TexasCHLforum.com

One of the forum members on here and I have been trading emails back and forth for about a week now. He asked me how I carry a full sized hand gun and a couple of spare mags OWB, while still being comfortable and hidden. He is also a shorter guy (we are both 5'6) and is about my weight. I have been asked this before, so instead of replying only to him, I figured I would post a thread on it.

I carry a Glock 17 every day nearly, along with at least 1 spare mag. When i'm lazy, i'll throw the extra mag in a Remora magazine holster in my pocket, but most of the time I carry 2 spare mags in a carrier on my hip. I don't use any fancy equipment and I dont wear anything special. I wear regular clothes.... t-shirt and shorts most days. Occasionally I will wear jeans or whatever--it really makes no difference in my case.

Here are the required materials:

-Full Sized Handgun
>In my case, a Gen4 Glock 17
-3 Magazines
>Standard 17 round G17 9mm mags
-Double-mag holster
>Bianchi Accumold Triple Threat II
(http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Pro ... delID=7320" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
-gun holster
>Blackhawk Nylon Pancake Holster
(http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Pancak ... 787,34.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
-gun belt
>Wilderness Original Instructors Belt --5 Stitch, no kydex reinforcement
(http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinna ... parent=142" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

I'm not a big believer in expensive gear--not because I don't think it's worth it--but because I can't afford it. All of my gear is on the cheap side. The holster, belt, and mag-holster all run around $30. I will say that while inexpensive gear is great, it pays to do your research. For example, I had an Unkle Mikes pancake nylon holster before this one, and hhhaaattteeedddddd it. That thing was equally priced, but was a piece of junk. I did my research and found this holster for the same price, but much better quality. Great gear doesn't have to cost a ton of money, but if you are going cheap will cost you if you don't put in the legwork before buying.

Lastly, you have to figure out a way to wear it all. I can wear 95% of my pre-CHL clothes with this setup and do just fine. There are a few shirts that just don't hide the gun and mag combo though, either they are too short or not wide enough. Fortunately, the belt really snugs everything in really close and I didn't need to purchase a lot of new clothes. It took me a while to find the correct clock position for the gun and mags though, so prepare to spend a good amount of time in front of the mirror. Working in the mirror doesn't necessarily translate into working in real life--so further prepare yourself for a lot of frustration while you are working out the kinks in regard to getting in and out of cars, etc.

You CAN carry your full sized gun--it just takes some getting used to. With winter coming, you have a good opportunity to figure out all the details while still having the ability to cover up everything with a jacket. Give it a shot.

Good write up and pics. I remember when I was a young cop and use to carry off-duty like that just add handcuffs. My EDC now is a pocket gun backed up by a fixed blade knife and a folder.

interesting read.

I'm not much larger than you and i'm constantly struggling and experimenting trying to cleanly conceal my g26.
I normally dress like you, tshirt and shorts. Somedays its like i can get it hidden well and others i feel it sticks out too much (depending on the pants im wearing usually)

I just cant seem to find that sweet spot for iwb carry with my minotaur holster , and how much those clips move during the day doesnt help

Looks good in the pics. My only concern with that setup would be having the muzzle sticking out below the bottom of my shirt. Looks like you would have to keep your arms at your side to maintain the level of concealment pictured. Of course, this would not be an issue if you wore a jacket like you said.

The toughest thing for me is concealing a double mag holder OWB, but I think it's due to a weak belt.

cant allows one to conceal an extended mag



cell phone/mag pouch

I'm close the same height as the OP. I'm 5'7". But I'm a little thicker around the middle Up and down between 185# and 195# the last few years.

My normal carry is a 3" 1911 and one or two spare mags. But I have carried full-size double-stack guns. I carry smaller because it's more comfortable to me. But he's right in that you can conceal a full-size pistol under normal clothes and don't need to be a huge guy to do it.









Smith & Wesson SW40F with 4.5" barrel and 15+1 rounds of .40 S&W in a Crossbreed Supertuck conceals just fine with shorts and t-shirt.
Not carrying any spare mags at the moment, but I can just slip one into a pocket.



[Note to self: Clean mirror before trying this again.]

TxLobo wrote:Question on your handgun carry..

do you find it more beneficial to run the belt on the outside of the holster, instead of through the loops and behind the holster?

Yes Sir!

Here is the deal though- with a leather pancake it really doesn't have any advantages. That is why I prefer the nylon for this type of setup. Nylon is more flexible than leather, so when I run the belt through and on the outside, the holster sort of contours around my belt/body. In addition to better retention (hard for nylon to beat leather because leather is molded around the gun), the pulls the whole holster & gun combo in really, really close to my body. It conceals as easily as an iwb rig does...

As far as keeping the muzzle covered, I guess I haven't noticed it. As long as I don't lift my hands super high it stays covered.

I am quite a bit heavier but not a lot taller and wear a full size M&P. I started out carrying about 5:00 but now carry more often at 3:00 and it hides very well.

Concealment is easy because nobody looks!

I'm a little guy. I carry a full-size gunm two magazines, and a flashlight. I do it with Kydex gear that is thin and hugs the body.

Blindref757 wrote:Concealment is easy because nobody looks!

Yep!