Concealed Carry Comfort

[P-229]

TAC,

I'm right with you. I have one IWB holster for my Model 60. I might've used it once some 30 years ago.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

crazyphil,

Great thread.

If a gun's not comfortable to carry, I'm more apt to leave it behind.

I've gone all comfort. I have excellent holsters and, as important, excellent quality 100% leather gun belts: one 1.5 wide and .25" thick leather for urban carry & the other 1.75" wide and .25" thick leather for hunting and fishing.

From my experience, a 1911A1 is the easiest gun to conceal and carry comfortably. The smaller sized ones would probably be better. But the full-size 1911A1 has the most natural point of any handgun I've ever held. The 1911 seems to have been designed to carry comfortably.

If I'm wearing the right belt, I can carry my S&W 1911 at my strong side waistline by stuffing it inside my pants, although I'd never recommend this carry for anyone. When I have carried in such a manner, it was for a short time such as running into a local stop & rob.

Good leather, holster & belt, and hand gunners will be forever happy.

BTW, I've carried a Model 60 in darn near every conceivable manner. But If I were to carry it for an extended period of time, I'd use my Galco Speed Paddle, which, for me, is all money.

You nailed it on the belts. It is the most important item to ensure any degree of comfort when carrying a decent size handgun.
I carry mid and full size .40 Glocks 95% of the time from sunup until bedtime. Sometimes with a Galco Summer Comfort IWB holster and, when my back acts up, a $10 Glock polymer sport combat holster. I am wearing it now with a Glock 23 in a polo shirt and shorts with the shirt tail out. Without thick, sturdy belts, this would be impossible for me.
An inexpensive holster with a good belt is doable. The opposite, in my experience, is much less so.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

If there are many who miss the entire target from 3 yards I would wonder
where they got their training. If they didn't have any training, that may be the problem. If they had training they need to get it again with a better instructor. From 3 yards my students all put most of their shots into a 9" paper plate after I have drilled them on the flash sight picture. The often repeated line that small guns are difficult to shoot is myth.
Again it is a matter of training. Without training any gun is difficult to
shoot.

Agreed. The only person who can't hit a target at 3 yards after proper training would probably have been Helen Keller!

 

[Newburydave]

You want comfort - Make your own -2

Okay, two week report on my prototype Pocket Holster. I finished modifying the design and have been using it for a couple of weeks. (In case anyone's wondering I'm a retired engineer with shop grime under my fingernails.)

The finished holster looks ugly, like a prototype that's been cut apart and re-sewed / re-glued several times. Functionally though, it is comfortable in my pocket and sits well in most of my "round" bottomed and "square" bottomed pockets without shifting around very much. Bottom line, it works way better than I expected.

I incorporated some of the design features from my purchased Safariland pocket holster and it hides the gun profile almost as well as the pro does. The Safariland is still my best "Concealment" holster in terms of its profile in my pocket; but it is narrow so it shifts around in my wider pockets. It also sits up too high in my shallower pockets. High enough so someone behind me could see the butt of the grip.

To correct this I designed the prototype to ride lower in my pocket, with a wider shaped "wing" under the grip so it won't shift as much, and the smooth neoprene makes it more comfortable against my leg when I carry it all day in the heat.

However, it has one serious drawback. Like my Desantis it is a bit too thick to conceal well in pants made from thinner, summer fabrics.

The thickness is due to my exploratory construction methods. I ended up with a three layer outer shell that added ~ 10 - 14 mm of thickness (3/8 -1/2") to the holstered guns total thickness.

My 638 in the prototype measures ~ 1 3/4 thick across the cylinder. By comparison holstered in the Safarialand it only measures ~ 1 3/8 thick across the cylinder.

I've got pictures; but don't know how to attach them to posts yet.

For Revision 02 I plan to thin everything down by pressure forming the kydex directly to the gun and move the thickest part of the gun away from the front seam of the pocket. The finished Revision 02 holster will have fewer, thinner layers in it.

I'm aiming for comfort and deep cover; so I can carry nearly all the time.

 

[fatcat3]

Many of our Sheriffs and Police opposed it. They thought it will
be a problem. I'm all for the 2nd Amendment, but this might be
a little extreme. I guess we will know starting this coming Friday.

NOT CALLING YOU OUT! im willing to bet this is not so true. should have said...many sheriff and state police ADMIN. opposed it... ya they are all political appointees and not to be trusted. more concerned with position and prestige than whats right. if they think it will be such a problem then give some of their OFF time and give FREE cc ed. anyone want to bet if that happens.

 

[Wise_A]

more concerned with position and prestige than whats right. if they think it will be such a problem then give some of their OFF time and give FREE cc ed. anyone want to bet if that happens.

While I appreciate the sentiment (half of it, anyway), there are a couple things you should know:

(1) Instructors need insurance, covering both their advice and liability if firearms are to be handled.

(2) A private citizen isn't necessarily well-served by an LEO or military trainer. Law enforcement and armed service training is very narrow in scope: things must be done one particular way, with one particular weapon--because that's the way the trainee is paid to do them. Whereas a trainer for private citizens must be capable of training people to use many different weapons (revolvers, SA autos, DA/SA autos), and many different styles of carry. They must be capable of accepting and working around the limitations of the trainee, and of leading them, rather than directing them, to the correct answers. Some are capable of these things, others are not.

During a break one of my students was telling me about his latest gun.
Custom made 1911 with all the bells and whistles. Cost over $3,500.
I asked if I could see it. He said you could, but it's at home in the safe.
I said I have a better gun than that. He said you do, what is it? I said
it's a Colt Agent .38 Spl. Real smooth action. A lot of the parkerizing is
worn off, but it shoots straight. Got it at a pawn shop for $250. How
in Hell do you figure that's better than mine? He asked. Because it's
right here. I pulled up my shirt and showed him. The best one is the
one you have when/if you need it. Right?

Whenever I RSO a CCW qualification, without fail, one of these people shows up.

They have a brand-new Black Talon Blastomatic Ninja 9000. There is not a single wear mark on the gun. Most often, the gun is bone-dry. In some cases, you can still see the ugly grease it left the factory with. Or they have a high-dollar collectible, like a Colt Python (not kidding).

They have not the slightest notion of how to manipulate the pistol. Forget cleanly and efficiently clearing jams, in some cases, they have been unable to operate the safety without looking and using two hands. In several, they have been unable to operate the safety, period.

When they operate the pistol, they do so gingerly. I've seen guys intentionally ride the slide, slowly closing it, and then use their thumbs to push the slide closed the last fraction of an inch. In fact, I just remarked today that it's a testament to how far semiautomatic pistols have come, that today you can purchase one, and use it so inexpertly right out of the box, and the damned thing will still work more often than not.

Many, many people think that dollars buy quality. They do not. An expensive, customized, hand-tuned handgun, no matter what the type, is a lovely thing, and a joy to use. But that's all it is--a nice thing to touch and use, but in practical terms, no better than anything else. And it's substantially worse worse if you have even the slightest worry over scratching or wearing it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I have no idea who first uttered the C vs C statement, nor how many people say it occasionally. But it was Clint Smith who elevated it to a mantra.

Comforting means BOTH a serious calibre and effective loading thereof, AND capable of accurate rapid fire. Comfortable means reasonably comfortable, not causing excessive discomfort after a full day. Does NOT mean so effortless to carry that you can't tell its there.

And for 90 % plus of people without disability or freakish physic. Anything up to a full size 1911 or 4in service sized revolver can be carried per se , reasonably comfortably. The objections are primarily in regards to dressing around the gun. Yes , in xyz local, its a zillion degrees with humidity. So you wear shorts and an Hawaiian or guyaberra, or a loose short sleeve work or western shirt. In general being armed with a substantial pistol you will be dressd one ztep more casual or one step dressier, but you can still blend in and not stand out noticably.

Ok,.38 +P can be a middling serious load, but a Jframe-ish gun isn't a comforting platform, sorry. I know, back in the day , when I maintained a serious practice schedule, I could shoot an Airweight J suprisingly well, but the usual proportions still applied, and I could shoot 2.75 Speed Six twice as well.

 

[APS]

"Comforting" is an -opinion- based upon your feelings on handgun 'stopping power' (whatever that is), your personal threat assessment and your willingness to change your lifestyle to accommodate the first two.
So of course there will be differences.

 

[Horn]

Kanewpadle Is On To It

Each of us has our own definition of comfort. For some comfort is a high capacity semi auto. For others it's a J frame or mouse gun stuffed in a pocket.

Some believe comfort is a fine leather holster worn on the belt. And others a kydex holster worn IWB.

And to some comfort is a gun on the belt and a long gun in the trunk.

For me comfort is the complete and total package. The gun I can carry concealed and shoot well in an all leather custom made IWB leather holster. But it is also comforting to know that I have the ability, the situational awareness, attitude and mindset, and the willingness to protect myself and loved ones.

After reading all of these posts, You are right on to it!
I go back to my marine days and in the manual> "The spirit of the bayonet is the will to meet and destroy your enemy in hand to hand combat"
And, I recall the hours of practice. The "practice" was very similar to swordsmanship!
I'm with you! > This may sound rough to some___ Anyone who packs should have the WiLL to use what they're carrying.
Again___liked your post.
Semper Fi
Poli Viejo

 

[Wise_A]

Ok,.38 +P can be a middling serious load, but a Jframe-ish gun isn't a comforting platform, sorry. I know, back in the day , when I maintained a serious practice schedule, I could shoot an Airweight J suprisingly well, but the usual proportions still applied, and I could shoot 2.75 Speed Six twice as well.

Speak for yourself. While I can't shoot a J quite as well as I can a K-38 Masterpiece single-action and one-handed, with two and a double-handed pull, the two are otherwise identical. Fist-sized groups at 50 feet. And I'm maybe a little faster with the J.

They're really not tough guns to shoot at all, they just take a different grip, and maybe a different set of grips (I can't stand Magnas).

 

[Biggfoot44]

I have personally observed a meaningful number of the same people qualifying ( or attempting to) with both small frame snubs and full size 4in. ( 50rd, 3-15yds, including from the leather and medium-ish time frames for such context upon a B-27.) The rule of thumb of double the group ( pattern?) size was consistant.

Yes, with grips that fit, proper technique, and enough practice ( both initial skill building and frequent maintaince practice) , The "half as good" can be useful for COM out to distances for some SD scenarios. But for me ; 2in K Frames or 2.75in Speed. Sixes with concealment grips are only slightly more bulky than J's with oversize grips ( I said bulk, not weight) J's were BUGs for me.

 

[Newburydave]

....I'm with you! > This may sound rough to some___ Anyone who packs should have the WiLL to use what they're carrying.
Again___liked your post.
Semper Fi
Poli Viejo

---------------------------------
Here in Massachusetts the law is "don't ever mention having a gun to warn an attacker off and don't draw unless you are committed to shoot."

Seems that our lawmakers wanted to outlaw any "brandishing" of a firearm to scare someone. So the practical application is "if you draw you're committed to shooting."

Need to get it settled in your own heart well before hand what level of threat is sufficient to justify using deadly force.

I can't speak to the wisdom of that law, but for me that is the law I'm under. Though now that I think of it, that is what my Dad taught me many years ago.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

NAA Black Widow (.22 mag) - $240. Cheap holster - $15. Done.

 

[haywood]

I carry Two J-Frames daily. One in my Left Front Pocket. And One AIWB. Both are comfortable for all day carry what turns out to be over 16 hours a day. With the Two J-Frames and Two speed loaders I feel pretty comfortable and safe.

 

[JCFindley]

How would you conceal a double stack 9mm in South Fl during the summer. Avg. temp is 90+ with high humidity. I can just manage to pocket carry a Shield in cargo shorts but a double stack is too thick and heavy. G42 works for dockers.

Now, given I am a huge fan of comfort and often carry a 22 mag pocket gun I do at times carry a double stack 45 in Florida in the heat.

I wear a compression T-shirt as an inner layer with an untucked cotton T or polo over it. I use an IWB at 5:00 tucked into shorts that have a belt.

It is comfortable and I don't find the thin extra underlayer adds anything to the heat.

 

[Out West]

Good thread. This kinda reminds me of discussions on how much ammo is enough. When I start thinking about it, how likely am I to survive any circumstance where I'd need hundreds or thousands of rounds? Same thing with my carry gun. If circumstances require me to reload once or twice, I'd say my survival chances are pretty grim.

So what do I do? I practice with what I carry. I always have my carry with me. And I try to pay enough attention to what is going on around me to avoid being in situations that put my butt at risk.

What to carry is a personal decision. I can buy the J frame argument or the hi cap auto with extra mags. Personally, I AIWB carry a compact 9mm auto. Usually without any extra magazines. So far, it works for me.

 

[keith44spl]

I agree that comfort is a factor. However, there is much to be said for comforting.

The biggest mistake made by those new to concealed carry, is buying a gun that's too small. Nothing wrong with small guns, but can you shoot it well enough? If you can't use the gun effectively, what's the point? I've watched many miss the entire target from 3 yards. Do you want people with this level of skill carrying a gun? How is the gun comforting if you can't hit anything with it?


The second mistake is not practicing. They think, "I've got a gun so, I'm safe." Believe it or not, I know lots of people who've only ever fired their gun at the mandated training class. Sad really.

Oh, brother ain't it the truth....Just having a guitar does not make one a musician,
anymore than having a personal defense firearm make one truly armed and able.


It's all in your skills and without practice, skills deteriorate....



.

 

[loknload]

Carry my LCP in my jean shorts pocket inside clip holster to top of pocket inside, tee shirt covers grip real well and I don't know it's there. Carry spare mag opposite pocket!
My summer carry!

 

[tlawler]

You could buy some "purposeful" concealed carry shirts (they are often a little thicker/sturdier around the waste, have "rip" open snaps/velcro, and colors/designs built in to obscure the shape of a pistol) to aid in concealment, but most button-up shirts and polos are fine for me.

Do you have a link to a source for something like the shirts you describe? I live in Southwest Florida and I'm always looking for concealment options.

 

[Hotshot9]

crazyphil,

There are a lot of factors that must be resolved before carrying a gun. I can tell you from years' experience, if a gun ain't comfortable, you might be prone to leaving it behind.

Probably the most comfortable way that I've carried a concealed handgun was inside of an inside jacket pocket. But that won't work in warm weather, and it will delay bringing a gun to battery. I've left that mode of carry behind in my 20's.

I've since bought a dedicated gun belt that's .25" thick and a Galco Avenger holster. An excellent quality dedicated gun belt will make carrying a lot easier. I have two, both .25': thick: a 1.5" wide for urban carry and one that's 1.75 inches wide for wilderness carry.

I have to agree about the gun belt. I have a dedicated .25 thick 1.5 wide also and it makes a big difference in support and comfort with IWB and OWB holsters. Thats where one needs to start in my opinion. then start that long search for the right holters.... I have a few.. well a lot...lol But my favorite is my Alien Gear IWB with my Ruger LC9s.