[P95Carry]

So .... a few weeks back when someone referred to Action Direct's ''Defender'' ..... I got one ...... hoping it might solve some of my summer carry issues. I am eternally after improving carry, and would always prefer my full size piece.

BUT ........ here's the rub (partial pun intended! :p )

Am trying it out today properly for first time ..... jeans are suitable cos bought em bigger ....... my T-shirt is reasonably voluminous - currently untucked - and actual elastic belt fits good and is essentially comfortable. Now .... the downside so far.....

''Contact points'' ..... OK well, the gun is held in nice and tight .... P97 at the moment ....... but the contact from muzzle and hammer area of slide are not exactly comfortable. I could get part ways used to it I am sure, and would always expect to feel the piece to a degree. I mean if you're carrying and can't feel it's there at all ... something has to be wrong.... yes or no?

So .... all you IWB guys ... let's hear your various takes. I am not skinny (6'.00'' and 200 or so) but also not all that tubby .. ''handles'' as such are a bit ''embryonic, despite my advanced years!

If i move forward too much I get impression that I am printing a bit - with end of butt/ base of mag. So some care required it seems in that division. The spare mag in place (just in front of piece) is no big deal however ... that's fine.

I do actually prefer my Fobus, over anything else, but - it does take ''more shirt'' to cover well. Wish I could get away with that all time.

Just now, I am not sure a whole day's wear is gonna succeed .. without sore spots developing.:(

[sm]

Not familiar with holster, however, here goes.

Does this holster have a forward cant?
Have you tried various positions?

6' myself at 165-170#, and no rear end. IWB forward cant at about or b/t 0400 and 0430, this is my strong side ( right side). I do this with a full size 1911 and a Keltec p-11.

In jeans my snaps for holster are split ( I I ) they ride either side of belt loop on jeans. On some Khakis the belt loops are positioned so as the holster snaps are both rearward of these.

Kick the position around, maybe just needs some more breaking in.
HTH

[P95Carry]

Shoulda added maybe .... for those unfamiliar with the ''defender'' ..... it is approx 4" deep, made of elastic ... with front velcro closure ......

On right is a double section .. still elastic ....... which holds the piece .. ahead of that is small mag pouch.

It's open at botton so muzzle goes thru. Forward cant is a bit less than I like ... compared with Fobus paddle i like so much.

Not really a case of ''wearing it in'' ........ cos doubt it'll change that much.

[Edward429451]

Unfamilier with the exact holster you have, but does:

but the contact from muzzle and hammer area of slide are not exactly comfortable.

mean that the muzzle and hammer areas of the weapon are not fully enclosed by the holster and rub on you, steel to skin? If so, I tried one similar before and with the same result, uncomfortable. I went to a iwb holster which fully shrouds the gun, even to the thumbsnap release which is reinforced with steel to ride high and disallow gun to skin contact in any way.

There is a sweet spot that is comfortable for me with a forward cant. 1/2" one way or 1" the other way makes all the difference in the world to comfort. If I hit the sweet spot though...

and would always expect to feel the piece to a degree. I mean if you're carrying and can't feel it's there at all ... something has to be wrong.... yes or no?

No. Nothing wrong. (for me, YMMV). Thats the goal, dont know its there till you need it. If I'm out&about and feel the need to reaffirm what I'm not feeling at that moment, a slight twist of my torso tells me that its there, or the subtle 'elbow check'. If the holster slips for some reason out of the cant feel it sweet spot, it immediately noticeable.

Again, YMMV...

[sm]

Like a belly band? I told you I was clueless, unfamilar with 'defender'. People still won't accept the fact "I'm not that smart";)

Still can you change position? I did use a belly band once ( still considering a purchase) but I used a P-11 and moved to 2200 --driving easy in access, under an oxford shirt with shirttail in.

Getting warm?

[Soap]

IMHO I would get rid of the Defender and get an IWB holster and belt setup. If you wanna be tactical you can get a Wilderness Instructor's belt and a Kydex Holster rig for under a Benjamin. If you want to spend more bucks, you can get a good rig from Sparks, Rosen, Alessi, etc. For that rig expect to pay about two hunnert (as they say in Indiana). Nothing feels as good as a good rig with a good pistol. Make sure you wear an undershirt so that it protects the gun from rubbing onto your bare skin. And don't bend over, squat.

[Edward429451]

And don't bend over, squat.

Thats prolly the worst part of CCW for me. I hate it, it feels unnatural and girlish. Hope nobody seen me squat...:uhoh: :D

I've even thought that squatting in public could telegraph my armedness (?) to those in the know, cause men dont squat!!:D

[P95Carry]

Edward429451 - yep .... exposed top and bottom so .. skin contact. Just been out to eat with wife and was excessively aware of this. Plus ....... found that after some sitting down/getting up ... the belt was riding up and that was not good.

re1973 - ''Belly band'' ..... there ya go .... just the name I shoulda said ... explains it much better! I have I think now tried all positions and as said above .. the damn thing trying to ride up is not good.

Daniel Flory - points taken and ..... looks like some serious $$$'s needed here to get the comfort level I crave. One thing tho .... and this is my big prob in summer ...... just cannot handle an under-shirt .. much as i might like to. I sweat enough for 2 people and the absolute max will be just the T-shirt.

Thx for the feedback guys ...... I think I gotta start saving!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh and yeah, Edward .. the dreaded ''squat'' ....... I think I have a way round that . tend to go down onto right knee ... still awkward tho!

[sm]

I agree with a good leather IWB, prefer leather with a fwd cant, good belt.

I thought the saying was "men don't know squat".;)

[Edward429451]

My bellyband's in the bottom of the holster graveyard drawer. The only way I ever got it to work acceptably for me was to pull it down, wayyy down around my underwear. Accessed thru a baggy fly...I kid you not.:D Didnt need any undershirt or t-shirt at all. I carried a CA Bulldog in it and it worked ok. Especially in summertime.

But for a bigger auto as you say, better go with a leather IWB and good belt as suggested. It has to stay put so its worth it.
I bet the guys in the gunstore'd let you try a few different holsters out.

[Soap]

P95Carry- The fact that you sweat a lot is even more of a reason to wear an undershirt cuz then the undershirt will soak up some of the sweat so it doesn't show through your other shirt. You can even just wear a wife beater if you can't bear to wear a t-shirt underneath. I hated wearing undershirts at first when I was in high school, but you become accustomed to them quickly. Also, you're going to be amazed what a stiff belt and good holster will do for your comfort level. I had a top of the line Sparks holster and my 1911 wasn't comfortable. Then I got my Rosen belt, now that I have a complete rig it is extremely comfortable and I have no problem wearing it in summer weather.

[Richard]

There is an easy solution. What is it? Have Ken L. Null make you a Vern Humphrey style holster for the P97. This holster is an IWB, has a large sweat shield and it is very comfortable to wear. I had Ken make me one for my 1911s and it is great. Regards, Richard:D

[Flashpoint]

Sounds like we have about the same build. I'm 6'3" @ 212-218 lbs. I have had good luck with my current set up. A Steyr M40 (which is about the size of your P95) with a Highnoon Hidden Ally tuckable (http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Sky_High/_Topless/_Slide_Guard/_Pocket_Grabber/hidden_ally.html). The holster is soft glove leather and keeps the gun in place well. I just recently had it modified by putting a cant on it to keep the grip from hanging on my shirt. It really was no big deal, just had the flap cut off and reattached back on at an angle. The leather smith did it in about 5 minutes free of charge. The only thing I have to watch out for is if I wear it for an extended period of time with no belt my waistband stretches and causing my pants to sag and the end of the holster rubs my hip. The best position I have found to carry is at 3:30-4 O'clock. That position keeps it accessible, does inhibit my rang of motion (and with the modification I can bend at the waist with out much of a problem), and I can still set comfortably while wearing it.
http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/2105445.jpg

[sm]

I can concur with High Noon products and service. I have been very satisfied with everthing I've ordered and use.

Just one of many Co's one can choose from.

[AK103K]

If you sweat a lot, dont even consider a leather holster. Get a good kydex holster, along with a good belt. Blade Tech makes a good IWB holster with a high sweat sheid in the back. It protects you from the gun and the gun from you. Once that leather holster gets wet, it will stay wet if you wear it every day. Your gun will be wet. Leather, especially wet leather, against your skin is very irritating and will grab and rub. Kydex is much more forgiving this way. It also doesnt have acids in it to aggravate you more. You really should wear a tee shirt for comfort. The "Instructor" type belts by Wilderness and others are infinite within their range for adjustment and comfort and allow you much more adjustment. Your not to tight or to loose, like trying to hit a hole.

[MLH]

Men with bad backs DO squat if they want to stay out of the hospital. And if your smart you'll do it too to keep from getting a bad back.:uhoh: ;)

[Edward429451]

Men with bad backs DO squat if they want to stay out of the hospital

Or jail. I do it, it just isn't one of my fav things to do. Mostly tongue in cheek.:p

[P95Carry]

Further thanks guys ....... really appreciate all the input and will be doing some hard thinking ..... almost for sure, next time at my fave gun shop, will be trying some stuff out .. they have a good holster stock.

This sorta response and info is what makes this place rock!!:) :)