full frame concealed carry

[voilsb]

for those of you who carry full-framed guns, what techniques do you use? I'm pretty new to CCW, and currently my only pistol is a full-framed Beretta 92FS.

What kind of hints would you give for a generally tall and thin individual? I'm 6'0", 170lbs (not fat), and usually wear loose khaki pants or dockers slacks, with either a t-shirt or polo/buttoned collarred shirt, never tucked in.

 

[Edward429451]

I'm 6-1" and 170 and been carrying a full size Government model for 18 years or so, no probs cept in restaurants where I gotta keep my jacket on.

Good belt & holster makes it all possible. The 1911's a little bit slimmer than the 92 but with a good holster and proper selection of clothes you could make it disappear easily. I use an IWB placed so the butt fits into the hollow above my hip, usually. Cinch up the belt so it sucks it up tight to my body. Invisible.

Just keep tryin different holsters until you find what works for you.

and dont forget to carry a reload or two!

 

[blades67]

I'm 5'7", 155lbs and I carry a SIG Sauer P220 concealed most days. The best thing you can do is remember that nobody else knows you're carrying a gun so don't act like you've just been caught. Put the gun in your holster and leave it alone! Nothing telegraphs that you have a gun under your shirt/jacket quite as fast as you puting your hand on it every 30 seconds.:banghead: You know you're carrying a gun, so you'll feel like everybody knows you're carrying a gun at first. It's not so, they don't have a clue if you don't give them one. Relax. Try carrying at home without your family, or roommates, knowing. If you can do that the rest is cake.

 

[Soap]

Spend your money on a top notch belt and holster from Sparks/Rosen/etc. Don't forget that CCW isn't always comfortable, but its comforting. So if you gun jabs your ribs when you sit a certain way learn to ignore it because its not going to cause permanent damage or anything.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i also carry a beretta, but mine is a 96, and i am just under 6' and 180lbs.

for casual carry under a coat/jacket i usually just slip on a fobus paddle holster...sit in the coat in a resturant and take your arms out, letting the coat drape

for more active carry, i'm using an alessi ACP (modified DOJ) and it hides fine under an untucked t-shirt (eddie bauer L - tall)

i carry OWB because of back problems, but a IWB would make your 92 disapear even more. i stiff belt, that fits, is a must and be sure to pull it up tight

 

[Sarge111]

Full-size carry

5-11, 200 pounds; have carried a full-sized & Commander Gov't., Beretta Centurion, Sig 220 & 4" S&W 29 extensively during that time. Cool weather under a full-cut jacket, hot weather under a full-cut summer shirt with the tail out. Worst is summertime carry with a suit, but I hate neckties almost as bad as having to wear a suitcoat to cover a gun.

The secret for me at least is to carry high. The Fobus paddle will do it as will the Askins Avenger style holsters. High carry under clothing requires a good deal of practice at presenting the sidearm in a hurry, but practice is a good thing and something most of us could stand more of anyhow.

A bigger issue than the size of the gun is its weight; I can pack the Sig around most of the day and not be bothered by it, whereas a steel-framed Govt. gets to be a load after awhile.

Your results may vary...

 

[voilsb]

thanks for the advice. I'll look into an IWB for now. I wear a military issue BDU belt with a different buckle, so I *think* I've got a sturdy enough belt. It works find in open carry with a bianchi m-12 holster. we'll have to see once I get an IWB one.

Once my budget can support it, I plan on getting a compact 1911 to use as a carry piece. Until then, my options are limited to full-frame. Speaking of budget, what should I expect to pay for these initial "trial and error" holsters I use to look for a final decision?

Also, since backpacks are extremely common around here, I think I'll just keep it there till I settle on a holster.

Thanks for the input, I knew I could count on THR for this sort of thing.

 

[rick458]

Try a nice Milt Sparks VersaMax II IWB mine hides a fullsize 1911
very easily your method of dress is already appropriate for concealed carry just dont get a double IWB mag carrier,
and remember the entire western world is now carrying Cell phones on their hips now so dont be paranoid about thinking someone will see a bulge

 

[Standing Wolf]

I'm 5' 9" tall, weigh 140 pounds, and am able to conceal a model 1911 in a Kramer I.W.B. holster under a jacket or sweater, but it's hard on my back.

 

[Soap]

Wolf-

What kind of belt are you using?

 

[Edward429451]

just dont get a double IWB mag carrier

Ditto on that! Two single mag carriers are much more comfortable than one double mag carrier.

The better holsters that I settled on was both around $75 bucks. You do get what you pay for (usually.)

I've got no problem with the weight of a full size Govt. model. Am I the exception to the rule here or what? Buncha' Lightweights.

 

[TheFrontRange]

I've got no problem with the weight of a full size Govt. model. Am I the exception to the rule here or what? Buncha' Lightweights.

I've been carrying a steel-frame Gov't Model (Kimber Custom) for almost a year now with no problems! Ditto on the remarks on high-quality carry gear...I sprung for a good leather pancake-style open-topped rig and mag pouch from a local gunleather maker and a sturdy belt and the whole combo has worked great for me!

 

[beemerb]

Me I am short and fat.I wear a IWB that I designed and made myself for my sig 220.Wear loose shirts .I allso carry a goverment size 1911 or a hi power the same way.I have made all my own holsters as I can't find any of GOOD quality that I can aford.It takes me about 5 hrs to make one so if you buy a 100.00 $ holster you just paid yourself 20 a hr.Not bad wages.
Bob

 

[labgrade]

I'm 6'5" @ about 180 lbs & carry a BHP everywhere, & with most every-dress.

Bought a pretty cheap-o, but sufficient De Santis IWB (~$30) awhile back, use my regular ol' belt & never had any problems. Never been "made," nada - many years.


A windbreaker goes a long ways & if nothing else, tell 'em "it's a cell phone," or "none of yer bizness."

Part of the initial CCW aspect is thinking that everybody "knows" you're carrying. Ain't so.

 

[TheFrontRange]

Part of the initial CCW aspect is thinking that everybody "knows" you're carrying. Ain't so.

I agree. I remember reading an article on the subject some time ago (probably by either Mas Ayoob or Jan Libourel, just can't remember now) that commented to the effect that by and large, most people in the general public don't know you, don't notice you, and don't care to notice you or how you're dressed or what you may or may not be carrying on your person...and that such may be a blow to our egos in a way but that ultimately works very much to the favor of the CCW-holder.

Heck, in the last few months I've gotten compliments from folks I'm pretty sure are "non-gunners" about how much they liked those photojournalist-style vests I sometimes wear!

It is still kind of fun in a wierd way to try to "pick out" folks you think might be packing.

 

[Dad-Gummit]

6'4" 245lbs-I can hide a bazooka under my shirt. Actually I carry a g-17 in an IWB lefty holster from Falco when I wear a jacket. If not, I carry a PA-63 with the IWB and my shirt untucked. Great advice about the best way to conceal is to not act like your concealed.

 

[voilsb]

thanks a ton for the advice. I haven't yet gotten a holster, but I think I'm just going to start with some cheap-o ones to wear around the house and get comfortable wearing the gun at all, and in the practice of concealment.

the milt sparks ones look like a nice place to settle, as does andrews leather's mcdaniel models. I've heard good things about blade-tech iwb, also.

de santis looks like where I'll start for my initial holsters, due to price. If I end up loving them, I'll stay there. if not, I'll move up.

 

[Country Boy]

Brian-
My advice: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON CHEAP-O HOLSTERS. $20 here, and $25 there, and maybe a $15 over yonder on some poor quality holsters, and you've spent $60 and don't have a suitable holster yet. It's kind of scary, but if you drop some cash on a quality holster, seldom will you look back with regret. A quality leather holster will take some time to break in, so I would vote for wearing a quality holster around the house and breaking it in rather than a cheap-o holster that will never feel quite right. My opinion only.

I echo Rick458's idea about the Milt Sparks Versa Max II. I'm 5-11, 180 lbs, carry a full size government model, and absolutely love the VM II. To each his own, but it was money well spent. I only have two concealed carry holsters, but they were both made by Tony & crew at Milt Sparks, and I am completely satisfied. The wait time of a few weeks is a little frustrating, but well worth it.

As far as other concealed carry items:
* As already stated, don't fidget with your gun. Most people are blind and wouldn't think that you were carrying anything anyway. Everybody and their dog seems to have a cell phone or a PDA, so while you should try to minimize "the bulge", don't fret too much about it showing.
* If you carry IWB, start buying your pants a waist size or two larger. I'm a 32 waist, but I buy 34 waist to accommodate IWB.
* Learn to hug with both your arms low. Most people hug with the generic one arm high and one arm low. That's a great way to get made. Hug with both ares low, and they'll never know.
* Keep that situational awareness. Know what's going on around you. If you see a threat, avoid it if at all possible.
* Practice as often as you can, and strive to make your practice perfect. Shoot some IDPA to give yourself a little more confidence drawing and shooting from concealed.

Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know. Good luck!

 

[labgrade]

Country Boy,

Your ref about cheap-o holsters couldn't be better, but if regards the De Santis 'cause it's merely ~$30, you're off-base - for my own application.

It works quite well for what I do. I could have better, no doubt, but don't have the $s nor the inclination to do so. Tried oneonce w/a bud who had a 1911 & worked good enough for my BHP .... bought one.

My best advise would be ----> go to a shop that allows you to actually wear the holster & stuff yer shooter in it = see what fits, what works for you & go from there. Sadly, there's not a lot of those type shops around usually - especially with the availability of all the various holsters available to try on. This isn't a Bali Bra-shop, sad to say.

In any event, Country Boy's take is spot on. A lousy holster will make you feel uncomfortable, make you think you're being made all day & lots of other negative things. Get something that works for you & don't look back. That it might just cost $30 is a plus in my book. (might have to actually take a look at something a bit more pricey, but can't see why yet till I do .... )

Concealed is just that & 99% never even consider that anyone would have the temerity to actually have a (gasp) gun.


In my experience, the only folks who are trying to see who's carrying are those who already are.

 

[Edward429451]

My advice: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON CHEAP-O HOLSTERS. $20 here, and $25 there, and maybe a $15 over yonder on some poor quality holsters, and you've spent $60 and don't have a suitable holster yet

I'll third Labgrades and countryboy's sentiments exactly. (Dont know about Desantis, never used one of theirs.) But dont buy cheap. Its not the same.