So, I've always been overweight, but I've recently gained some weight (I've gained about 20LBS in the past 6mo and I'm within 5 pounds of the heaviest I ever weighed). I have always carried IWB (when I can carry- out of state and at home). With this recent weight gain, it is getting a bit too uncomfortable. (Yes, this is one, of many, good excuses to try to lose weight, but it is a slow and not particularly guaranteed process so I need ideas in the meantime).
I have switched about 80% of my carry back to a 1911 and narrower guns but that only buys millimeters when I have gained inches.
I could buy oversized pants (I've never done that for IWB in the past and been OK), but I live in MD, I am not a member of one of the privileged groups who actually can get carry permits here, so I only carry inside my home (where I don't usually need to worry too much about concealment) or when in a state where I can carry on my non-resident UT permit. I don't want to wear oversized pants when not carrying because wearing clothes that are too baggy make a big guy look even bigger. I hate to buy a new wardrobe for once or twice a month CCW.
I've thought about going OWB, which is fine in the winter when I'll be wearing a coat and/or sweater, or other times of year when wearing a suit or sportcoat/blazer. However, I like to wear my shirts tucked, so it can be a problem in the summer. I guess I could get used to wearing more untucked shirts if needed and this is the best option (again, I only carry PT due to MD law not allowing it here, so an untucked sport shirt or polo a couple times a month wouldn't mean a total change in my style).
I've thought about pocket carry, but I don't really like it (I used to do that at times). I carry a lot in my pockets and I'd have to lose about half my pocket storage that way. Also, I like larger, more controllable guns (and preferably more capacity, though I make an exception for .45s/1911s). I do have a couple guns that are quite pocketable- a S&W 441 (I hate it), a Taurus 85CH (a little heavy, but workable), a SIG P290RS (a little heavy, but it works in jeans or chinos/khakis), a Ruger LCP (I don't really like .380 much), and a Kel Tec Pf-9 (hate it, not fully reliable, but I haven't sold it yet and it is a good size and weight for pocket carry). It is also slow to deploy.
What do you guys think of some of the off body carry options like Maxpedition that are still kind of connected to you through their straps? Not as bad as a carry planner or the like that you may forget, but still slower to deploy than on body carry. Still, I'm highly considering it for when I am casually dressed, doing OWB when dressed up with a suit/sportcoat/blazer, and doing pocket carry when dressed up without the jacket (then I can switch back to IWB when I lose the weight).
So, what do those of us with a bit of extra weight (and others) who find IWB uncomfortable do?
I have switched about 80% of my carry back to a 1911 and narrower guns but that only buys millimeters when I have gained inches.
I could buy oversized pants (I've never done that for IWB in the past and been OK), but I live in MD, I am not a member of one of the privileged groups who actually can get carry permits here, so I only carry inside my home (where I don't usually need to worry too much about concealment) or when in a state where I can carry on my non-resident UT permit. I don't want to wear oversized pants when not carrying because wearing clothes that are too baggy make a big guy look even bigger. I hate to buy a new wardrobe for once or twice a month CCW.
I've thought about going OWB, which is fine in the winter when I'll be wearing a coat and/or sweater, or other times of year when wearing a suit or sportcoat/blazer. However, I like to wear my shirts tucked, so it can be a problem in the summer. I guess I could get used to wearing more untucked shirts if needed and this is the best option (again, I only carry PT due to MD law not allowing it here, so an untucked sport shirt or polo a couple times a month wouldn't mean a total change in my style).
I've thought about pocket carry, but I don't really like it (I used to do that at times). I carry a lot in my pockets and I'd have to lose about half my pocket storage that way. Also, I like larger, more controllable guns (and preferably more capacity, though I make an exception for .45s/1911s). I do have a couple guns that are quite pocketable- a S&W 441 (I hate it), a Taurus 85CH (a little heavy, but workable), a SIG P290RS (a little heavy, but it works in jeans or chinos/khakis), a Ruger LCP (I don't really like .380 much), and a Kel Tec Pf-9 (hate it, not fully reliable, but I haven't sold it yet and it is a good size and weight for pocket carry). It is also slow to deploy.
What do you guys think of some of the off body carry options like Maxpedition that are still kind of connected to you through their straps? Not as bad as a carry planner or the like that you may forget, but still slower to deploy than on body carry. Still, I'm highly considering it for when I am casually dressed, doing OWB when dressed up with a suit/sportcoat/blazer, and doing pocket carry when dressed up without the jacket (then I can switch back to IWB when I lose the weight).
So, what do those of us with a bit of extra weight (and others) who find IWB uncomfortable do?
Last edited: