A Different Kind of Pocket Holster.....

[CDR]

I don't know if many of you know about Robert Mika and his superb line of pocket holsters, but they are the favorite amongst many on and off duty police officers in the United States.  Mr. Mika is a retired LAPD officer, now residing in Wisconsin, who realized that the holsters that were available years ago for pocket carry left something to be desired.  So he designed and made one for himself, according to what he felt was important in a holster, and has been making them ever since.  They are a favorite amongst the LAPD and have been so for about 20 years now. 

I ordered one recently when I heard Mr. Mika's holsters mentioned by Massad Ayoob in a recent Personal Defense TV episode.  Its what Mr. Ayoob uses to carry his 340 PD in his front pocket.  Hey, I figured if its good enough for Massad, it's more than good enough for me.

By the way, Mr. Mika is wonderful to deal with and his communication and speed of delivery is superb.  Check out  the link below if you carry a pocket gun.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

Regards

[CDR]

Michael,

Great piece on pocket pistols and holsters......thanks.  By the way, I was happy to see that you mentioned Robert Mika's holsters in your write-up and included his link.  Very affordable and excellent functionality.

Thanks

[CDR]

Hi all,

I just wanted to report on the Robert Mika pocket holster I ordered recently for my snubby, which arrived today.  I must say I am more than impressed and delighted with its form and function.  This has to be the best buy in pocket holsters out there, bar none.  It is beautifully hand sewn and padded and a nice, unexpected touch is Mr. Mika's hand written notation on the inside of the holster, written in white ink directly onto the soft black fabric lining before it is assembled.  The notations indicate, "Handmade by Robert Mika for (customer's name) on 2/2007".  On the opposite side, the gun manufacturer and model the holster was custom made for....in my case "S&W 340 PD" (but will probably be used for the 340 M&P model I have ordered from Smith and Wesson which has the exact same dimensions).

Anyone who orders one of these pocket holsters will be very happy with what they receive.  What I especially like about the holster, from a form perspective, is the way it is sewn so it maintains its opened shape inside your pocket at just the right size to effectively allow you to draw the gun out and reholster it easily.  No struggling to try and squeeze the gun in and out of the holster opening.  It is stiffened to the right degree to remain opened while the material is soft and padded enough to be comfortable and flexible in your pocket.   It also effectively covers the trigger guard area while keeping the grip fully exposed to enable a quick and sound grip on the revolver when you need to draw it.  Also, the rubberized strip that surrounds the center of the holster effectively keeps the rig inside your pocket when you draw due to its slightly tacky feel.  It is also cut at precisely the right shape to sit perfectly inside your pocket at the correct angle without shifting around. I highly recommend this holster and, at $18 shipped, it is priced way lower than it should be for a customized holster made precisely for your gun's specifications.  A very nice job by someone who obviously has the experience and knowledge to produce such a product.  No wonder the LAPD and other police forces around the country swear by these  pocket holsters.

[DonWorsham]

...Robert Mika pocket holster ... it is sewn so it maintains its opened shape inside your pocket at just the right size to effectively allow you to draw the gun out and reholster it easily...

CDR,
It would be great if you would come back in 3 months and let us know how this holster stands up to being used (on a daily basis??).

[CDR]

CDR,
It would be great if you would come back in 3 months and let us know how this holster stands up to being used (on a daily basis??).

Will do Don, no problem........hopefully I will just be placing it in my pocket and not drawing it out on a daily basis.....   Otherwise, I'm moving!!

[Sponsor]

[DonWorsham]

...hopefully I will just be placing it in my pocket and not drawing it out on a daily basis.....  

You should consider spending five minutes a week (or once a month) drawing the gun. Make sure it is unloaded, do a smooth draw (quick not fast) and pull the trigger twice.

[CDR]

You should consider spending five minutes a week (or once a month) drawing the gun. Make sure it is unloaded, do a smooth draw (quick not fast) and pull the trigger twice.

Hi Don,

You're absolutely right....thanks for the tip.  I think this makes a lot of sense in order to become proficient to the level where the pocket draw becomes second nature and one doesn't shoot oneself in the leg or buttocks in haste.  Would it make sense to eventually practice the same draw with live fire at the range, or is it simply too risky and dangerous to attempt a draw from the pocket with live fire, regardless of how good one gets?  I'm thinking dry fire practice only is best but not sure.  With a J frame, is it better to use snap caps for practice?

Thanks.

[DonWorsham]

Hi Don,

... or is it simply too risky and dangerous to attempt a draw from the pocket with live fire, regardless of how good one gets?  I'm thinking dry fire practice only is best but not sure.  With a J frame, is it better to use snap caps for practice?

You would have to decide if live fire is appropriate for you. Having said that, if you never practice drawing with live fire, will you do when/if the time comes for real? I have snap-caps for reloading practice but not for dry fire.

[CDR]

You would have to decide if live fire is appropriate for you. Having said that, if you never practice drawing with live fire, will you do when/if the time comes for real? I have snap-caps for reloading practice but not for dry fire.

Thanks Don,

I think you make a valid point regarding not knowing how one will react in a real life situation unless proper practice preceeds the event.   Once I get comfortable with the dry fire draw, and in turn instill in my muscle memory not to touch the trigger until the target is in my sights, then I will proceed with live range practice.  I was thinking to always use snap caps for dry fire...do you think it is unnecessary with a J frame?

Thanks

[DonWorsham]

In regards to snap-caps, I just like my revolver empty when I dry fire. I have snaps for all my guns (9mm, .45s, .22s, 12ga) and use them for reload practice and demonstration purposes.

Another thought...I only dry fire in one place in my home (my home office, I need to get a TV in there instead of the picture of Bane). Any other time, my gun is loaded in my pocket and ready to go.