Yesterday, I tried carrying my FS M&P9 concealed OWB yesterday. I know it was OWB and the holster wasn't ideal, but I felt exposed despite a baggy overshirt. The holster is just an Outbags holster which I like and generally use for range practice. I'm sure I could find a better holster, but I'm still concerned about the printing. Perhaps I'm just more use to my Shield. Then again, this is Texas, so maybe I should just OC.

What kind of belt were you using? A thick, stiff belt can compensate somewhat for a less than ideal holster.
Most people are paying zero attention to you unless you are visibly self conscious about CC by adjusting the holster, touching the pistol through the cover garment or other giveaway behaviors.

I use Jason Winnie for on- and off duty. Here's a J131 holster with a SB1.75 belt.



I have several of Jason's belts and if I'm not wearing sweat pants or basketball shorts one of his belts is holding up my pants.

Also available as open top (J111).



Double mag pouch as well.



In case you are interested in IWB I do have a J122 in stock.

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Jorge

Unless you are wearing a coat for a covering garment, IWB is going to be better concealed for a full size handgun.

IMO, appendix IWB is the best for concealment, access (both hands), negligible printing, and even comfort, when worn with a real carry (stiff) belt and a good straight drop kydex holster.

Trying to make full size carry work with substandard equipment is frustrating and self defeating.

Carrying openly is a "shoot me first" sign, and eliminates your ability to manage a situation with a properly concealed weapon.

I currently AIWB my Glock 22 and it's very comfortable. Appendix is THE way to go if you're looking for comfort and superb concealability.

yep, I use a Comp Tac MTAC

No problem in Florida with a loose shirt. Have it @ 4:00 position

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Colt LE6920 M4
Sig P320

Winter is coming on. I wear a jacket or coat now, and open or IWB , most people will never know. Actually, even in summer, with open carry, most will never notice unless you wave it around and pull the trigger a few times, and even then, some won't notice.
I did find the MP full size heavy and bulky though. I like the gun, but carry something thinner now.

It's no Shield as far as size, but compared to a Glock 19 or 23
not much bigger and close in weight.

I carried a G23 for 10 years. A 1911 before that.

Depends on your build.

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Colt LE6920 M4
Sig P320

When working as a detective I found a simple slide Yaqui holster
for my S&W Model 39 (The early ones back then) hugged me close and was super comfortable. The simple ones (was the only kind available in the 60s and 70s) still work well. Almost all Yaqui style holsters are (I'm aware of) designed for the larger frame semi autos. Also, leather.
Still use a Yaqui holster for OWB concealing.
Stay safe -
Poli Viejo

I carry my 4.25" OWB while I waint on an AIWB. Also have an IWB and no problems.

I am 5' 8", 155lbs.

A good belt and proper clothing do most of the work.

I also gotta go ahead and order a new Tucker IWB tuckable. Fantastic holsters. My 1911 snugged up real good.

I use the Desantis open top leather you dont know you have it , also Kramer Leather works very good at hiding a full size MP 9.

Any pics of those ?

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Colt LE6920 M4
Sig P320

Care to back that up with some actual data?

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Retired Career Security Guard

I carry OWB all the time. Yeah, at first I thought I was printing and everyone knew. Turns out, you have to make a pretty overt gesture for someone to notice.

Twice in my time carrying I've had to notify someone that I carried a gun. In both cases I told them, "Since you've known me, I don't think there was a time when I wasn't carrying." In both cases, they were surprised to learn that I carry. I usually carry a 1911 Commander, but I've also carried a full size M&P 45 and full size 1911.

Of course the smaller guns are easier to conceal. However, I'm not carrying to conceal, I'm carrying to potentially save the life of my family or myself.

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Freedom isn't free.

I carry a FS9, 2 reloads, a multitool, a knife and a flashlight every day. I'm not going to tell you no one has ever "made" me because I'm sure someone has but I will tell you no one has ever commented or asked if I was carrying.

First you need an actual purpose designed gun belt. There are any number of manufacturers out there I use the Wilderness Tactical Instructor belt and it works fine.

You also need a holster that was specifically made for an M&P 9-40 FS, not a One-size-fits-most knock off I use a Galco Combat Master pancake holster. Again, there are other manufacturers out there but Galco works for me.

I live in Colorado, this time of year I could conceal a Model .500 and no one would know. In the summer I wear Red Head or Cabella's camp shirts. I've dressed that way for years and no one gives me a second glance. This time of year I'm in a fleece vest or a pull over or a Carhart just like everyone else in Colorado who isn't wearing Mountain Hardware or Columbia and again no one looks twice

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Retired Career Security Guard

Thanks for all the replies! I hear all of you about the belt. I'm not sure my belt contributed to the problem. But, I'd like to see the difference for myself.

To me, it was more about the size of the gun and overall thickness when holstered. It being one of the few times I've tried to carry that particular gun, I realize I was probably more aware of it than anyone else. Would be curious who noticed. But hey, I live in Texas...I presume at least half the people I meet are carrying...

Sure. You don't believe that open carry makes you a target? What about criminals who want to get your open carry gun? I've taken some of my time to do your homework for you. You're welcome.

Man practicing open carry law robbed of gun

Open Carrier Robbed of His Gun In Virginia

Clueless Open Carrier Robbed Of His Gun In Arizona "The harsh reality is that open carriers are not crime deterrents. They are targets for criminals."

Unarmed man attempts to rob EMU student of holstered gun

Poorly concealed (open carry) man robbed of his gun and shot by an enraged gun control supporter!
Gun Control Supporter Steals Concealed Carrier's Gun, Shoots Him

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/sh...d-with-own-gun

http://www.alloutdoor.com/2015/04/21...-carry-openly/

Here's what a pro-gun rights cop has to say about it:
https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/perils-open-carry

Depending on the individual, his equipment and his training, open carry may deter some crime. Once in a while, a civilian who carries openly stops a crime. However, it is just as likely the civilian could have achieved the same result from proper concealed carry, and in truth, I believe if we continue to peruse search engines one could find more instances of concealed carriers thwarting crime than open carriers, if for no other reason than most of them have figured out concealed carry gives them an advantage over open carry.

You can challenge me again on these statements, Smoke, but I don't really know what you are trying to achieve. Helping or hurting?

The plural of anecdote is not "data". The first link you posted has been discussed ad nauseum, apparently the guy was walking around with an unloaded gun and got it taken.

The number of links you provided isn't statistically significant. I am aware that some open carriers become targets but I'd be willing to bet the percentage isn't any higher than concealed carriers that become targets.

The thing is though that you're offering an opinion not a provable fact.

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Retired Career Security Guard

Be careful. Bringing up statistics when you don't understand statistics doesn't help your stance.

So, he's posted some facts, not opinions. Unless you're saying the articles are fabrications. And you're saying those facts aren't significant from a statistical basis. How many facts does he, or anyone, need to show to prove a statistical significance?

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Freedom isn't free.

If open carry MAKES you a target than a large percentage of open carriers will be targeted. Show me that.

How many people open carry in America? What do we have here? Less than 20 separate incidents?

I'm not a big proponent of open carry. I don't open carry unless I'm at work where it's not optional but I'm tired of all these dire predictions that open carry will get you shot first every time.

If someone can take your gun while you're open carrying I would suggest you that situational awareness not open carry is your problem

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Retired Career Security Guard

To the OP. When I first carried a FS gun concealed I though everyone could tell, but I don't think anyone paid any attention at all. I'll tell you why I say that.

I have a Mini-Macaw Parrot named Moe that I carry with occasionally to the store. She sits right up on my shoulder in plain sight. She is about 15" tall. You'd be amazed at how many people look right at me and never notice her. My feeling is that if people don't notice a parrot on my shoulder they are never gonna noticed the Model 64 revolver on my hip. Just my $.02.

I usually a carry a 40 compact for this reason. The full size grip will print on most people, especially if you lean over at all, unless you're wearing an extremely baggy shirt. However in the winter time under a jacket or coat, the full size M&P it will stay concealed on me even OWB (granted I'm a fairly large person, 6'0' 230 lbs). I just carry the 40c year round now honestly (IWB in the summer and OWB under a jacket in winter), for convenience and the "one gun" factor, since I can compete with the 40c in IDPA backup gun division now too. It's a very competitve gun in that division, especially with a 9mm conversion barrel. The pros and full sized are relegated to home defense duty with flashlights on the rails. Like you said though, in texas we don't have to worry about printing anymore and it's probably only cops that would notice if you did print anyway.

The exception to the full size printing is if you can carry Appendix IWB but I'm too fat for it and don't like where the gun points, especially with an external safety-less pistol as my M&P's are.

Gents, since I was the OP, I'll point out that this isn't a discussion on the risk (or lack thereof) of open carry.

Carry my 40c in a Garrett Industries GTX IWB worn at about 4:30 very little if any printing with just a t-shirt unless your reaching or bending over and then nothing will completely prevent printing .. even if you do occasionally show an outline of the butt of the pistol you must remember most if not all seeing it wouldn't know what it was unless it was completely revealed ..

I had a guy at a farm store where I occasionally buy ammo on sell asked me one day if I was going to get a Conceal Carry License and start carrying .. I laughed as I was armed as I always am .. And told him Yes I might do that in a few months ..

yes you should . help make Texas as gun friendly as ohio

oh boy someomeone stole a gun? God knows that only happens to open carriers

doesn't matter... the mere mention of open carry brings out the rabid conceal only cult. it's sad as its just another form of communism...