How do you conceal your large handgun?

[JWM]

Glock 17-Aker Flatsider holster (OWB pancake style with thumb break). Dickie navy blue button shirt bought at Walmart ten years ago (one size larger). Works in SC summer weather. So far, nobody has challenged me as a concealed carrier. Granted, not stylish, but effectively it works.

 

[Rastoff]

Like this:

 

[bulletproof-791]

I carry a 64-3.

 

[GWK4667]

I carry anytime I'm not in bed or in the pool.

My sister makes a "concealed comfort" holster that is all cotton so it does not make you sweat and it conforms to what you put in it. I have shown students I will put in a Model 60 chiefs special with a 1 5/8" barrel, pull it out and replace with a 6906, pull it out and replace with a a bodyguard 380 and the holster will grip them all.

My normal carry is the 6906 as my 5906 is heavy enough that I will notice it and the concealed comfort will hold 2 spare mags under my right armpit and extra cash in the back.

I can carry this way with any type shirt ( I prefer button up but polo will work if not tight ) or under a suit coat or jacket.

 

[Jiman]

Man this thread has covered a big range from holster advise to fashion.

OP: Since you know leather and belts here's my take assuming you have that part covered.

IME, your body shape has a major part of how a gun fits/carries. I've seen more folks who are skinny have issues with concealment vs. those who carry more weight.

IMO, concealment is not only out of sight but unrecognized. With that generally carrying at 3-9 o'clock will print the most. As the body is shaped, those two points are the end points of your body; Adding to it will generally make you look wider than normal even with loose fitting clothing.

For that reason most carry forward or behind those points.

Every spot has its pros and cons and depending on your body shape some may not be an option.

Generally the length of a gun doesn't affect the difficulty of carrying concealed as the width (within reason). I find carrying a 5" 1911 is easier than an M&P FS, Sig 229, G22, or other double stack pistol. Easier being more comfortable and more concealable.

The grip on some guns will also make a big difference on 'printing'. Generally mag wells, magazine extensions and the like enhance the problem.

Aside from a P232 380, I have always preferred to carry a full size gun. The 232 satisfied my desire to always carry vs. being required to carry the only other authorized weapon P229. It was easy to put the 232 pretty much anywhere for a quick trip out.
Our off-duty carry policy has changed now to allow a greater range of guns, so I'm back to FS guns.

YMMV.

 

[Mike McLellan]

No problemo…...

 

[nbragtop]

I am a big guy and love handles and belly make owb or iwb not comfortable with a large gun. I have 3 revolvers that I enjoy carrying out in the woods whether walking or riding. This also means carrying at all the things I do going and coming (like eating or gas). The revolvers are a 6" model 17-2, or a 5" model 27-2, or a 6.5" Judge.

I use Crossfiregear.com "The Alaskan". About $56.00 They can be worn in about a dozen different way but what I prefer is the bandolier style. It does not bounce around walking or driving and even has a padded shoulder strap.

 

[nbragtop]

Sorry for the extra reply to the above response. "I accidentally hit the enter button."

The way I conceal the Crossfiregear.com bandolier rig is with a larger button up short or long sleeve shirt worn over the bandolier. If I feel I need to button up the shirt I do or most of the time I don't. I have never had anyone ask me about seeing the strap when left unbuttoned. The holster is held close to the body and the large revolvers don't imprint on me at all. Very high quality products.

 

[willy]

I got to agree with RICK-A on his recommendations.
If you wear a suit or sport coat you can carry just about any hand gun pretty easy in a shoulder holster .
Heck with the right cloths you can carry a whippit.
But wearing a suit while cutting the grass or washing the car will get some strange looks from the neighbors!
And as far as someone being able to spot your gun ,,, anyone with the least bit of knowledge can spot your gun if they eyeball you close enough no matter how professional you think you are.
(unless your gun is a NAA tucked inside a jock strap).
For everyday carry, I carry either a model 65 or a 5906 in a kidney holster with a tucked in tee shirt, and a loose button down shirt unbuttoned over that .
Can anyone make out the imprint?
If they are looking for it, and I move the right way,,, yes they can.
Can you make out a man's 1911 commander in a shoulder holster under a suit coat?
Yes you can if you are looking for it, and watching him long enough.

 

[gunfighter48]

I'm 5'7" and weigh 255lbs. I usually carry a commander size 1911 IWB with no problems. I carry at the 3:00 position. With the FBI cant I never have a problem printing. My back has been giving me problems, not related to carry, and the weight of the fully loaded 1911s is not always possible for me now days. So I bought a Shield 9mm last week and bought a OWB Workz Kydex holster. It's very slim and hugs the belt very closely. First time I've ever carried OWB. You can't tell I'm carrying with that holster. I also got a DeSantis Intruder IWB holster and it came in the mail yesterday. Looks like the Crossbreed holsters. Very comfortable and don't need a size larger pants or belt with the Shield! I wear sport shirts that have the square cut bottoms out side of the belt. As large as I am I could probably conceal an Uzi with no trouble!!!!!!!!!

 

[zeke]

Up here if someone dresses too nice, they simply aren't trusted by us common folk. Untucked shirts, especially flannel, are common. As are baggier clothes. Especially among us older less fashion conscious.

For larger heavier pistols, which I don't carry often, use hybrid iwb holster at 3 o'clock, with fbi tilt,switched from 4 oclock with the smaller pistols. Always wear loose fitting checkered/buttoned cover shirts. Very light cotton in summer, flannel rest of the year. A pair of suspenders (underneath the cover shirt) and off side spare mag (s)carry really help distribute the weight. Avoid pistols that don't have a rounded butt grip, they usually flunk the lean/bend/reach snag the shirt test.

Am too small framed to carry a large revolver (N-Frame) effectively concealed, ain't even gonna kid myself.

 

[hudsonvalley]

With a large holster?

 

[hudsonvalley]

with a large holster?

 

[Smoke]

Video: Massad Ayoob on Handgun Concealment Considerations | Gun Digest

Here is a good article and video by Massas Ayoob dealing with this issue

 

[redwood0_7]

I carry a M&P9 FS. Use a good holster and belt and wear either a t-shirt or button down the front shirt untucked.

 

[MOONDAWG]

Under very large clothes.

 

[MyDads38]

I don't have any small handguns; a FS 5" 1911 45acp, Ruger P89DC 4" 9mm and my new SD9VE 4" 9mm. They all get carried in a good quality, leather, pancake style holster. Usually in the 3-4 o'clock position. Add'l. mags are carried in good quality, leather carriers at 8-9 o'clock position. A good quality, thick, leather belt to hold it all in place.

My usual attire is Wrangler blue jeans and t-shirts. As mentioned, dark colors or patterns work best. If you don't fidget or keep checking the firearm, no one will ever notice. I'm 5' 10" and 185 lbs; just your average "Wal Mart 10" LOL. Being comfortable carrying can make a big difference!

 

[george minze]

Been in Law Enforcement since I was 23...While in the patrol division in St. Louis the regulation was ..Armed anytime you were in the City..St.L. is hot very little grass a lot of concrete and almost all houses were brick..I remember the year 68 when we had 100+ day after day...Carrying a off duty was a chore multiplied by the heat..No semi auto's then colt or SW snub nose was it..I am 5'9" 155lbs and I never really mastered the concealed carry....I am now 75 and the same weight but I think I have shrunk a inch still don't carry a concealed carry pistol very well..Mental I guess...Best I have found so far is a shield in a IWB holster..I have a high dollar IWB holster for my PPK-s that works OK...I love my BHP that I wear on occasion with one of Rays belt-slide holsters that works well but you have to have a over-shirt..Not bad but shirt must be a little large..I feel like a sign saying gun aboard...Doesn't show most of the time but due to my small waist the grip can print...I keep trying to find the perfect solution to no avail as of yet....I have the Shield that with the right holster just might work.....Now to find someone that has the perfect holster to try out...I have to many different perfect holsters hanging out now..I have given holsters away and still have don't use holsters laying about.

 

[jack the toad]

I seldom carry a full size concealed, instead opting to carry a J frame or baby glock. But when I do, its a 1911 or full size glock in an IWB. The ones I've found that works best for me are the Milt Sparks VM2 and Comptac M-tac.
Occasionally I may try a snub N frame in an OWB Sour Dough pancake or Ruger Talo Vaquero in a Mernickle extreme high rise.

 

[halco46]

Large weapon Carry

I live in Florida so CC is Real easy for me as I`m a slim 5'6 142lbs so the untucked shirt and a Blackhawk IWB is my ticket to ride. I can carry my full size 1911,my Compact 1911 or my Governor with no problems. If I need to dress up a shoulder holster and a jacket works very well. Just my $0,02.