Concealed Carry for Short Folks

[Crash]

I'm about 5'6" and besides being short, I'm short waisted, so I have trouble finding a good way to carry concealed. I would prefer to carry AIWB, but even with a weapon as short as a Ruger LCR with the 1 7/8" barrel, or a S&W Shield in 9mm, I find that the bottom of the holster really pokes me in the upper thigh/quadriceps--to the point that it's very painful and I have bruises in that area when I take off the holster. I'm right handed and the 3:30 - 4:00 position doesn't work too well as I had surgery on my right shoulder a few years back and my range of motion is limited. Pants-pocket carry is OK when I'm standing, but when I'm sitting it's really difficult to get the gun out. Ankle carry is out since I have back problems and it's hard for me to bend over.

Suggestions?

Crash

[SewTexas]

well, I'm female, but I'm 5'3"....I carry a Curve or an LCP, I cross carry....I'm right handed, but I carry at about 10 or 11, depending on belt-loops , I started the cross carry when I injured my shoulder and couldn't make the draw motion for a time, the cross-draw motion was much easier, I discovered it was a much more comfortable position for me.

[carlson1]

Shoulder holster.

[flechero]

I I'm right handed and the 3:30 - 4:00 position doesn't work too well as I had surgery on my right shoulder a few years back and my range of motion is limited.

Suggestions?

I'm opposite- Left handed but had surgery on my left shoulder. I also have limited range of motion and will never regain it. For me, adding more cant to the holsters solved my problem and made things more comfortable. I carry at about 8:00(4:00) with a 25-30 degree cant. The cant does a few things... it allows you to draw in more of a forward sweep vs a straight up pull, which made all the difference- not only can I do it, but it's easy and pain free. Secondly, it also puts the grip in a more upright angle which helps hold it tighter to your body and for most, aids in concealment. Lastly the upright grip angle allows me to sit comfortably- instead of the gun and holster wrenching around when I sit, it's already aligned with my back and it's more like a lump in the chair. Good posture helps minimize the feeling of said lump. (that's a bonus- my posture has improved )

Once I trained a while with the steeper cant, I regained some additional range of motion. It's nice because OWB holsters are rarely available with much cant, so now I have the ability to use them if/when I want. I still carry IWB daily and stuck with the steeper cant for comfort and ease of sitting since I sit/drive a lot in my job.

Best of luck to you, I know the struggle. It took me a while to figure out what would work for me and I spent a bunch of money in holsters before figuring it out.

[EastTexasRancher]

I'm 5'4", and have no problem.

I use a leather Blackhawk to carry IWB with either my Taurus PT709 9mm, or more recently the same holster fits my S&W Shield PC .40. Carried at 3:00 with the right belt and it's no biggie. I carry almost every day using this setup. I'm right handed, and also a surgery survivor.



For OWB I have a Myriad of Holsters for these same pistols, or my larger 1911's, XDm, or my SP101 4".

Loose shirts help a lot. I used to worry about printing, but no longer. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to be able to read the serial number off my pistol because it's so obvious...but for instance when carrying open I'll untuck my shirt to go in HEB, and to the discerning eye "that's a guy with a pistol".

A full size 1911 IWB is not comfortable for me either, so I adapt. Good luck to you!! Hopefully we'll meet at the range one day....I'll bring the stepstools!!!

[Crash]

I'm 5'4", and have no problem.

I use a leather Blackhawk to carry IWB with either my Taurus PT709 9mm, or more recently the same holster fits my S&W Shield PC .40. Carried at 3:00 with the right belt and it's no biggie. I carry almost every day using this setup. I'm right handed, and also a surgery survivor.



For OWB I have a Myriad of Holsters for these same pistols, or my larger 1911's, XDm, or my SP101 4".

Loose shirts help a lot. I used to worry about printing, but no longer. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to be able to read the serial number off my pistol because it's so obvious...but for instance when carrying open I'll untuck my shirt to go in HEB, and to the discerning eye "that's a guy with a pistol".

A full size 1911 IWB is not comfortable for me either, so I adapt. Good luck to you!! Hopefully we'll meet at the range one day....I'll bring the stepstools!!!

EastTexasRancher,

Thanks for the recommendations, appreciate it. As far as needing a stepstool goes, just look at it this way: we're smaller targets!

Crash

[Crash]

I I'm right handed and the 3:30 - 4:00 position doesn't work too well as I had surgery on my right shoulder a few years back and my range of motion is limited.

Suggestions?

I'm opposite- Left handed but had surgery on my left shoulder. I also have limited range of motion and will never regain it. For me, adding more cant to the holsters solved my problem and made things more comfortable. I carry at about 8:00(4:00) with a 25-30 degree cant. The cant does a few things... it allows you to draw in more of a forward sweep vs a straight up pull, which made all the difference- not only can I do it, but it's easy and pain free. Secondly, it also puts the grip in a more upright angle which helps hold it tighter to your body and for most, aids in concealment. Lastly the upright grip angle allows me to sit comfortably- instead of the gun and holster wrenching around when I sit, it's already aligned with my back and it's more like a lump in the chair. Good posture helps minimize the feeling of said lump. (that's a bonus- my posture has improved )

Once I trained a while with the steeper cant, I regained some additional range of motion. It's nice because OWB holsters are rarely available with much cant, so now I have the ability to use them if/when I want. I still carry IWB daily and stuck with the steeper cant for comfort and ease of sitting since I sit/drive a lot in my job.

Best of luck to you, I know the struggle. It took me a while to figure out what would work for me and I spent a bunch of money in holsters before figuring it out.

flechero,

Thanks for your recommendation. I'll give the more radical cant a try. Any suggestions for (right-handed) holsters that I can adjust to a 25-30 degree cant?

Crash

[Crash]

well, I'm female, but I'm 5'3"....I carry a Curve or an LCP, I cross carry....I'm right handed, but I carry at about 10 or 11, depending on belt-loops , I started the cross carry when I injured my shoulder and couldn't make the draw motion for a time, the cross-draw motion was much easier, I discovered it was a much more comfortable position for me.

SewTexas,

Thanks for your suggestion. I've carried cross-draw before, but I'm a little concerned about printing because "my waistline is out of proportion to my height" (ahem). Do you carry IWB or OWB? Any recommendations for IWB cross-draw holsters for a S&W Shield?

Crash

[SewTexas]

well, I'm female, but I'm 5'3"....I carry a Curve or an LCP, I cross carry....I'm right handed, but I carry at about 10 or 11, depending on belt-loops , I started the cross carry when I injured my shoulder and couldn't make the draw motion for a time, the cross-draw motion was much easier, I discovered it was a much more comfortable position for me.

SewTexas,

Thanks for your suggestion. I've carried cross-draw before, but I'm a little concerned about printing because "my waistline is out of proportion to my height" (ahem). Do you carry IWB or OWB? Any recommendations for IWB cross-draw holsters for a S&W Shield?

Crash

I carry IWB, I don't know the S&W Shield, but for my LCP I use a Kusiak Leather holster. It's simple, no frills and it carries low so it's below the waistband.

[Crash]

well, I'm female, but I'm 5'3"....I carry a Curve or an LCP, I cross carry....I'm right handed, but I carry at about 10 or 11, depending on belt-loops , I started the cross carry when I injured my shoulder and couldn't make the draw motion for a time, the cross-draw motion was much easier, I discovered it was a much more comfortable position for me.

SewTexas,

Thanks for your suggestion. I've carried cross-draw before, but I'm a little concerned about printing because "my waistline is out of proportion to my height" (ahem). Do you carry IWB or OWB? Any recommendations for IWB cross-draw holsters for a S&W Shield?

Crash

I carry IWB, I don't know the S&W Shield, but for my LCP I use a Kusiak Leather holster. It's simple, no frills and it carries low so it's below the waistband.

SewTexas,

The S&W Shield is a little bit longer than the LCP, but I'll check out Kusiak.

Thanks for your help.

Crash

[Crash]

I'm 5'4", and have no problem.

I use a leather Blackhawk to carry IWB with either my Taurus PT709 9mm, or more recently the same holster fits my S&W Shield PC .40. Carried at 3:00 with the right belt and it's no biggie. I carry almost every day using this setup. I'm right handed, and also a surgery survivor.



For OWB I have a Myriad of Holsters for these same pistols, or my larger 1911's, XDm, or my SP101 4".

Loose shirts help a lot. I used to worry about printing, but no longer. Don't get me wrong, I don't want you to be able to read the serial number off my pistol because it's so obvious...but for instance when carrying open I'll untuck my shirt to go in HEB, and to the discerning eye "that's a guy with a pistol".

A full size 1911 IWB is not comfortable for me either, so I adapt. Good luck to you!! Hopefully we'll meet at the range one day....I'll bring the stepstools!!!

EastTexasRancher,

Thanks for the recommendations, appreciate it. As far as needing a stepstool goes, just look at it this way: we're smaller targets!

Crash

EastTexasRancher,

I found the same Blackhawk holster in my "collection" of holsters and tried it out with my shirt untucked and it works pretty well. It sits low inside the waistband, so I have to make sure I have a good grip when I start my draw stroke, but that's just a matter of practice. Although some people with a "discerning eye" might know it's a gun, I think a lot of folks might think it's just a cell phone on my belt.

Thanks for your help, really appreciate it.

Crach

[cmgee67]

I carry appendix. 45 shield at work and Glock 19 usually when I'm off. Appendix shouldn't dig into your thighs it should be over the right side of your other gun if you get what I'm saying or right in the middle where you belt buckle would be. I've seen some try and carry almost over where their front pocket would be and that's not quite right.

[The Annoyed Man]

Shoulder holster.

Yep. What he said.

[flechero]

flechero,

Thanks for your recommendation. I'll give the more radical cant a try. Any suggestions for (right-handed) holsters that I can adjust to a 25-30 degree cant?

Crash

If you are used to a simple Kydex, try PJ Holsters. Paul has up to 30 degrees as an option and will custom the ride height with an emailed pic. He very reasonably priced. (his standard height is a little low for me to get a good grip on the draw so I order them a little higher.

A little more money and a bit more refined- JM Custom Kydex... the IWB #3 goes to 25 degrees in a standard option. (the #3 has aunique feature where the trigger gaurd molding is high and it causes the grip to be pulled in tighter to the body) Tony's "standard" height is easy to get a full firing grip on.

I have and use both... the PJ for single stack 9mm and the JM for a 4" 1911.

Hope that helps!

[Crash]

I carry appendix. 45 shield at work and Glock 19 usually when I'm off. Appendix shouldn't dig into your thighs it should be over the right side of your other gun if you get what I'm saying or right in the middle where you belt buckle would be. I've seen some try and carry almost over where their front pocket would be and that's not quite right.

cmgee67,

Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Crash