Posted: 6/2/2026 4:05:51 PM EDT
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I hit 60 a few years ago and it hit back. Hard! I've had back and knee problems since my late 20s. They did not age well. Add to that arthritis in my ...well...pretty much anywhere bone gets near other bone. Ortho doc is already talking about hip and knee replacements. Going to hold off on those as long as I can. Had too many people I know have issues. One friend is on attempt number 3 at a knee replacement. I've been carrying since I was a police officer in the late 80s. Usually it's some kind of compact or sub compact. For the past couple of decades I've been carrying a Kimber CDP II in a OWB paddle holster. The older I get the more I notice it's there and the toll it takes on my back, knees, etc. Now that Summer has come to the Gulf Coast and I'm wearing shorts more, I've been pocket carrying my Ruger LCP Max quite a bit. Easier to conceal and takes less of a toll on me physically. Thinking about making a permanent switch to the LCP Max for EDC. Not exactly what I would pick if I was still LEO, but I believe it will work for the kind of up-close-and-personal situation I'm more likely to encounter now. Anyone else make the switch? How did it work for you? Did some of you try it and switch back to something larger? |
| That's OK, I'll be carrying in a belly bag tomorrow that has a holster in it along with a opening for a spare mag because I also want to carry a couple bottles of water. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
God fearing Christian American boomer!
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Originally Posted By tightlines49: I would pocket carry more, but weight loss has made it much more difficult. Go down enough pant sizes and your pockets shrink almost nothing. I’ve lost 40 pounds and have another 30 or so to go so I understand what you’re saying. I normally wear wrangler jeans and the pockets aren’t great for pocket carry. Cargo shorts and Dockers are much better. I’m going to have to figure out the jeans issue. |
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Originally Posted By ScubaDachshund: I’ve lost 40 pounds and have another 30 or so to go so I understand what you’re saying. I normally wear wrangler jeans and the pockets aren’t great for pocket carry. Cargo shorts and Dockers are much better. I’m going to have to figure out the jeans issue. Originally Posted By ScubaDachshund: Originally Posted By tightlines49: I would pocket carry more, but weight loss has made it much more difficult. Go down enough pant sizes and your pockets shrink almost nothing. I’ve lost 40 pounds and have another 30 or so to go so I understand what you’re saying. I normally wear wrangler jeans and the pockets aren’t great for pocket carry. Cargo shorts and Dockers are much better. I’m going to have to figure out the jeans issue. Carpenter/builder type blue jeans tend to have far bigger pockets. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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I live in a quiet rural area so I usually don't feel the need for a large gun. I pocket carry a P365 a lot. With 13 rounds (10rd mag with Mag guts) of 124gr HST 9mm in the gun, plus sometimes a 17rd spare mag. I use Wilson Combat Grip frames in my P365s and the gun is very controllable. It's just so convenient and the most comfortable way to carry for me. The gun fits fine in the front pocket of my cargo pants/shorts. I've even been playing with a red dot on it, which prints a little, but not too bad. Surprisingly, it does not hinder draw at all since I pull the gun back on draw, to make sure the holster catches in the pocket. I do practice drawing on a timer a lot, using Mantis X Laser Academy. It was terribly slow at first, but I've gotten much faster. I'm now at least as fast as IWB but not as fast as AIWB. Of course pocket carry also does have the advantage of being able to put your hand in the pocket and prep a draw if you sense things getting sketchy. That's a really fast draw to first shot. People put pocket carry down, but I think the key is to put the work in and do a lot of practice. I know what I'm capable of and don't feel under armed. |
| Having a few different pocket holsters will help you get the best fit for your particular pants and shorts. You will know immediately when you get the right combination. Likewise the wrong combination of holster and pants/shorts will make your carry gun feel twice as big. |
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Originally Posted By Rook1069: Am I weird because I pocket carry and iwb carry at the same time? I do that sometimes when I'm carrying a larger gun, with a P365 or j-frame in my pants pocket as my BUG. (I need to practice more carrying and drawing from my support hand side. That could make this tactic more effective/versatile.) In the winter when I'm wearing a coat, I often carry a j-frame in my coat pocket because it's much faster than getting to the gun under all the clothing. |
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Originally Posted By Rook1069: Am I weird because I pocket carry and iwb carry at the same time? Well...yes you are. But not because you carry two pistols.  . Sorry, couldn't resist. And no, it's not weird. I've carried both the Kimber and Max when I've traveled. Easier to keep track of plus I can hand my wife one if the need arises.
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I've had back problems all my life and so I mostly pocket carry. These days I switch between my BG2.0 and P938. However, I often off-body carry larger pistols in a Blue Alpha fanny pack. The fanny pack is slim enough that I can hide it under an untucked shirt. 
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Had to switch as well. Started carrying as a new dad at age 30. Tried a few combinations and settled on a Glock 26 in a CrossBreed holster. I pretty much wore out two of the holsters and had one warranted as it cracked. The gen 3 finish is incredibly durable and still looks great. Eventually went to a now discontinued Stealth Gear revolution holster. Most comfortable I’ve ever worn by a lot. Back to the point. I did the newb thing at first with the big, rigid riggers belt. If I tried that now my sciatica would have my feet numb or tingling in minutes. Can get by with more of a dress belt but it’s not pleasant. Finally I had to relent to pocket carry. It’s a. Colt Jr .25 acp in an Uncle Mike’s size 1 pocket holster. The holster is getting soft after a couple years of use so I should probably try starching it or get a new one. Not much power at all but it’s surprisingly easy to get accurate hits fast. Very fine sights. I can draw a smiley face on targets at 5 yards. generally, I have trouble with micro pistols, especially thin ones. The Colt is nice and thick. About 3/16” more narrow than the Glock. Thinking of getting a Beretta Tomcat .32. Have been for a while but haven’t seen one first hand. Had a pair of Karh 380s but wasn’t great with it and they were too snappy for my wife and girls. Fwiw I’m 52, 5’9” and 170 pounds. Attached File |
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I retired from LE about a year and a half ago. I don't think I've carried anything larger than a PPK or a Glock 42 since. For years I had no interest in pocket carry, probably because I always wore Glock 27-sized guns or larger, but I have just ordered a few pocket holsters for an LCP and a j-frame, which are what I carry most frequently on my daily walks. Pocket carry has really grown on me. |
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I've never been a fan of pocket carry. Luckily, I can still carry a full-size gun without it bothering me (I'm almost 57). Eventually I might get there and will probably carry my LCP Max or BGII (currently back-up guns). One thing to remember is to keep these cleaned and lubed regularly. Lint and scum can build-up quickly with pocket carry. And why a revolver might work better for some people who aren't into maintenance. I just lost 20 lbs. in 6 weeks by cutting out most carbs, processed foods, sugar, eating more protein, and smaller portions. It really took a lot of weight off my aching knees (along with some cortisone shots). I still want to lose another 5 lbs. or so. One thing I've been doing every day is getting up and walking for 20 to 30 minutes. I guess this is the ideal way toburn fat after fasting all night (don't eat until after the walk). I think the movement is also helping my knees (arthritis & torn meniscus). |
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Working in orthopedics, I tell my patients 10 pounds off your belly feels like 50 pounds off your knee. I have seen some seriously obese patients work super hard loose 75-100 pounds and they come back telling me the knee’s don’t hurt anymore Regarding pocket carry living in the sunny southwest is my favorite method. You compromise on gun size capacity and caliber, but is a great always on you option. I rarely carry any other way. |
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I switch between a P365X with a micro green dot and a Bodyguard 2.0 when clothing is less forgiving. Anything larger generally goes in a shoulder holster in cooler weather. |
The duty of a patriot is to protect his nation from its government.
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
"I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
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Thanks for the replies. I noticed several talked about losing weight. Working on it. So far I've lost 40 pounds. Have about another 40 to go. It has helped but it's not going to fix the damage I've done when I was younger. Arthritis in neck, low back, hip, knees, hands. All the injuries I just shrugged off are coming back to haunt me. Thinking it might be time to apply for the handicapped parking permit. Some days I have no problem getting around. Other days I can barely get around without being in a lot of pain. I keep telling myself I'm not there yet. But that nagging little voice keeps telling me I'm not far off. Just got back from the hand surgeon. Need a minor operation on my dominant hand. Minor, but it's still going to make it difficult to use from a week or so to maybe a month. Definitely won't be able to do any shooting with that hand for at least a month. Looking for a left handed holster for the LCP Max. Probably going to get the left handed version of the Vedder Pocket Holster. Or maybe an IWB since I now have a bit more room between pants and skin. It would be great if I could find one that is ambidextrous just by moving the hardware. |
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Originally Posted By captain127: You compromise on gun size capacity and caliber, but is a great always on you option. You can get 9mm pocket guns today that have equivalent capacity to 9mm compact guns of 10-20 years ago. For example, with a MagGuts +2 upgrade, my P365 submicro has nearly equivalent capacity(12+1) of a USP Compact(13+1), and I can even use a 17rd or 21rd spare mag. Ergonomics have gotten a lot better too.  My pocket carry P365 (12+1rds), compared to a P365XL(14+1rds), and P365 Fuse(17+1rds), all with Wilson Combat Grip Modules |
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Originally Posted By ScubaDachshund: I’ve lost 40 pounds and have another 30 or so to go so I understand what you’re saying. I normally wear wrangler jeans and the pockets aren’t great for pocket carry. Cargo shorts and Dockers are much better. I’m going to have to figure out the jeans issue. TACTICAL PANTS TEND TO HAVE LARGER POCKETS TOO. I STARTED WEARING WRANGLER TACTICAL/CARGO PANTS DAILY. THEY ARE A KNOCKOFF OF A NAME BRAND TACTICAL PANT, ARE STRETCHY AND LESS THAN $30 AT WAL MART. |
| I was carrying optic and weapon light equipped pistols like Glock 19 or my 34 in aiwb holsters for years. My current job I am staying under the radar with co workers as to my gun hobby. No one know I carry. I don’t talk guns with anyone. I wear khakis and polos most days so I went with my bodyguard 2.0 in a pocket holster. Absolutely amazing. I carry a spare mage always. On my days off I have carried iwb my Glocks here and there but I generally pocket carry still on days off. It is a great way to have a gun with you but not feel like you are carrying a gun. Fall and winter usually changes my carry back to a bigger Gun just because I can dress around it better and still stay concealed. If pocket carry feels good to you stick with it. At least you are carrying something |
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@MRW I really need to find a p32! |
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Kel Tec refuses to go into debt to increase production, so they do the P32 in limited runs every year. The P32 is the original pocket gun, and they got it right. Everything that followed is worse in some way. Click the link below for the commentary https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/keltec-p32-review/  |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By MRW: Kel Tec refuses to go into debt to increase production, so they do the P32 in limited runs every year. The P32 is the original pocket gun, and they got it right. Everything that followed is worse in some way. Click the link below for the commentary https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/keltec-p32-review/ https://loungecdn.luckygunner.com/lounge/media/keltec-p32-featured-2048x895.webp Thanks for the video and the bump. Haven’t seen that Keltec in twenty years. Think I’ll look for one. Especially if it comes in a girly color. Any little factor that might encourage my daughters to want to take it from me and carry for themselves. I’m still looking forward to a double/single trigger in the Beretta. Have seen two videos NDs into very sensitive areas. Have always carried the Colt Jr single with one in the chamber, hammer down. It has a safety but cocking it is easier for me and seems less risky. Can have it ready to fire before aimed at the target most times. |
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Originally Posted By Samwali: I am looking at a BG 2.0 but will also get a P-32 down the line since it's even smaller (fully loaded it still weighs less than the BG 2.0). The only thing that sucks about them is that .32 ammo is more expensive and hard to find compared to .380. I suspect .32 production an/or importation is about to ramp way up with all the new CZ FRT’s being built. |
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Started pocket carrying when I got sciatic problems at much too young of age. Determined it was primarily from waistband carry and the belt being tight. Haven’t had issues since I went with the P365. And even though I have big hands and miss a good big grip, I shoot it well enough. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
| I've considered it. It's easy to carry whatever you want when your clothing is a t shirt but pants and a tucked button up shirt sure limit options and I don't want to wear a jacket everywhere I go. I've thought about a 32 H&R J frame or a P32. Either are absolutely better than nothing. |