Anyone Change How They CCW w/Age?

I carry relative heavy guns,(single action .45 LC and a Colt Comander), so a good belt and suspenders work for me. 68years old, 6'3", 240. Not as strong and agile as I once was so I do strength exercises for my hands and arms, light dumb-bells and practice getting it out ,up and on target.
 
Never carried until older. Initially carrying I had a lot of hip or bursa pain too as whenever I pulled it tight to avoid printing, it was resting right on bone (5'8" 35" waist). But after trying IWB and OWB I am finding OWB more comfortable. (Also got the hips done.)

Now, in addition to a good gun belt when carrying M&P or G23 (regular belt is ok for G26 size and down), the key for me has been a holster that has some curve around my hip and is smooth on the inside i.e. all or most of the form fitting of the gun is on the outside of the holster with a thin profile. That way it fits close without trying to cinch the gun belt so tight and pulling it onto the bone.

My FS M&P is a little big for me to CCW on my size as it still prints. But 2 examples of OWB holsters that work for me with other guns are a Raven Concealment Phantom (kydex, not curved but thin) for (Glock 23) and Galco Concealable Belt holster (leather and curved) (G26).

I am finding either of these good most of the time. But if I get sore and want to get even less reaction from carrying, I drop down to a PM9 in a thin soft leather OWB holster. I never know it is even there. So Shield, LC9S-Pro, PM9, G43,etc should do the trick if you can not get the bigger guns to be comfortable.
 
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Although I don't "carry" a lot, in my car, by my bed or on me. Still have a Para P-13 with 2 extra mags. (36 rounds total) for car and house. Now carry on person S&W M&P 9C with 2 extra mags OWB (37 rounds). Learning to change trigger setup has been a challenge, but using CO2 M&P copies, getting there - 10 yards good - 20 yards pray & spray. Tremendous weight difference (I'm 80 come July.)
 
For 38 years I just stuck a pistol/revolver inside my shirt, under my waistband, butt forward on the left side. I now wear a holster on my right hip under a coat, jacket or vest depending on the weather.
 
My experience is identical to yours Old Cop.
I carried an issued 4" model 66 and later a Ruger P89 on patrol. In Investigations I carried a 2 1/2" model 19.
My preferred carry is OWB at about 4 o'clock but if I carry that way for any length of time my right hip and lower back go crazy. They tell me that my hip pain is transferred from my lower back.
I now normally pocket carry, in holster, a P3AT and an extra magazine. Maybe not optimal but I'm comfortable with it.
 
I'm older but not old by any means. But I'm too old to run (bad knee) and I'm still pretty quick and strong. But only for a minute.

Situational awareness and a bad attitude serve me well. In addition to that, a Glock 19 is concealed IWB strong side. Sometimes a second gun. Always a reload.

In this area a five shot whatever just ain't gonna cut it.

If I lived it Podunk town USA, maybe. But not here.

Maybe I should move. :o

To answer your question directly, no I haven't changed a thing.
 
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I kno w a fair number of cops and retired cops who have problems as a result of carrying their firearms.

I alter all pants (dress slacks through denams ) to fit my holster.

I'm also careful to use a fine, heavy gun belt made by a fine holster maker.

This ain't cheap.

I'm 66 and still carry a Colt Lightweight Commander.
 
Never been in LE, but years of physical labor take a toll. Have been carrying a very light kimber ultra iwb but even that hurts most days. Bought a Lobo leather shoulder holster, works great. Sometimes carry a Taurus 85 cross draw on my left, also thinking about a Ruger lcp for Pocket carry...
 
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Joe7 said:
Hamster65 - do you have a link to the holster you posted a picture of?
Click to expand...

I found it on ebay for about $30 with free shipping. Just look up "Shield Kydex IWB". there's lots to choose from in that price range.
 
When I was a much younger man, I would only carry the biggest, heaviest and all steel pistols that were available. Over the years, I saw the wisdom to carry lighter, smaller alloy framed pistols. As of a few years ago, I now prefer polymer framed, light weight firearms that don't wear me down throughout the day. A couple weeks ago, I switched up and carried my S&W 1911SC Commander with 2 additional magazines in a shoulder holster, and after about 2 hours, I fully realized just how heavy the setup was. So, I am back to my Glock 19 (29.2 oz loaded) and the S&W 642 alloy framed J frame.
NO more large, heavy CCW pistols for me!
 
I haven't changed how I carry, IWB has always worked well for me. I'm in good shape, and don't have any discomfort with IWB, hopefully it'll stay this way... I just find I'm more comfortable with the level of concealment I get with IWB, compared to OWB carry.

My IWB carry guns are a G19, G30S, Kahr PM9, and a Colt Defender. No problems carrying any of these guns IWB, and they hide nicey, even under a t-shirt/polo shirt... With the PM9, I forget it's even there! Sometimes I will pocket carry with a P380, or J frame, as well.
 
My preference is to carry a light J frame, either my M37 or M38 but sometimes even those, pocket carried, are too much. I have a knee that hurts 24/7 (after knee replacement, but that's another story) and when I'm having a bad knee day, like today, the M&P .380 gets the call.
 
I'm a month away from being 73 years young.I carry in my trouser pocket an SR22 with mini-mags or a Sig 938 9mm.
Years ago it was a 5 shot Chief
 
Well, I'm 66 so relatively a "younger" old guy.

I pocket carry either a J frame or an LCR. But I can't compare that to what I did at age 40 because I didn't carry at all until 2 years ago.

The biggest age related issue for me is vision.

If I focus my eyes on the target, I can't see the sights well.

If I focus on the front sight, the target is a big blur.

I'm considering moving to laser sights to mitigate this problem.

But my first efforts with lasers made me slower to aim than without them under range conditions. Once my eyes can pick up the red dot, I can shoot more accurately.

I may try a green laser at some point.

Fortunately I don't have arthritis or nerve damage in my hands, so recoil isn't a big problem.
 
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I am pushing seventy. I started carrying big bore revolvers and then government model 1911s in the 1960s. I still carry a government model 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10 mm in urban areas. My rural area/woods carry is either a 4" Colt Python .357 magnum or a 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum.
 
55 on the clock this year. Actually. I have started going up in calibers in last year ( 45 & 40) I still pocket carry alot . 380,.32. 9mm .38.
 
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