Not to slight some of the patrons of this board, like Lobo Gun Leather (worth a look), but once you figure out just what works for you, you might want to check out Ken Null. His prices may strike you as ...steep, but the stuff is outstanding and wears like iron.
Full Size M&P 9MM Conceal Carry
- Thread starter JazzyJ
- Start date
Not to slight some of the patrons of this board, like Lobo Gun Leather (worth a look), but once you figure out just what works for you, you might want to check out Ken Null. His prices may strike you as ...steep, but the stuff is outstanding and wears like iron.
bp231986
Member
Once you find the right setup you will know it as it will feel like the best setup. Good luck with your choices!!
breakingbad
Member
Look at these holster makers' websites bec they not only make some of the best holsters around, but they also describe what makes a good holster and why. So, even if you don't buy from them you will learn a lot:
Garrity's Gunleather
5 Shot Leather
Mitch Rosen
carrying a gun is a lifestyle commitment, so you will have to adjust your wardrobe to make it work. The best way to conceal a large gun is IWB. Personally, I hate carrying large guns IWB and, therefore, I carry nothing bigger than a Kahr K9 Elite 03 or a S&W J-frame IWB.
However, I carry large guns OWB and these are not only very comfortable, but also very well hidden as long as you dress accordingly. You must have a high-riding pancake/paddle holster or the tunnel/loop holster to hide it well. That's why you should look at the websites above bec they discuss all this very well. You will learn.
I highly recommend the Kahr K9 Elite 03 - 7 or 8 rounds of 9mm in an all SS package for IWB - or BUG. They make Polymer versions if you prefer that instead. But once you shoot the K9 Elite you will want it. It is striker fired like the S&W and the SA XD. I would then carry your M&P OWB.
One last option - Shoulder Holster? Look at Garrity's SH - pretty much the best.
Garrity's Gunleather
5 Shot Leather
Mitch Rosen
carrying a gun is a lifestyle commitment, so you will have to adjust your wardrobe to make it work. The best way to conceal a large gun is IWB. Personally, I hate carrying large guns IWB and, therefore, I carry nothing bigger than a Kahr K9 Elite 03 or a S&W J-frame IWB.
However, I carry large guns OWB and these are not only very comfortable, but also very well hidden as long as you dress accordingly. You must have a high-riding pancake/paddle holster or the tunnel/loop holster to hide it well. That's why you should look at the websites above bec they discuss all this very well. You will learn.
I highly recommend the Kahr K9 Elite 03 - 7 or 8 rounds of 9mm in an all SS package for IWB - or BUG. They make Polymer versions if you prefer that instead. But once you shoot the K9 Elite you will want it. It is striker fired like the S&W and the SA XD. I would then carry your M&P OWB.
One last option - Shoulder Holster? Look at Garrity's SH - pretty much the best.
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I will take a look, thanks a lot WR Moore!
And thank you breakingbad I heard the Kahr 9's were very good although I really want a .45 after shooting it the other day although on 5+1 is kinda low. I guess that's with any single stack though. The Shield has a 7+1 but I've heard mixed things. A shoulder holster would be awesome but I don't wear suits or blazers very often and if I were wearing a jacket I would need to keep it on all day which sometimes is hard.
breakingbad
Member
Small .45 is great if you can handle it with accuracy. I can't so I stick with 9mm, but I do have an XD tactical 5" in .45 which is my favorite. That is an excellent weapon that has a good stock trigger and easy to handle. I wanted a striker-fired big bore full size polymer to carry in my backpack (I'm not comfortable carrying 1911 cocked/locked in a backpack, even tho' it's also in the holster). The XD has NEVER once malfunctioned, no matter what I put through it or how I shoot it. We can't get the XDm in Kalifornia, which is the newer generation.
.45 costs a lot more to shoot than 9mm tho', so I figure one day you'll get a 9mm anyway, in the same or similar platform, to practice with more often. I have friends who own M&P or XD in .45, and get same gun but in 9mm, which is lot cheaper to shoot. I think it's just another reason to buy another gun, bec you need to have a reason when you have to explain it to your wifey/GF.
.45 costs a lot more to shoot than 9mm tho', so I figure one day you'll get a 9mm anyway, in the same or similar platform, to practice with more often. I have friends who own M&P or XD in .45, and get same gun but in 9mm, which is lot cheaper to shoot. I think it's just another reason to buy another gun, bec you need to have a reason when you have to explain it to your wifey/GF.
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martyg2020
Member
I carry my FS M&P 9mm in a Old Faithful holster with no problems except when I have to drive my car. I have not yet found a good place were it will not poke my side. However, I never have a problem when riding my motorcycle which I ride everyday to work. I am a thin build 6'1" and a 140lbs, so I understand what you are talking about. I went with the Old Faithful mainly because of the price, not wanting to spend a lot money on something that did not work for me. Like others have said, it will take trial and error to get the holster to sit right on your body and a good gun belt is a must I got mine at the Wilderness company, they have a lifetime replacement.
Old Faithful Holsters | Leather Kydex Hybrid Holsters and Holster Kits
Tactical Gear, Tactical Equipment, Duty Belts, Slings, USA
Old Faithful Holsters | Leather Kydex Hybrid Holsters and Holster Kits
Tactical Gear, Tactical Equipment, Duty Belts, Slings, USA
I had a king tuk for a while and liked it at first. I used it for my fs and compact. Just didn't conceal as well as my Theis does with my 4003. So I got rid of it. I am eventually going to get a Theis for my M&Ps but for now I carry them in a Safariland model 18 IWB.
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Houdini1953
Member
I normally carry my M&P40 compact in a MTAC Minotaur IWB, but it also fits all my other M&P' The full size 40 the fullsize 9mm as well as the 2 full size 45's I also have an MTAC for my M&P Shield 40 but I also wear a Woolrich Vest year round, and since everyone I work with or encounter seems to know that that is my normal attire nobody pays attention.
The Woolrich Vest is not the Tactical one with mag pouches and all but the lightweight but durable denim with venting and mag holders in the lower pockets for a total of six mags or even six shotgun shells as they are elastic and can expand, very inconspicuous.
I also am not a large man being 5'6" and 140 to 145 ponds and unless the wind blows my open vest away from my weapon it is unnoticeable, and if the wind does pick up I am prepared to zip it up. The way this garment drapes it allow not only IWB but also OWB with say a Blackhawk Serpa which I use alot also!
The Woolrich Vest is not the Tactical one with mag pouches and all but the lightweight but durable denim with venting and mag holders in the lower pockets for a total of six mags or even six shotgun shells as they are elastic and can expand, very inconspicuous.
I also am not a large man being 5'6" and 140 to 145 ponds and unless the wind blows my open vest away from my weapon it is unnoticeable, and if the wind does pick up I am prepared to zip it up. The way this garment drapes it allow not only IWB but also OWB with say a Blackhawk Serpa which I use alot also!
I'm 5'11" an 180 lbs. Talk about cheap I carry my Ruger P95 in an Uncle Mikes IWB at about 2 o'clock and it works just fine. Everyone is different, you just have to find what works for you!
God Bless
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God Bless
Sent from my BlackBerry 9700 using Tapatalk
Tomkat
Member
Holy smokes that made me laugh. Don't get me wrong, I get your meaning and agree with it. The sentence just caught me off guard and made me laugh.
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fiasconva
Member
M&P Freak, I sorta agree with you on your above statement. However, you can get used to almost anything. Some of friends have the ugliest wives I've ever seen...
Exactly. When I first got my CPL, I figured I'd carry my full size 1911. Didn't take long to come to Old cop's conclusion. Even my Compact 9's a problem in warm weather. EDC these days is either a Shield or Bodyguard wheelgun. If you're set on carrying full size, you'll have to find a way around the large grip printing. The weight's something you'll have to live with.
