If you carry a "big" gun, how do you do it?

[tauruspt145]

oops then i guess iwb crossbreed supertuck

[suthdj]

I am not a big fellow 5'6" 175lbs ok so a bit fat but anyway I have on a couple occasions carried a Glock 21 at 6, IWB and a PT145 at 330, OWB( 4.5 lbs of metal total) just to show the wife I could do it. It was not the easiest to move but I did it all over wally world without incident.

[03Lightningrocks]

I've got a chance top pickup a Sig P226 (9mm) fairly cheap, but after reading a lot of about carrying and "printing" and comfort, I wonder it the gun is too big to conceal? I may get it anyway, because it never hurts to have more than one, but I'm concerned I may not be able to carry it comfortably. Surely some of you are carry "big" guns? 1911's, Glock 19's, Sig P226's? Are they not realistic carry weapons? What holster do you use? IWB? OWB? What about weight? The Sig weighs 28 oz. according to the specs. Loaded it would be even heavier. Is that too much weight? Do you need a special belt to support it?

This is all new to me, so I'm still trying to sort out all the issues and figure out why and when I would carry. I can't carry at work (yet), because I work at a university. So carrying during the week seems out. It takes me fifteen minutes to drive to work, so I would be driving and then securing the handgun in a safe the entire day. That seems rather a waste to me. Most of the rest of the time I'm at home, or running out to a store. Not sure I want to carry around the house.

None of those are really considered "BIG" guns. A good holster such as a supertuck and a good gun belt will do wonders for you. If you don't mind paying extra for quality, the Beltman is the only way to go in a gun belt. The 5.11 is cheap and feels cheap but real darned stiff due to the metal strip in it. As you can see by the thread, many here like it due to the lower price and stiffness of the belt. Caution... once you experience quality leather in a gun belt, such as a Beltman... your ruined for life.

There are smaller weapons of coarse, such as a LCP or Kahr380.... made for pocket carry. then there are truly "BIG" guns such as a Model 29 with 8 3/8th inch barrel.

Personally, I prefer the compact style guns. My main carry is a Kahr PM9, second is a Glock 27,,,,third for lazy days is my Kahr P380 for when I want to pocket carry. I have also carried a Kimber Ultra carry which is a three inch .45 auto.

As the old saying goes... it's not the size of the weapon... it is the manner in which it is used.

[gigag04]

Surely some of you are carry "big" guns?

I carry a G21SF with a light and 2 extra 13rd mags almost daily.



I also carry two sets of cuffs, asp, spray, radio, flashlight, gloves, kevlar gloves, body mic, and a rather large knife. I guess this doesn't REALLY answer your question.


In all seriousness I cannot comfortably conceal a larger hadngun. I don't like wearing big, baggy, unfitted clothing just to conceal a gun. Some do and that's fine. If I can't conceal my actualy off duty carry, a G30SF, then I'll pocket carry a small .380. I hate IWB carry and won't do it. I can't get comfortable. Again...my preference. Try what works for you.

[5thGenTexan]

Carry and comfortably conceal either Kahr PM9 or CW40 in Galco USA when I have to tuck, no I don't need larger waist size, yes you will need a good belt with nearly anything. If I am not tucking Taurus PT140 or Ruger SP101 in pancake style at 4:00 or so with darker tee or golf shirt. 5' 10 and 239lbs of old bald headed ugly, so people don't look for long. Just found a pancake that feels good for my 3" Judge for winter carry when I can get by with it.

[JDJ]

Concealing isn't that big of a deal, meaning it's not that hard. But you do have to be willing to make some fashion concessions to make it work.

I agree.

CC is a compromise, you can conceal almost any handgun, you just have to be willing to dress around the gun. On that note, I carry a G22 IWB wearing shorts and a tshirt with no problems.

[johnferg69]

I'm 6'3 and 250 but to me a "big" gun is more comfortable. Springfield 5" XD, CZ 97 and Taurus 1911. All with IWB holsters.

[BerettaUSMC60]

I use Uncle Mike's Sidekick (Size 5) IWB black holster for my 15+1 Beretta 92FS. I find it comfortable and quite concealable.

[Wildscar]

See my signature for my M-T.A.C. review. Still wearing it to this day.

[RubenZ]

Probably already been said, but my big problem is I'm fairly avg sized, 5'9" 165lbs but my stomach is whats big LOL so my fullsize 1911 kind of gets angled out by my love handles and is pretty noticable because of that.. I'm seriously thinking of going with a smaller ccw.

[03Lightningrocks]

Probably already been said, but my big problem is I'm fairly avg sized, 5'9" 165lbs but my stomach is whats big LOL so my fullsize 1911 kind of gets angled out by my love handles and is pretty noticable because of that.. I'm seriously thinking of going with a smaller ccw.

I know how to fix this. Your love handles are too small. Put on another 20 lbs and they will lap over the gun instead of pushing it out. Just let me know if you need any expert advice on how to put on 20lbs quick. It involves McDonalds and Taco Bueno.

[Frost]

Crossbreed supertuck, good belt, suspenders.

[TDDude]

If all you guys would just wear loose fitting earth toned patterned shirts, you can conceal anything. It won't matter what you carry. The pattern of the shirt breaks up any type of protrusion that your pistol will make and no one knows nuttin. As long as your carry method fits your body and is comfortable, hiding that dude is easy.

I carry a full size Beretta Cougar as well as a 4" Colt Python. Both are fairly large, especially the Colt. A patterned shirt untucked does the trick.

Besides, it's not against the law to print. It's against the law to intentionally brandish.

there, that's the secret. That's the "Trick".

I should teach a seminar.

[davidtx]

If all you guys would just wear loose fitting earth toned patterned shirts, you can conceal anything. It won't matter what you carry. The pattern of the shirt breaks up any type of protrusion that your pistol will make and no one knows nuttin. As long as your carry method fits your body and is comfortable, hiding that dude is easy.

I carry a full size Beretta Cougar as well as a 4" Colt Python. Both are fairly large, especially the Colt. A patterned shirt untucked does the trick.

Besides, it's not against the law to print. It's against the law to intentionally brandish.

there, that's the secret. That's the "Trick".

I should teach a seminar.

My Krav Maga/CrossFit instructor saw me in street clothes the other day. He said - man, you've lost a lot of weight, you need to go down a size in your shirt. I just smiled.

[TLE2]

I list slightly to starboard when I carry my full size 1911. I'm less than 6' by a several inches, around 160lbs... but it's still a good carry.