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Body type and CCW

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greyhound

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Joined
May 17, 2003
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Birmingham, AL
Now obviously in Maryland our "May Issue" CCW is a joke, but once I move to Alabama their "May Issue" is said to be in reality "Shall Issue". So I am going to be getting my CCW.

Now, I am 5'8", 160 lbs, short and stocky, and in practicing (at home) concealed carry it seems difficult. I know that the holster makes all the difference, but I wonder if folks have tips or recommendations for different body types (not just short and stocky, but tall and thin, tall and heavy, etc etc.)

One thing I always see on THR is discussions on CCW holsters, techniques, and such - so I wonder if "short and stocky" really IS the hardest body type for comfortable/practical/truly concealed CCW.
 
Just a couple of things:

Try different positions and methods. You might find that IWB just doesn't work for you, but OWB with a pancake holster does. Or that the standard "4:00" carry is cumbersome, but cross-draw at 11:00 works fine.

Also remember when picking out covering garments that dark colors conceal better than light colors and busy patterns (tartan, floral, paisley) works better than simple patterns or no pattern.
 
Also, whether you're short or long waisted makes quite a difference in choosing a belt holster. I'm long legged and short waisted, so when my former agency issued high-ride pancake holsters a number of years ago, the butt of my .38 Special was literally riding in my armpit. I carried in my Hoyt 888 break-front holster that put the cylinder right on my beltline, and enabled me to draw straight out the front.
 
I had been using a Fobus paddle over my left front pocket. This is due mainly to the "visable while driving" Ohio law.
I've sence tried a friends K&D pocket holster for a week and liked it so much I ordered one last week.
I'm carring a G26 and will put the gun/holster in my left front pocket for right hand cross draw. The Glock conceals really well and allows me to uncover while driving. Lastly and most important is I can sit down with it in this position without any need to move it. It's just plain comfortable.
By the way, I'm 6' 170.
 
often wondered about this - not able to get my CCW yet ... but soon.

Love my shoulder harness - but obviously in texas it is not a year round solution.... heck - its barely a one month solution =)

My next gun will prolly be a compact .357 in one of those hard to practice w/ very light revolvers... w/ a pocket holster... just cause its almost seemingly impossible to carry much of anything else.. (and if nothing else makes a great backup)

The main gun i'd like to carry once i get my license... is my HK USP compact .40... seems a bit large tho.. =( my other revolver is way bigger tho - so wouldn't be any better and in fact worse i think...

Dunno tho - there should/are much better experienced persons that could answer those questions here =)

J/Tharg!
 
I second the idea to try different carry locations. The "standard" carry location seems to be behind the strong side hip, especially for IWB, but there are alternatives. I like to carry IWB just in front of my right (strong) hip. This is similiar to the so-called "appendix carry" position, except that the gun is pointed outboard, away from my leg and groin, not inward as is usually associated with appendix carry.

This spot works VERY well for me. Much better then behind the strong side hip. The gun conceals well, doesn't print when I bend over and is very comfortable. Gun size, and especially barrel length, is critical though. I've had good luck with a Makarov or a S&W 3" K-frame revolver in this location, but anything bigger doesn't seem to work.

I've also found that this location tends to work better with clip-on holsters. I have a cheap clip-on for the Mak and a much nicer Alessi Talon clip-on for the Smith. Both work well. The problem with through the belt holsters seems to be that they are not set up for this location (being designed for behind the hip carry) and once the holster is secure on the belt, the cant is wrong. The clip-ons seem to more easily adjusted.
 
Im short and stocky too and i havent found a good method for concealing a weapon with the traditional (behind the hip) IWB method. My (ahem) girth seems to puch the butt of my pistols out just far enough to get tangled with any cover garments in that position.

I have found that pocket carry works pretty well (with a small enough gun of course). I have also experimented with carrying just to the right of my spine using an iwb or belt holster with good results. I have also been looking at this interesting holster from high noon http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Bottom_Line/_bottom_line.html I believe that someone else makes a similar holster that either rides higher or is sortof half IWB but i can't find it now.
 
5'7", 42" waist and 220 lbs.

I've tried OWB and IWB and what works best on my frame is IWB at 3 or 4 o'clock.

In addition IWB is the only method I've found that absolutely does not print no matter what I'm wearing. OWB (be it a paddle or pancake) prints horribly with full size carry guns. They print with every type handgun I have with everything but a sport coat or heavier jacket. Untucked shirt or polo shirt (which is what I normally wear) over OWB is just plain unacceptable and cries out to the world that there's a gun under there.

I've tried $100 IWB leather and $30 IWB leather and to be honest, IMO, there isn't $70 worth of difference in utility between them though there is in look. If one is into status and look buy a $100 holster if one doesn't care about that stuff (which no one but you sees anyway - concealed means concealed after all) then a $30 Don Hume or similar will do the trick.

If you decide to go IWB stay away from Uncle Mikes - IMO they are just too fat, don't feel right and flop around on your belt. Uncle Mikes is OK for OWB woods or home carry but that's about it.
 
I'm not short, but I'm sure I would qualify as stocky. I used to carry a full size 1911 strong side hip but noticed that it is a little more comfortable just in front of the hip like Trebor suggest. The biggest factor for me was the cant of the holster. Tilted a little further forward is much more comfortable. Still with a full size 1911 and I can conceal with just a t shirt. It's too hot down here to wear all those layers to conceal. I'm a shorts and t shirt kind of guy, year round. The key is getting clothes that fit you while you have the gun/holster on, and a quality belt. It's a little ackward changing in a dressing room while packing, but you get used to it.

sometimes the fanny pack isn't too bad either (when wearing work out shorts and t-shirt) especially in a touristy place.
 
I used to use a fanny pack but never could find one that really gave me a range of choices and that was well enough made. Then I discovered Wilderness and the Safepacker. When I wear jeans, I carry it through the belt loops on my right strong side. When I wear shorts, I usually use the fanny pack attachment thing to turn it into a fanny pack. And sometimes I take that off and snap the carrying strap on it and carry it diagonally across my body. Lots of choices and lots of sizes. My S&W 296 with large wooden grips and one speedloader goes everywhere with me in an Officers size model.

http://thewilderness.com/catalog/default.php/cPath/2

Gregg
 
I have a hard time concealing using any technique other than pocket carry. I'm 5'11" and 215lbs. Unfortunately, all of my excess weight is concentrated around my midsection (I have lean arms and legs). My natural waistline is below "the roll". That means anything on my belt is pushed outwards by my "spare tire". IWB and Belt Carry work out the same way. Belt carry works if concealment isn't an issue, but I prefer pocket carry when it absolutely must be concealed.

Chris
 
I'm 6ft tall, wiegh 150lbs with a 29 inch wasitline. I carry at 4:00 IWB in a Milt Sparks SS-2. Works well for me, good thing too. 29x32 jeans are a PITA to find, 30x32 is much easier.
 
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I am 5'7", 170+lbs, so I know your "pain". I have two carry guns - a J-Frame and a Kahr sub-compact. I have a camera case that looks like, well, a camera case; both my guns fit nicely in the case (one at a time). Also, you might want to consider a Kangaroo pouch rig - I use it over a T-Shirt, and doesn't have to be as tight as shown here: http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/
You may have to do some hand sawing to be sure your gun is secure enough. Good luck.
 
Small of the back is sometimes a viable option. Also what you are wearing or where you are going can influence carry position as well. I use a different set-up when wearing a suit in the evenig as compared to wearing an u-tucked shirt during the day...
 
I'm about 5'11" and 150lbs with a 29" waist. I carry my 4" all steel 1911 in a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 very comfortably. My jean size is 30x32.
 
Leaner does seem to make things easier, so Lone Gunman's advice is sound. I dropped the 10 lbs I gained after an accident and notice the difference.
I'm 6', 180 lbs, athletic build. IWB with a clip on holster works well with my Glock 27. This rig can be worn comfortably with shorts and tank top hanging out, as long as I have no plans to take the shirt off or get it wet.
After reading the comments and suggestions at this site and others, for summer I have adopted a pocket carry with a hammerless J-frame. It also fits well into an ordinary belly pack and I can carry the spare speed loader easily also. Best part is that it doesn't LOOK like a CCW fanny pack.
(Almost said "Tactical" fanny pack there:evil: )
Several of our shooters fit your "short and stocky" description and they seem to rely on vests and other cover garments. I will bring the question up at the next shoot.
 
Well, I suppose leaner makes a difference to a point...

I am 5'8, 110lbs and female. I can't seem to find anyplace except IWB at about 1-2 o'clock that doesn't look like a gun-shaped tumor. I can usually hide this with loose clothes and the fact that no one would expect me to be carrying.

The problem with this position is it is right where the seat belt lands.
 
I'm 6 ft 1 in. tall and have yo-yo'd between 210 and 250 pounds for the past eight years. Pants waist size has been from 36 to 42. The most common weight in the period is in the 215-220 pound range and 38 size waist.

That being said, here's my expereinces:

Glock 30 in ThunderWear works fine with a spare mag, no printing SO LONG as the pants or shorts have PLEATS. No pleats, it looks like a brick in your crotch.

Other guns carried in ThunderWear successfully were Taurus 617 and 2 speed strips, Commander with spare mag, Kahr K-9 and spare mag, and 3" Model 66 with J-frame 2" on other side. Please note to be careful how you sit with this holster on,... you can clink, and you ain't Goldmember. Oh, and using urinals is a bit of a trick with this one on.

As far as pants go, for IWB usage, go for pants one waist size larger ... by this I mean if you normally wear 38s, then buy 40s. The real estate you gain inside is well worth the price.

If I'm carrying a wheelgun I prefer the style of IWB that has either loops, straps, or screws NOT over the cylinder of the reveolver, where it is bulkiest. The VM-2 or Tucker's Texas Heritage are ideal setups for concelaing fighting wheelguns. The distance between the J-hooks or loops helps pull the gun into your body and "melt" it better than the single hook, loop, or clip found midsection.

For autos, the placement of loops or J-hooks is less important due to their flatter profile. My Glock and Colts, and Kahrs were easily concealable either IWB or OWB with a solidly made holster and a GOOD GUNBELT.

Appendix carry has worked very well when I have had less of a belly. The Commander and 3" Model 66 were about as long as I'd want to push that carry method. Appendix works better than behind the point of the hip for long periods at a desk or driving. At least it did for me. Note to self, never try appendix carry with that 6" N-frame again and sit down... OUCH.

I've tried crossdraw and found some times when it makes a lot of sense. The first is when seated at a desk or driving for many hours. The gun is very easily accessible and in both of those cases, you are unlikely to have someone try and grab your piece without some obstacle in the way, i.e. desk, or car door or window. The other time when crossdraw makes a helluva good sense is the cold of winter. I have found it much easier to whip up the front of a zipped jacket bunched in one hand and draw the piece, than have to do a song and dance to yank out a 4:00 positioned IWB piece. This is especially true when you are in very cold weather and have multiple, bulky layers on.

The gunbelt is the key to really hiding any substantial handgun on your midships. I have never found a reliable belt in any department store, or other retail outlet. They all lack the lateral stability to keep the holster and gun from bowing out. As you pack on more pounds, this tendency to displace the butt of the weapon gets more prominent. The $60 to $100 you'll spend on a quality belt will come out to less than $10 a year, as they last for over a decade, if properly cared for. Ideally, you'll want a double ply belt for anything over about 24 oz. that you plan on carrying all day. If you insist on trying to get a store-bought belt to do the work, apply the "pinch test." Take the belt between your thumb and first two fingers on the top and bottom of the belt. Squeeze it and try to bend the leather. If you can bend the leather, odds are pretty darn good that the belt lacks the "spine" (lateral stability) to hold the wight of the gun and mag pouches, etc. all day long.

Ankle holsters are something I've never warmed up to at all. The small of the back holsters scare me too much (spine damage, etc.). Shoulder holsters are better suited to cooler climates where you can get away with concealing garments more year-round. The other benefit of a shoulder rig is the lack of finding a parking place for the chunk of metal when you gotta drop trou in a hurry because the Mexican or Thai food is kicking in.

Sorry for the ramblings, hope you find something useful in it.
 
Good CCW is all about technique , good form , posture , practice and attitude . I carry a full size Sig under a tshirt daily -without the use of cover garments or expensive rigs .
 
I have the tire issue too and it does tend to cause printing if I carry at 2-4 o'clock strong side. Here in TX any kind of a jacket or vest is pretty much a no-go most of the year. I like shirts worn tail-out but that's a no-go at work. I can get by with SOB but it's way less than comfortable in the car or when sitting which I do all day. I have tried several (many) types of IWB, OWB, SOB holsters but just never found one that was completely comfortable yet one that hides well and is still easy to get at. I agree that cost may or may not be a good indicator of what will work well but for IWB carry an extra inch or 2 in the waist is a must.

I finally gravitated to a fanny pack for the Bersa or PCR (when I wear jeans)and pocket carry for the mouse guns (in dress ups) . I don't use one of the units made commercially for concealed carry. Just a 15$ Columbia I picked up at a trail shop.
This unit takes a bit of tinkering to get the firarm to position well but after that's worked out it's smooth sailing. Not a quick as a holster.

I know when people eyeball me they probably think...."Dude's packin". At first that used to bug me but now I'm not sure I care too much. It seems to me it would take a pretty stupid BG not to relect on what might be in a fanny pack so in that way it's about 1/2 way to open carry.

If I didn't have a CHL, I might wear a fanny pack to create a false preception or the part of any BG that I just might be armed.

S-
 
I agree with the posters that stressed losing some weight.

When I started carrying, I weighed around 265lbs. (I am 6'8", think 5'8"/180), and I currently weigh around 330. I have noticed a big difference in my ability to carry different weapons and to use different techniques.

Now for me the best method is IWB, but the width of the weapon is critical. My 1911 or CZ75B are the best for this even though they are all steel and quite heavy.

I use a SW 642 for pocket duty and a CZ 75 P01 for OWB when I can.

W
 
I am 5'8, 110lbs and female. I can't seem to find anyplace except IWB at about 1-2 o'clock that doesn't look like a gun-shaped tumor. I can usually hide this with loose clothes and the fact that no one would expect me to be carrying.


Interesting. That's the same spot I carry, but I am NOT 5'8 and 110 lbs (or female).

I'm 6' 1", 200 lbs and male, with a slight gut. It's interesting that the same location works so well for both of us, even with our drastically different body types. (Viva 'la difference, btw...)

I'm curious about what gun/holster combo you use now.

The problem with this position is it is right where the seat belt lands.

I have the exact same problem. It's really the only drawback of this carry position. I've considered trying the 10 o'clock "crossdraw" position instead. It looks like it would have the same concealment and cover advantages. I haven't tried it yet though, as my holsters aren't set up for crossdraw.
 
Actually, I am rather thin so it's 1 AND 2 o'clock :D

I have a Kahr MK9 and the Mitch Rosen Clipper that I got off the Kahr website. This holster does allow it to be used crossdraw, but I still have the seatbelt problem. I usually just move it around back if the situation allows while in the car.

Otherwise, works out rather well. I can even look down to check it if I am feeling paranoid without anyone wondering what I am doing.
 
I'm 5'3" and 154lbs.
CCW of choice, Taurus PT145.
Holster: AKJ concealco IWB holster.

I suggest a quality holster. I carry at 4 o'clock, and rarely have a problem. I typically wear tshirts or button up shirts, untucked.
This picture sequence was taken when I was 10lbs heavier, using an el-cheapo Uncle Mike's IWB:
20047267598128670005608.jpg

20047266197795766807776.jpg



You will tend to walk a little straighter/taller, and you will learn to squat to pick things up, rather then bend at the waist. You should lift with your legs, anyways.... :p
 
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