Who carries a full size concealed?

[Spike 7.62]

My 2 semi autos are a 1911 and a M&P Pro Series... I'm not a big guy, at 69" and 170# but I've read that with the right belt and holster a full size can be concealed effectively. What is the right belt and holster? A friend suggests DeStantis but I've not looked at models.

 

[crofoot629]

I sometimes carry a full size1911, G19, or N-frame S&W.

I bought two identical belts in 1995 from Dillon Precision in 1995 when I was headed to Thunder Ranch. One is still pretty much like new, the other has some noticeable wear but functions fine. They are both double thick cowhide I presume. My 1911 holster is a now out of production Gunsight Training holster. For my other guns I have Milt Sparks or Kramer leather.
None of which are inexpensive, but seem to last for ever.

For revolvers I favor the Bruce Nelson design. Sparks calls it a BN55 I believe. Almost everybody makes a rendition of this outside the waist band tunnel loop holster.

To me Kramer is every bit as good as Sparks at a much shorter wait time.

The constant here is to buy well made (expensive) leather.

Good leather is a pleasure all of its own.
Put in your order and just don't worry about the wait time, it's worth it and the money.

Living in the NorthWest I often conceal the full size guns with a Kavu vest. I always dress casual so I don't know about other clothing to wear concealed.
I can get away with a Glock 26 with a baggy T shirt.

Buy something nice you have to order and is not available off the rack.
There are many good makers including Lobo leather who is a member here.
Is Milt Sparks better? I have no idea, but Sparks is often times the gold standard which other makers are compared to.

Emory

 

[ColbyBruce]

I do not have it here to check, but I believe this is a Don Hume 721 model. Originally it had a thumbsnap, but someone cut and reshaped it. Not sure if the person I bought it from was aware of that, but I did not notice it right away either. This is with a 4" S&W K frame revolver in it.

This is a DeSantis for a 3" barrel S&W K frame. It does conceal well, and is super secure, enough that drawing from it is not fast. I like this one enough to own two of them.

My Italian made Beretta 92fs Inox in a Don Hume JIT belt slide. This is surely larger than a 1911, but the holster does hold it tight against the body. I own several of these for different handguns. Everybody should try these.

My Colt LW Commander in a Don Hume JIT.

 

[ColbyBruce]

More Commander holsters, a Milt Sparks Summer Special and a Alessi.

 

[laskt9]

I carry my m&p9 full size and I'm 6 2 147 pounds soaking wet. I'm a twig. I have an mtac and I generally wear a hoodie and cowboy cut wranglers or levis.

It should be noted that I also open carry since I live in Indiana so concealing isn't a big deal unless I go into a store

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[MaximumLawman]

I'm not a big guy, at 69" and 170# but I've read that with the right belt and holster a full size can be concealed effectively.

You can carry a howitzer if you're willing to dress around it. I'm not. Sometimes if I'm going to a bar is a bad part of town, I'll carry my Glock 21 or Sig 226, usually Mexican, with a sport coat over jeans. Any other time it's a smaller gun that can be pocket carried with a tucked-in polo or T-shirt or carried in an OWB holster covered by a sport coat or suit coat. I don't much like carrying full-size guns concealed and it certainly wouldn't be for every day carry. The worst is shoulder holsters for a full-size gun if you're dressed half-way decently.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Once and a while, I carry a full size 1911 or a Sig220. If I'll be standing or walking alot I use a Galco "Small of the back" holster. It rides mid back, butt up. It fits like a dream, and draws fantastic. I know some other companies make copies for alot less, but first class costs and knock-offs cost lives. I avoid the Middle of the back models (butt down), because you sweep yourself when drawing. My best suit is taylored to fit a Sig 228 IWB at 4 O-clock (Men's Wearhouse does this for free, call ahead and take the gun and holster with you). Whatever you carry your clothes need to fit properly. To quote ZZ Top, " Girls go crazy for a well dressed man." Bad fitting clothes, usually "print", a bad idea in all states and illeagle in some states. A friend of mine is not alot bigger than you and carries a M&P 9mm in a belly band, when a bulky sweater is OK. Ivan

 

[MaximumLawman]

To quote ZZ Top, " Girls go crazy for a well dressed man."

Hmm...not to nitpick, but I think it was: "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man...."

How does that holster work for you when you're driving around in a car?

 

[walkin jack]

I have 2 full size hand guns that I carry concealed. I mostly carry these two in colder weather when more/heavier clothing make it easier to conceal them. One is my 24-3 N frame .44spc and the other is my Glock-21 .45acp.

Holster needs will vary widely with the individual per size, shape, clothing preference, confidence, and comfort concept. People can advise and say what they wear but you may have to just experiment. I know I'm not the only one with a dresser drawer full of holsters.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I'm 6'2'' and 254 lbs. Off duty, I almost exclusively carry my Colt Combat Commander in a high Noon Holster's Slide Guard, Milt Sparks 55 BN or 1AT. I've never felt uncomfortable or wished for something smaller. My cover is almost always a Pendleton Board Shirt. When it is real hot, I put my S&W 640 in my left, front pocket. Gonna work a 58 into the rotation with a Milt Sparks PMK.

My 1076 in a Milt Sparks 55BN is very comfortable as well.

 

[Donn]

Don't carry FS a lot, but when I do, it's either a Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB or a Galco Combat Master OWB. An untucked shirt, jacket or hoodie are mandatory, (for me), to ensure concealment.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I CCW a S&W "N" frame 4" .45 in a Lobo Dual Carry OWB Holster in a "Crossdraw" at 9-10 O'clock. Two full moon clips in a single HKS speedloader pouch at 4 O'clock. The Revolver is use with Magna PC Grips and a "BK" Grip Adapter.
I normally wear a loose fitting shirt OWB or a vest/jacket/coat.
My wardrobe hasn't changed since I went though the world of Chemo twice thus "Loose Fitting" clothing. Good news-weigh lose of "Donut Fat". Bad news- loss of hair, teeth, hearing, and sight. Comensated with dentures, hearing aids, and glasses.
After a lifetime of "FBI Draw" I found "Crossdraw" works better for me now.
Jimmy

 

[timn8er]

+1 to ColbyBruce on the Don Hume JIT Slide. I've got two,
one that fits all my 3rd Gens & one that fits both of my M&P's.
Small, unobtrusive, yet holds the pistol securely without need
of a thumb strap. Also, VERY reasonable! You can find them on
ebay for about $25.00 shipped!

 

[ColbyBruce]

More holsters

A Galco Small of the Back holster for Glock 17/19 pistols. I carried my stolen Glock 31 in this while hiking. Conceals well if one is standing upright. Sort of difficult to draw from in a hurry, near impossible to reholster, flat out impossible to draw from with my weak hand. Also, hospitals are littered with folks who fell and broke their back while wearing one of these rigs.

Another Don Hume JIT belt slide for a Sig P225. This happens to also fit my Glock 26, S&W 908/3953/3913, and 1006.

If you have not figured this out yet...one can spend a small fortune on gunleather and still not quite be satisfied with what you are wearing. Nothing wrong with buying used holsters, providing they are in VGC. A good quality belt is a must.

 

[Poodle Soup]

I carry a full sized 9mm (fnx9 18 rounds fully loaded) in a cross breed super tuck holster on a gun belt i found at a gun shop. Its heavy... I prefer my 442 (which is in the shop) but I like the gun.

 

[vista461]

Besides my M&Pc I also sometimes carry a M&P pro or 4003. The 4003 in a Theis and the M&P pro in the same Safariland IWB that I carry the 9c in.

 

[MP1SG]

My Main EDC is a Full size M&P 9 (Getting the Full size 40 tmrw). BUT, i had the grip chopped to accept the 10/12 round magazine. So,I have the long slide and barrel of a full size and the compact grip of a compact M&P. Thie conceals real well, and i can use the hi cap magazine if needed. Printing is NOT and issue the gun is accurate and follow up shots are a breeze. I have the 9 and 40c and I find I can conceal the chopped full size just as well as the compact version.
So Full size?? Kinda
thanks
1SG
Out

 

[kablamo]

Commander size 1911 in a comp tac at 4:30

 

[Gunzuki]

As long as I have some kind of jacket on. I carry either my 5943 or a 1911A1 Gov. I use a IWB. ( I don't carry my 1911A1 Cocked and locked usually just with the magazine in. I KNOW , I know , but I keep having nightmares about having an AD and castrating myself.)

 

[strbrinky]

I do, (CZ-85) but my holster is in my fanny pack, which doesn't really look so strange on a woman I can't imagine being able to conceal that thing any other way on my person!