Best carry for people that hate IWB for CCW?

D

Deja vu

New member
I currently carry in my pocket most of the time (J-frame) But I am looking to carry some thing a bit bigger. I occasionally carry my Coonan Classic in an IWB holster but to be honest I have hated it for a long time. I have carried many 357 magnum revolvers IWB as well and have hated them all, even the LCR seemed like too much IWB. Mostly because I have to drive a lot with different passengers as well as a fair amount of time at a computer.

I am thinking may be a shoulder holster (not sure on vertical or horizontal) I know a guy that works leather that will hand make it for me. But I am open to other opinions. I guess I could pick a different gun but I personally feel confident with the 357 magnum.
 
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I'm actually gonna order from Rob at "Simply Rugged" here:
http://www.simplyrugged.com/

Gonna get a pancake for my Ruger Montado 45. Rob does
3 slits as well so you can wear for cross draw if prefered.
Heard all good thing about their "Sourdough". Also Rob
now offers black which is my choice but has some other
wonderful colors.
 
I quite like verticle shoulder holsters worn nice and high... way up almost to the armpit. Once I make the strap-length adjustments (which CAN BE quite a trial-and-error project) and get the angles right, I find them generally comfortable to wear for long periods.

The downside is that they're not easy to take on and off. Like, IWB is so easy... to take off when I walk in the door of my place, set it down, and put it back on again before I pop out. Shoulder rig is more of a project, depending on what I'm wearing.

Shoulder rig is also more appropriate for cool weather than hot weather 'cause I have to wear it OVER a t-shirt and UNDER another shirt or jacket. But for smallish lightish revolvers or autos, verticle shoulder-style is quite nice in the wearing, just not handy to get on and off as other modes are.
 
The first problem is that you are carrying a Coonan Classic. That is a whole lot of gun to carry in any manner. It is bigger than some full size 1911s and weighs more.

People tell me my P07 is too big for carry and it is a shrimp compared to that. If you drive a lot and want to carry a .357mag you might try switching to a 3" revolver.

If you keep the Coonan I would suggest shoulder carry. I would also suggest extra mags to balance the weight distribution.
 
The first problem is that you are carrying a Coonan Classic. That is a whole lot of gun to carry in any manner. It is bigger than some full size 1911s and weighs more.
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you are correct it is a big gun (only slightly bigger than a 1911) But Its not really the size. I hate to carry my J-frames IWB too. IWB holsters have never felt comfortable to me.

I currently carry in the pocket or on the ankle because it does not feel bad. My S&W 640 is pretty heavy because its all stainless but I dont mind it in my pocket. What is bad is this limits me to very small guns.
 
Pancake. My Uncle Mike's Mirage has toted my 2" snubby comfortably for several years now. No sign of wear and I see no need to look for anything better.

I use Barami Hip Grips for pants pocket carry. Makes it more comfortable and the gun is more accessable.
 
As long as you don't mind loose outer shirts, OWB is (to me, at least) much more comfortable than a shoulder rig. Pancakes help distribute the weight, which makes for better comfort, as treg noted. Pancakes also have a more gentle contour, instead of bulging out as many saddle types do, so they disrupt the flow of the cover garment less, and are harder to spot.

Master Blaster 2 also nailed it: A good belt is a must, and this gets more true as the gun gets heavier.

I've purchased belts and pancake holsters from Rob at SimplyRugged, and he makes a good product at a price that's hard to beat. He also has quick turnaround times. The pancake type holster for your Coonan would be the Cuda.

As far as stiffness and rigidity go, my friend Sam Andrews makes some of the nicest belts out there. You know that whole question of "what do you do in the john?"... unbuckled, his belts hold shape enough that holsters remain vertical - so the question becomes moot.

Belts that are not designed for carry flex way too much, allow too much movement of gun and holster, and amplify the perceived weight and bulk. And they also require you to get creative in the rest room.

Shoulder holsters negate that problem, too. They also work better with winter coats. The problem for me is that I end up with neck or back pain after extended shoulder holster use, so the shoulder holsters I own are pretty much in storage these days.
 
You grasshopper, are the only one, and only the one that can figure that out.

After all, you've been on this board for more than a year, and you've been on this earth for I don't know when.

I think your a big boy, and you can figure this out by your self Grasshopper.:rolleyes:
 
You grasshopper, are the only one, and only the one that can figure that out.

After all, you've been on this board for more than a year, and you've been on this earth for I don't know when.

I think your a big boy, and you can figure this out by your self Grasshopper.
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Yeah I guess so... nothing wrong with looking for some advise.
 
I may be in a minority as i dont see them mentioned alot, but when ever my clothes makes an IWB holster not viable (running shorts and such) i carry my sp101 in a belly band holster. I find it to be very comfortable and conceals well under a looser fitting t-shirt.
 
I'd give the vertical shoulder holster a try especially if you drive a lot. I'd go plus one on what CWKahrFan said (and MLeake too) IMhO they tallied up the pro's and con's pretty good. The Coonan is a LOT of gun but WOULD fit okay in a vertical shoulder rig.

Might not be as fast as you want but it would fit.

Plus one also for the idea of wearing a sports coat or jacket or even a zipper hooded sweat shirt over the thing.
 
The first problem is that you are carrying a Coonan Classic. That is a whole lot of gun to carry in any manner. It is bigger than some full size 1911s and weighs more.
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I was wondering about that too. I didn't know the size of the Coonon Classic but there might be the problem.

The only revolver I carry is a Taurus 85 ultra-lite, which is a 5-shot .38spl. It's very comfortable in an IWB holster. So I can't really relate to your discomfort ... ;)
 
NightSleeper, it's a big 1911 type pistol in .357 Magnum. Grip-frame is longer than a 1911's due to the cartridge length.
 
I carry this beast around and now thats going to fall and into winter i'll carry it more.It's a S&W 686 4 inch .357 and i find it very comfy to wear all day but then i'm used to the weight and it doesn't bother me.

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and yes i do conceal it quite well,it just depends on what i wear.
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My guess is that you don't feel undergunned
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Never

I'de carry a 44 mag if i had the money to spend on one with 4 inch barrel.The smallest gun i carry is a Glock 22 with 2 extra mags in a shoulder holster.
 
wheel gun carry...

A deep concealment pocket rig like a Mika or DeSantis Nemnesis is a smart bet. A CT lasergrip equiped J or small frame Ruger/S&W/Charter Arms etc can protect you in most armed citizen events.
If you are keen on a new belt or shoulder rig for your S&W revolver, check these popular brands; Milt Sparks, Kramer Leather, Mernickle, El Paso Saddlery, Don Hume, Mitch Rosen, DeSantis, Alessi, Ken Null, Kirkpatrick Leather, Lawman Leathergoods(the brown Dirty Harry or treated STU shoulder rig), COM Holsters, Blackhawk(leather models).
Bianchi used to sell great leather revolver holsters. They were used often on TV cop shows & police films of the 1970s/1980s/1990s.
Actor/comic Billy Crystal's S&W 19 .357magnum shoulder rig in Running Scared(1986, www.imfdb.org ) is a good example.
Milt Sparks & Don Hume are well known for Smith and Wesson belt holsters.
Galco's Miami Classic II or Aker's Comfort Flex could conceal/support your revolver. I'd get the natural or brown/tan leather over black. The darker dyes may bleed or wear over time or due to conditions(weather, sweat, sunlight, etc).

ClydeFrog
 
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