[Dashunde]

I live in Missouri with our new CCW law finally coming to fruition.
I'm not new to guns, but I certainly am new to holsters...I never had a need for one before, I keep my guns in cases.

So.. what is the best way to carry a gun like the PT145? I'm a bit on the "festively plump" side of the weight scale (6' @ 200), so IWB is not really an option seeing how I have no loose fitting pants. :banghead:

[fourdeuce82d]

"I have no loose fitting pants'


buy some. *grin*


I carry glocks/1911s IWB behind the right hip. Am 'pleasantly plump" myself. From my experience, you get used to it after a while. I think it beats wearing a fanny pack, AKA "I'M CARRYING A GUNG-I'M CARRYING A GUN" sign, or inside a briefcase/daytimer.

if your dress code at the office doesn't allow for that, consider a Kel-Tec P11, a little Jframe .38, or maybe a NAA .380 holstered in a hip pocket.

my $.02

[Spieler]

I carry my G17 in a FOBUS paddle and it works great for me. It's comfy, easy on and off and it stays solidly locked in place on my hip - no sliding around or loose fit. Also carry a Beretta 21 strong side front pocket in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

[C.R.Sam]

I usually carry my primary guns at 4 and 8 o-clock, high n tight in OWB holsters.

Sam

[denfoote]

I'm basiclly an IWB guy. I'm somewhat rotund, so I went the extra mile and increased my pants size!!! :D

[boing]

The first thing you need is a big box to hold all the reject holsters you're gonna end up with before finding one that works for you. :D

You may have to accept the necessity of re-configuring your wardrode to accomodate your carry method. Investing early in a good belt made for carrying a gun will help you accurately judge the functionality of your holster choice.

I like IWB belt holsters. I needed new pants, too, and new shirts.

The PT145 is pretty small. I don't think you'll have much trouble hiding it, but you should get out to the gunshop and see if they'll let you try out some gear to see how it works for you. Nothing beats hands-on shopping.

[Rob96]

I carry my Glock, 1911 and revolvers at 4 o'clock, IWB.

[mr. e]

I prefer OWB pancake holsters worn at 4 o'clock on my hip. This works for my Kahr K9 in the summer (typically under a loose Hawaiian shirt) and my Walther P99 in the winter (under a heavy shirt or jacket).

I can't carry in the office, and company rules forbid firearms even in the parking lot, so I don't carry all the time.

[WhoKnowsWho]

I'm only 5'11" and 250 lbs but IWB at about 3:30 works fine. Works much better with the thin 1911 than the slightly thicker Kahr.

And when I don't have a baggy shirt clean enough to wear over that, I just carry my P-32 in my pocket. But I get more worried about that printing when I am sitting than at any time with my IWB carry.

[clipse]

I don't carry yet because I too am in Missouri. My plan is to try OWB about 4-5 o'clock with an untucked shirt. I cannot carry at work because I work in a court house and that is forbidden.

clipse

[cslinger]

IWB works well but can be uncomfortable.

OWB is extremely comfortable but requires a bit more care.

If I IWB, I can wear a golf shirt or similar un-tucked and conceal just fine.

If I OWB I can carry a full size P220 stainless comfortably and it is concealed as long as I wear a cover garment/vest/button down shirt untucked over a tee shirt etc. This is becoming my prefered way to carry.

Under a sweater also works very well with either.

For hot summers with shorts and tees I am a pocket carry happy Jframe .357 kind of guy. No muss, No fuss just throw the ole' snubby in the pocket and move on.

Try different holsters and methods. I would suggest Don Hume Holsters for your testing phase because they are very high quality and very very affordable.

Remember 99.9% of people are totally oblivious and caught up in their own lives. They are not looking for you to print they are not looking for you to be carrying and even if they do by some act of God notice you are carrying chances are they will think you are a cop or other LEO/FED unless you are dressed like a thug.

You will feel like the whole world is staring at you but that is not the case. Also remember the time and society we live in. People carry lots of crap on their belts. Cell phones, PDAs, Pocket Knives, etc. A buldge on your belt is probably just going to scream cell phone or PDA. I carry my extra magazine in a Gerber Knife case.

Chris

All that being said I highly suggest a Jframe sized revolver. It is small, reliable and powerful. They are supremely easy to carry and tend to work in the most adverse situations. Throw in pocket and go. They make a great all the time gun.

[jdege]

ompany rules forbid firearms even in the parking lot,

We need some of the states with older CCW laws to adopt some of the privisions
that the newer states have introduced, to address problems that we've seen in
the older laws.

Like, for example, forbidding companies from restricting carry in parking lots.

[clipse]

Anybody carry with shoulder holster under a tuxedo jacket? http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/blackeye/double0smile.gif :D


clipse

[mtnbkr]

I either carry my steel J-Frame in a OWB holster at roughly 4-O'Clock or my P32 in my pocket. I could never warm up to IWB.

Chris

[Flashpoint]

Most of the time I carry IWB with a Highnoon Tuckable. I dont always tuck my shirt, but it's an option and hides pretty well when I do. When I where a pair of pant o shorts that are too snug for IWB I have pancake holsters that I use with an untucked shirt. Between the two methods the IWB conceals the best because it holds the grip closer to my side and keeps the shirt from hanging as often.

[Bravo11]

I carry OWB. Most of the time a Sig239 in a high rise pancake.
I find myself keeping my arm hanging down the side of my body un-naturally like I'm trying to hide something, I don't know why.
I also made myself get into the habit of always tugging the bottom of my shirt whenever I get up from sitting just to make sure I'm covered.
I once went out for lunch and when I got up my shirt had rode up over my carry, luckily a friend indicated that I was "hanging out" and I corrected.

[yzguy]

in a Fist K1

http://www.1bad69.com/gallery/GunStuff/holster/dcp03244.jpg

http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/k1.htm

[Dashunde]

Thanks very much for your replies, It looks like I've got alot of options to sort through.