Full size carry weapon - they don't seem so concealed

[pcgunner]

On me anyway.

I'm 5'8" 200lbs and getting more girth as the days go by.

I own a Taurus PT99 AFS (9mm), a sig P220 (45 acp), S&W 686-4 (357).

I've tried to carry all of these concealed and perhaps I have the wrong holsters and wearing the wrong clothes but none of them conceal very well at all.

I wear them on my belt or tucked in my pants (which I find very uncomfortable with all of these, specially the 357 LOL).

I now carry a Browning Black Label 1911 .380 - which is not only completely concealed but also extremely comfortable and shoots extremely well - only threw 100 rounds though it so far.

I've looked at other full sized guns as well but none seem able to be concealed very well on me.

I would like to carry a full size in addition to my Browning.

Perhaps I should carry under arm or leg?

Thoughts?

Thx in advance

 

[Drail]

Concealment is more about the way you dress than it is about the gun. Also be aware that most folks do not even notice if someone is open carrying a gun today. They're too busy looking at their Facebook to see anything that is happening around them.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm 5'8" 200lbs and getting more girth as the days go by.

You should work on improving that for many reasons, but CCW ain't one of 'em. I'm 5'10 186# with a very athletic build, and have no easier time concealing FS handguns. Whether IWB or OWB, I must wear a vest or jacket to effectively conceal a large pistol, as even very large shirts will print.

So, you either have to adjust your wardrobe or your carry. I opted for carry, and went with a P3AT, then a PF9, and now carry a DB9 most of the time. If I have my kid with me in the city, I adjust clothing to accommodate my S&W 5906 or Glock 20, but risk assessment tells us that such extra firepower is rather impractical in the quiet rural town where we live, or the affluent suburbs nearby where we go to parks and such sometimes.

Perhaps you should look at some options that split the difference. There are a number of 9mm compacts that are quite a bit smaller than your current FS options, but with much more capacity (plus the more potent 9mm round) than your (sort of) little Browning. Many of them would really be no bigger than the Black Label, actually.

 

[pcgunner]

This forum needs a "like" button

Anyway +1 - yah I agree clothes are very important - getting old though creates limitations lol

 

[jr_watkins]

I agree with DRAIL, unless you are a really attractive person, nobody is even looking at you and it doesn't take much to hide even a full size pistol. An untucked outer shirt is what I use 99% of the time.


Of course, it is a challenge for me because I am good lookin'......

 

[JTQ]

How about a nice loose fitting untucked shirt like The Wilderness Tactical's Sonoran shirt http://www.thewilderness.com/sonoran-shirts/

 

[bannockburn]

pcgunner

I'm 5'10" and 170 lbs. and have no problem concealing full size pistols or revolvers. Sometimes is just finding the right combination of holster, belt, and the clothes that you wear. I typically carry full size guns in the 4:00 position for maximum concealment while smaller, more compact guns can easily conceal at either a 4:00 or a 2:00 placement. You might also look into shoulder holsters though I have found they take quite a bit of adjustment til you get them fitting just right.

 

[Drail]

It'a all in the belt and holster. Good ones cost more cause they work better and are more comfortable and will last much longer. A "work belt" from Walmart won't cut it. A stiff heavy gun belt is necessary. Don't worry too much about the gun being visible (unless you're worried about talking to cops), most people don't see anything but their iphone.

 

[pcgunner]

Good stuff all - thanks for the responses!

 

[BlindJustice]

Perhaps a Full size 1911 with Bobtailed frame//msh
and use a vertical Shoulder rig like the ALessi Field
Master, or for less coin, isn't the Bianchi X2000 vert.?

FWIW a good IWB Holster, imo should extend up on
the body side, to protect the side against the protruding
LH Thumb Safety. At least that's what my Milt Sparks
Summer Special 2 has, it's built for a 'Commander' but
works for a 4" Range Officer Compact It also works for
my full size 1911 'WOrks' meaning the trigger guard is
covered into the holster It's the length of the 1911 Full
size grip not the length of the slide that makes CCW an
issue - so the Bobtail rounding off the rear point helps.

Look at the Sig Nightmare with it's 'fastback' MSH their
name for a Bobtail. & S&W version is 'Roundbutt' on
the E-Series.

Then there's the argument, isn't a Commander .almost
as big Length/Height as a lot of non-1911 Full Size
Service pistols.

I did have a 686 4" and used the Milt Sparks #AW200
OWB, & compared to my full size 1911 using the Milt
Sparks OWB #Axiom both concealed equally well,
but required a vest or jacket long enough to cover them
in the bottom of the vertical position. & if yah set down
the bottom of the holster could hit the or bench you're on.

R-

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

5'8" and 130 lbs.

I concealed a full size Sig 226 for 2 years. Moved to the 239 after.

I found that a good holster (Kirkpatrick IWB) and a good stiff belt will pull the grip of the gun in tight.
Then a un-tucked polo did the job, no problem.

 

[C0untZer0]

You can carry any gun if you know how to do it and dress appropriately. This is my current CC rig...

 

[cheygriz]

I can easily conceal my full size service weapons like my Beretta 92 or full size Glock 21 under an unbuttoned shirt or light vest with a Galco "Miami Special" shoulder rig.

I gave up "cowboy carry" i.e. on the belt long ago.

 

[guyfromohio]

Move it towards the 1:00/2:00 position and it will conceal better. IWB, to me, is a function of width. A full size 1911 is more comfortable to me than many compact alternatives simply due to that width piece.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm 5'10" and 170 lbs. and have no problem concealing full size pistols or revolvers. Sometimes is just finding the right combination of holster, belt, and the clothes that you wear.

That's the whole point here, though: You have to either go with a weapon that works with your attire, or go with wardrobe that works with your weapon. I find most people are more likely to carry with the former.

I wear 33/34 Wranglers and size medium pocket tees or button shirts pretty much all the time (I'm 45" in the chest, but size large feels too big). As such, anything much bigger than a slender subcompact will print.

This is my S&W 4516 in one of my IWB holsters:



The 4516 is a semi-compact, yet I'd still need to wear an XL shirt and watch how I moved to not print in the absence of a vest, jacket or other more rigid article.

Having said that, I also don't like lots of bulky crap on me. I refuse to "upgrade" to the newest smart phones because they're all huge, I carry ~2-1/2" pocket knives, and my EDC flashlight is a Streamlight Microstream. I find having lots of junk in my pockets or on my belt irritating, and that goes for guns, too. The DB9 I carry is so small and slim that whether IWB or back pocket, I barely notice it.

 

[sigarms228]

The right holster and belt can make a big difference. Though I don't do it all the time on occasion I CCW my HK P30LS in a Garrett Silent Thunder Fusion IWB hybrid holster. Conceals very well holding my P30LS very tight to the body and very comfortably with a normal size heavy cotton colored T shirt pulled over it.

 

[CDW4ME]

6'1 / 210# and I conceal a Glock 21SF appendix IWB in the "right" clothes.
If I have on light clothing, then I downsize to a 30SF appendix IWB.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

On me anyway.

I'm 5'8" 200lbs and getting more girth as the days go by.

I own a Taurus PT99 AFS (9mm), a sig P220 (45 acp), S&W 686-4 (357).

I've tried to carry all of these concealed and perhaps I have the wrong holsters and wearing the wrong clothes but none of them conceal very well at all.

I wear them on my belt or tucked in my pants (which I find very uncomfortable with all of these, specially the 357 LOL).

I now carry a Browning Black Label 1911 .380 - which is not only completely concealed but also extremely comfortable and shoots extremely well - only threw 100 rounds though it so far.

I've looked at other full sized guns as well but none seem able to be concealed very well on me.

I would like to carry a full size in addition to my Browning.

Perhaps I should carry under arm or leg?

Thoughts?

Thx in advance

Thoughts? Yeah, I've got a few.

I'm 5'9", currently 172 and on my way down to the 160's. I've been as high as 199.

If you're "5'8" 200lbs and getting more girth as the days go by", and nothing seems comfortable to you, then you ought to seriously consider some personal body changes...like drop about 20 to 30 pounds.

I won't make any bones about this. Body shape has a great deal to do with what will and will not work for concealed carry and quite frankly, carrying extra body weight seriously limits one's options.

Not to mention the fact that trimming down does wonders for one's health, joints, stamina, and simply bending over to do various things.

Right now, I'd say you need to look into a decent gun belt (which you should have any way) and a quality OWB holster. Then dress accordingly to conceal it. After this, work on your body shape to increase both your options and your general comfort.

 

[Handloader109]

You need to move the gun to 4oclock,not 3 o'clock..... Butt won't print nearly as much. I haven't carried much, but I'm only5'8" and 160, and my fs Walther ppx and PPQ both hide well. You can hide fs.....

 

[Sam1911]

A good belt is key! A good holster that helps you rather than hurts you is the second key.

I don't carry any mid-size or compact guns. My primary carry is a full-sized government model.

Most of the time it rides in a DeSantis "speed scabbard" holster right behind my strong-side hip. My cover shirt drapes over it and that's all the concealment I need.

On slightly more formal occasions, when I need to go tucked in, I use this:



This is probably the most comfortable holster I own. It is actually MORE comfortable than some of my OWBs.

The long slits on either side of the holster pouch allow the shirt tail to be drawn down in between the gun and the inside of the pants, while the holster "wings" and belt straps stay outside the shirt.

I've worn this rig on long car trips, and recently to a rehearsal, wedding, and reception involving a whole lot of time in quasi-formal attire (for me, anyway) for several days. Couldn't ask for a more comfortable choice!

If someone is crawling around on all fours, they might get a glimpse of the holster straps...

But most folks aren't ever going to see anything even remotely unusual.

 

[Warp]

I cannot conceal a full size gun under moderate or warm weather clothing.

Also, IMO and IME, most of the people who claim to, aren't always concealing from anybody who is observant.

In the real world you have to move around, sit down, stand up, lean forward, reach for things...it's not too hard to conceal standing upright motionless.

 

[tooltech]

I'm 5'8", 230. For years I carried a 1911, and recently switched to a Sig P320 full size. I carry daily IWB, usually with nothing more than a t-shirt for cover. I don't wear oversized clothing. All it takes is a good belt, and a good holster.

 

[AZAndy]

Two words, my friend: Hawaiian shirts.

 

[AK103K]

Ive carried full size handguns my whole life, fat, skinny, all points in between. Never had any problem hiding them, although it is a lot easier when youre thinner.

When youre heavier, you can get away with the "frumpy" look a lot easier, and wear things you probably wouldnt if you were thinner. When your fat, you tend to need to go up in size with your clothes, when youre skinnier, not so much.

MachIVshooter and RetiredUSNChief are spot on about dropping the weight, and for the right reasons. Doing so, just makes the gun issue a lot easier as well.

Where and how you wear the gun is a big part of it too. IWB is the most concealable, hands down. Your clothes cover most of the gun/holster, and they also hold it closer to the body, and tend to pull the butt in more. While it takes a little getting used to, once you do, its actually very comfortable, and the gun is much more stable, and less apt to move around. Regardless how you carry it, you still need a good holster and belt.

Im 5' 6", 160 pounds, with a 34" waist, and built very much like MachIVshooter. Up until a few years ago, I used to carry at 4:30, as the gun just disappeared in that nook under my ribcage, and the butt of the gun was pulled in tight. Had no troubles with most cover garments, as they just hung down, straight past the gun.

These days, I carry AIWB, and wish Id switched a long time back. Its actually a lot more comfortable, and probably half again "more" concealable. I can easily hide my Glock 17, a reload, and a fixed blade knife, under my normal size untucked tee shirt in the summer. Thats not happening at 4:30. With AIWB, I can bend over at the waist without fear (it actually aids in hiding the gun even more), you dont have to worry about bump frisks or hugs near as much, and the draw is much more natural, a lot faster, and with less telegraphing. Just a lot more pluses than negatives. Whats not to like.

 

[JTQ]

Never had any problem hiding them, although it is a lot easier when youre thinner.

When youre heavier, you can get away with the "frumpy" look a lot easier, and wear things you probably wouldnt if you were thinner.

These two points seem to contradict themselves.

For instance, a heavy guy wearing oversized clothes would be expected, while oversized cover garment on a slim guy would look out of place.