Retention vs Wedgey

[Skunkabilly]

I don't know if it's my body type, but I wear 30x30 pants.

I have a high waistline, probably because of my bad posture as a kid (trying to kill that habit...arrg) my spine didn't grow much so my torso is relatively small for how long my legs are.

if I hitched my pants up to the tightest part of my waist, it would be way up in the elbow to armpit.

I'm trying to keep a decent amount of retention, but when I yank the gun, my pants come up. Does anyone else give themselves wedgeys when drawing? Or do I just have the wrong build?

[Wilhelm]

Get a beer belly. That will keep your pants down.


Wilhelm

[Betty]

Try lower-riding jeans - they do make them for guys. I think Wrangler's makes some? I don't mean the girlie kind that rides down the hips and shows off your navel.

Not tightening your belt enough? Jeans way to big? Maybe some pants/jeans have lower riding crotches?

To improve your posture, balance a book on your head. Straighten your back. Walk around like that when you have time. If the book falls off, you're not balancing and you're letting your posture slip. this method will also keep your head level - it keeps you from looking so "slumpy".

[KMKeller]

You're killing me Skunk, you're killing me.

[Mute]

You need a holster that gives a better fit to your gun. A well made holster should retain your firearm but should not give you a wedgy when you draw.

[Denny Hansen]

Leave it to Skunk:D

Runt may be on the right track with low-ride jeans. My IWB holsters take up enough room so I don't have the problem.
'course I took Wilhelm's advice and developed a, uh, large belly

Denny

[BigG]

Get some holsters like Angelina Jolie had in Tomb Raider. :cool:

[Skunkabilly]

Us skinny guys do have a tactical advantage. Bullets pass right through before they get a chance to expand!! :D

I don't wear jeans, and I can't find work pants in a size that fits me :(

Hey Denny, can I be a model for all the brand new sierra hotel ninja gear on the SWAT Magazine new releases page?

Runt, thanks for the tip on balancing a book on head. I been doing it all morning when trying to remember.

[Country Boy]

Skunk-
The holster should clip onto your pants, not your undies! Squeeze your cheeks if you want better retention.

[triggertime]

I don't wear jeans, and I can't find work pants in a size that fits me.


Why not? Most jeans are available in 'tactical' black. ;)

Wrangler's 936 Slim Fit instantly comes to mind.

[Frohickey]

Us skinny guys do have a tactical advantage. Bullets pass right through before they get a chance to expand!!

You forgot... 'We can turn sideways and disappear.' :p

[Carbon_15]

'We can turn sideways and disappear'

its ruff being tactically skinny in a big-guys game (30-32 here)
Yes I DO have to run around in the shower to get wet...yes I CAN stand under a closthesline to get out of the rain...got a problem with that :p
And yes I have had the problem of the 'draw weddgie'. The best fix I have found is to simply buy pants that fit well and invest in a good quality stiff gunbelt...and IWB holster are great.

[Steve Smith]

First of all, you get a wedgie when you draw??!!! OK, man, you need better fitting pants and a holster with a little les resistance. Custom leather seems to know when you want the gun out, and know when you're hanging upside down on the monkey bars.

Second, re-try jeans...I know they come in 30x30 because I used to be 30x30.

[Edward429451]

To improve your posture, balance a book on your head. Straighten your back. Walk around like that when you have time. If the book falls off, you're not balancing and you're letting your posture slip. this method will also keep your head level - it keeps you from looking so "slumpy".

Then try it in heels and post the pic.:D

[10-Ring]

How much retention do you need? I tried to find the point I was pulling up my pants too and found the retention level WAY TOO HIGH for my liking & applications. For competition, loose is okay, for carry, just find something w/ a thumb strap ;)

[gryphon]

I think the last time I fit into a size 30 I was 8 years old!:D I'm a 38 now, have been since high school!

[macmuffy]

I have the solution to ease the weggie out.
undies are very slick and easy to find at the store.
priced right also.http://



( no i am not the model.......)

[eviltravis]

Have you tried a shoulder holster?

[JimP]

Skunk, the potato goes IN FRONT.:what:

[Daniel Flory]

Try carrying IWB instead of OWB. I've never had, nor heard of this problem, but IWB will probably help like Carbon-15 said.

[Skunkabilly]

I shot a match today and it didn't happen...I think the loaded magazines on the left side keep it from happening during live fire, while I always have trouble during dry fire practice.

I do have reservations about using loaded mags during dry fire!!! :eek:

[PeacefulWarrior]

Skunk

Try this get a quality IWB holster and a good gunbelt. I prefer a Milt Sparks Executive Companion because the extra leather "wing" helps keep the holster in your pants (especially with short barrelled guns). When you buy a new pair of pants wear your holster while trying them on. I usually buy one size bigger then have them tailored while I'm wearing the holster for just the right fit.

It is cheaper than beer-belly but not quite as much fun!

[gk1]

I'm a 28x30, and also have a short torso (5'8" tall). I wear jeans, so I don't have this problem. In general, I look at it similar to bullet setback: it's not the crimp, it's the case neck tension.;) In other words, tightening your belt will only make you uncomfortable. Instead, pants that fit more closely through the hips and legs (not tight, just not baggy) help considerably with this.

George

[10-Ring]

Hey, Skunk, I dont know if this has been suggested yet, but have you tried going commando? :evil: :what:

[Monkeyleg]

Aw, c'mon now. I want to see pictures of Skunk in some hip-hugger jeans! (Runt, I think you started this).

Seriously, if your holster's coming up along with the gun, you need a lubricant like Leather Lightning for the holster. It just shouldn't happen.

And, if you really want a real wedgie, get a cop to administer it. The experience isn't anything like "Dilbert."

[Skunkabilly]

I don't own jeans. I only own a few pairs of Tactical Pants (tm) and my khakis for work :p

Holster drew slick as snot with 40 rounds hanging off of it this weekend. Gotta figure out a way to weigh them for dryfire.

[gk1]

Rolls of quarters in the pockets would add considerable weight, and may help on the dating scene, too!;)

George

PS--How tactical are Tactical Pants that are up around your chest when you try to draw? Get some black jeans!!!!

[M67]

"I'm P'd off, I have a gun in my hand ... and I just gave myself a wedgie. Go ahead, punk, make my day." :p

[Edward429451]

Wouldn't cinching up your belt tighter cure the problem?

[CatsDieNow]

Wouldn't cinching up your belt tighter cure the problem?

Ummm...no. A belt is meant to keep your pants above your hips. My waist narrows futher until where my ribcage starts.

I had this same problem trying out kydex hosters at the Mesquite gun show. I also couldn't manage to conceal a Kahr MK9 (while wearing a sweater) unless it was at the small of my back. This further aggravated the problem. Even that wasn't so good, since I don't really have much real estate there.

[Skunkabilly]

Cats saidUmmm...no. A belt is meant to keep your pants above your hips. My waist narrows futher until where my ribcage starts. Me too.

Skunk says: I'll need one of those girlie holster adaptors if I hitch my pants any farther up.

I guess I'll have to carry lots of spare mags on my belt to keep it from hitching up!

[Kahr carrier]

Try tighter pants.:neener:

[CatsDieNow]

Try tighter pants.

You'd like that wouldn't you? :neener:

I would, if only I could find them. Stores cater to the "average" customer. I am about 30lbs lighter than the average woman of my height. Clothes shopping has always been a problem for me.

[Carbon_15]

Leather Lightning


Dang, I forgot about that. I recently switched to Moly-Lube on all my holsters. Its a dry film lube that dosn't leave any residue on the gun or attract sand...and it dosn't slick up the holster so much that you loose retention.

[Betty]

CatsDieNow,
How about some stretchy jeans? I wear those, though not with a holster (I wear a belly band 99% of the time). Some stretchy jeans are more thin/flimsy than others, but I've got a few that are good with belts & gear. I like the flare-legged ones so I can wear an ankle holster.

[10-Ring]

LOL :D :evil: Just had the ugly visual of Skunkabilly in strechy pants w/ flared legs...but more the black tactical spadexy ones for night ops :D

[Carbon_15]

hehe:p

Glad I opted out of this photoshoot
http://www.mallninja.com/images/ImbroglioFlninjaEjpg.jpg

[10-Ring]

Carbon_15 - LOL That's just WRONG! :what: :scrutiny: :neener:

[CatsDieNow]

Carbon_15: Open-carry is not legal here in Texas. The open carry that the man on the left is demonstrating is liable to get him roughed up down here when his back is turned. :D

RoTL: How exactly does this bellyband contraption work? I don't suppose you have any pictures of it?

The problem I was having with the holster was that no matter how I arranged it, some part (usually the bottom of the magazine) was sticking out about 2" from my body. It was very conspicious and was giving the Comp-Tac rep fits because he was trying to make a sale.

[Carbon_15]

Runt modeling a belly-band..now there is a pleasant though to carry me through the day:cool:

[Betty]

Carbon_15,
Eeeeeeeeeeeew! Manteehose! Peter Pan with an AR! :D

CatsDieNow,
The bellyband is an elastic band that can be around 4" to 6" (I like the wider) and it just velcroes around the waist. I wear mine lower around the hips, so the butt of the gun is around the waistline in the 4-5 o'clock position. It's quite comfortable there, and I can slide it up and down or around depnding on what I'm wearing. I wear it over the panties/under the jeans. As long as I wear a top that's about halfway down past my waist, the gun doesn't print. It's more noticeable under stretchy jeans or thin pants, but with the right clothes it's easy to maneuver around.

Hiding a USPc in warm weather:
now you see it (http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/concealback.jpg)

now you don't (http://www.olegvolk.net/newphotos/tn/concealfront.jpg)

I have a longer review on the bellyband on it's good/bad points - you'll have to a search under my name & "bellyband".

[CatsDieNow]

I figured if anyone had pictures, you would. Although, based on Carbon_15's comments, I think I'll check the pics out when I get home from work. It might be difficult to explain to my co-workers. ;)

Thanks for the advice.

[Betty]

:D

Oh, they're very, very Rated G. I'm not in my undies or anything close to that. The "now you see it" is me drawing the USPc and the "now you don't" is just an angle view of the shirt/jeans covering the bellyband & gun.

[Skunkabilly]

Thanks C15! Jeez I hope the Net Admin SWAT doesn't descend upon my PC. Now I'll have to do some explaining....

[Gewehr98]

But I'd suggest a shoulder holster rig, if yer trousers won't stay up when a gun's attached to 'em. ;)

[Steve Smith]

I understand why CatsDieNow has a problem with this...but Skunk? Dude, you're a dude. Maybe some straps between your shoes and pant legs to keep them down?

Cats, I understand you know Justin...you should come up to visit...we'll have a big party and range day! I think some of his Purdue buddies are coming out soon.

[4 eyed six shooter]

Skunk, It sounds like a great defensive move. I mean think about it. You are at the ATM, some slimball comes up and wants the money you just withdrew. With lightning quick reflexes you reach under your shirt, pull your pistol and give yourself a giant wedgie. By this time the slimeball is laughing so hard he figures that you need the money more than he does and crawls away because his gut hurts too much from the laughter. I thought that shooting was thrilling, maybe I'll try shooting with a wedgie. On second thought I think I will just stick with shooting.
Great post. John K

[eoR]

Try a shirt stay. Haven't tried it but it might do the trick.

http://www.uscav.com/shop/uscitemdetail.asp?stk_code=WA8940

Devin

[VaughnT]

Runt, thanks for those pics. The previously posted pics (man in bag. Man in tights) almost drove me over the edge, but you brought me back. I'm in your debt.

Skunk, what you really need to do is build your physique. Being naturally skinny (I hate that) is almost as bad as being naturally fat. Try bent-over barbell rows, one-arm dumbell rows, pullups, shrugs and deltoid raises. By building your upper torso, thereby increasing the V-taper, your pants won't have anywhere to go.

The side-benefit is that the lady's will love you even more and, of course, you'll look even more intimidating in your mall-ninja gear.

try www.bodyforlife.com for some ideas.

[Smoke]

I can't beleive this post went as far as it has....

(Smoke shakes his head in disbeleif as he exits stage right)

:)

[scottgun]

Skunk,
Use velcro to fasten the bottom of your pant legs to your socks on each side. When you pull upward the velcro will keep your pants from creeping up. If you had to make a sudden tactical maneuver, the velcro would release. Plus velcro is highly tactical.

[Jim March]

Sigh.

My belt size is DOWN to a 48.

Oh well. At least it's slowly coming off.

[Killians97]

After ROTL posted on her H&K .45C and use of a belly band I went out and bought the exact one. It does work very well. A bit uncomfortable at first though.

Runt, you MUST be a magician, because when I wear mine in the same manner, I print with LOOSE Calvin Klein jeans! I have taken to moving the band up so the pistol is under my left arm, spare mags on my right front. It isn't ultra comfortable, but getting in and out of my car is much easier now (I will leave out the details here.)

I went back and looked at your "now you see it, now you don't pics" and I am still convinced you are a magician! But I appreciate your advice.

Killians97