Help me dress myself

[Quoheleth]

I'm trying to carry IWB, tucked, two different handguns at different times.
- The first is a Kel Tec PF9 with a JMG Holster #7.0.
- The second is a Rock Island Compact (Officer) 1911 with a Comp Tac Spartan [economical version of the Minotaur].

I have a nice, new gunbelt that I ordered from Bart Looper at Looper Leather in Oklahoma. (BTW: Nice gentleman; very patient in answering my questions and willing to make the belt to order and to size).

Part of my problem, I suspect, is my size. I'm a big man: 6'4", 300lbs; 50" belt, 52" Long suitcoat. I'm a bit of a "pear" shape with big hips, anyway.
When I put the IWB on, tuck my shirt in, and snug up the belt, I look like I have a massive hernia or goiter or something shoving out the side of my hip. It's OBVIOUS I have something there. I've tried the 9:00 position (I'm a lefty) and need to try backing it up a bit - 8:00-8:30 - to see if that helps.

If I wear a shirt untucked - like on weekends or evenings with jean shorts and polo or baggy T-shirt - the IWB isn't a problem. But I thought CompTacs, with a tucked shirt, supposedly make a gun disappear?

I'm a bit frustrated by this, but it's still early in the ballgame while trying to figure out what to wear and how to wear it. I'm looking for ideas on what to do to help get rid of the "growth" on the hip, but still allows tucked in dress shirt. Thunderwear isn't really appealing to me.

I'm open to trying a new holster, but after dropping $35 on the JMG and $65 on the Spartan, I need a pretty solid recommendation. I did consider the Crossbreed minituck or quick clip for the Kel Tec.

Any other big ol' boys with a similar situation? How did you resolve it? Remember: tucked dress shirts are business attire most days with sport shirts or tucked polos on "casual" days.

Q

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm a big man ... 300 lbs. ...

I weigh literally half of that, but I will see if I can help.

Perhaps a vertically riding holster like this High Noon Hidden Impact, worn in front of the hip at 11:00?

 

[bigfatdave]

My advice, which is actually worth LESS than you pay for it

Crossbreed minituck

My Supertuck hides my Walther PPS extremely well, I'm close to your size (6'3" - ~330# - 49"belt) and pack whenever I'm not on the job.

1-Move it back a bit
2-Belt it in as tightly as you can be comfortable with, and then one notch further after a few days
3-Realize that nobody is looking at your waistline*
4-Consider a looser shirt, or change length. I find that only shirts of just the right length will tuck neatly
5-A holster that moves the clips off of the gun will offer better concealment and be more comfortable, because it won't be adding as much width to the gun


*(the few people who do won't think it is a gun ... the few who realize it is a gun mostly won't care ... the ones who care won't do anything ... and that one jerk who makes an issue of it will look like a helpless ninny when you point out that you are packing legally because you take a personal interest in your own safety)

 

[dairycreek]

At 6'3" and 260 I am also in the "big man" category and have never been able to quite carry off a tuckable CCW rig. No matter what I did it continued to not do the job.

I developed a number of stragegies which worked for me. Over the years I have accumulated a variety of vests and sweaters which I wore over an IWB rig. I use light vests, polar fleece vests, stylish leather vests, suit/sportcoat vests, light sweaters, sweater vests, and so on. Two criteria were used. First it had to cover the CCW rig and second, it had to look apprpriately stylish as I worked in an in/out of the office business environment. Did this for a long time and was never, ever "made" or even suspected.

Several years ago I discovered the Smart Carry and have really grown to like this CCW device. Without going into much detail here I suggest that you take a look at the Smart Carry web site http://www.smartcarry.com/ and study the contents. It works! And it works well! FWIW

 

[smithmax]

I found that I had more luck with moving my gun forward (2:00) instead of back on my waist.

How comfortable is the smart carry when seated? It looks like it would dig in...down there...

 

[dkk73]

Agree re: SmartCarry. It's economical and should work for almost anyone. I use it about 60% of the time.

You may want to look at the AKJ Concealco IWB leather holster. It has a unique design that "breaks" the outline. If you are rounder I am not sure it will work as well, but the natural break of the hip bone may blend in (if carrying near 2:30). Worth looking at pictures of and thinking about at least. Nicely-made, well priced.

I've got a compact build and was trying the C-TAC back when I was carrying a few extra pounds near the belly. It never seemed as invisible to me as everybody claimed... Same with the SuperTuck (worked much better). I'm pretty skeptical of tuckables in general. My 2 cents.

 

[20nickels]

My SmartCarry is very easy to carry and very concealable however access time is longer. Maybe I just need to practice my draw more. It's another tool in the box. It's perfect with athletic wear.