Carry options for a skinny dude?

[Larry Ashcraft]

Sandy and I are getting our carry permits finally (I know, I know). I spend 99% of my time at home, in my truck, or at work, where I can carry anyway (and do).

I'm 5'7" and 140 lbs on a good gravity day. I normally wear jeans and western style shirts. I can carry a Keltec P3AT with no problem, but a J-Frame poses some problems, although I can get away with it.

I would like to carry my full size 1911.

What are my options without changing my wardrobe so much that everybody will notice?

Sandy can't carry at work, or to and from (she works at an Army base). She also has a J-Frame and a fanny pack. Any better suggestions for her? She is 5'5", 56 years old and average build, doesn't wear a belt. I thought the Keltec might be a better gun for her. Suggestions?

 

[Zundfolge]

Get a good quality, tuckable dual loop type holster like an HBE COM3 (or better yet, just get an HBE COM3)

That should hold the gun real securely and close to the body and still allow you to tuck in your shirt.

something like this:


or this:


This guy doesn't look much bigger then you.


Other options include getting a different gun (either a smaller 1911, or something like a Kahr).

But I still stick with the dual loop/dual clip type IWB holster regardless of what gun you carry.


Another option is to start wearing Bermuda shorts and Hawaiian shirts then you can pack pretty much anything (and several at a time)

 

[Standing Wolf]

You should be able to carry a model 1911 with the greatest of ease under a vest or untucked shirt, holster of your choice.

Sandy's waist pack is probably the simplest solution, although she might want to think about a shoulder rig.

 

[ACP230]

I've been thinking about a Coronado Leather jacket with the internal pistol pockets, or a Sig Tac jacket with the same features, or both.

 

[Onmilo]

Milt Sparks Summer Special, inside the waist, strong side, and behind the hip.
A light shirt will cover it, it won't flop around and as long as you don't get in the habit of bending over to touch your toes or dropping your car keys, it won't print the gun either.

 

[P95Carry]

Larry - if as I suspect with your build you are a tad ''boney'' - meaning not too much padding then I would go for OWB hi-ride belt slide. I am taller and heavier but also not too much padding - so just scaled up really! Also means you do not have to suddenly go get pants 2" bigger round waist!

Many know I dislike IWB - that's incidental - I think for comfort you'd find the OWB better and, it can still hold gun in real tight. My SIG in K&D rig is not only high but grips are right in touch my lower ribs. I can feel it is there but not uncomfortably.

I do not have anything much good to say about tuckables - don't turn me on one bit - but a simple untucked shirt, vest, light jacket etc - all will give good cover of what I have in mind.

Not trying to say my ideas are any better than others - just my 2c but based on what I have found works for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oops - near forgot Sandy's situation - sorry Sandy! I'm with SW - probably fanny pack is best and only real option, and can't see a sho rig being all that easy for her initially.

 

[Soap]

And the most overlooked piece of gear:

BUY A GOOD GUN BELT!

 

[Frandy]

Milt Sparks Summer Special, inside the waist, strong side, and behind the hip....

Another vote for the Summer Special. Here's mine with a 5" 1911.

 

[TaxPhd]

Andrew's McDaniel II.

Disappears under an untucked shirt. That holster and a full size 1911 were my daily carry in Atlanta. Usually in Jeans and a T-shirt.

If you are going to be up in the Springs anytime soon, I'll let you borrow one for a while to see how you like it.



Scott

 

[Scoupe]

May I reapeat Daniel Flory's advice:

BUY A GOOD GUN BELT!
It takes a good belt to keep a concealment type holster riding where it should. Goes double for carrying a 1911 pattern. Spend at least as much for the belt as you do a quality leather holster.

I like high-ride holsters that tuck the gun butt into my ribs. Galco combat master is an example of that style.

On a thin framed person, it would seem like concealment would simply be a matter of a wardrobe change to baggier clothes and/or a concealment garment such as a vest. But then again, I'm not a thin framed person. ;D

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Oh, man, it looks like I've got a lot of options. I'm wearing a DeSantis OWB that I got from Marko today, containing my little j-frame. I find it very comfortable. I have several holsters for my 1911, none of which are suitable for concealed carry. So many options and good holsters are not cheap, so any more ideas are welcome.

I really don't like the idea of buying new pants either. I hadn't thought of that, Chris.

I normally wear a ranger-type belt, from my neighboring police supply store. I buy them in brown, so I don't look like a mall ninja.

Scott, thank you, I may take you up on that. We have four grandkids in Springs so we get there occasionally. I'll contact you before the next trip.

Thanks for all the replys. They are very helpful.

 

[imas]

When you start carrying you may or may not have to make this decision.

A. Buy a good holster/belt and possibly modify the way you dress.
or
B. Sacrifice and carry a smaller, less powerful gun.

I went with "A." I started wearing a belt and I bought some looser shirts. I also discarded my brand new holster because it just didn't work for me. Even though I had just spent $60 on it I had to order a different one. I am glad that I did this instead of switching to a smaller gun. Buy yourself a Threat Solutions UCR or a Milt Sparks VM2 (pictured above) or something similar. Some people have better luck with OWB holsters. Just make sure you get something that holds it tight against your body.

I have seen alot of people on different gunboards that buy a fobus paddle holster and when they realize they can't conceal it under a coat opt for a smaller gun. (not bashing fobus here I really like them but not for concealment)

 

[imas]

I have several holsters for my 1911, none of which are suitable for concealed carry. So many options and good holsters are not cheap, so any more ideas are welcome.

I started carrying with a 1911 and I found my favorite holster was the Threat Solutions UCR. www.threatsolutions.com They are about $50-60. I couldn't believe the difference it made. I bought one for my Glock and now carry a G17. Oh and they are soooo comfortable.

At the time I had wanted to buy a Milt Sparks but they have a 3 - 4 month backorder and I just couldn't wait. I didn't mind the price, I just didn't have time to wait. I think if you contact Lighting Arms (should be a link on the Milt Sparks site) you can get one much quicker.

 

[PCRCCW]

Well here my take on it and I kinda do alot of this

If youre skinny.........Im 5'9" and 165#'s....so kinda skinny.

The thinner the holster is overall front to back and the farther the loops are the better off you are. Case and Point...skinny guys have a tighter radius for the belt/pants to go around....or a tighter corner. If you have a thicker holster its gonna put more pressure on you in "that certain spot" and cause discomfort.

The Summer Special is a great design......Very much like my Pro series.

IMO, thats not the best design for you.....It also concentrates the weight on the belt in one spot making it feel heavier than it is...and the design is less stable than spread out loops.

A VM2/Com 3 or any other holster of that design will make you a very happy man.

Shoot well......

 

[45crittergitter]

I am about your size and carry a 5" 1911 daily in an IWB. I do get my pants about 1" bigger, and I did finally spring for a lighweight 5" 1911.

 

[Ken Rainey]

I'm sorta on the "skinny" side too....when I carry a 1911 IWB I'm constantly aware of it - no bending over at the waist in front of other people so the grip don't print - bend at the knees instead....I carried mine mostly "mexican carry" without a holster and it works good when done with a good fitting belt to support it. I've also used a Milt Sparks summer special and it works well and holds the grip at an angle to help with the printing problem but adds the holster thickness to your waistband as well. I buy my jeans an inch bigger in the waist to allow for my carry gun and usually wear a loose fitting T-shirt to cover it. You said you had a J-frame, the easiest gun I've ever carried was a J-frame with a Barami Hip Grip on it - the grip panel has a "hook" molded in it that catches the top of your waist band and holds the gun steady inside the waistband - no holster needed....you'll forget it's there....I've got some here in the store, if you're interested just PM or email me....

Good luck,
Ken

 

[isa268]

darn. you guys think 140-160 is skinny? i'm 5' 9", 125lb and conceal a SW1911SC all day long in a Tucker Texas Heritage, on a "Belt man" 1 1/4" belt under a lose fitting t-shirt.

 

[Marnoot]

Get a good quality, tuckable dual loop type holster like an HBE COM3 (or better yet, just get an HBE COM3)

+1
I'm 5'9" and 145 lbs, and carry a CZ P-01 in a COM3. The only shirts I have that I can't wear when carrying are ones that ride up over the gun when I bend over etc. It hugs the pistol close enough to my side that it is very well concealed with the vast majority of my t-shirts and short-sleeved button-ups.

 

[spacemanspiff]

you could always get one of those 'fat-suits'.

 

[Brian41]

i'm 6 ft 3 in tall and weigh 185 after a large meal... and i carry a ruger p89 and effecively conceal under just a t shirt at times... i've learned that most of the battle with printing is fought with the cant (angle) at which you possition the gun. keeping the butt firmly up agains my side takes care of the problem. i know there comp tac makes holsters with adjustable cant. maybe check them out

 

[scott.cr]

I'm 5'9" and 150 lbs., so we're the same rough proportions and my daily carry is a Government Model in a Galco belt slide holster.

The hard part was actually finding a belt strong enough to properly support the gun AND cinch around my 30" waist. Ended up using a "Wilderness Instructor" belt. It's as strong as Aunt Jemima but only goes with khakis.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Concealment

Like many "Slim Jims", I'm waiting for cooler weather and layered clothing.

In the mean time, my KAHR P9 fits very well in a Kangeroo velcro cloth holster that goes under the pecs and rests just below the arm pit. Cheap and it works.

I also use a Bianche (sp?) leather holster that fits just back of my left hip. Of course, using crutches is actually an advantage since those are what people are looking at!

The KAHR P9 is very thin and very concealable. 7 - 124gr jacketed hollow points should do the job.

As I get use to "packing" my preferances may change, but for now I'm set.

Take Care!

 

[Bobarino]

i'm 6'2" and 160 lbs. i've been carrying a USP compact in a blade-tech IWB for about five years now and it still works perfectly. a good IWB worn at about 4 o'clock should do the trick for you. there's a nice flat spot on your hip right behind the iliac crest on us skinny guys. i had mine made to ride 1 inch lower in the waistband so the heel doesn't dig into my ribs when i sit down. its much more comfortable that i ever thought hard plastic could be.

Bobby