Full sized M&P 9 for carry
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Vinney47
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There are 3 main components to carry: belt, holster, clothing. For concealed carry, the goal is to get as comfortable carry as possible (note: this is different than just plain comfortable) with little to no "print". When parts of the gun/holster are identifiable through your clothing, that's called "printing".
For a belt, you want a thick, stiff belt with a minimum 1.5" width. A lot of people focus only on a good holster, forgetting that the belt is just as important and the foundation for carry. It will kind of be up to you to pick a belt you like based on color and material. A lot of people swear by leather, but there are some nylon belts out there that are good options also. Keep in mind that for most jeans/khakis/etc the belt loop holes maximum are 1.5", but many gun belts are 2" or 1.75" even so be aware of that when buying - if you want one of the really wide belts your belt loops on the pants will need to accommodate it, as well as the holster you select.
You will want an inside the waistband (IWB) holster. Some outside the waistband holsters claim to be for concealed carry, but they really don't work unless you wear a jacket always. And even then it is a lot to cover up. There are many fine holster makers. Foxx makes a good hybrid (kydex/leather) holster for a good price, and for a bit more I really like comp-tac holsters as well. I'm sure you will get plenty of recommendations for holsters. You'll just have to pick. Likely, you will end up with a few holsters before you find what you like best.
Depending on how your pants currently fit, you may need to buy a waist size larger to accommodate the pistol. Shirts that fit a bit loose will also be necessary to cover things up. Shirts, especially that are tight around your waist area may cover up the gun, but if they are too tight will press against the grip or slide and it will be obvious what's under there.
If you don't want the gun to "print", you'll probably have to carry more towards your back than on your side with the full size grip of the M&P9.
For a belt, you want a thick, stiff belt with a minimum 1.5" width. A lot of people focus only on a good holster, forgetting that the belt is just as important and the foundation for carry. It will kind of be up to you to pick a belt you like based on color and material. A lot of people swear by leather, but there are some nylon belts out there that are good options also. Keep in mind that for most jeans/khakis/etc the belt loop holes maximum are 1.5", but many gun belts are 2" or 1.75" even so be aware of that when buying - if you want one of the really wide belts your belt loops on the pants will need to accommodate it, as well as the holster you select.
You will want an inside the waistband (IWB) holster. Some outside the waistband holsters claim to be for concealed carry, but they really don't work unless you wear a jacket always. And even then it is a lot to cover up. There are many fine holster makers. Foxx makes a good hybrid (kydex/leather) holster for a good price, and for a bit more I really like comp-tac holsters as well. I'm sure you will get plenty of recommendations for holsters. You'll just have to pick. Likely, you will end up with a few holsters before you find what you like best.
Depending on how your pants currently fit, you may need to buy a waist size larger to accommodate the pistol. Shirts that fit a bit loose will also be necessary to cover things up. Shirts, especially that are tight around your waist area may cover up the gun, but if they are too tight will press against the grip or slide and it will be obvious what's under there.
If you don't want the gun to "print", you'll probably have to carry more towards your back than on your side with the full size grip of the M&P9.
Last edited:
Jaysq
US Veteran
Welcome from the mountains of NC.
Do you have any preference of how you plan to carry, IWB, OWB, etc? How about the material of the holster?
I carry a Shield and find that OWB works fine for me and it is very easy to conceal. A full size M&P may not conceal as easily depending on how you dress. What are your thoughts?
Do you have any preference of how you plan to carry, IWB, OWB, etc? How about the material of the holster?
I carry a Shield and find that OWB works fine for me and it is very easy to conceal. A full size M&P may not conceal as easily depending on how you dress. What are your thoughts?
Rastoff
US Veteran
Vinney47 had a really good post going and then he added this:
pfpurdyii,
Which do you prefer, leather or Kydex?
I carry OWB all the time and have no trouble concealing with a loose shirt. I won't argue that IWB is easier to conceal, it's just not necessary.
pfpurdyii,
Which do you prefer, leather or Kydex?
asnpdirtezw
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I carry mine OWB and have no issues, but if you're truly concerned or would like an IWB i would say try out appendix. Seems like the most logical place to me for FS and is what i am looking to try when i pickup a good iwb holster. Obviously a good belt and proper clothing helps, but will also depend on your body shape. Clean slender stomach will give a good appendix carry however if you've got a bit of a gut like me it will make it tougher as it pushes the grip out.
Vinney47
Member
My apologies towards anyone that does carry OWB, successfully. I've just never known anyone to do it with a full size pistol wearing just a shirt, due to print issues. In fact, I don't know anybody who carries OWB wearing just a shirt over it with any size pistol: compact, single stack or otherwise.
Just out of curiosity, what gun and what holster are you guys using that allows for OWB carry to not print under a t-shirt with a full size M&P?
Just out of curiosity, what gun and what holster are you guys using that allows for OWB carry to not print under a t-shirt with a full size M&P?
PurpleMountainOutdoors
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Look at the above post
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shutupdata113
Member
I carry my fs M&P 9 in a galco king tuk. WERX FER me
Rastoff
US Veteran
Well, I don't use a T-Shirt, but a Dickies shirt works for me.
I can carry a full sized M&P 45 or a 5" 1911 without problem. This is what I use:
OWB Holsters - R Grizzle Leather
Adding to the above good advice, I also believe Appendix Inside the Waist (Belt) AIWB is a great choice unless you have a big belly. Your shirt can more naturally cover that position than OWB at 2,3 or 4 o'clock, and it is faster to access, easier to protect, and allows for draw by either hand.
Wear patterned shirts to help break up the outline of the gun when it does print.
A gun belt, either leather or nylon, will often have a plastic stiffener sewn between an inner and an outer layer. These are very stiff belts, but as they break in they will be comfortable. Other belts as they break in may become too weak or soft. Do not buy just a regular wide dress belt. It will not properly carry the load.
On holsters: you need to keep the gun positioned properly. This dictates two attachment points for the belt, not just one. Especially for AIWB I like them both on the holster as the curvature of your body in this area makes a wider setup along the belt less desirable. A wider, leather backed holster may distribute the load better over a larger area, but I've not yet tried that for AIWB. One of the attachments for such a rig might end up at or under the belt buckle, which to me seems uncomfortable and maybe a little harder to conceal. Others with real experience on this should chime in.
I use a Bladetech Nano for my FS M&P 9 and it works great. I add a piece of adhesive moleskin to the bottom muzzle area of the holster where it contacts me to provide some extra comfort.
If you choose to carry a spare mag, doing so IWB at 11 o'clock makes for a well-concealed, quick reload, although having a knife at that position might be a good alternative (assuming you know what to do with it). Exhausting a 17+1 load in a civilian CCW gunfight is unlikely.
Wear patterned shirts to help break up the outline of the gun when it does print.
A gun belt, either leather or nylon, will often have a plastic stiffener sewn between an inner and an outer layer. These are very stiff belts, but as they break in they will be comfortable. Other belts as they break in may become too weak or soft. Do not buy just a regular wide dress belt. It will not properly carry the load.
On holsters: you need to keep the gun positioned properly. This dictates two attachment points for the belt, not just one. Especially for AIWB I like them both on the holster as the curvature of your body in this area makes a wider setup along the belt less desirable. A wider, leather backed holster may distribute the load better over a larger area, but I've not yet tried that for AIWB. One of the attachments for such a rig might end up at or under the belt buckle, which to me seems uncomfortable and maybe a little harder to conceal. Others with real experience on this should chime in.
I use a Bladetech Nano for my FS M&P 9 and it works great. I add a piece of adhesive moleskin to the bottom muzzle area of the holster where it contacts me to provide some extra comfort.
If you choose to carry a spare mag, doing so IWB at 11 o'clock makes for a well-concealed, quick reload, although having a knife at that position might be a good alternative (assuming you know what to do with it). Exhausting a 17+1 load in a civilian CCW gunfight is unlikely.
PurpleMountainOutdoors
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Then carry a smaller weapon. It is pretty unrealistic to carry a full size, all day, every day unless you are a police officer. Not saying people don't do it, but with that comes dressing around the weapon. If you don't want to do that, get a shield. Wear the full size in winter, and when you feel like dressing around it.
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ginzo
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nocents
Member
some training if you haven't already
PurpleMountainOutdoors
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I have a leather Blackhawk holster designed for small of the back. I don't particularly like it. I don't like the long reach to get at the gun & if I want to move it closer to the front of me I have to bend my wrist in an unnatural angle due to the extreme cant. I don't like it so close to my spine either. Other than that it's a comfortable holster & conceals well with dress clothes. It works good with narrow stiff belts & the belt loops on the holster are wide enough that I can change the cant slightly with the narrow belt. Once the belt is cinched tight it stays in position. I probably wear it once or twice a month. I feel that it's better than going unarmed. I make sure I draw the pistol a bunch of times when I put it on to get the "new" muscle memory. My Blackhawk fits Glock 23, Sigma, M&P full size & compact so it's versatile enough with the adjustable screw.
From what I have seen, appendix carry is preferred by more & more people because it is supposed to be easier to get to (& faster) than holstering in the traditional 3 or 4 o'clock position. On the flip side, I would think that small of the back holstering we be a very unnatural arm movement & probably be an even longer draw time than even a 3 or 4 ***. draw
srings
Member
When I carry my M&P FS 9-which is rare-I carry in a Little FoxX Holster. Dig it, big time!
