OK I started to take your advice and go buy a gun belt
I went into my local Gunpusher and he doesn't carry belts

So I planned to go buy one but decided to look a round a bit first
He didn't have any Kahrs but said he would be happy to process one I found online
He had the KelTec PF9 I looked at before and it still didnt do anything for me

I still wished S&W made a single stack Polymer Gun

WAIT !!! WHAT is THAT ????

A SW9M !!!

S&W DOES make a single Stack Polymer (or they did anyway)

It fits my hand like the Kahr and was priced like the Keltec
So I wouldn't have to sell my 3914 to finance it
and I stay in the S&W family

I took it to the Range and shot it right away

I think we have a winner folks

It carries extremely well, fits my left hand holster and it shoots just right
(the one FTF I attribute to my failure to clean it before taking it to the range)

I really love the sight picture, the small sights suite me nicely
I shot it as well as well as anything and I just got it

my dislikes

Magazines that need an industrial press to Fill up
I never needed a hammer to field strip a gun before
(Odd the barrel is attached to the frame too)
and I am going to have to alter my grip as it "bit" me once or twice

I still need to get a belt but I am in less of a rush
because the SW9M does NOT hurt to carry

-----------------------------------------------

Thanx for the replies to my Holster Question
But here is something else which I'd like forum comment on
and did not want to start a separate thread

I have a 3914 I bought new 16 years ago
I have only heard wonderful things about this gun
"Tack Driver" "Totally Reliable" etc

I really do like this gun and hate to part with it

But what good is a gun bought for CCW
if you simply cannot carry it comfortably ?

How can someone not carry a small gun like the 3913/3914 you ask?

Well after about 6 surgeries a piece on each of my hips
they are not going to accept IWB and I tried OWB with the 3914 and it simply HURTS
(believe it or not)

the size isnt too bad but its the weight for me thats the problem

I live in FL so a Shoulder holster isn't practical for CCW

I dont have the income stream to just buy another gun for CCW (I did consider a PF9)

and since S&W doesn't make a single stack "Plastic" Semi-auto (on MY wish list)
It looks like I will have to take the forum members reply to me of a few months back and go with a Kahr P9



I have a Don Hume OWB Holster for my S&W 3914
that is pretty closely molded to the pistol's shape

can / should I use the same holster with a similar sized semi-auto

or because it is so closely form fitted to one gun
should I just buy a separate holster for the other gun

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jeffsmith,

you might want to try it out if the 3914 and the other pistol is similar... don't count on it being an exact fit, but if it's close if not, Don Hume's are very reasonably priced

Secret about leather: When it gets wet it stretches, and when it dries it shrinks.

Of course the glove didn't fit OJ Simpson. The moisture from the blood causes all real leather to shrink. If the prosecution had wetted the glove and let someone with the same hand size as OJ wear the glove until it dried, it would have fit perfectly. What the sad prosecution did not notice was the size indicated inside the glove was a lot larger than the glove itself.

Most holsters are made of Vegetable-tanned leather. What I have done often is buy a used gun-show holster cheap that roughly fit my gun.
I'd soak it in water overnight, put my gun in a plastic bag (unless it was stainless), work it into the holster, and let it stay there until dry. It's surprising how much a good leather holster will stretch. (Hint: the threads don't stretch at all.) When dry it would be stiff and well fitting. Some leather dye and shoe polish, and I had a holster that looked 95% new.

The only problems with leather holsters are:
1. If the holster is too small, the gun won't go in.
2. If the holster is too large, the gun bounces around and wears off the blue.

Don't get too anal about an exact fit. After all, how well do the pockets of all those guys who pocket-carry their Scandium flea-weights fit???

KeithCarter
NRA Life

Have you thought about trying a Gaclo wrap (I forget the exact name of it, but they've been advertising it heavily as of late) or something like a Kramer holster shirt? This takes the weight of the gun up off your hips and puts it on your torso. Using a somewhat different arrangement (but same concept), I've carried a 3914 under my left arm with just a polo shirt over it.

quote:

Originally posted by GatorFarmer:
Have you thought about trying a Gaclo wrap (I forget the exact name of it, but they've been advertising it heavily as of late) or something like a Kramer holster shirt? This takes the weight of the gun up off your hips and puts it on your torso. Using a somewhat different arrangement (but same concept), I've carried a 3914 under my left arm with just a polo shirt over it.

Yeah I know what you mean and have considered them
But I run warm I mean really warm

if i wear anything more than a front button all cotton shirt

I turn into a "sweat ball" : even polo shirts or t-shirts are too much

I appreciate the suggestion

Another possible suggestion is consider using suspenders. Some people call this a "weight bearing harness" when they use it on their police Duty gear but I found it can be very helpful to reduce the weight on my hips. My surgeries have been on my spine and knees but 'they' are one of the reasons I've begun carrying a lighter weight gun - a Glock 27.

You might also look at the Walther PPS as a possible replacement. It's new and I missed my chance to shoot one but they do look and feel very nice and would likely help because they are lighter weight.

I might not be clear on why the gun hurts. Is it because it is too heavy or because it contacts your hips?

My suggestion was going to be for you to try appendix IWB (just in front of your strong side hip). You can adjust for personal comfort by sliding it towards your belt buckle and adjusting the cant of the holster. For a cheap tryout, use an Uncle Mikes holster.

An added bonus of this mode of carry is that it is usually faster and easier on those who might have shoulder troubles.

If it's the weight, how about shoulder holster by Ken Null? Try either the City Slicker or SMZ with an airweight S&W. I know you said you run hot (personally, I sweat in the winter) but these are pretty low profile.

http://www.klnullholsters.com/

Or go with an airweight in the pocket. I understand the need to conserve money, but you might be able to work a trade against a J frame since the 3913/3914 models are in pretty good demand.

Good luck!

Living in hot & humid Florida I can understand what you're going through.

If I were in your shoes, I'd just shop around and trade for and airweight S&W J-frame .38 special, which run between 14 oz. - 15.5 oz.

You should be able to get a good swap for one of that fits your fancy...

1. M-37 Airweight Chief's Special; exposed hammer, DA/SA capable
2. M-38 Airweight Bodyguard; shrouded hammer, DA/SA capable
3. M-442 Airweight Centennial; blued, DAO
4. M-642 Airweight Centennial; stainless, DAO

My everyday carry in the hurricane state is the 15.5 oz M-642. It's so light that I forget I have it in my pocket at times; and I don't have to worry about corrosion from sweat or salt sea air.

MOONDAWG

A question -- what kind of belt are you using? A belt that is stiff and wide enough, combined with a well-fitted holster, takes a great deal of discomfort out of carrying a heavy gun. A typical dress belt just won't cut it. I make my own double-thickness gunbelts out of Tandy 1.25" wide belt blanks.

Thanx for the replies let me address a few of them

I have been searching for a lighter gun for awhile hoping I would not have to make the move

I looked at the Keltecs and the Kahrs
the S&W and Glocks are almost as heavy as the 3914

i have pretty much settled on the Kahr p9
its the same weight as the .38's mentioned
the PM9 is just a bit too small for me

I want and Auto rather than a revolver
and actually have come to like DAO
I really REALLY wish S&W would make a Single Stack M&P for CCW
they need to replace the Chiefs Special Autos with something !!!
------
It hurts because of the weight right on my hip

because of the way I am put together and my physical frame there is NO way I can do IWB
and I am using the biggest belt my jeans will accommodate 1 1/2 inches (just measured it)

as for shoulder holsters my usual dress is just jeans and an all cotton shirt
If I lived where I wore a jacket all the time I would use a shoulder holster

as far as suspenders I think if the guns too heavy for the belt
it would just transfer the same weight on my shoulders and suspenders look great with flannel
less so with a "Florida" shirt

I really do appreciate all your input
and if you are interested I will keep yopu posted

Jeff,

I suggested the Ken Null shoulder holster because it can be worn under a t-shirt with an airweight revolver for good concealment.

I admit that I would not wear one, but I do know one guy that does and it seems to conceal very well. He leaves his shirt untucked for a quick draw, but I guess you could rip your shirt out while going for the gun if needed.

Either way, whatever you decide to do I wish you luck!

Again thanx for the input(s)

I hate to sell the 3914
but given my finances thast what I may do

I will still pester the folks at this forum

Pester away. That's what we all come here for, to talk guns. Is appendix carry a possibility for you, Jeff?

jeffsmith

When you described your belt, you didn't say if it was built as a gun belt. If it is just a wide dress belt, it won't be stiff enough to distribute weight or smooth out the shape of a CCW. A good gun belt will be thick. The gun should not sag on your hip.

Dillon sells a nice belt. Most holster companies have belts available too.

So, if you presently have a honest to goodness gun belt, but still have pain, lets look at that.

If you get the gun off the point of your hip will the pain go away?

For the past 5 years I have not used a holster with my SC9. It goes behind my left hip butt forward tucked in my waistband. The grip rides over my belt above my hip, the rest is IWB. With a good stiff belt, is stays put, and it is off the hip. In this case it is slightly behind the hip. I can reach it with either hand. Seated in a car, the left hand can easily access the gun without tangling with the seat belt.

Granted it is a long way to reach with the right hand, and slow to get into action compared to a strong side holster, unless you are in a car. You might try it and see if you get some relief.

quote:

Originally posted by flop-shank:
Pester away. That's what we all come here for, to talk guns. Is appendix carry a possibility for you, Jeff?

Not really

I am just 5/3
picture someone who is a cross between
Quasimoto & Gollum

My neck is about 17 inches,
If I buy dress shirts that fit my neck the sleeves are so long I could use them as a Straight Jacket
I walked on crutches for the first 20 years of my life so my upper body strength (though aging) is good

my hips are almost non existent
the difference between my upper body and my hips are so great
that when I sit in a car seat I have to tip it back a bit so I am not leaning forward

If I tried appendix carry with anything other than a micro pistol
it would be in my gut or my ribcage when I sat down

the reason I LIKE OWB carry
is that my shoulders are so wide
and my hips are so small
I can hide my carry weapon really easily in the cavern under my arm
it just needs to be lighter than what I have thats all

Now further comment


I considered Kel-Tec PF9 and keeping my S&W

but I really don't like the PF9 for a variety of reasons
the Kahr PM 9 is too small to comfortably hold
(I have large palms but small fingers)

So thats the story with my CCW "Challenges"

my