Who daily carries a full size?
- Thread starter Space Ghost
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DustyGmt
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Nice knife. It looks nice and used....I like the aesthetic of worn and used...
the Black Spot
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Full size snub count?..
crestoncowboy
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During the cold months I nearly always do. Owb, IwB, Or shoulder holster (I prefer horizontal) , depending upon my activities.
AK103K
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Im 5'6", float between 165 -170 mostly, wear my normal size, 32-34 pants, depending on who made them, and have always carried IWB in some fashion (AIWB these days), and full size guns (often along with a BUG, reloads and a knife) were always my choice.
Of course, "preference" is the main thing here, and we all tend to carry what we prefer. Which is fine. Its all personal choice.
Its when I hear you "cant", or "its not possible", that I have to question the reasoning. You can pretty easily carry anything you want (within reason), if you "want" to.
I think its a disservice to those who ask, to be told that "you cant". Just because you wont, doesnt mean they cant. Everyone should try for themselves and decide.
The biggest problem here is, it tends not to be a cheap endeavor. Good gear and guns tend to be expensive, especially if youre trying to find what works best for you. And it seems to be a never-ending thing too. At least for me it has. Buying holsters are kind of like buying music... you buy the same album, in every evolution, LP, 8 track, cassette, cd, download.
Personally, I look at this as a lifestyle, and something thats done daily, all day, every day. You find your groove, and its no different than that pocket knife, keys, and other things in your pockets or on your belt, etc, that you carry every day. Its just something else you always have on you.
Of course, "carrying" that stuff is just one part of the big picture too. Like I said, its a lifestyle.
At one time I became very proficient with a little Ruger ec9 because I thought I needed a gun that small to conceal. I moved up in size about 4 times because I realized I could carry WAY bigger and also shoot the full size grip better. I finally settled on a G21 because my pinky finger on my weak hand need some grip to land on. And I like shooting fat bullets.
JoeHenry
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Im 5'6", float between 165 -170 mostly, wear my normal size, 32-34 pants, depending on who made them, and have always carried IWB in some fashion (AIWB these days), and full size guns (often along with a BUG, reloads and a knife) were always my choice.
Of course, "preference" is the main thing here, and we all tend to carry what we prefer. Which is fine. Its all personal choice.
Its when I hear you "cant", or "its not possible", that I have to question the reasoning. You can pretty easily carry anything you want (within reason), if you "want" to.
I think its a disservice to those who ask, to be told that "you cant". Just because you wont, doesnt mean they cant. Everyone should try for themselves and decide.
The biggest problem here is, it tends not to be a cheap endeavor. Good gear and guns tend to be expensive, especially if youre trying to find what works best for you. And it seems to be a never-ending thing too. At least for me it has. Buying holsters are kind of like buying music... you buy the same album, in every evolution, LP, 8 track, cassette, cd, download.
Personally, I look at this as a lifestyle, and something thats done daily, all day, every day. You find your groove, and its no different than that pocket knife, keys, and other things in your pockets or on your belt, etc, that you carry every day. Its just something else you always have on you.
Of course, "carrying" that stuff is just one part of the big picture too. Like I said, its a lifestyle.
Not saying it can’t be done. Saying what is doable for me. With a full size gun (most of mine are of the 1911 variety) the butt of the gun always prints, IWB or OWB, makes no difference. And with arthritis in my back at 72 years old, full size is way to heavy.
Old Dog
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Daily. P-226 or P-229, almost always in a Kramer Belt Scabbard (OWB high-rise pancake) or Milt Sparks VM-2 IWB. Nary an issue, ever. Even in summer. (Carried 1911s for 25 years until I put down the Man Gun)
Styx
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I'm around the same height, 175lb, and I'm right there with you. The gun prints on me period. I've tried Alien Gear, pancake, kydex, IWB, OWB, etc holsters from a plethora of companies.... Makes zero difference. I even tried AIWB with the same problem. It's much more comfortable, concealable, and makes more sense for or me to carry a smaller firearm with reloads on my weak side vs carrying a full-sized gun.
This used to be my EDC. I got a wild hair and carried it yesterday, too.
JR24
Member
A Glock 19 has been the flavor for the past few months, but all of these have spent plenty of time in my holster over the years.
The Dan Wesson Valkyrie still finds its way back in pretty often, it's just so easy to carry.
The Dan Wesson Valkyrie still finds its way back in pretty often, it's just so easy to carry.
Tallball
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I suppose I could carry one. I definitely agree that I can shoot something like a Glock 17 better than an LCP, regardless of the distance.
However, my understanding is that in my state 20' is considered to be a reasonable SD distance. If someone is attempting to mug or carjack me, it will be closer than that. At 20', shooting quickly, I'm really not any more accurate with a Glock 17 than I am with a Glock 26.
Today I shot my 2" S&W Model 10. It has a nice trigger. I shoot it well for a snub. Quickly and at short range, my practical accuracy with a 4" Model 10 isn't any better.
Thinking about it, maybe having grips that fit my hands okay and a decent amount of weight have more effect on my accuracy than the barrel length and overall size.
Maybe it's because of my mediocre shooting ability.
However, my understanding is that in my state 20' is considered to be a reasonable SD distance. If someone is attempting to mug or carjack me, it will be closer than that. At 20', shooting quickly, I'm really not any more accurate with a Glock 17 than I am with a Glock 26.
Today I shot my 2" S&W Model 10. It has a nice trigger. I shoot it well for a snub. Quickly and at short range, my practical accuracy with a 4" Model 10 isn't any better.
Thinking about it, maybe having grips that fit my hands okay and a decent amount of weight have more effect on my accuracy than the barrel length and overall size.
Maybe it's because of my mediocre shooting ability.
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Mainsail
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I'm about the same, 5'8" medium build. I have no problem concealing any of the pistols in my earlier post.
Maybe one of us is doing it wrong?
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Styx
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Probably it's just that our body types are different, plus I do not wear baggy or over sized clothes. I can only speak of what works for me and my body type and what doesn't... I also see that you carry OWB too, and that will definitely print for me.I'm about the same, 5'8" medium build. I have no problem concealing any of the pistols in my earlier post.
Maybe one of us is doing it wrong?
Come to think of it, there is an online store called The Armory that is somewhat popular for selling ammo. It's local to me. This was years back, but I stopped by before going on a range trip, and one if the clerks pointed out that I was printing. I already knew, but didn't care as I was going to the range, but if I'm out and about running errands, I do care.
Koroner
Member
When I got my first carry permit in 1981 I wore a nice shoulder rig with a big custom Smith 9mm double stack and two extra clips.
That got old pretty quick (5'6" 142lbs) and I went to .380. In the 90's I got a Kimber that changed my mind about .45s. I often carried a officer sized CCP model. With the improvement in ammo I moved back to 9mm and a nice Sig 938.
Here in Iron County many people carry their shooting irons openly. They don't need to downsize in order to hide their guns.
Sometimes I do too and carry a Dan Wesson commander sized .45 bobtail. Thats pretty big.
That got old pretty quick (5'6" 142lbs) and I went to .380. In the 90's I got a Kimber that changed my mind about .45s. I often carried a officer sized CCP model. With the improvement in ammo I moved back to 9mm and a nice Sig 938.
Here in Iron County many people carry their shooting irons openly. They don't need to downsize in order to hide their guns.
Sometimes I do too and carry a Dan Wesson commander sized .45 bobtail. Thats pretty big.
ontarget
Member
I'm not sure why so many people worry about printing. 99% of the sheeple are too focused on their phone or too busy yelling at their misbehaving kids to notice if you are printing anyway. The 1% that may notice are probably carrying too so where is the problem?
Rock185
Member
When I was younger, I most often carried a Colt Government model, Commander or Browning Hi Power off duty. Now retired, have to admit I've wimped out and now most often carry something smaller and lighter
Jenrick
Member
I have carried a full size or long slide pretty much exclusively. I added a P225 a few years ago for appendix carry on occasion a few years ago. I carry almost exclusively with a tac light attached as well, and normally 3/4 o'clock OWB. Lets see, G34, P226, USP in 9 and .45, 1911 ( and yes it was railed with a light), S&W M&P in 9mm and .40, 4" S&W Model 15, 4" S&W 686, and I'm sure I'm missing a few more over the years.
SSN Vet
Member
A double ply 1-3/4" leather belt and a pancake make full size carry quite doable. I like most of what Don Hume sells and his prices are very reasonable.
Add a pair of suspenders clipped to the belt and the weight disappears.
Some type of cover garment is required, but up hear in the great white north, that's pretty much a given. I usually go for the fleece vest.
I picked up a Miami Classic shoulder rig that also makes the weight disappear. I don't have many miles on it, as I'm lazy and usually opt for my little LCP in a Sneaky Pete. Hidden in plane sight is just too darn easy.
Add a pair of suspenders clipped to the belt and the weight disappears.
Some type of cover garment is required, but up hear in the great white north, that's pretty much a given. I usually go for the fleece vest.
I picked up a Miami Classic shoulder rig that also makes the weight disappear. I don't have many miles on it, as I'm lazy and usually opt for my little LCP in a Sneaky Pete. Hidden in plane sight is just too darn easy.
BSA1
member
Open Carry only seems to be a issue on THR.
For the last 3 1/2 years I have been carrying a Beretta 92FS/G in a Milt Sparks Executive Companion IWB. I carry it in the same holster on the same location on my body. I am not a “gun rotation” believer. What this all means is at least 80% of the time my gun is openly visible. It is only concealed when the weather is cold enough for a coat or sweatshirt. When shopping I usually take my coat off and put it in the shopping cart.
My wife is slowly coming around to the idea of concealed carry herself although her gun is S&W M&P Shield. A couple of weeks ago we went shopping at several stores with me carrying my Beretta in my usual manner. That evening she told me she watched the people in the stores and no one seemed to notice I was open carrying. This is important to her as she works with the idea of conceal carry for herself.
OP
OP
Space Ghost
Member
OK, you tried different holsters. (By the way I love my Bravo Concealment with the pancake loops) Have you tried a different cover garment? Just get one size bigger T-shirt. (or whatever) A looser fitting garment will allow it to drape down more without catching. (printing)
Also, when you look in the mirror... you're staring at yourself LOOKING FOR IT. The public is not. Pretty good chance you're seeing something nobody else will, or something that's not even there.
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