Yes
For a couple of reasons.
Before it was actually legal for me to carry a pistol, I had it in mind that I could maybe talk my way out of an unlawfully carrying rap by explaining I was just taking the pistol from car to a friend's place, or home from the shop, or something of the sort. My
pistola d'jour, just stuck into my waistband or dropped into a coat pocket made the story more plausible than if I put a holster on my belt.
(There WAS an incident when a .32 Browning slid down my pants leg in a women's dorm, though . . . . )
When I went plainclothes full time, I sometimes wore a holster, sometimes not. It was convenient to just stick my Colt into my waistband, behind my right hip, butt forward. I practiced this modified "cavalry draw," and was pretty proficient with it. (SAFETY HINT: One really needs to work on the draw - - Straight up, rotate while muzzle is still pointing downward, and only THEN move the muzzle from vertical. Otherwise, it is very easy to sweep your own anatomy with the muzzle.)
I did this with Commander and full-size .45s, and occasionally a High Power. I sometimes used a wide rubber band around the handles, below the grip safety, to provide a bit of "grab" and keep the pistol from slipping too far down.
I gradually went over to a Sparks Summer Special IWB holster. I only stopped this type carry when I began having trouble with leg numbness from the pistol impinging some nerve. I now use an OWB belt holster for daily wear. On the rare occasion when I carry a second full size pistol, I still mostly do that without a holster. (Except for a Glock.
)
In general, it is far better to carry a pistol in a proper holster. I've done it otherwise, though, and probably will again.
Best,
Johnny
