I am new to CCW and I am looking for a comfortable way to carry a SW686 4” barrel that also has good draw capability. My problem is that I am a tad overweight and I think that would eliminate some of my carry options such as front and hip carry. I think the gun is too big for ankle carry. This leaves me with back and shoulder. I like the shoulder carry idea, but it may be too cumbersome and not readily available. Besides losing weight (wife’s recommendation) I’d like to hear how other large people carry their pistols, including autos.
Carry options for overweight people
- Thread starter #shooter
- Start date
dairycreek
New member
Dear #shooter!
First, welcome to TFL. You will find that it is a great place about which to learn.
I am 6'3" and weigh in at 300 pounds and have carried a 4" 686 concealed. I prefer the 686 "snubby" for carry but I have sucessfully carried the 4" model.
The holster is a FIST #1 IWB clip model and, while the pic shows the holster and a glock, it can be made for any gun. I have two, one for my 4" 686 and one for my 686 "snubby" and both work quite well. A word of warning
You need a very, very good gun belt for carrying any weapon but, because of the weight, somewhat moreso for the 686.
The clip holster allows it to be placed anywhere on your belt that feels comfortable to you! For me that turns out to be at 4:00 with both my 686's. It will take some experimentation but there is a combo that will work for you. Just take the time to find it.
First, welcome to TFL. You will find that it is a great place about which to learn.
I am 6'3" and weigh in at 300 pounds and have carried a 4" 686 concealed. I prefer the 686 "snubby" for carry but I have sucessfully carried the 4" model.
The holster is a FIST #1 IWB clip model and, while the pic shows the holster and a glock, it can be made for any gun. I have two, one for my 4" 686 and one for my 686 "snubby" and both work quite well. A word of warning
You need a very, very good gun belt for carrying any weapon but, because of the weight, somewhat moreso for the 686.The clip holster allows it to be placed anywhere on your belt that feels comfortable to you! For me that turns out to be at 4:00 with both my 686's. It will take some experimentation but there is a combo that will work for you. Just take the time to find it.
Ya know my grandfather always used to say.....
If ya got a good tool, ya build a shed over it. Although, it doesnt make
carrying concealed any easier. Like you I'm horizontally challeged, and
while carrying my 686+ 4"er, I use a desantis pancake in the 4 o'clock
position. It melts right into my body contours, perfectly. I was actually
amazed at how well I can conceal a big .357.
If ya got a good tool, ya build a shed over it. Although, it doesnt make
carrying concealed any easier. Like you I'm horizontally challeged, and
while carrying my 686+ 4"er, I use a desantis pancake in the 4 o'clock
position. It melts right into my body contours, perfectly. I was actually
amazed at how well I can conceal a big .357.
Im glad you asked that question, im also new to CCW, and am getting an SP101 2.25 spurless, im 5'8 315 when I sit down I know my big flubber handles gonna bury that IWB, Im gonna try and pocket carry... I got a USP Compact and I carry in the vehicle, but hopefully I'll find away to carry on my person(s) 
Wildalaska
Moderator
Spiff? Spiff?
WildhesanexpertatfatguycarryAlaska
WildhesanexpertatfatguycarryAlaska
You might try carrying the 686 in a belt holster with a "tunnel-loop" attachment method (for lack of a better way of explaining it). The PMK by Milt Sparks is a good example. I have tried the "Pancake" holsters or similar holsters with two belt slots, but they curve at both sides and bulge out at the middle. Sometimes the cylinder bulge can press upon the hip bone pretty good. A tunnel-loop seems to keep the revolver butt from flopping outward a tad better.
Try positioning the rig behind the hip at 4 or 5 o'clock position if right handed. Sit it at the seven or eight o'clock if left handed. Use a sturdy belt that matches the loop width exactly. It should be at least 1 1/2" wide.
An IWB holster in the same position will work. You'll just have to get pants in a larger waist size.
Do not forget about carrying an extra reload or two. I carry a Bianci speed strip in the watch pocket of my jeans and a speed loader or two in a coat pocket during cold weather.
There's some good off-body carry portfolios available. If you are a disciplined type and always keep it at reach, a portfolio may work okay.
Your wife has a good idea. You'll move better, which is important when one is fighting for their life. You'll feel better and shoot better as well. I know from personal experience. Best wishes.
Try positioning the rig behind the hip at 4 or 5 o'clock position if right handed. Sit it at the seven or eight o'clock if left handed. Use a sturdy belt that matches the loop width exactly. It should be at least 1 1/2" wide.
An IWB holster in the same position will work. You'll just have to get pants in a larger waist size.
Do not forget about carrying an extra reload or two. I carry a Bianci speed strip in the watch pocket of my jeans and a speed loader or two in a coat pocket during cold weather.
There's some good off-body carry portfolios available. If you are a disciplined type and always keep it at reach, a portfolio may work okay.
Your wife has a good idea. You'll move better, which is important when one is fighting for their life. You'll feel better and shoot better as well. I know from personal experience. Best wishes.
spacemanspiff
New member
well i'm not sure if i'd call it 'friendly'. it seems to accentuate the man-boobs. when i wear it people do treat me nicer.
i'm enormous. 5'5" and 270 lbs. i carry a full size 1911 iwb. theres a gun-shaped indention in my waistline.
however i also use the argument that 'i'm not fat i'm big boned'. seriously. at my physical peak ten years ago i was a lean 185, and according to 'experts' was 50 lbs overweight for my height. however i was lean enough to see a six-pack. and i could see my feet. and other, appendages.
Wildalaska
Moderator
Just more to love, if you would stop playing with guns and chase some chicks
WildmatchmakerAlaska
spacemanspiff
New member
i'm much more inclined to 'spectate' rather than 'chase'.
When I want to shoulder carry my 686 (which is, whenever I can) I wear a hawaiian shirt/bowling shirt/something like that over a pocket T. Spring, summer, no problem.I leave the shirt unbuttoned, or if it is windy or I am concerned, I button the lowest button. Does not print at all. Sure, I'm not exactly GQ material, but hey, I'm packing my .357 and I like it.
Beachcomber
New member
A thought to consider?
A thought that you may want to consider is "how are you carrying your extra weight?"
My Senario setting
When I quit smoking several years ago I managed to pack on an extra forty pounds without trying. When I did this I really didn't care as I knew I was overcoming a worse issue than my increasing weight.
My Issue at hand
After winning the battle with cigarettes I was quite pleased with myself and I really didn't mind the fact that my waist size had slowly increased two full sizes larger than what it was originally.
The issue that I discovered was that the duty handgun which I wear on a daily basis was constantly shifting, causing my shirt to untuck and my pants to continue to sag down below my waist. My problem was that I had put the majority of my excess weight on in the area of my stomach.
While stomach size might be a hinderance if one is wearing a shoulder holster... I found that I could carry comfortably with no problems. (other than looking like a gunslinger when I didn't wear a jacket.
)
I found the majority of belt holsters (iwb & owb) that I wore to be a continous problem... unless I wore a belt that was extremely tight (which has the tendency to make one's stomach and clothing look really distorted) or a pair of suspenders under my shirt to assist the belt in supporting the weight of my holstered handgun.
My Opinion ( which is like a rear end... everyone has one. )
In my opinion, if your weight is distributed proportionally across your body you should be able to use just about any type of holster available. Your weight may even help you to hide a much larger handgun easier than others with less body mass? BUT, if your weight is mainly in the area of your stomach I feel that you will have the same problems that I had and will be forced to retire your belt holsters to the "holster box" until you either lose some weight or shift your excess weight around on your body.
Conclussion
It took me four months to lose forty pounds (Weight Watchers diet plan) and now I am excited to say that all of my holsters fit the way the were designed to fit.
Post Script
I'm not a health nut or into physical fitness, but I do enjoy shooting sports and my job requires that I carry a handgun on a daily basis... my solution was clear cut. I had to lose weight.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. I hope this can provide some thought for your holster selection so that your holster box doesn't grow as quickly as mine did.
Good Luck & Stay Safe!
-Rick
A thought that you may want to consider is "how are you carrying your extra weight?"
My Senario setting
When I quit smoking several years ago I managed to pack on an extra forty pounds without trying. When I did this I really didn't care as I knew I was overcoming a worse issue than my increasing weight.
My Issue at hand
After winning the battle with cigarettes I was quite pleased with myself and I really didn't mind the fact that my waist size had slowly increased two full sizes larger than what it was originally.
The issue that I discovered was that the duty handgun which I wear on a daily basis was constantly shifting, causing my shirt to untuck and my pants to continue to sag down below my waist. My problem was that I had put the majority of my excess weight on in the area of my stomach.
While stomach size might be a hinderance if one is wearing a shoulder holster... I found that I could carry comfortably with no problems. (other than looking like a gunslinger when I didn't wear a jacket.
)I found the majority of belt holsters (iwb & owb) that I wore to be a continous problem... unless I wore a belt that was extremely tight (which has the tendency to make one's stomach and clothing look really distorted) or a pair of suspenders under my shirt to assist the belt in supporting the weight of my holstered handgun.
My Opinion ( which is like a rear end... everyone has one.
)In my opinion, if your weight is distributed proportionally across your body you should be able to use just about any type of holster available. Your weight may even help you to hide a much larger handgun easier than others with less body mass? BUT, if your weight is mainly in the area of your stomach I feel that you will have the same problems that I had and will be forced to retire your belt holsters to the "holster box" until you either lose some weight or shift your excess weight around on your body.
Conclussion
It took me four months to lose forty pounds (Weight Watchers diet plan) and now I am excited to say that all of my holsters fit the way the were designed to fit.
Post Script
I'm not a health nut or into physical fitness, but I do enjoy shooting sports and my job requires that I carry a handgun on a daily basis... my solution was clear cut. I had to lose weight.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. I hope this can provide some thought for your holster selection so that your holster box doesn't grow as quickly as mine did.
Good Luck & Stay Safe!
-Rick
I'm 5'10 210, so you get the picture. Amazingly a muzzle forward appendix holster for a 1911 5" is by far easier for me. A vertical scabbard high ride the hardest. An FBI tilt over right hip will do up to 6". A SOB holster works well for me on a smaller piece like a Colt OM , but is uncomfortable as heck to sit. A cross draw is great especially for long guns, but like a shoulder holster sweeps too much for my taste. I do wear a cross draw when driving and a sholder rig (Original JackAss ) when hiking-sometimes.
Oh come on now! If my little ass (5'8" and 160#) can make my 686 disappear, anyone can! (I won't tell how though!
) Try a Galco shoulder rig, that what my dad uses to make his Glock 19 go bye-bye and has little trouble (he's 5'10" and 300+#).
Semper Fi!
-L7
Try the combo of T-Shirt (or tanktop) and a button up shirt. Works well for all types.
) Try a Galco shoulder rig, that what my dad uses to make his Glock 19 go bye-bye and has little trouble (he's 5'10" and 300+#). Semper Fi!
-L7
Try the combo of T-Shirt (or tanktop) and a button up shirt. Works well for all types.
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