(IWB Holster belt concearns) Fat people, what do you use?

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dasanii19

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IWB holster belt concearns............

I just ordered a Milt Sparks SS2 from brownells, this is the first time that ive bought a IWB holster and the first time that I will be concealing my firearm. During my research on holsters ive noticed that belts pop up often and take a pretty big role in itself..

Here's the deal, im 6'1 255 lbs. the weight mostly shows in the gut area. I wouldn't say my gut hangs waaaay over my belt but it does indeed rest on my belt with a slight hang. So for the reason that my gut hangs a bit over my belt I've always preferred stretchy elastic type belts, to me the stretchy belts are much more comfortable then a hard leather belt digging into your belly when you sit down.

Now I realize there are many people on this forum that don't have this problem, so id like to narrow down the replies to the people that actually relate to what im saying as id really like to pin point the proper belt to get.

So my question is, have any of the overweight group on here found a remedy for this issue? I'm guessing a stretchy belt is not going to cut it with the new holster im getting and that im going to have to figure out something soon. Maybe the reason I don't like hard leather belts is do to only buying cheap walmart brands? I dont know.. But to me it seems like any hard belt would be uncomfortable? right?
 
I have recently lost 100 lbs and now weigh 260 and am 6'3" so I have been all over the place with my weight. I now wear a custom gun belt and, for me, that is the only way to go as it provides a solid platform upon which to "hang" the gun. When I was heavier I employed a set of strong suspenders and a good gun belt. The suspenders provided a good platform for the belt and the gun without constricting my gut. Takes a bit of experimenting to get it "right" but a good gun belt must be a part of your carry strategy. Good luck.
 
I weigh 340, or did last time I found a trustworthy scale I did not overload. I have worn my full sized 1911 and Kimber compact in a Ross Leather IWB holster only on hard leather belts: Cabela's Garrison Belt and a Ross Leather gun belt. I find proper, reliable, presentation of the gun comes only when I am cinched up tighter than I wear my belts when not carrying. I have also found that presentation is unreliable if the belt loop on the holster does not fit the belt snuggly. Both conditions argue against stretchy belts and I have never tried one.

My own remedy to the discomforts involved has been to develop a tolerance. Comfort is often a matter of what you get used to.
 
I am about 260 and I use a Comp-Tac MTAC on a pretty basic belt belt purchased at the uniform store. It is by far NOT a gun belt but I have had no issues with it.
 
I have a Milt Sparks and I love it. I'd stay far, far away from any of the Crossbreed IWB holsters (Supertuck). I had one and hated it not only because of the fit, but overall poor quality and the attitude of the owner when I addressed issues about it. I actually had to re-heat and hand mold the damned kydex part myself because, out of the box, my custom made holster would NOT fit the pistol!
 
5'11" 250ish.... carry in a Comp-Tac CTAC... i barely notice its there
 
5'10 220 or so here. I've had good luck with a C-Tac. However I've always worn either a stiff leather belt, or a nylon web belt (mainly a wilderness instructor belt the last couple of years) so maybe I'm just used to it. The best thing I can say is a small buckle will help take the bite off, and something like a wilderness belt lets you adjust it to be snug, but not so tight it cuts.

I'd say with your size, go OWB, I rarely carry IWB as a good untucked polo shirt or the like very effectively conceals my gun. Modern society is so used to seeing bulges and things under a shirt (pagers, phone, black berry, work phone, etc) that people just don't think gun. A good OWB holster and the right shirt can effectively conceal a lot. I carry a G34 (long slide glock) with an attached tac light OWB as my normal carry. Never had any issues.

-Jenrick
 
P95DC in a Crossbreed Supertuck, usually hung on a poly lined instructors belt. I believe you really need a good stiff belt for IWB carry, it makes a big difference in how stable the holster will be. The large sweat shield area on the Crossbreed provides good protection (for the P95 from my "love handles" & for me from the P95's edges). It ends up form fitting on the rear of the slide ... but this in no way hampers access. This is the one area in which the Crossbreed does better for me with the P95 than the MTAC does with my 1911.

Nick
 
heh, same problem here man. After much experimentation I've found that a good quality stretchy belt (the kind from casual male is great) works just fine with IWB holster. I was told many times it wouldn't work at all. Everybody is shaped differently. It should also be noted that I carry a full service pistol 45 acp with 12+1 and a poly body. It's a large pistol with a good bit of weight but lighter than say a 1911.

I also have the compounding issue of not having any buttox to speak of that doesn't help. If i wear about 2-3 o'clock and cynch the belt up some it's very stable.

One of the best holsters i've found is the Milt Sparks Summer Special II (www.miltsparks.com) but I imagine it would work with any quality IWB holster.

Another trick to the trade I've noticed is wear the buckle about 3-4 o'clock. Keeps the buckle from digging into my gut when I sit down because the belt has to be cynched so tight. It also allows for easy and convenient adjustment of tension for prolonged sitting.

I'm currently looking for a good shoulder rig to wear when I'm not wearing a belt. Haven't got one yet but i'm looking at getting one of these. http://www.gunaccessories.com/RossLeather/ShoulderRigs.asp
 
6'4" 265, I carry a 1911 or Glock 22 in either a Comp-Tac MTAC or CTAC. Generous roll over belt. The MTac is a bit more comfy, the leather protects your side somewhat, but reholstering can be a bit trickier due to partial collapse of the leather after the draw. Especially if you sweat. The CTac provides better support for the inside of the holster, but sometimes the "ear" of Kydex can kinda pinch you, esp when driving. Canting the holster a little differently (easily adjusted) helps this. Ditto the "get used to it or diet" advice. I just got used to it. Very comfy overall, and performs very well in CQB drills. I carry at 4 o'clock.

Steve
 
Carrying in a vehicle

Hi Guys and Girls;

I have the same problem with IWB holsters because of my weight so I carry a Star PD 45 in a shoulder holster along with a loose fitting button up shirt and I leave one button undone so that I can quickly reach through and draw the gun and that works very well in moderate, cool or cold weather and very well when seated in a vehicle like in the event of say a car jacking attempt. In warm or hot weather when I don't want to wear a T-shirt underneath my shirt or vice versa I now carry a Ruger LCP .380 in my right front pocket in a DeSantis, Nemesis N38 holster that I modified for my Crimson Trace laser sight (they now make one for it) and that works very well IF! you have a pocket sized gun, but you cannot get to it in a vehicle so I discovered a neat idea where you take a old leather waist belt and strap it down around the seat cushion front to back or back to front (makes no difference) and then clip on a suitable belt holster at the front verticle edge of the seat between your legs. Then when you get into your vehicle you transfer your pocket gun into the seat holster where you can get at it quickly if needed or push it out of sight if desired. Have a great week everybody. Regards Dan.
 
Sorry for floating a thread that's over a year old, but I'm very, very interested in any updates from the above posters (or anyone who has any input) now that everyone has had a chance to break-in their Wilderness Instructor (or Spector Gear Last Resort?) belts for awhile now.

Has anyone managed to wear out a Wilderness Instructor or Last Resort yet?

Anyone sorry they bought a Wilderness "5-stitch" or LR "double" because it's too stiff (read: uncomfortable)?

I'm tired of buying cheap wallyworld belts so I'm about to order my first "real" belt. I'm just not sure if the super-stiff ones aren't ... too much (or if you can get used to 'em). My carry pistol is a G-19,.. if it matters.


TIA
 
I'm a pretty fat guy, 5'9" and 275 lbs. I don't have my CCW yet (class is in April), but I've been breaking in my Comp-Tac Minotaur MTAC holster for my full-size M&P. It fits me comfortably right around 3 o clock, it's behind my belly and forward of my love handles. You just need pants that are a size too big, and an undershirt so the holster doesn't rub too bad on your skin when you walk. I plan on using that setup in the winter and using a Kel-Tec PF-9 in a pocket holster for the summer months.
 
I'm not a big guy, but I do own a Wilderness 5-stitch Instructor belt. It is inexpensive (compared to a leather gun belt), lightweight, very strong, comfortable, and very adjustable. The velcro takes some getting used to if you are accustomed to a leather belt, but they are a good buy at about 1/2 the cost of a good leather belt.
 
I'm 6'4" and in the 300lb bracket. I like the expando-pants, too, but I gotta tell you, they are not your friend when you're trying to carry IWB. You didn't say what gun you're going to pack, but the pants' waistband won't give you any extra support; the elastic expands and instead of helping support the gun's weight, they will droop and sag. I can carry IWB all day long with my jeans or Dockers (non-elastic); with my dress slacks (elastic), it's pocket carry or readjust regularly during the day.

A leather belt helps but does not alleviate the problem.

When wearing my dress slacks, it's pocket carry for my LCR.

Q
 
6'4" and just under 300 most days here. I carry IWB most of the time here. I find that if I carry at 4 o'clock with a quality belt and holster, I can carry all day long comfortably! For belts, check out the "real man" belt at http://simplyrugged.com/
 
5'10" 255lbs

I use a Crossbreed Supertuck and Qwikclip hung on a Fox Creek Leather belt. The belt was the best addition I've had. Thick and supple and I forget my government model 1911 is there at times.
 
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