Concealing counsel

[goose]

I am also a thinner guy (but taller at 6'). The longer I carry (non-fanny pack) the more I accept that most people just don't see what they aren't looking for. No one actually looks for guns. With pagers and cell phons and a hundred other possible things hanging off of folks' belts, no one cares anymore. My family, who are all in the know, often check with me to ask if I'm carrying. Usually while we're in the car outside a restaurant or theater. If they haven't see it, strangers aren't going to.

I can carry a G17 (full sized tupperware) in the Comp-Tac MTAC. I am another vote for a good belt worn a smidge tighter than you might normally. I also vote for one size larger t-shirt.

A good belt, a good IWB holster and an XL T-shirt and I feel fine. I am considering some long tail t-shirts from Deluth Trading company. I think that I wuold feel invisible in these. I am waiting on the sale again. All the $12 ones are sold out.

edit: I also carry 3:30-4 o'clock. The front clip of my MTAC is at 3 o'clock. The pistol is back from there.

[RogueUSMC]

I bought the XDS when I was going to start carrying...now that I have carried for a while, I have found that I can conceal a whole lot more gun than I thought I could.

I carry in a CrossBreed SuperTuck with the back clip at my 6o'clock beltloop...so the gun rides at about 5o'clock flat against my back. In my truck is the only time that the position is a problem...but I have a back-up truck gun accessible.

BTW, I am about 5'8" at about 220 and dropping I am happy to say.

[johncanfield]

http://www.kangaroocarry.com/
No personal experience with this device.

I use a Kangaroo Carry for dressier situations and it's a pretty comfortable way to carry my SR40 but the band can get hot in the summer.

[mewalke]

CompTac MTAC (adjustable ride and cant) plus a good gun belt (CompTac makes a Kydex reinforced belt that works great) plus shirts that are loose enough to "hang" instead of being skin tight (could be t-shirts or button down).

I carry an XDm compact that way (even in shorts and tshirts) and know guys who carry full size XDm or Glocks that way.

My two cents...

I carry an XD .45 Compact with the MTAC and a CompTac belt. Great combo. Took me awhile to get the cant and ride height adjusted correctly, but it works great now.

And when I really want to just wear shorts and a light t-shirt because I will be out in the heat, my CM9 in a Desantis Nemesis rides perfectly in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. I lose a little capacity, but it is worth it to me.

[xb12s]

Not enough people posted their height and weight to give you a good enough idea if their advice is worth following. So, here's my advice:

5'-11" 172 lb

I would buy a hybrid holster like the M-TAC, Supertuck, etc with the "slide" model that allows you to carry a full size or a compact in the same holster. Try to carry the full size XDm that you already have. If it works for you, great. If not, you can get yourself the 3.8 compact model for carry.

A double stack is concealable, but a single stack is more comfortable. A double stack is comfortable enough if you are comfortable that you have it concealed.

Wardrobe changes (slightly larger tees, double layers -- button down on top of tee) are essential to getting the job done.

Carry position - the bigger the grip, the closer to 3:00 you are going to have carry the weapon to keep from printing when bending over. A more aggressive cant also helps.

Good luck (I'm not comfortable carrying a full size myself, but would do it if it was the only weapon I had).

[Pecos]

I am 6' 225 LBS.
I carry full size Glock 22 on my left hip in a SafariLand ALS concealment paddle holster with the belt slot & molded for my gun. the holsters is also padded with felt to protect gun finish. It works for me quite well. Gun doesnt poke out at all snug against my side. If you ever co nsider a paddle holster don't get a cheapie. Get a good one that will pull close to coneal.

[mewalke]

Not enough people posted their height and weight to give you a good enough idea if their advice is worth following.

Height and weight don't really tell you all that much. It really comes down to your particular build and style of dress and what feels comfortable. People can give him all the advice in the world and in the end he will just need to experiment to find what works best. It took me three holsters and several wardrobe adjustments to finally get comfortable carrying IWB. And that was after getting more opinions than I should have because no one person's suggestion worked perfectly for me.

And after all that I ended up buying a sub-compact to pocket carry because it was easier and more comfortable much of the time.

[Pecos]

Not enough people posted their height and weight to give you a good enough idea if their advice is worth following.

Height and weight don't really tell you all that much. It really comes down to your particular build and style of dress and what feels comfortable. People can give him all the advice in the world and in the end he will just need to experiment to find what works best. It took me three holsters and several wardrobe adjustments to finally get comfortable carrying IWB. And that was after getting more opinions than I should have because no one person's suggestion worked perfectly for me.

And after all that I ended up buying a sub-compact to pocket carry because it was easier and more comfortable much of the time.

I agree. It's what work for the person. Were all different!

[xb12s]

Not enough people posted their height and weight to give you a good enough idea if their advice is worth following.

Height and weight don't really tell you all that much. It really comes down to your particular build and style of dress and what feels comfortable. People can give him all the advice in the world and in the end he will just need to experiment to find what works best. It took me three holsters and several wardrobe adjustments to finally get comfortable carrying IWB. And that was after getting more opinions than I should have because no one person's suggestion worked perfectly for me.

And after all that I ended up buying a sub-compact to pocket carry because it was easier and more comfortable much of the time.

I agree. It's what work for the person. Were all different!

Well, I certainly agree that we're all different. And body build, frame size, and style of dress are all variables. But there is certainly a difference in the ability to conceal for someone who has a little extra around the middle and someone who doesn't. When I'm chubbier, that grip just sinks right in to that extra layer of fat and conceals a lot better than when I am at my thinnest. My fat is much more easily displaced by the grip than when there is no fat. The bulk on the side with the grip looks no different than the bulk of my love handle on the opposite side of my waist. Height and weight ARE partially instructive, there's no getting around that. But you are defintely right in that everyone has to experiment on their own. I must have read [hyperbole] a hundred [/hyperbole] reviews and threads on holsters and carry before I tried and ultimately settled on what worked for me. Really it's a continually evolving process if your weight and wardrobe changes. You'll want options if you can afford them.

[RJGold]

5' - 9" 200 Lbs (plus or minus 15 Lbs depending on the month). I go up and down like a yo yo...

Comp Tac MTAC with Comp Tac kydex belt for an XDm 9mm Compact...

Tacti Pac Fusion for times when I need deep conceal...

[EEllis]

One thing I think people overlook, concisely anyway, is fitting the gun in along the lines of your own body. When I carry my XD if I put it in the right place IWB on my right side the butt and grip lay just in the transition from my ribs to my waist and disappears even under a t-shirt unless I'm very active. Other people may have different luck but it's about getting the right combination, or several, for the different ways and conditions in which you carry.

[MechAg94]

I bought the XDS when I was going to start carrying...now that I have carried for a while, I have found that I can conceal a whole lot more gun than I thought I could.

I carry in a CrossBreed SuperTuck with the back clip at my 6o'clock beltloop...so the gun rides at about 5o'clock flat against my back. In my truck is the only time that the position is a problem...but I have a back-up truck gun accessible.

BTW, I am about 5'8" at about 220 and dropping I am happy to say.

+1 on the Crossbreed Supertuck. I don't tuck, but I tend to wear longer, looser thirst that won't snag on the holster. You might avoid form fitting athletic tshirts.

XDm 9mm 3.8

[tacticool]

Well, I certainly agree that we're all different. And body build, frame size, and style of dress are all variables. But there is certainly a difference in the ability to conceal for someone who has a little extra around the middle and someone who doesn't. When I'm chubbier, that grip just sinks right in to that extra layer of fat and conceals a lot better than when I am at my thinnest.

Definitely YMMV. It's much easier for me to conceal when I'm fit. Gaining even 10 pounds makes a difference.

[JSThane]

I'm 5' 6" (and a half :P), and run from 145 to 150, depending on summer or winter. I'm hardly the giants some of you guys are.

I've found, much to my surprise, that even a large gun like an XD full size .45 can be carried OWB, and concealed fairly easily, even for someone my size. The big thing I've found is that if the gun is covered by a loose-fitting shirt, and there's something on the other side to "balance" me out (I use two extra mags), then no one ever even notices. As someone else stated, being "in shape" does help (or rather, being skinny), as my shoulders stick out a bit over my waist... gotta stop leaving those hangers in my shirts when I put them on.

A decent holster and belt that holds your gun fairly close to the body (I can actually get away with a Serpa, but like I said, I'm a string bean with hanger in my shirt) and a shirt with enough "flop" to it, and even if you do print, no one will likely notice. If they do, they're probably a cop, a CHL holder, or both. You'll make a "tell" with your behavior, checking to make sure it's concealed, that will be far more obvious to other people than the weird-shaped fold of your t-shirt over your hip.

[flechero]

Not enough people posted their height and weight to give you a good enough idea if their advice is worth following.

Height and weight don't take build into account and build is much more of a factor... but none of the 3 can indicate personal comfort.

Over the last 18 months I lost 60 lbs... I'm 6' 1" went from 260 to a pretty solid 200 lbs.... with a little movement, fore or aft, I can still use all the gun and holster combinations as before. I'm even more convinced that there is no correlation between size and comfort. If you move a holster as little as 1/2 inch along the belt it can change a painful holster into one that you forget you have on. Or pants that ride a hair higher or lower can make a big difference. Holster cant can be just as important as height and placement. I prefer more than the standard 15 degree cant, it just works better for me.

In 10+ years of carry, the best things I have learned (clothing wise) are real gun belts are mandatory, what brand of pants ride at heights that are comfortable on me and what brand shirts are cut to drape nicely without too much length. Go ahead and take your CCW to Dillards and spend a couple hours trying on different brands and types of clothes you wear to see what's most comfy. It's a whip right now but will pay off daily later.

As for shirts... darker colors and shirts with patterns or stripes are always better as those attributes hide a printing weapon much better. Also material can make a big difference- I like sturdier material. The super soft feeling materials seem to hug and cling more.