Not sure about keeping the CT on my PM9

[melissa5]

So, I was going to pocket carry my PM9 with CT yesterday and was looking in the mirror to see how it looked. I was holding the grip to practice drawing and guess what? I could see the laser through my pants. Great! I can advertise to the BG that I have a gun in my pocket. <sarcasm> Anyway, now I'm not sure that I really want to keep the CT on the gun.

[BuckeyeBlast]

What kind of holster are you using? Would switching to a different holster help?

[melissa5]

I'm using a leather billfold type holster that is open at the muzzle end...maybe if I sewed that end shut it would hide the laser. Thanks BuckeyeBlast.

Nope, just looked at the holster. The leather is too thick and stiff for my sewing machine. Guess I'll start looking for a closed end pocket holster. Any suggestions?

Just found out that duct tape is a good temporary solution. :)

[BuckeyeBlast]

I'm using a leather billfold type holster that is open at the muzzle end...maybe if I sewed that end shut it would hide the laser. Thanks BuckeyeBlast.

Nope, just looked at the holster. The leather is too thick and stiff for my sewing machine. Guess I'll start looking for a closed end pocket holster. Any suggestions?

Just found out that duct tape is a good temporary solution. :)

Duct tape fixes anything. Sorry, no suggestions for a new holster, I carry my PM9 IWB. I do carry my P380 w/ CT in a Recluse pocket holster, but they don't make one for a PM9.

Good luck.

[jlottmc]

I'm using a leather billfold type holster that is open at the muzzle end...maybe if I sewed that end shut it would hide the laser. Thanks BuckeyeBlast.

Nope, just looked at the holster. The leather is too thick and stiff for my sewing machine. Guess I'll start looking for a closed end pocket holster. Any suggestions?

Just found out that duct tape is a good temporary solution. :)

If you want to sew the leather do it by hand. Take a spray bottle of water and wet that leather. Before you do that, get some waxed thread (www.tandyleather.com (http://www.tandyleather.com)) (waxed dental floss works but comes in one color), make a punch out of a dowel rod and an small nail, sharpen that point to needle like then wet the leather. That would be how you sew the leather. The other options look like cut it (sheet metal shears work well) from around the switch, or pull the laser. I'd be willing to bet that if you relieved around that switch a little that all would work like its supposed to. The water works there too, and you may get really lucky and just have to remove a couple of stitches near the switch. Oh forgot to add that leather and sewing machines are NOT friends. Most leather will be too much for all but a treadle type, and even then it can be far too much.

[Bill K]

Melissa,

I can't picture what is happening. Holster leather is pushing on the CT switch that is on the grip under the trigger guard? It is a CT Laserguard, right?

Can you cut away the leather that is touching the switch and still have the trigger itself covered?

Bill K.

[melissa5]

Melissa,

I can't picture what is happening. Holster leather is pushing on the CT switch that is on the grip under the trigger guard? It is a CT Laserguard, right?

Can you cut away the leather that is touching the switch and still have the trigger itself covered?

Bill K.

It only does it when I grip the gun in my pocket. No, I won't be doing that all the time, but...

OK, picture this. It is a dark night and you are leaving the mall. You see your car way in the distance. As you approach your car, you see a very shady looking character. So what do you do? You put your hand in your pocket and grip your PM9 just in case. Now, you have a red laser light coming through your pants pocket and have alerted the shady character that you have a gun in there. It would be like showing your hand at cards.

Am I just worrying about nothing?

[Bawanna]

It only does it when I grip the gun in my pocket. No, I won't be doing that all the time, but...

OK, picture this. It is a dark night and you are leaving the mall. You see your car way in the distance. As you approach your car, you see a very shady looking character. So what do you do? You put your hand in your pocket and grip your PM9 just in case. Now, you have a red laser light coming through your pants pocket and have alerted the shady character that you have a gun in there. It would be like showing your hand at cards.

Am I just worrying about nothing?

Well it couldn't possibly be me, I have no idea what Mall you frequent but I generally avoid malls at all cost. Plus I'm petrified of woman with red glowing from the general area of their front pockets.
I assume if fellow shady characters feel the same way and flee for their very lives it would have the same effect as aiming the PM9 and having the red dot in the general vacinity of their front pockets. You run em off and don't have to shoot em. No mess, no fuss.

Sounds like a win win situation to me.

Park closer, under a good light, better yet don't go to the mall after dark. If you had a watch you'd know it be night time, and night time ain't no time to be in this here neighborhood.

[melissa5]

You're a very funny guy, Bawanna!

[jlottmc]

Umm correct me if I'm (whats that w-word that means not right?), anyway, isn't the CT laser SUPPOSED to come on when gripped like you mean business? If it is a problem, then see mine from above, or just don't latch on good and hard until you do mean business. Hand in pocket + no death grip on gun = no tattle tell, I know it takes zero time for me to lock around my little cannon when I do something like that. Just sayin'

[melissa5]

OK, point taken. I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. :o

[jlottmc]

That is a valid concern, but when you draw he might get tipped off, but I guess it's too late then. The other thing I wonder about is this, is he going to see it, and know what it is, much less react to the light? It's kinda like a cop friend told me, most folks don't look there, and even if they do won't know **** from Shine-O-La.
The other thought I have is let them see the light, and know what it is. Then what, they know you have a pistol in hand and will likely use it? If I was a knuckle head like that, I'd shy away at that point. You could add a little to the bottom to keep the shine down (wasn't that a band back in the early 90's) again, see above for working the leather.

[Bill K]

It only does it when I grip the gun in my pocket. No, I won't be doing that all the time, but...

OK, picture this. It is a dark night and you are leaving the mall. You see your car way in the distance. As you approach your car, you see a very shady looking character. So what do you do? You put your hand in your pocket and grip your PM9 just in case. Now, you have a red laser light coming through your pants pocket and have alerted the shady character that you have a gun in there. It would be like showing your hand at cards.

Am I just worrying about nothing?

Now I see! This wouldn't happen to me because the holster material comes approx. 1/2 way up the trigger guard and my "get ready" grip has my middle finger away from the grip poised to push off the holster as I draw. Then as the gun is coming out of my pocket I'm doing the final positioning of my middle finger on the grip and my pinky under the grip. The laser would not come on until I committed to the draw and gun is just clearing my pocket. Am I making any sense?

Bill K.

[Bawanna]

Kind of makes me want to get one for my PM45. Carry it in my pocket, and hit the switch now and then, maybe pick up chicks.

What do you think Melissa? Any merit in my idea. Bet I'd get alot of funny looks if nothing else. Not like I need any additional bait with my natural charm and magnetism and of course modesty.

[jlottmc]

Kind of makes me want to get one for my PM45. Carry it in my pocket, and hit the switch now and then, maybe pick up chicks.

What do you think Melissa? Any merit in my idea. Bet I'd get alot of funny looks if nothing else. Not like I need any additional bait with my natural charm and magnetism and of course modesty.


Oh this should be good. I'll hide the ammo, clubs and sharp objects from Mrs. B. I can't wait to hear that Canadian/Swedish accented cussing from here.:D I won't even tell her its coming.:behindsofa: You just watch put for the stairs and cliffs.

[melissa5]

Ha! I'm just betting you're a chick magnet all on your own. Sounds like the Mrs. wouldn't like you "flashing" any other chick, Bawanna! :p

[Bawanna]

Ha! I'm just betting you're a chick magnet all on your own. Sounds like the Mrs. wouldn't like you "flashing" any other chick, Bawanna! :p

Well maybe it's like fishing. I'm a big fan of catch and release so I can turn around and catch em again?

[jeepster09]

In my opinion adding a Laser defeats the purpose of SMALL and maximum concealibility. Just go with good night sights.[ie@ XS Big Dots]. Limits holster choices etc.

[melissa5]

I have decided to keep the CT laser because it is such a good training tool...especially on a gun with a long trigger.

[Bill K]

I'm a believer in the many benefits of a laser for training and practice. However, for me, the jury is out as to whether the pros outweigh the cons for carry.

Bill K.

[earle8888]

Melissa5, I believe U made the right choice.

[Bad_Brains]

is that a laser in your pocket or are ya just glad to see me?

[garyb]

I agree that the issue of lighting it up in your pocket is probably making a mountain out of this AND that the CTL is a great training device. Been preaching this for some time. For carry in low light or indoors the laser is beyond instinctive and the sights are still there for bright days. You will be a better instinctive shooter because of the laser if you are dry fire training with it. Great tool....although not an absolute necessity with continued training. As for bulk... CTL adds none. Requiring special holsters may be the one CTL compromise. Can't say about the red light district evolving to a chick magnet...haha.