First time pistol buyer, carrying info for a Glock 19?

[jbirds1210]

I tried several and went with the most comfortable one. I borrowed five different IWB holsters to find the different things I liked and did not like. I would recommend buying used holsters.....keep a watch on the boards and they come up pretty often. http://www.glocktalk.com generally has something for sale all of the time for a G19 and they have some good prices if you are careful.

You might try a store with a large holster selection that is willing to let you try things on.

I hate to say it, but many people end up with a collection of holsters they do not like.

I once heard someone on this board say that finding a holster is much harder than finding a gun......I have to agree! Good luck!
Jason

[G.C.Montgomery]

If you're anything like most guys you may end up with a small collection of holsters you tried and then later decided against. To be honest, I couldn't find a comfortable IWB holster for my G19 until I tried a prototype of what became the CTAC from Comp-Tac. That's what I've carried in ever since for IWB. YMMV.

I'm not above telling you that Kydex isn't for everyone. You may end up going with a Sparks, Rosen, Delfatti or Alessi fine leather holster instead. I used to carry my 1911's in a Milt Sparks MMX Slide which is now out of production. It's still the most comfortable leather and the most comfortable IWB setup I've ever had for the 1911.

My primary reason for going with Kydex is that it's thinner. I wanted to keep the gun/hosters as thin as possible so that it blends into my belt-line as much as can be without defaulting to "felon carry." I also generally don't have to be concerned about Kydex absorbing any irritants or rotting. I knew a guy who had an AD with his OC cannister. Well, it got all over his leather IWB rig. He thought he'd decontaminated the holster but found out, the hard way, that he was wong. He ended up with a pretty bad rash for a while. Don't know if he ever went back to Leather after that.

I'm not telling you not to buy leather. I still like it myself. But each material has it's advantages. The two primary advantages you'll hear about leather are comfort, and less wear on the finish. Well, I don't really care about the second one. If you shoot as much as some of us, refinishing a gun is just the cost of doing business. But I think a worn finish on a gun is a mark of pride...because that gun is actually being used rather acting like a lucky rabbit's foot or a piece of jewelry.

[txinvestigator]

What should I do?

You can't just start carrying a gun and keep your style of dress. Buy your pants a size larger.

[jbirds1210]

In my case I had to replace most of my summer shorts/pants to something with a belt loop. The basketball style shorts will not hold a gun...or at least a gun the size that I want to carry.
Jason

[AV8R]

The G19 is a very good choice, and as said above, it's worth the effort to modify your style of dress to conceal a medium-frame gun. The ultra-compacts are nice to carry and conceal, right up until the moment you need to use them. Then you'd give anything for a bigger gun. In my opinion, the 9mm is the best caliber to own for a first gun. Some of its ballistic properties, again in my opinion, make it well-suited for executive protection and defense, with proper choice of ammo. As a range gun, using available target ammo, you can acquire marksmanship skills rapidly and inexpensively. While you're shopping for holsters, you might also look at Blade Tech. They have an OWB injection-molded holster that is very good in it's own right, and a steal for about $15. It's an easy way to see if you like Kydex (I do, by the way).

[Commander]

That holster you tried out...."cloth...plastic clip..." sounds kinda cheaply made. Look for a better quality holster. One that doesn't totally collapse when the gun is extracted. My personal choice is a nylon holster, a DeSantis Stealth IWB with an excellent metal clip. I also have a Galco leather IWB that I like as well.

[gigag04]

Glock 19 is a fine firearm.

As far as IWB carry, txinvestigator is right, buy larger size pants/shorts. For OWB carry, you're not printing as bad as you think you are. A bulge is just that...sheeple don't put it on a gun, CHL holders do, but so what. I can usually find a gun on a CHL holder by looking carefully, but even I don't noticeably discern it.

As far as holsters and BELTS (this is a key to a better carry experience a good belt)...you usually get what you pay for.

The holsters I have used from "higher end" mfgrs have all been great, Galco, Milt Sparks etc. Uncle Mike's and other nylon makers are lower end and will not fit the gun or support it as well.

Also - get a good gun belt. You won't think it's necessary but I will tell you that everyone that owns one now, used to think it wasn't necessary either.

All the best and keep asking questions!

-nick

[TxFire]

I am pretty new to carrying and have a G23, which if I recall is the same size as a G19. I have a Comp-Tac C-Tac for IWB use and a Galco silhouette (sp?) for OWB. I like them both very much. The C-tac is more comfortable than it appears and is VERY adjustable. The Galco rides high and flat. I also am now using a Wilderness Products 5-stitch Instructors belt most of ths time now. So far this it waht works for me.

[KinnyLee]

G19 here with a Comptac C-TAC slide. Works great, and I forget I have it on me sometimes.

[HighVelocity]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned this....

Whatever holster you buy make sure the TRIGGER IS COMPLETELY COVERED buy the holster.
Please do not buy one of the "clip draw" devices that screws onto the gun and looks like the clip on a pocket knife.

Glocks are great guns. They work as desiged but the only real safety is YOU.
If the trigger gets pulled it will fire. Whether it's your finger, or a wad of clothing that gets caught, it will go bang every time the trigger is moved rearward.

I'm not trying to scare you, I just want to emphasize that not all holsters are suitable for a Glock pistol.

FWIW, when I'm carrying a Glock, it's in a Comp-Tac CTAC.