Help me come up with a holster system for my CCW

[BozemanMT]

My situation

I don't work at a desk, I run my own company, we do tractor work and snow plowing. I'm always in the truck or in the tractor.

I wear button down shirts tucked in. I can't stand the untucked look, and since this is my business you will wear your shirts tucked in. (and since I'm the only employee, I pretty much have to follow the rules).

I do wear undershirts.

Sometimes I open carry (legal here), OWB and that's really not a huge issue, but would like to conceal carry to not stress out my sheeple clients.

I'm a fat guy. Buying yet another size bigger jean could well nigh be close to impossible. to fit an IWB. Not sure, willing to take advice here.

OWB during the winter isn't any big deal (the coat covers it) so that's probably solved, but it is uncomfortable in the tractor (no bench seats in tractors)

I'm almost thinking a shoulder holster between my undershirt and regular shirt. I realize that's somewhat slow to get to, but I always wear button downs, so one or two buttons and I'm golden. I've heard that they aren't that comfortable though.

thoughts?
ideas?

 

[Technosavant]

Depending on the gun, there's always pocket carry.

However, given your manner of dress, the shoulder holster might be the only way. You could speed up access by chopping off a couple buttons, sewing them to the front of the shirt so it looks normal, and then adding velcro to hold it shut.

 

[Just Jim]

Somebody makes some nice vest that have a hidden pocket for your CCW. Or a camera vest etc that has a proffessional look about it.

jj

 

[Soybomb]

Pocket carry of something like a j-frame is comfortable and you'll quickly forget its there. Putting something small like that in an ankle holster might wrok for you too and keep the gun accessible when sitting, but if you're walking through snow might not be ideal.

 

[saxtmich]

Agree with the previous post. I have a Kahr pm9 and the ankle option works great for me. Good point about the possibility of walking around in snow though.

 

[the naked prophet]

If you use a shoulder holster, you can remove the buttons from your shirts, and put velcro spots there instead. Sew the buttons back onto the outside of the shirt for appearance, and you've got quick access to your shoulder holster.

 

[BozemanMT]

That is a REALLY good idea on the velcro. (mostly work shirts anyway)
And of course sunday's it can go under the suit jacket for church (over the shirt).

Any particular good brands of shoulder holsters? comfort is key.
Not sure what I'm going to carry yet.
either a 1911 commander sized or a Glock 19 (most probably)

 

[Geronimo45]

For deep concealment, Ken Null's SMZ shoulder rig.
For bigger guns, Andrews Leather Monarch rig.
http://www.andrewsleather.com/
I own the Null rig, and it's worked well. The Monarch is designed for the bigger guns, though - and would probably be more comfortable (has high respect from owner, IME). Bianchi makes their X-15 vertical rig.

 

[crebralfix]

Lose weight through heavy exercise and a low carb diet (and then maintain).

I am serious here. If you really want to protect yourself and your family, it takes more than a gun. Movement is essential and these things get up close and dirty very quickly. If you are more fit (and I'm talking something like 3-6 months in a program, not football player fit), you will be able to move better and you will be able to engage in combatives if necessary.

The standard of fitness for what I consider "the moderately trained man" is not really not that high. Assuming no serious health conditions or joint problems, you can become reasonably fit in three months and you'll notice a large difference in six months.

Several of my friends have dropped three or four inches off their waistline in four months. My good friend has been doing heavy exercise for 4 and a half months now...his performance levels are very, very good and he's down three pants sizes. (The main difference in three times a week versus five times a week is performance, not fat loss). My other friend only comes in three times a week and I notice a distinct difference in endurance.

***

You could try a fanny pack.

 

[Phelptwan]

Smart carry?

 

[eagle45]

Here is an option you may not have seen or heard of:

http://www.holstersrus.com/product_info.php/cPath/341/products_id/1644

The pictures on the web site don't really do it justice. This is basically like a belly band with a velcro fastener, only made to fit around the chest area. However, if it is more comfortable for you it can be worn close to the belt line also. You can wear it between your shirt and t-shirt. Actually I don't like wearing mine without a t-shirt, the t-shirt makes it much more comfortable. You can actually align it wherever it is the most comfortable, it does not have to be worn up high, or even where the gun is placed under the arm. I know one person that wears it just above the belt line strong side, and covers it with an untucked shirt.

It will carry anything from a full size 1911 with an extra mag, to a snubbie revolver. Not my everyday carry setup, but in some situations it works better than anything else.

 

[kd7nqb]

5.11 Holster shirt is a good option too.
http://www.511tactical.com/index.asp?dept=3&number=40021

 

[Turk]

I've purchased an M&P 357 sig. full size and was looking for a CCW system for carry. I now carry a 380, 9 para or 40 in compact size in either IWB or belt holster. I don't like weight on my belt is one reason I don't carry a full size 1911 plus another reason. Even with the lighter weight of the M&P over a 1911 I'm still not too much into the belt holster. I then thought of the shoulder holster and the popular one today is the Miami style. But I can not bring myself in carry a handgun with the barrel pointing back to someone standing behind me. I then started looking for a verticle shoulder holster and take a look at this one made by FIST http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/holster/70A.htm I plan to purchase this model in the near future.

Turk

 

[Dravur]

Bozeman

I have a bunch of holsters and systems you can try. And I suffer from the same problem, too many twinkie syndrome.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Practicing with a shoulder holster can be tricky - unless you have you own range. Most ranges I've been to won't allow shoulder holsters because it's so hard to avoid muzzle sweeping people behind you or to your side.

Mike

 

[Mastiff]

Galco has a shoulder holster where the rig is under your shirt, but the handgun is over the shirt.

From their site:
The holster quickly secures to the ambidextrous, fully adjustable shoulder harness via mushroom-shaped pins found on the oval harness plates, which allow the holster to be quickly attached and removed from the harness. The innovative design of the attachment pins offer the unique ability to wear the shoulder harness under a shirt, while the holster is attached outside of the same shirt.

This shoulder holster system is ideal for those who need to discreetly remove their holstered weapon multiple times during the day. Unlike other shoulder holsters worn under a jacket you don’t have to remove your jacket and brandish a weapon to remove the X-Projects’ holstered weapon; you can simply and discreetly remove the holster/weapon from the harness, and then remove your jacket or continue to keep it on while the under harness remains invisible to onlookers.

The M1X holster component has three options for cant (or angle). Three holes on the rear of the holster allow the user to adjust the holster to their preferred cant. By removing the screw, the holster angle can be quickly adjusted to suit the user’s preference. The holster’s retention strap prevents the pistol from being dislodged, yet the pistol remains quickly accessible with a simple and easily learned gripping motion.

The ambidextrous belt attachment snaps over belts from 1 ¼” through 1 ½”, and by adjusting the holster, works for muzzle rear, muzzle forward, and vertical carry angles as well as crossdraw. A direct belt attachment kit is also available, consisting of two threaded mushroom bolts, two screws, a hole punch, marking pattern and instructions. An accessory magazine carrier will be available for both shoulder harness and belt use. Additional holsters for other firearms you may own can be purchased separately for use with the harness.

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPT3.asp?ProductID=3337&CatalogID=2

 

[blackcash88]

Since you're so admittedly fat and you say it might be impossible to buy a bigger jean size, I'd definitely rule out ankle carry. Seriously, can you even bend down and reach your ankle? I've seen people so fat they can't even wipe their behinds...