Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Carry Position

[LittleChickie]

Where to wear

I carry everything outside-the-waist OTW. Get realistic and dress accordingly is the best advice I've seen in this thread. Women - wear a nice shell (dressy version of a T-shirt, guys) and an over-shirt and off you. Men can do the same thing pretty inconspicuously, and it's easier to get to your gun in a hurry. IWB is painful for almost everyone who is not at attention or parade rest all day.

 

[AJB]

3:00 - 3:30 in a Crossbreed Supertuck.

+1 for this. The Supertuck is great at protecting your "love handles", speaking from experience.

 

[mmais]

Well the Lobo Holster finally arrived today & what a great looking holster & belt. The belt is 1 1/2" wide & 1/4" thick & really is firm & does not allow the holster to sag. The holster is the Enhanced Pancake with the additional body shield. The S&W Shield is a tight fit for now but will be wearing it around the house for a few days to break it in. The holster rides high on the belt & is very tight to the body so little if no printing will be possible even under a tee shirt. I can not say enough about this purchase from Ray at Lobo Leather. I am all ready thinking of buying the same holster for my S&W 638 38 cal. revolver. Again if you want a quality holster & outside carry is the way to go think about buying one of the Enhanced Pancake.

Thanks everyone if your suggestions & help
Mike

 

[ndpuckhead]

I'm a big guy, and I love my N82 Pro, I carry in the 3:30 position with a forward cant and no undershirt.

 

[Lost Lake]

My new Lobo OWB should be here tomorrow, (thought it would be here today) and I am sure it will be a winner.

I'm carrying every day in my Lobo IWB and it is unbelievably fabulous. I have hybrid IWB's and they don't compare to a Lobo.

Leather to skin, perfectly cut and styled, there is a great feel to a Lobo leather holster.

I wear mine 16 hours a day every day. Driving, walking, working, sitting, my gun is in my Lobo 16 hours a day.

.

 

[RLR69]

I'm a big guy, and I love my N82 Pro, I carry in the 3:30 position with a forward cant and no undershirt.

I second this!
I am 6'3" 220 and love my N82 in the 3-4 position as well.

 

[kombos]

Lots of good info and choices in this thread. I appreciate it.

I'd like to try an IWB holster for Shield carry. Any specific advice on choice for 5'-8" 145 lbs. slim build for 3-4 o'clock carry?

Thanks.

 

[RICK SR]

Let me just say that whatever works for one does not necessarily work for another, i.e., One mans passion is another poison. Bottom line is to get Maximum concealable and at the same time Comfort. I have been trying different types,makes & models of all kinds of holsters for over 45 years. Yes they got somewhat better over time and yes some are just another gimmick and yes the gun writers/magazines endorse them but only you and you alone will know when you have found the right one for all around comfort and concealment. Bottom line is i used a simple inside the pants soft suede belt clip holster and it solved all of my problems. First it's very soft and comfortable and blends right in with your body. Best position is if it's placed right dead center over your back pocket,center line right or left haded being it's a very natural blind move to retrieve your wallet so your hand goes right where you would normally reach for your wallet. If you do not carry a wallet or never did it will not take long if you just put it in that position and just practice,practice a few times in a vanity mirror and you will soon get the knack for a natural reach just as if you were retrieving your wallet. The Trick here also is to slightly turn oblique so you somewhat conceal your movement to your gun. Hope this helps as i have been teaching this to my students for many of years so when they are caring there guns it's not a big deal and requires little thought process as well especially when there is a stress fire situation. Good Luck. NRA Instructor 30 +years, Pistol,Rifle,Shotgun & Home perfection. Also state certified/Firearms, Hunting & Archery. Advanced Tactical & Defense training as well just to list a few.

 

[Normbi]

Lots of good info and choices in this thread. I appreciate it.

I'd like to try an IWB holster for Shield carry. Any specific advice on choice for 5'-8" 145 lbs. slim build for 3-4 o'clock carry?

Thanks.

I am 5'7" 145 lbs, and use the N82 regular. $39.95.

Norm

 

[vegasgunhand]

I carry mine in a Dale Fricke Zacchaeus concealment holster at the 4 o'clock position. I live in the warm Southwest, so the easier to conceal the better.

 

[huskybiker]

ETW Holsters. IWB w/ single belt clip (tuckable). I Bought mine on EBAY for $45. Easily the thinnest IWB I own.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Pocket holster for the Shield. If you are going to use a belt holster, either IWB or OWB, then get a bigger gun.

As far as IWB, you have to buy all pants one size bigger, or else it is just not comfortable.

 

[mlapaglia]

I carry at 4:00 with a holster I made. 8-9 oz leather, Black with steel clip. Its tuckable. I'm rather portly and have no problem carrying it all day. Also have one for my Glock 19 and Sig P290RS. Currently working on one for a Sig P938 I just bought. (shameless plug, I do sell these and many others)

I agree that you need to find the one that works for you. It is possible to get the perfect holster for the way you dress. This normally means having 2-3 for different seasons.

Keep Looking.

 

[Riflemann]

I am looking at a IWB holster soon, but I have been using a Desantis hip and ankle holster, along with a BlackHawk #4 pocket holster this has worked good so far, but a guy can never have to many holsters.

 

[kodiakpb]

I second having a hybrid (leather/kydex) if you are going to carry IWB. As stated you want something between the weapon and your body or you will feel the hard lines of the weapon or the a full kydex holster (if you sit the wrong way, bend the wrong way, lean on it, etc).

Someone mentioned the Celtic holster earlier. That appears to be a good one. What I look for is something that will not loose shape or collapse when the weapon is drawn, leather against the body, kydex around the weapon, enables full purchase of the grip without the holster getting in the way, and maintains a minimal profile to take advantage of everything the Shield was meant to be (slim/small). To do otherwise...you might as well carry M&PC, or full size for that matter.

The holster I have chosen is a LaTour Custom Hybrid with single clip. It carries AIWB or anywhere around the waist very easily/comfortably, and disappears.

If I was to go OWB, it would be a Raven Concealment Phantom holster which will secure the weapon high and tight to the body and not add unnecessary bulk like you would find with paddle holsters or holsters that hold the weapon away from the body.

 

[fullmetal1911]

4 o'clock in a Tango Concealment hybrid leather/kydex IWB holster. Extremely comfortable for carrying all day long, even in the Phoenix heat.

 

[SmurfHunter]

I second having a hybrid (leather/kydex) if you are going to carry IWB. As stated you want something between the weapon and your body or you will feel the hard lines of the weapon or the a full kydex holster (if you sit the wrong way, bend the wrong way, lean on it, etc).

Someone mentioned the Celtic holster earlier. That appears to be a good one. What I look for is something that will not loose shape or collapse when the weapon is drawn, leather against the body, kydex around the weapon, enables full purchase of the grip without the holster getting in the way, and maintains a minimal profile to take advantage of everything the Shield was meant to be (slim/small). To do otherwise...you might as well carry M&PC, or full size for that matter.

The holster I have chosen is a LaTour Custom Hybrid with single clip. It carries AIWB or anywhere around the waist very easily/comfortably, and disappears.

If I was to go OWB, it would be a Raven Concealment Phantom holster which will secure the weapon high and tight to the body and not add unnecessary bulk like you would find with paddle holsters or holsters that hold the weapon away from the body.

What's the price on those.

 

[kodiakpb]

What's the price on those.

Hey Smurf...it's $65, but you get a 10% discount if you are LE/MIL. You need to find him on Facebook, as he does not have a web store. It literally took him two business days to build and ship both my holsters. Good guy.

The wife is picking up pizza and wearing hers AIWB right now...very comfortable in any position.

 

[kodiakpb]

Or here's his email:

[email protected]

 

[SmurfHunter]

Hey Smurf...it's $65, but you get a 10% discount if you are LE/MIL. You need to find him on Facebook, as he does not have a web store. It literally took him two business days to build and ship both my holsters. Good guy.

The wife is picking up pizza and wearing hers AIWB right now...very comfortable in any position.

Thanks for the info