Help a "Big Guy" New to This...

[Jst1mr]

New to this concealed carry business. I know many of you have drawers full of holsters that weren't quite right for you, and I am hoping to avoid that situation.
I am a big guy who wears his belt low and his belly high, if you know what I mean....OK,OK - I have front and side "overhangs", if you will.
Help me navigate down the rather bewildering array of holster types. Deep concealment is not mandatory, since WI allows for both open and concealed carry, but I would prefer to keep things as hidden as possible. I am looking for belt carry, no pockets, ankles, or shoulders. Gun in question would be a Sig P220 Carry or Kimber CDP, strong side carry, 3-4 o'clock.
Right, wrong, or indifferent on these points:

• I think I would do better (with body as described above) with OWB rather than IWB. (?)
• I think a lower-riding holster would be better than a high rise.. (?)
• Bit leary of minimalist slides, so pancake style(?) or perhaps belt clip?
• Suspenders likely required?
• Other concerns/ideas?

Any experience/advice from like-sized gents very much appreciated!!!!!!!!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I'm not a "big" guy, but I have found that I've developed a "Dunlop" since I had surgery in March. What I've learned may be of help.

1. IWB is generally uncomfortable, and I only use it with a J-frame when I absolutely have to remain "stealth concealed." Get a good holster, not nylon, if you decide to do the same.

2. OWB is much more comfortable, but you have to have a good belt. For concealed carry, pancake or modified pancake holsters are best. If concealed carry is not an issue, any good belt holster will do the trick. Thumbbreaks are a matter of choice, but I use them on everything but spring holsters worn crossdraw. The only time I would use nylon would be when woods-walking or hunting, and probably not then. Suspenders may become necessary and you should get good wide ones with button on straps.

Shoulder holsters are generally not a good idea. (I have and use two of them rarely.)

Hope this helps. Of course, everything here is just my own humble little opinion...

ECS

 

[bearfoot]

my 2 cents for you to start is an OWB, w/ retenion. a desantis mini tuck is a comfortable / rentention holester. it should be bought for the weapon you have so not to guess on the fit. a paddle holster is a good choice. going to a LGS and take you weapon and ask a clerk for suggestions.

 

[novalty]

My holster maker of choice is Andrews Leather and for OWB carry I really like his "Wrad-id". I know I'm not the same body type, but here is how the holster rides on me in the 4 o'clock position you mentioned.

Sorry for this pic, but it does show how the holster holds the gun close to the body. I use this as my range holster for my S&W full-size 1911. Really happy with it.

Tucker Gunleather makes some great holsters too, and has a 90 day guarantee. If you don't like it they will take it back & refund you.

Another favorite maker is Adams Leatherworks, with his airbrushed holsters. The look great are made well.

 

[Rob22]

Since no other big guy is posting I will. I'm large framed as well and I've found that the 8 9 position southpaw is not very concealable having a similar body type as you've described To conceal on my strong side I was nearly at 7 which made drawing slow and uncomfortable as well as sitting and made for retention cocnerns. I've found the spot up front around 11 surprisingly comfortable and concealable. Some call it appendix carry. I refer to it as that spot between my dunlop and my love handle. I can carry a 3 inch sp101 there all day comfortably. Just my experience as a big guy.

 

[Jst1mr]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys - really helps to narrow things down.

 

[chuck0291]

I carry a S&W 457, which is around the same size as the Sig. OWB I use a Don Hume J.I.T. and a long tail shirt for IWB I use a Galco Summer Comfort. I am also on the large size 5'11'' 240 lbs.

 

[MichiganScott]

I'm 6' 210lbs. I find a Super Tuck type holster worn IWB untucked with a cover garment to be very comfortable. However, I find myself carrying a Model 642 in a Mika pocket holster because I usually wear dress slacks and short sleeve dress shirts at work.

My casual wear is not much different, except I switch to jeans. The Super Tuck is reserved for summer wear when shorts and an untucked shirt become "the uniform of the day".

 

[andrewb70]

I am 6'1" about 290 pounds, although most guess me at 250. I wear size 40 jeans comfortably.

I carry a 457, which as has been stated, is very similar in size to the Sig 220 Carry. My first bit of advice is to get a strong gun belt!!! Just like anything else, you can spend as much as you want to spend on a belt. I have a couple of Cross Breed 1.5" belts that I rotate and they have worked well with just about any style of pants, from dress slacks to shorts. I use a CB super tuck, but I never tuck. If I am wearing slacks, I use a jacket to cover. If I am dressed casually, I leave my shirt untucked. I carry at the 3:30-4:00 position and I have the holster adjusted at maximum depth and cant. When sitting down the grip gets pressed against my back and I can barely feel it. The confort is excellent.

Andrew

 

[LimaCharlie]

I am your size and I carry a full size 1911 at 3:00 o'clock in a DM Bullard holster.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My brother is 5'8" and 260, he has nerve problems and can't wear a tight belt (usually stech pants), he wanted to start carrying a 1911 OWB at 3 o'clock so we got him a Galco paddle holster. I'm 5'11" 270 and can carry Sig 220 full size IWB or OWB at 3 or 4 O'clock in paddle holsters, but if I won't be driving more than 1/2 to 3/4 hour at a time I use a Galco "Small of the back" holster. When standing, I don't sweep myself like with a "Middle of the back". Also I'm right handed and the wife is left handed, when we are walking we do so "off" hands together, so we don't sweep each other either. I also have a Sig245 which I think is the same as yours only older and all my 220 holsters work for them. As I sit here, I'm trying out a Galco "Underwraps" belly band with 2 220's and am enjoying it so far, the bottom of the band is about 2" above my belt. I think you will end up with 2 to 4 holsters per carry gun to cover different types of clothing needs. Be patient and often you can find then used for cheep, or if you have friends that carry, they may let you try theirs. Ivan

 

[joespapa]

I'm 6 ft 250 lbs 42" waist. I carry owb at about 2:30 and can hide anything in that spot with comfort. Can't STAND iwb so it's owb or pocket for me.

 

[Pete99004]

6' 2" and 280lbs. + or - (depending on time of the year). I have a pancake OWB w/forward cant style leather holster that works well with my Sig P220R Carry (Galco Concealable model) I wear it around 3:30 to 4:30 mark (depending on which pants I have on, and find that to be very comfortable. I wear cargo style pants a lot so I bought a 1-3/4 inch wide belt for use with the cargo pants, that helps pull the firearm in tight to the body and supports the weight of the P220 very well. I also find the 2:30 area with a good leather OWB belt holster works well with my J frames for some reason. I'm also a fan of the Belly Band style holsters for my J frame and my mid sized semi autos (S&W 3913) and have had good luck with Galco Underwraps - I did just order a Trump Card because of Erich's post here and plan to give that a try. See his post here

http://smith-wessonforum.com/concea...-wear-trump-card-subcompact-holster-belt.html

FWIW I have IWB holsters, but rarely use them as they are not very comfortable for me with my size and sounds like your size as well.

Hope this helps.


Pete99004