Concealing counsel

[w squared]

In my limited experience, the folks suggesting an IWB holster and a quality gun belt are right.

I personally use a Comp-Tac M-Tac hybrid most of the time. I tend to carry pistols that are one size down from your XD (HK USPc, HK 45c, 4.25" 1911 bobtail), but with an untucked shirt there's no reason that you can't carry a full sized pistol.

[gringo pistolero]

What's that old saying?

Strap it on. Cover it up. Don't fiddle with it.

[SQLGeek]

One thing I think people overlook, concisely anyway, is fitting the gun in along the lines of your own body.

This is important and takes experience to figure out. I bought a G19 to carry with a custom leather IWB holster and Wilderness instructor belt (a good belt is critical in concealing IMO). Being a big guy, I had a hard time trying to conceal the G19 when wearing it at the 4-5 o'clock range. Once I moved it up to 3:00 - 3:30 it tucked right into my body and disappeared under a looser fitting t-shirt. It's not comfortable at all because the gun digs into my side like there's no tomorrow but it conceals.

I've taken to carrying my Kahr CM9 / M&P Shield IWB most of the time because they are more comfortable for me. Once I drop some pounds, the G19 will carry better. For now it pretty much does home defense duty.

And I've also found for all of the pants/shorts I own, pocket carry with my CM9 does not work for me at all. I'm using a sticky holster right now so maybe a different one would work better but I'm not really sure how as the printing is substantial.

[ATDM]

What's that old saying?

Strap it on. Cover it up. Don't fiddle with it.

Very practical...

[ATDM]

Kholster

It's an incredibly comfortable IWB holster. It will hold your weapon tight against your body, but the leather backer keeps the gun itself off of your skin.

Best of all, it only costs $40.00.

Thanks for the advice... I just ordered one of these after a little research and the forum...

[ATDM]

Concealing a full-size gun is really not difficult. I usually carry a FN FiveseveN with no difficulty. I generally carry in about the 4 o'clock position.

1) A good quality inside the waistband holster is essential in my opinion. I use crossbreed, but there are other good choices. The reason I like IWB holsters for full-size carry is that the barrel won't peak out from your shirt while bending or reaching. They also keep the gun close to the body, which is essential.

2) get a good belt to go with that holster

3) I always wear a t-shirt with a button up shirt over. The t-shirt keeps the gun away from my skin and the 2nd shirt provides the cover. It is not necessarily imperative to wear a second shirt, it is just the way I do it. A full-size gun is going to print more than a small one and may be a little tough to keep completely discreet with just a t-shirt.

You will have to find out what works for you, but you can absolutely carry a full-size concealed gun rather easily. Those small XDs and Shields do make it easy to carry in shorts and a t-shirt though, so you will want to add something smaller to your collection at some point.

Good luck!

I really appreciate this detailed and practical advice. I am working on figuring it out now. Getting a little better every day...

[ATDM]

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.

Thanks... I am learning all this now about the individual body build. One of the drawbacks of losing weight is losing all the curves with it, not that I am complaining about getting down to a healthy weight...

Another good thing is that with the gun tucked inside my pants I can use my old larger pants from before I lost the weight and they should fit me (lost about 8 inches in my waist line).

I am still looking for that sweet spot...

[ATDM]

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.

Thanks. I got a lot of advice about good belts, but with no specifics. Can anyone recommend a good brand? Are there specific gun belts I need to look for, or any solid belt will do?

Thanks.

[Dadtodabone]

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.

Thanks. I got a lot of advice about good belts, but with no specifics. Can anyone recommend a good brand? Are there specific gun belts I need to look for, or any solid belt will do?

Thanks.

try this thread
http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... =gun+belts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gunner4640]

I carry 2 different guns just depends on where I am going on that day. I carry mostly a 5.25 xdm -c . 45 in OWB holster with a square cut button shirt and no printing at all. Holster is a leather Tagua on a Bullhidebelts.com belt works great pic of my gun on right without light and sight of course done not fit in holster

[docbrazos]

I'm a blue jean t-shirt kind of dresser. During these summer months I just dress as normal and slip on a light over shirt normally left unbuttoned. have a large collection from Hawaiian to light dress. I always check out the various $10.00 racks at Wal-Mart when I'm doing my WALLY WALK looking for left over ammo on the shelves.