Concealed carry for fat boys like me...

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possom813

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I'm planning on taking a CHL class soon. I've tried out several different holsters with several different pistols, and none seem to make me happy in the concealment department.

IWB-Doesn't work for me very well due to the fact that I have a lot of love...handles.

OWB-Really can't conceal it that way.

Ankle Carry-I can accept this way, but it is awkward as all get out for access. Completely concealed, but awkward, and no such thing as quick draw.

Pocket Carry-I could handle this with a small frame revolver or something Kel-Tec sized. But I haven't found a left handed holster for inside the pocket.

Shoulder Holster-This is, by far, my favorite. But it's only practical when I'm not planning on taking off my jacket for a while.

Is there anything that I'm missing. I'd like to find a holster that I could safely carry a full size semi-auto concealed in. Think Beretta 92, 1911, Ruger P-series for the size.

I'm on a fairly strict diet right now with a lot of exercise, so eventually this won't be a concern, but as of now I need to think of something.

-John
 
Have you tried a quality IWB, such as a Milt Sparks VM2? I'm no small boy, but with a good holster, better belt, and a pair of jeans 2" larger than normal, I love IWB, from my Kimber Compact to my full-sized Colt! Remember, you've gotta add a size or two to your pants!
 
If you get a Kel-Tec P3AT Don Hume makes a nice holster for both the right and left handed shooters. And front pocket carry is easy to use no matter what your body style. Good luck!

:)
 
Conceal your pistol in a bag of potato chips. Noone will think twice seeing a big guy walking around with a bag of ruffles. Sorry for the fat joke, it's late and I couldn't resist.

Seriously try different things out. Thunderwear, belly band, fanny pack, day planner/organizer, cargo pants pockets. If you like the shoulder holster i think they also make t-shirts that carry in a similar way. Good luck with your carry class.
 
I made myself a SmartCarry type thing. I guess it's really more of a bellyband. Basically it's a pouch on a belt, that goes under the pants. I'm not that large, but I have curves in all the wrong places. Admittedly, I don't yet have the money for a nice IWB leather piece, though I want to get one. Don't be afraid to experiment. FInd something that works, that is comfy, conceals, and then train, and practice.
 
I am rather large and carry IWB using a Milt Sparks Summer special 2.

The thing to remember is concealed carry is supposed to be comforting not comfortable.
 
I'm horizontally challenged as well. I am happy with my cheapo Uncle Mikes IWB holsters. I also bought a leather IWB from cheaperthandirt.com that is ambidextrous and hold "most" larger frame autos. It has no retention straps, but you body holds it in place quite well. It was very inexpensive at $14. It will fit a bunch of my different carry pieces and I reccomend it highly.
 
i am large, and i found the only way i can carry and feel semi comfortable is a cheap iwb uncle mikes holster and a gun with no hammer spur's, ie glock..i have tried expensive holsters and they just dont feel right...and i have 2 nice sigs but they feel uncomfortable when i sit.....
 
Putting the gun behind about 4:00-4:30 may work. And get an adjustable holster so you can play with the cant. Basically, you want it far enough behind the hip that you don't end up with your side squishing against the gun uncomfortably.

Small of the back may work, too, since I don't think anyone has flab back there. Falling on it can be a problem, though.

Also, look into the "Kangaroo Carry." It's like a shoulder holster, except designed to conceal under a regular shirt. http://www.gunblast.com/Kangaroo.htm It's sort of a deep cover rig, and hard to get to fast unless you're wearing a button-down shirt that you can rip open, but it's a pretty good option for a backup piece.

You also may be able to 2-o'clock/10-o'clock appendix/crossdraw carry, depending on the shape of your stomach. If your gut is round, when looking at it from the top, no. But if it's sorta triangular, it may work if the gun is against a flat part of your stomach.
 
Conceal your pistol in a bag of potato chips. Noone will think twice seeing a big guy walking around with a bag of ruffles. Sorry for the fat joke, it's late and I couldn't resist.
Click to expand...

As a BIG guy (6-3 300#) That was pretty dadgum funny. :D

I use a IWB by Don Hume and rotate it back to 4 or 5 o'clock.

Although it would be right hilarious to see the look on a BG's face when the Lays blew up on him. :D
 
Hello fellow large guy.
I have been carrying concealed since Texas made it legal.
I carry a large frame S&W custom .44 mag with 31/2 in barrel
I carry it at the small of my back. in a IWB and it will conceal even with
just a colored Tshirt this rig should work with your 1911. If you want some
pic's pm me I made the holster myself .
It is also more comfortable than you would think.
 
I'm slim built, but I've tried all the carry methods you have suggested. The best method I've found is IWB at 4:00 position. It's true that you have to have your pants about an inch or two bigger in the waist, but since you are on a diet and losing weight, you should soon have lots of pants that are a bit big on you.
 
I am 6 foot 2 inches tall and over 400 lbs so I understand your trouble with finding a suitable carry method. The most comfortable thing I have found is a OWB holster that cants very forward at about the four thirty mark. coneals well under a vest or jacket or even a loose t-shirt. I will say that if I was very concerned about printing or the muzzle poking out a bit if I moved wrong I would probably find a different method. Printing (or even having some gun poke out) is not that big of deal here. Open carry is legal and the main reason I don't open carry is for the peace of mind of others and not having to field alot of questions myself.
 
Dang I feel kind of small around here! 6-01, 225. I have lost 35 pounds in the last year, mostly around the middle. Because of those love handles I have a concurrent lack of beehind.

So buying pants 2" larger makes no sense to me because I can ONLY wear them when I am packing, which is not all the time or my pants won't stay on. I have tried lots of different guns, holsters and carry options. What I have found that I keep going back to over and over is small of the back (SOB).

Accordingly to most 'experts' this is not the ideal place because 'you could hurt your back if you fall on it'. I am thinking of a BG with a gun pushes me over onto my back it will be because he has already shot me. In a scuffle, I think I won't feel much until later and I hope it is just bruises.

I have a natural little area that I can place up to a Commander sized gun (Kimber Pro CDP) very comfortably, as well as all sorts of smaller autos and revolvers. I recently picked up a holster from Grandfather Oak that is a 'tuckable'. The holster is inside the waistband, the shirtail tucks into a little flap on the holster and the only part visible is the strap that adjacent to the rearmost belt loop. This loop allows the holster to pivot so I can find the exact right angle. Even with a shirt tail tucked in, it is nearly instantly accesssible and they will make one for any gun either standard palm in grab or my (also not approved of) choice of palm out grab.

I can wear one back there for a much longer period without it bothering me. IWB (just in front of the rear pocket - about 4:30 is right) invariably starts to bug me.... and you know what comes next. You take it off, leave it in the car... 'Aaaahhh... I'll leave it this ONE time... it bugs me'. Next thing you know, you never take it with you.

More to be discussed next time when I cover my car holster! :p
 
North American Arms makes a .22 mag revolver with a folding handle. It opens up very quickly and looks nothing like a gun in your pocket.
 
I have found that a quality belt, and a good pancake holster worn OWB works well for a 'husky' lad like myself.
Click to expand...

The problem with OWB holsters is that they are too likely to expose a portion of the firearm when the wearer bends over or stretches to reach something. Some states (such as Florida) don't permit non-concealed carry.

Unless you're wearing a trench coat or a VERY long shirt, it's way too easy for the pistol to play "peek-a-boo" when you bend or stretch. This could cause a person to lose their CCW license.
 
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