WhoKnowsWho
Member
http://www.smartcarry.com
To start, I am on the big size. 5'10" and 265 lbs. I decided to try this holster since I am tired of the shifting cant of my Don Hume $22 single steel clip IWB holster for my Para Carry, it worked well for a while, but now that I carry it more often, it bothers me more since I have to adjust it. I tried this new Smart Carry holster with loose jeans, loose shorts, tucked in button up shirt, and untucked polo shirt.
So I received the package about a week I believe after I ordered it. It seems well built to last a while as long as you don't work the velcro straps too much after you have adjusted it to the right size. The extra pocket for the extra mag is an easy and nice touch.
So I strap it on, confirm my Para is unloaded with all ammo out of the room, and put it in the holster pocket and stand there. Feels good standing, doesn't feel straining to my back or anything. So I pull on my jeans and walk around. Chafe, chafe, chafe, the edges of the holster rub against my thighs. Well, that isn't going to work...
I adjusted the holster so it was a bit higher, walk, feels better. Then sit down, aghh, I now have the end of my Para feels like it is inside me thanks to my gut. Two things cannot take up the same space. Even if I carried it lower so that when I sit it jab me, once I get up, the pants seem to make the holster and/or gun move up and jab me when I sit down again. For my normal wear (ie, pants that sit high enough so it doesn't look like I have someone hiding in there), there just doesn't seem to be enough "play" to leave the holster in there without pushing it around.
Either way, high or low, I could never get the gun drawn from a seated position without contorting strangely and drawing undue attention. If the seat has a back, and I don't have much room in front of me (like a restaurant booth) then fuggedaboutit.
Printing, the end of the grip prints but isnt' too noticeable at all unless you actually look for it. Though when it is too low, it prints a lot more. But all that prints is a line, from the edge of the grip.
Standing, after a bit of practice, drawing was pretty easy and quick with a tucked in shirt. With a shirt that sticks out, fighting the shirt out of the way, and then hooking the belt to pull the pants forward, and then trying to reach around the shirt to reach in and draw... in the heat of adrenaline, that could be your end. It was difficult enough without adrenaline.
I e-mailed the people who make the holster, maybe they have some suggestions, so I am waiting for a reply. If nothing works, I believe this holster will be going back for their money back guarantee minus shipping.
I tried moving it to the side like a normal strong side IWB would be carried, and it actually felt good that way. But moving around, the pocket has no retaining method for the firearm, so that would not work at all unless you are comatose.
To sum up, I could see this working for skinny or normal sized people who don't wear tight bottom wear. But for me, an IWB and a slightly larger size shirt works much better. I believe I am going to order a FIST Kydex K1 IWB from http://www.gunnersalley.com or a concealment holster from http://www.threatsolutions.com and see how that works compared to leather IWB.
To start, I am on the big size. 5'10" and 265 lbs. I decided to try this holster since I am tired of the shifting cant of my Don Hume $22 single steel clip IWB holster for my Para Carry, it worked well for a while, but now that I carry it more often, it bothers me more since I have to adjust it. I tried this new Smart Carry holster with loose jeans, loose shorts, tucked in button up shirt, and untucked polo shirt.
So I received the package about a week I believe after I ordered it. It seems well built to last a while as long as you don't work the velcro straps too much after you have adjusted it to the right size. The extra pocket for the extra mag is an easy and nice touch.
So I strap it on, confirm my Para is unloaded with all ammo out of the room, and put it in the holster pocket and stand there. Feels good standing, doesn't feel straining to my back or anything. So I pull on my jeans and walk around. Chafe, chafe, chafe, the edges of the holster rub against my thighs. Well, that isn't going to work...
I adjusted the holster so it was a bit higher, walk, feels better. Then sit down, aghh, I now have the end of my Para feels like it is inside me thanks to my gut. Two things cannot take up the same space. Even if I carried it lower so that when I sit it jab me, once I get up, the pants seem to make the holster and/or gun move up and jab me when I sit down again. For my normal wear (ie, pants that sit high enough so it doesn't look like I have someone hiding in there), there just doesn't seem to be enough "play" to leave the holster in there without pushing it around.
Either way, high or low, I could never get the gun drawn from a seated position without contorting strangely and drawing undue attention. If the seat has a back, and I don't have much room in front of me (like a restaurant booth) then fuggedaboutit.
Printing, the end of the grip prints but isnt' too noticeable at all unless you actually look for it. Though when it is too low, it prints a lot more. But all that prints is a line, from the edge of the grip.
Standing, after a bit of practice, drawing was pretty easy and quick with a tucked in shirt. With a shirt that sticks out, fighting the shirt out of the way, and then hooking the belt to pull the pants forward, and then trying to reach around the shirt to reach in and draw... in the heat of adrenaline, that could be your end. It was difficult enough without adrenaline.
I e-mailed the people who make the holster, maybe they have some suggestions, so I am waiting for a reply. If nothing works, I believe this holster will be going back for their money back guarantee minus shipping.
I tried moving it to the side like a normal strong side IWB would be carried, and it actually felt good that way. But moving around, the pocket has no retaining method for the firearm, so that would not work at all unless you are comatose.
To sum up, I could see this working for skinny or normal sized people who don't wear tight bottom wear. But for me, an IWB and a slightly larger size shirt works much better. I believe I am going to order a FIST Kydex K1 IWB from http://www.gunnersalley.com or a concealment holster from http://www.threatsolutions.com and see how that works compared to leather IWB.
He finds it excellent and apparently the sitting thing needs practice.
