How does body size/ shape affect carry options?

[Tony k]

Are there general "rules of thumb" when it comes to what carry options are best for different body shapes and sizes?

For example, I'm 5'9" tall and weight about 170 pounds. My weight is pretty well distributed between my upper and lower body, and I have about a 32" waist (geez..this is starting to sound like a craigslist ad) . I've tried galco king tuck holsters for both my full sized 1911 and Kahr CW45. Both were pretty tough to keep concealed at the 8 and 9 oclock positions (I'm left handed). Wearing a t-shirt tucked in with either a flannel shirt or light jacket, the butt of both guns print unless I am standing more or less straight up. Now, I only carry those in winter when I'm wearing a coat with a concealed carry pocket sewn in.

The option I've found for warmer months is pocket carrying my CM9 with a cheap Mike's neoprene holster. I haven't tried to IWB carry the CM9, but my guess is that the butt of this pistol would also print a little bit when I bent at the waist.

No, I don't have a drawer full of holsters that didn't work out, and I'm hoping to avoid that situation. My belt is a thick 1.5" belt made by All American Clothing Co. It's not a specific carry belt, but it's pretty stout.

So with my size and shape, are there carry options that would serve me better? I'm happy with the pocket carry of the CM9, but I'd like more flexibility with the 1911 and CW45.

What if someone is more muscular or otherwise sort of top-heavy? What about people who are more pear-shaped and carry their weight lower? People who have large bellies? What about people who are really lanky or thin?

I'm obviously mainly interested in figuring out what works best for me, but I'm also just curious about how body type affects different carry options in general.

Thanks

 

[JTQ]

Here is an excellent series of pictures from forum member tmoore912 at post #29 in this thread. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912

I often refer folks to these pictures because they are so well done and show how good gear, and position can conceal a full size pistol. A good gun belt, as tmoore912 has, is very important.

The "flavor of the day" for a lot of folks seems to be Appendix Inside the Waistband (AIWB). I haven't tried it with a holster, just tried sticking an unloaded gun in my waistband, but I suspect I'm too short for the guns I have, such as a Government Model 1911. The advantage to AIWB is your belly is typically more compressible than your hip. AIWB usually works best for the slim folks, and with a 32" waist you may be a candidate.

Some of the better rated AIWB holsters, if you are interested…

JM Custom Kydex http://www.jmcustomkydex.com/p/AIWB.html

Custom Carry Concepts http://shop.customcarryconcepts.com/Shaggy-AIWB-SHG.htm

Dale Fricke http://dalefrickeholsters.com/product/archangel-appendix-carry/

 

[JTQ]

My belt is a thick 1.5" belt made by All American Clothing Co. It's not a specific carry belt, but it's pretty stout.

I had to look that up. This one? http://www.allamericanclothing.com/made-in-usa/HDB.html

If so, it is only half as thick as the A&G Custom Leather belt worn by tmoore912 in the linked pictures above.

Here is A&G Custom Leather http://agcustomgunleather.com/store/craftsmanship/belt-construction/

The first belt I tried was a heavy 1.5" leather belt from Cabela's. I quickly went to a Wilderness 5-stitch Instructor belt. The difference was huge. Compared to the Wilderness belt, the Cabela's leather belt was like a wet noodle.

The Wilderness Instructor 5-stitch belt http://www.thewilderness.com/tactical-belts/original-instructor-belt/

 

[allaroundhunter]

I'm 5'8" and 175 lbs. I carry a Glock 19 and M&P9 full size in a White Hat Holsters Max Tuck at 3-4 o'clock.

My WT belt does a good job of keeping everything where it should be.

 

[Tony k]

I've been resistant to getting a carry-specific belt. Guess I might need to get over that.

Yes JTQ, the belt you looked up from all american clothing is the belt I have. It's .23" thick, but it lacks the reinforcement stitching that most leather carry belts have. That wilderness tactical belt is probably highly functional, but it looks too "tactical" for my tastes. I prefer leather belts for daily wear, but maybe it's a matter of adjusting my perspective a little bit.

Also, JTQ, thanks for the AIWB holster suggestions. I might give one of those a try. I'd never really considered appendix carry.

I guess I've got some research to do

 

[JTQ]

I understand about the looks of the Wilderness belt, but if it is a concealed gun, and if you're not wearing a "tuckable" holster, your cover garment is going to cover the belt, even if you are wearing an IWB holster.

 

[Telekinesis]

A good gun belt is worth it's weight in gold. It really is a night and day difference in how the gun carries and I find the the gun even conceals better with a real gun belt (and you can also use the belt when not carrying, you'll just need to tighten it a notch). If you prefer leather belts, The Beltman makes some very nice belts that look like a normal belt but are still stiff enough for gun carry. I actually wear mine to work and church even when I can't carry my gun and no one thinks about it being designed to support a gun.

Something that I've found to help with holsters around the 3-4 o'clock positions (for a right handed shooter) is to add as much cant to the holster as you can. That coupled with a good gun belt will bring the grip of the gun closer in to your side so it won't stick out as much. Another option like mentioned would be appendix carry. There are a lot of advantages to carrying in that position like retention, speed of draw and accessibility by the off hand, but I've not made the leap to carry in that position yet. If you're looking for a holster to try for AIWB, I'd look at BladeTech or NSR Tactical. I have experience with the blade tech, but have not handled a NSR - but all I've heard about them has been good and if I get another holster it will likely be a NSR.

Also, unless you're in a nonpermissive environment, don't fret about every little print of the gun. The majority of people don't go around looking for other people carrying guns and likely won't even notice.

 

[herrwalther]

I'm 5'8" and 175 lbs. I carry a Glock 19 and M&P9 full size in a White Hat Holsters Max Tuck at 3-4 o'clock.

About the same for me. 5'7 and 165. I can carry 4" semi-autos and 5" full size 1911s with no issue in a White Hat. Was even better combo when I upgraded to a stiffer belt.

I have found there is no rule of thumb for carry comfort for body types. I can't imagine a short, heavier guy being comfortable pocket carrying a mouse gun. But it happens. What does work is going through holster/belt/firearm combinations until you find one you like and sticking with it until you find an upgrade like a better belt.

A few years ago when I wore a business suit more often, I would carry a firearm in a compression shirt that had holsters under the arms. It only took one time at a light jog across a parking lot to get to my car giving rib bruises, that wasn't a good idea. Kept the undershirt but moved onto another method for business carry.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I am 5' 8" and 130 lbs.

I have found the belt makes ALL the difference. I had a good holster and an okay belt and had difficulties.
Got a good belt (Wilderness Frequent Flyer) and now there MUCH less problems.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I carry Appendix using High Noon tuckable holsters and Wilderness Tactical's "Frequent Flyer" belt which I wear for dress and everyday wear...it's a "tactical" gunbelt and excellent but it also looks just fine for business casual.

When I ordered my choices my Wife thought certain there was no way I could hide a G26 or Beretta Px4 subcompact in the Appendix position in a tuckable holster under a dress shirt wearing Dockers and not scream *GuN!*. She was wrong. I wore it around the house for days and she never batted an eye...I just wore the belt and the same dress (plain gray Dockers and a button down dress shirt with a Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer belt) for *jury duty* minus the gun of course and looked great. The Bailiff asked about the belt the second day as he's *really* aware and a cop. He wanted to know if that was a gun belt and what kind so he could order one...it looks fantastic and the only one who's gonna call it a gun belt is another Concealed Carry aficionado who has shopped for equipment and is looking. No one else would have suspected it as a gun belt. When carrying, no one has ever "made me" and my carry style. Ever. My Wife, who is now very aware of what I can carry and where it is, reminded me heading out for jury duty that I couldn't carry at the courthouse. She thought I looked great but could not tell if I was packing or not.

The reason why is my age and my build....I'm 58 years old and trim at 6' 3" and about 185. Slightly muscular and a slim midsection which is unusual for men my age. But no one looks at an old guys midsection/appendix area and even though there may be a sign or two (like the black wide metal clip!) *no one* has ever done the double take or suspected I was carrying or dressed to carry. Even when standing there with a concealed pistol listening intently to a woman (next door neighbor) tell us she could spot a concealed carry a mile away as she doesn't approve of "anyone but cops" having a gun. What you carry, where you carry it, your height, build, weight, color of clothing and holster/belt *all* of that matters. Thinner is harder to achieve but you have a lot more options if you are thinner than is you are wider. I lost 30 lbs. to pull off the Appendix carry with a double stack pistol in tuckable holster. I couldn't have done that 30 pounds heavier but I think there are some who could do that.

But build/body size affects carry options quite a bit. I think it is the most important factor second only to clothing and equipment.

VooDoo