I have problems with holsters

[ADash]

I have some problems with concealed carry holsters. Maybe it's my body shape. I'm just 5'5", 132 pounds. Not really skinny.

First of all, I tried the PPK,S&W 649, and compact Para Carry .45 LDA. They poke me in the right side kidney till it hurts. I also found out that my slacks need to be 2-3 sizes larger in the waist size to accommodate tucking the gun under my belt, as well as needing a longer belt.

If I buy new slacks that are larger, then they will look weird if I don't wear the gun. Unlike Clark Kent, I would find it tough to find a telephone booth to do a quick change between 2 pairs of pants! Also, when packing, I have to remove the gun before entering places like the post office, and risk having the oversize pants dropping down.

In the field, I use the classic exposed belt holsters, without any of these problems. Even though I'm a small guy, I can wear the big bore revolvers for hours and hardly feel the weight. I really prefer the Para .45 for defense, but even that compact model is a bear to fit under my belt.

I have read concealed carry articles in the magazines for many years, but they never mention about the problems I have. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is complaining.

Any suggestions? (Other than fanny packs or purses).

 

[ADash]

I have some problems with concealed carry holsters. Maybe it's my body shape. I'm just 5'5", 132 pounds. Not really skinny.

First of all, I tried the PPK,S&W 649, and compact Para Carry .45 LDA. They poke me in the right side kidney till it hurts. I also found out that my slacks need to be 2-3 sizes larger in the waist size to accommodate tucking the gun under my belt, as well as needing a longer belt.

If I buy new slacks that are larger, then they will look weird if I don't wear the gun. Unlike Clark Kent, I would find it tough to find a telephone booth to do a quick change between 2 pairs of pants! Also, when packing, I have to remove the gun before entering places like the post office, and risk having the oversize pants dropping down.

In the field, I use the classic exposed belt holsters, without any of these problems. Even though I'm a small guy, I can wear the big bore revolvers for hours and hardly feel the weight. I really prefer the Para .45 for defense, but even that compact model is a bear to fit under my belt.

I have read concealed carry articles in the magazines for many years, but they never mention about the problems I have. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is complaining.

Any suggestions? (Other than fanny packs or purses).

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I've been making holsters for 37 years. Currently I am making and shipping an average of about 20 to 25 per week. I make what the customer wants, and that means that I make a lot of holsters that I would not choose for myself.

I don't care for IWB holsters personally, because of the very problems you have described.

When asked for recommendations, I generally recommend a high-ride pancake style holster. With the handguns you have described, the bottom of the holster will be no more than about 2" below the belt line, so concealment is relatively easy with most outer garments. I also make the pancake style with snap-loop belt attachments, allowing the holster to be quickly and easily put on and taken off without unfastening the belt and threading all the belt loops.

The rear panel of the holster can be extended up to form a shield between the upper slide/hammer area and the body, which protects the body from being gouged by those areas.

For most users, the most comfortable carry position is on, or just behind, the strong-side hip (about 3:00 to 4:00 position). The cant (carry angle) of the holster can affect the overall comfort quite a bit. I prefer just enough cant to reduce overall handgun profile and allow for good concealability, and I would avoid too much cant because it requires the wrist to be in a naturally weak position during the draw and presentation of the piece.

A good strong belt can make a lot of difference in overall comfort as well. Belts that are too narrow, and belts made of lighter weight materials, require that the belt be tightened to an uncomfortable degree in order to support the holstered handgun. A heavy duty belt supports the weight much better, can be worn fastened at a comfortable position, and also keeps the holster positioned consistently.

Hope this helps you. E-mail me with any further questions you may have (click on my username to view my e-mail address).

 

[cshoff]

Originally posted by ADash:
I have some problems with concealed carry holsters. Maybe it's my body shape. I'm just 5'5", 132 pounds. Not really skinny.

First of all, I tried the PPK,S&W 649, and compact Para Carry .45 LDA. They poke me in the right side kidney till it hurts. I also found out that my slacks need to be 2-3 sizes larger in the waist size to accommodate tucking the gun under my belt, as well as needing a longer belt.

If I buy new slacks that are larger, then they will look weird if I don't wear the gun. Unlike Clark Kent, I would find it tough to find a telephone booth to do a quick change between 2 pairs of pants! Also, when packing, I have to remove the gun before entering places like the post office, and risk having the oversize pants dropping down.

In the field, I use the classic exposed belt holsters, without any of these problems. Even though I'm a small guy, I can wear the big bore revolvers for hours and hardly feel the weight. I really prefer the Para .45 for defense, but even that compact model is a bear to fit under my belt.

I have read concealed carry articles in the magazines for many years, but they never mention about the problems I have. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is complaining.

Any suggestions? (Other than fanny packs or purses).

The Kholster holster will eliminate every problem you mentioned. Here is a link: http://www.kholster.com/

 

[DLK]

I also have switched back to OWB holsters. With very little alteration in how I dress, there's no difference in concealability but a very big difference in comfort!

I agree with what LoboGunLeather pointed out - the best choice is usually a high-ride OWB on the strong-side hip.

His point about a good belt is also important, especially if you choose to go with a high-ride holster.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I agree with most of what LoboGunLeather has said. However, body shapes vary. AFAIK, EVERYONE has to add about 2" to pants size to wear an IWB holster, at least if it has a gun in it. Belt choice is probably important with all holsters. Although I mostly don't use an IWB these days, I found the slim C*** Government Model in a Milt Sparks Summer Special to be particularly comfortable. It gets more comfortable as the holster gets wet with sweat and molds itself to the gun and to your body.

It is certainly possible that different body shapes will react differently. For example, I found a Government Model MORE comfortable than a Commander, and I even know why. However, it may not be the same for other people. I also found that several nearly vertical or outright vertical OWB holsters worked particularly well. Examples are the Dillon-sold Kramer for my 520 (they called it a Mountain Gun holster), and the Mitch Rosen for my BHP. BTW, while the Mitch Rosen is extremely comfortable for both my Commander and my BHP, only the latter draws flawlessly from it. For some reason, I have a tendency to draw the Commander at an angle such that it binds slightly. However, I don't think that I have ever had a problem drawing from any of my O'Rourke, Galco, or DeSantis pancakes.

Most of us have a box full of holsters that didn't work FOR US. The few of us who THINK we know what's best learned it the hard way.

Good luck!

 

[boomstick]

No way am I going to buy pants that are 2" bigger than the size I already regret I wear. I either pocket carry a J-Frame, Mexican carry a small .45 auto or strong side carry a bigger gun in an OWB holster and cover it up somehow.

 

[38-44HD45]

Reading between the lines, I sense a belt problem, or a belt-to-holster fit problem. I carry every day, almost always in an IWB holster, usually a Brommeland Max-Con V, but sometimes in a Rosen ARG, a Sparks VM-II or more recently, a K&D Holsters rig. I sometimes carry a full size 1911, but more often, either an all-steel Nighthawk Talon II Bobtail 9x23 (Commander size) or a 9x23 Ultra Aegis. I have back problems, but the above combinations don't usually bother me. I wear the same size pants, with or without an IWB holster. I cannot imagine needing pants more than one size larger than usual for an IWB rig, unless you're wearing a .500 S&W in a 2-layer thick holster. What I ALWAYS wear is a very sturdy, purpose-built gun belt that fits the holster loops tightly. No holster will ever be comfortable or concealable unless the belt supports it properly. FWIW, I'm 5'7", 165 lbs, a little overweight, and muscular.

Also, any carry system will take some getting-used-to. Clint Smith says that carying a gun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable. However, it need not be miserable.

 

[keith44spl]

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:
I've been making holsters for 37 years.
I don't care for IWB holsters personally, because of the very problems you have described.

I generally recommend a high-ride pancake style holster. With the handguns you have described, the bottom of the holster will be no more than about 2" below the belt line, so concealment is relatively easy with most outer garments.
The rear panel of the holster can be extended up to form a shield between the upper slide/hammer area and the body, which protects the body from being gouged by those areas.

For most users, the most comfortable carry position is on, or just behind, the strong-side hip (about 3:00 to 4:00 position). The cant (carry angle) of the holster can affect the overall comfort quite a bit. I prefer just enough cant to reduce overall handgun profile and allow for good concealability, and I would avoid too much cant because it requires the wrist to be in a naturally weak position during the draw and presentation of the piece.

A good strong belt can make a lot of difference in overall comfort as well. A duty belt supports the weight much better, can be worn fastened at a comfortable position, and also keeps the holster positioned consistently.
Hope this helps you. QUOTE]

+ 100 good advise.

My rig for a 3" Model 24 .44spl / more than 18 hour comfort.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[38-44HD45]

Good looking rig, Dave! I should have added, when I do carry OWB, it is usually with a pancake of some kind. My brother, who has spent way too many hours horseback and in police vehicles, simply cannot carry IWB. He usually carries in either a pancake design, or a variant of the old Bianchi Askins Avenger/Bruce Nelson design.

 

[Guest]

My suggestion starts out with a good leather belt and goes from there. Bianchi is just one of the Companies that offers a high quality double thickness(Suede lined) Garrison(aka:Gun) belt. Next a good quality belt holster also one made of leather and I prefer one lined with Suede. The pancake style works well and so does the SOB style if worn on the strong side instead of in the SOB position.

A number of the folks here offer some very fine holster and other leather goods. I have carried IWB on a couple of occasions but it isn't my first choice. And, simply dropping a gun in a pocket is just plain dangerous!

 

[Double-O-Dave]

ADash,

I used to have your exact problem as I used to be the same height and weight. However, as I got older, all of my shoulder and chest muscles somehow melted and migrated southward leaving me with a larger waistline. When I was still young and skinny, I was still stockily built, but I could comfortably carry a 1911 at the 4 o'clock position in a OWB Bianchi Askins Avenger. These days, I've found that what works best for me is J - frame front pant pocket carry which is what I use almost exclusively. IWB just does not work for me, and I have found that a Safariland paddle holster for a J - frame works well, as do an El Paso Saddlery horizontal carry shoulder holster, or a Ken Null SMZ shoulder holster on those occasions when I cannot use pocket carry:

http://www.klnullholsters.com/

Hope this helps.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Mickey D]

The Kholster holster will eliminate every problem you mentioned. Here is a link: http://www.kholster.com/

Looks like the original "Tortilla" holster.

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by Double-O-Dave:
However, as I got older, all of my shoulder and chest muscles somehow melted and migrated southward leaving me with a larger waistline.

Oh so true.

 

[Uncle C]

Lobogunleather has is correct. The high-ride pancake is about the most comfortable way to carry a full size weapon. I especially like them for carry on commercial aircraft because the muzzle doesn't dig into your upper thigh.

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:
I've been making holsters for 37 years. Currently I am making and shipping an average of about 20 to 25 per week. I make what the customer wants, and that means that I make a lot of holsters that I would not choose for myself.

I don't care for IWB holsters personally, because of the very problems you have described.

When asked for recommendations, I generally recommend a high-ride pancake style holster. With the handguns you have described, the bottom of the holster will be no more than about 2" below the belt line, so concealment is relatively easy with most outer garments. I also make the pancake style with snap-loop belt attachments, allowing the holster to be quickly and easily put on and taken off without unfastening the belt and threading all the belt loops.

The rear panel of the holster can be extended up to form a shield between the upper slide/hammer area and the body, which protects the body from being gouged by those areas.

For most users, the most comfortable carry position is on, or just behind, the strong-side hip (about 3:00 to 4:00 position). The cant (carry angle) of the holster can affect the overall comfort quite a bit. I prefer just enough cant to reduce overall handgun profile and allow for good concealability, and I would avoid too much cant because it requires the wrist to be in a naturally weak position during the draw and presentation of the piece.

A good strong belt can make a lot of difference in overall comfort as well. Belts that are too narrow, and belts made of lighter weight materials, require that the belt be tightened to an uncomfortable degree in order to support the holstered handgun. A heavy duty belt supports the weight much better, can be worn fastened at a comfortable position, and also keeps the holster positioned consistently.

Hope this helps you. E-mail me with any further questions you may have (click on my username to view my e-mail address).

 

[glypnir]

I've got a radically different build, and I'm not an expert, but one point about IWB seems to have eluded everyone.

If you have to go into the Post Office, that just means you can't take the pistol in. The holster is legal. You don't have to do magic with your pants, just leave the holster on.

If it's concealed, it will still be concealed. And you will be in full compliance with all applicable laws.

I agree with the big strong belt stuff.

 

[Bobwtn]

I am now vertically challenged (fat) and IWB is totally out. I frequently carry a small auto or a j frame 38 in front pocket in an inexpensive cloth pocket holster, by Big Mike. If you are going to carry on a belt, as others said, a good belt, firm for strength.I carry a Glock 21 45 full size or a Smith 4506 in Fobus paddle back holsters. For me they are comfortable and easy to remove for going where I can not legally carry, such as a school, government building etc. As a side note, I would suggest light type pistols if possible. My Glock, my pocket 38, have light frames, which at age 56, that is a blessing for comfort.In 9 yrs as a full time LEO, I pulled my weapon a few times while approaching a felon, but that was seldom and I never fired it. After 12 yrs. of carrying a pistol on my person, I have pulled it once and I was with an officer, we caught a burglar (technically), but really a trespasser, in one of my apartments. I have some property and I got a call from a tenant. I call 911, officer shows and I just went with him with my concealed 380 auto, withdrew it from my front pocket. We got a homeless kid that had some weed on him.

 

[Guest]

One thing this Post has done is to add another name to my list of "Notifications".

LoboGunLeather has stated some of the best things about the right carry leather I've come upon in many a year.

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by keith44spl:

Originally posted by LoboGunLeather:
I've been making holsters for 37 years.
I don't care for IWB holsters personally, because of the very problems you have described.

I generally recommend a high-ride pancake style holster. With the handguns you have described, the bottom of the holster will be no more than about 2" below the belt line, so concealment is relatively easy with most outer garments.
The rear panel of the holster can be extended up to form a shield between the upper slide/hammer area and the body, which protects the body from being gouged by those areas.

For most users, the most comfortable carry position is on, or just behind, the strong-side hip (about 3:00 to 4:00 position). The cant (carry angle) of the holster can affect the overall comfort quite a bit. I prefer just enough cant to reduce overall handgun profile and allow for good concealability, and I would avoid too much cant because it requires the wrist to be in a naturally weak position during the draw and presentation of the piece.

A good strong belt can make a lot of difference in overall comfort as well. A duty belt supports the weight much better, can be worn fastened at a comfortable position, and also keeps the holster positioned consistently.
Hope this helps you. QUOTE]

+ 100 good advise.

My rig for a 3" Model 24 .44spl / more than 18 hour comfort.

Su Amigo,
Dave

Nice rig. Who made it?

 

[flop-shank]

Originally posted by KKG:
LoboGunLeather has stated some of the best things about the right carry leather I've come upon in many a year.

I agree, and also enjoy his contributions.