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Product: DeSantis Super Fly holster
Specifications: size depends on specific model; it’s not a one size fits all but a one size fits many.
Amazon has them (actual cost depends on size.)
Table of Contents
Sometimes pocket carry is what you have.
I initially started carrying in my pocket as a backup. My primary gun was carried either IWB or OWB but I had a second, smaller gun in case something happened to my primary.
Then I began to carry at times in non-permissive environments. By that I mean places that may not like me having a gun. It’s not illegal and it’s not posted that I can’t carry. I’m just pretty sure it’s not a good idea to be seen with a gun. My normal IWB is pretty good, of course. As long as I can stand or sit. One of the non-permissive places involves considerable physical activity: bending, twisting, and lifting, mainly. Printing becomes possible with these activities. At times like this I will carry my Beretta Pico in a DeSantis Super Fly pocket holster.
What is your pocket carry gun?
As I said, I have a Beretta Pico. Six +1, .380 caliber. Since that’s what I carry and how I use the Super Fly then that’s where my focus will be.
However, whether you’re carrying a small .380 or a J Frame or an LCR DeSantis has you covered. The Super Fly is available for all of those guns.
They even have them for larger guns, like the M&P Shield. My experience with trying to pocket carry my Shield was not all that successful. Everything was fine when I was standing. When I was walking it was fine half the time: when the pocket with the gun was back. When the pocket with the gun was forward it didn’t work very well. “Printing” doesn’t really do justice to how clearly the gun could be seen in my pocket. Maybe you’ll have better luck. Or bigger pants. Or smaller thighs.
The basics
This holster is designed with two different types of material. The outside is a sticky material that will hold the holster in your pocket while the inside is slick to let the firearm slide freely. Retention is provided primarily by gravity and some friction from the pocket. I caution you against doing handstands while carrying in this fashion.
I’ve carried this in jeans, khakis, sweat pants, and athletic shorts. I regularly make test draws in all of them and not once have I pulled the gun and gotten the holster at the same time. Gun comes out, holster stays in, as it should. When it’s time to remove the holster it’s usually easier to remove the gun first (and why waste the practice opportunity?).
Concealment is excellent. I can sometimes see a line in my pocket but it does not look like a gun. Could be a wallet, phone, or anything else solid. And it’s not a constant.
One thing to be aware of with any pocket holster is that a lot depends on your pants and how their pockets are designed. I have one pair of cargo shorts that require me to carry the gun in the cargo pocket. I normally carry this gun in my left front pocket. The front pockets on those shorts are simply too short. The grip is near the top of the pocket and is pretty visible to me looking straight down. I’m not sure that someone a couple feet away could see it but it’s not worth the risk. Not with a perfectly good cargo pocket right there. Although that did necessitate a few practice sessions since it’s basically a new carry method.
As you can see from the picture below the trigger is completely covered. When I’m carrying this it is the only thing in that pocket but even if not there’s no way to get something in there to accidentally pull the trigger.
How the flap works
The first picture is without the flap so I could show the DeSantis logo. Above is a picture with the flap attached. As you can see there is some wear and some pocket lint attached to the Velcro. That’s because I use this holster regularly and things in pockets tend to pick up lint, strings, and such. It has no impact on how the holster works.
The next two pictures show how the Velcro looks on each side of the holster parts.
It’s really pretty simple, yes? It is also adjustable and ambidextrous. The flap is slightly longer than the holster: 4.5″ holster length and 5″ flap length for the one that I have. That gives you a little room to put the flap over any part of the top of the gun that might print. As you can see with my setup above I don’t run the flap to the bottom. The Pico’s grip sticks out enough that I want the extra flap above the top of the holster. The picture below shows the holstered Pico from the “outside”. This is the part that the world sees in my pocket.
As you can see from the picture above the flap covers the grip of the gun. That is, of course, its purpose to aid in concealment. It also means that you need to slip your fingers in behind the flap to get to the grip. My normal refrain applies: practice, practice, practice. I don’t have any problems with that operation.
As I mentioned, I normally carry this in my left front pocket. I am right-handed and initially purchased this gun as a backup. Therefore, I trained and practiced using this with my off hand. Even when I’m not carrying my primary gun now I just keep the Pico left hand for consistency. At the distances I expect to need it I’m good enough with my left hand and my range time with this gun is primarily left-handed. I can always switch hands if more precision is required.
The flap is reversible. If you’re right-handed and want this in your right pocket you just put the flap on the appropriate side. All else is still the same
Is pocket carry right for you?
Most guys our size don’t wear particularly tight pants but I’ll throw this in here anyway: I’m pretty sure skinny jeans would have a negative impact on the functionality of pocket carry.
It’s honestly not my favorite primary carry method. As a backup it’s excellent and there are times when it’s all I can really do. I’ve been using the Super Fly for a couple years now and love it.
If it will work for you, too, then go get one. The best prices I’ve found for them are on Amazon.
The links above will take you to the product page on Amazon. Disclaimer: by using those links I’ll make a small commission. Won’t cost you anything at all.
Until you showed this holster to me, I had no idea a design like this existed.
This is an excellent option for people who live in tropical environments like I do. (Florida)
We tend to opt for as little clothing as possible to stay cool. Which eliminates most of the conventional methods of carry.