How the heck do you guys do it?

[KD5NRH]

Well, let's see:

SmartCarry: Colt Gov't Model .45 & spare mag, S&W 4" .38Spl, or Bersa Thunder .380 & 2 spare mags

IWB (Tuckable): Colt Gov't Model & spare mag or Taurus PT99AF

IWB (Regular): the Bersa or the Colt

Coronado Safari Leather Vest: All of the above, though the Taurus or the S&W can be a bit of a tricky fit. Also, spare mags, SureFire G2, glowstick, second wallet, spare batteries for G2

OWB: Pelican M3 Xenon - who cares if it gets spotted?

Generally, I carry either the Colt or Taurus IWB tucked, and the Bersa in the vest. With the Colt, the holster carries a spare mag, and I drop an extra in each front pocket. With the Taurus, I just carry a spare in the left pocket and an extra in the car. Two Bersa spares tend to live in the vest unless I'm doing something where I can't wear it. For bowling and other heavy activity, the Bersa goes in the SmartCarry w/2 spares, and one of the larger autos stays in the car.

The idea is to have a complete kit (gun + spare ammo + light) in the vest so I can just throw it on and go if I'm running late and can't spare the time to put something else on. The Safari and matching Henschel leather fedora might not blend in as well as some styles, but they really don't tend to scream "GUN" either. Combining them with the Indiana Jones ringtone on my phone tends to make people write me off as a bit eccentric

 

[mzmtg]

I usually wear "cargo" style pants or shorts that have leg pockets. The only things I carry on my belt are the USP in a CTAC holster and a spare mag behind the left hip. Wallet goes in right leg pocket. Surefire G2 goes in left leg pocket. Knife gets clipped in left hip pocket. Phone goes in right hip pocket or breast pocket of cover shirt, if there is one.

So that adds up to:
USP
Spare Mag
Flashlight
Knife
Wallet
Phone

Keeping it spread out keeps it from printing.

 

[usp9]

I use this to carry. People assume I'm a postal worker and ignore me.

Hides great under a parka, poncho or full length beaver coat.

 

[Legionnaire]

I wear a sport coat most of the time, and that works great for covering IWB or OWB. Other times, tuckable IWB holster under a button shirt. Yet other times, IWB with clip under an untucked sport shirt. "Always" gun is a small pocket auto in a pocket holster. Gun, rig, and garments all depend on the situation. It's good to have alternatives.

 

[shooting on a shoestring]

Skipped the holster

When I switched to the SP101 I started trying different holsters, I also tried none. It worked best of all. I carry at about 2 o'clock, IWB, jeans with leather belt, tee shirt untucked. Gun stays put while sitting, running, climbing, chasing Jack Russel Terriers.... Invisiable, quick to draw, carry from morning till night.

I go with what works. Change it if it doesn't.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Pockets, and a good belt.

 

[DesertShooter]

I've CCW'ed for 35+ years, and have NEVER been "made". I prefer the IWB holsters, but often carry in a shoulder rig when the weather is cold and I can wear a jacket.

Personally, I don't think that you need to buy "custom-made" holsters or "CCW clothing". With an IWB holster, you need to get it adjusted properly, so that it won't print. Then, you need to experiment with your body positioning. By that, I mean that you should place your IWB at a comfortable location, but will still afford you to draw it effectively. Then, put on a loose fitting tee shirt and stand in front of a mirror. You can slightly angle your stance, or hold your elbows against the exposed butt of your firearm, so that it can't be seen by others.

Lastly, I've noticed how many folks are somewhat "paranoid" about "printing". Chances are quite slim that anyone will notice a small bulge at your waist, no matter how fat or how skinny you are! If someone DOES notice and says something about it, tell them, "Oh, this is embarrassing! It's my catheter bag, and it's full! I need to find a bathroom to empty it!"

 

[NineseveN]

Well, here goes:

1911 and 4 spare mags in a shoulder holster system. Cell phone, wallet, knife/leatherman, keys. Getting the gun off the belt helps a lot for me, I can put whatever I want in my pockets and on my belt and not have to worry one bit. With 8 round mags I get 41 rounds until I'm out...that's not because I think I'd actually need that many, but the weight on either side of the rig is within 3-4 ounces of the other, which helps keep it balanced and comfortable.

 

[kahr404life]

Where clothes (shirts) that are at least 2 sizes two large.

 

[riverdog]

http://www.miltsparks.com/

 

[Dirty Bob]

Consistency

I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 in the right front (appendix) area, regardless of attire or time of year. I use a "tuckable" holster (Galco "USA"), but prefer carrying under an untucked shirt. Either way, the drawstroke is the same.

Flashlight is a compact (but not tiny) Inova T1, in my front left pants pocket next to the wallet. I carry a very thin and small fixed blade on my keys in the other front pants pocket. It draws easily: I drag the back of my hand against the pocket edge while drawing, and the sheath catches there and drops back into the pocket with the keys. Fast and simple. Spare mag is carried openly in a flap-top knife pouch. It's 100% hidden, but I don't try to conceal the pouch. Cell phone on right hip. Streamlight Stylus and sturdy pen in my shirt pocket.

When wearing an untucked shirt, I sometimes add a KA-BAR TDI to my ensemble on the left side, in front of the hip, set up for a left-hand draw.

A light t-shirt under the outer shirt adds a lot to comfort.

It took some experimentation to work out what's best for me. YMMV. Everyone is a rule unto themselves when it comes to CCW. Health issues, required wardrobe, lifestyle, activities, etc. all play a part. Some people just tolerate the weight and bulk of a handgun better than others. I've heard some state that they can't carry bigger than a .25 or .32 in summer, and I can agree with them on one thing: carrying on a hot, steamy summer day isn't much fun. Others carry a Glock 17 all year-round, but I just couldn't do it with my system. The P-11's the right size/caliber/weight for me.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

Here's the knife and keys setup:

 

[StuckInMA]

The best thing I ever did to help with printing was to buy a good belt. After going through several holster/gun combo's I realized the problem was that the belt was too thin/flimsy to support the weight which allowed the OWB holsters to lean. So I ditched the $10 Wally World belt and picked up a decent CCW belt.

I can comfortably leave the house in jeans and a t-shirt now without asking my wife "Can you notice it?" every time I head out.

 

[Sawdust]

NineseveN:

1911 and 4 spare mags in a shoulder holster system.

What rig do you use? Do you recommend it?

Thanks,

Sawdust

 

[NineseveN]

Sawdust: Check your PM's.

 

[Steve499]

Kel Tec P3AT and one spare mag in a home made open top holster in my right front pocket. Everywhere. Works with jeans, cargo pants, khakis, suit pants and all the shorts I own. You forget it's there.

I retired from law enforcement after 30 years. I have carried lots of different pistols in about every way imaginable during that time. The little Kel Tec in the front pocket is the easiest of all.

Steve

 

[ny32182]

I wear cargo pants or shorts whenever possible.

Midsize auto IWB, if I have a spare mag its usually in my weak side front pocket. Wallet/keys/knife/phone distributed between my other front pocket and cargo pockets. Never could figure out the point of a flashlight.

 

[ron8903]

What EUC sead

 

[romma]

Let's See

wallet, keys,sunglasses,cell phone (sometimes two cell phones ), only 1 gun, no spare mags (usually) tucked IWB. No problem, it's the rest of the crap that falls out of my hands as I am walking out the door. Especially If I am carrying a gym bag to work out later in the day.

 

[Sistema1927]

Here is what works for me, YMMV (BTW, I am left handed):

Left front pocket: Kahr PM9 in DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster & NOTHING else.

Right front pocket: keys, change, spare 7 round mag in leather sheath, small Case pocket knife for ordinary chores, small one handed folder (either a Gerber or CRKT) clipped inside this pocket, small vial of Tylenol and Motrin.

Left rear pocket: wallet.

Right rear pocket: checkbook and comb.

On belt at 5:00: Leatherman in nylon sheath, cell phone in clip on holder, and sometimes work cell phone in clip on holder

I can do this with any kind of clothing, jeans, slacks, dockers, shorts, etc. so I don't have to change the routine to match the wardrobe. The only exception are those few times when I need to wear a suit, and I will forego the Leatherman and put the cell phone, less case, in an inside suit jacket pocket. Using pocket carry, I don't have to wear a cover garment, buy my pants/belt larger than necessary, or worry about the colors I choose.

 

[Dirty Bob]

Never could figure out the point of a flashlight.

Neither could I; that's why I carry two!

Seriously, when you come out of bright sunlight into a dim area, you can be blind without a light, even in the middle of the day. I had this happen recently in the back hallway of a restaurant. There was no light at all, but I had a light and was able to find my way through to the restroom.

At night, a light can back someone off. I don't believe in the light-as-a-weapon stuff, but a bright light generally means that the person's intended target is not in "victim" mode. Thirdly, a good, sturdy flashlight makes a heck of a pocket stick. I've carried the T1 on airplanes all of the U.S. and in Western Europe, and through metal detectors into museums and other places. I have it set up with an o-ring lanyard, as recommended by Tiger McKee in his excellent book.

Regards,
Dirty Bob