Why You Should Carry A Pocket Holster

Pocket holsters are perfect for concealed carrying smaller framed pistols. They are a viable alternative to on the waistband holsters for many reasons. Using a pocket holster vastly expands your carry options.

There are a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to pocket holsters. Some people feel they are unsafe, others don’t feel they are valuable, and some absolutely love them. We are here to provide you with all the information you need about pocket holsters to help you decide if they are right for you.

Pocket carry is one of the oldest methods of concealed carry and is one of the easiest. No gun belt is required, you just slide your gun into a holster, place it in your pocket and you are good to go. But let’s talk more about how it works before we get into the nitty gritty of pocket holsters.

How does a pocket holster work?

Pocket Holsters use the friction and pressure of your pocket to keep your holster and gun secure in your pocket while still allowing for easy drawing. Typically they are used with smaller framed pistols because they are more easily concealed and not as bulky in a pocket as a larger pistol would be.

Different manufacturers will design their pocket holsters in their own ways but our Pocket Locker has a few unique features. It uses a hook to catch the corner of your pocket as you are drawing, helping create an easier draw. Beyond just carrying it in your pocket, the holster has an eyelet which is perfect for securing your holster and gun inside a purse or bag. Both of these come standard with the Pocket Locker.

It has two additional features that are optional. First, a thumb tab that allows you to easily unholster your gun with a thumb press. Second, the holster can be ordered with a curve for even better concealment inside your pocket.

Pocket holsters are great for keeping smaller framed guns concealed inside a pocket or even for storing in a purse or bag. Our Pocket Locker has a hook to catch your pocket as you draw, an eyelet for snatch style unholstering, and can be ordered with a thumb tab or curve for even easier drawing and concealing.

Reasons to carry with a pocket holster

We’ve covered the general concept of why you should carry a pocket holster and discussed how it works but let’s talk more about the specific reasons why you might want to use a pocket holster.

First off is a kind of basic reason but one that is very common; if you don't like to wear a belt or wear clothes without belt loops. Whether wearing a belt is just uncomfortable or you dont think it's necessary, or even if you have on, say a dress, skirt, or nice slacks that an on the waistband holster just won’t work well with, a pocket holster might be a viable alternative. It can easily fit into your front pocket, a purse, or bag.

Another reason is if you are dressing up. Maybe you have a business meeting to go to or holiday dinner and have to wear nice clothes. A smaller gun is easier to conceal and tucking it in a pocket keeps it from showing on your waistband. For more information on dressing up while concealed carrying check out our blog here.

The last reason we are going to mention is health issues. Maybe it is uncomfortable for you to carry on the waistband because you have health issues. Pocket holsters make a great alternative that may be more suitable for you. It sits comfortably in your pocket and doesn’t put pressure on your hips, back, or abdomen.

Overall there are a lot of reasons to carry with a pocket holster. It is not for everyone but a lot of people find it quite comfortable and a viable alternative if they don't wear a belt, are dressing up, or have health issues.

Is a pocket holster safe?

The simple answer is, if used properly, yes pocket holsters are safe. You may have heard of a pocket holster before but oftentimes they can be referred to in a negative way. People question whether they are safe or not. We are here to clear up any misconceptions you may have about the safety of pocket holsters.

The first thing you want to make sure of when using a pocket holster is that the trigger is fully protected. A quality holster will do exactly that. But why is that important? Well, with a holster that fully protects the trigger you know nothing is going to accidentally get in the way and unintentionally pull it. This is important in making sure you and others stay safe while you are pocket carrying. When designing our pocket holster the Pocket Locker we made sure the trigger is completely covered for your protection and others.

Next, you want to make sure there is nothing else in the pocket you choose to carry in. Even with a protected trigger, you don’t want anything in your way in the event that you need to draw your gun. Not to mention it could be quite uncomfortable to have, for example, your keys in the same pocket as your pistol.

So going back to the main question here, is a pocket holster safe? Absolutely, if you have a quality holster that protects the trigger and nothing else in that pocket.

What guns are popular to carry in a pocket holster?

We mentioned that pocket holsters are best for carrying smaller framed guns but what are some of the most popular guns people carry in a pocket holster? Well there are actually more than you may realize but here are a few in no particular order.

• First up the Sig Sauer P365. Sig Sauer is known for their quality factory triggers and sights which is a key element of this pistol. Weighing only 17.8 ounces this compact pistol is a great option for concealed carry. It uses a 10 round magazine and is available with or without a thumb safety.
• Next we have the Glock 43. This compact pistol uses a single stack 6 round magazine adding to its concealability. The Glock 43 is an extremely reliable 9mm pistol that weighs only 16.23 ounces. It uses an aggressive grip texture to help make it comfortable and easy to hold for everyone.
• Third is the Ruger LCP. The Ruger LCP is a compact, lightweight pistol with fixed front and rear sights. It features a grip extension floorplate that is easily added to the pistol. It weighs only 9.6 ounces and uses a 6 round magazine.
• Next is the Springfield Hellcat. It’s most known for having the highest capacity in a micro-compact pistol. The factory sights are good in comparison to other pistols and overall it is very reliable. This 9mm striker fired pistol weighs only 18.3 ounces and has a standard 11 round magazine or extended 13 round magazine. It uses an ergonomic grip making it very comfortable to handle for many shooters.
• Last, but certainly not least, we have the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard. It is a double-action-only pistol with a polymer frame. It features adjustable sights, an ergonomic grip, and double-action fire control. The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard weighs only 12 ounces and has a 6 round magazine.

Keep in mind there are other pistols that will work perfectly with a pocket holster these are just a few of the most popular we thought were worth mentioning. If you already own a pistol and want to see if you could pocket carry it, we recommend trying to put your unloaded and safety checked gun in your pocket to get an idea if pocket carry is for you. If your gun fits comfortably in your pocket, then you will have a good idea if the holster will fit in your pocket as well.

Other things to consider when looking at pocket holsters

As with any holster and concealed carry in general you should practice drawing. The same thing goes for a pocket holster. Drawing from a pocket holster is going to be different than an inside the waistband or outside the waistband holster. Rather than lifting up a shirt, you will have to reach into your pocket. It may not take you any more or less time to draw but you should be prepared and know how to in the event that you need to use your gun. We wrote an article on if you should practice drawing your concealed carry weapon, you can check it out here.

Some people may think it is harder to draw quickly from a pocket holster but really it's not much different than if you were drawing from an inside the waistband or outside the waistband holster. With a pocket holster you could actually keep your hand in your pants or jacket pocket with the holster if you are in a situation where you think you might need to use your pistol. This would make drawing easy. Additionally with pocket carry you probably don't have to lift your shirt as much as you would with on the waistband carry.

We have covered a hefty amount of information so let’s review.Pocket holsters are great for keeping smaller framed guns concealed inside a pocket or even for storing in a purse or bag. A pocket holster might be for you if you don’t like to wear belts, are dressing up, or if you have health issues among other things. Pocket holsters are safe, especially if you have a quality holster that protects the trigger. Many smaller framed pistols are perfect for concealed carrying in a pocket holster.

Ultimately, your decision on how you carry comes down to what you prefer and what meets your needs. If you still can’t decide, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you purchase a holster and decide it just isn’t right for you it can be returned. Want to learn more about our Pocket Locker? Check it out on our website here.

We recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page if you are looking for holsters that are custom made for your weapon of choice. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.

Looking for items beyond holsters and belts, check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, laser, first aid, maintenance, and more.