deerslayer303
New member
You can't get much thinner than the Kel Tec PF9. I love mine, its accurate, light, reliable, simple, and easy to conceal. And is chambered in 9mm.
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Carry gun on a thin frame
- Thread starter Friar Whently
- Start date
Untuck your shirt
I carry a Beretta 92FS (compact) in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe in about the 4 o'clock position and untuck my t-shirt. I'm only 5'6" but this gun virtually disappears. Nothing fancy, just wear a colored or printed t-shirt and no one notices. Even my wife and kids, who know I carry, have to ask if I am carrying.
I carry a Beretta 92FS (compact) in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe in about the 4 o'clock position and untuck my t-shirt. I'm only 5'6" but this gun virtually disappears. Nothing fancy, just wear a colored or printed t-shirt and no one notices. Even my wife and kids, who know I carry, have to ask if I am carrying.
Friar Whently
New member
After looking into the Crossbreed SuperTuck holster and seeing this video, it seems there may be hope for me yet to be able to carry something other than a pocket pistol. The gun practically disappears on her!
Congrats on one of the most renowned guns in the world! Yet, hard to CC as you mention.Friar Whently
Carry gun on a thin frame
So I've recently purchased a Beretta 92fs (my first firearm) and love it...
SO...any recommendations on a carry gun for someone with such a small frame? ...
Have a look at a Kel-Tec P11. The highest capacity small frame 9mm I know to exist (11 rounds)--Not great for the range (but still fun) but an absolutely ideal CCW piece.
-Cheers
HighValleyRanch
New member
Leaner guys have an easier time carrying big guns, in fact.
Others are right in that you have to learn to dress around the carry.
Carrying is an art form in itself and how to move and your demeanor while you carry.
I am pretty lean without getting into specifics, and can carry big guns with no problem. My current biggest gun for woods is a Ruger Alaskan. Big, beefy and huge cylinder, but it is where you put that bulk that matters. Appendix in the waist band (AWIB) it disappears on my frame since I don't have a belly bulge. Small of back is possible as well with loose thick shirt.
Glock 17 is no problem. It all depends where you hide it.
We all have a closet full of holsters from working at it. Sometimes you don't think you can do it, and then one day, fiddling around you might find that magic spot that allows you to carry the same big gun concealed.
Most people try to go smaller and smaller, then find out that they can't shoot that small gun very good.
Others are right in that you have to learn to dress around the carry.
Carrying is an art form in itself and how to move and your demeanor while you carry.
I am pretty lean without getting into specifics, and can carry big guns with no problem. My current biggest gun for woods is a Ruger Alaskan. Big, beefy and huge cylinder, but it is where you put that bulk that matters. Appendix in the waist band (AWIB) it disappears on my frame since I don't have a belly bulge. Small of back is possible as well with loose thick shirt.
Glock 17 is no problem. It all depends where you hide it.
We all have a closet full of holsters from working at it. Sometimes you don't think you can do it, and then one day, fiddling around you might find that magic spot that allows you to carry the same big gun concealed.
Most people try to go smaller and smaller, then find out that they can't shoot that small gun very good.
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Good CC pistol selections....
I didn't read all the forum posts yet but to answer your basic question, I'd suggest a simple DA, hammer fired DA only or if you have the skills, a striker fired single stack semi auto.
Depending on your budget/$ & choices, I'd look at a Glock 36 .45acp with 3 dot night sights, a used/good quality P6/P225 9x19mm, a HK P2000sk in .40 or .357sig, a ParaUSA compact frame LDA .45acp, a SIG P290 with laser aimer 9mm, a SIG Sauer P239 DAK/SASII in .357sig or 9x19mm(with night sights & a CT lasergrip), a Beretta PX4 C(constant) 9x19mm or maybe a Ruger SR9c in 9x19mm.
A good IWB rig in leather or Kydex/polymer could do well for your stated size & build.
Always use high quality factory rounds for carry or defense. No reloads or hand loaded ammunition.
Get proper skill training & learn the use of force/gun laws in your area.
Here are a few useful sites;
www.crimsontrace.com www.policehq.com www.miltsparks.com www.tedblockerholsters.com www.brownells.com www.gunsamerica.com www.NRA.org www.blade-tech.com www.handgunlaw.us www.usgalco.com www.blackhawk.com
I didn't read all the forum posts yet but to answer your basic question, I'd suggest a simple DA, hammer fired DA only or if you have the skills, a striker fired single stack semi auto.
Depending on your budget/$ & choices, I'd look at a Glock 36 .45acp with 3 dot night sights, a used/good quality P6/P225 9x19mm, a HK P2000sk in .40 or .357sig, a ParaUSA compact frame LDA .45acp, a SIG P290 with laser aimer 9mm, a SIG Sauer P239 DAK/SASII in .357sig or 9x19mm(with night sights & a CT lasergrip), a Beretta PX4 C(constant) 9x19mm or maybe a Ruger SR9c in 9x19mm.
A good IWB rig in leather or Kydex/polymer could do well for your stated size & build.
Always use high quality factory rounds for carry or defense. No reloads or hand loaded ammunition.
Get proper skill training & learn the use of force/gun laws in your area.
Here are a few useful sites;
www.crimsontrace.com www.policehq.com www.miltsparks.com www.tedblockerholsters.com www.brownells.com www.gunsamerica.com www.NRA.org www.blade-tech.com www.handgunlaw.us www.usgalco.com www.blackhawk.com
I find that Appendix carry is the most concelable way for me to carry everyday. I can carry a midsize gun (Glock 19,LCR,M&P9C) all day without discomfort or printing. I find that I dont print and there is very little chance of someone bumping into me from the front where my back and sides stand a better chance. I work around people all day and just cant take the chance. I am lucky enough to be able to wear a tshirt or any other shirt untucked daily. It doesnt take baggy either.
serf 'rett
New member
+1 on a Kahr. My P9 is thin but shoots a tight group.
And if you are going to carry IWB, buy some pants in inch larger.
If I may add, gunbelt as well.
@camsdaddy & HighValleyRanch
I believe I may have to agree with you. I've been trying this out, starting with my G19 and now with my G26 and it works great. Better than I could have imagined even. I haven't tried it with a full size yet. I've done a high ride 4 o'clock IWB with FBI cant and really, really like it but have found it isn't the most ideal for everyday in my case.
For example : While carrying my EMP9, a friend/colleague happened to greet me with a slap to the back. Unfortunately, it landed more towards my gun side, with some of his hand and wrist contacting my handgun. No prob there but it was cause for me to reassess.
I believe I may have to agree with you. I've been trying this out, starting with my G19 and now with my G26 and it works great. Better than I could have imagined even. I haven't tried it with a full size yet. I've done a high ride 4 o'clock IWB with FBI cant and really, really like it but have found it isn't the most ideal for everyday in my case.
For example : While carrying my EMP9, a friend/colleague happened to greet me with a slap to the back. Unfortunately, it landed more towards my gun side, with some of his hand and wrist contacting my handgun. No prob there but it was cause for me to reassess.
HighValleyRanch
New member
Gabe Suarez is a proponent of AIWB.
Has both concealment and tactical advantages over some other types of carry positions. Grabs from behind, close encounters, headlocks,etc, you can defend the gun better.
I like it because in order to detect it, people have to scan you while you are observing them. Whereas, in rear position carry, someone might be detecting a printing without your awareness, if the pistol has slipped out of position, or you are bent over.
Draw can also be faster, since it is already close to the close ready position.
AIWB solves the problem your express with people hugging you and detecting the gun in back.
The gun in AIWB doesn't print when bending over, and you can bend back enough to make it print. You need to have a short gun, however if you wear more to 1 or 2 o'clock rather than 12 o'clock.
Main disadvantage is that it is a little more uncomfortable than 4 o'clock, and that is is more easily exposed if you are wearing a over shirt unbuttoned.
Carrying my ruger alaskan all day today AIWB for comfort test.
Friend came over today and he couldn't detect, and neither has my wife all day.
Has both concealment and tactical advantages over some other types of carry positions. Grabs from behind, close encounters, headlocks,etc, you can defend the gun better.
I like it because in order to detect it, people have to scan you while you are observing them. Whereas, in rear position carry, someone might be detecting a printing without your awareness, if the pistol has slipped out of position, or you are bent over.
Draw can also be faster, since it is already close to the close ready position.
AIWB solves the problem your express with people hugging you and detecting the gun in back.
The gun in AIWB doesn't print when bending over, and you can bend back enough to make it print. You need to have a short gun, however if you wear more to 1 or 2 o'clock rather than 12 o'clock.
Main disadvantage is that it is a little more uncomfortable than 4 o'clock, and that is is more easily exposed if you are wearing a over shirt unbuttoned.
Carrying my ruger alaskan all day today AIWB for comfort test.
Friend came over today and he couldn't detect, and neither has my wife all day.
The SuperTuck you found has a great reputation. They don't make holsters for every model, though, so you should also know about Kholster and Theis Holsters ... they make roughly the same design of holsters, so you do have some sourcing options that will have different prices, lead times and availabilities. The tuckables are quite comfortable and pretty fast on the draw. Listen to the folks that say "good belt is necessary" ... they know of what they speak!
Saands
Saands
barnetmill
New member
The thinnest and most concealable non-compact gun is the basic T-33 Tokarev pistol in either 9 or 7.62x25. Main problem are the safeties on the imports which are not very good and IIRC only block the sear and the original has no external safety other than a quarter cock position on the external hammer. This design externally bears a strong resemblance to the 9 mm long browning pistol, but has an external hammer and browning tilting barrel design.