Holster Pain?

[NeverAgain26]

I recently took to wearing my Milt Sparks VM2 for my H&K USPC45 around the barn when I am working there late at night. I have another VM2 for a Beretta 9000. I have worn the one for the Beretta for 2-3 hours at a time and experienced no pain.

But the one I am wearing with the H&K I have worn for 6-7 hours and I am feeling a sore spot in my waist where the gun sits. I wear it at 4:00 on my strong side. I tried moving it forward a bit to 3:30 but it still gets sore.

The pants I am wearing them with fit me fairly snugly at the waist, even without the rig in them. When I slip on the rig, I am still comfortable but it feels quite snug.

Questions:
- Has this happened to anyone here?
- I have a tried a variety of belts, all strong and secure. Am I belting myself too loosely? I have snugged it up and loosened it up to see if it helped and it didn't.
- I know I should be wearing pants a few inches larger in the waist to accomodate the extra bulk, but I am not. Could this be the cause?
- Should I be wearing higher waisted pants?

I am not sure whether the holster for the Beretta would do the same as I have not had the chance to wear it for 6-7 hours at a pop.

Thanks in advance for any help on this subject.

Saul Levy

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My experience is that holster pain comes from three sources -- one is the gun itself where it touches the body, the second is a "stress riser" where too much pressure is concentrated on too small a section of the body, and the third is the top edge of the holster, where it rubs against the body.

When I design concealed carry holsters, I try to make them as wide as possible, and keep leather between gun and body, so the highest point on the assembly is the body side holster top. This protects the body from all three causes of soreness.

 

[Valkman]

You must dress for carrying, and that means bigger pants. A VM2 should not be causing a sore spot and I think that's where the problem is. I've always worn a size bigger pants and never had a problem with the VM2 or Brommeland's MaxCon V.

 

[Lupinus]

I'd say up the pants size and if that doesnt work try a different holster

 

[BullfrogKen]

Yep.

I cannot tolerate IWB holsters for this very reason. I could get away with them when I was healthy and carrying a 1911, because they are slim and carry nicely. But blocky models like my Sig 229 . . . forget it.

I now exclusively use OWB holsters. I don't get that pain, unless I'm riding in a vehicle for hours, and my wallet will begin bugging my arse first.

You ought to look at this as a package, and not trying to make do with what you have. Carrying a few hours a day, we can accept a level of discomfort. Once you go over half a day, and especially into 12-16 hours, comfort matters.

Consider the construction of the trousers you are wearing. Robust, sturdy material will help with support, but its going to be hard to make an HK worn IWB comfortable for over 6 hours with anything you try. I know only a handful of people, really, maybe 5, that do it. Everyone else I know who carries IWB in excess of 6 hours carries a slim gun with internal locking lugs, like a 1911 or a High Power. Those people are a minority, too.

The majority people I know who carry concealed all the time use an OWB holster.

 

[ccw007]

I had this problem with a VMII and a Glock 30. I loved the gun but I had to carry it OWB.

 

[chrisTx]

i have a 1911 and a beretta 92 that i carry with an inside waistband holster in the small of my back. i've got some good leather holsters, but none of them fit right, or are not too terribly comfortable to wear. my favorite is a $9 uncle mike's cheapie. i bought a left handed iwb holster and use it in the small of my back. i've carried for 18 hours like that.

 

[neoncowboy]

I had this problem with a VMII and a Glock 30. I loved the gun but I had to carry it OWB.

That's because it's (like the USP) so THICK!

Try a commander sized 1911 in a VMII and you'll never go back to a double-stack design.

I'm skinny and can get away with a Glock 30 IWB...but I *much* prefer my 1911s.

 

[tegemu]

I too had that problem and I solved it with 3 Brommeland Max Con V's www.brommelandgunleather.com .

 

[Leatherneck]

Small-of-back (SOB) carry has been denigrated as dangerous if you should fall on it, but I remain unconvinced.

The assymetric weight of the gun at 8:00 or 4:00 seems to bother me more on my weak side than my strong (i.e., cross-draw). I find the most comfortable holsters for me for extended wear are OWB paddle holsters (1911, model 92 and similar largish autos). Paddle holsters can be easily slid a bit to accomodate seat belts, open shirts, etc.

TC

 

[Azrael256]

I agree with the other poster's advice to try larger pants. I'm wearing pants 2" bigger than normal in the waist, and it still gets uncomfortable by the end of the day. Chalk that up to the bit of love handle I have going.

I suspect you're spending some good money on holsters, but I have bad news for you... $200 rigs don't always fit your body right. It's just the way it is. Anyone who carries has gone through half a dozen holsters, at least, before finding the right one. I have a good looking holster. I have a comfortable holster. I have a holster that conceals exceptionally well. Unfortunately, they aren't all the same holster. You just have to keep after it until you find something you like.

Do keep in mind that smaller guns are more comfortable. I have a 1911 in a Sparks Watch-Six that I just love, but I can't wear it without at least some kind of cover garment (yeah, love handles again). My P11, however, is an "always" gun. It hasn't printed under any garment I have ever owned.

 

[NeverAgain26]

Thanks, for all your replies. I will try bigger pants and hope that works. I like the holsters.

I am surprised I have not seen problems on THR or TFL with these holsters before, which leads me to believe the fix should be in how I wear it rather than a fault with the holster.

Saul Levy