Good carry location for a full size pistol

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wanderling

Wanderling

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Messages
923
I have a Glock 17. Looked at G19 but didn't see it as being much different in size, and the grip groove spacing felt uncomfortable. I can't stand carrying IWB, so it's all OWB. I am also not skinny... 5'10 and 200 lbs :mad: so don't have much space between my gut and the belt.

While playing with different ways to carry it found two positions in which it feels comfortable enough and doesn't print much (I live in MI and accidental grip printing is not a legal issue here, I believe).

One is at 2:30 or so, grip canted forward. It' easiest for me to draw, and it doesn't bother me sitting down (although sometimes I have to adjust it so that barrel doesn't dig into things & push the gun up). There's still a small amount of discomfort every now and then.

The most convenient way to carry, where it doesn't print at all and I can't practically feel the gun, is at 5:00. The problem here is sitting down, I end up leaning with my back on the grip. This is not an issue for a quick lunch at a restaurant, but I wouldn't want to drive for an hour like that.

I guess my problem is finding a solution that works for all daily situations. Merely being able to carry while walking around is easy. I was toying with an idea of getting a second gun for EDC, either a G26 or a Mak, but I honestly don't want to spend another bundle of cash after recently buying my first handgun and paying for the CPL (half the price of the gun itself), plus I really enjoy shooting G17, am very comfortable with it, and would like to try and stick with it as EDC before I switch to something else.

So, what do you do when you carry a full size gun around, driving, walking, sitting down etc. ? Do you keep it on you at all times, if so in what location ? Do you take it out in the car ?
 
When I'm not getting in and out of a vehicle all day I wear at 4 to 5 o'clock. When spending most of the day in a vehicle, crossdraw at 10 o'clock. On some occasions I will wear a Galco shoulder rig. I am really starting to favor crossdraw for all of the time. I like the fact that my gun is in front, if anyone decides to snatch it they will have to be in front of me. Printing is more about your clothing than about the gun. With proper dress you would be amazed at what can be hidden. I also stopped worrying about printing because the only people who notice it are bad guys and cops. The majority of people are just not very observant.
 
What gun do you carry ?

Cross draw at 10 works fine for car, and is probably great for long trips. But I am thinking of a typical day where I spend an hour getting to or from work, 10 to 30 min drives to get somewhere, walk around, sit down to get a lunch, in and out of the car, that kind of thing.
 
I carry only revolvers. My carry choice since 1996 has been an L frame S&W 696 in .44 Spl. I am able to conceal it all day in and out of vehicles and even walk through airports (nonsterile area) all day with just a jacket zipped up only a little above my belt buckle. No one has spotted it yet even moving around many LEOs and security people. I used to drive limos so a lot of my day was spent seated in a car.
 
Another little trick I learned was to carry the gun and holster on a second belt just above the one threaded in my pants. By doing this I could easily push the gun left and right a little if it was in the way and slide it back where I wanted it. It comes off quickly without threading it back through your belt loops. This is also a huge advantage if you need to use a restroom. You can drop your pants without having to do anything with your gun rig. (and as you have probably figured out there is nothing in a toilet stall to sit or hang your rig on while you unfasten your pants.) It stays right where it was. Get a second belt and try it. Sounds weird but it works for me.
 
Yes, I love that 696. You only get five tries for a quarter but if you hit your target just one time it ususally solves the problem.
 
No one (I know) has naturally born with "much space between my gut and the belt". IWB users buy pants & belts to accommodate their holsters. We have about the same build. I carry a G19 below my right kidney in a Milt Sparks Summer Special (IWB) with a Blackhawk "Trainer" belt. Very, VERY comfortable & accessible. I carry everywhere it's legal, I don't take it off & on during the day. Beware of the crossdraw solution. Make SURE it has some sort of manual retention mechanism. A US Dept. Marshall friend of mine make a complete JOKE of my first crossdraw set-up. He walked straight-up to me, face-to-face, I felt the tiniest bump and he had my PISTOL in HIS hand. He just reached inside my Sport Jacket & TOOK IT! A VERY embarrassing lesson.
 
Rule No 1 - when someone walks up to you close enough to touch you don't look in their eyes _ WATCH THEIR HANDS!
 
Rule No 1 - when someone walks up to you close enough to touch you don't look in their eyes _ WATCH THEIR HANDS!
Click to expand...
Nope! Rule No.1 - Learn your lessons from an experienced, real-world Professional Gunslinger friend and NOT from a Mall Ninja on the internet. ;)
 
If you look at the vast majority of concealed carry holsters they are designed with an FBI cant for carry in the 3:30 - 4:00 position whether IWB or OWB. The reason most are made that way is because it is most likely the position that offers the best compromise, giving the most advantages and the least disadvantages.

Of course it doesn't work for everybody, which is why holster makers offer designs for appendix, cross draw, small-of-the-back (SOB), and shoulder holsters. However, you'll find some of the most respected makers don't even offer holsters to cover those other options. Either the demand is so low they feel no need to supply them, or they think such carry techniques are such poor options they won't offer them in good conscience.

A good holster, on a good belt, at 3:30 - 4:00 will probably work best for most, though not all individuals. I'd give that a try first, with commitment (such as investing in the good belt and holster), before searching for something else.
 
Look at Milt Sparks. I have two VM2's and I carry a either a G27 or a G29 in them. Get a good belt to go with it, they sell those too. It is IWB, but I'm guessing that you've never had a great IWB holster before or you wouldn't be asking these questions. A good carry rig is to successful concealed carry as a good scope on a decent rifle is to tight groups. A belt is like the rings --not often thought of, but essential in holding it all together right. This analogy is about the best way I can put it.

The VM2 was designed for the HKP7, but it turns out that it is one of the best concealment holsters made for the Glock. G27, G17, doesn't matter, it makes hiding bricks easier. This holster will hide them all the same, only difference is that the grip on the 17 is longer and that has to be considered. You need a good gunbelt anyway, but with the longer grip you'll need it more to pull it all in tighter to the body so it doesn't stick out.

With an improper rig, the two locations you mention were the exact two locations I found to work too. With the proper rig, 3 or 3.30-4 works best. Whatever your natural draw position is, because THAT is where you should be wearing it ideally. What you are doing is fighting it and trying to get it to hide, but the right gear won't hinder you it will help you.

If you are stuck on OWB, Milt makes some fine OWB holsters but I don't own any. I'd like to, but I found that the VM2 was about the perfect holster (and it costs the same as mass produced junk, this is truly one of the "Great American Deals", all handmade in USA for honest prices). Like I said, I have two, and I just got a Smith 1006 I'd like to carry and when I got to looking for a holster, guess which one I ended up going for? Yep, when they get back after Christmas, I'll be ordering a third one (unless they'll make their newest one to fit a 1006 for me, but it looks a lot like the VM2, so...).

Variety may be the spice of life but consistency and quality is more important to me when it comes to carry gear. Also, believe it or not, I got a PM yesterday from a guy who read a thread where I recommended a VM2 to guy. He wrote to tell me he agreed with me and that he found the VM2 to be just as I said and that he has a couple now too.

Never heard anyone complain about a Milt Sparks, but if you perchance got a VM2 and didn't like it, chances are you could sell it for MORE than you paid for it --they were going for 2 to 4 times the cost on Ebay for a while until Milt Sparks put an end to it. This is due to the wait time, you'll be waiting a few months for this holster but it will be worth it. Some don't want to wait and will pay anything to get it now. The G17 version is pretty popular and you would have no problem selling it if you didn't want it.

In fact, I have a G17. Don't like it and I'LL refund your money plus $5, just get some 1.5" loops to go with it. This holster solved my carry problems, all of them, permanently. Do it. You have nothing to lose. Good luck!
 
Ghost Tracker, so are you saying that you do not agree with watching a person's hands or...?
 
I am a bit... OK a lot bigger than you and I have positioned a few guns around my ample body and have come to the conclusion that I should make up a custom holster that fits right below and to the left of my left hand "man boob" :). I could conceal a 6" K frame there fairly well if it were at about a 35 degree angle from horizontal (basically with the bottom of the butt at the same elevation as the muzzle). A full size auto loader would be a piece of cake.

mike

I am too in shape... round is a shape.
 
Strykervet said:
...If you are stuck on OWB, Milt makes some fine OWB holsters but I don't own any. I'd like to, but I found that the VM2 was about the perfect holster (and it costs the same as mass produced junk, this is truly one of the "Great American Deals", all handmade in USA for honest prices)....
Click to expand...

I don't have anything constructive to say concerning the original question. I would observe, though, that at 5 foot 10 and 200 pounds, the OP is hardly ready to appear on The Biggest Loser.

As for the VM2, it is just unbelievable that they are still priced at only 114 bucks.

I suppose that when I ordered mine (5" 1911), I was as anxious as most. This when they first went to the system of accepting only a given number of orders per month. I guess that's been almost 5 years ago. They call me and tell me they have one that is colored not exactly right. If I want it, I get my holster a month early. I tell them I'll take it. I think it's possible that they are referring to a darker color in two of the folds of the holster. It's actually very nice. It's actually perfect. Their imperfect is perfect.

In any case, I was anxious to get it - but 5 years later I have yet to use it! Two weeks ago, I finally took the class for my CHL. It's actually possible I will never use it. I've decided I just have to have Crimson Trace grips. The VM2 that I have will not work for me.

Messing around at the house, it seems that what might work is a Galco Royal Guard at 3:00. That's similar to the Milt Sparks Summer Special 2.

In any case ...

.
 
mashaffer said:
I am a bit... OK a lot bigger than you and I have positioned a few guns around my ample body and have come to the conclusion that I should make up a custom holster that fits right below and to the left of my left hand "man boob" :). I could conceal a 6" K frame there fairly well if it were at about a 35 degree angle from horizontal (basically with the bottom of the butt at the same elevation as the muzzle). A full size auto loader would be a piece of cake.

mike

I am too in shape... round is a shape.
Click to expand...
The Kangaroo pouch style holster that fits under a regular, loose-fitting shirt is ideal for those of us with XL or XXL torsos. http://kangaroocarry.com/
 
I went to the Kangaroo site. What holsters... oh there they are. :) Once you get past the distracting web site err... design those are some interesting holsters. At that price it would be worth trying a roo.

What I had in mind was similar but with the gun pivoted about 50 or 60 degrees so that the muzzle is pointing back and slightly down. On skinny guys that wouldn't work but I am just about as thick front to back in that area as a 6" revolver is long. If I lost a bunch of weight I would have to cant the pistol down more like the kangaroo.

mike
 
I've been using an IWB from Aholster.com. With my G36 it feels great and conceals well, did have to replace the extended mag release on my G23, tho.
 
Drail said:
When I'm not getting in and out of a vehicle all day I wear at 4 to 5 o'clock. When spending most of the day in a vehicle, crossdraw at 10 o'clock. On some occasions I will wear a Galco shoulder rig. I am really starting to favor crossdraw for all of the time. I like the fact that my gun is in front, if anyone decides to snatch it they will have to be in front of me. Printing is more about your clothing than about the gun. With proper dress you would be amazed at what can be hidden. I also stopped worrying about printing because the only people who notice it are bad guys and cops. The majority of people are just not very observant.
Click to expand...
Works for me too. Even with my G 23 in a OWB Serpa with a sweater or shirt over it. I can get away with a cheaper IWB with my Kimber .45 Comp. with the right shirt worn out at about 4 oclock.
 
I am 6'-2"+- tall and 185-200 lbs, depending on which scale you ask, and carry my SR9, my CZ83, and my Bersa Thunder 9, not all at the same time thankfully on my hip towards the rear a bit in a Yaqui style holster for each. I wear them at about 3:00 to 3:30 without too much trouble for almost any purpose. A minor shirt or jacket readjustment when I get out the truck, and off I go. About the only time I even think about it, is when I have to reach for my wallet, as it's in the rear pocket directly behind my pistol.

And as far driving itself, here in Texas, it's legal to have a loaded firearm in your vehicle as long as it too is concealed. So a pistol under a newspaper right next to me fills that void.

Starting to sound to me that a shoulder rig might fit your purposes better than a belt/pants holster.
 
[OP didn't ask about Open Carry, and certainly doesn't need to hear your opinions/rants/prejudices about it. Want to argue about Open Carry? Go start -- yet another -- thread on it. Otherwise, stay on topic. Thanks.]
 
DownUndertwomonthslater.jpg

Full size pistol carried in a High Noon Down Under IWB holster, but equally importantly, a High Noon Rock Steady gun belt. The belt will make or break a large sidearm carry, keeping the holster right in place, while a cheap weak belt will allow flip flopping. The combination is excellent, allowing this CZ SP-01 Phantom to be concealed under a loose t-shirt in Arizona summer weather.

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Pro...ps_Alligator/down_under_straps_alligator.html

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/Pro.../Magazine_Carriers/Pocket_Holsters/belts.html
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

ArmedOkie
  • Locked
Your holster location (IWB)
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
zchry
Z
W
  • Locked
Smart Carry Holster review
Replies
20
Views
9K
DigMe
D
B
  • Locked
Carrying in different locations
Replies
9
Views
690
SapperLeader
S
J
  • Locked
Full size concealed carry
2 3 4
Replies
82
Views
6K
1911 guy
1911 guy
D
  • Locked
Appendix carry vs. strong side hip carry
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
miko912
M
Back
Top