Pocket carry in a thobe

Originally posted on Reddit

As a Muslim, I wear a long thobe/kurta, so when I was looking to buy a firearm, I decided to primarily base my choice of firearm on how well I could carry it in the pocket of the thobe. I have friends that carry Appendix (either AIWB or AOWB because its under the thobe) who have modified the side pockets of their thobes, technically removing the inner pocket so that they can reach through the pocket to their holster appendix. Some even modified their buttons on the front of the thobe to have a zip, so the other one hand pulls the zip down while they draw from appendix - kinda like this.

I decided to pocket carry in the right hand side pocket of the thobe. Either way, because the thobe has long slit side pockets, you kinda limited by the opening of the width of the pocket, so it does not snag as you draw through the pocket opening. I therefore looked at micro 9s, for the slimmest gun, that is thin. Because the pocket opening does not really limit of the length of the gun, so it can be a longer barrel, but if its fat, it will snag more.

The other limitation was that i couldn't have an exposed hammer, else that would snag and shoot myself, so it needed to be striker fired.

I then went and shot and tested these: Sig P365 and P365 SAS, Glock43 and 43x, Glock 26, Bodyguard 2.0 In the end, I went with a Glock 43. My first holster was a Remora soft holster (without a clip), that just sat in the pocket. However, the butt of the gun is heavier, so it often tilted forward (kinda fell butt-over-barrel), which meant I was always having it keep it straightened. And then to draw, I had to have my other hand (left hand) hold the holster, otherwise the holster also comes out as I draw. So my left-hand comes around behind me to hold the pocket, whilst my right hand draws. Not easy. Was also concerned about it being a soft holster. I dont keep anything else in that pocket, to prevent any issues, but still.

So I then moved over to a hard Kydex Daniels holster with a clip, which was a left handed holster, so the clip was on the inner-side (facing my right leg). My thobes have these inner smaller pockets (like a pen pocket) in the larger pocket, on the inner-side of the thobe, kinda on the side touching my leg. So the clip fits snugly in that tiny pocket (on some of my thobes, I had to have it narrowed to keep it snug), keeping the G43 nice and upright. This keeps the holster in the small inner when I draw, so now I dont need my left hand to hold the right pocket. With this, I can get 2.5s draw from pocket to target, if I practice often. Its still tough, because when I draw, I need to be carefull to not cover/muzzle my leg. So as my hand is firmly on the butt, and I pull the gun out of the pocket, I swivel it so the butt comes of first out of the opening of the pocket, but still needs to be pointing down to not muzzle my leg.

And just to complete the picture, on my left hand side pocket of the thobe is a Coldsteel Kobun knife in sheath, with a spare mage. I dont need a belt.

So all to say, its not the best, but its the best for my style of dress. Its what works for me. So play around with different ideas until you find something that fits your system. But always be safe and use a holster.