Carrying for a weight challenged old man

[vito]

Over the years I have gained a bit more weight that I should have, and its all right in the midsection. Up until now I only carried very occasionally because it has not been legal here in Illinois so I only carried when out of state where my Utah license applied. I usually carried in a small leather cross carry pouch where I also kept my cell phone, sun glasses, etc. But now that we have concealed carry here in Illinois, I plan on carrying routinely once I have my license and despite trying several varieties of holsters, I can't find any that are comfortable and easy to carry IWB. I'm thinking that I either have to buy a lot of new and oversized pants, or use a Sneaky Pete or similar outside the waist band covered holster, or just keep using the leather cross carry "man purse". I usually dress in jeans, and find that my j-frame in a pocket holster is just a bit too thick and large for pocket carry in those pants.

Just wondering what others do who have a bit of a bulging midsection that gets in the way of an IWB holster.

 

[P&R Fan]

Are you committed to only IWB carry?
If not, try OWB. I used to only carry IWB, and back then I was about 50 lbs. heavier than I am now, so I had the same issues as you.
Now I almost always carry OWB, and it is way more comfortable. In Winter I am always in a sweater or sweatshirt. They are long enough to cover anything I wear in an OWB holster.
My advice, give it a try.
Jim

 

[vito]

Any particular makes and models you recommend?

 

[iluvlabs1]

I'm in the same situation you are. I tried some OWB's, but the love handles interfere with trying to keep things from printing. I tried various IWB's but the belt loops or clips were problematic. I've decided to go with a Remora holster for both my 3919 and Speed Six. It's softer than leather, doesn't move at all (when I've spent entire days at home experimenting). I also like the fact I can place and remove it with ease. I wear suspenders now also. The hips no longer keep the pants from falling. I purchased some pants a size bigger, but found the Remora seems to work well with my regular size. Time will tell, though.. Good luck in your search.

 

[P&R Fan]

I've got several good holsters. Can't really remember exactly what brands right now. I know Galco makes good ones. But a Forum member should support other Forum members. Check out LOBO Gunleather. Ray, the owner is a member here. He has a great selection, very good workmanship, and don't tell him I said so, but his prices are WAY too low.
Jim

 

[snubbyfan]

I've always carried owb. I've thought of iwb and even designed a holster for it. Then with the onset of my peripheral neuropathy I've gained about 60 pounds because of reduced activity.
Now it's only owb or pocket carry, there's to much more of me to stuff in my trousers to think of iwb. Maybe after I manage to get some of this extra weight off, I'll consider iwb again.
For now though, I carry either on my belt or in the pocket of my "roomier" jeans. In one of my homemade holsters.

 

[vytoland]

blue jean pockets are usually too tight for pocket carry.......I find that cargo pants provide easy access and comfort....

 

[CowboyKen]

I sometimes carry one of my J frames in one of these holsters. These folks are local to me and I picked it up at a local gun show. It works well for me.
Bikini Holster

Ken

 

[Bkreutz]

"I'm on the level, the bubble is in the middle". Now, that being established, I carry OWB because I need all the space inside for me. I've changed my summer dressing to include untucked short sleeved shirts and have no trouble concealing a 9c in a Blade Tech OWB holster. Plus it has a "slimming" effect (not really but I keep telling myself that).

 

[radar1972]

I carry my J-frame snub OWB in an American Pride holster.
$24.95 + shipping at Amazon.com

Most comfortable and concealable of all the holsters I've tried.

Just enter "j frame owb holster" in the amazon search bar.

 

[snubbyfan]

Any particular makes and models you recommend?

I have this one I can send ya for $40 including shipping.

 

[Silvergoose]

Vito, maybe I missed it,but what type of weapon do you plan to carry. If you carry a small auto then I suggest a Romora IWB. A small revolver may be better suited to an OWB.

Good luck

 

[Iggy]

When my chest fell, I quit carryin' IWB and went to OWB. I get along fine with 1911s and N frame S&W revolvers. A cowboy hat and vest will get you a long ways and cover a lot of sins in Wyoming.

 

[shooter1911]

340PD MIKA Holster

In jeans all day long.

 

[guskody]

for comfortable and secure OWB carry of your J frame, I recommend lobo gun leather enhanced pancake.

If your J frame model has an exposed hammer you can order with a hammer shield for additional comfort.

That option wasn't needed for my 640.

 

[mac12]

blue jean pockets are usually too tight for pocket carry.......I find that cargo pants provide easy access and comfort....

Find the loose fit jeans with deep pockets. I pocket carry(sometimes) a 442 and it disappears. In the other pocket there are car keys, an iphone, chapstick and sometimes change. This is why I prefer IWB carry for my 442 or one of my Glocks to free up a pocket. BTW I'm 6ft 2in. and weigh 195.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Hawaiian shirts are the answer and OWB. I deal with the same problem and Hawaiian shirts provide excellent cover, wear them every day (except at church, of course).

I like the old Bianchi 5B/5BL holster. Low profile, excellent security. Find them on eBay frequently.

 

[hmbiohazard]

Over the years I have gained a bit more weight that I should have, and its all right in the midsection. Up until now I only carried very occasionally because it has not been legal here in Illinois so I only carried when out of state where my Utah license applied. I usually carried in a small leather cross carry pouch where I also kept my cell phone, sun glasses, etc. But now that we have concealed carry here in Illinois, I plan on carrying routinely once I have my license and despite trying several varieties of holsters, I can't find any that are comfortable and easy to carry IWB. I'm thinking that I either have to buy a lot of new and oversized pants, or use a Sneaky Pete or similar outside the waist band covered holster, or just keep using the leather cross carry "man purse". I usually dress in jeans, and find that my j-frame in a pocket holster is just a bit too thick and large for pocket carry in those pants.

Just wondering what others do who have a bit of a bulging midsection that gets in the way of an IWB holster.

YES! i have a beer gut. it show how much honor my wife has for me lol.

i use a galco miami classic shoulder rig for CC aslo have a blackhawk CQC OWB that is easily covered by an untucked shirt.

 

[hotrod150]

I,m probably 25 pounds overweight & have the typical beer gut, but IWB carry in the appendix position has proved to be surprisingly comfortable. I never "forget it's there", but can carry all day long without discomfort. The gun kind of fits into a hollow in between my belly and my hipbone, but you have to experiment a little bit to find the sweet spot. I use an Ace Case holster made of soft glove leather. I have carried both my Ruger LCP & my 2" j-frames this way, as well as my current EDC a Sig P938.

 

[feralmerril]

I am in the 290`s at about a little over six feet. I carried over 35 years OTJ with the heavy uniform gun belt. As I aged I gained weight and lost "Butt muscle". About the last 8 years on the job I wore color coded suspenders to match my uniform shirt`s to help keep things up. Today I have to wear suspenders all the time. They help. I cant even keep up sweats in the house. I wear them even with shorts and weather I pack OC or just a snub in the pocket or not at all. It`s time to give in and get yourself some perrys!
Men's Suspenders Hook On Belt | Perry Suspenders - BeltOutlet.com