Concealing big guns - how?

[Shoebox1.1]

Everyone’s face is in their phone anyway. The big loud Hawaiian shirt might “feel” like attn getter but I don’t think it is. I LOOK for gun guys and don’t see them. In texas nonetheless

 

[dbescher]

I carry a 4" 29 fairly often, in an old Simply Rugged cross draw cattleman. It's well concealed if I'm wearing a jacket or something similarly bulky. The 29 stays at home in the summer, but if it was the only gun I had I'd wear a tucked-in wifebeater to keep it from digging into my belly when I'm in the car, the holster over that, and a big short sleeved Hawaiian shirt, unbuttoned, to hide the revolver.

 

[PhilT]

Depending on clothing, but I often use the "Bandito Shoulder Belt, with interchangeable holsters from Piston Packaging.

 

[PhilT]

Depending on clothing, but I often use the "Bandito Shoulder Belt, with interchangeable holsters from Piston Packaging.

Pistol Packaging

 

[BabaBlueJay]

As some mentioned, a slight forward cant of 15-20 degrees will help hide the grip better. Especially if you carry a gun with a square butt and thick wood stocks like my 686.

The big question is how you want to carry, inside or outside the waistband. I prefer larger guns to be outside the waistband for comfort reasons. Carrying a large revolver is already uncomfortable, but the idea of carrying one IWB sounds unbearable unless you have a holster designed for comfort. I found a Kramer IWB holster with sheep skin that looks very comfortable which I may give a try, I found a video of a guy with one who carries a 686 (albeit snub, not 4" as I carry) which I will link below.

If you choose OWB like me, there is no way around it you will need to wear baggy shirts that are tall. I prefer Hawaiian shirts or island/Miami style linen button-ups during the hotter months which is really where it is more of a challenge. During fall or winter a nice puffy coat, sweater, or even hoodie do just fine if they are long enough to keep concealment regardless of your movement or body positioning.

The biggest thing for OWB concealed carry is to test the clothes you intend to carry with. Find a mirror and check different movements to see if they compromise you. Mine have to pass the arms raised fully vertically and crouch test because these are the worst-case scenarios for not being fully covered. If you are still good doing this, I would venture to guess most movements won't expose it. Even better yet, ask a trusted person if they can tell. If they cannot, then you are probably good.

Best winter carry Smith Wesson 686 performance center in Kramer sheep skin holster - YouTube

Here is the video of the sheepskin Kramer IWB Clip Holster I might get, maybe this helps.

 

[Ruger 13]

Bigger holsters!

 

[Old cop]

I’ve been conceal carrying since my 1968 rookie year, beginning w/my issued 4” Colt service weapon. As I’ve gotten older (mid 70s now) the EDC has gotten smaller & lighter. In retirement it’s either a 340PD or LCP, depending on how I’m dressed.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Don't button the jacket and nobody can tell.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...689000-change-edc.html?posted=1#post141596241
How do you CONCEAL a large handgun?

Anyone can carry an N frame, even an L frame, or a "service sized" pistol, but concealment is paramount...(snip)... I want to know how you aficionados of N frames and service sized pistols go about your day carrying one of those hand cannons concealed.

Gracias in advance!

I carried a S&W Model 29 with the 8 3/8ths inch barrel under a suit or sport jacket during the 1980's and mid to late '90's. It rode in a Bianchi X15 shoulder holster. With my job nobody cared that I was always had on a jacket. If you watch the Dirty Harry movie series, you never notice Eastwood carrying the gun until he brings it out. I sometimes was tempted to get a 6.5" barrel version like his but never did. I completely concur with another commenter on this thread who mentioned what we call "tells". After you have had it on for weeks you just go on with your life, forgetting it is even there. It caused quite a stir at the Firearms Training Center whenever I brought it out.

There were two key principles which made this possible. One was that I wore it around the house constantly until it became second nature following someone's advice about tells. Second was the construction and fit of the holster. The X15 has a very strong belt loop snap and the weight of the rig rested upon the belt mostly though shared somewhat with the shoulder. It took some patient adjustment over some weeks until I got it perfect. Carrying a service sized or larger pistol requires a proper belt and a proper holster. Concealing it requires a properly sized sport coat. Unbuttoned.

I also had a Model 28 Highway Patrolman 4" which rode on my right side in a Bianchi pancake holster sometimes. It never made any difference to me which one I wore. You can get used to anything. Muscles get stronger if you make them. Muscles get weaker if you let them.

 

[otis24]

A GOOD BELT is a must. I wear a flex waist Wrangler jeans and a Kore ratchet belt. This combo allows me to conceal carry firearms that I never would have considered in the past. I’ve sold/traded good firearms that I should have/would have kept had I learned this earlier. It’s important to give belt/holster/dress as much consideration as we give to our firearms. I’ve got a holster on order from Garrity Gunleather for my Browning Hi Power. I plan on using it for my concealed carry weapon.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

Well my wait since March 3 is over. My thomas perfectionist finally came in with no notice. No tracking number or email. Surprise I’m here!! Lol. It was worth the wait

 

[smoothshooter]

It only works well for people who are not overweight, and are shaped more like a tent peg instead of a pear. I happen to fall in the pear category. I have several large sized handguns, but don’t even attempt to daily carry any of them concealed.
People with wider shoulders and narrower hips tend to wear shirts that “ drape “ differently than those of us with wider hips and waistlines.
Cold weather doesn’t change things much because it’s almost always warm inside houses, places of businesses, and public buildings, and who wants to wear a lot of clothes that make you sweat in those kinds of places?
My attitude is that if it won’t fit in my right-front pants pocket, I ain’t carryin’ it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

In the winter time I can drop my 4 in 29 behind the bib on my overalls and my belly will keep it there.........Totally unnoticed!!!!

 

[BC38]

It only works well for people who are not overweight, and are shaped more like a tent peg instead of a pear. I happen to fall in the pear category. I have several large sized handguns, but don’t even attempt to daily carry any of them concealed.
People with wider shoulders and narrower hips tend to wear shirts that “ drape “ differently than those of us with wider hips and waistlines.
Cold weather doesn’t change things much because it’s almost always warm inside houses, places of businesses, and public buildings, and who wants to wear a lot of clothes that make you sweat in those kinds of places?

I agree with all of that.

One of the "best" ways for most people to concealed carry a big-bore is in a shoulder holster (ala Dirty Harry).

FWIW, I've never been one of those "wedge" shaped guys. You know the type - shoulders wider than their hips. Chest twice as wide as it is deep. The Adonis build.

Even as a high school water polo player, even though I probably didn't have 10 pounds of fat on my whole body, I still never had that kind of wedge-shaped build.

I'm barrel-chested. My chest is almost as deep as it is wide. This means that a shoulder holster is and always has been a non-starter for me. As I get older and as my waistline has expanded, the under-arm shoulder holster has become an even less viable option.

The only option that really works for me to carry a larger firearm - be it a revolver OR something like a 1911 - is to carry it on my belt, with a cover garment to hide it. Personally I prefer IWB carry rigs over OWB options. But IWB requires that you have to wear a size larger pants to accommodate having a BIG gun tucked into your waistband.

So it all really boils down to figuring out what will work for YOU taking your build and preferred wardrobe into consideration.

 

[Jimmy4570]

Since Red Nichols has retired we all have to settle for slightly less than the best. Recommend Doc Barranti, Mernickle, Kramer, El Paso Saddlery or Sparks. An N-frame is not too tough to conceal well, particularly with a barrel as short as 4". Bianchi can be an option, too.

 

[Shibadog]

I use a pancake holster worn at 4 o'clock

Ditto. 4 1/4” model 69. Pancake under a loose jacket works well.

 

[pacecars]

I ain’t skinny (6’1 225 lbs) but haven’t had a problem with the bigger guns. I did carry a 5” S&W 625 in a Simply Rugged Sourdough holster under a light shirt when running around in the Great Smokies several years ago

 

[Shibadog]

Did a cross draw under a sport coat back when I worked investigations. Commander or 4” Model 66 Smith. Later backed off to J frame. Once, just for kicks, I packed a 4 5/8” Super Blackhawk concealed in a Mernicle holster just to see if I could. I did it, but was never comfy doing so

 

[crc4]

A shoulder holster with a layer of clothing over it.

A shoulder holster. I've carried M65 4" and a M58 4" without discovery for duty weapons.

For belt holsters a Wilderness Instructors 1.5" 3 stitch. For holsters I prefer zero cant for strong side, and a 5 degree cant for cross draw. No pancake holsters or Kydex. A Yaqui or paddle holster for me or a holster that's belt level. Even a good heavy nylon holster with a top snap.

I'm 5'10, 185 lbs, no beer belly.

 

[Norton 750]

I am a tall fella, standing 5 foot five inches. So inside the waistband holsters are the only way I can carry a larger firearm. For decades it was a Colt 1911 in a Milt Sparks holster. And don't try and skimp on the belt! Galco also makes good belts and holsters. I prefer a Versa Max from Milt Sparks. Look where the belt loops are...much better than say a Summer Special which has loops at the thickest part of the firearm.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

I think we need lots of belt loops too. More the better!