Could I carry an FN-FP9/40/45 concealed?

[migkillertwo]

I'm thinking when I get my concealed-carry permit I'd like to carry a full-sized pistol. I'm 6'3 and 250 lbs.

Would it be wise to carry a full-size pistol in a shoulder-rig or IWB setup, or should I just **** it and go with a so-called pocket-pistol (Kahr PM9, Ruger LCP)

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm 5' 10" and 180 lbs. I carry a full-size M1911 in a tuckable IWB of my own design.

I consider a shoulder rig to be impractical -- for one thing, it demands a cover garment, and most shoulder harnesses print.

 

[easyg]

I'm thinking when I get my concealed-carry permit I'd like to carry a full-sized pistol. I'm 6'3 and 250 lbs.

Carrying a full-sized pistol is not too hard to do once you accept the fact that you will have to "dress around the pistol".
You might find yourself wearing pants and shirts that are much too big for you.
Or wearing a vest or jacket when the weather clearly dictates otherwise.
It can be done, but there's just no denying that there are better pistols for concealed carry.

Would it be wise to carry a full-size pistol in a shoulder-rig or IWB setup, or should I just **** it and go with a so-called pocket-pistol (Kahr PM9, Ruger LCP)

Personally, I don't care much for a shoulder rig as it forces me to wear a jacket, vest, or over shirt.
That's too hot for the Carolina summers where shorts and t-shirts, or shorts and three-button golf shirts are the norm.

But you might find the shoulder rig to be the perfect solution for carrying a full-sized pistol depending upon you style of dress and your climate.


Good luck,
Easy

 

[Limey46]

When you're wearing summer clothing, the people who care -- cops and predators -- are going to spot your large handgun however you try to hide it. That's just the reality. The other reality is that the bigger and heavier the gun you choose to carry, the less often you'll actually carry it. My advice is to cut out all the intermediate stages, all those large/mid-size/small-ish autos and their various holsters, belts, and pouches, and go straight to where so many of us end up: a Smith & Wesson Airweight revolver in a pocket holster. My personal preference is the Model 38/638 in an Uncle Mike's.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

When you're wearing summer clothing, the people who care -- cops and predators -- are going to spot your large handgun however you try to hide it.

Not if you do it right.

My tuckables use a simple pair of leather or kydex straps attached to the toe of the holster with Chicago (or post) screws. A pair of belt loops are attached to the other end of the straps.

You dress normally, shirt tucked in, but with belt unbuckled. Insert the holster between shirt and pants, then pull out the shirt behind the holster and drape it over the gun and holster. Tuck it in between the holster and the straps. Position the holster and tighten your belt.

Finally, "blouse" your shirt -- pull out a couple of inches all around and let it hang down, covering much of your belt.

 

[beeenbag]

My advice is to cut out all the intermediate stages, all those large/mid-size/small-ish autos and their various holsters, belts, and pouches, and go straight to where so many of us end up: a Smith & Wesson Airweight revolver in a pocket holster. My personal preference is the Model 38/638 in an Uncle Mike's.

My experience has ended up with me being more comfortable with an iwb holster rather than pocket. It seems to me that with a heavier gun sinched down with my belt to my side acually feels lighter than an airweight in my pocket. You don't feel the weight when you have a belt holding it to your body. IMHO but who knows I could be wrong, its happened before.

 

[ichiban]

I'd vote for the IWB with the FNP-9/40. The FNP-45 might be a little too hard to conceal very well.

Me? I carry a 1911 commander IWB. Usually wearing shorts & t-shirt.

Search for the "New to CCW" threads for some good hints on how to carry and things to avoid.

 

[Mad Chemist]

You could carry a friggin' Marlin Guide Gun concealed as long as you don't intend to sit and your preferred mode of locomotion is the "gangsta shuffle".

Just about anything can be concealed at least temporarily.
The real questions are:

How important is it that you not be "made" with this firearm? Will there be legal, social, or economic impacts to being made?

Comfort. Is it comfy when you sit? When you drive? Does it inhibit your normal range of motion?

Will your gear and mode of dress accommodate the weapon?

Do you intend to carry it 24/7 or only occasionally?

This is not an easy question that any of us can give an accurate yes/no response to.

 

[JoeSlomo]

I carry a full size 1911, and I'm a slender dude.

I DO dress around the gun, but that's my personal choice.

IWB at 3 or 4 o'clock is very comfortable, and can be easily concealed by a slightly over sized shirt or sport coat.

 

[David E]

When you're wearing summer clothing, the people who care -- cops and predators -- are going to spot your large handgun however you try to hide it. That's just the reality.

When worn in a proper holster with proper clothing, it's very difficult, if not impossible to detect.

The other reality is that the bigger and heavier the gun you choose to carry, the less often you'll actually carry it.

There is a line, but this is a personal decision. I've always wanted the gun to be able to do the thing I'm carrying it for in the first place.

go straight to where so many of us end up: a Smith & Wesson Airweight revolver in a pocket holster. My personal preference is the Model 38/638 in an Uncle Mike's.

Pocket holsters are slow to draw from standing, and impossible to draw from sitting. I'll sacrifice a bit of comfort to gain true utility and a rapid presentation.

 

[TimboKhan]

When I carried, my main carry pistol is a Taurus 605. I chose that gun specifically because I wanted to carry a revolver, I liked the concealability of that particular style of gun, and most importantly, because of the caliber. I carried that gun to and fro for a long time, ran a ton of rounds through it and consider it an old friend at this point. Should I decide to carry again, it will step back into that role immediately.

With that being said, I also have carried 1911's on me (full sized and a Springfield Armory Compact model), I have carried my S&W 66-I on occasion, and while it isn't my favorite gun to conceal I carried my Ruger P90 on more than one occasion.

Fact is, you can carry just about anything you want as long as you are willing to make the necessary changes. My good friend is a very slim fellow who routinely carries a big SIG in a tuckable holster with no problems. He basically does exactly as Vern describes and carries daily in a professional environment. I am a real big guy who hates tucking his shirt in, so I have to adapt a little differently, but as mentioned, I have carried a really big pistol around with no real problems.

 

[Curare]

Pocket holster is very quick to draw from. You can stand casually with your hand on a J frame.

 

[Zundfolge]

The FNs aren't exactly giant pistols (we're not talking a Desert Eagle or HK SOCOM here).

A decent IWB holster should conceal any one of them quite easily.

Also there's no reason to choose between a full size and a pocket pistol, a nice compact size pistol might fill the bill better (I believe that at one time FN made a compact version of the FNP9)

 

[gearhead]

The FNs aren't exactly giant pistols (we're not talking a Desert Eagle or HK SOCOM here).

A decent IWB holster should conceal any one of them quite easily.

Also there's no reason to choose between a full size and a pocket pistol, a nice compact size pistol might fill the bill better (I believe that at one time FN made a compact version of the FNP9)

Well, compact is relative. The FNP-9M has a barrel that's roughly 1/4" shorter and a grip that's one round shorter. It's slightly lighter and slightly more concealable but you'll never mistake it for a compact.

 

[S&Wfan]

Can you carry a gun that size concealed?

Sure . . . SOMETIMES!

The word "sometimes" is the rub. The best gun you can carry is one that is on you when trouble comes out of nowhere like a lightning bolt.

I'll SOMETIMES carry my big, double-stack Para P14-45 .45 auto . . . but most of the time I can't . . . so I can replace it with the little Kimber Ultra CDP .45 Auto . . . SOMETIMES . . . or have to go ever smaller. ENOUGH!


These days I've totally changed my views!!! Today I ALWAYS have an 15 oz. aluminum-framed S&W Airweight .38Spl snubbie in my front pocket holster. ALWAYS.

IF I can get away with a larger gun though I will, but the little pocket gun is so light that I will carry it TOO even strapping on the bigger, heavier gun!

Food for thought . . . get a 5-shot Airweight snubbie (not the 9 oz Titanium or Scandium models that are too harsh and hard-kicking to shoot well and fast, with accurate multiple hits if needed.

After the Airweight, everything else is gravy you add to your collection!

Yep, it took me many years before I discovered that I couldn't ALWAYS pack my big guns. What's a big gun gonna do for ya if you dash to the neighborhood convenience store to get something cold to drink after mowing the lawn in your shorts and T-shirt . . . and you thus are unarmed when a thug bursts in shooting? It happens somewhere every day . . . SOMEWHERE.

The bad guy CHOOSES when to attack. You don't get to choose that part, so consider choosing a gun you can always conceal even in modest clothes.

BTW . . . I mow the lawn (push mower) wearing my shorts. I'll stop, talk to my neighbors and they haven't a clue. After all, concealed means CONCEALED! My Model 37 goes along in its cheap little synthetic pocket holster. Yep . . . ALWAYS means ALWAYS!

They are also about as flat as a 1911-style .45 . . . but go in, and OUT of a pocket soooo much better, even this 3" barreled high-dollar Kimber . . . what I used to "always" carry until I realized always wasn't ever gonna really be "always!" LOL

A snubbie just CONCEALS better! . . .

Food for thought!

 

[RX-178]

You're a bigger guy than I am, and I carry a full size USP 45 on my belt just about daily. Even in summer, in El Paso, TX.

Short answer, yes.

Long answer, yes, as long as you dress around the gun.

 

[Harley Rider 55]

I carried concealed rifles and shotguns before my state allowed the concealed carry of handguns.
Now and then, we meet for coffee and open carry shotguns and rifles. It's still illegal to open carry a handgun.