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A good flashlight has been mentioned already--I would second the suggestion of getting a good one. You mention you have a surefire--I have a few of them too. They make good lights, but they're kind of expensive for the performance you get, in my opinion. I've broken a few of them and they've always been good about replacing things (even when it was clearly my fault that the light broke), but I think you can get better lights for the same amount of money.
I'm a fan of $35 to $50 lights, because I bash them around a lot and use them all of the time---so when I wreck one, I don't feel bad about dumping it and getting another one. Two of my favorites are:
Streamlight Polytac LED light:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/streamlight-polytac-led-flashlight.html5.11 ATAC A1:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-atac-a1-flashlight.html$35 and $50, 100 to 130 lumens, easy to replace standard batteries (for each type), tough case, LEDs, nicely hand-sized, and if you drop one down a well, life will go on. Buy a bunch, stick one in a pocket of each coat you own, stick one in your glove compartment, and have two on your dresser so you always remember to stick one in your pocket each day.
If you absolutely MUST stick with Surefire, you can spend $66 on something that is more than twice as bright---but I'm not really sure you can blind someone more than once.
Surefire G2X polymer:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/sf-g2x-c-320-tac.htmlI know this is a bit of a side-step to the topic, but why do you equate pocket carry with such talisman thinking?
Before we go on, I should note that I didn't equate it directly. The "talisman thinking" was more from:
"I've always carried this way, and it has always worked for me" where the phrase "worked for me" means "nothing has ever happened to me."
That is called talisman thinking, and I strongly suggest people knock it off.
That being said, I do think that pocket carry is non-optimal. Sometimes, for some people, it might be necessary, but that doesn't actually make it better. It just happens to be better than not having a gun at all.
I pocket carry an airweight J-frame regularly. I practice drawing from my pocket just like I would any other carry method. Sure, if you're starting from your hand outside the pocket, it's not really all that fast, but if you already have your hand in your pocket gripping the weapon, it's not too bad. I pay attention to my surroundings, if I feel uncomfortable or I think I see something coming, I can rest my hand in my pocket with a full grip on my revolver, ready to draw if necessary and everyone around me is none the wiser. I think that's a HUGE upside to pocket carry that you neglect to consider. Will I be able to access my weapon in every situation (for example sitting down), always seeing what's coming because I pay attention to my surroundings? Of course not, no--I can't see everything. For me, pocket carry is a good balance between convenience and preparedness for most situations. If I felt I really needed a gun to go somewhere--I wouldn't go. If I had no choice and had to go, I'd take a long gun and hopefully some friends with long guns, too.
Sounds like you have actually put thought (and practice) into it, which puts you ahead of a lot of people. As such, I'm not going to tell you that you are wrong.
Here's my thoughts, though:
1) Pants pocket, or coat pocket? If a coat pocket, one assumes you never take off the coat, since you don't want a gun out of your control---so why not wear an IWB since the coat will cover it? If a pants pocket---HOW?
Seriously, I want to know how. Even wearing baggy cargo pants, there is no way I can get a j-frame into a front pocket without making it look ridiculous. And if I put my hand on the gun, I am obviously grabbing something in my pocket, which looks silly. Drawing is adequate, IF I already have my hand on the gun and I am sitting/standing such that the draw stroke is aligned with the pocket opening, but even so it is only fast because my hand is on the gun.
2) Most of the time, I can't have my hands in my pockets. As such, a draw from the pocket in almost every situation will be extremely slow, as I can't start with my hand on the gun. (Speaking of---what's your draw time? I'm not asking for comparison's sake, and you don't actually have to answer---but do you know your draw time? That gives you an idea of the distance range necessary for effective use.) That's me, though. Maybe your pockets and your practice make you faster, and maybe you can have your hand on your gun a larger percentage of the time.
In general, though, I don't like having to rely on the idea that my hand has to be on the gun to realistically be able to access it in time.
3) For me, pocket carry isn't comfortable at all. A chunk of metal on the outside of my leg (assuming a pants pocket) that swings around (because if the pocket is too tight for the gun to move, it is too tight to draw unless the draw direction and pocket opening are perfectly aligned) just isn't comfortable. If I'm wearing an untucked polo, or a jacket, or a sweatshirt, then IWB is simply going to be more comfortable, and overall, faster in acquisition and use. If I have to tuck in a dress shirt or something, a tuckable holster is similar, and the draw really isn't any slower because either way I still have to lift the shirt.
I'm 5'8" (yeah, I'm short) and 165. And I carry a G17 with no issues throughout the year. Obviously, it is easier in winter, but in summer with the right holster, I have no problems concealing in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. FOR ME, the difference in comfort level, ease of access from any position with either hand, and the weapon itself seem to be a much better choice than a 5-shot j-frame from a pocket.
Now, that's me. For you, it may not work out that way. But...
....what percentage of the time when other people are around is your hand actually on the gun?
....and if your hand is not on the gun, what is your actual draw time?
....and what is it from sitting, standing, or knocked on the floor?
(I note that I think everyone should know the answers to the last two questions for their particular carry mode.)
I will say that in winter, if I have to run outside for something really quickly (as in "less than 10 minutes away from my house"), I slip a j-frame into a Nemesis pocket holster in my winter coat, and away I go. In my opinion, this is a lesser option compared to my normal carry---but in my judgement/value system, I call it adequate for short amounts of time in specific circumstances. BUT I note that in those cases, it really IS in a pocket I can draw from no matter where I land, and I can keep my hand on it at all times because it is cold in winter and everyone has their hands in their pockets.
Sounds like I'm rationalizing, doesn't it? Well, perhaps I am.
But I do it anyway, though not very often.
You say that many people carry in non-optimum ways--of course they do, OWB (or whatever you consider "optimum") likely isn't practical for every day to day CHP'er, me included. Sometimes I'll carry IWB, but one of the most important things to me when carrying is to stay concealed and if I'm doing something where I'll be bending over or crouching, etc., and my shirt will ride up over my weapon, I'll pocket carry instead.
One of the reasons I carry AIWB. For me, standard 4-5 o'clock IWB prints like you wouldn't believe. Either I've never found a holster that works for me, or I have a weird body shape (you never know!) but IWB just doesn't fly for me. With AIWB, once I found a holster type that worked, I can carry, bend over forward, bend to the sides, stretch up into the air---and it doesn't print nor does it dig into me.
In short, does pocket carry have its shortcomings? Of course. Is there one carry method that will work perfectly in any situation? Probably not.
I'll agree with that. And like I said, it appears that you have actually thought and it, and practiced. For you, that really may be the only reasonable solution. And it is better than not carrying.
That being said, you might try AIWB sometime...
With respect to talisman thinking---there are a LOT of people out there who got their CCW permit, bought a tiny Ruger LCP in .380, stick it in a pocket holster each day, and call that good. They have no idea what it will take to draw and use it, they haven't practiced, they haven't even checked to make sure that the holster will stay in the pocket when the gun comes out---but they are All Good, because the gun will keep them safe.
That's the type of pocket carry I was talking about, for talisman thinking.
