some carry considerations - need opinions

[dakotasin]

over the course of my gun-owning time, my carry guns and styles have taken several evolutions. when i first started carrying, i oc'd a smith 686, mostly because i didn't care if anybody saw, was frightened, or whetever.

then there was a period of several auto loaders, and a sig 229 eventually became part of an everyday rig for me in an owb holster.

then i switched careers that put me into an office environment; i wear a tie daily, and a suit sometimes (but remove the jacket in my office - i get hot). so i wound up w/ a smith j-frame in a tuckable holster.

however, thinking about carrying the other day got me to wonder about the art of carrying...

generally, it seems the width of the gun and length of the grip are the two biggest factors in concealability. since i have been spotted carrying my j-frame in the past, i looked at bobo's chart and see that the 5-shot revolver is 1.3" wide, and is a little wider than a 1911, which is just a hair wider than a glock (again, according to bobo's chart, and glock widths from glock's site).

so, if i want better concealment options than i currently have (remembering i wear business attire every day - not likely to wear a cover garment), then does it seem that something like a baby glock, or a g-23 w/ a somewhat shorter grip and thin profile would provide the ultimate in concealment when coupled w/ a tuckable iwb holster?

looking for thoughts on the art of concealed carry. thanks, fellas!

 

[Quoheleth]

In a similar boat, plus Sunday morning clergy-wear (i.e. alb). I'm subscribing to this thread for input...

Personally, I'm looking towards a LCP, Kel-Tek, or other slimline pocket-type pistol. I don't like them - they don't feel good to me - but there's no way under my Sunday morning wear that I can manage getting to a IWB pistol. Ankle holster is an option, but low on the totem pole of desire. I like the size of a Taurus Mil Pro, S&W MP9c, etc., but those are too big for pocket carry. I have a 1911, full-size MP9, and SP101.

So, I'm in the "also looking for advice" side of this thread...

Q

 

[jjohnson]

Makarov

Oh, man, don't get me started on ankle holsters. Like.. you could actually draw and fire from an ankle holster fast enough to do any good.... what, are you one of those 13-year old gymnasts from the olympics?

I've found that a milsurp Makarov is just the thing for pocket power. Mine's one of the Russian export .380s, so I can buy ammo anywhere. I know, it's not a .45 auto, but it does some things I like:

1) it's concealable and fairly light;
2) double action auto means I carry loaded but uncocked;
3) it's absurdly accurate
4) top shelf SD ammo is readily available;
5) cheap ammo like WW white box means I shoot it often for practice;
6) I paid less than $150 for mine
7) Get THIS - it's utterly reliable. I mean, like my GI WWII issue .45
8) for the price, if I leave it in my truck and it's stolen, or gets confiscated
during a traffic stop, I'm not out a fortune.
9) Nine shots of hot .380 hollowpoints beats zero shots of something bigger.

Try one of the pocket holsters like DeSantis Nemesis. I carry mine all the time. Like many, I like big firepower - but I have to leave my N-frame Smiths and M1911 and clones at home. That doesn't do me much good.

 

[Oro]

it seems the width of the gun and length of the grip are the two biggest factors in concealability

I would suggest it's more the shape of the grip than the absolute length that influences concealability. The curve and slimness of a typical revolver grip is much less likely of printing than a long and straight single stack or a short wide double stack magazine. Think of it as camouflage - it breaks of the angular, straight lines that the eye focuses on as "unnatural" and draws attention to itself.

This is not to argue revolvers are more concealable, but that it's worth thinking of the shape of the grip, not just the overall length. For example, the gentle curve of the Makarov grip above is going to draw less attention if it prints than a long, straight 1911 style grip.

 

[dakotasin]

i've thought the grip shape would have something to do w/ it as well, but maybe the width of the chambers makes the gun more difficult to succesfully conceal?

to further that, if the shape of the grip is important, then the baby glock example wouldn't be as ideal as it would seem because of the straight grip - though there would be less available to print...?

 

[geronimo509]

i just bought a kahr mk9. its a little pricey, but it does conceal in your front pocket. i use a superfly pocket holster w/o the extra velcro piece. johnson makes a good argument for the mak. its hard to go from 45 to a 380. so i chose a 9mm. i would bet that in a tuckable holster it would completely disappear.

 

[Oro]

then the baby glock example wouldn't be as ideal as it would seem

I don't mean to say ANY straight grip is going to print worse - just that grip shape and width is something worth considering if printing is a big concern - e.g., you are going to carry IWB under a thin shirt a lot - like you live in FL, Houston, etc.

Also, this isn't a terrible thing to obsess about - remember, the law says concealed. The print could be from a cell phone for all anyone else knows. But it appears you are concerned about a business environment where you want to keep it totally on the QT. When I wore a suit all the time, I could easily cc a 1911, but the big straight grip would give it away to those around me regularly (sitting, riding in cabs, etc.).

It's just another factor to weigh, not a hard rule to observe. I find curves easier to hide than straight lines, but it all depends upon the length, too.

 

[mongo4567]

I have carried for a long time, my carry methods have changed a bunch over the years. I mainly consider overall size, weight, and ease of carry. I now most often carry a Keltec P3AT in the interest of concealability. If I carry a full size (not mouse gun), it is a compact Kimber 1911 IWB. I like it because of the relatively short grip and overall width. I use a hybrid holster and it doesn't print noticeably. I really favor a Kahr PM40 for the size, weight, and caliber but haven't sprung for one yet; a buddy of mine has one and loves it.

 

[NG VI]

to further that, if the shape of the grip is important, then the baby glock example wouldn't be as ideal as it would seem because of the straight grip - though there would be less available to print...?

My 27 feels somewhat blocky for pocket carry, but the grip is so short that it works if I am wearing pants or shorts that fit it. I really like my baby Glock, shoots like a fullsize gun, has some serious (for a pocketable gun) firepower, 9+1 of .40 S&W, since it is so flatsided it seems blocky but I actually think it kind of helps.

Wearing it IWB it is so small. Check out the FIST ultra-thin Kydex holsters, they are an incredibly tight package. I wore mine all summer in a #1AK wearing shorts and a slim t-shirt.

 

[lions]

(but remove the jacket in my office - i get hot).

One little trick to get around this is to sit down with your jacket on, then take your shoulders and arms out and let the jacket fall partially over the back of the chair. Then you have the chair and the back part of your jacket to help conceal your gun. When you need to get up you just slip your arms and shoulders back in and walk around with your jacket on again.

 

[bottom shelf]

i just bought a kahr mk9. its a little pricey, ..... i would bet that in a tuckable holster it would completely disappear.

Right you are! I carry an MK40 in a tuckable IWB. It would be hard to draw quickly, but it sure does conceal nicely.