Over the last 6+ months I've had a lot of occasions where I've needed a very discrete/deep cover option with some wardrobe restrictions so pocket carry was what I came up with. I've tried three options, and will cover each in turn:
1. desantis nemesis
2. Bora II all kydex clip
2. ruger holster that comes with the newer LCP
The nemesis is the holster I've had the longest, I got it with my original LCP as it didn't come with a holster like they do now. It took a while to 'break in' and has curved to fit my pocket ok.
Pros:
- stays put when you draw, even with slightly poor technique
- fills the 'base' of the pocket so the pistol can't rotate
Cons:
- bulky, doesn't scream GUN in your pocket but is quite fat and nullifies some of the advantages to a slim pistol
- says it's for the LCP but it's got too much room for the muzzle and lets the trigger guard get exposed just a bit, probably has to fit the P3AT and others with the same model holster
- muzzle is open, lint and crap can get in there
Bora II, I've had this one for a few years and was carrying it the most.
Pros:
- small and light, adds no width to the pistol and very little weight
- trigger is totally covered all the time
- stays put if you have to stick the pistol somewhere else (bag, jacket pocket, whatever), it's not coming off by accident even with the pistol rattling around
- can load/unload without removing the holster
Cons:
- easy to have it stay on the pistol when you draw, if you're not exactly correct with your technique it stays put
- turns over in my pocket, ends up 'slide down' after lots of activity and I've got to reach in and rotate it. leads to a lot of fiddling.
- the slide can print on the pocket... not sure anyone could tell it's a gun unless you told them and they were really familiar with the rear slide profile of an LCP
- muzzle is 100% open (but I've taken to putting a piece of gaffers tape over the muzzle and onto the holster, it stays with the holster during the draw in every test I've done)
The Ruger holster I just saw sitting in the box and thought... why not try it?
Pros:
- super comfortable. It's the only option where I can actually 'forget' that the pistol is there
- much less bulky than the desantis, now that it's broken in it's very flat and adds minor thickness
- exactly fits the LCP, covers the whole trigger guard and the muzzle is right into the end of the holster
- muzzle end sealed, no getting lint in there.
Cons:
- not as fool proof to draw from as the desantis (but way easier than the Bora)
- not ridged... maybe you could get at the trigger but you would have to really try so more of a 'meh' than an actual con
- lower quality than the desantis, it's already showing wear after just a few months
Now that I've got a few months with each, I'm carrying it in the Ruger holster almost exclusively. It's the best compromise on size, comfort (best there actually), ability to draw and trigger protection. I keep the bora in my bag in case I have to ditch the pistol somewhere I can clip it into that and know the trigger will not be exposed.
So there ya go, I had no idea the best option for me was sitting there right in the box.... if only my first LCP had come with one. But let's be honest, I still would have tried others. Can't imagine an OEM does the best job at something....
1. desantis nemesis
2. Bora II all kydex clip
2. ruger holster that comes with the newer LCP
The nemesis is the holster I've had the longest, I got it with my original LCP as it didn't come with a holster like they do now. It took a while to 'break in' and has curved to fit my pocket ok.
Pros:
- stays put when you draw, even with slightly poor technique
- fills the 'base' of the pocket so the pistol can't rotate
Cons:
- bulky, doesn't scream GUN in your pocket but is quite fat and nullifies some of the advantages to a slim pistol
- says it's for the LCP but it's got too much room for the muzzle and lets the trigger guard get exposed just a bit, probably has to fit the P3AT and others with the same model holster
- muzzle is open, lint and crap can get in there
Bora II, I've had this one for a few years and was carrying it the most.
Pros:
- small and light, adds no width to the pistol and very little weight
- trigger is totally covered all the time
- stays put if you have to stick the pistol somewhere else (bag, jacket pocket, whatever), it's not coming off by accident even with the pistol rattling around
- can load/unload without removing the holster
Cons:
- easy to have it stay on the pistol when you draw, if you're not exactly correct with your technique it stays put
- turns over in my pocket, ends up 'slide down' after lots of activity and I've got to reach in and rotate it. leads to a lot of fiddling.
- the slide can print on the pocket... not sure anyone could tell it's a gun unless you told them and they were really familiar with the rear slide profile of an LCP
- muzzle is 100% open (but I've taken to putting a piece of gaffers tape over the muzzle and onto the holster, it stays with the holster during the draw in every test I've done)
The Ruger holster I just saw sitting in the box and thought... why not try it?
Pros:
- super comfortable. It's the only option where I can actually 'forget' that the pistol is there
- much less bulky than the desantis, now that it's broken in it's very flat and adds minor thickness
- exactly fits the LCP, covers the whole trigger guard and the muzzle is right into the end of the holster
- muzzle end sealed, no getting lint in there.
Cons:
- not as fool proof to draw from as the desantis (but way easier than the Bora)
- not ridged... maybe you could get at the trigger but you would have to really try so more of a 'meh' than an actual con
- lower quality than the desantis, it's already showing wear after just a few months
Now that I've got a few months with each, I'm carrying it in the Ruger holster almost exclusively. It's the best compromise on size, comfort (best there actually), ability to draw and trigger protection. I keep the bora in my bag in case I have to ditch the pistol somewhere I can clip it into that and know the trigger will not be exposed.
So there ya go, I had no idea the best option for me was sitting there right in the box.... if only my first LCP had come with one. But let's be honest, I still would have tried others. Can't imagine an OEM does the best job at something....
