[Moparmike]

I have looked at several types of holsters and often think to myself "How in hades is that comfortable? How is that actually concealed?" I know that one can actually conceal with a sholder rig and suit, but for just a t-shirt and jeans guy the in-pants holsters look very uncomfortable with a medium (Mak) or full-size (1911, Glock 17, 92fs??) pistol. The only one I see that might work for me is a belly-band.

Now as a big guy (6'0, 280 w/love-handles), I know that it limits my CCW options. I also know that CCW-ing is something that one has to give up a few things for in order to do well. But after a while it would start to get beyond a threshold, and no longer become acceptable.

My question is how does one actually CCW comfortably?

[TheOtherOne]

I know it's not a full size gun, but I have a .40 S&W Sub Compact Glock that I almost always carry using this Galco IWB holster:

http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/normal/USA.jpg (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=1757&GunID=51)

It holds the gun in perfectly - if I've pushed the gun in tight, I can actually hold it upside down and jiggle it some and the gun stays put. It's simple to slide in the pants and hook to the belt (no snaps to mess with) and it stays put. While wearing, It's rarely uncomfortable and I hardly even notice it anymore. The only time I do is when I'm laying down on the couch to watch TV or something and even then if I find the right position then it's not a problem. The only other time it really ever gets uncomfortable is when I'm outside working alot in the heat and start sweating... but then everything I'm wearing is uncomfortable and the gun tucked in the pants only adds to it. I got a Kel-Tec P32 just for times like these, but still haven't decided how I want to carry it.

[PCRCCW]

Actually, you have a false perception. Not a flame..you have a common misconception. IWB is actually very comfy. You actually wont even know the right holster/gun combo is there...even a 75 B/1911 fullsize.
Alot of people start off just like you are now. Look at the gun you want...not that you think will hide very well. I wouldnt compromise on the gun you shoot well and want to carry. Now try a holster for a while. Listen to what people say here in regards to the style of holster they like and the maker of the holster. You will be surprised.
And you being a big guy is a hell of an advantage we "wittle" people dont have in hiding a gun. Im 5'10" and 165 Lbs....I carry a full size gun IWB as often as I carry my PCR. I have yet to be "made"
Shoot well.......

[Soap]

I carry a full size 1911 in a Sparks SSII. The first step is to get a good holster and a good belt. Then make your wardrobe compatible with your carry rig. And never underestimate the importance of being physically fit. Most of the bigger guys I've known have found it impossible to carry anything on their belt. I'm not trying to be insulting but that is where your CCW challenge lies. The belt/holster/gun/cover garments can only do so much to help you conceal.

[Oracle]

If you cannot find an IWB holster that is comfortable enough, you may want to try an ankle holster. They generally work pretty well with even medium sized guns, like the Makarov.

[Billy Sparks]

Mike I am about your size. The way I CCW in the summer is under a Polo Shirt (untucked) or a Hawaiian[sp] styled shirt. I have found I can conceal a Kahr P9, a Beretta 92M, a Sig P225/229, a Glock 26 or a SP101. No not all at the same time but that gives you a idea on what I have been able to conceal.

[happyguy]

The belt is actually more important than the holster. My preferred carry rig for a H&K .45f under an untucked t-shirt is a double thickness cowhide belt from Wild Bill's and a $12.97 Uncle Mikes IWB holster. If retention is a major concern the holster is available with a thumb-break for about $20.00.

There isn't any snob appeal with this rig, but I have worn it for 36 hours straight without a problem.

Regards,
Happyguy:D

[Master Blaster]

good holster and good belt, also you need to get Pants that are not too tight in the waist, even after you have washed thenm and they have shrunk.

A little elastic in the waistband helps.

I can highly recommend a Milt Sparks watch six. Also the desantis inner piece is good and does not have the wait of three monts to be made.


WWW.miltsparks.com
www.desantisholster.com

[cslinger]

You want comfort? You want power?

Baggy shorts with a .357 Jframe revolver. You don't need one of those uberultralittleweighs less than your keys ones either. Just get a regular Jframe or airweight, a cheap pocket holster and throw it into your shorts pocket.

Concels better then some wallets, lots of punch with a nice .357 or even a .38+P, great for contact rolling around fighting kinda shooting, rugged, reliable and even reasonably attractive. No cool factor so to speak but it works for light summer clothing without compromising your lifestyle or wardrobe.

Winter, get a good belt and OWB holster. Wear sweaters. You look nice and nobody would know what you were carrying. I can easily conceal a SIG 220ST like this and this is a big heavy gun.

As for the baggy shorts thing, I can also do an HK P7M8 like this and it dissappears because it is so flat. It is a bit heavy but other than that it dissappears.

Chris

[Moparmike]

No offense taken about the waist stuff. That was actually what I was trying to get at. Being equatorially-enhanced:D is a bit of a challenge for a lot of things. I am also not a big belt guy. Never really liked them.

Thanks for all the advice!

[AndABeer]

What's the saying?

"A pistol should be comforting not comfortable." :D

This sage saying aside, I wasn't a "belt guy" either but they are a must if you want to carry in comfort and are as uncomfortable with pocket carry as I. "They" meaning a proper gun belt, not a $9.99 JC Penny special.

[Mikul]

There are a few ways to carry without a belt:
(1) A belly band: which usually doesn't work for the spherical gentlemen
(2) Ankle Holster: slow draw, can't wear shorts, and limited gun selection
(3) Shoulder holster: very cool looking, not quite so concealable
(4) Fanny Pack: great if you want your stomach to look larger

All of the larger people I know carry in a belt slide holster. Some use pocket carry. With a belt slide holster you HAVE to wear a cover garment: vest, hawaiian shirt, LBV... whatever works for you.

[pax]

Here's the important thing to remember in looking for a holster: what is comfortable for one person isn't necessarily comfortable for the next. So you don't want to buy anything sight unseen if you can avoid it, no matter who recommends it. Even if they are built mostly like you, they aren't built exactly like you -- and little differences can be crucial.

That said, IWB can be very comfortable. As others have said, get a good belt. When you find a holster you like, slide it around on your belt looking for the best, most comfortable spot. Don't be wedded to the idea that it has to ride right at 3 o'clock; move it around until it feels right. Then give yourself time to get used to wearing it.

Also remember that getting a holster for the first time is like getting your very first pair of shoes. If you had just started wearing shoes after a lifetime of being barefoot, shoes would feel pretty weird and uncomfortable until you got used to them. That's ok, and is just a matter of adjusting to a change. You'd expect it to take a little while is all. Same thing with carrying a concealed gun: it's going to take a little getting used to. That's normal. It will feel weird at first, but you'll get used to it.

Of course, if a novice shoe-wearer is given a pair of shoes that don't fit his feet at all, he never is going to get used to it. He'll think all shoes feel like that and that people who wear shoes are all nuts. :D

So, like I said, if it is at all practicable, don't buy a holster you haven't had a chance to try on. And don't give up on concealed carry if your first holster doesn't work for you. Keep looking until you find one that does.

pax

[firestar]

Some people have a higher tolerance for uncomfortable things. Comfort is subjective.

I don't like wearing watches, necklaces, rings, etc. I don't wear shoes in the house because I like to be comfortable. I know people that can wear shoes all day long and also wear watches and all types of stuff on their necks, wrists and fingers. I wear my watch only when I go out and I take it off as soon as I get in. It took me a long time to get used to wearing a wedding ring.

I am one of those guys that am never comfortable with a gun IWB or anything large anywhere. About the largest gun I can conceal comfortably is a Kahr or a snubbie. Anything larger and I really know it is there.

[Bobarino]

oddly enough, i've found a hard plastic Kydex (Blade-Tech) IWB to more comfortable than leather IWB's. i'm not sure how that worked out, but it works for me. go figure.

Bobby

[Zak Smith]

The best advice I have is:

1. Try some different carry modes and positions to find out what works best for you.
2. notwithstanding #1, a high-quality gunbelt and holster work wonders increasing comfort.

I went from a Glock 27 in an Sidearmor IWB (kydex) to a Browning Hi-Power (a full-size, steel, double stack 9mm) and the BHP was more comfortable. The difference? I switched to a high-quality leather holster from Milt Sparks (the Watch-Six in particular) and went to a extra-wide 1.75" Instructor belt (from The Wilderness Tactical).

I've even carried a full-size, steel, 1911 in a Milt Sparks holster. It was noticably heavier than the BHP, but not uncomfortable. And I'm not a big guy either - 5'9", 34" waist, about 160lbs.

-z

[happyguy]

I have noticed that most of the people I have spoken to carry at the 3:30 to 4:00 position. I have found that I get much better concealment, access, and comfort by carrying at the 2:45 position and with a 20 degree cant.

You have to play around with this stuff for awhile before you find the best combination, and you really can't go by what works for others.

Regards,
Happyguy:D

[clubsoda22]

laugh and joke all you want. It works and you can conceal it with a bathing suit and tee shirt. You really don't notice it.

www.smartcarry.com

[sm]

I agree with pax on this one, only you can tell what is right for you.

When I assisted with CCW we had a variety of guns and holsters, we strongly encouraged students to "try before they buy". If that meant thsy tried various guns/holsters of other student or ours, so be it. Even same body types ( as pax said) didn't agree. Yes we even had students say " can I try that gun/platform/caliber with various holsters. Even allowed some (we knew) to take home and wear around the house for a weekend.

Find friends/people at range/ask to borrow a used holster from the bin at gun store, I've loaned and borrowed myself. Saves some headaches and negative (I won't carry because...) and saves money for ammo.

pax has thrown fashion shows for ladies at her range--great idea. We guys can do the same..."this old thing...just tweaking it for Fred". Or "Honey I'd rather buy the right holster the first time, so I can have money to take you out".

[pax we have lines and games too] :D
[the best one, "honey-after the baby I put on weight, '73 said my old old holster made me look fat, '73's holster doesn't, I ordered one" he said this in front of his wife---I went for cover] :D

[usnavymasterchief]

CLUBSODA22 When wearing your Smart Carry "Thunderware" do you get admiring glances from the funny boys because of appearing to have a large package? What do you do when you have to urinate? Doesn't that rig kinda get in the way? I know mine did, worst holster I ever had.

[usnavymasterchief]

MOPARMIKE, I'm also a little overweight and also have had a hard time trying to find an IWB I can live with. I've tried all sorts from Kydex IWB, Kydex OWB paddle holsters, Smart Carry (yuk), several different leather IWB's and I always seem to come back to the old faithful Belly Band. I have one from www.action-direct.com and at $34.00 is a bargan. It does take a small amount of getting used to but is the most comfortable holster I've had and it hides exteremly well. You can slide it around till it feels right. You can wear it high or low and if you want to, you can tuck your shirt in over it.
I carry an all stainless Kahr K40 and it has a small finger extention on the magazine which lends itself very well to the Mexican style carry. I slide the gun in between my jeans and jockey shorts with the grip just above the waist band, cinch up the belt a little and off you go. I have never had my gun to slide down my pants leg yet but I'm sure some folks out there have had that happen. Mexican carry is very comfortable to me, for what that's worth.
Good luck, a holster search can be very frustrating and expensive. John

[Skunkabilly]

I have the body resembling a champion weightlifter from Somalia. I found that comfort usually has to do with whether or not I have a t-shirt on underneath so the gun doesn't dig into my back.

Because I have no insulation on my bones, I get cold easily but I can take the heat pretty well, so I can wear two layers and not be uncomfortable even in the summer.

Right now I have a Kydex IWB for my P7M8 (just ordered one for my Beretta Elite II) and uncomfortable is when it's right up against my back esp when driving and/or hitting my spine.

[Island Beretta]

Moparmike:

Ironically I am about your size as well and CCW a Beretta 92 compact L. For many this gun is actually a full size gun with the regular 92fs being the supersize.

The only problem I have is that the beavertail sometimes dig into my lovehandles after prolonged carry and the weight begins to take its toll.

The Glocks because of that square slide profile is actually harder on me, though they are a paperweight relative to the Beretta.

For IWB I use a simple, inexpensive holster made by Gunmate. My other IWB is custom-made with a high ride to keep the beavertail from digging out my side.

I use Fobus, Yacqui Slide and Uncle Mikes belt slide for OWB under a jacket or big shirt.

[Zundfolge]

I used to carry my Steyr M40 in an Action Direct Defender belly band with nothing but shorts and a t-shirt and it was well concealed and comfortable.

I've been spoiled by my Kahr Mk40 lately.

[Moparmike]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I dont own a pistol yet, and am not old enough to buy one (just turned 20 on the 17th. Stupid 21 laws:fire: ). I figured I should get some ideas from those that can carry so that when I apply, I dont have to waste a bunch of money and time.

Thanks again,

[matsaleh]

I'm about 6'0" and 210lbs. I've only been carrying about 2 months now, so I'm still experimenting. However, I've gone through (and still am) similar thought processes about size/fit/position of CCW. I, too, wear jeans and T-shirt (or untucked button down), and until recently, no belt.

I totally agree about getting a belt. If you do nothing else, that seems key.

I tried an Uncle Mike's belly band with the "body armor" (http://www.michaelsoforegon.com/m_holsters_p.asp?grpky=473) holster (sold separately, attaches with velcro bands). I only wore it for three days, but found it to be a little restricting. I absolutely have to wear an undershirt under it (tight tank top style is best), because it rubs. I won't rule it out for some cases, such as when I have to wear a tucked in shirt, but I don't think it's right for my every day carry.

I accidentally discovered what seems to be an unconventional carry style, however. I was experimenting with IWB positions, using the Uncle Mike's body armor holster only, just for testing purposes. I found that as I tried to find a comfortable position, I kept moving my gun farther towards small of my back, and canting it more and more so that the grip extended towards my strong side.

When I finally found the best spot, the gun and holster were right in the small of my back, with the slide parallel to the ground and the grip upside down towards my strong side. The slide and holster were completely below the waistband of my pants, and the grip extended above my waistband about 3 inches, with my belt and the texture of the holster's outer shell providing ample tension and friction to keep the gun and holster firmly in place.

With this set up I can sit comfortably at my desk, in my car (bucket seats), on a couch, or on the floor. My movement is restricted only by any care I choose to take in keeping my shirt from rising above my waist, as in reaching over my head, or bending over to pick something off the floor (I'm learning to kneel or squat, prolly better for my back anyhoo).

I really like this arrangement a lot. I would love a holster that was designed for this style of wear, but I have not found one at any of the manufacturers or dealer sites so far. I'm thinking of trying to make one myself, but I'm not sure where to get the hardware (e.g. belt clips, mainly).

Hope this helps.

[Tamara]

...I dont have to waste a bunch of money and time.

Boy are you in for disappointment! ;)

I don't know a single person who is a dedicated toter that doesn't have a box full of holsters that they've tried on the way to true totin' happiness. I've been carrying since... well... for a long time, and just this past year finally made the commitment to get serious about toting IWB. Good holster, good belt, and buying my jeans one shelf over to the right at The Gap, and I'm happy as a clam now. Wanna buy a bunch of used holsters? ;)

[only1asterisk]

Mike,

I'm taller, with some home cooking around the middle and have always carried a fullsize gun when clothing permitted. I want to second what Zak said. Try a couple of styles of carry, but when it comes to investing some $$$$ buy a good gunbelt and well made holster. These are the keys to comfort and concealment. A suggestion: until you are 21, an airsoft replica and a fobus roto holster are a good way to see what might work for you comfort wise. The holster is adjustable 360 degrees, so you can experiment and find a position that is comfortable. You can wear it around the house and see what it takes to hide it well. See if family or friends find it. It is worth the $50 if you buy a holster that works well for you on the first try. Ther are those of us that have more holsters than guns.

David

[clubsoda22]

CLUBSODA22 When wearing your Smart Carry "Thunderware" do you get admiring glances from the funny boys because of appearing to have a large package?

You know, us damn gen X-ers and our baggy pants. No one ever seems to notice.

What do you do when you have to urinate? Doesn't that rig kinda get in the way? I know mine did, worst holster I ever had.

It just pushes to the side. Works better for some people than others i guess. At least they have a 60 day trial period for it if it doesn't work for you.

Being a paramedic and carrying a radio pager, alpha pager, cell phone and tac light on my belt on a daily basis and sometimes my palm pilot kinda limits my options for carry. First off, not a lot of room for a pistol and magazines, secondly, when my pager/cell phone goes off, and i have to get to it on my belt, it's quite easy to get made with an accidental slip.

[Loaded]

I'm 5'10", 180 lb. I have an OWB belt holster that is extremely comfortable. I've worn it in many different places and situations where nobody was the wiser that I was carrying. I also use a fanny pack when riding my bicycle in the evenings. I have a Max Con V being made as I type and this will be my IWB. I haven't carried IWB yet but hopefully I will adjust. By the way. I carry a Springfield Compact LW. It is a very comfortable and extremely reliable pistol.