My carry options?

[TMM]

Hey all. i got to thinking about this a while back, and i'm curious.

my usual dress is a tucked in button up shirt and pants. i'm 6'2" and about #130, but i'll probably be bigger when i'm older. [i'm 16 now]

i was thinking for a simple, day-to-day carry, IWB at 4 o'clock would be sufficient, but as far as i know it'd be tough to conceal even an IWB with a tucked shirt. i've heard about the "tuckable" IWB's, but as i understand, a fold of fabric goes over the pistol. i do a lot of moving around, and undoubtably i'd be flashing it a lot. i'd probably wear a vest or jacket in the winter, possibly with a shoulder holster for longer outings[and an IWB backup]. so, winter carry isn't a real problem.

any ideas? and also, how about spare mags? i'd like to carry at least 2. however, i don't think flashing a mag is that bad [depending on the holder, "it's a cell phone/leatherman/pager/etc]

I plan on carrying somthing along the lines of an XD-45, HK USP, SIG 226... somthing along those lines.

~tmm

 

[YellowLab]

What state allows 16 years old to CCW?

 

[TMM]

should have made it it little more clear that i'm planning for the future, not deciding for now. it's 21 the state i'm in (IIRC).

~tmm

 

[RS3RS]

You've got 5 years dude. No offence, but does it really matter for the time being?

 

[TMM]

well, i could figure it out now and know what i want, or i could figure it out later. the way i figure it, it dosn't make a bit of difference.

If i said i was 30, my guess is that you'd throw in your 2 cents...

~tmm

 

[Leonovicz]

As a disclaimer, I do not currently have a CCW permit and have little personal knowledge on concealing firearms.
TMM, I am 6'0'' 160 lbs and have tried to conceal a Browning Hi-Power IWB at a relative's house. I may not have been wearing an appropriate holster for the intended purpose, but given my attire it stuck out like a sore thumb. A Colt Mustang, on the other hand, barely made a bulge in my pocket, even without a holster. Unless you are ready to change your dress style to include an unbuttoned shirt I doubt you'll be able to effectively conceal a full-size handgun like the ones you mentioned. If anybody with experience with concealing one could pitch in their opinion, I bet it would be appreciated.

I think the only reasonable options you have are an off-person storage device (fanny bag, etc.) or pocket carry. Check out this THR thread for a pocket carry comparison chart as well as MouseGuns.com for information on pocket-carry firearms. Most are chambered for .380 and smaller cartridges, but that will (hopefully) be enough for most defensive situations.

The fortunate thing about many pocket-carry firearms is their affordability; Kel-Tec among other manufacturers have guns priced in the two- to three-hundred dollar range.

 

[TMM]

Yea, that's what i thought - winter carry will be no problem at all, but summer, i might need to go to a smaller piece... then again, if the state i end up in allows open carry, i'll just IWB it and call it a day.

~tmm

 

[Wastemore]

If you already wear a button-up shirt, you're half way there.

Buy your shirts 1 size larger than normal, get a instructors belt(re-inforced), a comfy holster and leave your shirt untucked. Nobody will be the wiser. It's worked for me for years and with solid practice you can present the weapon real quickly. Again, it takes practice, but with my arms relaxed and at my side, I can draw and put two shots COM in just under 2 seconds from concealed.

It's never too early to plan.

 

[TMM]

Yea wastemore, i might have to go untucked, even though a tucked shirt is more comfortable for me. perhaps i'll just tuck my t-shirt.

I was also thinking about ankle carry, but i think that'd be only good for a mousegun - nothing substantial. More of a BUG carry method.

Very good point on "it's never too early to plan".

~tmm

 

[topgunpilot20]

Try a Comp-tac CTAC. It's a tuckable IWB holster. I can hide my glock 19 and Sig 239 under a tucked t-shirt, and I'm about the same size as you are (3'2" 165lbs).

 

[1911_CQB]

+1 on the CTAC. Mine used to rub me in just the right spot to hurt like a B*&^%, but a pice of leather super glued in place fixed that.

 

[Falconeer]

Another +1 on the CTAC. I carry a P229 @ 4 o'clock in mine; use an undershirt and a untucked t-shirt and all is well. And this is in Florida, where it's NOT a 'dry heat'!