Pros and Cons of different carry methods

[hammackc]

Apppendix carry, just left of my front right pocket, full size 1911, no holster, just tuck it in, wear a belt snug and good to go!

[rossivey]

I'm 5'8 and 145 and have a 29-30in waist and had to buy a slim pistol to carry. I ended up with a KelTec PF9 and the only way I can carry it without showing imprint is that I had to get a metal clip that attached strait to the gun itself. I usualy carry in front but sometimes on my side depending on what I'm wearing.
It's hard for us skinny folks during the warm months if you don't wear baggy clothes.

I hear ya! I'm about the same size and depending on what shirt I'm wearing I can or can't carry my Glock 19 in the summer. I can carry my wife's 26 a lot easier but she's usually got hers with her. I carry mine in a FOBUS paddle holster. I'm not buying a whole new wardrobe of pants one size bigger just to carry with an IWB holster. I'm hoping the open carry law passes so I don't have to worry about mine being unconcealed as much.

[Jason19]

Just my two cents.... My IWB and OWB (competition) are always located in the same place. I reference the belt loop on the right side of my pants, jeans or shorts. Most mens clothing has the same placement of belt loops. IWB holster clip/loop always butts up against it as well as the OWB. This way every time I draw my weapon its in the same place and my muscle memory develops to that specific location.

[MySRT8U]

I carry at my 4 o'clock. Crossbreed iwb. Very comfortable to me and like stated earlier very easy to draw without making it noticeable. I also carry my glock 26 on my ankle when I can't conceal iwb. I just bought a full size 1911 if like to try to conceal and carry. Any recommendations on a holster to do this comfortably?

[bboswell]

Lots of good info here!

[Coach W]

Im a little unclear on the term "appendix carry" I think that is in the front...

Anywhere in the 10-2 oclock region is a PIA when I set down... Riding in the truck, bending over, just plain stinks when you carry in front of you.

3 o clock is a good place to carry, but when looking straight at yourself in the mirror a huge bulge is noticeable, and not easy covered up.

4 o clock is where i carry. My IWB crossbreed super tucks' first clip is right in front of my 3 o clock belt loop. It puts the gun behind my hip, but not behind me. It is super easy to conceal. I can tuck in a polo, then pull out a little bit so Im free to move and you wont ever notice Im carrying. 3" 1911 easily concealed by a loose tucked in polo. I carry this way with shorts and a polo or t shirt too... just dont tuck in the T shirt. I do like a undershirt though, it helps so that the holster isnt riding straight on my skin (personal preference) Ive gone without it many times and its not that bad, but does draw my attention to it occasionally.

One note on this type of carry. If you dont tuck in your shirt and are wearing a back pack the back pack will grab your shirt pulling it up showing your gun, accidentally... I like a back pack while hunting, and when we go out with the family. I can carry drinks, diapers, snacks... just a heads up, as it became noticeable to myself over the break on a trip with the family... no one else noticed though.

Ive carried in the small of my back but didnt like it, I lean back on my gun, its hard to get too, I feel someone else could get to it easier than I can.


Also, You are more aware of the gun than anyone else is. You think everyone is looking, but in fact no one is... just think how much time do you spend staring at random dudes waist line? Now if you are a pretty girl with a nice waist, and a pretty thang in your face..... you are being watched!

[Michael]

...On a side note, I may be in luck. I've been CrossFitting in preparation for a sheep hunt, and I'm on the last hole in all my belts and starting to need to buy smaller pants. Maybe now I can just keep all my loose pants.

...I'm not buying a whole new wardrobe of pants one size bigger just to carry with an IWB holster...

Fortunately I've dropped 20+ since the beginning of the year! Maybe I won't have to buy new pants. I've still got plenty of extra notches on my belt, though!

[Michael]

I'm not quite legal yet, and I haven't received the Crossbreed ST I ordered a few weeks ago. In the meantime, I ordered a clip (yes clip, not mag! ) for my LCP (wife claims it as hers! )



I've been toying different things around the house - front pocket, back pocket, shorts, clipped IWB, etc.

I know most don't like ankle carry, but the clip works pretty good on my boot - outside my right boot is more comfortable than inside left boot).

Outside



Inside



May not be a bad option for backup.

[equin]

Here's a write-up I did with pics on 4 different kinds of holsters:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/287228-3913-holster-reviews.html

The only thing I'd add is that both my OWB and IWB holsters are a bit uncomfortable and hard for me to unholster and reholster while sitting in the car/truck with the seatbelt on. But I guess it's like that for any kind of holster while one is strapped in a car seat belt.

Very interested in trying a good appendix holster that will allow me to sit down. The holsters I have now don't really allow me to sit when I wear them appendix-style. I've heard of the old "pager-pal" type holsters that allow for that, but haven't tried one yet.

[Daniel75]

Michael, it is a great option as a backup when you're wearing boots. I have a gameplan for being mugged/robbed at gunpoint and that reach to your boot is going to seem like 3 miles away. I always had it worked out in my head that I'd slightly can't my body to where my 3 o'clock position is directly away from the attacker and I tell him, "Here, you can have my wallet...." as I'm reaching for my pistol, draw and come up firing as I move to my right. You could theoretically say the same thing as you're reaching in your boot but you'll be immobile, his gun will be at your head level now, and he may or may not be able to see you drawing a gun. I've worn an ankle holster on jobs where I had to dress business casual but that's only because I didn't have any other option.

[Shane]

Great info, y'all. I appreciate it.

[WCB]

I just started carring a Forbus OWB today with a over shirt (that's the con). Seemed to sit well on my right side @ 3 o'clock. In the truck I tuck the gun between the driver seat and the center seat with a small towel over it for quick access. Have been carrying with a IWB at 2 o'clock and like that also as it's a real quick draw. And I can conceal a full size in the IWB w/o problem. Con is sitting sometimes or tying my shoe but it is a full size too...

[texag93]

Michael, it is a great option as a backup when you're wearing boots. I have a gameplan for being mugged/robbed at gunpoint and that reach to your boot is going to seem like 3 miles away. I always had it worked out in my head that I'd slightly can't my body to where my 3 o'clock position is directly away from the attacker and I tell him, "Here, you can have my wallet...." as I'm reaching for my pistol, draw and come up firing as I move to my right. You could theoretically say the same thing as you're reaching in your boot but you'll be immobile, his gun will be at your head level now, and he may or may not be able to see you drawing a gun. I've worn an ankle holster on jobs where I had to dress business casual but that's only because I didn't have any other option.

FYI-If someone is already pointing a gun at you.....and you're thinking about going for your CCW, good luck!!!!! You're going to get shot. JMHO. Drawing a weapon at gunpoint has escalated the situation from being robbed, to being shot at. There are so many ifs and buts in any given situation that have to be analyzed under stress, but drawing at gunpoint is a big no go for me....until I feel there is no other option.

[rossivey]

I just started carring a Forbus OWB today with a over shirt (that's the con). Seemed to sit well on my right side @ 3 o'clock. In the truck I tuck the gun between the driver seat and the center seat with a small towel over it for quick access. Have been carrying with a IWB at 2 o'clock and like that also as it's a real quick draw. And I can conceal a full size in the IWB w/o problem. Con is sitting sometimes or tying my shoe but it is a full size too...

That's how I carry mine too. I usually just keep it holstered in the truck though. It's still easy to get too, I just have to undo my seatbelt.

[Keith]

Lots of good info here. I'll read it in detail when I get time.