new CCW... how to carry ???

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I'm just getting my CCL & am trying to figure out how I want to holster my new little air weight J frame...

I'm tall through the middle, so I often wear my shirts un tucked, but unless I specifically buy extra tall shirts, most are too short to effectively conceal outside the waistband... so unless I'm missing something ( I don't offten wear suit jackets or vests )... thats leaving me with an inside the waist band or ankle holster...

I typically ( as it is ) have a hard time keeping my jeans up, being a reasonably big middle aged guy, & by the time I carry my wallet, 2 sets of keys a small pocket knife, some pocket change & my cell phone clipped to me belt, I'm wondering if I can wear an IWB holster comfortably...

... & if an ankle holster is at all practical.... sure it would be an effective place to carry it, but not to draw from, ( anywheres but while in my truck ), if you needed to draw reasonably quickly, or while running for cover or ???

your guy's thoughts ???

 

[Essex County]

A pocket holster has worked for Me. Mine was custom made back in '67. And yes, it has been restitched. Worked with jeans and even better now that I wear cargo pants.........Essex

 

[Biker]

I ankle carry almost all the time. Although I don't do a lot of running, I rarely even know the gun is there. And yes, it is slow to get to but it is always with me from the moment I get dressed to the moment I undress.
Fact is, the fastest draw in the world is to have your gun in your hand *before* you need it. Good luck...

Biker

 

[rockstar.esq]

IWB holsters still leave the grip of the gun above the waistline. If your shirts aren't long enough to cover your waistline, they will reveal the gun. An ankle holster might work if your pant legs are large enough to accomodate it AND if it doesn't interfere with your footwear. Personally I carry IWB 90% of the time and I've purchased larger waisted pants to accomodate the holster as well as longer shirts to ensure I'm not printing/ exposing. The rest of the time (winter) I use a shoulder holster simply because it allows faster presentation most of the time (for me). I've never tried an ankle holster because I wear boots most of the time and that's hot enough.

 

[PennsyPlinker]

My favorite carry gun for a long time has been my S&W 386 PD. I recently purchased a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster for it. I am a big guy too, 6' 2", short legs, long body, and 400 lbs. People ask me who I used to play pro football for. Triple XL tall T shirts are the uniform of the day most of the time, and they do a good job covereing any pistol butt. I don't like lots of stuff in my pockets, but I have discovered that the watch pocket for my jeans shorts is just about perfect for the S&W in the DeSantis holster.

There is one small modification I need to make to the holster itself though, and that is a bit of thread in through the pocket to limit the depth to which the revolver seats. Right now it slides in just far enough that the rear sight hooks onto the seam at the top edge from time to time, making the whole thing come out of my pocket, causing Barney Fife type antics trying to get it ready to fire. Once that thread is put in, hopefully by SWMBO, it looks like it will not only ride real nice, but draw real nice too. The pocket holster makes it easy to remove or return to my pocket for driving too.

 

[Punkermonkey]

Mag,
The general opinion for ankle holsters is that they are slow to draw and are designed for a backup weapon. You sound like you have a bit of a challenge. Have you considered off body carry? Maxpedition's versa-pack seems to be a good choice if you also carry a lot of junk with you (like I do )

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

ahhhhh... well ok... it's not a "man purse", if it's OD green or black right...

I have looked at the notebook style holsters ( I'm the manager of a small food ingredient manufacturing plant ), so I want to keep a casual yet business look...

maybe one of the high riding waist band holsters...the shirt I have on today is one of my shorter ones, but easily covers my belt... I guess I'm just paranoid of "exposing" myself being a newbie at carrying...

my concern with off body carry, is that I'd be less likely to carry ( the note book for example ) into the mall, or etc...

I know how it goes... I'll end up buying 4-5 holsters before I decide which I like the best... I thought that maybe you guys could help me cut it down to 1-2...

 

[hankdatank1362]

IWB is really quite easy to pull off successfully. I am a rather large fella (6'4", 250 lbs), and carry on a daily basis:

HAK (Hide-away knife, worn on support side)
Kershaw Tanto blur folder (Very flat, thin knife)
Surefire Nitrolon
Cell Phone
Cigarettes & Lighter
Key Ring with about 15 keys & Keyless entry remote
Mints (usually something lightweight like breath strips)
A roll of Tums (recurring heartburn, I think it's acid reflux)
Heavy Wallet (I wish it was heavy because it was full of money, but that's just not the case)
Steel Frame 1911 or alloy frame DH 40
One extra mag ( two if carrying the 1911)

Since I'm 22 years old, and live in Myrtle Beach (damn these hot SC summers), I can get away with wearing slightly oversized cargo shorts (of the baggy variety)
Maybe it helps to be fat... hell, I could pack an airweight like yours in between my fat rolls (What's that, IFR carry? )

My IWB is a cheap Passport or Uncle Mike's ballistic nylon holster. No, it doesn't allow for one-handed reholstering, but it is uber-light and much flatter and thinner than any other IWB i've ever tried. Although, I've been wanting a Scorpion kydex IWB real bad.

 

[Matt King]

My Mika pocket holster has always worked for me, when I am carrying my 642. It is very comfertable, and allows for easier access than an ankle holster.

 

[Rem700]

If at all possible try before you buy. My general carry is a 4'' 1911 owb long shirts and sometimes a j frame or P3AT in pocketcarry. Neither of these work well while seated and especially if wearing a seat belt. I am thinking of trying the Kraemer cross draw for the J frame but appx $100 my reason for tryng before buying. A j frame especially in a cross draw shoudnt hardly be below your belt line. A good belt is the foundation for everything I have found the Wilderness Tactical belts to fit my need and at appx $40 affordable.
I carry appx everythin else you carry plus 1 or 2 guns, As someone once said carrying a gun is comforting not necessarily comfortable or something to that effect.

 

[Seminole]

Hi, Magnum wheel man! Welcome to THR and CCW.

I carry different guns differently. My air weight J frame (S&W 642) backup gun goes in my front pocket with a Mika pocket holster. Before I got the Mika, I used a cheap Uncle Mike's holster. The fact that I intended it for pocket carry was precisely the reason I selected that gun. If I'm dressed, it is in my pocket. In addition, I carry an HK USPc in .40 in an IWB on my hip.

Given how well it fits in the pocket, I really don't see the point in carrying the J frame on the hip.

I've never been a fan of the idea of ankle carry and consequently haven't tried it, so I can't give you any advice there.

 

[Tequila jake]

Pocket or Fanny Pack

Hey, I don't wana hear you big guys complain about problems with CCW. It's us little fat guys who have the problem. I'm 5'6" and weight about 175, so my options are very limited. IWB or OWB just don't work (too much fat around the middle), shoulder holster's no good since I rarely wear a jacket, ankle is too slow and clumsy. So, I'm limited to either a pocket or fanny pack, either of which works fine for my S&W 442. With a DeSantis Nemesis or other good holster, it fits well in pleated dockers or other trousers with large pockets (forget tight jeans) and the fanny pack is O.K. with casual clothing.

Tequila Jake

 

[SSN Vet]

how to carry?

loaded!

 

[isp2605]

Can't remember if this one is Bianchi or Safariland. No markings. Works very well even with my shirt tucked in. The butt carries even with the top of my pants. Just a slight about of shirt blouse covers my 649.

 

[warmrain]

The nice thing about that lite weight J-Frame is that it can be carried about anywhere. I carry mine (my wife's actually) in a pocket holster. With pleated Dockers or dress slacks it conceals well. It is also so light on the hip as to be an easy carry there. I prefer not to have my primary carry on the ankle, reserving that for the BUG, but that J-frame also makes a fine BUG.

 

[TonyB]

Pocket holster all the way!I carry a 642 in a Nemesis...
BTW Tequila Jake.....175 lbs.....light weight!I'm your height and have 100 lbs on you.....IWB is out of the question,but OWB has worked in the past,but pocket carry RULES.

 

[MCgunner]

isp2605's holster reminds me a little of the "pager pal", a fake pager that you pull out to reveal the holster hidden down inside the waste band. Only thing, nobody wears pagers anymore. Someone should build a "cell phone pal". You could put a cell phone in the pouch, yank the pouch and reveal the firearm. Maybe someone does? It's an idea, though.

Personally, I carry IWB or prefer pocket carry. Pocket carry is more comfy and allows me to carry all day without thought of it. I can roll around under tractors working, do what I need to do unencumbered by guns on my belt. Everyone has particular needs in a carry method, pocket carry suits my needs. I also like the ability to just put my hand in my pocket and have the grip in my hand ready without drawing any undue attention. I'm ready for the draw this way. It could save some tenths of seconds and get you the drop on the BG that you might not get IWB.

I've never carried a primary in an ankle holster. It's slow. It would make some sense if you spent a lot of time in a car or truck driving during the day. I own ankle holsters, but rarely use 'em and when I do it's to carry a back up.

 

[Srigs]

I would suggest a couple ways.

1. IWB with a Highnoon Holster one of 13 models to choose from.
2. Pocket carry with an UM pocket holster
3. Smartcarry for deap concealment

 

[RustyShackelford]

Berns Martin rig/Blackhawk.com

I saw a nice CC rig for small J frame size DA revolvers in the Blackhawk catalog; www.Blackhawk.com .

I also saw ads for a deep concealment shoulder holster that you wear under your shirt. I can't recall the name, I think it's a soft holster or soft something. I also saw an undershirt type CCW garment from Kramer Gunleather. It has pockets on the sides and can be worn under many types of shirts.

Rusty

PS: I'd really think about carrying your main CC weapon in an ankle rig. It may work for you but for most CCW holders a well made belt holster or shoulder rig works best, .

 

[Skipper]

While I use many different holsters, the one I use far more than any other is one brand or another of Belly Band. With it I can carry many different guns many different ways. It's also much easier to carry far MORE gun with the B.B.than a pocket holster for ME. Your mileage may vary considerably !!!

SKIP

 

[Big_R]

Magnum Wheelgun Man:

First off, it's cool to see another Minnesota resident get their CCW.

I'm 6'8" and usually wear shirts untucked with no issue. There are places in MN that sell clothes long enough for folks like us (like Fleet Farm who carry sizes up to 3XLT at reasonable prices). If it's not possible for me to carry OWB, I use a pocket holster and it works fine.

If the pocket carry doesn't work for your pants, do a search. I think Preacherman has a post on improving pants pockets for carry.

Almost forgot; before you drop cash for multiple holsters to try them, go to a shop that will let you try. Sportmans warehouse in St. Cloud and Coon Rapids will, and I'm pretty sure Ahlmans will too (they're probably a little closer to you).

Ryan

 

[Magnum Wheel Man]

Fleet Farm... yes I currently have 2 - 3XLT short sleeve shirts I wear from them...

should have my little air weight J frame off layaway in the next few weeks... looking forward to expiriementing a little with carry positions...

thanks for all your reply's guys...