Smart Carry Holsters

[Dorian]

I carry a fullsized USP 9mm Stainless in a smart carry daily.

It DOES print right on the butt of the pistol as in the pic above, but it really looks like I just have something in my pocket. Plus that's the price I pay for carrying such a large pistol in my pants

I wear tight shirts and loose pants, so anything that goes above my waistline would print the entire pistol outline.

I'm carrying the fullsize cause my USP compact .45 is at HK VA right now getting some modifications. The compact prints even less.

 

[Andrew Rothman]

in defense of SmartCarry

The groin slung weapons pockets don't appear to precisely locate and secure a weapon. The "one size fits many/most" formula will likely lead to some amount of weapon shift.

Where to start?

First of all, the SmartCarry is fitted. It is available in four gun sizes, Left and Right, in any hip size (also in two colors). There are instructions of the site for measuring your hips (not waist) for a properly sized holster.

Also, it appears that the "belt" lacks any method of offering a consistenly repeatable weapon position.

The belt, made of elastic fabric and about 3" thick, goes all the way around your waist. The gun does not move at all laterally, and moves very little vertically. The same cannot be said of a normal belt or a holster which slides on it.

There is great concern expressed that CHL weapons should be "snag free" as many comments are made regarding the perils of a weapon being snagged when it is needed. How much is this problem compounded when we are grasping in our underwear for our defensive weapon?

Well, if you had looked into it, you'd see that only your pants are over your gun -- not your underwear, or your shirt, both of which are UNDER that holster. I see this as no different than reaching into a shirt, under a jacket, etc.

We are often reminded of the need to keep our fingers off the trigger until the target has been identified and acquired, yet many ND's occur. I, for one, don't want to experience an ND in my groin when I need to defend myself.

Silly.

The holster completely covers the trigger guard; you can't pull the trigger while holstered. Granted, you need to know how to handle a weapon, but the SmartCarry presents no greater particular hazard than keeping a gun at your kidney or under your arm.

I believe I will continue to use holsters.

I'd say that the SmartCarry/Thunderwear concept is just a different kind of holster, but I know what you are trying to say.

It's fine that this particular method of carry doesn't appeal to you, but since you've apparently never seen or tried one of these, don't pontificate about their imagined shortcomings.

Matt

 

[blue86buick]

When I see this holster, I wonder....how could it fit well when you're sitting? When I sit, the inseam of my pants seems to "pull up" to where it is snug...and there doesn't seem to be enough length between the crook of my legs/torso, and where the inseam curves down to the rear, to allow a pistol barrel to extend in that direction. That must be why they have a 60 day trial period, so you can try "before you buy"...see how it really works, how it fits, etc.

BTW, the pants I notice this in are Tommy Hilfiger carpenter jeans...not tight by any means, but not huge either. I imagine it'd be worse with dress pants.

 

[pytron]

My two cents...

As the owner/user of a SmartCarry (in fact, I'm wearing it right now) I'll throw in my experiences. I use it with my Republic Arms Patriot 45 (Slightly longer and taller but thinner than Glock 26/27)

Is it concealed?
Certainly. It is the best concealment holster I have (better than pocket carry with my P-32). I never worry about accidentally breaking concealment or if my shirt is riding up.

Is it comfortable?
Depends. I tend to wear pants with enough room to move comfortably, but I don't like the saggy look that is popular nowadays. So, for some pants, the inseam is too high and the gun pushes back against my gut. However, for others, I don't even notice that I'm wearing it. It depends totally on the pants. Since I have enough pants that work, I didn't send it back before the 60 day trial was over. If I didn't, I would just send it back without remorse. It also took me about two weeks to figure out at what height to wear it to maximize comfort.

Is it fast?
In a word: No. Compared to drawing from a Kydex OWB on your strong side kidney, heck no. But, is it reasonably fast, sure. I don't even think it takes very much practice to get pretty good at it. Obviously when you are in the car, it is more difficult, but so are most other carry methods. Just understand this particular limitation and you'll be fine.

Is it safe?
Without a doubt. The holster covers the trigger guard entirely and there is no danger of the gun falling out because of my gut and the top of the pants. When you draw, JUST LIKE WITH ANY OTHER HOLSTER, keep your finger off the trigger.



As mentioned before, there are certain drawbacks (sweat, needing a low inseam, speed) but you take those with the benefits (excellent concealment, ability to use with different pistols, ability to wear shirt in or out or none at all).

I can see why people bash these when they have never tried them. Honestly the holsters can look pretty foolish and seem to pointing at your gentials most of the time.

I was initially skeptical. I didn't really believe all the hype on the Smartcarry website, but I figured that I had nothing to lose by trying. I tried the Action-Direct Defender (belly-band) and I sent it back, so I have no qualms about getting rid of something that doesn't work for me. I kept the Smartcarry.

-Pytron