Full-Sized Pistol Carry...Who Does it?

I occasionally carry a 5" 1911 instead of a Commander. I've also often carried a Glock 21.

I've found that, apart from the hottest summer months, I tend to wear a t-shirt with an unbuttoned collard shirt over it. I can conceal darn near anything with that getup.

Though my preference is Glock 19 sized.
 
G22 in Blue Mountain OWB Kydex Hybrid. Don't carry it as often as the G26 but the holster is interchangeable for either. Have no prob at all with the full size and I tend to shoot it much better.
 
dgludwig said:
Quote: I went with Everyday Holsters, they make a good product that's comparable to a Galco King-tuk for a fraction of the price.

What fraction is it? I paid $54.99 for my King Tuk (Cabella's) a year or so ago.
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Their "Master Tuk" is $35, so that makes it about 36% less than Galco's product. The company is based out of Louisville and they offer a lifetime warranty. I'm not knocking Galco, they make a nice product. I own a few of their holsters and even had a King Tuk for my officer 1911 before I traded it. But I do feel that they are overpriced.
 
I don't know what you do day to day, but I can tell you that carrying a sub compact in the construction trade can still be difficult.

Carrying a full size is out of the question unless I decide to go with the shoulder holster.

Which IMO reduces the time in which you have to grab your gun
 
Carrying a full size is out of the question unless I decide to go with the shoulder holster.

Which IMO reduces the time in which you have to grab your gun
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I've shoulder-carried a variety of firearms. During jacket season, I've found that it offers excellent concealment and can accommodate a lot of gun. There is also something to be said for the comfort, support, and stability of a properly adjusted shoulder harness. The draw might seem a little more complicated compared to OWB/IWB when standing, but how about while seated, especially in a car?
 
I carry a full size 1911 in a simple Bianchi IWB holster. I"m fairly scrawny but get away with a T shirt and no one ever notices. I usually have 2 spare mags in my back pocket for a total of 25 figure that should get me through just about any situation that comes up.

I get that the smaller guns are easier to conceal, lighter etc but in my mind their primary role is fighting off the mugger/rapist up close, they don't really excel in a gunfight type scenario whereas the fullsized handgun can do both.

Not likely for either situation to come up but I feel more confident having a full sized gun.
 
I have and still do carry some full sized pistols.

I carry a BHP in a Milt Sparks VMII.

I carry a Sig P228, technically a compact, in a Milt Sparks VMII.

I carry a Dan Wesson CBOB in a Kramer IWB.

I carry a 5" Les Baer TRS in a Kramer IWB and Wilson OWB.

I find that with a fullsized gun it is easier to conceal IWB so you do not need to have a cover garment. I also find that the #1 thing to make any carry and comfortable experience is to get a good belt. A good 1.5" gun belt creates a solid foundation for whatever you choose.

I am currently using a AG Customer Leather belt.

hand-crafted-bull-hide-belt1.jpg


http://agcustomgunleather.com/store/product/quick-ship-leather-belts/
 
I carry either a Glock 19 or Sig P220. Mostly the Sig lately. I carry using an OWB belt slide piece of leather. I paid $12 as I recall. It works very well on my 1 inch nonleather dress belt. If it lasts a year I won't consider it a loss. I'll just buy another like it. Saw one today for $20 in CTD ad.
BTW. I'm not cheap. I have $100 holsters. But this thing works.
 
I think it all has to do with the parameters of where you carry concealed.

I'm 62 and rarely leave my rural house/14 acre property. I carry concealed all the time at home. I wear jeans with suspenders 99.99% of the time and, unless it is 90* outside, I have an untucked open shirt on. This ClipDraw works well:

1911%20Hardballer%20005_zpskddntkbl.jpg


YMMV.

Jim
 
I can carry a full sized all steel 1911. A good holster and a good leather gun belt make all the difference. I carry it OWB and I have to dress around it but if you can do that, carry can be fairly easy.
 
Over the years, I've carried a large variety of different weapons, including:

5" S&W 1911 (Scandium Frame)
4.25" S&W 1911 E-Series (Scandium Frame)
4" S&W 686 Revolver
Beretta Px4 Storm 45 (full)
S&W M&P 45 (Full)
SigSauer P227 Nitron (Current Carry Weapon)

All carried IWB, only 1 was uncomfortable, the 4" 686 revolver. It concealed well, but just felt uncomfortable IWB. YMMV. I also carry a S&W Bodyguard occasionally, usually to church.

From my experience, I can tell you that a quality, thick, gun belt is just as important as the proper holster.
 
During my first trip to the local gun shop in search of a carry pistol, I tried IWB carry with full-, compact-, and subcompact-sized guns. I was thinking "subcompact" when I entered the store, but was rather surprised to learn, from my brief experiment, that concealing a full-size pistol wasn't that difficult. I ended up choosing a compact to get a better grip.
 
My primary is a PX4 compact in 9mm, but I do carry a full size PX4 or 8045 every once in a while. Use either a Alien Gear 2.0 or a simple kydex IWB holster, without any problems.
 
S&W model 439 IWB
Beretta 92A1 OWB

For the 92a1 I use a Beretta pancake holster if I have on a thin shirt. I have some shirts/coats that allow me to use a fobus holster that normally would leave a large print. If you dress correctly you can hide it pretty good.
 
I cc an m9 iwb with the beretta name holster. I prefer full size guns myself. I carry a backup as well if I ever need to stow the big rig in the car. I do have a couple .380's that I can cc iwb, but never do use then much. I also have a Glock 29 that's much easier to carry, but I worry about blowing through the average bad guy. When given the option, I like to open carry, too.
 
I have carried my P30 a couple times (basically a full size gun) in a aliengear IWB holster. It was comfortable enough and concealable enough for me. I carry at the 3:30-4:00 position. I am a big guy so it's not an issue. I switched to my P2000 mainly because of the grip texture. The texture on my P30 would chew my fat rolls up! Also I tend to shoot the P2000 better as well.

I also use an ares gear ranger belt.
 
Skadoosh said:
BigJimP wrote:



My Colt Combat Commander is about as big as I want go for everday carry. And with the all steel Commander weighing in at nearly 2.5lbs, why not take advantage of what the P226 brings to the dance?...specifically being a few ounces lighter and having an onboard ammo capacity of 15+1...without the spare mag. That doubles your carry capacity with the spare mag.
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That's what I love about my PX4; 17+1 w/standard mag, 20+1 w/extended mag is a good start (plus a spare), but HOPEFULLY I'd never need 'em!
 
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