Is concealing ever supposed to be comfortable...?

[NapalmFTW]

I'm not talking about the little pocket guns here. I'm talking the medium to full size pistols (or revolvers).

I had a S&W 659 for a short time but she was too big and fat to conceal comfortably. I now have a S&W 457 which is smaller and is easier. But it still sucks to conceal.

It's uncomfortable and with the weather getting warmer, sweaty

This is why I usually OC 99% of the time. When I have to CC I just untuck my outer shirt or throw a jacket on.

Yesterday I bought a Galco tuckable holster for my 457. It's not AS uncomfortable as a small IWB holster but I still end up with an imprint of the holster in my skin and the gun is covered in perspiration.

Does it get easier if you're a skinny bugger? I'm around 250lbs or so and 6ft something and I know I need to lose weight. Or is it easier if you're a fat sum-beach?

Any thoughts? Is it the wrong combination of gun and holster? Can CC ever be comfortable (without using a stupidly small gun)?

David.

 

[Birds Away]

I use a Stoner IWB for my 457. Mine is comfortable for about 4-5 hours. Then it becomes just tolerable.

 

[the1kidd03]

I don't think revolvers are comfortable at all. I CC at the small of the back and find it to be about the most comfortable place. I am usually carrying a full size Beretta. Still, sitting down, bending over, etc are not the greatest. By far the most comfortable rig I have for CC is a G23 with the little "belt clip" attachment that replaces the slide cover pate and the belt clip runs down the slide. No need for a IWB holster and the clip keeps it where it should be. Much more comfortable and don't need to worry about anything shifting.

 

[D ReedSniper]

A friend of mine is about 6 foot and less than 160lbs. He uses a Bianchi leather IWB holster for a Tokarev and says it sucks to carry, especially when he has to lift his arms or bend over to pick something up.

 

[blamecharles]

I carry a cz75 Compact .40 that is very comfortable in a tuckable IWB i picked up from Amish Made Holsters at the 1500. I am not a big fan of CC but when i have to it goes in that holster. Very well made holster that is basically a crossbreed clone. I forget its there while at work it is so comfortable.

 

[1911 DeadHead]

Crossbreed supertuck FTW.

I'm also 6ft about 230lbs

 

[bobzilla]

I carried my Colt in a Bladetech, very comfy for me. Current fullsize Springer is in a cheaper IWB mini holster and is comfy.

 

[KG1]

I don't think revolvers are comfortable at all. I CC at the small of the back and find it to be about the most comfortable place. I am usually carrying a full size Beretta. Still, sitting down, bending over, etc are not the greatest. By far the most comfortable rig I have for CC is a G23 with the little "belt clip" attachment that replaces the slide cover pate and the belt clip runs down the slide. No need for a IWB holster and the clip keeps it where it should be. Much more comfortable and don't need to worry about anything shifting.

The only problem with those belt clip deals that make people wanna shy away from them is there's nothing to cover the trigger guard.

 

[Wwwildthing]

I can tell you this much... the Glock 26 I carry today FEELS like it weighs half what the S&W M39 did that I started with about 30 years ago.

That said, the holster ($120) and gun belt ($90) that I use right now... are pretty damm comfortable.

http://www.usatoolbags.com/product.php?sku=1329

http://www.usatoolbags.com/product.php?catID=62&sku=1311

 

[rockhopper46038]

Full size 1911 here; the belt and holster make all the difference in the world. I unholster when I drive though; while not UNCOMFORTABLE, I don't think there's much that can be done to make full size guns carried while driving all that comfortable except maybe a shoulder holster ( which has too many other issues for me).

 

[patience0830]

to quote Clint Smith, "It's supposed to be comforting, not comfortable."

6' and 205. OWB is more comfortable for me. The sweaty part is probably a conditioning issue. Try a little Ban roll on under the holster.

 

[Roadie]

Actually from what I have read, it's easier for us "big guys" to carry concealed. I carry my XDsc in a Kholster for HOURS comfortably. I have gone almost 12 hours with it. The keys I have found for me are:

Position: 4 o'clock
Good belt
Pants that are slightly too big (by about one size)

I also OC a bit, usually when it is just a quick trip and thrown on my paddle holster.

Edit: Someone once said: "Carrying is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable."
..but I think it can be both.

 

[netsecurity]

It's definitely not easier if you're skinny. The metal pushes against my hip bone, especially with the seat belt on. I don't know how cops ever get used to driving with those bat man belts on. I just bought a PF9 and an LCP to make life easier.

 

[cosermann]

Just about always carry a medium to full size gun. Appropriately sized pants and a good belt are a must. Pretty comfortable with those two items for this guy of average body type (not too fat, not too bony, just right ).

One gotcha that I think makes a bigger difference than many people think, is pants that are too tight.

Just about all my pants are at least 1" larger than what I'd otherwise need to facilitate IWB carry.

 

[joneser49]

with a good belt and holster the glock 26 honestly feels like keys in my pocket. I forget its there. You also have to realize that carrying is a lifestyle and you must get used to it. Im 5'11'' 240lbs. bianchi or crossbreed. hope you get something comfortable.

 

[NapalmFTW]

Just about always carry a medium to full size gun. Appropriately sized pants and a good belt are a must. Pretty comfortable with those two items for this guy of average body type (not too fat, not too bony, just right ).

One gotcha that I think makes a bigger difference than many people think, is pants that are too tight.

Just about all my pants are at least 1" larger than what I'd otherwise need to facilitate IWB carry.

I hear ya. I am not skinny and not fat, although I could stand to lose 50lbs or so.

My comfy jeans are probably a size too big and IWB with those is easier, although I still find the gun/holster presses into my hip bone when I carry it at exactly 3 o'clock. Usually I slide it down more towards the 5 o'clock position. Which then makes sitting in the car kinda uncomfortable.

However my OWB holster is fine. I usually leave that around 3 o'clock and driving is no issue since there's two layers of clothing between it and my skin and it just holds it away from my body better.

I don't mind putting up with a little bit of discomfort in order to carry, but I don't want it to become a chore so that I don't want to carry. The tuckable holster is something I'm trying out and so far it seems to work better and is more concealable than a traditional IWB for me.

Funnily enough though, I feel like I'm doing something wrong, or like I'm a criminal since it's completely hidden away - a feeling I don't get when OC'ing LOL. I prefer to have it out... giggedy.

 

[the1kidd03]

The only problem with those belt clip deals that make people wanna shy away from them is there's nothing to cover the trigger guard.

So, something from one's buttcrack is going to creep up and squeeze one out?

That doesn't bother me. One should know where their trigger finger is placed at all times.

 

[netsecurity]

One thing I have learned to do, is always wear a T-shirt tucked in, so that the gun doesn't make direct contact with my skin. I also wear a button up shirt untucked, or jacket (usually both) over the T-shirt for concealment. My "pancake" style holster keeps the gun tight against my hip, and is the best I've ever used. The only time it really bothers me is when I have to sit or bend over, and the worst is the seat belt. I do the same as someone else suggested, moving the holster back to 5 o'clock, but it still hurts.

 

[EvilElmo]

Crossbreed supertuck FTW.

I'm also 6ft about 230lbs

+1 for the Supertuck. Sometimes I forget I'm carrying. I'm 6ft, 175lbs btw...

 

[Viper1973]

I carry either a fullsize Beretta PX4 Storm or a Glock G22 with a Crossbreed SuperTuck... After a few minutes I don't really notice either weapon IWB concealed. If you're having comfort problems these holsters are fantastic! However, since they are custom made they take a month to get but are well worth the wait.