Question About Carrying In-Waistband

[DougB]

I have a CCW permit (fairly recent) and have been trying to find a carry method I can live with. I have a good in-waistband holster that holds my Kahr PM9 low in my waistband (I had the maker punch some extra holels to allow me to hang it a bit lower than usual). It holds the gun very close to my body. The holster is a Theis, which is similiar to a Cross Breed and others (horsehide back, molded kydex around gun, clips on either side - a nice, holster at a good price with excellent service).

Anyway, the holster is comfortable, but I still find my shirt sometimes catching on the butt of the gun and exposing it. It doesn't happen all the time, but if I get up from sittting, or get out of a car, or pull something out of my pocket, my shirt can pull up and catch, exposing the butt of the gun. Is there some trick to avoiding this (besides constantly checking)? I find I'm a little paranoid about it when I'm out in public - constantly checking to make sure my shirt is down. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I don't want to get in hot water for unintentionally "brandishing."

I might go to an ankle holster, but that would be a lot slower to get to. I've carried in a pocket holster as well, but I already carry a lot of stuff in my pockets (keys, knife, wallet, phone, etc.) and dedicating a pocket to a handgun is a pain.

Any suggestions - especially about how to successfully use an in-waistband holster?

Thanks

Doug

 

[M-Cameron]

if its tuckable.....you might try tucking in your undershirt, and keeping your overshirt untucked.

 

[JTQ]

How about the lower you wear it, the more chance you have getting the bottom of your shirt caught on the grip.

Another possibility is if you are carrying with a straight drop and wearing at 3:00 position, the grip is more likely to stick out. Carrying with more muzzle rear cant (FBI) and positioning the holster farther back at maybe 4:00 would bring the grip more vertical and lay flatter to your body.

Also, longer and looser shirts may help.

 

[mdauben]

Also, longer and looser shirts may help.

This.

Many people don't realize that you will often need to adjust your wardrobe for effective CCW. Looser pants, larger and longer shorts, stiffer and wider belts, etc.

 

[Dr_2_B]

How about the lower you wear it, the more chance you have getting the bottom of your shirt caught on the grip.

Another possibility is if you are carrying with a straight drop and wearing at 3:00 position, the grip is more likely to stick out. Carrying with more muzzle rear cant (FBI) and positioning the holster farther back at maybe 4:00 would bring the grip more vertical and lay flatter to your body.

Also, longer and looser shirts may help.

I second everything JTQ said. And I'll emphasize with mbauden that you'll likely have to make adjustments to your wardrobe. I have bought several pieces of clothing labeled 'long' for this reason.

 

[mr.scott]

You also must get used to doing the Picard Maneuver when you get up.

 

[smalls]

Don't go too low with the holster. The. Lower you go, the harder the gun is going to be to grab. At least, in my experience.

 

[Psa1m144]

+1 for JTQ's suggestion

 

[Dr_2_B]

the Picard Maneuver

Only a true nerd would get that, Scotty.

 

[DougB]

Thank you all for the good suggestions. I hadn't though of tucking just the undershirt - I'll try that. I do generally wear it a at about the 4:00 position, and it does hug my body about as tightly as possible, but when I sit or bend over it my shirt still sometimes catches. Looser shirts do seem to work better. I already wear tall sizes (I'm 6'2"). You are correct about it being hard to draw when worn too low - I requested several extra holes to allow me to wear the gun low, but I wound up having to bring it up a couple of notches to be able to get a grip on it.

Finally, let me in on the joke -what is the "Picard Maneuver"?

Thanks again,

Doug

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Longer shirts help.

Urban Dictionary: "Picard Manuver"

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

tuck a undershirt over the gun if its a tuckable and then you should be able to tuck in your shirt over that and it shouldn't catch then.

 

[1SOW]

For me: With a small pistol (I'm a small guy), the X-Draw 11:00 position is good . I can sit in the car, ride a bike or whatever with minimum printing with a Sig 239. If it prints, it looks like belly roll. Your pistol is smaller yet.
YMMV

Clothes do make the difference when you weigh 140 lbs.

 

[AJChenMPH]

+1 on the shirt catching if it's too low. I actually prefer a high-ride, butt-forward/muzzle-rear cant (about 15-20 degrees or so), and make sure I use a good belt and cinch it down pretty tight -- I rarely have an issue with my shirt getting caught on the grip (normal length shirts), and I usually carry a G26 (I'm 6'0" and 175 lbs with a 33" waist).

 

[ocholik]

Yes always have to make sure my shirt is pulled down to cover. Hope the open carry law gets passed soon. I wont open carry but the law will protect me if my gun get uncovered while sitting or standing.