Tuckable Holsters

[emb]

I am required to wear a shirt and tie with my job. Most of the time this involves a suit and/or sport coat. I live in Florida, it's fairly casual, and the coats are not worn unless necessary. I recently went from a belly band to a tuckable holster. Much more confortable.

However, has anyone devised a way to get the clothing out of the way? I know that this is not a fast draw rig, and I'm resigned to just getting the pistol out smoothly and into play without snagging or grapping portions of my shirt. In essence the shirt always hangs up on the mag well. It doesn't seem to matter if the holster is high or low ride canted or straight.

I wear it in the 4 o'clock position. I tried other positions but this seems to work, is comfortable, and looks the least like I've got a gun stuffed in my pants. Wearing it in the 10 to 3 o'clock positions is rather uncomfortable and the muzzle is pointing a body part while seated-which I am most of the time.

The best that I've been able to devise is at least 2 pulls on the shirt. I fold the bottom of the shirt up before tucking it in. The first pull gets it mostly out of the way. The second clears the mag well so a grip can be established. I've tried sweeping my hand back over the top of the gun to get under the remaining shirt, but that doesn't seem to work all of the time.

I hold on to the shirt material until I start punching the gun towards the target. Once the gun is up and started forward and in front of my hand holding the shirt, I move my support hand to the gun. If I do it earlier, it allows the shirt to fall over or snag the muzzle. I keep practicing this-slowly. I may get faster, but it will never be fast. I do find that it is easier to estabish a correct grip with a high ride rather than a low ride holster.

Does anyone have a better or different draw method to use with this type of holster?

 

[Quoheleth]

I have the same problem. Seems like that's the compromise we have to make - concealed but harder to get to in a hurry. And at the 4 o'clock position, the gun hand has to do all the work - pull the shirt up and then grab the gun.

I know a couple guys who like cross-draw for that reason. The non-shooting hand grabs the shirt and pulls while the gun-hand comes across for the draw. Would that work for you?

Q

 

[BSA1]

Yes I do but you probably won't like my answer. Switch to a revolver with smooth wood combat grips. Remove the hammer spur and you will have a true snag free gun.

 

[BSA1]

Oops double tap.

 

[emb]

I was using a belly band in the cross draw position. I wore it over the shirt but under the belt. It worked except my pants would ride down and show the top of the gun. It was still a 2 handed draw and me, myself and I were always being muzzled. The tuckable just feels more stable and secure.

I had not tried to use my gun hand to get the shirt out of the way. I was primarily trying to establish a grip while my support hand was lifting the shirt out of the way. I think I'll have the same issues with a revolver. I'll keep experimenting with different techniques.

Thanks.

 

[RJTravel]

There is an alternative which has worked well for me. The belly band can be worn high-chest, thus allowing carry cross-draw against the ribs. The advantage is it can be worn undetected even wearing a T-shirt, and is reasonably accessible. The disadvantage is that it really requires one of the small, light, flat autos. A J-frame doesn't cut it for me. It is very comfortable and stays dry - an absolute must in my line of work.

 

[tmoore912]

In business casual dress where I might be taking off my sport coat, I use a Kangaroo Carry holster with my G19. Sky Marshall is the model I use. Very similar to a belly band with a single shoulder strap to keep it from sagging or slipping down. Works well with a tucked in polo shirt too.

 

[RJTravel]

I really like the Kangaroo Carry for somewhat larger handguns like the G19. At 21 oz and approx 30 ozs loaded the shoulder strap is needed. I have found that with an 8 oz auto I don't need the strap. I simply use 3 or 4 inch elastic with velcro fastener. Cut a small horizontal slit to secure an IWB holster and you are done. Cost about 3 bucks. The first one lasted about 3 or 4 years and I am now on my second. Works well.

 

[flatlander937]

I have a Blackhawk leather tuckable holster for my Kahr CM9 that I am really taking a liking to. I've found that I need to wear it closer to 5 o'clock because around 4 o'clock it makes that "corner" of my body look noticeably more "square" with a dress shirt tucked in over the pistol.

It's also comfortable enough to wear directly against my skin(the leather is not a "finished" smooth hard leather... it's relatively soft), wear my undershirt(t-shirt) over the gun, and a dress shirt loose and not tucked in. Makes it incredibly unnoticeable.