Suggestions please.... Pocket gun for "big guy"

[terryu1]

So I am itching to spend some cash on another gun not that My not so rich uncle hit me up for over $4000 in unpaid taxes this year. Only a matter of time until they want it all.

Issue is that I am a 3xl guy and in summer I still like to wear shorts. Sometimes I wear athletic nylon shorts and if I put my Taurus 24/7 Pro C .40 in pocket or on waistband the shorts will be around my ankles in short notice. Trust me NO ONE wants to see that. Not even me.

I am considering a "pocket gun" for summer use or just to grab to be much less conspicious. I am concerned about room in trigger guard for my fingers which unfortunatly are porportioned to the rest of me. I would like something in a .380 or 9mm. Cheaper than the .40 to play with also.

Additionally, what about a .22magnum? or other .22. Waste of money or not?? I know if someone were shooting at me with one I would turn the other way. I guess if you hit someone enough times they will stop anyway.

Any help of thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have the corners wore off this "Cheaper than Dirt" catalog looking for ideas.

[Alpo]

Occasionally, around the house, in the summer I wear a pair of elastic-waist gym shorts, and in the winter I wear sweat pants. With either of them, when I go outside, so stick a gun in my pocket or my waistband, before I make it to the mailbox I am having to hold my pants up.

The latest I've tried is a Smith 317 22 revolver. Weight 8 ounces, loaded. EIGHT FLIPPIN' OUNCES!! How much lighter is it possible to go? With that one, I can actually make it to the mailbox, but by the time I get back to the door, I look like one of them gang-banger wannabes. I be saggin'.

Only solution I've found is to wear pants with a solid waistband and a belt.

[jedwil]

Check the Ruger LC9. Small, 9mm, and might accomodate your fingers. Most .380's might be too small triggerwise.

[Double D]

How about the bersa thunder 380 concealed carry.

[Capt Mac Turk]

LOL Hey Terry as a Kid heres what I used to hear you ever heard this?



Sorry could not resist.

[Alpo]

I'm just so tickled to see someone make a poster like that and use correct English.

[jstgsn]

I love this forum. The only thing I need is a campfire and a cooler of beverages. I too am a 3xl and never go unarmed. I am also a seasoned citizen and have carried a firearm since 1969. By no means am I an expert, but I am compulsive shopper/gadget person. I've settled on the following weapons.
ELASTIC WAIST SHORTS
All year long, when in elastic waist shorts, a Freedom Arms .22. It fires five .22 long rifle cartridges in single action. As a PO many autopsies were attended looking for a .22 bullet or two or three. This gun is best used while ducking and dodging, moving away from the attacker and finding a place to hide.
PANTS WITH A BELT.
Year round, be it jeans or cargo pants, paired with a tshirt or polo I have a Ruger .380 in my front right pocket. It is thin, and light. Last year I had two investigations dealing with murders where a .380 was used. (I'm now a PI) The autopsy pictures were amazing. Even the full metal jacket caused massive damage and death. ( I realize the difference between .40, .357, 9MM etc, and the bigger the better, but the .380 when accurate (or unlucky on the victim's part) is deadly. I found a phone holder that clips on my belt that holds a second magazine. Often when I take my pants off the .380 stays in the pocket. I get dressed, I'm armed. Then gun is a close range gun, and I practice and intend to fire three rounds rapid fire, two center mass and one tween the eyes, and then repeat as needed. I'm still going to be ducking and dodging, but may not have to hide.
UNDER A JACKET
.40 caliber Glock model 27 (although I rechambered mine with a lone wolf barrell to 9MM from .40) When going into "hot spots" it goes back to .40, normal "I shouldn't expect trouble" areas it's a 9MM.
This goes in a Blackhawk Serpa paddle holster.
Both pocket pistols sit in handmade vinyl sleeves. (be alert, when sitting in the vehicle, if someone starts to approach, have the weapon out of the pants pocket as it's hard to dig it out in a hurry.)
ARROUND THE HOUSE
My S&W 4" model .66 with .357 125 JHPs is within reach as well as my Mossberg youth model .20 ga. shotgun with 4 buck.

[terryu1]

Originally Posted by Capt Mac Turk

LOL Hey Terry as a Kid heres what I used to hear you ever heard this?

Attachment 61282

Sorry could not resist.

Ha Ha. Yeah they even had "husky" sizing for kids clothes. Politically incorrect now. Not insulted in the least Capt Mac.

[red14]

I always liked 'stout'.

[TheGunClinger]

These are what I carry mostly. LCP .380 and LCR .357. Ether can be carried in your pocket especially if you are a big dude. I carry the LCP in my pocket and the LCR in my waistband. I was considering the LCR 9 but it is a bit too big for my pocket.

[carver]

I just use the Smart Carry System. http://www.smartcarry.com/index.html As you can see it comes in several sizes. I carry a 1911A1 most of the time, but I can also carry a .38 snubie in it too. Elastic waist band type shorts are about all I wear from March - October.

[jstgsn]

Originally Posted by carver

I just use the Smart Carry System. http://www.smartcarry.com/index.html As you can see it comes in several sizes. I carry a 1911A1 most of the time, but I can also carry a .38 snubie in it too. Elastic waist band type shorts are about all I wear from March - October.

"EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT."

[American Leader]

Alpo, can we get a pic of you in that "gang-banger" wannabe pose? Pleassee? And jstgsn, when you state carver will say "excuse me while I whip this out", are you talking about his 1911 or his "38 snubbie"? And terry, +1 for the Ruger LCP .380.

[gdmoody]

I'm not a 3x, but I ain't little. I usually carry a Sig P238 on my belt and I ALWAYS wear Hawaiian shirts so they cover the pistol without any problem. There are times that I stick one of the little North American Arms .22 Magnum revolvers in my pocket. I don't think a .22 Mag is a waste of money, I would rather be armed with even a .22 Short than nothing at all!!

[carver]

Originally Posted by jstgsn

"EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT."

I gurantee you that I can "whip it out"!

[Lee D]

Sig 238. mine will shoot as well as some full sized pistols.

[hogger129]

How bout a Springfield EMP? Idk if it's a pocket gun, but it's thinner, easier to conceal, and they are available in 9mm and .40 (which are more powerful than .380s or .32s).

[gun runner]

How about a little derringer?

[Big Shrek]

Originally Posted by terryu1

So I am itching to spend some cash on another gun not that My not so rich uncle hit me up for over $4000 in unpaid taxes this year. Only a matter of time until they want it all.

Issue is that I am a 3xl guy and in summer I still like to wear shorts. Sometimes I wear athletic nylon shorts and if I put my Taurus 24/7 Pro C .40 in pocket or on waistband the shorts will be around my ankles in short notice. Trust me NO ONE wants to see that. Not even me.

I am considering a "pocket gun" for summer use or just to grab to be much less conspicious. I am concerned about room in trigger guard for my fingers which unfortunatly are porportioned to the rest of me. I would like something in a .380 or 9mm. Cheaper than the .40 to play with also.

Additionally, what about a .22magnum? or other .22. Waste of money or not?? I know if someone were shooting at me with one I would turn the other way. I guess if you hit someone enough times they will stop anyway.

Any help of thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have the corners wore off this "Cheaper than Dirt" catalog looking for ideas.

I'm in the same boat as you...hence the name Big Shrek...
In the past I was referred to as "Bull" ("Night Court tv series") & Grape Ape & The Irish King Kong

OK, since absolutely NOTHING looks good on us, we can feel free to be able to do as we wish...which means...
Biker Attire...
Fanny Packs...
Backpacks...(nothing like a big guy walking around with a Hogwart's Book Bag...they won't be thinking GUN BAG...)
Cargo Shorts with Belt...(my personal fav)

Everyone hates Fanny Packs as a fashion issue in the USA...in the EU, perfectly normal...
mostly because in the USA, they're usually holding a gun, in the EU, they're holding booze...lol
But...inside the pack, can be ANYTHING!! I've used a Large FP and stuck a tape player in the front pocket,
with small headphones/earbuds hanging out...so everyone thinks Music Nut...instead of Gun Nut...
in the rear gun section, a full-size Star model 30P 9mm 15+1 capacity & two extra mags.

And where do I hide a Calico Liberty III w/ additional Three 100-rd mags??
In a Diaper Bag...cause I've got TWINS!! NOBODY thinks I'm hiding enough firepower in there to take out an entire Flash Rob Mob



And here's why a cheezy Backpack over a briefcase/etc...
you can show off your favorite Superhero (Spiderman/Batman/etc)...people think Harmless Comic Geek...
The Hogwart's/Harry Potter backpack...people think Geekyest human on earth...but not a threat...
My wife, carrying a Disney Princess backpack...looks as innocent as they get...but it holds PLENTY

Look, as a big guy, we tend towards Natural Jollyness due to the ability to eat anything and be happy...hehehe
Play up the Jolly Factor!! Be the Good-Time Jack Black!! Do the Baby Huey!! Pull the Santa Effect!!

Or you can go the other direction and be a Biker Bunghole if you wanna go that route...

Its all in how you wish to be perceived...as a threat all the time, or no threat at all.
To a LEO, you want to be as invisible/boring as you can get...ya go thru less cavity searches that way...
To a bad guy, you want to be Beneath Notice...so you can be Ignored...which gives you Misdirection Benefits!!

Also, do NOT draw when the BG is looking right at you...let something else distract him or create a distraction...
THEN draw & plug 'em while their attention is Elsewhere...at least then, if both armed, you've got the EDGE!!

[jrprich]

Originally Posted by Lee D

Sig 238. mine will shoot as well as some full sized pistols.

Just handle one and I think you will be pleased

[chrislind2]

Originally Posted by jrprich

Just handle one and I think you will be pleased

I agree, I really like my Sig 238. I can shoot groups at 20 feet, but it drops off fast any farther, but I can still hit center mass at 30 feet.
I like the looks of the new Beretta Nano. But I know nothing about it.

[jce07a]

Originally Posted by gun runner

How about a little derringer?

i carry a bond arms texas defender with a blackhawk size 3 pocket holster. im only an XL guy but it just looks like my wallet or cell phone. ill post a pic or two when i get a chance this evening

[Bud0505]

Im a 2XL guy and I have carried a Tarus titanium .38 spcl for years in a front pocket holster. But not while wearing nylon shorts or sweat pants. I recently bought a Ruger Lc9 and it is now my EDC. IMO you need a good belt regardless of what you carry.

[American Leader]

+1 on the belt Bud. I carried same model Taurus for a number of years as well.