Comfortable carry conceal?

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P95loser

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Hello, let me preface this by saying I carried a P3AT in my front pocket for a year and a half and loved how comfortable it was. I didn't, however like how innacurate and weak the round was.

I have recently been front pocket carrying a S&W 637 J frame. I still find it relatively comfortable but again, don't like the accuracy issues or the slow reloading.

I daily wear an untucked button up shirt or t-shirt and carpenter style blue jeans to work. I work in an office environment but also make site surveys at job sites. Is there a way to possibly comfortably carry something along the lines of a M&P compact?

I was thinking ankle holster, but I have never ankle carried before. I could go IWB somehow, but have tried that before and was a little uncomfortable by the end of the day.
 
Ankle holsters work well. My S&W 340PD works very well - much easier than my Glock 27. I've never had an issue with printing.
 
Concealed Carry isn't supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.

You have probably heard that before but think about it. There is a trade off that has to happen. You have stated that carrying a small firearm is comfortable but you are turned off by the performance of the firearm. That is just something that you are going to have to decide on. Either a comfortable gun that you may not feel keeps you safe or a comforting gun that is fairly uncomfortable to carry all day.

If you decide on IWB, get a good stiff gun belt that fits you properly and purchase a nice IWB holster. There are tons of nice IWB holsters out there and some are more comfortable than others. I have not used many of them so I cannot really tell you what is the most comfortable but maybe some other users will chime in and let you know.

I personally would rather deal with the uncomfortable firearm on my hip than feel like my firearm is underpowered or inaccurate.
 
Once I bought a quality gun belt and custom leather holster IWB concealed carry became much much more comfortable.

For greater comfort and concealability I utilize appendix carry with a 5inch 1911.
 
Ske1etor said:
I personally would rather deal with the uncomfortable firearm on my hip than feel like my firearm is underpowered or inaccurate.
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As would I. It is really not that hard to carry a more substantial gun on your belt.

P95loser said:
Is there a way to possibly comfortably carry something along the lines of a M&P compact?
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As a matter of fact, I've dropped my own into a cargo pant pocket for very brief distances. But it looks like a thick paperback book in my pocket and is difficult to grasp for drawing. Most of the other compact and even "subcompact" pistols are also too big for pockets and make much better belt guns.

A compromise pistol - still pocketable yet firing a full-power cartridge - is the Kahr PM9.
 
Get yourself a Crossbreed Supertuck holster and a bullhide belt from 'The Beltman'. For better concealment, pay a few extra bucks for the velcro belt tabs and have a velcro backing sewn into the belt (common options for both). This combo work great for my MK9. You'll see lots of love for the Supertuck over at DefensiveCarry.com.

The holster won't win any beauty contests, but you'll be comfortable and comforted, and your weapon will be secure.

Crossbreed delivery is about 3 weeks after order, Beltman is about 3-4.
 
I didn't, however like how innacurate and weak the round was.
again, don't like the accuracy issues or the slow reloading.
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Neither of these pistols are inaccurate and at SD range the 380 will hold its own.
I suggest a little more range time . With the J frame as its is one of the most populor Pocket pistols made. Either will do the job but you must practice. Ankle holster worst place to carry .
I have 3 of the KT's and a J frame I always have 1 in my pocket
 
Your problem lies in the fact that you did a P3AT for 18 months, then "supersized it" to a J-Frame.

You can most likely carry a Gov't Model 1911 IWB comfortably. Its just a matter of getting used to it.

Sleeping in a cardboard box is comfortable if you're used to sleeping on the bare sidewalk.

That being said, after you do your research (I'll save you the hassle), you'll want to buy:

Belt:
The Beltman or
The Wilderness 5-Stitch

Holster:
Comp-Tac M-Tac IWB holster or
Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe

While working backwards may be silly, check and see how many different models those holsters will fit, and I'm sure you'll find at least a few handguns you would like to carry, and carry comfortably.

The Comp-Tac also has replaceable kydex bodies if you ended up not liking carrying a certain gun, you can keep the holster, buy a new kydex body and a new gun, and be set.
 
You might consider the PF-9 or Kahr P9. A slim, single stack 9mm is hard to beat for comfort. They are also both light and powerful for their size.
Don't be offended either but neither .380s or .38 revolvers are not really "inaccurate." They are more difficult to shoot due to their size and small sights but they take some practice. I agree with the 9mm or larger for a primary carry piece though. Keep the KT for days when you can't carry the larger gun. Personally I just sold both of my snub nose revovlers. They are harder to shoot and reloads are slower and the spare ammo is harder to carry. I can't imagine a time when I could carry a snub nose but not my M&P 9c. The KT on the other hand is a LOT smaller. It fills the niche for deep concealment. Remember to spend the money on a good holster. It make a HUGE difference. I carry my M&P IWB in a Comptac CTAC. OWB I use the Comptac Minotaur. The MTAC IWB also looke like a winner. I think a PF-9/P9 in a MTAC would be well concealed and about as comfortable as you can get.
 
Allow me to further explain my comments of the KT and J frame and my dislike for certain features. My primary home defense weapon is a M&P full size 9. My thought would be the same grip angle and sight picture would increase my speed and confidence with both guns. I won't have to "think" which grip angle I need to take into consideration. I also feel the longer barrel on a M&P Compact and better sights would inherintly be more accurate. As far as comfort and all the naysayers about comfort vs. comforting: I work in the electrical technician field, and even though I am a designer, I find myself on a ladder reaching for wires in the ceiling often. I don't find IWB a optimal choice because I would expose my gun a little bit when reaching.
 
Ankle holsters work well. My S&W 340PD works very well - much easier than my Glock 27. I've never had an issue with printing.
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Yeah, who looks down there anyway! Great place to carry.

Concealed Carry isn't supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a perfect opening line for a holster maker's comeback in their ad. I don't believe it is supposed to be uncomfortable either.
 
Sounds like a perfect opening line for a holster maker's comeback in their ad. I don't believe it is supposed to be uncomfortable either.
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I didn't say it was supposed to be completely and utterly uncomfortable, but like I stated in my post there is a trade-off that has to happen. People spend hundreds of dollars looking for that one holster that is "The most comfortable". You are not going to find a IWB holster that is "not there". You will always feel it, it will always be there and you will always know it. It is the simple fact that you are carrying a couple pounds of steel on your hip and that won't change regardless of the holster or belt.
 
OK people... IWB is simply not an option for me AT WORK (I carry IWB after work, but reach and bend over too much AT WORK). So, can I comfortably and discreetly carry a M&P compact in an ankle holster?

Or should I just buy a PM9 and pocket carry it?
 
Personally, if I'm going to carry something small and want the punch of a bigger weapon I think I'd shell out the bucks and get a Colt Defender. All of the punch of a large frame 1911 but small enough to carry comfortably in a pocket. I have big hands, so I like the grip of the Defender for comfort also.

That being said, I have to agree that comfort isn't the only issue when carrying concealed. You have to balance comfort with punch. IMNSHO the .380 and .38 are great calibers and I have carried both. I am now waiting out a two week waiting period for a Bersa .380 that will be my primary until I buy my .45 (yeah, I've decided it's going to be another autoloader, now I just have to decide between Colt, Taurus, or Sig).

Like it has been suggested, get a nice rig that is comfortable and use it. If belt carry is a problem, perhaps you might want to consider a shoulder rig. The problem with shoulder rigs is bulk under the overshirt or jacket, and the possibility that you will lean forward and scare the crap out of some store clerk when he/she sees the weapon inside your shirt. Anything you do will come with decisions to make and tradeoffs to deal with, and new strategies to learn.

If you do use a new carry method/system don't neglect training time just learning to effectively draw the weapon and ready it for use. You can be the crack shot of all time and still get yourself killed if you can't get the weapon up and into play.
 
I'm very surprised you found the P3-AT to be "inaccurate", most people are amazed at its' accuracy and some have compared it to a target gun. One of the gun mags compared Kel-Tec's PF-9 to a target gun in a review last Nov. This makes me think either you had an ammo problem or perhaps you weren't used to the recoil of such a small and lightweight gun.
I'm buying a P3-AT next week and would LOVE to know what kind of ammo you were using, PLEASE ?

For comfort and concealability a lightweight gun in an ankle holster can't be beat. I can carry my P11 all day and hardly notice it but I've got 11 rounds of 9mm Luger firepower. A KT sized gun in a fanny pack might also be an idea. The tradeoff is it takes longer to draw your weapon so you have to be very alert to possible threats.

I've read too many reports of defective Kahrs so I won't buy one.
 
P3AT...target gun? Hardly. I am more accurate with it at very short distances than my 642...I'll give it that.

Small weapons/calibers are all trade-offs. Everybody wants a 50 cal when they actually have to draw on a perp but they are only disciplined enough to carry a derringer.
 
P95loser said:
So, can I comfortably and discreetly carry a M&P compact in an ankle holster?

Or should I just buy a PM9 and pocket carry it?
Click to expand...
IMO the M&P is too big (especially in thickness) for ankle carry, unless bell-bottoms make a fashion comeback. ;) The PM9 in your pocket sounds like a good compromise. Any pocket gun should have a pocket holster; I endorse the Mika.
 
Concealed Carry isn't supposed to be comfortable, it is supposed to be comforting.
Click to expand...

Now that you've heard from the masochistic crowd, consider the compact pocket 9 in those carpenter's jeans. My Kel Tec P11 shoots 3.5" 25 yard rested groups, +P 9mm with 13 rounds of firepower on tap and quick reloads. It disappears in my jeans pocket, either carpenter's style or Wangler cargos in a home made wallet holster I rather like. Works for me and is far less of a problem as IWB for both concealment and carry comfort.

If you don't care for Kel Tec, there are plenty of subcompact 9mm choices out there from Kahr to Rohrbaugh to Taurus . Even the porky, brick of a G26 is easier to carry than a big gun, though it's not really a pocket gun. I can't guarantee accuracy on other guns will match my KT, but I'm pretty sure the G26 would maybe ever better it and the Kahr's are probably on par. I don't think there's a better choice out there than the sc 9mms for civilian carry, JMHO.
 
I might have misworded when I said the P3AT was "innacurate". What I was refering to was the small sights and brisk recoil. I would find the M&P compact or something similar that had 3 dot sights and faster target re-acquisition from lighter recoil. I guess the term would be "combat accuracy".
 
Kahr MK40 in a front pocket works fine for me. Yes, it's heavy. Give it a week or two and you'll get used to it.
 
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