Tried but it doesn't work

[Rookieshooter]

First of all let me start by saying I have a left above the knee prosthesis(fake leg). The part that fits to my body comes up around the belt line. Due to this iwb holsters on either side pull at my pants and make my leg pull out at top which is not good. Secondly, owb I have to snug up to my body or cinch up my belt so my pants don't get pulled to the ground by the weight of my gun, this in turn causes my leg to do weird things. So my question is how do I carry comfy all day? Any ideas from anybody? I'm looking at a fanny pack but am a little concerned about how it looks(odd, does it spell out to everyone I'm carring, etc. etc.) By the way I tried the Kramer shirt, works in winter but not in Texas heat in summer. Maybe someone will have an idea I could use! Any help will be appreciated!!!!

 

[Navy joe]

Personally I'd get the fake leg modified. You've got all of that pants leg hanging there with no calf to fill it out, go for a kydex holster screwed to it a little above ankle level. Heck I would. How about a shoulder rig with a light cotton cover shirt? Off body like the Dillon briefcase?

 

[Preacherman]

Sounds like your waist holster options may be very limited indeed... I guess you'll have to look at either a fanny pack or a shoulder holster. Given that the latter will require a coat over it, that might not work in a hot Texas summer. How about an ankle holster - does your prosthetic leg prevent you from bending down to get at your ankle in a hurry?

Of course, not all fanny packs scream "Gun!" at observers - see here for an example...

 

[10-Ring]

A fanny pack would be a good option, but they do scream "GUN!" I was thinking a shoulder holster or pocket carry depending one what you carry.

 

[longeyes]

I've got to tell you that I never identified a fanny pack with packing
until I started coming to TFL and THR. How do we know that's not
just "projection?"

 

[boing]

Texas heat in NY? That's pretty hot. --->

What are you carrying? Would a lighter gun be useful/possible?

Suspenders?

 

[Rookieshooter]

Tx heat

Actually I'm in Texas and I got signed in under someone else's name somehow. I have been carring a Kahr mk9 but it;s too heavy for pocket carry. I am thinking about going to a pm 9 but money and the frame problems are a holdup to me. Thanks for all the replies!!!!

 

[themic]

yeah i agree with longeyes

i'd always identified fannypacks as screaming "dork!" not "gun!" till i came here and packing.org.

then again, it only takes afew to be thinking "gun" instead of "dork" out there to end up getting spotted.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have no experience to base a recommendation on it this situation, but I would try suspenders. They would help support you’re pants and are not anything that would suggest you were “carrying.†If it works suspenders are also inexpensive. Perhaps you could use suspenders in combination with a side-pocket holster with a lightweight sub-nosed revolver or pistol.

Two other tricks: A small gun can be concealed in a fake radio or large cell-phone case. Also you can carry a larger one in a modified zippered notebook or organizer. Just don’t forget and leave it somewhere.

 

[Chipperman]

Can you wear a belly band holster under the prosthesis straps? It would not pull on the pants that way.

 

[Rookieshooter]

Thought about

belly band but I'm not a small guy. 6" ft 245 pds. I thought it might curl under my shirt. And again the heat is still a problem. I wear shorts most of the time and believe that if I were standing naked in a crowd of people wearing only a 1911 straped to my side no one would notice anything unusal but my leg. It's pretty cool and looks like something out of terminator. My leg always grabs peoples attention more than anything. That being said I do believe maybe suspenders or belly band might work. People don't mean to stare at my leg and of course I don't mind or I would'nt wear shorts. It's just a natural reaction. I appreciate all of the responses, as far as the kydex holster made into my leg, I'vae already thought of that and asked about it. It could be done buy would be a weak side holster and under myshorts is the only place to put it where it would not stick way out. But it is a very good idea. Looks like maybe a pm9 in a beltslide might work because of the weight of the gun is light. But the frame problems Kahr has had makes me weary. Anyway I do appreciate all the ideas and keep in comin they are giving me tons to think about and plan for!!!

 

[pale horse]

My dad was hit back in May and lost his leg above the knee and he has addressed the situation with me. The first thought was get a Robocop leg and a pistol that comes out on demand, but reality set in and we have been talking about it more seriously. If I was in your shoes I would maybe try a cross draw or something that could intergrate into/onto the prosthesis or the wrap around strap on the prostheisis. He does not carry 24/7 and he will essentially be learning 48 years of walking on his new leg.

So as not to complicate the issue how do you normally dress? If you let us know then we can better get an idea of how or what would be the best way to carry. Example; If you wear shorts often then most of the attention will be drawn to the bogus leg and not too many people will even notice you are carrying in a fanny pack. They wont want to be rude and stare at you so could almost carry owb.

 

[mec]

Interesting problem and I suppose you have the advantage of being able to customize the bionic leg whereas you dont' have that option with the regular one.

The fanny pack in Texas is not such a give away as the magazines would make it seem. Here in Waco, I've seen demented liberals who wouldn't knowingly come within 100 yards of a gun wearing fanny packs all over the place. Same thing with vests. There are alot of Willie Nelson hippo-americans wearing those around. Other than that, perhaps an Aker comfort flex that pretty much fits like a vest. you can wear that under a sports shirt.

 

[Navy joe]

Are you right handed? If so inside of the left leg is the ideal spot for a holster to be screwed on. Besides, imagine the bets you could win at the gun range!

 

[George Hill]

Putting the holster on the leg isnt a good idea. Just cause he has an aftermarket leg doesn't make him Robocop with a long slide beretta popping out of it.
An ankle rig is out. Belt rigs are out. Fanny packs are distastful...

You wear a camelback type hydration set up? You could put a rig on the inside of that. Barring the really clever... I would suggest the simple superman carry. Get a shoulder rig with light colored straps, and wear it under your over shirt. I know the holster shirt is hot... but that is about the limit unless your wanting to go mouse gun. You could also run a bellyband higher up. Less comfy, but it will work I don't know about all day packing. I'd go with a shoulder rig under a lose fitting bowling shirt. I've done this and have yet to be made.

 

[DBR]

You might want check out the Ken Null "city slicker": http://www.klnullholsters.com/

 

[Standing Wolf]

The vests from http://www.coronadoleather.com are pretty good, although they might be too warm much of the year in Texas.

 

[Rookieshooter]

I have been carrying

Everyday for 15 months. Started with a Kimber ultra carry(gun was junk not carry method, didn't keep it long enough to figure out carry method) then went to glock 26, liked the gun coulnd't conceal it comfy for more than 6 hours or so. Next tried a Taurus ultra lite snubby .38 spl. pocket carried but not comfortable with only 5 rds and was a bear on recoil, next was my Kahr mk9 iwb somewhat comfy for about the first 5-6 hrs and then leg and pants caused problems, now it's my little p32(easy to carry in pocket is not bad but if I ever need to defend myself, retreat is not a viable option when you can't run, and a 32acp is better than nothing but still I am uncomfortable with anything less than a 9mm.) I wear shorts and t-shirt on a daily basis usually up til about Dec. I think maybe a light weight poly gun in a beltslide(mk9 15.9 oz. unloaded) might work or possibly stick with a Glock 26 in a fanny pack. I would definitely go with the lighter Kahr but the frame problems still scare me and the Glock is proven. I really do appreciate all the ideas on my interesting problem and I think I am really getting some great feedback on this issue. Thanks again for all your replies!!!

 

[Martini13]

Have you giving any thought to SmartCarry? It would fit around your waist like a fanny pack

 

[Rookieshooter]

Have considered

a smartcarry but was afraid of anything under my pants that could get caught or bound up next to my prosthesis. But it may work I might need to research it a little more. Thanks

 

[Navy joe]

Tell us about your Kimber experience sometime, would love to hear what went wrong.

 

[clubsoda22]

i say research the smart carry. In fact, call them on the phone and they will send you one that you can send back for a full refund anytime within 60 days.

If that doesnt work, buy one of these and convert it to fit your handgun. I assure you you'll never get made. After you buy it be sure to shoot them an e-mail saying that you've found a great new use for their fanny packs. Explain in detail and include lines like "it really throws off the liberals"