Help me dress myself

[quoheleth]

I'm trying to carry IWB, tucked, two different handguns at different times.
- The first is a Kel Tec PF9 with a JMG Holster #7.0.
- The second is a Rock Island Compact (Officer) 1911 with a Comp Tac Spartan [economical version of the Minotaur].

I have a nice, new gunbelt that I ordered from Bart Looper at Looper Leather in Oklahoma. (BTW: Nice gentleman; very patient in answering my questions and willing to make the belt to order and to size).

Part of my problem, I suspect, is my size. I'm a big man: 6'4", 300lbs; 50" belt, 52" Long suitcoat. I'm a bit of a "pear" shape with big hips, anyway.
When I put the IWB on, tuck my shirt in, and snug up the belt, I look like I have a massive hernia or goiter or something shoving out the side of my hip. It's OBVIOUS I have something there. I've tried the 9:00 position (I'm a lefty) and need to try backing it up a bit - 8:00-8:30 - to see if that helps.

If I wear a shirt untucked - like on weekends or evenings with jean shorts and polo or baggy T-shirt - the IWB isn't a problem. But I thought CompTacs, with a tucked shirt, supposedly make a gun disappear?

I'm a bit frustrated by this, but it's still early in the ballgame while trying to figure out what to wear and how to wear it. I'm looking for ideas on what to do to help get rid of the "growth" on the hip, but still allows tucked in dress shirt. Thunderwear isn't really appealing to me.

I'm open to trying a new holster, but after dropping $35 on the JMG and $65 on the Spartan, I need a pretty solid recommendation. I did consider the Crossbreed minituck or quick clip for the Kel Tec.

Any other big ol' boys with a similar situation? How did you resolve it? Remember: tucked dress shirts are business attire most days with sport shirts or tucked polos on "casual" days.

Q

[KFP]

Have you considered pocket carry for the PF9 or using the JMG up in the 10 or 11 o'clock range?

[A-R]

I'm a fairly big boy myself 6-2, 275 - and I've had similar problems with "tuckable" IWB making it obvious that "something" is in there at 3 o'clock (I'm a righty). Moving around to 4 o'clock helps a lot. However, my only tuckable right now is a High Noon Holster for a S&W J-frame, so not talking about a gun as large as a 1911-style. But you should try it at 8 o'clock (lefty) and see if that solves at least some of your problem.

Also, the stiffness of the belt can exacerbate this problem, which becomes a Catch 22 because a stiffer belt helps hold the gun in place better, but then also leaves the big obvious "bulge".

For this reason, I'm now leaning toward a Walther PPS for an "everyday" tucked IWB gun (instead of a Baby Glock) .... but I teeter-totter back n forth with this decision every other day. So who knows when I'll actually make a final decision and buy something.

Tuckable IWB is a great concept, but like all IWB there can be issues for us pear-shaped folks.

[boomerang]

Thinking outside the box, have you tried a belly band worn higher on the torso? How about pocket carry?

One of the things I did was use a big ace bandage to hold guns in different places. Near my armpit. On my ankle. Small of back. Appendix carry. Then walked around the house with clothes on to see how it worked. I'm not suggesting the ace bandage for actual carry but it allowed me to try different guns and different carry positions to figure out what works for my body without buying a hundred holsters.

[mr surveyor]

Thinking outside the box, have you tried a belly band worn higher on the torso? How about pocket carry?

One of the things I did was use a big ace bandage to hold guns in different places. Near my armpit. On my ankle. Small of back. Appendix carry. Then walked around the house with clothes on to see how it worked. I'm not suggesting the ace bandage for actual carry but it allowed me to try different guns and different carry positions to figure out what works for my body without buying a hundred holsters.

and what was your conclusion? I'm not a "big ole boy" myself, 5'8"/185 lbs, but the problem isn't just restricted to the more "mass challenged" body types either. I have been considering the tactical tee shirts with the built in holster pocket to wear under a dress shirt, and thought about dummy sewing the top 2-3 buttons to the button holes and adding small velcro tabs to those botton holes for closure on dress shirts. That would make access much easier, and have the weapon in an ideal location whether standing or sitting. I even thought about getting a couple of undersized "off the shelf" tee shirts and experimenting with some holster pockets sewn in before buying the reinforced "real things". The belly band thing just doesn't look comfortable to me, although the rig with the shoulder strap (can't remember the logo name) does look promising. I Iwb carry most of the time myself, but there's no doubt about the look of some kind of tumor if I don't have a cover garment.

For several years I carried a KT P3AT in my boot top on "shirt tail in" days, but recently traded it for a Kahr CW9 (not a boot gun for me). Along with the CW9, my dedicated carry guns are a compact 1911, Sig 239 and S&W J frame, none of which will comfortable, or safely "boot carry". It ain't fun wearing a sport coat for cover in 95-100 degree weather either.

I too anxiously await good solutions to this problem.


surv

[CompVest]

One thing to remember always when dealing with the question of how to carry; "Carrying a gun is not meant to be comfortable but comforting." Clint and Heidi Smith.

mr surveyor, I like your idea of the fake buttons and velcro!

[boomerang]

Thinking outside the box, have you tried a belly band worn higher on the torso? How about pocket carry?

One of the things I did was use a big ace bandage to hold guns in different places. Near my armpit. On my ankle. Small of back. Appendix carry. Then walked around the house with clothes on to see how it worked. I'm not suggesting the ace bandage for actual carry but it allowed me to try different guns and different carry positions to figure out what works for my body without buying a hundred holsters.

and what was your conclusion? I'm not a "big ole boy" myself,

Me either. lol

For me, appendix carry works great with some clothes but ankle holsters are never going to work. I also pocket carry. I carry off body in some situations.

But my reason for explaining my method instead of my results was to help people figure out what works for them. What can they conceal with their build and their clothes and their lifestyle?

[TDDude]

Just remember: What's obvious to you just looks like a blackberry to someone else.

I'm not sure that anyone can carry at 3:00 or 9:00 without showing. If you pull it around to 4:00 or 8:00, whatever bulge remaining will not be noticed. YOu will notice it because it's new and you know what you look like but trust me, no one else will notice it and if they do, it will never occur to them that it's a pistol.

Welcome to the pool. The water's fine.

[joe817]

This may seem silly to some, but I kind of like the idea of a "t-shirt shoulder holster". It seems like it would be very comfortable, plus offers deep concealment, without creating strange bulges around your middle.

My CHL instructor had one on the day I took my class. I would have never known, if she hadn't shown us.

http://www.ccwsupply.biz/ConcealTPAGE.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[quoheleth]

A HUGE thanks to all of you for the comments.

Seriouly...with the holster at 9pm, it looks like I have a baseball bat in my belt*. That's even with the KT! I think I picked the wrong holster. JMG's holster is very nice; just not the right one with my physique. I'll try repositioning the holster a bit more rearward and see if it helps.

I also have a pocket holster that I use for pocket carry (Blackhawk size 4). Again, in dress slacks there's obviously something there, but the what - as long as I haven't managed to get the pants leg drawn tight - isn't clearly outlined. I thought a 12 ounce gun was light - and it is - until it's flopping in a pair of lightweight slacks. This morning I left the house early and had my hands & pockets full of stuff. I stuck my Blackhawk in my waistband, about 2 o'clock, for walking out to the car. It felt pretty decent there, even riding in the car. I might consider that position for future carry.

Anyway, it's a process, I guess, trying to figure out what to do.

For what it's worth, I know and accept it's not going to be extremely comfortable. But painful is unacceptable (I sent the CompTac back for that reason; they are doing a re-fit of the kydex) and "Holy cow, look at that thing sticking out of his hip..." isn't exactly stealthy - especially standing up in front of Bible class on Sunday morning where the people have seen me every Sunday for 6 years.

Thanks again,
Q

*please note: as this is a family website, that is not an insinuation or innuendo of a s3xual nature. Please do not interpret it as an Aggie joke about a sock and a swimsuit

[mikeintexas]

Q, you and I are about the same size build, except I am probably more apple shaped than pear. I started out carrying my PT145 in a shoulder harness that a friend built from a Tandy pattern for me. I used it and loved it for about a year and was never made. This spring I found a used Crossbreed Supertuck built for my PT145 and bought it. I have used ever since I got it and love it. Even with the PT145 being compact, it is rather wide because of the double stack mag. It does bulge a bit, but no one I know has ever suspected that I carry, unless they know me. One bit of cammo I use is putting my cell phone between the clips of the holster. I use the 3:00 position.

In fact, my wife, two of my grandsons and I went to the State Fair last fall on the DART train. On the way home there were a couple of young men that were pretty drunk on the train and weren't the best influences for the grandkids (or us). There was no trouble other than some rough language. When we got in the car, my wife said I wished that you would have had your gun. When I replied "I did!", she said "Wow, I feel better now and didn't know you were packing!". That was when I was still using the shoulder harness.

I was like you when I started carrying and thought that I wasn't concealed and everyone knew. As it turns out, if you aren't looking for a gun, you don't notice. Hope this helps.

[stevie_d_64]

You may have to gradually change your mode of dress, but if anything you do on your belt may be nullified if you look into some shoulder rigs...

Obviously it won't help ALL the time, but it might alleviate some of the issues you are having...

The best part about all of this is that you get to try "new" things...And there is nothign wrong with that, for anyone, regardless of your "expertise"...

[Mike from Texas]

If you are not already doing so, you will need to "blouse" our shirt a little more to help cover the bulge. Also shift it slightly more to the rear instead of right on the hip bone. With a bloused shirt and a 4:00 carry even my Glock 29 does disappear. You just won't be able to wear your shirt tightly tucked anymore. There is another guy in my office that carries a PF9 in a MTAC and you can't tell he is wearing anything. We have to wear tucked shirts at work.