Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Carry Position

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mmais

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I have a Shield in 9mm that I am trying to get used to carrying. I am using this IWB holster:

Kydex Appendix Carry Holster Smith Wesson Shield 9 40 | eBay

I know it says Appendix Carry but that is not working. (can not sit) I have tried on my side 3 o'clock but the serrations on the slide & the rear corners on the slide dig into my love handles. ( what the wife calls them I call them fat) Just wondering where everyone carrys this gun? I like the fit of the gun & how it handles just need a comfortable carry location.

Thanks Mike
 
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mmais said:
I have a Shield in 9mm that I am trying to get used to carrying. I am using this IWB holster:

Kydex Appendix Carry Holster Smith Wesson Shield 9 40 | eBay

I know it says Appendix Carry but that is not working. (can not sit) I have tried on my side 3 o'clock but the serrations on the slide & the rear corners on the slide dig into my love handles. ( what the wife calls them I call them fat) Just wondering where everyone carrys this gun? I like the fit of the gun & how it handles just need a comfortable carry location.

Thanks Mike
Click to expand...

Mike - look at the wee holster at Celtic Holsters. It's similar to what you have there with the addition of leather. The leather will keep it from digging into you. I find them very comfortable on my love handles.
 
Carrying mine as I type in a Remora at 8:30 (lefty). I've found these to be very comfortable with a number of CCWs, including an LC9, 637-2 and M&P 9C.

Any of the various types of hybrid holsters (MTAC, Crossbreed, White Hat, etc) would also work well for you in a 3-4:00 IWB carry.

Having a bit of extra padding myself, I have found that Appendix carry is not the best for me. From what I've read here and elsewhere, those that prefer AIWB carry are a bit more slender in build.
 
I either pocket carry with a Desantis holster, or on my belt with a Don Hume JIT Slide holster. IWB doesn't work for me either, as I am "handled" myself.:cool::D
 
I carry mine at 4 O'clock, in a hybrid IWB. I wear nothing but low rise jeans and I have zero issues with sitting, anywhere; car, couch or office chair.
 
I weigh 250lbs and I'm short, so I understand the "love handle" problem. First thing I did, went on a diet, went from 273 down to 250 (was at 246, but been grilling out a little to much lately).

Anyway, I purchased a Crossbreed Mini-tuck and wear it in the 4 clock position just fine. Very comfortable and good access.
 
I carry the Shield the same place I carry everything else, 4:00-4:30 In a OWB holster. The one I have now has no forward cant. A forward cant would be better. I carry everything in the same place.
 
timn8er said:
I either pocket carry with a Desantis holster, or on my belt with a Don Hume JIT Slide holster. IWB doesn't work for me either, as I am "handled" myself.:cool::D
Click to expand...

+1 timn8er

I'm not "handled". 6' 2", 170 lbs. And I can't do IWB, either. Believe me, I've tried.

I also go with either a Desantis pocket holster or an OWB.
 
Thanks for the help & sorry for the slow delay but had to take the dog to the emergency vet yesterday & it was all day.
Let me see if I can answer a few questions,
" First thing I did, went on a diet, went from 273 down to 250 (was at 246, but been grilling out a little to much lately)."
I to have drop weight down to 195 from 215 but at 63 still have a roll on the side.

"Also, is the cant adjustable?

Yes it adjusts forward & back & also has 3 depth adjustments. I think one of my problems could be I want to carry to high so when I go to draw I can get my hand wrapped on the grip & then draw. I have tried lowering it & the poking is go but just can not get my hand around it, belt & waist band get in the way.

I will try going from 3to 4 o'clock & see what happens.

Thanks Mike
 
I can't imagine anyone carrying comfortably with that holster. You need something between your body and the gun, and that something will either be leather or clothing. I don't wear undershirts so I prefer leather on my skin. Horsehide specifically.

Do yourself a favor and get a really good IWB carry holster. There are a lot of good ones, and I own quite a few, but my latest infatuation is handcrafted comfort from Lobo Gun Leather. The man somehow just knows exactly the perfect cant, perfect ride height, and perfect tension for a holster.

My Lobo's with loops will slide forward and back if needed on my heavy Beltman Belt. The gun is held snug to my body, and the leather conforms to me.

When I use a Crossbreed style with metal clips, I can't slide the holster forward a bit, or back a bit to achieve the perfect location. I can get the Crossbreed to be super comfortable. but never as comfortable as my Lobo's.

I thought Crossbreed was the best I would ever find, until I got my new 4513TSW and refused to slide it into Kydex. I ordered my first Lobo and I'm hooked.

So my advice, which is worth what it cost you, is to ditch the hard plastic cheap holsters, and step up to a custom made supple leather masterpiece.

And you can get a handmade work of art for under $60!!!! My last one only took 4 weeks to be made! (oops, shouldn't say that. Ray will be swamped and I'll be waiting again. :p )

Lobo Gun Leather - IWB belt-loop style, for revolvers and autos

Think of this: Would you rather pay $60 for a pair of shoes you will wear all day, every day, for the rest of your life that were comfortable and beautiful, or would you pay $15 for an uncomfortable pair of ugly shoes? ;)

Here's one of my beauties:
(Notice the leather between the full slide and my body, and the excellent belt loops that allow me to unsnap the holster and remove it to run in the post office)

IMG_0570.jpg




.
 
I carry mine at 3:00 in a Kholster IWB all day every day. Very comfortable and I'm 6'1" and 270 lbs.
 
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