- Joined
- May 16, 2005
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I recently bought a SmartCarry holster. The bad news is that it is ugly and decidedly uncool. The good news is that it is very comfortable, supports your handgun well, and will never be seen by anyone other than your spouse.
We've had a few threads on these over the years. A common concern is that since the holster is worn essentially as/where one would wear a jockstrap, an ND could take out the future family. What I notice, the way I like to wear the holster, down low, with my 640-1 or Colt DS snubs, is that the handgun is too low for an ND to have that effect. I suppose if one pulled the trigger while drawing upwards... (Best advice is "keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on your target." Or at least until your weapon clears your trousers...)
You wear the holster outside the outermost garment inside your pants, typically over your shirt.
Some users in the past have noted difficulty with their cylinders snagging on the mouth of the holster as they draw. Some of these used plastic inserts to prevent this. I have not noticed this at all. Perhaps SmartCarry has tweaked the design to prevent this. (The product has been around since the early 2000s and the company has continued to improve the design. E.g., the velcro belt design was upgraded to use a buckle in 2019 for greater comfort and stability.)
Another common concern is what to do when nature calls. As SmartCarry explains in its literature, when standing, use your fingers to move and hold the gun out of the way. When sitting, pull the entire rig up around your torso as high as needed, and then return it to its carrying position when done.
Some users have commented that they believe too much of a bulge is visible. My guess is that these users are thin/trim guys with tighter pants than I wear. I'm a bit overweight, 6'2" and 225, with the overweight part exclusively in my belly. So my gut is out in front of what's below, which thus provides a ready place of concealment for the gun carried down low.
Smartcarry says there is no one correct way to wear the holster. Experiment and find what works for you. (Some even use it, improbably, as a shoulder holster.)
Finally, there is the observation that the SmartCarry does not provide for a fast draw. I think this is undeniable, especially for those of us who work on the speed of their draw. You are not gonna be Raylon Givens with this holster. I think with practice one would get faster, but, frankly, the speed of the draw is not something I work on with any of my holsters. (Personally, if I see danger coming, I hope to have my gun in hand. If I have a gun in my face, I will bide my time.)
On the other hand, I don't think it is a difficult or even an especially slow draw either. With the SmartCarry holster supporting itself, you don't need to tighten your pants belt much so access is not difficult. You don't need a heavy belt either. You can use your off hand thumb to pull your belt outwards as you slide your strong hand in and grasp your weapon. Or, just suck in your gut and retrieve with your strong hand. Sitting, as in a restaurant or car, lean back and retrieve.
It is also a good choice for when your pants won't support the weight of a gun. That was my initial motivation to purchase. I walk for exercise and purchased some elastic waist rain paints for walking in the rain. The SmartCarry works great for this application. Would be good for sweatpants or gym shorts, too.
One guy noted that, as it would not be noticed, he liked it for gatherings where there was a lot of hugging going on.
I came across one fellow who found that his gun barrel clanked on his chair when he sat down. I'm thinking he was likely carrying a larger, longer barreled gun. While some folks use it to carry full size 1911s or large revolvers, I think smaller guns likely work better for most of us.
Smartcarry makes several models and all should be sized to your handgun. I chose a single gun model, sized to my Colt DS, with an additional pocket behind the gun pocket in case I want to carry something more. (E.g., if not carrying a wallet, DL, CHL, CC, cash.)
For me, the advantage over IWB is comfort, over OWB is concealability, and over pocket is you don't feel lopsided and your pocket is useful again.
I've worn the SmartCarry on long walks, in restaurants, and driving. I find it comfortable and effective, a useful addition to the holster drawer.
We've had a few threads on these over the years. A common concern is that since the holster is worn essentially as/where one would wear a jockstrap, an ND could take out the future family. What I notice, the way I like to wear the holster, down low, with my 640-1 or Colt DS snubs, is that the handgun is too low for an ND to have that effect. I suppose if one pulled the trigger while drawing upwards... (Best advice is "keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on your target." Or at least until your weapon clears your trousers...)
You wear the holster outside the outermost garment inside your pants, typically over your shirt.
Some users in the past have noted difficulty with their cylinders snagging on the mouth of the holster as they draw. Some of these used plastic inserts to prevent this. I have not noticed this at all. Perhaps SmartCarry has tweaked the design to prevent this. (The product has been around since the early 2000s and the company has continued to improve the design. E.g., the velcro belt design was upgraded to use a buckle in 2019 for greater comfort and stability.)
Another common concern is what to do when nature calls. As SmartCarry explains in its literature, when standing, use your fingers to move and hold the gun out of the way. When sitting, pull the entire rig up around your torso as high as needed, and then return it to its carrying position when done.
Some users have commented that they believe too much of a bulge is visible. My guess is that these users are thin/trim guys with tighter pants than I wear. I'm a bit overweight, 6'2" and 225, with the overweight part exclusively in my belly. So my gut is out in front of what's below, which thus provides a ready place of concealment for the gun carried down low.
Smartcarry says there is no one correct way to wear the holster. Experiment and find what works for you. (Some even use it, improbably, as a shoulder holster.)
Finally, there is the observation that the SmartCarry does not provide for a fast draw. I think this is undeniable, especially for those of us who work on the speed of their draw. You are not gonna be Raylon Givens with this holster. I think with practice one would get faster, but, frankly, the speed of the draw is not something I work on with any of my holsters. (Personally, if I see danger coming, I hope to have my gun in hand. If I have a gun in my face, I will bide my time.)
On the other hand, I don't think it is a difficult or even an especially slow draw either. With the SmartCarry holster supporting itself, you don't need to tighten your pants belt much so access is not difficult. You don't need a heavy belt either. You can use your off hand thumb to pull your belt outwards as you slide your strong hand in and grasp your weapon. Or, just suck in your gut and retrieve with your strong hand. Sitting, as in a restaurant or car, lean back and retrieve.
It is also a good choice for when your pants won't support the weight of a gun. That was my initial motivation to purchase. I walk for exercise and purchased some elastic waist rain paints for walking in the rain. The SmartCarry works great for this application. Would be good for sweatpants or gym shorts, too.
One guy noted that, as it would not be noticed, he liked it for gatherings where there was a lot of hugging going on.
I came across one fellow who found that his gun barrel clanked on his chair when he sat down. I'm thinking he was likely carrying a larger, longer barreled gun. While some folks use it to carry full size 1911s or large revolvers, I think smaller guns likely work better for most of us.
Smartcarry makes several models and all should be sized to your handgun. I chose a single gun model, sized to my Colt DS, with an additional pocket behind the gun pocket in case I want to carry something more. (E.g., if not carrying a wallet, DL, CHL, CC, cash.)
For me, the advantage over IWB is comfort, over OWB is concealability, and over pocket is you don't feel lopsided and your pocket is useful again.
I've worn the SmartCarry on long walks, in restaurants, and driving. I find it comfortable and effective, a useful addition to the holster drawer.
