"Why would you in the first place be carrying a sidearm in your pocket." --
DWCook
Just some words, if you will, on this category of guns (and no, I don't call them
Mouse Guns, as the ignorant do, as I don't disrespect Pocket Pistols like that -- they DO have their place, and ARE just as lethal as any other gun, in that the end result is death).
As already answered by fellow OCDO member
FreeInAZ, "lots of people do." So welcome,
DW, to the new (to you) and wonderful world of "
Pocket Pistols" -- and yes, that's what they're called.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_pistol
Small and light enough to put into your pocket and carry just in that particular manner: Dress slacks, jeans or bathrobe pocket -- some even in swim trunks' tiny pockets (like a stainless-steel NAA Mini Revolver). And of course, they're usually of small caliber, too, by necessity.
For personal example, my 2 Berettas (21A Bobcat (inox) .22LR and 3032 Tomcat (inox) .32ACP) are classified as "Pocket Pistols." I've even carried both as my primary CC gun (also used to carry a NAA Mini Revolver in .22 Magnum) -- when I lived in Texas and ONLY CC was legal. And presently here in Colorado, when I can't carry my larger OC primary gun a particular day, I carry the .32 Beretta OC instead.
But, there ARE "Pocket Pistol
Holsters" made for these guns, so if they are used, they keep the gun in one's pocket oriented in the same position at ALL times -- grip UP -- making a proper grip presentation possible to aid in positive drawing -- rather than just "fishing" for it, which is NOT good. If a Pocket Pistol IS in one's pocket, NOTHING ELSE is, ONLY the gun (or gun & holster). Carrying a Pocket Pistol in one's pocket makes it no less safer than any other form of carry. Please note, however, that a "naked" Pocket Pistol in one's pocket DOES collect lint though, so occasionally taking an old toothbrush to it and a Q-Tip to swab the bore of accumulated lint is advised -- or, just blow the lint out of the bore when you engage an assailant. Either method works. ;-)
BTW, a guy named
Thad Rybka makes excellent leather Pocket Pistol (and larger) holsters, and has been doing so for YEARS now...but he's somewhat "reclusive." One person* in another forum said,
"
He reportedly does not advertise, does not use the Internet & only responds to letters. I've bought & sold a couple of his holsters over the years & he seems to have a faithful following with an almost cult like reputation."
That's a good, concise summary of Thad. And I don't know of any
pictures of the guy to be found, either. So if I may paraphrase "The A-Team" intro/narrative:
"...
If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire Thad Rybka."
So, if you're looking for a fine custom hand-made Pocket Pistol holster (and if you can find/contact him) then he makes nice holsters, some with a tiny extra-ammo pouch integral to the holster (for an additional 3-4 extra rounds), too. He does nice work.
As for me and MY Pocket Pistols, when I'm at home and in my "at home/work clothes" (i.e., more comfortable/relaxing), I carry my Beretta .32 in truly Pocket Pistol form (
sans holster): It's in the small "coin" or "folding knife" pocket just above my right front main pocket of my jeans -- most jeans still have such smaller pockets, some don't, but I find this "specialty pocket" quite useful so I try to buy only jeans that HAVE this pocket, as I carry my "combat folder knife" in it when I am out on the street -- with my primary OC gun on me also, of course!
Anyway, the Beretta .32 fits in the small pocket snugly and never falls out -- unless I take my jeans off or lay down on the floor to watch TV or such. But standing up and walking around or sitting down @ my computer, it stays in the coin pocket nicely (with the grip exposed for drawing). And so always, even @ home, I have a gun ON me @ ALL times. No excuses! So when the doorbell rings, I always go to answer armed. With home invasions on the rise (they shouldn't be, but conservatives don't run things in America, liberals do) at least I have a gun ON me when I answer the door, even if it's "only" a .32 (or 22LR, or .22 Magnum). The UPS guy has seen it lots of times. ;-)
I can relate to the guy who dropped his gun in the restroom though, as *I* also have had "public restroom mishaps" if I may call them that: My primary OC gun dropped its magazine on the floor.
Twice. Fortunately, no one else was in there on either occasion as it was embarrassing enough. But everything is okay now...some Scotch Tape to hold the mag in and all is well. In fact, it looks like a professional gunsmith did the "corrective" tape work, if I do say so myself. ;-)
Maybe that guy's Pocket Pistol went off because he had it cocked and a round in the chamber, so hitting the hard (probably tile) floor jarred it enough to fire it. Couldn't happen to me because I
never have a round in the chamber in ANY gun I carry, and so consequently there is no reason to have it cocked. I would not want to carry a pistol in my pocket fully ready to fire...but maybe that's just me.
Pocket Pistols DO have their place, and they ARE guns (albeit small ones) so they ARE JUST AS LETHAL as larger guns. And they DO allow one to practice
Rule # 1 of gun-carrying:
Have a gun ON you! ;-)
Please forgive my "lecturing" as I just wanted to say a few things about Pocket Pistols, in case any other readers here are unfamiliar with the
Pocket Pistol class of handguns.
If one can't carry a larger handgun, then carry a Pocket Pistol!
...because even 1 round of .22 Magnum in the face should at least get one's attention. ;-)
Happy New Year to all...
* Forum member "turnerriver" @
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/leather-accessories/57672-thad-rybka.html
(12-17-2012 08:25 AM)