Mike Irwin
Staff
Well, a fanny pack technically isn't really a holster...
Concealed Carry preferences?
- Thread starter starscream66
- Start date
Crow Hunter
New member
Doesn't depend on how you define a "holster"?
My fanny pack is kind of like a holster/belt in one package. The gun is held in a "sheath" that is attached by velcro to the inner panel. But mine is close to 15 years old, so maybe things have changed.
I wouldn't want it just floating around loose in a fanny pack though, even with a heavy trigger or a safety, if I go to I draw it out and I pull it out by the barrel instead of the grip it could be more than just embarrassing.
A belly band is not really a holster.
Keep in mind which ever gun you decide to carry that if an issue comes up you might not see that gun for a long time and when you do it might not look the same. Getting a used .38, or .357 J-Frame as suggested above might be a idea worth considering.
Keep in mind which ever gun you decide to carry that if an issue comes up you might not see that gun for a long time and when you do it might not look the same. Getting a used .38, or .357 J-Frame as suggested above might be a idea worth considering.
TheNocturnus
New member
I respect your decision but why not carry everywhere you legally can? What is the point of a CCW permit if you don't use it?
Sig & H&K make great weapons, so does Springfield and S& W and others.... Bersa is a low cost alternative that makes great weapons....
For myself I no longer will touch a Taurus (as far as a purchase is concerned) and I have never been a fan of the glock...... I dont carry weapons because some police department bought it as the cheapest weapon that met the requirements.....
But heck what do I know we all like different things... as Im sure has been said.. go to the range and rent some pistols and see what you like and what you dont....
For myself I no longer will touch a Taurus (as far as a purchase is concerned) and I have never been a fan of the glock...... I dont carry weapons because some police department bought it as the cheapest weapon that met the requirements.....
But heck what do I know we all like different things... as Im sure has been said.. go to the range and rent some pistols and see what you like and what you dont....
Mr.Bluster
New member
I'm a relative newbie to guns in my old age who decided never to be a victim. Took a very good 6-hour Concealed Carry course and got my permit. Have ordered a Ruger LCR .38 based on these premises:
1) It's light weight -- 14 ounces unloaded -- on the theory that light weight and small size is a more comfortable carry in all weather. If you leave it on your nightstand it's not a carry gun.
2) Shoots only 5 but how likely will you ever be in a "Die Hard" kind of prolonged shoot-out?
3) .38 caliber will not blow a hole through the wall but neither is it a pellet gun.
4) A carry gun does not have to be real shootable -- if you're in trouble, you'll sure as shoot it. But is better if it is so that you like practicing with it. No, I have not yet shot the LCR but what I read and what I hear tell me it won't wreck your hands.
5) Revolvers are point and click. Fool-proof and straight-forward, not persnickety. Built simple and tough.
Am I thinking straight? (Even if I can't shoot ...)
1) It's light weight -- 14 ounces unloaded -- on the theory that light weight and small size is a more comfortable carry in all weather. If you leave it on your nightstand it's not a carry gun.
2) Shoots only 5 but how likely will you ever be in a "Die Hard" kind of prolonged shoot-out?
3) .38 caliber will not blow a hole through the wall but neither is it a pellet gun.
4) A carry gun does not have to be real shootable -- if you're in trouble, you'll sure as shoot it. But is better if it is so that you like practicing with it. No, I have not yet shot the LCR but what I read and what I hear tell me it won't wreck your hands.
5) Revolvers are point and click. Fool-proof and straight-forward, not persnickety. Built simple and tough.
Am I thinking straight? (Even if I can't shoot ...)
All of the guns you've listed are high quality and, with the exception of the Sig (due to caliber) I'd say that any of them would be fine CC guns if you can find a practical way to carry them. The problem with answering your question is that certain methods of carry work for some people, but not others. For example, I can carry a reasonably good size handgun OWB without undue difficulty or discomfort, but I've yet to find any gun/holster combination that would allow me to carry IWB without being horribly uncomfortable.
If it helps, I can tell you what guns I regularly carry and how I carry them. In warmer weather, my primary carry gun is a S&W M66-2 with a 2 1/2" barrel that is carried OWB in an El Paso Saddlery #88 "Street Combat" holster at 3:00 to 3:30 under a loose fitting shirt. In colder weather, I typically carry a S&W 629-6 with a 4" barrel in a Kramer Horsehide Vertical Scabbard at 3:30 to 4:00 under a heavy winter coat. When circumstances dictate that neither of the previous options are practica or when I just don't feel like strapping on a OWB holster, I carry a S&W M36 no-dash with a 1 7/8" barrel in a Tagua pocket holster in the right front pocket of my pants. Once in a great while, when absolutely nothing else is practical, I carry a Walther PP in .32 Auto in a Gould & Goodrich ankle rig on my left ankle. While these combos work great for me, there is no guarantee that they will work well for you. For most of us, finding the right CC gun/holster combo has been a process of trial and error and often that process is never-ending.
If it helps, I can tell you what guns I regularly carry and how I carry them. In warmer weather, my primary carry gun is a S&W M66-2 with a 2 1/2" barrel that is carried OWB in an El Paso Saddlery #88 "Street Combat" holster at 3:00 to 3:30 under a loose fitting shirt. In colder weather, I typically carry a S&W 629-6 with a 4" barrel in a Kramer Horsehide Vertical Scabbard at 3:30 to 4:00 under a heavy winter coat. When circumstances dictate that neither of the previous options are practica or when I just don't feel like strapping on a OWB holster, I carry a S&W M36 no-dash with a 1 7/8" barrel in a Tagua pocket holster in the right front pocket of my pants. Once in a great while, when absolutely nothing else is practical, I carry a Walther PP in .32 Auto in a Gould & Goodrich ankle rig on my left ankle. While these combos work great for me, there is no guarantee that they will work well for you. For most of us, finding the right CC gun/holster combo has been a process of trial and error and often that process is never-ending.
starscream66
Inactive
Thanks I appreciate all the input. hopefully I'll start working again soon so I can save up some money and look at some SIG or a HK compact. I mean i love my 1911, USP and my M9 but the USP and M9 are both very wide because of the magazine capacity so really the only place i would CC with it would probably be on the right side of my back. once i get a holster and such I'll probably get myself up to the SIG academy for some defensive pistol classes and maybe that will help me figure out something that works
Stevie-Ray
New member
Glock 36, a thinner than usual Glock in .45 ACP. About 500 bucks. I'd rather opt though, for a 3" 1911, though I paid way more than that for mine.
http://us.glock.com/products/model/g36
Of the guns listed in the OP, I would also go with the 1911 due to its slimness. I have frequently carried a 1911 in full or commander lengths, and have no trouble concealing them in a wide range of weather.
However, when it gets really hot and humid, the challenge increases - especially when it is hot and windy. Unbuttoned outer shirts don't work well in the wind, and my 1911s print if the shirts are buttoned.
My past hot weather guns have included a Ruger LCR, a Kahr PM9, and a S&W 442. (Of those, I still have the 442). My latest addition is rapidly becoming my favorite, though, as it doesn't print much under a buttoned shirt, yet it shoots like a full-sized pistol. That would be the Walther PPS.
I bought mine in 9mm, for $519. I am not sure if the .40 would have cost more, but I don't care for small .40s.
However, when it gets really hot and humid, the challenge increases - especially when it is hot and windy. Unbuttoned outer shirts don't work well in the wind, and my 1911s print if the shirts are buttoned.
My past hot weather guns have included a Ruger LCR, a Kahr PM9, and a S&W 442. (Of those, I still have the 442). My latest addition is rapidly becoming my favorite, though, as it doesn't print much under a buttoned shirt, yet it shoots like a full-sized pistol. That would be the Walther PPS.
I bought mine in 9mm, for $519. I am not sure if the .40 would have cost more, but I don't care for small .40s.
Shadi Khalil
New member
You are advising someone to carry a weapon without a holster?
Please elaborate on your alternatives.
I would NEVER advise the carrying of any weapon even a Jframe without a holster of some sort and I find it difficult to carry a weapon with any weight, without a belt other than in a shoulder holster.
I am interested to hear of your alternatives.
To the OP:
Most of your choices are on the large size for CCW. It can be done, but there are probably alternatives that would be easier.
You ever heard of Thunder wear and fanny packs?
Crow Hunter
New member
Yep. But they meet "MY" definition of a holster.
I don't know about Thuderwear for sure but the fanny pack that I have has an integral holster. The pictures I have seen of Thunderwear seem show a gun shaped pocket as well, like a belly band.
Granted it is just a roughly gun shaped sheath, but it does keep the gun in the same relative position and it prevents anything from getting into the trigger guard.
When I was in shape and I biked alot I used a fanny pack all the time. It was surprising quick draw for the G27 that I carried. I would practice drawing and shooting at lily pads sometimes on my way back from a ride. It also gave me a place to keep some money so I could stop and get a milk shake on my way back from a 50 mile ride.
It was hard to carry a wallet in those super tight sexy biker shorts.
It also keeps you from reaching in for a draw and coming out holding a barrel and pointing a handle at someone.
I wouldn't advise carrying a handgun without something to make sure the grip is always in the same place and blocking the trigger from being accidently pulled.
All nice guns but all pretty large to carry. Of the bunch, as much as I love the M9/92FS, I'd have to suggest the 1911 as it is at least thinner. My preference right now is a Cougar as it handles and feels a lot like the 92FS but is quite a bit smaller. Still, a smaller (thinner) gun will be in my targets some day for carry (but I do like the feel of that Cougar when I carry it).
There's alot of good advice on this thread, but I would urge you to consider weight as well as size. I have for years carried a Kimber Pro CDP II or a Para Ordinance slim Hawg. Both are fairly easy to conceal, but the weight gets old (as did I) after a while. I just traded the Slim Hawg for a Ruger LCR .38, which is so light I don't even notice it. It took a bunch of range time for me to adjust to the very different trigger, short sight radius, and reload after 5 rds., but I'm now confident that I can get the job done with it if the need arises. Make sure that whatever you buy to carry will continue to be comfortable for you over time, and not just in the gun store.
H&K 45 in either a shoulder holster or a high side belt holster.
Because nothing says to a bad guy,"You just messed up" like a H&K in the his face.
I like the P2000(SK?) H&K's too but what a price.
Smith makes the dandy M&P 9c and 40c which are great ccw weapons but still a bit large too.
And there are Kahr's and the Beretta Nano as well as the tiny Ruger LC9 too.
As well as the premiere Walther PPS in 9mm and 40 smith too.
I carry a 38 snub in my pocket.
Practically forget the things there sometimes.
Because nothing says to a bad guy,"You just messed up" like a H&K in the his face.
I like the P2000(SK?) H&K's too but what a price.
Smith makes the dandy M&P 9c and 40c which are great ccw weapons but still a bit large too.
And there are Kahr's and the Beretta Nano as well as the tiny Ruger LC9 too.
As well as the premiere Walther PPS in 9mm and 40 smith too.
I carry a 38 snub in my pocket.
Practically forget the things there sometimes.