armsmaster270
New member
Heavy is an all steel 1911 or an N frame or equivalent. I carry a 226 and a 340PD at the same time they are not heavy.
CCW Weight, What's Your Limit?
- Thread starter Shadi Khalil
- Start date
Tommy Vercetti
New member
I carry a Beretta 92FS just about every day
no my limit; wearing real guns in real life
My heaviest is a 7.5" 357 Redhawk; my lightest is my NAA mini.
Sometimes I wear more than one gun (often preferring to wear a pair of identicals, like two GP100s, or 1911s in 45 ACP, or Witnesses in 9x19; sometimes it's just having a back-up or two along).
I wear the 'left' one butt-forward; sometimes I wear both butt-forward.
I have no plans for running ('cause I mostly can't).
Which reminds me; I left a spare gun in the glovebox last night..... (PT22, for the curious. Of course it's loaded).
Funny story: I'm often asked "how can I stand wearing a covering garment when it's so hot"........
My heaviest is a 7.5" 357 Redhawk; my lightest is my NAA mini.
Sometimes I wear more than one gun (often preferring to wear a pair of identicals, like two GP100s, or 1911s in 45 ACP, or Witnesses in 9x19; sometimes it's just having a back-up or two along).
I wear the 'left' one butt-forward; sometimes I wear both butt-forward.
I have no plans for running ('cause I mostly can't).
Which reminds me; I left a spare gun in the glovebox last night..... (PT22, for the curious. Of course it's loaded).
Funny story: I'm often asked "how can I stand wearing a covering garment when it's so hot"........
Shadi Khalil
New member
Impressive. Do you ever carry spare mags/speed loaders along with the 2 guns?
As a public service, breaking down some models by weight so people get an idea of the weights being carried.
Under 16 oz (1 lb) are guns like:
S&W J-Frame Scandium Frames - 340, 360
Ruger LCP (9.4oz) and Ruger LCR (13.5oz)
16-20 oz
S&W J-Frame Alloy Guns - 442, 642, etc.
Sig P232 .380
20-25 oz
S&W J-Frame Stainless Steel - 60, 640, 649
26-27 oz
Ruger SP101, SR-9 & P95
Springfield EMP-9 & Micro-Compact .45
CZ P06 & P07 Pistols
Dan Wesson CCO Bobtail .45
28-30 oz
CZ P01 & Model 83
Sig P220 & P239
Ruger P345
30-34 oz
S&W K-Frame .357 2.5" (M19/66)
Ruger P89
Dan Wesson Bobtail 4" .45
Sig P229 & 226
35-39 oz
S&W L-Frame 2.5"
S&W K-Frame 4" & 6"
CZ 75B
Ruger GP 100 3"
40-44 oz
S&W N-Frame 4" (.357/.41/.44/.45)
S&W L-Frame 6" (.357 Model 686)
Springfield 1911 Stainless loaded 9mm / .45
> 45 oz
S&W N-Frame 6" (.44 Mags)
S&W X-Frame (.460 & .500 Mag)
Ruger GP 100 6"
Ruger Redhawk (and Super-RH)
Staying under about 30 ounces seems to be a good rule of thumb for CCW pistols. And yes, a LOT depends on the holster and the wearer's belt.
A 40-42 oz 1911 can be worn comfortably in several types of holsters when combined with the right belt.
My J-Frame S&W 649 (23oz) is comfortable to carry, if a tad heavier than I'd like. But I know that weight will be a big help if I have to actually use it.
Either my S&W 39-2 (27 oz) or 3914 (25oz) are comfortable to carry because the weight is spread out over a larger area.
For me, once you get beyond about 2 lbs (32 oz) the weight sometimes feels substantial unless your holster spreads out the weight.
Under 16 oz (1 lb) are guns like:
S&W J-Frame Scandium Frames - 340, 360
Ruger LCP (9.4oz) and Ruger LCR (13.5oz)
16-20 oz
S&W J-Frame Alloy Guns - 442, 642, etc.
Sig P232 .380
20-25 oz
S&W J-Frame Stainless Steel - 60, 640, 649
26-27 oz
Ruger SP101, SR-9 & P95
Springfield EMP-9 & Micro-Compact .45
CZ P06 & P07 Pistols
Dan Wesson CCO Bobtail .45
28-30 oz
CZ P01 & Model 83
Sig P220 & P239
Ruger P345
30-34 oz
S&W K-Frame .357 2.5" (M19/66)
Ruger P89
Dan Wesson Bobtail 4" .45
Sig P229 & 226
35-39 oz
S&W L-Frame 2.5"
S&W K-Frame 4" & 6"
CZ 75B
Ruger GP 100 3"
40-44 oz
S&W N-Frame 4" (.357/.41/.44/.45)
S&W L-Frame 6" (.357 Model 686)
Springfield 1911 Stainless loaded 9mm / .45
> 45 oz
S&W N-Frame 6" (.44 Mags)
S&W X-Frame (.460 & .500 Mag)
Ruger GP 100 6"
Ruger Redhawk (and Super-RH)
Staying under about 30 ounces seems to be a good rule of thumb for CCW pistols. And yes, a LOT depends on the holster and the wearer's belt.
A 40-42 oz 1911 can be worn comfortably in several types of holsters when combined with the right belt.
My J-Frame S&W 649 (23oz) is comfortable to carry, if a tad heavier than I'd like. But I know that weight will be a big help if I have to actually use it.
Either my S&W 39-2 (27 oz) or 3914 (25oz) are comfortable to carry because the weight is spread out over a larger area.
For me, once you get beyond about 2 lbs (32 oz) the weight sometimes feels substantial unless your holster spreads out the weight.
LOLSA customized 1911 Mil-Spec Blk hills Leather Cross Draw Holster and belt, best Cross Draw Holster I ever had wear this in the summer in central Fl with no problem concealing, like they say it all depends on good gear. I have to Give a Hats off to Blk hills leather it's 2 yrs now this holster is sweet,not only very comfortable,but what a draw........what more can I ask for! Its making a government model 1911 fully loaded comfortable and concealing the thing excellently. If you need a good reliable holster give em a try!
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
Pocket or belt carry?
While still a regular peace officer, my standard concealed carry, on duty and off, was a Colt Commander .45, weight 26.5 oz. It rode in either in a Sparks Summer Special IWB holster or a Bianchi Minimalist belt slide. I carried a single spare magazine most days.
Since retirement, my "always gun" is either an S&W M 37 Chief's Special or a Colt Agent, in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Nominal weight of the Chief is 13.5 oz, now increased a bit with the addition of Crimson Trace laser stocks. The Colt is 14.5 oz. A Speed Strip and, sometimes, an HKS speedloader ride in my hip pocket.
If wearing a cover garment that allows for an outside holster, I may carry my old Commander, but more often a Colt Cobra with 4" barrel, weight 16 oz.
So: Pocket carry weight limit, about a pound. In a conventional holster, I try to hold it to under two pounds.
The above options are for everyday carry. Like many firearms enthusiasts, though, I sometimes take a notion to do something different. A 3" Model 13 (31 oz.,) Government Model .45, or Super .38 Colt (39 oz each,) maybe.
While still a regular peace officer, my standard concealed carry, on duty and off, was a Colt Commander .45, weight 26.5 oz. It rode in either in a Sparks Summer Special IWB holster or a Bianchi Minimalist belt slide. I carried a single spare magazine most days.
Since retirement, my "always gun" is either an S&W M 37 Chief's Special or a Colt Agent, in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Nominal weight of the Chief is 13.5 oz, now increased a bit with the addition of Crimson Trace laser stocks. The Colt is 14.5 oz. A Speed Strip and, sometimes, an HKS speedloader ride in my hip pocket.
If wearing a cover garment that allows for an outside holster, I may carry my old Commander, but more often a Colt Cobra with 4" barrel, weight 16 oz.
So: Pocket carry weight limit, about a pound. In a conventional holster, I try to hold it to under two pounds.
The above options are for everyday carry. Like many firearms enthusiasts, though, I sometimes take a notion to do something different. A 3" Model 13 (31 oz.,) Government Model .45, or Super .38 Colt (39 oz each,) maybe.
both my regular carry guns -- a PM9 and a airweight j-frame, weigh under a pound and are very easy to pocket carry, my retular method. when it's cool and I'm wearing more than a tank top and shorts, I'll go to a Kimber UCII .. at 25 oz unloaded, it's about my limit. I've tried carrying heavier guns -- a steel Taurus 617 and a 1911 Springer Loaded, but pushing two pounds is just too uncomfortable ...
I guess I'm lucky, weight has just never bothered me.
I carry what I want, which is two GLOCK 20s, one with a six inch barrel, a spare mag with a +5 base for twenty rounds, and a Surefire Centurion 3. Plus my keys and cell phone pouch, which has an additional PDA pouch that I use for my wallet and a Swiss Army Knife.
A couple of people mentioned the importance of a good holster (I'm using Comp-Tac C-T.A.C.s), but don't forget that a proper gunbelt really makes the difference.
I'm using Wilderness Instructor belts, the Combat Shooter's Model. So much more secure and easier carrying than the WalMart special I used to use.
I carry what I want, which is two GLOCK 20s, one with a six inch barrel, a spare mag with a +5 base for twenty rounds, and a Surefire Centurion 3. Plus my keys and cell phone pouch, which has an additional PDA pouch that I use for my wallet and a Swiss Army Knife.
A couple of people mentioned the importance of a good holster (I'm using Comp-Tac C-T.A.C.s), but don't forget that a proper gunbelt really makes the difference.
I'm using Wilderness Instructor belts, the Combat Shooter's Model. So much more secure and easier carrying than the WalMart special I used to use.
I'm a "panty-waist", like comfort instead of "comforting"...A play on Clint Smith's famous quote.
While visiting Albuquerque these past few days, carried a .380 in my SS pocket. Less clothes means to be=less gun unfortunately...Cooler weather means more weight-caliber and clothes....
While visiting Albuquerque these past few days, carried a .380 in my SS pocket. Less clothes means to be=less gun unfortunately...Cooler weather means more weight-caliber and clothes....
Stevie-Ray
New member
Well, my Kimber UCDP is 25 oz empty, so fairly close to two pounds I guess. It's not the limit at either end, but it's my normal. Er...not including the BUG, of course.