Can't carry Model 66 without printing

[stang68]

I don't see how, with my 5' 10" frame, 158lbs with a slight beer belly, can carry my 2.5" Model 66 without it printing. I live in AZ and wear t-shirts and shorts most of the time, t-shirts and jeans when it's cooler. I started with a cheapie IWB kydex? holster just to see if I could carry it concealed and no matter where I put it, including the small of the back, my wife said she could see a bulge with both the Uncle Mike's grips and with Ahrends grips. I checked out online some of the holsters I've seen mentioned on this forum like the Don Hume JIT Slide and I especially like the Gould & Goodrich 3 slot pancake on Optics Planet but I'm concerned that they'll print also with my body and choice of clothes and then I'm likely stuck with another holster that I can't use and money is tight for me. Any comments/suggestions as to type?

 

[old curmudgeon]

I don't see how, with my 5' 10" frame, 158lbs with a slight beer belly, can carry my 2.5" Model 66 without it printing. I live in AZ and wear t-shirts and shorts most of the time, t-shirts and jeans when it's cooler. I started with a cheapie IWB kydex? holster just to see if I could carry it concealed and no matter where I put it, including the small of the back, my wife said she could see a bulge with both the Uncle Mike's grips and with Ahrends grips. I checked out online some of the holsters I've seen mentioned on this forum like the Don Hume JIT Slide and I especially like the Gould & Goodrich 3 slot pancake on Optics Planet but I'm concerned that they'll print also with my body and choice of clothes and then I'm likely stuck with another holster that I can't use and money is tight for me. Any comments/suggestions as to type?

Try a Simply Rugged pancake.

Buy T-shirts one size too big.

Wear it at 3 o'clock high so that it is well above the hip.

I am 5'9", 176 lbs. and carry a 4" Redhawk .45 Colt.

I have carried a 4" HB S&W Model 10.

Your wife knows you are carrying it. Anyone else would probably not notice or would think you are wearing an ill fitting shirt.

 

[speedingbullet]

I understand that money is tight....but let me say that very little can be done to correct the shortcomings of a wardrobe that doesn't accommodate your holster. That said, remember a bulge doesn't necessarily mean that your handgun butt is printing. As I move around sometimes a "bulge" will emerge momentarily ( does that sound obscene ? )....as long as the butt doesn't become exposed to the eye you are OK. Most folks will not have a clue you are carrying a concealed weapon even if a slight bulge might appear.

IWB carry works best for me in the appendix position. If I wear any type of holster directly on my hip, I find the handgun will tend to "print" unless it rides very high.

If you want to try OWB I would look at something like a Don Hume 721 O.T. rather than their JIT slide. While a bit pricier, the pancake style will pull the gun closer to your side than a slide type holster. : http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_5&products_id=44 . If you're willing to spend just a bit more I can heartily recommend the pancake holster made by Simply Rugged. His design sucessfully resolves the issues of concealment. It's very comfortable for all-day wear, too.

As well, you may have to consider modifying your wardrobe by wearing a cover garment like those loose- fitting, short sleeve, "camp" type shirts designed with a straight hem, and are intended to be worn untucked. Example : http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=393496

- regards

 

[old curmudgeon]

As well you may have to consider modifying your wardrobe by wearing a cover garment like those loose- fitting, short sleeve, "camp" type shirts designed with a straight hem, and are intended to be worn untucked.

JC Penny has a good selection of these shirts.

 

[computeruser]

Sounds like it is either time for a change of clothing or a lower standard for not printing (or bulging, as the case may be). A K-frame is hardly a large gun to hide; it should disappear IWB if you're of a normal body shape and wear your trousers at the proper, traditional height.

 

[27145]

5' 10" frame, 158lbs?

Are you sure the gun is printing or maybe it is your ribs?

 

[ContinentalOp]

As well you may have to consider modifying your wardrobe by wearing a cover garment like those loose- fitting, short sleeve, "camp" type shirts designed with a straight hem, and are intended to be worn untucked.

JC Penny has a good selection of these shirts.

I live in these shirts, even when I'm not carrying. I can easily hide my 3" 65 in an IWB holster wearing these shirts.

The key, though, is dark-colored prints/patterns. This combination obscures the outline of the gun if it does print, making it virtually invisible to most, if not all, people around you. Even a light-colored shirt could work depending on the print/pattern design of the shirt. However, solid light-colored shirts are generally not recommended.

If you want to carry a 66, you will need to adjust your wardrobe. But it doesn't need to be a drastic change. Get darker colored t-shirts one size bigger than you normally wear.

 

[diamond_c]

Do you wear a good belt? A good belt will help prevent the gun from saggin' and keep it closer (tighter) to your body.

I like A&G's belts, but there are many others to choose from.
Custom Gun Belts, Custom Leather Belts from A & G Custom Gun Leather

 

[Rule 303]

Its that hot time in Texas now. I wear shorts, T Shirt, Tennis shoes/sandals and a ball cap. Offical uniform of the retired LEO in Texas. I carry a Keltec FP-9 in the right cargo pocket and a magazine in the left cargo pocket. I carry a Glock 19 in a Galco Nylon Buttpac, extra G17 mag, OC in the buttpac pocket. Works for me when it hot.

Maybe you could conceal a 2.5" 66 in the buttpac.

I've had only one person ask me what was in the buttpack in 25 years. It was an old man at the park. I told him it was my clostomy bag and was he here from the Hospital to collect a sample. He jumped up and ran away to the other side of the park.

Rule 303

 

[norm]

I carry a 3 inch 66 in a g&g 3 slot. It prints some. I decided I dont care.

 

[stang68]

5' 10" frame, 158lbs?

Are you sure the gun is printing or maybe it is your ribs?

I'm an old fella and most of my muscle mass has deserted me and has been replaced by flab and that's lighter than muscle.

Thanks to all that provided comments and recommendations. I considered the fact that because I asked my wife if I was printing of course she would say yes, she knew where to look. I'm going to take into consideration the recommendations and not worry about a slight bulge, wear my darker colored and larger tee-shirts, and check on the camp type shirts. I'll probably get a G&G 3 slot pancake or the Don Hume that was recommended in the near future.

 

[enfield]

The Cabela's Serengeti Safari shirt is a great cover garment.

Cabela's: Cabela's Serengeti Safari™ II Short-Sleeve Shirt – Regular

 

[18DAI]

What kind of grips are on your 66 snubby?

I use Hogue Bantam grips. Good grip that conceals better than others I've tried.

I also use the Pachmyar compact professionals too. Also a very good easily concealed grip, for me. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

 

[stang68]

What kind of grips are on your 66 snubby?

I use Hogue Bantam grips. Good grip that conceals better than others I've tried.

I also use the Pachmyar compact professionals too. Also a very good easily concealed grip, for me. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

I switch between the Ahrends Cocobolo grips and the Hogue rubber grips that I think are the original grips for that model.

 

[rromeo]

As well you may have to consider modifying your wardrobe by wearing a cover garment like those loose- fitting, short sleeve, "camp" type shirts designed with a straight hem, and are intended to be worn untucked.

JC Penny has a good selection of these shirts.

I haven't heard the term "camp" shirts, but I've been wearing those since the '90s. They work great. I sometimes carry my 4" Model 10 with no problems.

 

[Cheyenne WYO]

If an IWB isn't cutting it, an OWB probably isn't going to make things better. If you order a Sparks VMII they won't hit your credit card until it ships, which will be 7 months. The Remora every one is raving about on this subforum also is a low cost alternative to that.

 

[P&R Fan]

I switch between the Ahrends Cocobolo grips and the Uncle Mike's rubber grips that I think are the original grips for that model.

One comment on the grips, I find rubber ones don't work for me when carrying. The tackiness can catch on the clothes and hang up on the fabric,exposing the gun. That's why I prefer wood grips.
As far as your summer wardrobe, front button up shirts worn untucked can work great,and drawing is easy. It may look a bit strange at first, but look around sometime, lots of guys wear them that way, and they're not all carrying. Polo shirts work well too, as long as they are a size large.
Jim

 

[chp]

Have you ever tried AIWB carry? I carry a Glock 19 or a bobbed 637 in that manner all the time.

The Fist ultra-then kydex holster is awesome for that type of carry: FIST, INC. As other stated - use a good gun belt too.

KEEP YOU FINGER OUT OF THE TRIGGER GUARD WHEN REHOLSTERING

 

[growr]

Most of my herd rides in a Milt Sparks VM-2 or a Kramer #3 IWB....printing is not a problem.Might work for you as well. Wardrobe change might be in order.
Randy

 

[moxie]

Try a Remora. If that doesn't work, throw in the towel and get a 642/442 or an LCR and carry in your pocket in a good pocket holster.