Hello everyone, I'm new to conceal carry and in fact I haven't gotten my permit back from the sheriffs office yet but I have a question about how you skinny guys conceal. I am 6'1 145 pounds. I know, I'm a stick. I have one single clip holster and an alien gear holster for my shield 9. I also have a pretty decent belt (Hanks). No matter what I do I'm going to print if I do anything but stand still. Anyone with similar detentions please advise. Thanks

I'm about your build .. 5'11" and about 130 # .. I carry a S&W 40 Compact in a Garett Industries GX holster at 5 .. or a Wright Leather Works - Cobra™ Hybrid Holster which is both an IWB and OWB holster according to what clips you install or remove ..

Both are very comfortable .. I really like the Garrett holsters .. the quietness of leather and the durability of Kydex .. and the hybrid holsters by them are very well made !!

My sister calls me skinny; but, I prefer the term "athletically sleek". �� Same weight, but 5'11".

Years ago, I carried a 4506 or a G21 IWB in a simple thin leather holster that had a single belt clip. That worked fine then. (No kids hanging off me or to crawl around on the floor with. Also, I was LE at that time and wasn't overly worried about printing).

These days, I carry either a S&W4513TSW or a G30s IWB. Sometimes behind my hip as I used to, but more often appendix carry.

If that doesn't fit my wardrobe or my activities, a j-frame in the front pocket is my other option. Previously, a Bodyguard .380, but despite being skinnier than the j-frame, it's blocky outline seemed to print more than the curves of the .38, which blend in with the folds of my pants better.

Depending on the type of pants you wear, Smart Carry can be an option. I've used that with success in the past.

I wear button-up shirts untucked. The fabric tends to be stiffer than knit fabrics (such as t-shirts) and hides a gun easily. You may need to wear a size larger if you are used to wearing close fitting shirts.

I certainly don't have to factor being "skinny" into holster selection but wish I did. IWB comes to mind but that's just my thought. Personally, I wear a Yaqui Slide, a Commander, and a Hawaiin shirt. When circumstance requires a suit I'll switch to a Colt Defender in the same holster. No jacket or untucked shirt? I then go to a smaller 9mm in a front pocket holster.

Regards.

Bob

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R. M. Bob Horton
#2170

Take a look at pocket holsters. Faded Glory jeans from WalMart have huge pockets, by the way.

My Dr. would like you he is always telling me to lose 20 lbs....

I could argue with you over whether it's easier for a fat guy to conceal or a skinny guy, but I won't...

What I will tell you is what I tell any new carrier -- don't over-think it. Surely, you need a good belt and holster, and surely you need to give some thought to wardrobe -- if you like to wear tight, untucked T-shirts, for instance, you may want to go a size larger. But the fact of the matter is, if you mind the basics no one will spot your gun.

In reality, no one -- in most cases, not even a policeman -- is looking for a gun. It is normal for a new carrier to be a bit paranoid about it. After all, to you it feels like all of a sudden you are wrestling with a nekkid fat lady in public; but it's that nervousness that will give you away if anything does, and not the gun itself.

Resist the urge to constantly check yourself out in shop windows, or do a check to be sure the gun is still in place, or put a hand on it to readjust the position. These sorts of things are the tells that can give you away.

Just put your good, secure holster on your good belt, make sure they are positioned comfortably on your body, secure your gun properly in the holster, and go about your business in your normal fashion.

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Pisgah

You've got the right idea with the Alien Gear hybrid IWB. Some firearms trainers don't like them for various reasons, including that their design and construction don't lend themselves to establishing a good firing grip as quickly as other designs. Nevertheless, I have a Crossbreed Supertuck and found it offers the most concealment and least printing short of carrying with no holster. The only other rigs I'm familiar with that conceal well are the products from Milt Sparks, including the Summer Special II.

Another option is AIWB. Some people can do it, and some can't. I have carried a J frame comfortably in that manner in an inexpensive High Noon Mr. Softy, have tried that carry method and holster with an M&P 9c or a Glock 26 and found it extremely uncomfortable. I've tried some of the better AIWBs but haven't found any that I like. Earlier this week, I placed an order for a Crossbreed Freedom Carry and am hoping it alleviates the problems I've experienced, i.e., gouging.

Manner of dress is important. Also, many people get the subcompact guns for concealment, but have to use extended magazines, which sometimes defeat the purpose. If the gun must be hidden, stick with the standard or flush fit base plate for the holster and an extended mag or two for reload.

First is what kind of shirts are you wearing? Some are more tighter then others. You don't want to wear a tent but you want something that's a little loose. You have to try on clothes with your gun.

Second, it may be the holster. My carry gun is a Glock 19 in a Galco King Tuck IWB holster. I use that holster for Sig 228 as well. And I've used Crossbreed for my 3rd gen S&W full size. They all conceal just fine. A few weeks ago I bought a AlienGear holster for my HK P2000 and it prints. All 3 guns, Glock 19, Sig 228 and HK P2000 are in the same category. They are compact guns that hold between 14 and 16 rounds. All about the same size with the Sig being the thickest. So...the Sig at 1.5in thick concealed just fine with a Galco King Tuck IWB holster but the HK at 1.37in thick printed very visibly in a AlienGear holster. I don't know why but my guess is that there is less material and its thinner in the AlienGear.

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I'm about as skinny as possible and still be breathing. I can carry a 1911 in a OWB holster at 4-5:00 with an untucked shirt. I usually carry a 2.5" M66 the same way. Here's the kicker though: in my jurisdiction, it was ok to print, even before we had open carry. Now, printing is a mute subject. If you have to truly be completely concealed, you may have to adapt your wardrobe.

I have had some form of J frame in my back pocket without a holster for at least 50 years! They fit perfectly with no imprint. The small line of the back strap that sometimes shows looks like the edge of a billfold. Jack

is "printing" illegal in ohio? there's no such thing as printing in wisconsin.

This is certainly a consideration. Legally, in my state and many others, "concealed" just means "covered". A whole bunch of common, legal items can "print" to look like a gun -- a cell phone, an eyeglasses case, a holster for a small flashlight, a bulky wallet. Your jurisdiction may be specific in this regard, and it's your responsibility to know for sure what the carry rules are, but in most if it's covered it's concealed, so just be sure it stays covered unless and until you need it.

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Pisgah

I've carried a J frame for well over 40 years mostly IWB but most recently pocket in a Galco holster. Guess I'm considered slender at 6'2" & 200 so IWB sticks out unless I wear my shirt untucked. Open carry has always been legal in my state but is unusual enough to draw attention (e.g.; someone calling in a complaint) from law enforcement.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I am pretty sure open carry is legal with or without a permit in Ohio. but you would get stopped all the time.

i just googled "concealed carry printing in ohio". your answer is there.

Be patient, old age has a way of curing thin.

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Back to back World War Champs.

You should be able to CCW fine with a slightly bigger shirt with patterns, and AIWB. Keepers Concealment offers very innovative AIWB. I am not as skinny as you anymore, so you might not need anything as grandiose as Keepers, but I used to AIWB and conceal an Officers 1911 no problem. A good belt, and a quality kydex (thin) holster, with the above mentioned shirt styles should be concealable.

Not in all cases .. I'm the upper half of 6 decade's and thin as a rail 5'11 at 130 pounds and eat everything I can and as much as I want !!

Wish I could put on 10 pounds or so !! And no I don't smoke !!

Like I had said I use a Garrett GX IWB Holster in the summer and have for over a year and it doesn't print and I wear jeans and t-shirts most of the summer .. I always carry at 5 o'clock and that doesn't vary even with change of firearm to my Beretta PX4 Sub-Compact .. repetition is what makes one fast .. so always wear at the same place and at the same cant ..

I'd look at IWB appendix carry with the Shield.

A front pocket holster might work ... it works for my Kahr Arms PM45 and S&W 642. Finding a pocket holster that stays in the pocket after the draw ... is crucial. :-) Like others have said, avoid the extended magazine base plates, lightweight belts, and low-quality holsters. I do carry an extended magazine for my Kahr Arms in my other front pocket next to my wallet. I tote Bianchi speed strips for the revolver.

foot long chili dog, fries and large chocolate malt=regulary

My wife calls me scrawny, but I consider myself a healthy weight.

I carry at 4:00, with small/thin guns being IWB and big/thick guns going OWB. With just keeping the back straight when reaching for stuff and an appropriate cover garment I can't say there's any problems.