Stoopid Newbie CCW Question

[Uncle Larry]

I'm thinking very seriously of getting my concealed carry permit..I've always used an OWB holster of some sort while working/mowing/etc around my property..

As someone who is, shall we say...a little "pear" shaped, and if I do go ahead with the CCW, will I have to get larger size pants/jeans so the gun & holster will fit IWB and last but not least.....if I do have pull the gun to dispatch a local racoon,skunk or one of my neighbor's feral..."free range" chickens ...will my pants fall down?? Not a pretty sight, I'm sure .

I know it's a stupid question, but the sight of Uncle Larry's undies in broad daylight could be a little em-bare-ass-ing, IYKWIM

Thanks for your input...I know this will make someone's day!!

 

[OKFC05]

Picking out your holster for you is like picking out someone else's underwear: it is highly personal.
Some people just cannot wear IWB, others use it all the time.
In any case, most people find they have to adjust how they dress to accomodate their chosen method of carry.

What makes you think you are going to avoid that box of holsters that all the rest of us have?

 

[safearm]

Larry,
A good IWB holster will not collaspe on you, but will retain its shape so that you can re-holster easily. However, when considering CCW, IWB holsters are not the only option. There are plenty of good OWB holsters that offer considerable concealment. As Evan Marshall expounds, "Dress around the gun," and you'll find it will be easy to effectively hide your firearm while still being comfortable. And yes, you will collect a box of holsters doing this.

 

[N-frame Smith]

UL,

I'm a big guy too, part of the same fruit family, and I have no problems wearing IWB with my normal pant size. I find that my "roundness" has plenty of give, and all I do is loosen my belt one notch when carrying IWB. Naturally a good holster and gun belt are a necessity.

 

[skeeterbait]

Depends on your existing clothing and how fitting it is now whether you will need a larger waist size. You will need a quality leather belt that will control the gun without flexing. Any holster that will not hold it's shape without the gun in it, disregard buying it. For one, it is too hard to get the gun back in it, but you will also not have to worry about a loose belt when drawing the gun.

 

[38-44HD45]

Mostly good advice above. I've been carrying, mostly IWB, for many years, and I've been a CHL Instructor since 1995, so I get this kind of question a lot. I have never needed bigger pants for an IWB holster. Only if you wear skin-tight jeans would that be necessary, I'd think. You WILL need a purpose-built gunbelt, and it must fit the holster loops tightly, or you'll not be happy with the result, regardless of the basic quality of the rig. Don't skimp on the belt. I tell my students that they are better off with a $150 belt and a $25 holster than vice versa, but quality in both will pay off. One tip: belts with notches closer together than conventional spacing really help to get the fit "just right," especially if you don't wear the same style of clothing all the time, or sometimes tuck the shirt, other times not.

Also, I think too much is sometimes made of the need for one-handed reholsters for civilian carriers. I carry most often in a Brommeland Max-Con V or a K&D tuckable, both of which are thin leather, and either of which will collapse to some extent after a draw. The thinness is part of what makes them so comfortable. Since I'm not going to be handcuffing anyone, I find it difficult to imagine a situation where I'll be in serious need of the ability to reholster one-handed, even though it can be done in my holsters, with care and training.

 

[sipowicz]

My pants always fall down when I draw my gun...it's an excellent distraction that could save your life! Bright colored underwear is a plus at night. BTW, I had an Uncle Larry who's pants used to fall down all the time even though he didn't CCW...he's still not allowed within 100 yards of schools or playgrounds.

 

[BigRich315]

My pants always fall down when I draw my gun...it's an excellent distraction that could save your life! Bright colored underwear is a plus at night. BTW, I had an Uncle Larry who's pants used to fall down all the time even though he didn't CCW...he's still not allowed within 100 yards of schools or playgrounds.

Flourescent green works great for me .

I found that I had to make intermediate holes in my belt for carry. When the holster was added my belt was either too loose or would cut me in half with prolonged wear. It was also a big plus when I switched from a nylon Desantis holster to the kydex Kholster, no more sagging pants at the range or anywhere I had to unholster. I still wear the glowing green undies just in case

 

[Knightrider03m]

My pants never dropped when I got mines out. I don't like IWB holsters that much becuase I'm a left handed person and my mag button always gets pushed, thus dropping my mag.

 

[willy]

My pants always fall down when I draw my gun...it's an excellent distraction that could save your life! Bright colored underwear is a plus at night. .

Bright colored underwear?
So that's the reason it was only a small destraction when my pants fell down.
I wasn't wearing any underwear!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

2" for IWB, and your pants won't fall down because the holster won't collapse.

 

[11B Lifer]

Holsters

You have asked a great question about a most vexing problem!
Recommend you ask a dealer if he would mind if you bring your CLEARED pistol in to try out some holsters. CLEAR the pistol and try out a few holsters.
You will have to wear the set up for a few hours though to see if its comfortable I have changed holsters (and guns) a number of times.
Big difference between packing a 1911A1 and a 1903 .380 or M36.

 

[aterry33]

Larry, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to firearms! It can take a long time to figure out a holster that will work best for you.

My recommendation is to start out with more inexpensive holsters so you don't spend a lot on a method that won't work for you. What type of gun are you thinking of carrying?

 

[GLV]

Iwb

Is a fine option.

Most people seem to require an extra inch or so in the waist line for an IWB holster. A lot depends on the cut of the pants.

One key as mentioned is a good belt. Now don't forget that a 1.5 to 1.75 inch belt will not fit the belt loops in many brands of pants. For regular wear, I use a 1.75 inch belt, but I have a few pair of dress pant that take a 1.5, and one pair that takes a 1.25 inch belt.

Regardless of type of holster you end up with, the belt is the key item.

Well made IWB holsters will not close up when the gun is drawn. The Galco N frame [large revolver] holster I just received is very stable, and I wear my belts tight.

As another poster stated, 'dress around the gun', mentioning Evan Marshall. Evan does dress around the gun--regardless of casual, suit, etc, the guns are always there.