Welcome to Episode Five of "I Carry," Shooting Illustrated'sweekly video series covering the guns and gear needed to put together an ideal everyday-carry kit. Today, we have a Ruger LCP II pocket pistol in a Vedder Holsters Pocket Locker. Rounding out the gear is aTAC5 TCP-9 Tactical Pen and a Blackhawk CQB/Rigger's Belt.
The Gun – Ruger LCP II ($349)
Chambered in .380 ACP with a six-round magazine capacity
Trigger is single-action-style; hammer is cocked by slide cycling, not by trigger pressure
Slide holds open on this new model, unlike the original LCP
The Holster – Vedder Holsters Pocket Locker Holster ($39.99)
Constructed from a single sheet of kydex
Three ways to draw/carry: hook catches pocket corner; eyelet can attach inside of a bag, allowing for purse or backpack carry; thumb tab allows for unholstering
Sweat-guard design completely covers both sides of the pistol, and the closed mouth prevents pocket lint from building up.
The Flashlight – TCP-9 Tactical Pen ($56)
Features unscrewable pen cap, along with a replacement ink cartridge
The cap features an 80-lumen flashlight that is designed to be completely waterproof
Pen itself comes with a small steel blade, which is removable
Opposite side of pen features a glass-breaker made from tungsten steel
Runs off LR936 (watch) batteries, and two spare batteries are also included
The Belt – Blackhawk CQB/Rigger’s Belt ($50.95)
MIL-standard certified belt, constructed with nylon webbing rated up to 7,000 pounds of tensile strength and parachute-grade buckles and adapters
Measures 1.75 inches wide and can secure a firearm and mag carrier, if needed
Comes in black, coyote tan, desert sand brown, multicam and olive drab