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
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
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