Hello, I'm new to the forum and I was wondering if anyone uses a Full Size M&P for their CCW. I was thinking along the lines of IWB but wanted other people's opinions on it and any recommendations for holsters.

I carry a M&P 40FS. I use a Galco King Tuck IWB holster. It's ok if I wear a very baggy shirt or a thick sweat shirt. Not to bad in the colder months, but does not work for me in the warmer months. IWB all day carry also gives me back pain after about half a day of carrying. But thats just me. What sux for me may be the greatest thing to the next person... We are all different. As for me, I'm thinking of getting a 40c to carry in my cargo shorts for the summer time. (May just be a good excuse to by another M&P!)

Ah I was thinking King Tuck as well and seeing as I live in Colorado I could pretty much think of a valid excuse for layers of clothing almost year round hehe I'm considering the M&P9c for a CCW in the future but I just bought my M&P 2 weeks ago and don't want to move too fast.

I carry the SD40 no problem with ccw.It's the same size as the M&P.

Carry my M&P full size 40 on me whenever I want. I use a CTAC at full cant and it tucks in close enough to hide behind most of the clothes I wear on a daily basis.


Just think of this...how often do you pay attention where YOU will carry on someone ELSE in public? You'll find you really don't look at that area a lot and you'll relax about printing.

Eli the tailor says - "if it fits wear it".

I have the same set up as RedMongoose. I carry daily as well. No problems at all. I even carry it with scrubs at times. Although I have to get the drawstring VERY tight, lol.

Many of my partners carry the M&P9 in Crossbreed holsters...I have a Desantis holster that is a Crossbreed knockoff and I like it. I also really like my Galco Triton IWB holster...It's kydex and pretty thin, carries the pistol nice and low on the belt for concealment and comfort, and retains the pistol well.

My main carry pistol (for now...I'll probably start carrying my full size most of the time this week once I get my new M&P9) is an M&P9C...I carry it in a Remora holster and I think the full size would also work well in one...I'll probably pick up another for the full size just to test out.

+1 to this

I used to carry my FS M&P 40 IWB all the time with no printing issues. For reference I am 6'4" 220lbs. My typical dress is jeans and a "modern fit" t-shirt (Not tight, but not baggy either)

I am looking at the MTAC & CTAC holsters the feature I like most is that you can change out the holster only so if you decide to carry a different firearm just swap out the holster. The holsters are sold by comp-tac and they offer a military and LEO discount of 10%. Extra Holster are $38.00. I currently use Blackhawk and like it but I would like to try an IWB style holster.

I carry my full size M&P 9 both IWB and OWB. IWB I use a Glaco King Tuck as well (although I'm going to be looking at a Concealment Solutions holster as they can incorporate a light). It's very comfortable to me for all day carry; by all day I mean from when the pants go on in the morning to when they come off at night (17+ hours). The King Tuck conceals the full size M&P very well even in just jeans (or shorts) and a T-shirt. If I have to dress it up a little and wear dress pants and a dress shirt it's still not too bad. The biggest tell are the belt clips.

OWB (and my personal favorite) I use a Personal Security Systems holster. VERY comfortable, period. If you're wearing a jacket, forget it, this thing disappears. But that's not hard to do. I wear this holster under and un-tucked, light weight, button up shirt (think Hawaiian or bowling shirt) and it conceals great, even with spare mags on the opposite side.

Those work for me.

Rob

Very True, I think that is what I was really wondering the most because I noticed the size of the M&P's grip and that was a main point of concern with me. I'm 5' 8" 180 lbs and I typically wear a nice jacket that would probably cover it however.

I carry my FS 40 in a Tauga pancake OWB with no problem. A loose fitting shirt and I even carry in the Texas summer.

I'm not a big guy, 5'7", 155lbs. and even I can conceal my fs40 pretty easily by using a custom Kydex IBW holster. Doe to it's bulk and weight it is not my first choice of CCW but I will carry it when the circumstances dictate. My every day carry is a Kel-Tec P11 (10+1-9mm) but on occasions when I have to work late nights, alone in a bad area of town I will press my M&P fs40 into service.

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Life Member B.A.S.S., NAFC

Do all of you buy a larger size in jeans/trousers to accommodate the IWB holster? I have never found a comfortable setup that works for me using IWB.

I've heard that's what you're supposed to do and that's what I am going to try first.

I hate to say this but the Mtac, Ctac holsters are junk in my book. I own one and inspite of using it for months, just could not get comfy with the plastic sticking into me all over the place. I picked up a Crossbread Supertuck for my 40fs and have never looked back. It's an amazing holster with the wide leather backstrap to spread out the weight and give a nice feel against my skin should my t pull up. I just ordered 3 more Crossbread holsters. 2 for my 1911's and 1 for my J frame pistols..

Happy Holidays

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Jack C

I buy my pants one size larger than my actual waste size. My waste is 32" so I buy 33" jeans or cargo shorts.

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Life Member B.A.S.S., NAFC

M&P .40FS in a Crossbreed Supertuck in horsehide with DIY combat cut since Aug2010. 5'10, 180lbs, 32" waist, usually buy 33" waist to accommodate the IWB. I wear the Supertuck on a Liger belt. Extremely comfortable, wear it all day and almost forget it's there. Ordered a RCS phantom that arrives after the Supertuck and have yet to wear it, tried it around the house and it was nowhere near as stable or comfortable for me as the Supertuck. Keeping the Phantom just in case I ever need an OWB, will probably order another Supertuck just to have a spare.

I"ve carried an full sized M&P. Just need the right IWB holster and you will be good to go.

You may want to talk to this guy;

Adams Holsters

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Wow, those are some quality looking pieces!!!

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Jack C

I carry a full size 9 in a kydex IWB and a pancake made by a one man shop outside of Tallahassee. Both conceal well at a very reasonable price. The Comp-Tac Spartan worked well for me for a similar sized handgun.

I have three Crossbreed SuperTuck holsters, CZ85, 1911, and G19 and love them. 10% discount for military, NRA, police.
Extremely comfortable. The optional Crossbreed velco clips sticking to a velco backed belt make clips invisable.

I have been in a room with 4500 people with the CZ85 (~5" bbl, 17 rounds, and 35oz) covered by a dark, patterned dress shirt tucked in to dress pants and no "looks". Cant it forward from the 4 o'clock position. I can sit, stand, walk, but no bending forward more than 30 degrees; back up to a wall if you need to bend forward. I'm 5' 10", 155 pounds.

Full size 9 in a Raven Concealment knock off made by a local guy that is no longer making holsters. Even in tshirts in the hot dog days of summer, it conceals very well with a good gun belt.

Similar build but I'm 5'8. I use the Comp Tac MTAC most of the time but since it's winter I've switched to the CTAC I originally purchased. Works great under a pull over vest I have. Same draw as with the MTAC in the summer and holds the gun good.

I have the older clips on my CTAC and it doesn't cant anywhere near as far as the MTAC however it's great with a jacket. The MTAC hides the whole gun when I cant it as far forward as possible. doesn't even go past my back and I can wear it with most of my shirts.



no special belt though. Cabelas brand. The one that holds money. No different sized jeans either.


if you sign up for the Comptac mail you'll get weekly emails and notification of their 10-20% off sales.

I carry the MTAC daily with my 40c. Works great and comfortable.

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Romans 8:37

I use the below with zero problems. I have two drawers to prove I have tired a ton of holsters.

MTAC is fully leather backed. Belt clips are narrow and look like belt loops to all but the most observant.

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Romans 8:37

I carry my Full-Size M&P40 in the fall/winter in a Galco Yaqui Paddle holster under a medium-weight shirt or a jacket with no problems.I like the Yaqui because I can use it for multiple large frame pistols with the same holster.

I've been carrying my FS .40 in my copy of the Sparks Axiom OWB with a light cover garment. I've also made an IWB for it that I haven't carried outside the house with yet. The OWB is so comfortable and concealable I don't think I'll need the IWB till the weather warms.

I carry my FS 9 in a cheap nylon IWB that I've had for years. I appendix carry when concealing and I'm 5'11" 331. Yes I'm a big boy but you'd never guess I weighed that much. No printing even with a thin tshirt and I wear my pants where they're supposed to be. The grip sits just above the pant line.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using Tapatalk

I have carried a M&P full size for CCW for some time. I generally prefer OWB holsters with retention and have tried every holster available I think.

Finally, I have found one I believe I will stick with. It's the DeSantis Facilitator. It hugs tight to the body and has a very sturdy thumb latch system. It's a combination of Kydex and leather.

For me, it is a better alternative than the Blackhawk SERPA which I was using previously..

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Pete T.

Hello
I carry a M&P40 in a DeSantis cozy partner holster IWB and have no problem.

thanks for this thread. i carry both my g19 and cm9 in either a reinforced IWB or snap removable pancake OWB holster from TT Gunleather. the holsters are extremely nice and comfortable to wear, unfortunately they are a little pricey and have a long wait time. i recently purchased a 9FS and have been tossed up between ordering the same holsters for my m&p but would hate to spend that money on a holster i will never use. i think now that i see so many people carrying without a problem i will "pull the trigger" and place an order.

I carry anything I want with the Barsony belt loop leather holster. It keeps everything close to the side with FBI cant. The combo of a very good gun belt with the Barsony makes just about anything I carry comfortable from a compact to the full M&P. The M&P full is a bit heavy and works better for cold months carry when you're going to have on a jacket anyway.

I wear the same size jeans regardless of whether I'm carrying or not. It's comfortable. I carry in the 4 o'clock position with either a Raven Concealment Phantom or Comp-Tac C-Tac. I would say that the belt sizing and design is critical for a good fit. I use Milt Sparks belts.

I carry my 45 in the small of my back without a holster. I'm 5'4" and 170 lbs. Sometimes I will put it in my front pocket or my coat pocket. I really could care less if someone sees it. I have a permit to carry concealed. I'm not in the business of making people feel all warm and fuzzy. I wish everyone just carried out in the open so the criminals would get the hint that they can't just go around shooting people without consequence. I have an under the arm holster that I use sometimes if I plan on doing jumping jacks or what not.

I carry a M&P 9mm Pro Series (4.25" not the 5" model) and it can be a bit cumbersome at times but is completely managable. I live in FL so there isn't a whole lot of time in the year to wear jackets so normally I just wear clothes that will conceal better if I'm planning to carry it. The only time I really worry about it is when I'm getting stuff from the bottom shelf at the store or playing pool etc. You just have to know what you're going to do to know if you will be able to easily conceal it.

Again though, that is just because it is too hot to wear a jacket. When I'm wearing a jacket all is completely hidden.

Also, I have the Crossbreed Supertuck and I highly recommend their products. I was wrestling with a friend and I took my gun but left my holster on and it got bent just enough to where it wasn't the perfect fit. Shipped it off to them and I got it back a few days later with a perfect fit again. Also, they offer different clips to help with concealment...

With all that being said when I get my tax return I will be buying a different gun for concealment. As much as I love my M&P I just want one that can fit in my pocket or not be as big...

I envy all of you that can comfortably carry a FS M&P. It just seems to me it was made to be a duty gun and carried on a utility belt. I find my FS45 is just too cumbersome for me to carry. I keep it on my night stand and carry my PM9 just about all the time.

I carry my FS M&P 9 year around IWB using a Shielded Holster. I keep it typically at 3 oclock.

If and when I carry my M&P FS9, I use a Little FoxX IWB holster. Love the gun...love the holster. Fits my body great at 4 o'clock. Having said that, I don't like to carry that gun for very long. It's a tad big even thought I'm 6'4" and about 210 lbs. When I carry, it's only for a half a day or so in the fall and winter months. That's why most of the time I carry a 9mm Shield. But that's just me. Good luck finding what works for you.

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M&P FS 9mm
M&P Shield 9mm

I carry a FS 9 M&P in a CTAC Minotaur appendix carry and it works fine for me but I am also 6'2" 215 and wear jeans most days and a sweater so I have no issues with it at all.

I conceal a fullsize g17 gen 4 with a crossbreed supertuck. With 1 size larger shirt it can barely be seen, nor does it print as much as I thought that it would. I am 6 feet tall 135 lbs. With a regular size shirt it can only be seen it I bend over to tie my shoes or something like that.

I carry a 45 FS in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II IWB supported with a Milt Sparks belt. I can wear this pistol comfortably for more hours that I care to have shoes on my feet. It is a very comfortable rig. It offers nothing special in terms of being able to tuck a shirt in around it, but it holds the pistol tight against the body just behind the hip. Concealing a full sized M&P 45 is not much harder than a full sized 1911. Just remember that when you pay the extra money for the better leather, you get better "performance." Buying a trouser belt designed to support a handgun also aids in the concealment of the pistol. I know people with the Crossbreed holsters, and they are something to pay attention to. Not to knock the cheaper, or generic or mass produced products, but the custom leather will work better longer for most people.

Ditto, my 9 FS is so "forget-it" comfortable in a 15-year old Milt Sparks Executive Companion that if I didn't already carry a Shield daily, I wouldn't hesitate to carry the full size 9.

The common factor here might be Milt Sparks' GREAT gun leather--Gosh, do they make nice stuff. Speaking from experience, it makes a huge difference who made the holster for your large carry gun!

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USN Retired CPO, CWO4, LT(LDO)

I carry my full size S&W M&P .40 everyday in a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard. I'm kind of large at 6'4" and a little (Little too much) over 300# so I could probably get away with cc'ing a Barrett 50 caliber Sniper rifle. LOL But I really enjoy the DeSantis as it's very comfortable and carries the weapon High & Tight. Right now I am looking for a really good belt to go with it but haven't found what I'm looking for as of yet. In my opinion with Holsters you really get what you pay for as lots of my friends have drawers full of holsters because they were trying to save a little $ and wound up with a cheap holster that doesn't work for them. Good Luck,

Attached Images

DeSantisTBScabbard.jpeg (14.8 KB, 218 views)

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Dennis in Idaho

I drove 70 miles today to a store that had a FS M&P45 in stock (not the Pro version, which another ½” longer). I wanted something powerful for the times I’m taking pictures out in the wild at night, but I really did not like the trigger on M&P45 – what a shame on S&W! Given that M&P45 has only 10 round mag - these guns should not be affected by any changes in the gun law anyway.

I thought I’ll do more research before I’ll put down $580 before tax. I’m also afraid that adding a light/laser on this beast will make it only bag-carry concealable. LOL. Something to think about if I want the gun to carry outside in Florida....

Bigger gun will be harder to conceal but also slower drawing and with possibility of 10 rounds limit in the nearest future I think the future of FS M&P9 will be HD/range and not a CCW.

In any case I’m also asking for an advice here.

If I’ll get the full size M&P45 I need/want a strobe light and possibly a laser, as with strobe I don’t think night sights will work at all. So how to conceal that monster? Presumably I will not carry it in public, but I do not want to have any problems with the law. Any park ranger can create bunch of problems if the gun will be exposed or semi-exposed… any advices?

As a side note, As I had bunch of 9mm ammo with me, I rented similarly sized FS M&P9 and shoot through around 2+ mags. It is a pleasure to hold and shoot the gun, but the front sight did not have the white dot (rental gun) and I was not impresses with my results…

I have been a big fan of the M&P 45 full sized pistol since I bought mine in 2009. Its probably the "pro" version you're talking about with a 4.5 inch barrel rather than the 4 inch. I originally wanted the FS with the 4 inch, but ended up with what I got cause I wouldn't wait, yet haven't been disappointed. Not sure what you're used to in terms of trigger, but mine hasn't been what I would call horrible - maybe it was better than others but I don't know cause I'm about the only one I know carrying one. My experience was with Glocks, and yes the M&P trigger is heavier than a Glock trigger, but not overly so.

I don't know about trying to conceal a pistol with the laser/light attached, other than it does add bulk, and that is the reason I still rely on a hand held white light for CCW. As far as draw speed, I'm pretty consistent going from the holster to a two handed hold to a "scoring" hit on a target at 7-yards in less than 1.5 seconds with that pistol. I can put one into a torso target in less than a second from the hip at 5 and in. All from a Milt Sparks SSII. Having to pull a concealment garmet away to clear the gun adds time in all cases. Add movement during the draw to disorient your attacker. In any case, the M&P 45 is a decent handling pistol, so speed, even from the longest slide verion is relative to the amount of practice you put into it.

I carry my M&P .40 full size in a Crossbreed SuperTuck in cowhide black with the combat cut that I did myself. Sometimes even in a cheap uncle mikes IWB holster I picked up at Academy (sporting goods store) but as stated earlier from others it does make it easier if you wear pants one size larger and if you really don't draw attention to that area you'll pretty much relax about printing. I’m thinking of testing out some OWB holsters next and getting a M&P .40 Compact as my CCW and leaving the full size as my service weapon.

I have been interested in purchasing the DeSantis Facilitator and haven't really spoken to anyone who uses it. So my question is how do you like the Redi-Lok trigger locking system, is it better in your opinion or just the same as the Blackhawk Serpa auto lock release?