Pocket Holsters

Pocket carry isn’t the ideal carry, but it is a popular carry mode based on convenience. It is simple enough to drop a handgun into the pocket and go about your business. However-it is a bad idea to carry a handgun in any position without a holster. There is always some type of lint or material in the pocket. More than one handgun has had such material find its way into the action. A handgun flopping around in the pocket is dangerous and difficult to draw quickly. A quality pocket holster covers the triggerguard offering a degree of safety. Another consideration is that the outline of the handgun in the pocket is a dead giveaway to an observant eye. You must deploy the handgun with a quality holster. This will hide the outline of the handgun. Fortunately Falco has carefully researched the design and construction of pocket holsters and offers real solutions.

Falco’s Kydex pocket holster is a well designed concealment holster

With a pocket holster there is no need for a special gun belt or support gear. A light handgun is called for such as the Glock 42, Glock 43, or SIG P 365. That said a fairly formidable firearm may be deployed with proper holster selection. You need a holster that separates the handgun from anything in the pocket such as keys or coins- it is best to reserve that pocket for the gun and holster and nothing else. But things happen. Pocket linings are thin compared to outer fabric. The hard edges of a firearm including the sights may rip a pants pocket liner. It is best to use a holster which in the final analysis does several things well. These are cover and protect the trigger guard, break up the gun’s outline, and offer a sharp draw.

Among the best designs for concealed carry is the Glock M42 .380 ACP

Lets look at some of the Falco pocket holsters. I found that each protects the trigger and also keeps the handgun oriented for a proper draw. These holsters also have some type of foot or wedge that properly orients the handgun and holster for the draw. 

Falco’s Kydex pocket holster is a thin but strong

How to Draw from a Pocket Holster

When I practice drawing the handgun I make certain to adhere to the proper draw technique. For safety I place the handgun in the holster and then the holstered handgun in the pocket. I don’t usually position the holster first. An exception is when using a triple checked unloaded handgun for practice on the draw. So, the handgun and holster are placed in the pocket. To draw the hand is bladed into the pocket. The hand is still bladed and the handgun drawn from the pocket holster as the holster is tilted to ‘catch’ on the stabilizing foot and allow a sharp draw. The proper grip is taken just as the handgun clears the pocket. If you place your hand in the pocket and take a full firing grip- like making a fist- you may find you cannot draw the handgun. This is important. Keep the finger off the trigger until you have drawn the gun and will fire the gun. Not when you think you will fire but when you fire! The finger is never on the trigger until you fire. When holstering keep the finger aligned alongside the holster until the handgun is holstered. Recap- blade the fingers during the draw and keep the finger off the trigger. Some like to hook the foot of the holster into the pocket as they draw. This ensures you do not draw the handgun and holster together. Others will use the thumb to press against the holster body to draw the handgun. It depends on the pants pocket- hooking the foot is often very fast. If the pocket is baggy the push off technique works better. Some holsters, especially leather holsters, do not have the hooked section as part of the holster design.

When beginning the pocket draw be certain the fingers are bladed!

Pocket Holsters: Hands-On Experience

I was able to thoroughly test the Falco A913 Kydex pocket holster. A unique feature is that this holster features a retention screw. I like a firm effort to draw. Others may lighter a lighter resistance. It depends on the application. Some pockets are top loading, others are side loading. For the top loading pocket holster movement isn’t as likely, a side loading holster may need more retention. The point is with the Falco holster you have the option of adjusting tension to the ideal point. I like this holster a great deal. There is no chance of the holster collapsing on the draw. Once the handgun is drawn the handgun is easily re-holstered as the holstering mouth is rigid. As bonus the holster rides high on one side of the handgun allowing greater leverage for the thumb push off type of draw. That is simply a great design! When testing this holster I used a combination of hooking the ‘foot’ or C hook and pushing off with the thumb simultaneously. It works well.

Note that the Falco A913 pocket holster features C-shaped hook as well as a large sweatguard to stabilize the thumb during the draw

A very different pocket holster is the A226. This is a leather holster of nicely tanned and stitched material. This is a rectangular design well suited to deep pocket carry. If carried in the back pocket it will look like a wallet to the casual observer. If carried in that manner the draw requires canting the wrist in a kind of reverse draw- not difficult at all with such a small handgun. The triggerguard is well covered and the holster body is tall enough to allow the thumb push off draw. Some prefer supple well tanned leather holsters for all applications and this holster is a classic design well executed.

Falco’s leather pocket holster is a first class option for those who prefer traditional designs and material

The Falco leather pocket holster breaks up the handguns appearance. In the pocket is will resemble a wallet

It is important to realize that the strong side trousers pockets isn’t the only viable pocket holster position. Some like to carry a backup gun on the non dominant side. This works well. Jacket pockets, either outer or inner jacket pockets, each work well with a properly designed pocket holster. Another popular carry position is to place the holster inside an inner pocket of a tactical vest. Some surprisingly large handguns adapt well to inside the vest pocket carry. As an experiment I ordered one of the Falco Kydex holsters for a Glock 19 size handgun. I ordered the holster optics ready. With a carry optic and the compact size Glock 19 fit is excellent. This holster rides well in the vest’s inside pocket and offers a comfortable carry. To draw the hook offers good stability and the trademark thumb push off draw with the extended holstering welt works well. While unusual a pocket holster this size works exceptionally well with deep pocket vest type carry. Pocket holsters are an important part of the concealed carry lifestyle. Side front or back pocket, jacket pocket, and vest pocket, Falco offers viable candidates for each.