How you carry.
- Thread starter gman51
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Marshal Tom
Member
It depends on what I am doing and where I am going at the time. I carried a 1911 exclusively for many years, strong side inside or outside the waistband when not on duty. Now retired, I carry an M&P 340 front pocket a lot but also carry my M&P Shield 9 AiWB or one of my many other choices strong side OSWB depending on the situation.
Full size M&P 9 AIWB covered with a shirt.
Well concealed. Easiest position to lift cover.
Fastest draw onto target. Shortest distance hand to reach grip; shortest distance to bring gun onto target.
Secure.
Can draw quickly and easily from seated position, especially in a car with a seatbelt on.
Kydex holster retention is not effected by belt tightness.
Speed can definitely save your life. Having the equipment and training to draw fast is never a bad thing. You can always go slower if the situation dictates it.
Well concealed. Easiest position to lift cover.
Fastest draw onto target. Shortest distance hand to reach grip; shortest distance to bring gun onto target.
Secure.
Can draw quickly and easily from seated position, especially in a car with a seatbelt on.
Kydex holster retention is not effected by belt tightness.
Speed can definitely save your life. Having the equipment and training to draw fast is never a bad thing. You can always go slower if the situation dictates it.
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Broke Hoss
Member
I carry at the 4 o'clock position; IWB about 90% time. Usually, I carry an M&P 9c, but I also carry a KelTec 3AT from time to time using the belt clip.
Summer casual attire is usually jeans with untucked Tshirt. When I wear a collared shirt, it is usually tucked. Same set up, just tucked over my pistol.
Cooler temps are here. That allows me to use a cover garment. Usually I wear a western vest that covers my waistband & thus my pistol. I can slip the vest behind the grip if I'm wearing a coat or such.
I can draw fairly fast, & have practiced, from all. I've found over the past 35 years that the 2 times when I've needed a gun off duty; that I did not ed a draw as fast as I do at IPSC matches.
Summer casual attire is usually jeans with untucked Tshirt. When I wear a collared shirt, it is usually tucked. Same set up, just tucked over my pistol.
Cooler temps are here. That allows me to use a cover garment. Usually I wear a western vest that covers my waistband & thus my pistol. I can slip the vest behind the grip if I'm wearing a coat or such.
I can draw fairly fast, & have practiced, from all. I've found over the past 35 years that the 2 times when I've needed a gun off duty; that I did not ed a draw as fast as I do at IPSC matches.
bigggbbruce
Member
AIWB Commander 45 or Witness 10mm..
I practice while hiking and in live situations.
About a week ago I was traveling a game trail into a ravine with a small spring.
3 coyotes scampered on the far hillside 2 more to the right down by the water. My OLD dog went after the 2 but on scent(I don't think he saw them) I ran down the hill with my coffee mug in one hand and my 45 came out from under my sweatshirt one handed.
Where I hike shooting is not allowed, so I kept the closest one in my sights as it backed us out to the main trail.
Fast forward 4 days. Same trail area, coffee in left hand. Rustling in bushes on hill below and behind me. Fast approaching. I pulled my 10mm as a dog popped out 10 feet behind me. (was my friends chocolate lab he hikes same system.)
Both times AIWB under cover one handed.. and I didn't spill the coffee..
Works for me.SS in a 3 - 5 position and both IWB/OWB depending on the plans for the day. I do practice drawing from both fairly regularly when at the range.
During the warmer months I carry a slim Kahr Arms P9 or T9 in an IWB holster, doing what I can to thoroughly conceal the gun. In cooler months I'll more likely use an OWB holster under a 3/4 length jacket with the same guns although I have a Browning HP with a custom IWB holster that vanishes like it's not there.
keith44spl
Member
I generally carry a holster on a gunbelt...wither open or concealed.
And or, I sumtimes just mexican carry or both.
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And or, I sumtimes just mexican carry or both.
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max503
Member
Excellent question, OP.
A tweaker recently confronted me late at night. He jumped out of a car and ran up to me. I was able to deal with him while keeping my hand on the grip of my J frame, while keeping the gun in my pocket. I kept my gun side turned away from the creep. That incident taught me a number of lessons. The main one was a gun ain't no use if you can't get to it.
He didn't push the situation to see if I really had a gun in that pocket. Good for the both of us.
I've tried other methods but pocket carry works best for me.
A tweaker recently confronted me late at night. He jumped out of a car and ran up to me. I was able to deal with him while keeping my hand on the grip of my J frame, while keeping the gun in my pocket. I kept my gun side turned away from the creep. That incident taught me a number of lessons. The main one was a gun ain't no use if you can't get to it.
He didn't push the situation to see if I really had a gun in that pocket. Good for the both of us.
I've tried other methods but pocket carry works best for me.
Pancake holster strong side on a belt under an open jacket, coat, or sweatshirt. Warm weather I wear it in a fanny pack or truck console.
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bigggbbruce
Member
Great point..
and as you further eluded to.. practice.
Speed can make a difference, but a few tenths of a second slower to get your gun properly drawn will.
ContinentalOp
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I primarily carry IWB. I've experimented with other positions, but IWB just works best for me overall. I carry under an untucked shirt, and have practiced that way. When I had access to a range with programmable turning targets I would practice reacting to the targets. My baseline drill is 2 good hits, at 2 yards, in 2.0 seconds or less, from concealment. With my 642 I could typically do this in 1.6-1.7 seconds. Not great, with room for improvement (1.0 second is the goal), but not too bad, either. I haven't timed myself with my current EDC (Beretta PX4 Compact 9mm), but my subjective impression is that it's not a great deal slower.
I've practiced with my jacket for cold weather. Fortunately, my jacket is cut such that I can use the same drawing method, albeit somewhat slower because of the extra bulk.
I've practiced doing weak-hand draws, but I'm considerably slower since I lack some flexibility in my shoulder (working on that, though).
I've practiced from awkward positions, such as laying on the ground on my side, prone, and supine.
I will rarely pocket carry, and practice that, too. In fact, practicing is what led me to conclude that pocket carry is not an optimal method for me and is the major reason I rarely do so.
I carry my 642 in an ankle holster as a BUG. And yes, I've practiced with that, too, which has also led me to believe that this is not an optimal method as a primary means of carrying a gun. However, the main reason I carry a BUG in an ankle holster is it gives me better access to a gun while sitting, especially when driving a car, than my primary IWB gun.
I also practice one-handed reloading and malfunction clearing, both weak-side and strong-side. Wanna have some fun? Do a weak-handed draw from an IWB holster and do a one-handed, weak-hand reload with a snubby revolver.
Having said all that, I prioritize my practice time with drawing while moving making up the bulk of my practice. I practice the other techniques periodically to maintain familiarity, but they're generally not part of my regular practice routine.
I've practiced with my jacket for cold weather. Fortunately, my jacket is cut such that I can use the same drawing method, albeit somewhat slower because of the extra bulk.
I've practiced doing weak-hand draws, but I'm considerably slower since I lack some flexibility in my shoulder (working on that, though).
I've practiced from awkward positions, such as laying on the ground on my side, prone, and supine.
I will rarely pocket carry, and practice that, too. In fact, practicing is what led me to conclude that pocket carry is not an optimal method for me and is the major reason I rarely do so.
I carry my 642 in an ankle holster as a BUG. And yes, I've practiced with that, too, which has also led me to believe that this is not an optimal method as a primary means of carrying a gun. However, the main reason I carry a BUG in an ankle holster is it gives me better access to a gun while sitting, especially when driving a car, than my primary IWB gun.
I also practice one-handed reloading and malfunction clearing, both weak-side and strong-side. Wanna have some fun? Do a weak-handed draw from an IWB holster and do a one-handed, weak-hand reload with a snubby revolver.
Having said all that, I prioritize my practice time with drawing while moving making up the bulk of my practice. I practice the other techniques periodically to maintain familiarity, but they're generally not part of my regular practice routine.
mmb617
Member
I like AIWB at 1:00 with untucked shirt as I'm skinny and anything OWB is pretty noticeable. I don't expect to ever need a lightning draw and don't think it takes that long to access the gun if needed.
Actually I don't expect to ever need a gun at all, but as they say "better to have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it".
Actually I don't expect to ever need a gun at all, but as they say "better to have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it".
flagman1776
Member
As my normal duty was uniform, my OD / CC was mostly 4 o'clock either IWB or OWB as appropriate, closest to my uniform carry. I tried a Miami Classic carry but it was more often a BUG.
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oldiegoldie
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OWB in Wright Predator pancake holster, or right front pocket in a Vedder Pocket Locker. Vedder has best customer service of any holster builder i've dealt with. i have multiple Pocket Lockers, including one for a P365 MS. what a sweet pistol.
I keep hearing that a J-frame and speed strip may not be enough firepower. So I put together a new kit that I figure could be easily concealed under my winter parka. It would provide adequate firepower for virtually every situation I could possibly encounter. And I’ve trained extensively so I would feel comfortable in most “active shooter”situations that a CCW holder might run into. Alas, I need a longer winter parka because the suppressor is exposed. And my wife thought I was goofy when I told her I was gonna wear my kit to the grocery store. So it’s back to the 638 or a 1911 for now.
