Who carries a full size concealed?

[chief38]

Many years ago I tried carrying a full sized 1911 Gov't model and gave up after a week. There are so many better alternatives of weapons in all calibers that I truly see no reason for one to lug around a full sized Auto or Revolver unless of course there are financial reasons not to buy a more portable package. I am pretty good about practicing regularly with my carry piece and have become quite proficient with it, so concerns of control and recoil are low on the list of things I worry about.

Since I do carry whenever I am out & about I like to know I can carry discreetly and in relative comfort without having to hike up my pants, readjust things when I get in and out of a car, and have the people around me suspect that I am armed. If I were a LEO and carried in a Duty uniform holster, than a full sized gun would not be a problem, but as a civilian that wants to remain discrete I think a more compact gun is the way to go. YMMV

Chief38

 

[robertrwalsh]

During the winter, when the trolls wear more clothing, I often carry a Glock Model 20 and sometimes a full-size Government Model.

 

[MaximumLawman]

From all the pictures on these types of threads, it looks like you have to resign yourself to wearing a tent for a shirt if you're going to properly conceal a full-sized gun without wearing winter coat.

 

[limitfree1]

I used to carry a S&W model 59 inside my waistband at the small of my back. As big as that pistol is, in a pair of jeans with a belt, it was safely secured, easily reachable, and any jacket or shirttail would cover it up.

 

[Poodle Soup]

From all the pictures on these types of threads, it looks like you have to resign yourself to wearing a tent for a shirt if you're going to properly conceal a full-sized gun without wearing winter coat.

IWB holster slightly behind the hip you can hide a full sized gun with a Tshirt no problem... depending on your body shape of course.

 

[loc n load]

Full size carry

I have carried full sized revolvers or auto's for 40 years on a daily basis....I have carried N or K frame revolvers concealed and Glock 20's/21's, 1911A1's, Beretta 92's, Sig 226's, etc....today I tend to go for the kydex IWB's or good qual horsehide rigs. I spent most of my career in a hot and humid climate.
I carry strong side hip....I am not thin or petite....but I have trained thousands of Officers at the academy level and a lot of them were medium build or small and petite and with the right holster and attire they could carry a full size auto easily along with reloads.
The key is to have a good holster, a good belt, and to dress for the gun. I am retired now and my EDC is a usually a 4" Smith 58 or a 4" M-29 or a 3" 65 or 24. We have a wonderful assortment of holsters to choose from today, wasn't always that way.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I carry either a SigP229R or a FNP40 both in an HF2 by Tucker I also carry a P6 in the holster that was made for it and imported with it. Sometimes I carry my Beretta 92fs Centurian use the P6 holster or carry it Mexican style.

 

[Faulkner]

Very nice, I like this rig a lot.

 

[shutupdata113]

I'm 68" tall and 170 lbs. I carry. Full size mp9 in a galco king tuck iwb....no one knows I'm carryin

 

[tacman605]

To the OP that is the ultimate question "What is the right belt and holster?" and the answer is different for everyone.

Let's start with the belt. It should be made of either thick/reinforced leather or nylon with plastic reinforcement sew in. Whatever width you decide on it should fit the belt loops on your pants. The wider the belt the more the tightness/tension of the belt will be spread out over your hips.

The holster should provide a secure fit for the gun, hold the grip close to the body and have a cant and/or a grip level on your belt that enables you to get a good grip from a natural draw stroke.
The loops on the holster should be the same size as the belt to ensure once the weapon is on it stays where is should the entire time.

When carrying full sized guns I normally carry OWB in some sort of Raven Concealment holster or quality made kydex, leather is fine to in a quality holster. I prefer little or no cant and position the holster slightly in front of my hip. Due to some shoulder issues I have problems reaching behind my hip.

If allowed go to a gunshop and look, try on and with and unloaded weapon or training gun see how the weapon sits and the ease of draw. Get the belt first and fit the holster to the belt, and the gun to the holster.

Once you have decided this then decide what to wear. You will always dress around the gun. In the summer I wear polos, and mechanics shirts to conceal the weapon. Choose darker solid colors and patterns to help you conceal. When purchasing pants take into account the width of the gun and possibly buy a size larger than you normally wear.

If you prefer IWB use the same criteria for belt and holster and even clothing choices. I use Galco products mainly for IWB holsters but that is simply my choice it is all up to you.

 

[carpriver]

I carry a 686 or a 3" m60 I have been known to carry a 1911. I started making my own holsters because I had a hard time finding good well made holsters for revolvers. I have made a carry belt out of two layers of 9oz leather, it does not roll away from my body and holds the 1911 straight and tight against the body. I enjoy the process and the feel and smell of the leather.

 

[StanNm19]

Looper Leather has a nice product line. Good belts and good holsters.

Concealed Carry/Plain Clothes Gear

 

[MaximumLawman]

I'm 68" tall and 170 lbs. I carry. Full size mp9 in a galco king tuck iwb....no one knows I'm carryin

I've carried openly in areas were this is a rare occurrence and nobody has ever said anything to me. So....how is it that you know nobody knows you're carrying concealed?

 

[szuppo]

A Sig P229 and a Walther PPK in TTGunleather OWB holsters on a Milt Sparks belt. Each and everyday, never a problem.

 

[mccloud112]

My daily full size carry.


645 with plenty of extra ammo.

Desantis / Bianchi leather.

 

[Poodle Soup]

My daily full size carry.


645 with plenty of extra ammo.

Desantis / Bianchi leather.

That looks a bit on the heavy side. But grandpa always said (so Im told) always better to have one bullet to many that one not enough!

 

[zeke]

Main problem for me is the weight, and attempting to cynch up belt tight enough to hold up holster and gun over no hips. Went to hybyrd holsters and heavy suspenders, with cover shirt. Really helps the weight distribution, but requires an overshirt of some type. 45 230 grainers are heavy.

 

[mccloud112]

Your grandpa was right. Learned my lesson in 1982 coal mine strike, Ambushed by 3 armed with Marlin 22"s and winchester 30 30. 15 minutes later with my scalp split by a .22 round,my mini 14 was empty (3 mags) and 2 rounds left in a model 19 .357 (2 extra speedloaders spent). Will never be in that position again. Luckily the rest of my team arrived to save my behind.

 

[mudnamer]

Anyone recommend a good concealed for a SD40?

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I'm roughly your size, I carry a Springfield 1911A1 OWB. In the winter, I wear it in a lower-hanging western style forward-canted holster I bought from amazon. When it's warmer, I just wear an unbuttoned shirt or light jacket in a higher-riding holster that came in the box.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

oh, I use a safariland belt