"Mexican carry"?

[bestseller92]

After posting on a board or two that I sometimes carry my Ruger P97 "Mexican style" while walking my dog in the evening, I've gotten some replies that suggest that this is not a good thing to do. Some of them have even suggested that it's a good way to shoot off a certain part of my anatomy, which of course, would not be a desirable outcome.

I disagree, though. First of all, my idea of "Mexican carry" is to carry the gun in my waistband behind my right hipbone. Here, the muzzle doesn't come anywhere near my, um, groin area, and I feel that, with the right gun, this type of carry is perfectly safe, as safe as it would be in a holster.

I only carry DA autos in this manner (revolver cylinders make Mexican carry uncomfortable for me, and guns with short trigger pulls -- Glocks, etc. -- I don't feel are safe for this type of carry), and in fact I only carry my P97 this way, since it's stainless and won't rust because of me sweating on it. (I'm not saying that SA autos cannot be carried safely this way -- my first exposure to "Mexican carry" came from reading Skeeter Skelton's tales of carrying his 1911 that way -- I simply don't own one.) And I find that the gun is very secure with this manner of carry -- I can even run without it moving around.

I do not, of course, carry in this manner in "public" (yes, it's a public road, but we're in the country), because the gun sometimes "prints" under my shirttail. But, for walking the dog in the evening on our semi rural road, I find it ideal.

What do you good folks think of "Mexican carry"?

 

[Geronimo45]

I guess the biggest problem with Mexican Carry - after the chance of shooting yourself by accident - is the lack of good retention. If you're running with a holstered gun, you can put a hand over the holster to make sure it doesn't fly up and out. While Mexican Carrying, you need to make sure the gun doesn't fly up and out or drop down your pants. More chances for something to go wrong if you need to pick up speed to get out of somebody's way - or after you bend over to pick something up. A holster allows Murphy's Law less chance of getting it's way.

I've tried carrying that way, and I found that it was awfully annoying. Could just be my body shape or pants size at issue, though - I'm on the skinny rat side of the spectrum.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't see a huge problem for what you're talking about, but it's just as easy to slip on a paddle holster as it is to shove a pistol down your pants. If what you're wearing won't support the holster, it probably won't support the pistol either.

 

[TimboKhan]

Well, I mexican carry my revolver sometimes, because as a big guy, it's honestly not all that easy to slip a gun into a IWB holster. I bought an Uncle Mikes sidekick that works pretty well, but I find it near impossible to reholster it without dropping my trou a little bit and fussing with it.

My take on mexican carry is that while it is not the greatest way to do things, it is also not the worst, at least if your packing a revolver as I do. There is virtually no chance of an AD holstering it. First of all, my technique is to block the hammer with my thumb when I place it in my waistband, negating and chance of a DA trigger pull, which I really can't see happening any way. Second, if the gun ever did go off somehow, I would likely end up with a pretty brutal wound straight down my leg, which would not be good. However, my naughty bits would remain intact, and that would be great.

The point about it slipping around is a good one, and it is certainly factual. However, speaking from the perspective of a big guy again, probably not going to happen. First off, I really don't run. It sounds like I am trying to be funny, but it's true. I am a big guy, and running just isn't in the cards for me. Second, the gun more or less imprints itself into my side, making it relatively secure. Again, sounds like I am trying to be funny, but I am not. Interestingly, that isn't the least bit uncomfortable for me, either. Third, I tighten up my belt a notch or two, and combined with it pressing into my side, it just isn't going anywhere. I have carried for as long as 8 hours mexican style and not had the gun move a bit.

In conclusion, I do not have a problem with mexican carry, although I sort of wish it wasn't called "mexican carry". That being said, I will not do it under the following circumstances:
1. If I carry an auto
2. If I wear shorts
3. If I know I will be sitting in something where I will be a tight fit, like at a movie theater, which is kind of true for any IWB carry, holstered or otherwise.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

My thoughts are pretty similar to what CajunBass said. I don't have a major problem w/ Mexican Carry with the right gun, if you want to. But it seems like it would be much less hassle to just use a paddle holster. You can buy a Fobus paddle holster (what I use) for $20. I usually keep my gun in the holster near my shoes. Whenever I go outside, even just for a walk, I pull on my shoes and slip on the paddle while I'm walking downstairs. It takes about as long as I described to do it.

You might be just going for a walk. But say your house caught on fire and you had to run back or your dog went off in to the woods and you had to chase him or something. *shrug* A paddle holster is much more secure and almost as convenient as Mexican carry. That's why I wouldn't Mexican carry.

 

[GRIZ22]

I'm not a big fan of Mexican carry. I haven't seen an AD because of someone carrying that way (it does increase the chances) but I've seen plenty of guns doing somersaults on the sidewalk as a result of Mexican carry.

You may be just walking your dog but you can't be sure of what else may occur.

 

[ulflyer]

Bestseller: if it works for you, thats all that matters. Carry it any way you want. I have an old Colt '03 made in 1905 that i put a "Clip Draw" (I think its called) on that I stick in my pants waist sometimes. The clip keeps it from sliding thru.

 

[Kevin108]

I have no problem with you carrying in the manner you described. If it's comfortable, it works for you, and you feel the gun is safe then don't worry about what the internet numbskulls have to say about it. 90% of people on gun boards automatically assume unholstered carry is in the 11:00 to 1:00 range and start spouting off their nonsense. I think unholstered carry can be 100% safe and can be aided greatly by a ClipDraw. I've only used it on Glocks but it looks effective for a 1911 as well.

 

[Sidewinder6]

I am guilty of this as a plain clothed cop in a unit that was a pre-cursor to what today is called Street Crime unit.

Used to carry a .45 in the small of my back, grip to my strong side. There were a couple of things wrong with this, the first was the gun was uncomfortable. I never thought Id loose it because the thing dug into my skin no matter where I had it which brings me to the second problem, I was in South Florida, sweating like a , well you know, and the weapon needed regular and agressive cleaning to prevent rust. Particularly around the slide release and safety.

I hated the soft inside the pants holsters and actually a bunch of us fell over laughing on a raid, when one of the guys in our unit whipped out his holster with his gun and the holster slapped the BG in the chest. He promptly fell to the floor clutching his chest yelling that he had been shot. We had to stop we were all crying so hard. That did it for me with inside the pants holsters.

I used to travel down to some contentious places in S Amer and worked with many shooters who did this from the front, with their shirt tucked in and bloused over the belt to hide the printing. These guys had a real need for quick response draw which is the reason they did this. I bought one of those holsters you can get to strap on before you pull on your pants but couldnt get used to the feeling of the gun in your gut. (No, my beer gut doesnt hang over and I can still see my feet fine )

On the safety side, I witnessed more AD/ND from cops who carried round up and hammer down, or on half cock, blowing off sections of their butts while sitting in chairs. You can either take the time hit and leave the chamber empty, or go cocked and locked. Holsters wont help you there.

Not sure if this resolves anything but I was inspired to share (admit) some old bad habits. Today, you would see range officers clutching their chest but we were an irreverent bunch.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

I do the same thing

with my electoless nickled Kahr-9 while walking the dogs - in town. It fits nicely and stays put inspite of the walking. Gets a little sweaty sometimes but that's no problem for this one. And yes, I carry one in the pipe.

I've yet to find a holster thats as slim and trouble free as just sliding the pistol into the pants strong side - works great for my 1911's too. The butt sticks out enough to hold it in place.

 

[archerben]

Whenever I hear the term "Mexican Carry" I immediatly think about the movie "The Mexican." Most particularly the seen at the beginning where Brad Pitt sticks a revolver down the front of his pants and walks about 10 steps just to have it fall out of his right pant leg and hit the ground.

 

[valor1]

You poor that you can't buy a holster? Just kidding. Tried it but never felt comfortable. Gun would really smell bad in the long run if I should decide to use it as a hammer in case I ran out of ammo. I also have sensitive skin. Only the skin of a perfect woman is good enough with mine. Ha ha ha
Maybe I'll do a mexican carry if I get into a situation like in the Die Hard movies.

 

[10-Ring]

Why go looking for problems? You never hear of people saying that a pistol in a quality holster might be a problem I have a LEO friend who experienced her only AD the one time she didnt' use her paddle holster...maybe it works for Mel Gibson, but I'm not even gonna tempt it.

 

[bakert]

Bestseller, I've always been leery of carrying a gun Mexican style because of the chance of dropping it. Aint no way a person is going to shoot themselves with a P97 unless they pull the trigger. I use this inexpensive Maverick nylon holster from Dillons Blue Book for every day carry and short walks too. It's comfortable for me riding under my belt just in front of my pants pocket. Holds the gun securely with some help from my "belly muscle".

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The "Mexican carry" I'm familiar with carries the gun behind the hip - where a conventional belt holster would be - not in the "appendix" position. (This would be more of a "wannabe gangsta" position, although I've done it with a holster.)

I've used it for very short distances and durations, but no more than that. The biggest problem is that your gun can shift position or even fall out of - or go down - your pants.

 

[DHart]

I carry Mexican carry at around 4 o'clock... all the time. I do wear a heavy gun belt, but no holster. I've tried a lot of holsters but always come back to wearing a heavy gunbelt but no holster. Very secure. Comfortable. Slim. I like it. And I'm VERY careful to make sure my trigger finger doesn't get into the trigger guard when I handle the gun... whether it be a Glock with one in the pipe or a cocked & locked 1911. I think the heavy gun belt makes a huge difference for great support, even without a holster.

 

[nemoaz]

When I think of tucking a pistol in the small of the back or on the right hip, I think Don Johnson.

I've always heard of "Mexican carry" as using a string looped around the belt and tucked inside the waist band. The pistol is tucked inside the loop inside the waistaband. Maybe that's just an Arizona version of "Mexican carry."

 

[bestseller92]

I never have any problems with the gun slipping out or down my pants -- none. Behind the hip bone carry is very secure and snug for me. I can even run without the gun moving.

 

[headshok]

A big improvement to "mexican carry" was using a piece of string looped on both ends, with one end looped around the belt, and the other looped end inside your pants, and you put the barrel(up to the trigger gaurd) of your gun thru it to keep it from sliding down. It was more than secure enough with a USPc9 when I carried like that when I first got my CPL. the Nylon string that is used in curtains works great. Sure its better to use a holster, but it works great for improv carry.