Spring/summer carry

[biggs357]

I want to start carrying this 4046 .40 cal over the summer,I love the way it fits my hand and i've become fond of it.So is there any hope for it being a c/c piece or do I need to be realistic.

I do carry it right now with ease but i also have on heavy clothes too.

 

[biggs357]

I want to start carrying this 4046 .40 cal over the summer,I love the way it fits my hand and i've become fond of it.So is there any hope for it being a c/c piece or do I need to be realistic.

I do carry it right now with ease but i also have on heavy clothes too.

 

[flop-shank]

I carried a 50 oz.ish 5" full underlug N frame IWB all last summer. As Evan Marshall says, "You can carry whatever you want, just dress around the gun". In the weak hand side front pocket I often had a 24 oz. Taurus .357 snubby. The secret to carrying big heavy guns is an excellent gunbelt, holster and getting used to the bulk and weight. A person's build can be a factor too. If I start to gain extra weight the belt doesn't stay in place quite as well. Having a set of hips helps.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

In my experience, with my body build (5'9", 190 lb, 42 chest, 34 waist) carrying a semi auto in spring and summer requires that it be carried IWB to force the butt tight against my side and so that the belt going over the holster smooths over the square profile of the gun.

I can only carry semi autos OWB in late fall and winter.

I have a 915, which is the same exact size as your pistol, and I carry it in a Cochise Defender from K&D Holsters.

Forum member Srigs also makes some very nice holsters and he is one of the few people who accomodate S&W Third Generation semi autos. His company is Sideguard Holsters. And I think his Double Clip (shown) or Double Snap IWB holsters are just what the doctor ordered.

I can carry J and K frame revolvers, however, OWB all year round without much concern over printing because of their rounded shapes and much shorter grips (particularly with boot stocks).

 

[Mediumbore]

I'll chime in with the IWB. Of course, this requires pants cut a bit larger. Also, the lighter fabrics sometimes found in light summer garb tend to lend less support to a heavy gun than jeans or dockers. Try looking for covering shirts with slghtly thicker materials. Buying slightly oversized shirts should minimize printing. A good holster, OWB or IWB, requires some compromises in wardrobe as the summer approaches.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Mediumbore:
I'll chime in with the IWB. Of course, this requires pants cut a bit larger. Also, the lighter fabrics sometimes found in light summer garb tend to lend less support to a heavy gun than jeans or dockers. Try looking for covering shirts with slghtly thicker materials. Buying slightly oversized shirts should minimize printing. A good holster, OWB or IWB, requires some compromises in wardrobe as the summer approaches.

Excellent advice. I buy my trousers one size too big (size 36) which allows me to carry up to an N frame IWB comfortably.

A strong belt is essential. It looks like biggs' belt may just be a casual belt and not one made specifically for carrying a gun. If that is so, I strongly recommend a dual layer belt like those made by The Beltman.

Finally, the point about shirt fabrics is key. Too light a fabric will print badly, as will too light a color. Shirts with darker colors (not necessarily black and dark blue) and fabrics with patterns and/or prints will hide the gun MUCH better.

 

[Rob P.]

I have no problems carrying my 6906 IWB in the summer under a tucked polo/golf shirt. Even when it's 100 degrees outside. For awhile I did have some "hickie" problems from sweating under the holster but I adjusted and adapted. I still hate the feeling of sticky gun leather but I live with it when it's hot.

Some people wear a wife beater T-shirt under their outer garment to stop the stickies. Or you could always wear a girdle if your body type suggests that it needs a bit of "help" in the waistline area.

Get a good belt too.

 

[biggs357]

You were right about my normal belt being a dress belt.About a week ago i ordered dual layer belt with a stiffiner and double stitch too.I received it yesterday and haven't got a chance to wear it but i have to go out in a little while for dinner and will try it out.Actually i tried it on and it felt like the thing was so stiff it would cut you in half if you moved wrong.

Ok the verdict is in and the new belt is a succes,it feels way more stable and doesn't let my gun flop around,now find a tan holster to match.

 

[norfdet]

My issue gun used to be a 5946 which is the 9mm version of of your 4046 and I always found my 5946 too heavy for summer carry. I live in an area where summers are usually high 90's with matching humidity, my daily summer carry is a 637-2.

 

[Robert B]

Why not pocket carry a j frame? Dockers pants or shorts all year long.

 

[straightshooter1]

Biggs-where were you able to get a belt like that in only a week?

Bob

 

[babarracing]

Check out 5.11 tactical. They make some nice carry belts with plastic stiffeners between the leather layers.Buy one abot 2" bigger for IWB. I carry a 3" RB N-Frame with a Cabo IWB holster with no problems. A Cabo keeps the cyl above the beltline and the straps can be spread on 5" centers easily. Also 5.11 makes a short sleeve summer dress shirt with straight cut bottom and velcro sides at flap slits. They also have top and bottom two faux buttons which are really snaps with buttons sewn over them. Pretty cool I got Mine at a local Cop shop called Kinsco,the only reatailer I mentioned that I really have any vested interest in because they got me Bianchi X15 for my Boy in Irag in a real expeditious manner.

 

[norfdet]

Originally posted by Robert B:
Why not pocket carry a j frame? Dockers pants or shorts all year long.

That's what I resorted to using a 637-2 with a bobbed hammer spur. Great all around gun but more importantly its a platform that can be carried ALL the time.

 

[Bobwtn]

While I love my big 45's, summer and concealment is probably one reason the J frams are still so popular. Most of the time, a front pocket carry of my J frame is in loose fitting, pleated pants whuch lets me hide my piece. As one or two posts stated something about clothing being loose, waist sized up, one has to fit their unique bodies with something that will not print.

 

[george minze]

Originally posted by straightshooter1:
Biggs-where were you able to get a belt like that in only a week?

Bob

Me too! George

 

[GatorFarmer]

Just buy yourself a "tropical weight" sport coat. These will sometimes be found in the "cruise wear" section of your local men's store/haberdasher - note that you'll have to go to a "real" men's store to get one, any of the big chains are unlikely to have them.

A man can hide most anything that way and they're quite light.