Carry Position Thoughts?

[SeanMTX]

I'm sure this has beaten to death on these boards, but please indulge me.

I'm taking my CHL class on April 12th, and am looking for carry rigs and thoughts on best positions to carry.

I'm used to IWB or SOB, but totally unfamiliar with options like 4 o clock or 'high riding' holsters....heck, I don't even know what riding high means.

I've got a PT145, which will likely be my primary carry weapon. I also have an HK USPC that I would prefer to carry, but it's considerably larger than the Taurus. I'd also like to purchase a DW CBOB in the next few months, and might be persuaded to carry that....but because I don't care how knocked around the Taurus would get, that will likely stay my primary.

I don't much like the comfort, accessibility, and the idea of turning my back and having the weapon available for the SOB carry, and would love to know if there are other options besides IWB.

 

[littlelefty]

clock position is the location on your body where the holster is; noon being front and center, 3 oclock being 90 degrees to the right, on around the waist. I carry at 8 or 9 oclock (lefty), depending on iwb or owb. iwb works better a little behind the hip bone, 8 o'clock for me.

Ride height to me refers to placement of the holster/gun combo relative to its placement vertically on the belt. My Hume 721OT carries the 1911 with the trigger guard slightly higher than the top of the belt. To me that is plenty high. I have seen other makers with higher rides. By comparison, my Fobus paddle carries the gun with the trigger guard at or below the belt (can't recall which), which is a little too low for my preference. Function is fine, but I need a little longer t-shirt or jacket than I normally wear with this setup to cover the full length barrel.

Make sense?

So....OWB is most comfortable since there is nothing foreign in your pants. However, this requires more cover, like an untucked shirt or jacket/vest. iwb generally less comfortable, (but lots of folks do it very well), but requires less cover garment since most of gun is in pants.

 

[SeanMTX]

Makes perfect sense...thanks.

So it sounds like IWB or 4 o clock are the best options for me.....can I use the same holster for that possibly?

 

[littlelefty]

if it works iwb for sob (6 o'clock) it should work at any other o'clock. All depends on how it feels to you. Heck, switch it to 9 o'clock facing the rear for cross draw.

 

[DFW1911]

I carry OWB at 3 o'clock. Not real original, requires loose shirt / jacket and / or layers, but is pretty comfortable and very easy to draw if necessary.

Try several configurations and wear them for an entire day (at least), that should give you a pretty good idea of what's comfortable and will work for you.

Have fun!

DFW1911

 

[dairycreek]

So it sounds like IWB or 4 o clock are the best options for me.....can I use the same holster for that possibly?/QUOTE]

Over the years I have found that I must experiment to get just the right feeling with a particular holster/gun combo. Sometimes it is a 4:00 and I have some combos that, for me, are much more comfortable at 2:00. Just keep on trying until you find the combo that works for you.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Seems like a question on reccomended holsters should be coming any second now...

 

[SeanMTX]

Seems like a question on reccomended holsters should be coming any second now...

But of course!


I've got a Don Hume leather IWB that could likely work for 4 o clock as well as 2.

I just have to wear an undershirt so it doesn't sweat....which is a minor issue here in DFW, where I often like to wear a silk shirt solo.

I'd guess my only other option would be a Fobus OWB?

 

[go_bang]

Sean, you are just going to have experiment with both guns to see what position and style of carry works best. One thing you can do is get some inexpensive nylon holsters to try different things, and then when you have settled on a carry position spend the bucks on some nice gun leather.

 

[romeo212000]

What do you guys think of IWB at 1-2 o'clock?

 

[Eyesac]

What do you guys think of IWB at 1-2 o'clock?

Well just try it...Duh

Seriously, just put it where you want and try bending over, getting in and out of a car etc. I think you'll find that it's not very confortable to tie your shoes w/ a pistol at 1 or 2 o'clock.

 

[romeo212000]

TRue but that seems to be the place it conceals best. Every where else you can clearly see the handle sticking out under my shirt.

 

[Guitargod1985]

If you are looking for a concealed carry gun, consider one with a shorter grip frame. It goes a long way toward concealment. To this end, I ditched my USP compact and got a P2000SK. A single stack magazine helps, too. I picked up a Sig P232 and that things pretty much disappears for concealed carry. Granted, the Sig is in what some may consider a marginal defense caliber, but in Florida I don't want to be hassled for "printing."

 

[romeo212000]

Aww man but I really want to carry my new M&P40

 

[BlindJustice]

I have the Milt Sparks Axiom - an OWB with FBI cant and wear it
at about 3:30PM - iit isn't that high riding though I usually wear a mult-
pocketed vest that covers the lower part since it is
made for a full size 1911. WIth my next handgun - a CZ75B I am going
to order the Milt SParks 55BN with the cross draw - it rides higher
as well as I wont have a problem reaching for my wallet in the
right back pocket and uncovering the 1911.

Carrying my N-frame 625 5" Bbl. I think the only way would be a
vertical shoulder rig, Alessi Field Master.

 

[glassman]

642 in a triple K IWB holster or CZ compact OWB in a bianchi 19L. Both at 4 o'clock.