Hardest to conceal part of a pistol

[vsteel]

When trying to pick a pistol to conceal, what is the hardest part to hide? I look at some of the "normal" sized pistols and the smaller "Concealed carry" pistols and I really don't see that much of a difference in their size. Does an inch or half an inch really matter that much?

Is the important thing barrel length, grip length, action thickness, all of the above? I know there are tons of factors about dressing for conceal, holster type, body placement but I am looking for generalities.

Examples of what I am talking about would be a medium framed revolver with a 3 inch barrel vs a small frame revolver and a 4 inch barrel. Another example would be a Glock 21 vs a Glock 30.

 

[jon86]

This really depends on the method of carry that you are going to use.

For pocket carry, every dimension counts. Length, grip length, and thickness. I prefer a j frame size for this with a 2 inch barrel. Weight is also important to consider for pocket carry. The smaller and lighter, the easier it is to carry in your pocket all day. Perhaps even more important though, is the snag factor. Whatever you put in your pocket must not snag anything at all for a quick, smooth draw.

For IWB strong side carry, you can get away with a much larger gun. Thickness or width is the most important dimension to consider here. The thinner it is, the better. I can conceal a glock 17 much better than a glock 30, even though the 30 isn't THAT much thicker. When you put it in your waistband holster, it FEELS very much thicker. The next dimension to consider is the grip length. Generally, with a decent amount of forward cant, this dimension can be hid pretty well. The barrel length isn't very important, as it is in your pants. Barrel length absolutely needs to be considered if you are thinking about IWB appendix carry.

And then people are different too. For example, held side by side, a baby glock and a j frame are pretty much the same length, height, and width. However for me, the j frame conceals IWB SO much better. It just conforms to me much better than the blocky glock.

I hope this helps, let me know when you find the perfect carry gun. I'm still looking.

 

[rcmodel]

For me, width is the killer.

I can conceal a S&W Model 39 easier then a Glock 23 because the S&W 39 is way thinner through the slide.

I can conceal a 3 1/2" SIG P232 way easier then a 2" S&W J-Frame because the slide on the SIG is way thinner then the cylinder on any revolver.

I really don't care how long a semi-auto slide is, as long as it is flat & thin.

rc

 

[BADUNAME37]

The part that has already been removed by design.

 

[SW45]

I have just over 15 years experience carrying concealed at work and in public.
I would say the most difficult part is the grip length and width (butt), followed by the overall thickness of the pistol at its midsection.

If you are carrying outside the waistband (OWB), a J-frame butt or a round butt on a S&W revolver is almost a necessity. I have an L-frame that I love but the frame size and full-sized grip make hiding that protusion under a coat near impossible. Smaller grip frames help here. Same with autos -- think of the difference of a single-frame .380 or 9mm vs. a double-stack .40 or .45 --say, a Walther PPK or a S&W 3913 vs. a Glock 17 or a Browning Hi Power, both of which I have owned and carried.

Slimmer midsections (overall thickness) are better too. That is why mid-and smaller (officers, etc.) sized 1911's are so popular -- they are slim, have short butts, and conceal well inside or outside the waistband. The problem is the recoil impulse and cycle stroke are different for these chopped guns, and they are not as reliable as their full-sized counterparts. Others may have different opinions.

Revolvers have a bulge in the middle called a cyclinder that is usually wider than most semiautos. But I have lately taken to carrying a 3" S&W K-frame revolver and it carries as well as any of 1911s I have carried, thanks in part to a good holster.

So, to reiterate, in my opinion, grip length and width (overall circumfrence) is the most difficult part to conceal, followed by overall thickness (I'm thinking Sigs, Betertta's, etc.).

Hope this helps.

 

[gordy]

To give you a answer it is all the above.
Almost all handguns can be carried. Some a bit better than others.
I like a J-frame revolver in a IWB holster. Or the pocket.
A K frame with any longer than a 4 inch barrel is a bit long for me.
I like a 3 inch better.
I like the mid size autos(4 inch) for IWB holsters and a good belt holster.
Large autos(5 inch) Work well the same way, But I don't like them as much.
I don't use a shoulder holster as they are not to fast and they are pointing at some one all the time.(They call them jackass rigs).
Strong side IWB or a good belt rig is what I use and recommend.

 

[BlindJustice]

WIth my owb "FBI cant" for a full size 1911
at 3:30 - it's the length of the grip

Saving for a CCO format 1911

R-

 

[Mike J]

I would say the grip, followed by thickness.

 

[S&Wfan]

The grip and the butt will "bust" you every time if it isn't slim, trim and rounded. That's the first thing we learn. The width is also a concern . . . but in regards to a J-frame snubbie, the width of the cylinder falls in the middle area of the gun, making it more stealthy than one would imagine.

I carry K, L and N frames on sturdy belt holsters . . . not concealable at all unless you cover it with a jacket or loose shirt in certain seasons of the year.

Also, dimensions can be deceiving. My 3" 1911 .45ACP (a lightweight Kimber Ultra CDP, 1st generation) is the same basic size, weight, and width as the Model 36 J-frame snubbie here BUT . . . try sticking a little 1911 in your pocket and you'll quickly see it isn't as good for casual, stealth concealment. A snubbie is only wide where the cylinder is and thus it tapers away from being too big and noticeable in both directions. HUGE difference when picking a CCW firearm that you can ALWAYS have on you.

 

[texas bulldog]

Well, thin certainly helps, but I'll voice a minority opinion that height (AKA grip length) is more important. On my body, the part of the gun that bulges is the grip. The longer it is, the worse it conceals.

 

[GLOOB]

Depends on how you carry. For me, it's usually the back, bottom corner of the grip or mag floorplate.

 

[brandon_mcg]

i think that the grip is the most difficult to conceal. kind of have to bend the knees more when i lean over so i dont print too much.

 

[vsteel]

This is great information. Thank you so very much.

 

[LightningMan]

For me its also the grip length, shorter is better IMO. LM

 

[coyotehunter223]

I agree with da butt length, but I'm pretty skinny. Your choice of holsters for whatever gun you do choose is going to have a huge impact as well.

 

[orionengnr]

Within reason...thickness, then weight.
And I agree with the revolver post. The widest part of a handgun being a cylinder definitely makes it a fair bit more concealable.

 

[DasFriek]

Grip length and then thickness is my killers.
Thickness is only really bad during IWB carry.
I need to loose 40lbs or buy all new jeans 2 sizes larger as my waistline is too tight without a gun in there already.

 

[Japle]

Concealability is overrated. Trying to prevent “printing” is a waste of time. No one is looking for guns and no one is paying any attention to bulges under your clothes. No one is paying any attention to you at all.

A few years ago, I carried a 4” M-29 in an OWB holster with two speedloaders every day for a month just to see what would happen. I’m 5’9” and 145 lbs. The gun stuck out a mile. Like having half a steel grapefruit stuck to my side. The speedloaders were almost as bad. Even with an obvious setup like that, no one noticed a thing.

Unless you’re a supermodel or on fire, no one will give you a 2nd look. They won’t even give you a 1st look. They’re too wrapped up in their own lives.

I'm currently carrying an XDm 3.8 9mm in a Kydex paddle holster. The grip is the same size as a Glock 17 or 22. I see no point in going with anything smaller.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Butt.

 

[Promod1385]

I carry my P220 IWB just behind my hip bone, or in the small of my back (I am a small guy). The butt of the grip is the only part I have a problem with at times, usually its bending over.

 

[DeepSouth]

I pocket carry so grip length is the hardest to conceal, but thickness has is the major factor in confront.

 

[Ben86]

Inside the waistband the grip is by far the hardest part to conceal, followed by the back of the slide and maybe the clip for the holster if using a holster with a clip. Barrel length and thickness are more a factor for comfort. If doing pocket carry it all is a factor in concealability.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Height and width. I'm a skinny guy, so waist carry easily puts the grip of a full size gun sticking out behind me.

I, too, have wondered why many companies make "carry" versions that have a shorter barrel but the same full size grip. Makes no sense to me. Give me the full barrel with a compact grip and I'll be happy.