CCW Carry Suggestions

V

verti89

New member
I currently carry my XD40SC in a high ride, 6'o'clock position. I am able to carry it comfortably in shorts and a reasonably sized Tshirt. (I live in houston so this is a must). Unfortunately my holster is a lefty draw in that position so its not optimum but its better than nothing. Anyhow, I recently purchased a Para p-12, 3.5" 1911, and while its slightly heavier, the thinner width and stronger caliber have me thinking it will make for a solid carry choice. My issue now is I am looking for a way to carry it in shorts and a t-shirt without it being absolutely obvious. I'm about 5'7" 180 and the excess rides in the belly :o.

I currently have a hard fabric holster that has a clip making it possible to put IWB but it rides too low and because its already molded to a shape it is uncomfortable and wayyy to bulgy. The IWB i use for the XD seems like it would work well for the 1911 if it was formed for it so I am leaning towards something like that, but I have also seen a band that basically goes around your chest and the gun basically rides in your armpit, not really sure how comfortable or practical that is. (And no a fanny pack is not an option, those just screeeeam gun imo) I've also considered finding a generic ankle holster that would be able to accomodate either the XD or the Para for the few occasions I do where long pants.

Anyways any ideas or suggestions are more than welcome, thanks.
 
your 6 o'clock draw is with your strong hand or weak hand?

cause i carry 6 o'clock, and when i ordered my holster, i ordered a left hand holster so i can draw with my right.

one tiny benefit to carrying your gun here is when someone asks for your wallet, you reach behind you like you are drawing your wallet, but you are actually drawing your gun.

so, maybe you should order the exact same brand and model for your holster but in left hand configuration. also, if you decide to order the holster with a cant, get a backwards cant, not forwards

and i am sure a billion people on here can recommend a good 1911 holster for iwb
 
yea right now its my weak hand, when i ordered it (online) i intended to carry it in front so the draw would have been correct...oh well live and learn
 
yeah, if you really like the feel of that holster, just order a new one but for the opposite hand.

besides, most of us have that shoe box full of holsters that didn't work
 
besides, most of us have that shoe box full of holsters that didn't work
Click to expand...

I can second that, for all the money I have spent in holsters I could have bought the single six I cant afford right now.
 
Well if you would like to elaborate that would be sweet...

Or if you wanted to offer advice as to an alternative, that also would be sweet...

OR if you wanted to actually answer my actual question (god forbid)that would realllly be sweet..

if not thanks for upping my threads posts
 
I'm NOT a fan of the ankle holster. I can think of no position on the body that is less conducive to a quick, fluent draw than the ankle.
I also have a bunch of crappy holsters. The one I finally found that solved my cc problem is the Alessi CQC-S. It is an owb that positions the gun high and tight on the body. The muzzle rides about 2 inches below the belt. A untucked tshirt covers it up well. I don't even have to undo my belt to put it on/off. Cost is $125. Not cheap, but worth it. I own 3 for 3 different guns.
 
Milt Sparks IWB Summer Special.

I ordered one rough-side out to carry my P-12.

You need to wear some sort of T-shirt tucked into your waistband, and then something over the gun...a shirt, a vest, whatever.

The P-12 feels like a goiter on your waistline with it's chunky little grip, but it would stick out even further if it were not for the IWB holster.

Its the only way I ever found that allowed me to carry the P-12 with even a prayer of being effectively concealed.

(Don't try to carry a P-12 in an ankle holster - or rather, try it - but in the privacy of your own home. Unloaded. It's a relatively heavy handgun fully loaded, it feels like you're wearing ankle weights (which you are), and its a complete PITA - especially in the summertime. Give it a shot and you'll see what I mean.)

YMMV.
 
Carrying SOB (Small of Back) is a potential hazard to your back/spine. Especially if you fall with the gun on your backside.


Also gun retention from someone going for your gun is very weak. Not to mention you don't have eyes on the back of your head.




If you are right handed, carry someone from 1 to 5 o'clock.

Kydex holsters are good. Check out the Crossbreed Supertuck or Comptac M.T.A.C holsters.
 
verti89,

The holster comes with two straps, which I generally positioned on each side of the belt loop at my hip (wearing jeans or dockers), which would correspond to the 3 o'clock position. I usually wore something heavier like a denim jeans jacket or a tan safari-type jacket over a T-shirt.

On those occasions when I was wearing a lighter shirt I moved the pistol back behind my hip, closer to a 4 o'clock position, as the wind can blow the shirt back.

Other guys may do it different, this worked for me.

Doc
 
Holster options

I just wanted to give a second for crossbreed supertuck. It's a great holster. It is a large holster as far as surface area goes. If you're looking for a smaller one a high noon split decision is a good choice.

An IPS option is the safepacker. Looks like a tool pouch, easy to wear in public and no one is any the wiser. I currently carry either a walther PPS or a hk p7m8 daily in one of the above options.
 
www.sportsmansguide.com has a holster the you can caryy right or left. I broke my camera, and I can't put the link down so you on your own to find it, but when you see it you'll know what I'm talking about. And it's only $19.95.

wx2-119351
 
Just a little Elaboration...

Congrats on your new purchase. A good 1911 in your collection is never a purchase that you will regret. Width really is the biggest factor besides weight when concealing, so I believe that a good IWB at 4:30 would do you just fine. Good, quick draw; strong retention; great concealability.

That being said, your current method of carry has been potentially hazardous to you. Over the past 10 years, nearly all police departments nationwide have passed internal regulations regarding equipment placing on the belts of their officers. This was done because a blanket study of officer injuries sustained on the job suggested that carrying their handcuffs where they traditionally do (6 o'clock) durring instances of struggle or even stumbling resulted in a great propensity for spinal cord injury.

Need further proof? Watch a cop show on television to see the way things used to be done; then pay close attention to the rig your local officers are wearing.

Just some food for thought. Personally, if things ever went hand to hand between me and a BG, I wouldn't want a 6 inch bar of steel riding 165lbs on my spinal cord. And to be honest, I wouldn't wish the same on you either.

Just Food for Thought IMOP.
~LT
 
CCW suggestion

I have bought a whole bunch of compacts and sub-compacts in the hope of finding the perfect one for me and after experimenting for almost two years, with different brands and calibers,
I have finally decided on the S&W M&P 9C. Its small enough to be stay concealed even with a t-shirt. I carry it at 7 o'clock in a Don Hume IWB holster.
has enough firepower to make me feel comfortable(12+1),
and is really easy to shoot accurately.
I whole heartedly would suggest the S&W M&P9C
I am sure others feel the same way about their favorites.
I would give it serious consideration !! is all I am saying
 
First, congrats on the 1911--they are habit forming.

Second, while the 12+ capacity of the P12 is neat, in my experience, any double-stack is difficult to conceal and heavier than a single stack. When you are talking .45s, the weight of those additional cartridges adds up quickly.

Third, a good IWB holster makes all the difference. I have a Milt Sparks VMII that I just can't grow to love. I have a Milt Sparks Watch Six that I wear daily; similar but slimmer, more flexible and more comfortable. I am going to order a Striker 1 from Nate at UBG (www.ubgholsters.com).

besides, most of us have that shoe box full of holsters that didn't work
Click to expand...
Nah, I put them all on eBay, one at a time. One man's trash is another man's treasure. Some people will buy anything, even a Pager Pal...
 
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