What I've Learned About Carrying...

[Rockrivr1]

I just went through what you are going through now. I've only had my CCW for a little over a month now and I started by carrying my new S&W 642 in a tuckable IWB holster. The first day I carried, I put on the holster, inserted the 642, tucked in my shirt and headed out the door. 12 hours or so later I finally got home and couldn't wait to take off that damned IWB holster. The day was very hot and before long that holster and 642 grip was chaffing me big time.

The next day I went and bought a cheap Uncle Mike's Pocket Holster and I haven't looked back. The only problem I have with the pocket carry is when I wear jean shorts. Especially if they JUST fit, if you know what I mean. Cargo shorts are great when they have the side pockets. When it gets colder I may try that IWB holster again, but with a t-shirt or something between my skin and the holster. Then again, when it gets colder the carry options will get much better.

 

[Battlespace]

I have been carrying a full size 1911 for six years. No problems with the weight, I use a Galco holster on the strong side and wear it with a good heavy one piece belt that I have custom made at a local show repair shop. I think the belt is 99 percent of the solution. I am 6'4" and weigh a tad over 220, so I have the bulk to carry something that heavy. I do not carry except when I am off from work as I work for a government agency that does not allow weapons. Clothing is easy, a tee shirt to keep the skin to metal contact to a minimum and simply untuck my regular shirt. Easy to do and I have only been "made" once and that was by a boy of about 5, who had eye level at my waist.

 

[bulbboy]

Remember carrying a gun is comforting, not comfortable! The right equipment helps (if funds allow) I finally got to wear I have 3 different carry guns with IWB and OWB holsters for each one. So I have a gun for every occasion/season/function I am going to. The right holster and belt are probably the biggest key to be as comfortable as POSSIBLE!

 

[albanian]

"I was suprised to find that although the holster was not uncomfortable in and off itself, it felt a bit better to ditch the holster, and simply stick the gun in my waistband and cinch down my belt. Yeah, I know, retention like that sucks, but the gun also printed a LOT less. This was because I could place the pistol such that the grip frame was only just a hair above where my jeans ended and was almost parallel to it."

I have found this out as well. As long as your gun does not have sharp edges, it is more comfortable than an IWB holster + the gun. I have started carrying my Kahr K-9 with a Clipdraw instead of my S&W 642 with a leather IWB holster and it is more confortable. It weighs more so thin shorts or lightweight pants are to be avoided or a belt needs to be worn. I now am more comfortable, have 8rds of more powerful 9mm vs, 5rds of .38 SPL and I am more accurate and faster with the K-9. In other words, I am better armed and feel better carrying so I will carry more often.

I am one of those people that can't carry a gun at work so I am not armed most of the day. When I go out at night or on the weekends, I want to carry something that is not too large and unconfortable but still powerful and reliable. I keep the 642 in the glove box and carry the K-9 now. I need to melt the slide stop on the K-9 and it will be much better.

 

[orangeninja]

"Remember carrying a gun is comforting, not comfortable!"

As I said before, I have a problem with statements like the above. People are people no matter what, and if something becomes uncomfortable or painful to wear, eventually they will stop wearing it. Second Chance makes some of their vest with this principle in mind. If they are not comfortable, officers won't wear them.

Only the most determined people will grit out a 40 Oz. 45 all day and all evening long. And making people who don't feel bad is wrong and dangerous. Someone may run out and buy a 40 Oz. 45 because they feel it is the only thing that will work in a self defense situation because Jeff Cooper said so. They then find out how uncomfortable the thing is and how much of a lifestyle change it is, they simply put it in the drawer and will use it when they "go to a bad neighborhood" or something. They then will not have the very gun they paid for on their person when they need it most because it was uncomfortable.

Better to have a .38 in hand than a .45 at home in a drawer. That's a much more intelligent statement.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I find the easiest way to carry my Detective Special is to simply stick it in my belt. The butt becomes a hook that holds the gun in place (with a reasonably stiff and tight belt) and I simply blouse my shirt so it covers the little bit that shows.

 

[shu]

glock26 + sidearmor iwb w/ J hooks + stiff wide belt =

 

[jAK-47]

My first "carry" gun was a Beretta96. That lasted until I started to lean to one side. Without going through all the changes I've made over the years I've finally figured out what is "right" for me.

HOT weather - KelTec P32. It DISAPPEARS. Better than nothing.
Winter - Glock 26 in Sidearmor IWB. I'll be "upgrading" to a .45 in the G36 soon. Conceals well in cold weather and instills more confidence than the .32
Just throw in the pocket without holster/running to the store/hiking(no bears) - S&W Airweight .38spl. Never thought I'd own a revolver and, surprise-surprise, I LOVE this gun!!!
Car - Am looking at a "quick acquisition" push-button car safe. I'll put a S&W .357mag with a 6 inch barrel or a Ruger P90 or a Glock21 in it because I won't care about concealing or weight.

TO ME, IMHO, an important thing about carrying different guns is to practice with each of them. I make sure I get to the range when the weather is about to change, etc. But, if you'll notice, I've chosen all my guns with simplicity and reliability (my P32 IS reliable) in mind AND they all work similarly - every one of them is POINT AND SHOOT. If I started carrying a 1911, for instance, I'd make sure I practiced disengaging the safety. If I ever get in a situation where I actually have to shoot, I want to pull the trigger and make it go bang the very first time.

jAK-47

 

[aaronrkelly]

I have alot of guns to choose from but I always come back to my Kimber Pro Carry II.

Its a 4 1/4" inch gun with alloy frame - light enough for daily carry. I also second the good belt and good holster recommendation.

Good does not = expensive. I have holsters from damn near everybody from the book and I use the below holster on a daily basis, very comfortable.

Its a Infinity belt slide by Strayer Voight. They run under $20 and the two I have were of quality in the $50 plus range - great holsters. You can get them:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6951&title=BELT+SLIDE+HOLSTER

 

[Khornet]

During the work week

I carry a Para Tac Four, a 4" barrel double-stack .45 with 13 rds. It is a heavy gun, no doubt. But I use a good belt (Urban Gun Belt, or UGB) from Bulman Gunleather, and a Tucker Texas Heritage IWB holster. I'm 5' 9", 190 lb with love handles and a bit of a gut from loving good ale, and this rig is perfectly comfortable. It conceals beautifully. In the winter it is untucked, tucked in summer. I have spent days doing office work, and days doing labor such as splitting firewood or working under a car, both with no problem. If it's warm and I wear no undershirt, my beeper, worn on the opposite side, causes me far more discomfort than my pistol.

Non-work days I carry a G22 in another TX Heritage, same belt, also in perfect comfort.

Been doing both for several years now. So get a good belt and a good holster and you'll be amazed what you can carry.

 

[pistolwhipped]

After reading all the posts I think we can all agree that the best answer is to buy a quality belt that fits and a quality holster. It pays in the long run.
That being said , I have never carried a full size weapon. Biggest thing I carry is a G38,OWB. Smallest is the PM9 in pocket holster(work). Last weekend I had the G38 on hip and decided last second that I wanted to carry an EG Makarov for the day. What a difference! It was like not having a weapon on my hip.

Back to my original thought , it is well worth the money to invest in a belt and holster of quality.

 

[saltydog452]

Some stuff that has worked well for me..

For the Kahr K-9/P-9, Leather Arsenal IWB.

For the Colt OM/Commander in cool weather, Bianchi Askins Avenger OWB. The Askins works well for the BHP as well.

Usually though its a Birami Hip Grip and a Tyler Grip adapter on a J Frame or Colt Cobra.

If you spend a lot of time sitting behind the wheel strapped in by a seat belt/shoulder harness, Kramer makes a neat carry system that is well suited for light weight pistols. Its cut like an undershirt, made of mesh weave, with sewn in 'pockets' under each arm. I don't wear mine much anymore. When I did, it worked well for me.

Several years and pounds ago a RB Mdl 13 in a LAW Concealment Systems carried behind the hip worked well. I could slip the LAW on/off w/o being too conspicious. Worked well for standing/walking, not too good sitting though.

Occasionally when I have to wear a back brace, the LAW Concealment Systems clip on pouch holds a Kahr on my left side slightly above the area where my waist used to be.

For me, accessable handguns have sorta 'evolved' over the years. No more Dirty Harry N Frames. Now the J Frame, the small 9X19s, and the NAA Guardian cover about 90% of my perceived carry needs. But its nice to have other options.

Your mileage, the way you're put together, vocation, political climate, & physical abilities may differ, but thats what has seemed to suit my paticular needs at that time.

salty.

 

[Jim Linch]

Packing a gun all day is not the most comfortable thing to do. If you select a cheap or ill fitted holster you will suffer. If you select a 40oz gun you will suffer, but it can be done if you are a determined person.

If you select a lightweight like the Kel-tec or Kahr or S&W642 you will be more comfortable and more likely to have "something" with you. Yeah it will be with you, but when you do find yourself in a bad way at 0-dark-30 is that 5 shot .38 snubbie really what you want to defend yourself against the biker gang at the rest stop with?

The REAL question is... Are you planning for the worst and hoping for the best? Or are you planning that just having a small gun is going to be all you need? If the latter, then why not plan that "it won't happen to me." Chances are it won't.

Here's the deal...

• Carry the most fire power in the lightest, easiest, most accurate to shoot gun you can find.
• Carry it in an easily accessible position, strong side.
• Carry it only when you don't know if you will need it.
• Train yourself past the basics of marksmanship!
• Learn to shoot on the move, learn to shoot fast, learn to clear any jams automatically, learn that once you get past shooting paper targets and try your hand at "movers" the facts are that "more is better" and "more before reloading is even more better!"
• Learn that it's about shot placement not so much about having a .45/10mm.
• Learn that if your gun is not 100% reliable it's not worth 2 cents, get rid of it or fix it.

Problem is usually this...
People who whine about a gun being too heavy or not comfortable are usually the ones that are not dedicated to training anyway.

Granted we all go through our learning curve of works best, but the last thing I want to tell a person starting to EDC is "get a small one that you can slip in your pocket and forget about."

I want people to never forget that they have a responsibility to training and packing "enough" gun.

Find a good holster, find a good dependable mid or fullsize gun with 10 rnds or more of 9mm or better and TRAIN!, TRAIN!, TRAIN!

And for Pete's sake, quit whining!

Just in case you wonder, below is the route I have gone in packing daily for the last 15 years.

• Colt Combat Commander / Kramer #2 IWB
• Custom Caspian 1911 GM / Milt Sparks VM-II
• Glock G23 / Brommeland MAXCON5
• Glock G21 / Milt Sparks VM-II
• Custom Caspian 1911 GM / Milt Sparks VM-II
• Browning High Power 9mm / Milt Sparks VM-II
• Glock G19L / Kramer #3 IWB

PS. This rant is not directed at anyone in this post, just observations I have made in the past.

 

[farscott]

I went the opposite way. I started with wonderines with alloy frames, went to a Commander, and ended up with Government Models. Even in the Georgia heat, I carry my 1911 -- and a J-frame in a pocket holster.

As someone who conceals a full-size 1911 most days for around fourteen hours per day even in the heat of summer, I will add my voice to the chorus praising a good holster and belt. For me, good holsters come from Milt Sparks, and I have several I use with my carry pistols. I use an HR-LTD and a pair of VM-2's as my primary IWB's, wih a different holster being used each day. I alternate holsters each day to allow the leather to dry after being soaked in sweat. I also have NP-1 and NP-2 holsters for OWB carry, usually when wearing a suit. Any of these holster is much more comfortable than no holster, and they consistently position the gun.

Good belts come from a few places, but I tend to favor 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" double-thickness belts. I have had good results with Kramer's belts and with belts from Rafter-S. I have six or seven belts that I use depending upon how I need to dress that day. Obviously a belt used with a suit is a bit different than one used with jeans. Between belts and holsters, I have enough invested to build another 1911, so good leather is not inexpensive. But it is worth every penny.

As far as the pistol itself, I like all of the edges dehorned. The radiused corners are much easier on my skin, my holsters, and my cover garments and make carrying a hunk of steel much easier. I remember when I carried a stock stainless Series '70, and the sharp edges caused a lot of fatigue -- as well as ruining a few shirts and one jacket. Dehorning is a bit of money well spent.

A good holster will allow you to use extended controls on the side of the gun facing the body. I have had no issues with Brown safeties and even with an old Wilson ambi; however, my favorite thumb safety lock is a King's extended unit with the paddle modified to resemble a slightly larger Colt safety. I have attached an image showing this safety on one of my carry 1911's. I did have an issue with a wide Baer safety stroking to the off position in the holster. The off-side paddle was just too wide.

I think you do not need a new pistol. You just need a dehorn and some decent leather to carry your current pistols.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I carry a SIG 229 and sometimes a Glock 30 in Milt Sparks holsters and belt. A good belt designed for the purpose of carrying a holster is a must.
I did have issues in the beginning finding a comfortable set of grips for the SIG, but finally ended up ponying up the dough for a set of Nill grips.
I also carry a S&W 340PD in either a Milt Sparks Summer Special II or in an inside-the-pocket holster.
So far, my set up has worked well for me.

 

[AStone]

i haven't joined the ranks of ccw yet, as most (or at least many) THR members have.

but i do have some preliminary thoughts about what i think will work for me.

First, i'm with Mr. Albanian re the K9. You were so right, sir. One fine gun. (Mine is 6" from my right hand, just on the other side of the mouse.)

Second, although I've tried only one, I'll agree thoroughly with a previous poster: speaking ONLY for myself, IWB sucks. Why would any rational person stick 24 oz of metal in a leather sheath between his belt and his pelvis? You've got to be really desparate to do that. (Maybe it's because I live in a smaller city...)

I've ordered a High Noon Topless, which fits on a belt OWB. It's still 8 wks away in production. If I can't go where it will let me with my K9, then I'll just not go. (I'm not that social anyway.)

No truth implied. Just thinking outloud on a thursday night.

 

[bulbboy]

Sirardvark - Love to see a picture of your set-up! Those grips sound sweet!!

 

[obiwan1]

As careers and I have evolved I went from PPK in cheap IWB clip on (late 60's through early 1970s) through Charter .44 OWB through PPK in Rybka pocket holster (for about 15 years) to the following for off duty carry (depending on needs/dress code).

H&KUSPc lem .40 in Aker flatsider (99% of the time) or
KT P11 or S&W m36 in pocket holster or
Kahr K40 in IWB, OWB or Smartcarry.

The constants are a top quality belt (mine are from Ken Null, Strong, and Alessi) and holster (Aker, Null, Rybka, Alessi). Well thought out covering garb is a big part of it. Thank heavens for Hawaiian shirts and baggy slacks (or loose fitting jeans). You can go into a Macy's and see manequins dressed for CCW.