Non-Belted Concealed Carry Rigs

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perdurabo93

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Here's the situation: my regular concealed carry pistol is a S&W 340PD (scandium/titanium .357 2" J-frame). I need an effective way to carry concealed more often.

I live in central Texas, where winter is that couple of weeks where its kinda chilly and it then returns to our regularly scheduled brain-boiling heat. So, this means I will very rarely be wearing a jacket to conceal a holster on a belt. For that matter, I'm not exactly a very thin guy. I'm 6'1" and 240lbs and while I'm not seriously obese I'm not exactly a thin guy either. This means I don't wear a belt with a shirt tucked into it very often... like, well, never. I know some big guys don't mind it, but personally I think fat guys wearing their shirts tucked in under a belt with their gut hanging over just looks silly. In any case, I hardly ever wear a belt unless it a web belt worn OVER a BDU top with an open carry rig... I pretty much never wear a belt through my belt loops and almost always wear a tshirt or button-down shirt untucked.

When its cool enough I have a 5.11 tactical jean jacket with the nifty pockets for a velcro holster but its just too damn hot in Texas to wear that for very much of the year. Wearing one of those lightweight photographer/adventurer vests with all the pockets in it is an option, but those are pretty damn silly/conspicuous in and of themselves, plus theyre mostly just used as an easily sweeped overgarment to cover a belt rig.

The 340PD is pretty versatile though. I have generally been carrying in my front blue jeans pocket with an Uncle Mike's pocket holster... however its still pretty uncomfortable when I sit down with that pistol in my jeans pocket. Its a little better in slacks/dockers with slash pockets, but not particularly elegant either. I also have a fanny pack with a fast access ripcord holster pouch, but that looks awful silly/conspicuous on me unless I'm in workout/hiking clothes so I pretty much only carry this way when I'm out hiking. Ive considered carrying a messenger bag/manpurse type bag like the Maxpedition Versipack, but I dunno if I really like my carry pistol being not actually on my person like that. Ankle holsters are just dumb, especially since I generally wear lace up boots, so thats right out. A crotch holster seems like a REALLY bad idea for a revolver or anything without a manual safety to me.

So what are my carry options here apart from hitting the gym harder to lose enough weight that wearing a belt is more attractive/feasible (more often than not thats the smartass answer I get when I ask this question, BTW)? How well do the 5.11 tactical pants work for providing easy access and comfortable carry options? Anyone try those fancy tshirts with the under the armpit holsters sewn in them like the ones sold by http://www.abetterholster.com/products.htm?

Thanks in advance for the recommendations.
 
No Belts?

I guess that rules out these:
375hhmagnum_p1p40v5no6.jpg


,Or maybe you meant these:
m249-6918.jpg

Sorrry :p
 
i'd say either a small auto in your pocket might be more comfortable like a kel-tec....
or an ankle holster for the 340 pd...
or an iwb holster...
or what about small of the back?
 
I am in a similar level of fitness, 5'11" 225#. I, however, almost allways wear a belt because my gun pulls my pants down if I don't. I have found that a belt not only keeps my pants around my waist, but also keeps my holster from shifting position which helps drawing from concealed.

In warm weather I carry my smallest gun (S&W J-frame) in a High-Noon IWB holster. I usually wear a light t-shirt, wife-beater, or Under Armor tucked in between my skin and the holster. This is a little hotter, but it saves wear and tear on your skin. Then I throw an untucked shirt over the holster to hide my gun (and my love handles).

If you are absolutely against belts, I have found that a good paddle-style holster will even work on sweat pants.


But I suppose the best thing is to hit the gym and get the extra flesh out of the way of your gun.:D (I am down from 240#).
 
I'm a big guy - bigger than you. I find this holster very comfortable to wear with my 642 (very close in dimensions to your 340PD). It's the 'uncle mike's sidekick' holster, size zero. If it's on my hip, right side, i can practically forget it's there. If worn at ~1-2 o clock it can be uncomfortable when sitting, but it becomes comfortable when sitting (though still very difficult to draw) again @ around 12:30

http://www.4huntingdepot.com/item/14884/uncle-mikes-sidekick-inside-the-pant-holsters
 
+1 on the Uncle Mikes Sidekick as a cheap serviceable holster.

When I first got my CCW I carried a full size Baby Eagle in a Sidekick. I wouldn't say I could forget that it was there, but it did do the job until I could afford better holsters (and a better carry gun).
 
Take a look at the Clipdraw. It attaches under the grip and just hooks over your waistband, IWB. WIth your revolver it shouldn't be too uncomfortable.
 
My IWB holster has a clip, rather then a belt loop and I use it without a belt from time to time with no problems.
 
I live in hot and sunny Florida and am a rather big fellow (5'10" 290lb). I pretty much always wear a belt with an untucked T-shirt or button up shirt. With Jeans I carry a Glock 29 10mm in a CompTech CTAC IWB holster. When I wear shorts I carry either a Glock 29 .40S&W in CTAC IWB holster or a Sig 245 .45acp in a leather K&D IWB holster. As an alternative to IWB carry I pack a Kahr PM40 in my front right pocket.

Other ideas/methods for CCW: Fanny pack, belly band, thunderwear, etc.
 
I carry my 642 IWB @ 1:00 with a Clipdraw. It doesn't require a belt and when seated, the gun moves to a comfortable position yet is still secure. With my clipdraw installed, it will also fit into my Mika pocket holster that I wear on other occasions. The older style that uses 2 screws is available at Brownells for $12 with trade discount or you can order direct from www.clipdraw.com for the newer version which carries the gun lower. I have ordered from both companies and delivery is always within 3 days. I prefer the older version because it allows a better grip due to it being carried higher on the waistband. It disappears under a t-shirt.

jframe.jpg


jframe2.jpg
 
Clipdraw is not an option for my pistol. I have a set of crimson trace laser grips on it and I asked the manufacturer directly if the clipdraw clip is compatible with laser grips and they responded with an emphatic no. I'd rather keep the laser grips on if at all possible.
 
The High Noon Hideaway isnt available in S&W J-Frame, at least not the closeout version. Click on "purchase Item online" and theres no option for it in the drop down box... they may have sold out.
 
340 PD is easy

I weigh about half of what you do and I could carry my 340 in Texas 24/7...until I got rid of it. Liked carrying it, hated shooting it. Anyway,

1. Pocket carry with DeSantis Nemesis
2. Smart Carry.

If neither of those work for you, get a P3AT.
 
I carried a Taurus PT140 in an ankle holster for a couple of years while I was a locksmith. I found that it stayed put very well while strapped over a lace-up boot. The BootLock looks very secure.

LoveMyCountry
 
ankle holsters are nice but they should really only be for a BUG. Your primary weapon should be somewhere easier to draw IMO.
 
My initial reaction was the same as JesseL ... "Hmmm... a belt fed carry gun. Could be interesting."

Glad to see I'm not the only crazy one here. I'm building a Browning 1919A right now... wonder if I could do it as a pistol.
 
You could try the Ken Null SKR shoulder holster (or the SMZ, slight difference between 'em):
http://www.klnullholsters.com/NewHolsters/skr.htm
It's an upside-down vertical shoulder holster... or if you want to be fancy, inverted vertical. It was made to be worn under a dress shirt, so it ought to work with an untucked shirt without any problem. Also a lot less danger of flashing the gun by accident than a belt holster. Muzzle is not pointing at your armpit - it's in front of the armpit.
 
I carry a S&W mdl 37 in a IWB holster by Don Hume. It will disappear under a t-shirt.

Sparky
 
Who says you can't wear a belt without tucking your shirt in? I wear a belt every day, and NEVER tuck my shirt in unless I am wearing a suit. I'm a jeans/shorts and t-shirt guy. I use a Don Hume OWB holster for my 340PD and works just fine in our lovely Central Texas weather.
 
There are times however when I attend an event where it's just better to have the shirt tucked in. Not too many, but a few.

I've got a denim jacket designed with holster pockets from www.magills.com and I'm considering a Cornonado vest. Those types of carry work best for me.
 
A number of my skirts are beltless, and my capri pants (I don't DO shorts) are beltless by design as well. I use an Uncle Mike's sidekick with a plastic clip rather than the metal one. Matter of fact, I'm wearing a pair of lightweight khakis right now, no belt, and that little m37 airweight sits in that little holster at 2:30 just fine.

Can't wear my Kimber Ultra Carry II that way, for sure, but the snubbie does just fine. And the holsters are cheap :neener:

Springmom
 
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