CCW problems, please advise!

[Monkeybear]

Today I picked up my first conceal carry weapon. It is a HK P2000SK .40sw V2. I have a Mitch Rosen Uncle Sal's Decision Express for it. I tried it on for the first time today and noticed that it printed very badly. I put it on at about 4-5 o'clock and wore a loose(ish) button down shirt over it. I did use an ordinary belt and I will be ordering a custom belt soon but I still feel that it printed very badly. looking in the mirror it is very obivious that there is something there. My fiance' says that when I stand still its not that obvious but when I move she can immediatly tell that its a firearm. I watch people that come into the store that I work at to see if I can make them and sometimes I do but this was the most obvious printing I have ever seen. I imagine that even someone ignorant of most things firearms related would know that it was a gun."


Is this a problem that a belt could solve? or is it more serious? I understand that a good belt will help but should it be this bad without one?

I am 6'0 and about 190lbs. I have a little bit of a belly and its obivious that I could stand to lose about 10-15lbs. I hope this helps!

 

[karz10]

Maybe you can edit that post, at the current time, you have apparently pasted comments over one another, which has broken your URL link, we can't see what you're trying to link to, and then the paragraph is redundant, as well...

Then maybe more experienced users could help. In the mean time, unless I go look it up, I don't know how big that HK is, I'm not familiar w/ their individual models, and since the holster link is broken, I don't know what it is, IWB, OWB, etc., so I doubt anyone else will be able to tell either, unless they already know thos items intimately, or take the time to look them up...

Good luck,

Karz

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

First of all, whenever you strap on a CCW for the first time it will feel like you have a growth the size of a basketball with a strobe light mounted to it, and you will notice it but you'd be surprised how everyone else is in condition white and won't notice. You could carry open and many people wouldn't notice.
A good gun belt makes a HUGE difference. I didn't believe that until I got one.
Also, experiment with different positions. There is a sort of "magic pocket" where you gun will blend in and feel comfortable. For me it's about 3:30. If I carry further back it prints like crazy and drives me nuts when seated. Also keep in mind you will need to upgrade your wardrobe to accomodate it. You may need to buy pants 1-2" larger in the waist and possibly buy a size larger shirt. After a while the only time you'll feel you look awkward is when you AREN'T carrying!

 

[Monkeybear]

Karz- Sorry, I have a hard time cutting and pasting with my fiance's Mac Notebook. I diddn't notice it messed up the link. The holster I used was a IWB that is meant to ride a bit low. The HK is a subcompact.

Then maybe more experienced users could help. In the mean time, unless I go look it up, I don't know how big that HK is, I'm not familiar w/ their individual models, and since the holster link is broken, I don't know what it is, IWB, OWB, etc., so I doubt anyone else will be able to tell either, unless they already know thos items intimately, or take the time to look them up...

I am asking the experienced users for their help. If you are not familiar with the items I listed or CCW in general then links/pics aren't going to help much.

Double Tap Drew- Thanks, Ill try that.

 

[only1asterisk]

Monkeybear,

I hate to ask, but are you a little thick 'round the middle or a stickman?

David

 

[Monkeybear]

only1- I am a former stickman who is a little thick around the middle these days. I weigh about 10-15lb more than I should. My pants still fit me but they are tight. Close friends have told me that my height is the only thing that saves me from looking outright overweight.

 

[only1asterisk]

First and most important is a good belt, but you know that. You've researched and found a great holster. The belt is going to help some. With this kind of holster you are going to need pant the fit easy. Tight pants will push the butt of pistol out and print badly. A proper belt will help some, but you'll either need to fit you pants or buy some that fit. I'm doing the fit my pants thing now myself and I wish it were only 10-15lbs.

All that being said, when you first start to carry you feel like you have an elephant under your shirt. You have to get used it. I've carried BIG guns, and I know they printed a bit, but nobody notices. Some years ago I was home visiting with my family when my mother asked me why I wasn't carrying. I had a fullsize USP on my belt and my own mother didn't know. It was printing all over the place. People just don't notice (unless you are uncomfortable and draw attention to it).

When your belt come in and you get some pants that fit, where it around the house until you don't notice it so much. Then try so nice safe places (like the gunshop) where you don't care if people notice. You'll be fine.

David

 

[rockstar.esq]

I bought pants 2" larger than my waist, this allows my SIG P220 to hide extremely well. A good belt doesn't have to be expensive, DeSantis makes a pretty plain black leather belt ($20.00) that doesn't roll over when you compress the edges together. Once you've got a little room to work with, try different belt tensions. Eventually you'll find a perfect balance point. Oh and should you be talking about an IWB tuckable holster, make sure that when you reach above your head you don't expose the grip of your gun. I try to put a little slack into my shirt around the waist to further mitigate any pulling my moving around might cause.

Should your holster be the real limitation I'll put in a plug for the Comp tac holster. Easily the best holster I've ever tried.

 

[Monkeybear]

Only1- Thanks, that makes me feel alot better. I have yet to hear someone admit to printing, even my friend whose glock I see sticking out of his pants. Me and my fiance' talked today and we are going to try the fit-your-pants approach. Its just cheaper.

Thanks, I do need some new shirts that will better accomadate my CCW but I hope in a month or so I'll be able to wear my "loose fit" jeans a bit loose again.

Thanks again!

 

[carnaby]

I find that I print pretty badly while moving or sitting at 4-5 o'clock, but I carry very well at 3:30, as does DoubleTap. You look a smidge thick on the side, but it could be anything, cell phone, pager, whatever. I'm 6'0" and 215, and nobody notices my 5" 1911 under a button up shirt.

Ditto on the good belt. I have a Beltman double thick bullhide, makes all the difference. That, and a good holster.

 

[chris in va]

I'm just glad VA allows open carry as well. It becomes a moot point wearing concealed. If the gun prints or shows somehow...oh well.

I could jump up and down waving my arms and the gun flapping around in my OWB and it wouldn't make a difference. Not that I...you know...do that sort of thing.

 

[only1asterisk]

Monkeybear,

Let me add this, even though I think you made an awesome holster choice, not every holster works for everybody. Most people that carry (esp. those with multiple carry guns) tend to have boxes full of holsters but only really use a one or two for each guns (I try to sell the ones I don't like so I can buy more guns).

EVERYBODY prints sometimes. Even the guys with that carry small frame Berettas in Thunderwear because they are concerned that "trained operatives" could spot anything larger. I kid you not, I read it a gun rag once.

David

 

[Monkeybear]

I find that I print pretty badly while moving or sitting at 4-5 o'clock, but I carry very well at 3:30,

I have been trying this and it works great for me. I am even sitting down right now with it at 3:30 and its comfortable. At 3:30 the biggest thing is the snap. I figure Im going to start carrying my wallet in my left pocket from now on. Also Im going to rearrange my woredrobe to allow me to wear black A/T shirts so if it gets windy at the wrong time and Im lucky, no one will notice the.

EVERYBODY prints sometimes. Even the guys with that carry small frame Berettas in Thunderwear because they are concerned that "trained operatives" could spot anything larger. I kid you not, I read it a gun rag once.

LOL if trained operatives want my piece they are going to get it whether I print or not, good thing its been awhile since my last encounter with a trained operative.

I guess after spending 600 on a pistol and 100 on a holster I freaked a little when it looked like I was carring a gun. I worked with it for a bit and I have to say I think this is going to work great for me.

thanks everyone!

 

[Cacique500]

Good advice here so far.

The belt (as you know) is probably the most important part.

I carry a full size 1911 every day and normally wear a vest in the winter. In summer, I have a quite extensive wardrobe of Hawaiian shirts that cover *really* well...the more obnoxious the pattern the better.

I think you'll find that most sheeple can bump into you and not realize you're wearing a gun. Those 'in the know' will usually be able to spot you regardless.

I was in a store in FL that catered mostly to LEO's. Several were in there and I got talking to a detective. After about 2 minutes he asked what I was carrying. I asked him how he knew...he said my belt was on an angle (DOH!) - so no matter how well you try, sometimes you're just gonna get made.

I also carry a Colt Mustang in one of my cargo pockets as a backup - and when the weather is really hot or I can't adjust my clothing to hide the 1911 I'll take the mustang...and it never gets seen or noticed...(looks like a wallet in my cargo pocket).

 

[BigV]

Monkeybear , The wide heavier belt will make a huge difference. I too am a smidge over weight and go about 225. I carry a compact 3” 1911 at the 3:00 position with a slight forward cant. The forward cant keeps the butt of the gun positioned slightly forward so it doesn’t protrude out the back when walking or moving around thus eliminates much of the printing. As stated earlier, if you’re new to the CCW scenario you will feel as if everyone around you knows you’re armed. This feeling will diminish after a short while and pretty soon you won’t even notice it.

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

As stated earlier, if you’re new to the CCW scenario you will feel as if everyone around you knows you’re armed. This feeling will diminish after a short while and pretty soon you won’t even notice it.

+100

It is new, but you will find that it becomes second nature. Also, you will notice that the general public notices nothing... and I mean nothing, if you live in a major metro area.

The only people who might notice are fellow CCWers and LEOs and they will recognize you for who you are (hopefully).

One good thing about CCW newbie paranoia is that it can reinforce your radar and put you in condition yellow all day long (which, IMHO is where we aught to be anyway.).

 

[Sig245]

This is so funny to me because it makes me think back many many years ago when I received my first carry permit in Oregon.

I fully intended to carry my Glock 17 or one of my 1911 compacts. I bought many different holsters from many different mfgs to try to find the perfect comfortable setup.

I have middle of the back, strong side, weak side, pancake, conceable, inside the waist band, elastic band, etc. I have two drawers of holsters.

I gave up on the big guns and dropped to a S&W model 38 in a front pocket uncle mikes holster. That stuck out like a sore thumb and made my pants droop on the right side. I went to a Sig 232 380 which I like a lot, lightweight alum in a Galco Concealable. That is a good compromise.

But still too big to not print and show. Then did the Seecamp and Kel-tec 32 front pocket carry and that works pretty good. I have settled on a Kel-tec P3AT in 380 in my front pocket in a Galco leather holster. It weighs very little and you don't even know its there most of the time.

I strap on big iron for the woods, if I hike or camp. Usually a Kimber 45 acp which I can shoot very well.

But for city carry I have settled on the lightweight self defens e type pistols that don't show or bother me as I go about my business. I don't hang out in dangerous neighborhoods or stay out late, so my lifestyle is not one with high risk. I am a retired old guy and just carry for peace of mind.

 

[scottw]

Is a shoulder holster out of the question? One of my shooting friends carries a 45 auto in a shoulder holster and you would never ever know.

 

[bogie]

Gone are the days of "fashionably tight" clothing. Dress like us old farts! Muahahhahahahaha!