On the Waist or Under the Arm

[KFrame38]

I'm going for my CA CCW and I've tried various CCW holsters; under the arm, outside the pants, inside waist band. The only one I haven't tried yet is a pancake holster. I've tried with with .22 semi, .38 revolver and 9mm simi. Everything still stands out like a soar thumb, you can tell I'm carrying. The only thing that seems to work is a 22 in my pocket. I'm not too happy with using a 22 for concealed carry for its lack of stopping power, and trying to pull from my pocket in an emergency can be a bit problematic. I would like some suggestions on this. Is there something I haven't tried? Thanks for the input.

 

[TripLeader]

They make undershirts with holsters sewn in. They also make fanny pack holsters. Perhaps an ankle holster.

Maybe buy a lightweight vest and wear it for concealment.

What kind of body type do you have and what kind of clothes do you typically wear?

 

[SATX]

What gun are you carrying? A subcompact like thenShield is easy to conceal, a FS not so much for most folks.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My husband and I both needed to adjust our wardrobes when we started to carry. Larger waist size with a higher ride, along with looser tops worn untucked.

We EDC carry IWB at 4 o'clock.

 

[Notary]

Personally, I am hooked on shoulder holsters and have been for the past 40 years. Occasionally when it's to warm for a jacket or big shirt, I will carry a slim single stack in a IWB at 4 o'clock. I tried pancake and other belt style holsters, but you have to pull the belt so tight to keep the holster in place that it is uncomfortable. Decades ago, I did carry a J frame in an ankle holster with ok success, but lost interest in that......

 

[Iggy]

The first week you carry you will feel like you have a tumor at your waist, but the sheeple don't notice it.

 

[Ozark Marine]

Ruger .380 LCP.
Buy a extra mag and a Clip Draw for pocket carry.
They are made for right handed and southpaws.
I carry my two LCP's in hot weather.
One in each front pocket.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

"The only one I haven't tried yet is a pancake holster."

Here endeth the lesson! Get a good pancake holster before you torture your brain any further.

Beyond that, just think about loose-fitting cover garments, not closely tailored clothing, and materials with some substance (canvas, broadcloth, etc) rather than soft knitted clothing that clings.

And just like Iggy said above, most people pay very little attention to anything around them, just as long as you don't shove it into their faces.

 

[Muss Muggins]

You're either incredibly self conscious about carrying a pistol, or you have a body style unlike any ever seen on the planet.

Keep Calm, and Carry On . . .

 

[SATX]

I wouldn’t want to have to draw from a shoulder holster in a rapidly unfolding close contact situation while fending off an attack with your weak hand. Cops carry strong side for a reason.

 

[SATX]

You're either incredibly self conscious about carrying a pistol, or you have a body style unlike any ever seen on the planet.

Keep Calm, and Carry On . . .

Or wears a skinny shirt to show off his abs.

 

[kraynky]

I also went up 2 sizes in my jeans, and wear loose untucked shirts. I'm not out to make a fashion statement, and to be honest, I had to get used to the "new look". 90% of the time I carry IWB, and I found that my body shape conceals better at 3:00. During sweatshirt weather I can carry a larger gun, but a Shield or revolver w/2" barrel works best for me.

Make sure you aren't "frisking yourself" during the day. You'll want to for a while, but I sometimes have to check to be certain I remembered to put it on nowdays. You get used to it quickly. 25+ years later, I still favor a small revolver. Two speed strips in my jeans watch pocket.

 

[KFrame38]

Thanks for the info. I'm 5'9 about 200. I usually wear a suite for work. When off of work I typically wear jeans and t-shirt or a loose jacket when cold. The 9 was too heavy, so no point in going with that. I have a .38 J frame that's fairly heavy and fat. I was thinking of using my .308 Bersa. It's light and slim, but the handle still pokes out.

 

[fredj338]

Holsters are very personal things. Every person has a diff body shape & what works for me may not for you. I am 5-10/190, size 42 reg jacket. My edc is a g26 iwb, untucked polo or button down shirt. I have no issues concealing a 1911 or xd45c or g19/32 either. A g26 I can hide under an untucked T.
I like shoulder rigs. But they are hot in summer & unless vert, you are limited to shorter bbl guns. You will likely need to do what most of us have done, buy several diff holsters & try them. Either iwb, owb, you want a sturdy 1.5" belt.

 

[fredj338]

"The only one I haven't tried yet is a pancake holster."

Here endeth the lesson! Get a good pancake holster before you torture your brain any further.

Beyond that, just think about loose-fitting cover garments, not closely tailored clothing, and materials with some substance (canvas, broadcloth, etc) rather than soft knitted clothing that clings.

And just like Iggy said above, most people pay very little attention to anything around them, just as long as you don't shove it into their faces.

Also dark colors conceal better than light colors.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

It was in the mid-90's here today, and I carried my 4 inch S&W Model 65-1 square-butt revolver in an OWB Bianchi Model 7 holster at 3 o'clock under a loose, untucked shirt. No one noticed at the hospital, at the store, at the restaurant, or at the hotel.

I'm 5'8" tall and 185 lbs. NO ONE NOTICED. You can carry concealed.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[stansdds]

I'm 5'10" and 195 lbs. I have carried a variety of handguns in a variety of holsters.

Shoulder holsters: For concealment, you must wear a loose fitting coat or jacket. If the jacket or coat is not loose, the holster may create a bulge in the jacket that is noticeable. I speak of this from experience.

Horizontal holsters really need a short barreled weapon unless the holster keeps the weapon at a sharp angle like the Galco *******.

Vertical holsters work well for weapons with longer barrel lengths.

Drawing from a should holster can be a bit tricky and to do it quickly and to not sweep yourself with the muzzle of the firearm requires practice. Also, shoulder holsters are not always the most comfortable mode of carry, especially if the firearm is heavy, but they do work well if you spend most of your day in a seated position.



Carrying on the waist: This is my preferred method as it does not always require a jacket or coat.

Inside the waistband is the most concealable method, especially with a holster that allows you to tuck your shirt between the holster and your pants. A loose fitting shirt, preferably a darker color and with patterns such as plaid or paisley, make concealment quite effective.

For carrying outside of the waistband, the pancake holster works incredibly well. It will hold the firearm closer to your body than any other type of OWB holster. Next up would be the myriad of belt holsters. Paddle holsters, designed to be put on and removed without having to remove your belt, are among the worst for concealment. They tend to stick the firearm out and away from you body, so a loose fitting jacket or coat is pretty much a requirement for concealing.

This is just my experience and my two cents.

 

[haywood]

A 442 in my pocket and another J-Frame in my waist works for me. I spend 3 months a year in Florida and the rest in Ohio and weather/ Temperature dose not matter. If you try in the waist you have to move it around until you find the “sweet spot” that’s comfortable. Mine is in the appendix area.

 

[joeintexas]

You feel like everyone knows you are carrying, in reality no one really notices. In time you will feel strange without your carry, assuming you're not carrying a full size Magnum Research. 4 or 5 o'clock carry works for me with loose fitting dark clothing.

 

[jhnttrpp]

I was visiting my Mom at my sisters a few days ago. I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt. When I went to leave my sister gave me a hug. My 642 was in a galco holster owb at 4 o'clock. Of course she discovered it. Her comment was Oh I forgot you were carrying.

She hadn't noticed it in the several days I was around. Just shows you, even those that know you carry will not notice it if you keep your hands off of it.

Carry more, worry less.