Concealed carry

[Steved13]

If you could provide some info, on what you wear and how you spend your time, you would get ideas that would be more useful to you.

A good gun belt is one of the most important components.

Concealed carry is a commitment to changing the way you go about your life. The commitment to the wardrobe is the least impactful.

There is a cliche that I kept finding myself reminded of, when I was struggling for the best solution to this very issue. "Concealed carry is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable".

 

[kstud]

Guys, can somebody tell me the best way to conceal carry
A m&p 9mm. Not the shield, the fuller size one.
I don't want to go out and buy all new pants that are bigger so I can wear a iwb holster. I really want to use this weapon for concealed carry, but just don't know how without printing badly. Please help. Thanks

Concealed carry a MP FS is doable but it is very uncomfortable especially in the appendix position. In the sitting position, the slide/barrel digs into my groin. I tried everything to make it semi-comfortable, even tried without a holster...no go. I wear fitted clothing (not tight e.g. women's clothing) and with my refusal to revamp my wardrobe, I had to move down to a MP9C which is the perfect concealed carry pistol for me. Shorter slide and grip with a 12+1 capacity...shoots like my full size.

If you are like me and want a pistol to fit you and your lifestyle instead of changing your lifestyle to fit your pistol, you'll need to size down your carry piece. My MP FS is reserved for home defense while my MP9C is my daily carry. The MP Shield is collecting dust as I do not enjoy shooting it, carrying it is fairly easy.

 

[Mainsail]

Concealed means "obscured from view". It doesn't mean it's impossible to see or completely hidden. You didn't bother to fill out the location when you signed up, so I can't guess where you are and what the law requires where you are. Where I live, i can carry totally concealed, sorta concealed, noticeable-if-someone-really-looks but obscured from view, or even openly. Your state may be the same.

Don't get too wrapped around the axle about it- nobody is looking.

 

[kmanick]

Similar experience here. I started with a FS M&P .40 in a N82 pro holster.
Levi 541's are cut great for IWB carrying, they are looser around the waist while still "fitting" on the thighs, also Wrangler Comfort jeans have a stretch waist, perfect for IWB. Now having said that, I sold the .40 and went to smaller guns (I'm 6 foot , 210lbs 34" waist) now I rotate 3, a shield 9, a 9C and an XDM 3.8C .45. I have 2 holsters for each gun, all Stealthgear, a "Flex" OWB for each and a "mini" IWB for each.
In the winter I primarily use the Flex for all 3, it rides nice and high and tight against your side a loose sweat shirt completely conceals it.
In warmer weather I go IWB, the only one that's somewhat "tough " to carry IWb is the XDM .45 because it's heavier and I can feel it a lot more
but it still conceals OK. I know a couple of guys that carry the FS 9 and they really have to dress around it.
In Mass, the Libtards tend to freak out if they see a gun on you , so I try to be as "concealed" as Possible at all times.
with a FS piece it is a bit more difficult.

 

[chaseman31]

I couldnt get comfortable with IWB carry, so I got a stealthgear OWB, and carry a 9C, and have no problems concealing it, just longer shirts, and nobody notices, they are too busy sticking their noses in their phones. One bit of advice that other people have mentioned, get a good gun belt, like a bigfoot, if not, you will never feel comfortable....

 

[silversnake]

Concealed means "obscured from view". It doesn't mean it's impossible to see or completely hidden. You didn't bother to fill out the location when you signed up, so I can't guess where you are and what the law requires where you are. Where I live, i can carry totally concealed, sorta concealed, noticeable-if-someone-really-looks but obscured from view, or even openly. Your state may be the same.

Don't get too wrapped around the axle about it- nobody is looking.

This is a personal decision, for me if I am going to bother with concealment I expect it to be totally concealed, even though open carry is not uncommon in my area. This is the reason I haven't tried to CC my FS M&P for some time, I have plenty of other options that are easier and allow more flexibility with my wardrobe.

 

[Horn]

Gun Belt & Holster That Hugs

Guys, can somebody tell me the best way to conceal carry
A m&p 9mm. Not the shield, the fuller size one.
I don't want to go out and buy all new pants that are bigger so I can wear a iwb holster. I really want to use this weapon for concealed carry, but just don't know how without printing badly. Please help. Thanks

Concealed indicates not showing. That being the case as others have suggested dress around your full size pistol. For a very close hugging holster (Now watch the talk about barrel not covered and such) I used a Yaqui in a suit carrying a (One of the originals) Smith & Wesson Model 39. If going out on the range to qualify I'd carry a National Match 45 in the same holster.
A proper Yaqui will be no wider than your belt or close.
There's other options that's why guys have "holster boxes".
Comp-Tac offers a gun belt that's tapered in front looking like a dress belt. ($$ though) There's a lot of gun belts offered out there.
The belt will be as important as the holster, if not more so.
Carrying a full size pistol under a T-shirt may or may not work
depending on how loose it is.
You can carry a full size concealed but not as easily or as comfortable as smaller pistol designed with that in mind.
Good luck.
Poli Viejo

 

[smitret]

Carry OWB

For $15 a Glock Sport Combat works pretty well.

Fits a number of different pistols very well.

Cheap experiment.

 

[zork52]

I'm 6' 210 and I carry my m2.0 daily. All I had to do was go up 1 shirt size to completely conceal and did that over time. I'm a lefty and wear mine with a iwb holster at about 9 o'clock with a forward cant. I can only tell bc I know I am wearing it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Tapatalk

Any issues with the new rough texture grip catching your over shirt? I'm seeing some posts on here about people not like the rough texture.

 

[forme95]

Any issues with the new rough texture grip catching your over shirt? I'm seeing some posts on here about people not like the rough texture.

I haven't had any issues so for from my undershirts or over shirts. I mostly wear cool wick (like Nike, under armor, starter) type shirts and polos. My grip hasn't affected me, nor does it even bother me or my clothes. I think most ppl are going overboard about the texture. It really isn't abrasive as ppl state. Well not in my hands anyways. Hope that helps.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Tapatalk

 

[CBStuard]

I just went to the Stealhgear website and I can't find ANY OWB holsters. The make you select from two types and then select your gun. For a 9c there was only one of each type and they were both IWB.

 

[BMWRIDER]

Guys, can somebody tell me the best way to conceal carry
A m&p 9mm. Not the shield, the fuller size one.
I don't want to go out and buy all new pants that are bigger so I can wear a iwb holster. I really want to use this weapon for concealed carry, but just don't know how without printing badly. Please help. Thanks

Look into a Sneaky Pete holster. I carry a Ruger lc9, but they make them in various sizes. Most people assume that it is a belt pack rather than a gun holster.

 

[Mildew]

I use a Mitch Rosen Upper Limit Express holster (OWB leather). It rides very high (and close to your body) so you don't have to wear a shirt that's down to your knees.

 

[federali]

I suspect that you'll soon tire of carrying a gun that rightfully belongs in a duty holster. I own an M&P and in my opinion, the gun is bit large for CC although many people do indeed carry large guns like a 5" Model 1911 or a SIG 226.

The length isn't critical. It's the width and height that really affects concealment.

 

[CB3]

Articles about the advantages of AIWB carry for larger guns are available with some searching.

It does not work for everyone, but I can comfortably and completely conceal my FS M&P with a good Kydex holster and nylon tactical belt. I'm average size. The gun is not too big and I have a 5" barrel. It is not too thick, and the grip is not too long (standard mag) when carried AIWB. It will not print with a proper covering garment.

I have carried like this for over two years, 14-16 hours per day. It is doable. Because I carry other gear IWB at the same time, my pants are about an inch larger than my waist. The covering garments are the major component of well concealed carry, but I can wear loose darker t-shirts and polos in the summer just fine.

 

[kramden]

If your serious about conceal carry then you need to dress around the gun with proper clothes. Or buy a smaller gun.

Very true! Its very tough not to print with a larger CCW. Especially in warm weather when you're wearing less clothing.