a Walther TPH in an old, well worn leather pocket holster for years, and pretty much every pair of his trousers, has an obvious "Skoal Ring" of a TPH worn into the thigh of his right front pant leg.

A couple of us always tell him, but he swears no one else notices, or knows what it is.

Hey, what can I say, he's a cheap SOB when it comes to buying new pants.

BillM · August 22, 2014, 03:59 PM

Quote:

My buddy has carried a Walther TPH in an old, well worn leather pocket holster for years, and pretty much every pair of his trousers, has an obvious "Skoal Ring" of a TPH worn into the thigh of his right front pant leg.

LMAO. I've got several pairs of jeans with a "light spot" on the right
front pocket in the shape of a LCP.

Been carrying a LCP with a Crimson Trace laser for about 5 years now.
Alabama Holster Company Front Pocket holster. I'm HARD on stuff--
car keys get bent in my pockets, plastic butane lighters get broken.

This gun/holster combo has worked great so far.

lee n. field · August 22, 2014, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Anybody like the S&W Bodyguard at $269??

$269? 10% less than I paid for my LCP, with better sights.

Marty8613 · August 22, 2014, 08:16 PM

$269? Buy it or tell me where.

Big Shrek · August 23, 2014, 11:33 PM

My favorite pocket-carry is Cargo Pocket...still accessible when driving...
Very accessible when riding a motorcycle

I see that Smart Carry copied the heck out of Thunderwear...
love my Thunderwear, fits a S&W CS-45 quite nicely!!

Cheapshooter · August 23, 2014, 11:50 PM

I don't have one, but do have an LCP that I like a lot. Similar in size, and function. I won't go six directions fron Sunday which seems to be what most here have done. I will say that the price sounds very good, and the BG has had a lot of good reviews. It's not a piece of jumk if that is your concern. If you want the adfition of an electronic gismo as a sight then it is a good deal. Not my preference though. I don't rely on anything with batteries and circuits for my self defence.

skizzums · August 23, 2014, 11:56 PM

i have to ave my uniform shirt tucked in at work, and i do lots of lifting and bending, so i pretty much have to pocket carry, i wear BDU's so pretty much anything will go in the pocket. i carry a taurus 357 usually, or a 9mm shield

AK103K · August 24, 2014, 07:05 AM

Quote:

I see that Smart Carry copied the heck out of Thunderwear...

Im not sure thats the case. If I remember right, Smart Carry has been around a bit longer. I got my first about 15 years ago. I do think Thunderwear advertises a lot more.

I know there are a couple of copies of them out there, some of dubious quality (watch out on EBay), and some where there was some scary trouble due to it.

I lead a pretty active lifestyle, an have used one of mine (I have two for different size guns) daily, since I first got them, and have never had an issue. Its also the only holster Ive ever used, that actually keeps the gun clean. No dirt, dust, or fuzzy dust bunnies, ever seems to get to the gun, which is amazing considering where I work.

Pretty good review on the two here, along with a short video....
http://www.itstactical.com/warcom/ac...s-thunderwear/

trigger643 · August 24, 2014, 07:17 AM

In the summer I primarily pocket carry a 340pd in either a DeSantis or Hume, depending upon the type of pants I'm wearing.

I recently picked up a Sticky holster to try out, to decide if it's for carry or car, and so far I quite like it and find it suitable for either.

As with any CCW, clothing choice is a consideration. The holsters I use are designed to stay in the pocket on the draw and also break up the print of the gun. These I've mentioned about work well at both.

August 16, 2014, 10:48 PM	#1
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Thinking pocket carry.... Anybody like the S&W Bodyguard at $269??

August 16, 2014, 11:36 PM	#2
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I certainly don't dislike it. I've got an old LCP that is stone reliable and accurate enough that I'm not gonna replace it; but if I was starting fresh looking for a pocket 380, I'd give the Bodyguard a hard look. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

August 17, 2014, 01:58 AM	#4
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	See if DeSantis makes their Nemesis pocket holster for that. You'll love it! My LCP rides all day long in my right hip pocket in the correct position because of it. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

August 17, 2014, 08:31 AM	#6
smokehouse4444 Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2012 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 233	I had several folks recommend the SmartCarry for carry while in my scrubs. I've heard very nice things about it. May have to go ahead and pony up for one soon. As for pocket carry, I think the biggest semi-auto you are going to find that is somewhat carryable and comfortable is the Kahr CM/PM9, or Rohrbaugh-size 9mm's. Other than that, you will need go 380. I have settled on the 100gr Flat top hard cast from either Underwood or Buffalo Bore. Those loads start getting you into lower 9mm power. I have found that the Sticky/Remora holsters work very well for both IWB and pocket carry, whichever you may prefer at the time. I have been super impressed, however, with the StaysPut sticky pocket holster. Got one for my Colt Mustang Pocketlite, and it is the best pocket holster I have tried...not very expensive as well. I am keeping a look out for a Kahr CW380 for use while I'm doing the "dirty" work around the property. Last edited by smokehouse4444; August 17, 2014 at 08:38 AM.

August 17, 2014, 10:59 PM	#11
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	I really like small revolvers for pocket carry. I haven't come across a semi that was in a caliber I liked (bigger than .380), and had really good reliability reports, especially considering the gun would be an understudy to a larger, IWB handgun. I have a lot of confidence that a revolver will still work after many hundreds of hours in a pocket without a cleaning. A semi-auto, maybe. This may be of some interest... http://everydayloadout.com/revolvers...day-carry.html __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

August 17, 2014, 01:29 AM	#3
Yung.gunr Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 1,442	Seems like a good price to me. Pocket carry is not my favorite anymore. Too many negative aspects.

August 17, 2014, 08:42 AM	#7
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Right now, I'm more interested in what peoples shooting results are with the gun. Is it a decent gun? It is really hard to imagine getting much for $270. The laser Alone probably cost S&W $75. That doesn't leave much design, build, market and sell the gun with! That is my issue. It fundamentally doesn't make a lot of sense. BTW, I'm setup to pocket carry a S&W 640 357 mag or a KelTec P32 now, so not sure why I like this. I would probably sell the P32 with it's leather holster and mag holder to buy this....hmmm

August 17, 2014, 10:42 AM	#8
herdman Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2013 Posts: 126	I have the M&P version of the Bodyguard. No laser. I would recommend not getting the laser version. I have a friend with the laser version and it really just adds confusion to the gun, IMO. The laser is kind of awkward on that gun and I found no real use for it. I carry it in a Desantis Nemisis holster either in front pocket or sometimes a cargo pocket. It would also work in back pocket and you can use it somewhat inside the waste band(hip or appendix). As for the quality. It is of very good quality, but has a long trigger pull. There is a safety on it as well. You could really not sue the safety as the trigger pull is really long(you have to make that call). All in all like it for what it is intended: pocket gun. It is not what I would lable as a fun range gun really, but good for a small gun. 10 yards or less is what it is made for.

August 17, 2014, 08:31 PM	#9
JAREDSHS Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2004 Location: Mountains in North East Tennessee. Posts: 176	i love pocket carry. that's where you will find my M&P Shield 9 every day.

August 17, 2014, 10:00 PM	#10
kostner Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Location: Kommifornia Posts: 120	Have pocket carried a SW442 daily for twenty five years and not planning to change. Have keep an eye on the new line of pocket pistols but haven't seen anything worth the changing for.

August 17, 2014, 11:14 PM	#12
IDbound Member Join Date: February 28, 2010 Posts: 52	Anybody like the S&W Bodyguard at $269?? Had one and at first liked it. Then after about 100 rounds I had FTF issues and it needed to be double and triple fired to set off a round. I lost confidence and spent money for a Sig 238 and have never looked back.

August 19, 2014, 01:13 PM	#13
Erikbal Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Olean, NY Posts: 375	That's a great price considering they go for 450 here. I paid 350 for mine brand new a few years back. It's been a very solid gun and had never given me a single failure of any kind. Yeah the trigger kind of sucks but it's not really meant to be a range gun. I use my sr9c for that.

August 22, 2014, 11:34 AM	#14
Alpena Member Join Date: July 15, 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 54	Love the idea of pocket carry. I've actually been thinking about it for a while now since it's a lot easier than iwb. I've been looking at doing so with a colt .380 or sig p232. A shield might be the way to go, I've just never handled one. There used to wallet holsters for the Beretta 21a that allowed you to draw and fire the Beretta while holstered. But then the ATF declared it an NFA device or something and now they're pretty much gone. I would've loved one of those. To summerize, yes pocket carry is great.

August 22, 2014, 02:23 PM	#15
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I used to fret over the reliability of pocket autos vs revolvers. I've intentionally let my LCP/spare mag get caked with hay chaff until it covered the extractor and barrel around the ejection port, plus every other grungy thing that can get into a gun working around a farm. It never failed to empty out both mags w/o a malf and realistically, that's all I can ask of a pocket gun. Don't get me wrong; I like revolvers. But pocket autos have advanced light years in the past three decades and I don't ever worry about this one not working. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

August 22, 2014, 03:11 PM	#16
horselips Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Posts: 159	Pocket carry has a huge caveat - whatever you're carrying can't stick out or it's nor really concealed. Unless you're skinny and your pants hang loose, a J frame, which is well over a full inch thick - more like an inch and a half after you add a holster. That's REALLY THICK. If your pants pocket is anywhere near close to your thigh, forget about it. It'll PRINT, big time. You'll have to wear a coat or jacket year 'round to make it work. For pocket carry, select a weapon less than an inch thick - much less. Like a KelTec P32 or P3AT. If you insist on a revolver, and I do, pack a .22 WMR NAA Mini revolver. Super small and super light, and with modern ammo, crafted specifically for these guns, made by Winchester, Hornady, Federal and others, you can count on thousand feet per second velocity, amazing penetration, and assured dramatic expansion. It ain't your father's .22 Mag anymore. Times, and ammo, have changed. Nowadays, almost every caliber is effective for SD. I've carried a NAA Mini Revolver for 25 years. It has never printed, or caused an unintentional display, no matter whether I'm sitting, kneeling, stretching, whatever. And because of it's size and weight, it never, ever gets left at home. Rule One - Have a gun. If anything in your wardrobe has ever caused you to leave your carry gun home, you bought the wrong gun.

August 22, 2014, 03:24 PM	#17
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	Everything prints eventually, even if you dont notice it. My buddy has carried a Walther TPH in an old, well worn leather pocket holster for years, and pretty much every pair of his trousers, has an obvious "Skoal Ring" of a TPH worn into the thigh of his right front pant leg. A couple of us always tell him, but he swears no one else notices, or knows what it is. Hey, what can I say, he's a cheap SOB when it comes to buying new pants.

August 22, 2014, 08:16 PM	#20
Marty8613 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2014 Location: Grapevine TX Posts: 378	$269? Buy it or tell me where.

August 23, 2014, 11:33 PM	#21
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	My favorite pocket-carry is Cargo Pocket...still accessible when driving... Very accessible when riding a motorcycle I see that Smart Carry copied the heck out of Thunderwear... love my Thunderwear, fits a S&W CS-45 quite nicely!! __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

August 23, 2014, 11:50 PM	#22
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	I don't have one, but do have an LCP that I like a lot. Similar in size, and function. I won't go six directions fron Sunday which seems to be what most here have done. I will say that the price sounds very good, and the BG has had a lot of good reviews. It's not a piece of jumk if that is your concern. If you want the adfition of an electronic gismo as a sight then it is a good deal. Not my preference though. I don't rely on anything with batteries and circuits for my self defence. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

August 23, 2014, 11:56 PM	#23
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	i have to ave my uniform shirt tucked in at work, and i do lots of lifting and bending, so i pretty much have to pocket carry, i wear BDU's so pretty much anything will go in the pocket. i carry a taurus 357 usually, or a 9mm shield __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

August 24, 2014, 07:17 AM	#25
trigger643 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2011 Posts: 322	In the summer I primarily pocket carry a 340pd in either a DeSantis or Hume, depending upon the type of pants I'm wearing. I recently picked up a Sticky holster to try out, to decide if it's for carry or car, and so far I quite like it and find it suitable for either. As with any CCW, clothing choice is a consideration. The holsters I use are designed to stay in the pocket on the draw and also break up the print of the gun. These I've mentioned about work well at both.