Handgun CC Question

R

ramp_tech

New member
I found this online
Smart Carry

Planning to use it for a Mil-Spec Springfield 1911A1, do you think it will work on me (6' 210)??
If you are a owner or you heard something regarding the smart carry:
DO SHARE, please!!
 
I've personally never used one, but I've heard only good things about the Smart Carry. I would have reservations about using it for a full size 1911... but with your size it might work. You should check to see how deep the holster / pockets are before you place an order though.
 
If you plan on carrying a full size 1911, you might want to look at IWB holsters. That's a big heavy gun and while it's not the hardest to conceal, it might not work so well in a smart carry.
 
I would say the Smart Carry holsters and the like are a bit short for a 5-inch 1911. Also sitting down would be quite awkward.
 
I used a Bianchi IWB rig for many years with a five inch mil spec 1911. Worked okay. I was 5'11 and 230 back then.

This smart carry rig looks interesting, but in all honesty, it would probably be better for a commander or officers length .45.

I would love to ahve one of these for my 3 inch K frame.
 
I use a Smart Carry daily, but not for a 1911. I actually have a couple, one for my Seecamp, the other for my P230/P239. I mostly use the Seecamp.

The Smart Carry does work as advertised, and I dont doubt you could carry your 1911, given the desire to do so, and the right choice of pants, but I find the smaller guns are much easier to deal with if your active and carrying on a daily basis. I work in construction and I'm in and out of equipment and trenches all day long, and it works great. Of all my holsters, it also keeps the gun the cleanest and basically allows no junk or dirt to get in, even when you work in a dusty, dirty environment.

I wear Carhartt type pants most of the time, which are more fitted across the front and dont have a lot of give. A 1911 would never work for me, and even my P230, while somewhat doable, its not real comfortable. The PP230/P239 are much more comfortable under a loose pair of pleated Dockers or a pair of sweatpants. The one issue I have come across with them is, you need to put an iron on patch on the inside of your pants where the gun comes in contact with them. You will get a wear point or points, depending on the gun and holes will eventually wear through if you dont.

I've never had a problem accessing the gun, even while seated, but it is considerably slower than a good IWB holster.

I also carry a SIG P229 in an IWB holster. I carried a Commander for years the same way. I think you'll be a lot more comfortable if you go that route. Its really the most comfortable and concealable way to carry a full size pistol on a regular basis.
 
I've used Smartcarry and have carried things up to and including a S&W Mountain Gun (I did that once, and my abdomen was in pain within a few hours). I would not recommend it for a full size 1911, as the hammer sticking you in the gut every time you need to bend at the waist or sit down is likely to get unpleasent.

There's many better ways to carry out there, and these days I only use smartcarry to pack under swimming trunks in the summer.
 
Go 4 It

The photos show a gent carrying a 1911. Look at that and detemie if it fits. They look interestig to me also. Good luck.:)
 
I read raves about the Thunderwear/Smart Carry concepts. Invested in the former and found it terribly uncomfortable, even with a smaller gun such as my XD.40sc. Maybe you can get used to it, but for comfort and ease of access, I prefer pocket carry of a smaller gun (LCP or Kahr MP9).
 
Man...I am still looking for the perfect holster when I am wearing the "jump suit" (just look like one, just something our company required us to wear when perform specific service).

I gotta get me something between the boxer&white-tee and the jump suit.
The pockets are out of option since there aint any.
 
The gun actually rides lower than most seem to think. At least, thats how its supposed to be worn. When worn properly, your actually better off than using an appendix type holster or just sticking the gun in your pants in that position sans a holster.

I personally probably would not use a SA gun, although it still probably wouldn't be an issue. Something DA removes the possibility of safety issues. Just the way the holsters are made, getting even a SA trigger to let off would have to pretty much be a deliberate effort, and I doubt you could get a DA trigger to go, even trying.

There was a thread, either here or on THR, where someone did manage to shoot themselves, using a cheap copy of a Smart Carry/Thunderwear that was purchased at a gun show by someone making them. I believe he was using a CZ83 being carried C&L where the safety apparently came off while wearing the gun. It discharged when he squatted down to attend to his dog. By where he was hit, he was obviously not wearing the holster properly.
 
I want nothing to do with any holster that requires two hands to get to my gun.
Click to expand...
You can actually get to it with one hand, as long as your pants are not to tight. Two hands is a little easier though. I know a lot of people who think you need two hands for most other methods too, or at least, thats how they seem to access their guns.

The biggest advantage to the Smart Carry is, you can "always" carry, regardless of how your dressed. You need no belt, or cover garment, you dont even need a shirt, and even people looking for a gun dont see it. While it is a somewhat specialized use type holster, its also the most versatile way to carry a gun I know of, and I know I'll never be without one.
 
I guess it's a matter of priorities.
Sure, you can draw from inside your pants with one hand, but how long will it take you? And what's that guy who's attacking you going to be doing while you're digging for your gun?

I can draw my G19 from under my usual Hawaiian shirt and fire a good shot in 1.3 seconds. That seems like a long time to me, but if you watch the Expert-rated shooters at an IDPA match, it's not bad. The average competitor at the recent Steel Challenge Nationals was doing 1.2 - 1.5 seconds using "Open" guns and holsters. Drawing a compact Glock from a SmartCarry in under 3 seconds with one hand ....... Well, if you can do it, post it on Utube and we'll all watch.
 
I have one, not my prefered method of carry. I can, and have carried a 4" barreled 1911 under jeans and it is not noticable. Not real comfortable but I can draw with one hand. Something more along the size of a Kahr CW9 works better as far as size and comfort. The only times which I use it are when I need to be very concealed or when no other manner of carry will work with the clothing (ie: tucked shirt and too warm for a jacket).
 
I have used a Smart Carry for about two years to carry a vaiety of concealed carry pistols and revolvers. Based on my experience I have found the device to be a comfortable and effective method of carrying concealed. The OP asked about carrying a 1911 in a SC and I have done this on occasion with no probem at all. With the correct size SC the 1911 carries quite well.

My favorite carry weapon is a 2.25" Ruger Sp-101 and, in the SC, it is a superior method of carrying.
 
Sure, you can draw from inside your pants with one hand, but how long will it take you? And what's that guy who's attacking you going to be doing while you're digging for your gun?
Click to expand...
Perhaps you should be doing something else if thats an issue. The gun may not "always" be your first priority, regardless where its carried, and you may have to make use of your other skills (assuming you have them) until you can get to your gun. I think to often, too much emphasis is put on the gun and too little on other means. I suppose thats the hazzards and results of answers from a "gun board".

Most of the match type shooting isnt all that realistic, and speed isnt always the answer. If your paying attention and see a problem coming, the better choice is to already have the gun out, rather than to try and draw later because you were caught flat footed. Then theres just always Murphy, and you might have to use your disaram techniques, that your now wishing you'd practiced more (you have been practicing, right?). Who says its got to be your gun your going to be using. ;)

The first rule is to have a gun, and the Smart Carry will often allow that, when you have to leave most others at home. You may have to adjust your methods a little, but if you practice, and are paying attention, with the Smart Carry its not all that hard to get your gun into action quickly.

Just the act of doing so might throw your attacker off, and cause him to pause to wonder why your rootin around in your pants and to what end. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top