New to the Forum and there is a lot of good information to sift through. Here is a question for all you husky/fluffy guys out there. I have a Shield that I need a holster for concealed carry. New to the game but not sure what to get. I am a big guy, 6'5" and tip the scale in the neighborhood of 300 lbs. Looking for advice on weather a IWB would be too bulky and cumbersome or should I go with a paddle holster. Any thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest a pancake style holster from fellow forum member Lobo
Lobo Gun Leather - Home

Or one from Simply Rugged.
Cuda

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Eccentric old coot

Check out Sneaky Pete holsters. M&P Shield 9mm Sneaky Pete Holster (Belt Clip) - SneakyPete You can find videos on You Tube with a big guy talking about it. I am getting one for my 9c

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Mark32812
FS40,9C,Shield 9,22

I'm a bit shorter and a few pounds lighter than you but I use a Bianchi Model 135 Allusion holster. I've been using them for over 2 years now, started out carrying my 40c in one and when I bought my Shield I bought one for it, very comfortable holster.

A leather pancake style holster with a forward cant'd tuck the grip right into your side fat and an untucked shirt would cover it right up.

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Keep on Chooglin'

What is a "fluffy" guy? Don't they carry pink Taurus revolvers or Sig Rainbow finish P238s?

I'm pretty fluffy ... maybe not quite as fluffy as you ... but you've got about 5 inches on me so maybe. The only IWB holster that I've been able to wear comfortably and that does everything well as far as concealed carry is the Slim XC holster from TTGunleather.com . Since I tried the first one, I now own several for both revolvers and semi autos. The design is excellent, at least for me, and both the security of the weapon and the access to it are excellent. Reholstering is not any kind of problem. I wear mine at about 4 o'clock, right side. The holster has a completely smooth and flat back side with all the moulding done on the outside piece of the holster. The belt loops fit a double thickness belt very tightly and the snaps are one way so there is no danger of them coming loose. This holster has my highest recommendation for an IWB holster. If you can't wear it comfortably and well and conceal your weapon in the bargain, then you are not likely to find one any better. It will take about a week of daily wear to get it broken in well.

If you choose to wear a great OWB holster, try the Model DDOO from the same maker. Both these holsters work very similar to a pancake holster as they hold your weapon close and tight, with the weight spread out over a wide area that has as thin a thickness profile as possible. Tim is a great vendor to do business with. My experience with him has been excellent.

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So long ... Ken

Try High Noon Holsters. I'm the same size as you. I carry a S&W CS45. I bought a custom made holster from them that's OWB . It rides high, and close to the body.Under a sweatshirt / sweatshirt, it's unnoticeable. For IWB, try a Don Hume with a clip on attachment. I use one with my PM9 in the summer. No one ever notices and I've driven all day in a car with it.

Hey I'm in the same boat. I leave my shield at home and throw my bodyguard .380 in my pocket. After trying a lot of these inside the pants holsters and stuff, I have given up on the project because it can get expensive and I don't like throwing away money.

I'm 6' and 245. I go with the owb Galco for my SW40 and G19. I cover with a lands end light sport/field coat or an Eddie Bauer flannel lined shirt if colder. Works ok.

Love the Bianchi 135! It's not my main holster (I use incog by g-code) but I used it exclusively for a while. Very comfortable!

6'0 and 240lbs. I am loving the N82 Professional IWB holster for my M&P 45C. Very comfortable for me and I love the retention system. Takes some practice for the draw but becomes second nature very quickly. Tried the Alien Gear but it is not even close to the N82.

NC

For popular pocket guns like the M&P Shield, Kel-Tec PF9, Diamondback DB9, Ruger LC9, or Glock 42, I'm personally a big fan of Sticky holsters. I'm a big dude and they are comfortable in the waistband, on your back hip, or even in a pocket. They don't take up much extra space around your weapon and they are soft and durable. Check em out! Usually only in the $20-$25 range too. Buds Gun Shop always keeps them in stock. Best Concealed Carry Holster | IWB | Sticky Holsters

6' and 270. Haven't met too many meals I didn't like.
Big fan of my Foxx Lil' Foxx for my 40c.
A lot of guys will tell you you'll end up with a drawer full of holsters before you find the right one.
I got lucky....I have an old faithful in my drawer (never use), and an ankle holster for use on the bike or sometimes at the office...otherwise, the foxx is all I use, carried at 3:30.

I'm 6' and 260-270 and carry my Shield and 9c and 4:00 in an Alien Gear holster. You can adjust ride height and cant to your liking. Also have a CB QwikClip for my Shield that works well, too. For my Dan Wesson 1911, I use a Milt Sparks Criterion at the same position.

IWB from Andrews Custom Leather. Appendix position. Been using one with the G26 since Glock came out with it. Very comfortable and wont stick out when you have to bend over.

Welcome to the forum from SW GA.

I share your size. I never found an inside the waist band holster that worked totally for my , not slim size. I tried a lot of guns, semi-auto and revolvers. But it was always a pain in one position or another. I can't go with the "it's not supposed to be comfortable" train of thought.
The closest to comfortable was a Bianchi #3S, inside the waist band. You could slide it on your belt when you changed positions and it has a ratchet mechanism that allows you to tilt it, wile on your belt to a more comfortable position when you stand or sit down. Good features because fixed in one place on the belt is never comfortable in all the different positions you go thru during the day.
Still I had a lot of pants that were just not big enough for me, gun and holster all jammed in there.
Now, most usually when I go out the door it's with a Model 637 Airweight , 38 special, J frame in a pocket, and no holster.
If I do belt on the Bianchi holster, I carry a Taurus 455, 5 shot 45 acp , snub nosed revolver, those times I'm giving up waist comfort for the comfort of having heavy 45 caliber slugs . 45's can be realy comforting.
You just going to have to try a few methods to see what works for you.
Gary

Hi Ablediver. I also carry the CS_45 with a " Sticky" IWB holster.
I have one for my 9mm shield as well as for my BG 380. Look at Best Concealed Carry Holster | IWB | Sticky Holsters.
Just a thought.

Bob

Wow...checked this thread to see what "Fluffy" meant...

Some of you guys should be able to carry a Desert Eagle like I carry a 3913....LOL

If you can't carry IWB ....... go "Pancake".........

Check out some of Ray's. from Lobo Gun Leather, posts some good thoughts and suggestions.

I can't imagine that an IWB would work for you. Take a look at Wright Leather Works. I have their "Predator" and it is second to none. You will also need a dedicated gun belt to support it. I also have the Bull Hide Wright belt for mine.
Concealed Carry Leather Holsters | Wright Leather Works LLC

[IMG]S&W Shield 003cf3 by Jerry Jaynes, on Flickr[/IMG]

6' 330lbs here. i use a galco king tuck every day.

I'm 6'3 and @ 275 and am currently carrying my 9 Shield in a Sneaky Pete, as I haven't found an IWB that works for me yet. I wear it with an unbuttoned over shirt so it can't be seen. Looking for a good OWB for my G42 that I carry during the summer months.

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YNC(AW) USN '72-'93

Just lose weight and get in shape. It'll make CC easier and more comfortable plus you'll feel better. Personally I lost 30lbs just so I could AIWB carry comfortably. It's comfortable for the most part but I'm goin to shed more weight and totally eliminate my gut.

Look at what Tee's Custom Holsters LLC have to offer. I have 2 of them and I love them!!!

The harder to conceal & less viable options. To make things worse, if you live in a hot climate where shorts & Tee shirts are the norm it's real tough. A big spare tire will hang over anything IWB, making it slow to get to & uncomfortable. OWB will protrude too far without a cover garment. Ankle & shoulder holsters won't cut it with shorts & Tee shirts. A belly band below the moobs and above the belly MAYBE but have never tried it as I don't have high expectations for it. Sacrifices must be made in terms of size and wt if you fall into this size and climate. Laugh all you want but the only options I've found that can work in these cases are THUNDERWEAR, or pocket carry with cargo shorts. The best/healthiest option would be to lose wt, easier said than done. SO we are looking at small/light & thin guns like ultralight J frames & MY choice for a semi, the Sig 239 in 9mm only with a 8 rnd mag & small thin size, or something similar. I tried the Kahr pm9 & it was ok but didn't feel like it would last ANYWHERE near as long, round count wise, as the same gun in ALL stainless. That said I still pocket carry my 640 no dash and sig 239 in s/s 40 cal, when I can wear a cover shirt or light jacket, OWB. The small of the back is just too unsafe for a spinal injury in the event of a fall/fight/car accident. My 2 cents.

I am not as big as you 5' 10'' but I am "fluffy". Another difference is that I am a woman. But like NCavi8tor, I love my N82 holster. My husband who is 6' 1" and almost 300 lbs. turned me on to them. I love the n82 pro holster. Nothing pokes me, the holster is sweat proof, and the retention is excellent. You will go crazy trying to decide which holster to get. Everyone has an opinion. Good luck.

5'11"/270, I use either an AlienGear IWB, or a DeepConceal Universal (vertical shoulder, although I'd call it more of a shoulder/belly hybrid). Usual carry is a S&W 59 (Gen1), although I also have carried a FNX-45 both ways. Printing with the 59 is minimal, the FNX somewhat more problematical due to the mag bulge, but not too obvious if adjusted correctly. Yes, they're rather large for CC, but I tended towards loose or bulky clothing before I got my license.

The AG-IWB is quite comfortable even when seated, and is easy to forget. The DeepConceal is also comfortable, but you know it's there at all times, which I find comforting, personally. Also, the DeepConceal can be worn under a bathrobe at home.

YMMV, but these are what work for me.

That is my goal for the year, to drop some weight so I can appendix carry.

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Mark32812
FS40,9C,Shield 9,22

I'm 6'1" and weigh about 325. I carry my Shield 40 in a Zorn Wraith holster and have no issues. I have the same holster for my 1911sc and also one of the Wright Leather Works Hybrid holsters that can be carried inside or outside the waistband. Both are great holsters. As for the Sneaky Pete, not so much. I ordered one for my Shield and I've never worn it once. To me, it just screams "Hey, look at me! There's a gun in here!" Invariably, you'll buy holsters and try them out. You'll like some and hate others. You'll end up with a drawer or box with the rejects in it. Do a search in this forum for holsters and you'll find a plethora of threads on that topic. You'll probably notice a few holsters are mentioned a lot and receive favorable comments. That's a good place to start. Happy hunting!

6'07" 300lbs.....I use Raven Concealment holsters. They can be configured to be carried IWB or OWB. I have used them IWB for MP9c, MP9 with a Streamlight WML, and a Glock 23 with a Streamlight WML. I have used one config. for the MP9 with a Streamlight WML also for OWB. I carry 4oclock and buy my pants 1" larger than normal. I have owned various holsters (I have a box filled with them AKA the holster graveyard). Raven Concealment make the most comfortable holster I have ever worn hands down. I dont like the N8 due to you can't reholster.

if you would like to try out a king tuck I have one for sale cheap. pm me if interested.

Pj holsters are where it's at. They're super thin and super tight on the gun. I'm a big guy too and they're by far the most comfortable holster I've tried (for iwb)

Here's my pj with my kahr cm9 (the other is a m&p9c with a trl3).





closest thing to nothing there that I've found yet.

And they're Tuckable

I, too, have a bit of "overhang:, and I can carry full sized .1911s in just about ANY good belt holster, as long as I do not tuck my shirt in.

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Not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

I like the N8 squared holster ([url=http://www.N82tactical.com]

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BUD

Just did a quick read of this thread and came up with 21 distinct recommendations. If you're going to start your search for what works best for you, I'd say begin with the least expensive (probably the Sticky Holster which is what I use and it works great) and work your way up until you find the one.

I'd prefer a nice leather IWB holster, but with prices starting about $75 for a decent one, those can drain your wallet pretty quickly if you go through a few to find one that fits you the way you want it to.

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No signature noted.

ill be posting a review of a shield holster I got two weeks ago that I am in love with. I too, am fluffy and have nothing but amazing things to say about it.
I adjusted it a few days ago on its ride height and at a 4 oclock my grip /grasp is always perfect on it now and I don't feel it stabbing my luv handles while in car.
I don't recommend the single point mount as much because our size can cause the holster to tilt and you will have to adjust it for comfort. As a big guy it is easier to put on before buttoning up pants and good to go. it's got a mid sweat guard so it's easier to reholster without fighting fluffy.
The Spartan - Squared Away Customs

at checkout you can use the discount code fireaway10 .


Pics in a day or two of me using it

Your member name is perfect!

Yeah. In a thread about us large guys "That guy" always shows up with sage advice about "just drop the weight".

Yeah just lose some weight and you'll be fine, LOL. If that doesn't work, I love the PJ Holsters for IWB or the High Noon Topless for OWB. High Noon will take several months to get, but worth the wait.

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M&P Shield 40, M&P-10
S&W 629

I have the N82 tactical pro and the StealthGear Onyx. I haven't yet decided which one this fluffy guy likes best. They are both comfortable to me.

I do prefer the single clip over the double clip which favors the N82 but the StealthGear is more adjustable and not quit as high which favors the Onyx. Both are great for me.

Here's another plug for the PJ Holster. I really wanted to like the N82 holster, being that they're hand-made right here in North Carolina, but it's just way too thick to be comfortable for me. Also, the large amount of material that rises above the gun can "fold" over it if I ate just a little too much breakfast that day, which makes it nearly impossible to actually draw the gun.

The PJ Holster, seriously, is the next best thing to just sticking your gun in your waist band. Paul doesn't market his holsters based on thickness (I don't really need a 1/2" thick piece of Kydex to carry my Shield anyway, thanks)...the material is as thick as necessary and as thin as possible for a comfortable carry.





PJ Holsters also have an adjustable retention screw (which is a must for me, as I prefer my holsters to have slightly less retention than some others I think) and a full slide shield that is cut close so it covers the gun and only the gun...nothing extra.

6'3" and a light 280lbs, I've found IWB that ride higher feel good to me. I recently got a hybrid IWB single point from Raw Dog Tactical that I like so far for my shield. Price was cheap plus fairly quick shipping...but then again I do have a lot of cheap holsters instead of 1 or 2 expensive ones.

Here's a pic of it that I pulled off the interwebs. I would take a pic of mine, but I have my 380 with me today.

Attached Images

uploadfromtaptalk1422468878908.jpg (27.1 KB, 56 views)

I like the holsters from Every Day Holsters. They are a great affordable holster. Check out their Master Tuk Delux, very comfortable, good retention, covers the trigger properly. I think I payed $35 with free shipping!

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Shield 9mm
USAF Retired

I'm "fluffier" than you, at 6"4" and 350# and I have no problem with an IWB. I currently use a PJHolster tuckable IWB for my 9c, and a UBG Striker IWB leather pancake for my 1911.

Hey guys, I got the review up in the carry gear forum.
Review: Squared Away Customs IWB Holster for my Shield

Thanks for the code! Just ordered mine.