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Just got a .380 Walther PPK/s a couple weeks ago. Today I carried it the front pocket of my shorts (khaki kind w/ cargo pockets) to the movies. One in the pipe, and 6(out of possible 7) in the mag. Hammer down and thumb safety on. It was very comfortable and convenient, but I have to say that there is a lot of opportunity for hammer to snag coming out of the pocket. Do you folks with small frame/caliber guns carry in your pocket w/o a holster? Or is there a good rig that I could slip in a front pocket? I really like the pocket carry as it avoids the concern about my shirt riding up with waistband carry.

BTW, there might have been a non-compliant "sign" at the theater, but I knew I didn't receive 30.06 written notice because the sign was much too small (1/4" letters) to be 30.06 compliant, even if it had the correct language, which I couldn't tell. Also, it was at ankle level, hence I couldn't read it. I didn't bother to check in with the ticket agent and the manager to ask them if it was OK to carry or discuss their sign deficiencies...wanted to hurry and catch the previews. I made it through the whole movie without the mall security,local/federal/state authorities spotting my gun with their super secret special agent x-ray vision. I thereby avoided the need to take the proverbial ride, defend myself in court at great cost, and live with the lifelong embarrassment of having been arrested for something that isn't illegal.

But seriously, the Walther makes a bit of a bulge in the pocket. Not identifiable as a gun, but I wonder if there's a type of holster that would break up the outline and make snag free drawing possible.

Get a Mika pocket holster.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/pocket.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lay your thumb on top of the hammer when drawing and it won't snag.

Mike1951 wrote:Get a Mika pocket holster.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/pocket.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lay your thumb on top of the hammer when drawing and it won't snag.

It's an inexpensive holster that is very thin, but breaks up the gun really well. The material is also waterproof.

ScottDLS wrote:Just got a .380 Walther PPK/s a couple weeks ago. Today I carried it the front pocket of my shorts (khaki kind w/ cargo pockets) to the movies. One in the pipe, and 6(out of possible 7) in the mag. Hammer down and thumb safety on. It was very comfortable and convenient, but I have to say that there is a lot of opportunity for hammer to snag coming out of the pocket. Do you folks with small frame/caliber guns carry in your pocket w/o a holster? Or is there a good rig that I could slip in a front pocket? I really like the pocket carry as it avoids the concern about my shirt riding up with waistband carry.

BTW, there might have been a non-compliant "sign" at the theater, but I knew I didn't receive 30.06 written notice because the sign was much too small (1/4" letters) to be 30.06 compliant, even if it had the correct language, which I couldn't tell. Also, it was at ankle level, hence I couldn't read it. I didn't bother to check in with the ticket agent and the manager to ask them if it was OK to carry or discuss their sign deficiencies...wanted to hurry and catch the previews. I made it through the whole movie without the mall security,local/federal/state authorities spotting my gun with their super secret special agent x-ray vision. I thereby avoided the need to take the proverbial ride, defend myself in court at great cost, and live with the lifelong embarrassment of having been arrested for something that isn't illegal.

But seriously, the Walther makes a bit of a bulge in the pocket. Not identifiable as a gun, but I wonder if there's a type of holster that would break up the outline and make snag free drawing possible.

Don Hume Holsters

http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_p ... ucts_id=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unckle Mike's makes a low end pocket holster for sale normally in the 14.00 range and easily found at most gun shops.
That's what I use for my .380 and I like it just fine.

I also agree with what that one fella said about drawing with your thumb on the hammer to prevent snags. You may need
to cock it back anyways so why not be ready?
Or carry hammer back with the safety on(my preffered method) and still apply your thumb to the hammer for a snag free draw.

Mike1951 wrote:Get a Mika pocket holster.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/pocket.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lay your thumb on top of the hammer when drawing and it won't snag.

+1 on the Mika holster. I use one for my S&W 642 all the time. durable and slim profile. Also moisture resistant.

+1 for Uncle Mike's. Also, no outside hammer, like on my S&W Airlite, takes the worry out of snagging.

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005

+2 (+3?) on Mika and on covering hammer with your thumb on the draw. Mika is best pocket holster I've found for a "larger" and "heavier" pocket gun like a PPK-size .380 or a snub-nose revolver. For tiny pocket guns like LCP, something less stout like a DeSantis Nemisis, Uncle Mike's, Blackhawk type holsters work OK.

And I NEVER pocket carry without a pocket holster - at least not in public. I might toss a gun in a pocket for a moment if there's an unexpected knock on the door at home, but I won't carry one holster-less for an extended period of time.

Thanks all for the recommendations. Keep 'em coming. Good point on covering the hammer while drawing to avoid snags. The thumb safety on this pistol is pretty stiff. I'm going to keep practicing clicking it off while bringing to aim. I had a PPK/s about 10 years ago so I'm ok familiar with it, but I need to get some range time in, despite the world wide shortage of .380 ammo.

-Scott

Desantis Nemesis pocket holster - $23.25

The double action trigger pull on a PPK is heavy enough to allow its carry with the safety off.

Just keep your finger out of the trigger guard until gun is drawn.

Mike1951 wrote:The double action trigger pull on a PPK is heavy enough to allow its carry with the safety off.

Just keep your finger out of the trigger guard until gun is drawn.

This is a good point, I may consider carrying with the safety off. Is the (firing pin) block in place even with the safety off? I know a lot of guns don't disengage the firing pin block until the trigger is pulled. I just don't want to be doing a "Plaxico Burres"...

ScottDLS

Here's a tip on how to avoid a Plaxico Burress:

Don't Mexican carry a Glock .40 in the waistband of sweat pants.

See how easy that is? :-)

SIA

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:ScottDLS

Here's a tip on how to avoid a Plaxico Burress:

Don't Mexican carry a Glock .40 in the waistband of sweat pants.

See how easy that is? :-)

SIA

You'd think a guy who could memorize an NFL playbook could figure that out. And you'd be wrong

ScottDLS wrote:

Mike1951 wrote:The double action trigger pull on a PPK is heavy enough to allow its carry with the safety off.

Just keep your finger out of the trigger guard until gun is drawn.

This is a good point, I may consider carrying with the safety off. Is the (firing pin) block in place even with the safety off? I know a lot of guns don't disengage the firing pin block until the trigger is pulled. I just don't want to be doing a "Plaxico Burres"...

My last PPK was an Interarms model. To the best of my knowledge, it didn't have a firing pin block. I was still very comfortable carrying it hammer down, with the safety off.

In the brief searching I've done, it appears that the S&W versions do have the firing pin block and that it is functional only with the safety on.

I do not think that a S&W model carried hammer down with the safety off is any more dangerous than my Interarms was.

It's your call. I considered the 12+ lb trigger pull safety enough.