Making progress with concealed carry

N

NWPilgrim

New member
In the past i could never find a good method or gear for comfortably carrying my G23 or other compact pistol. I occasionally carried IWB but I was always self conscience about printing and had to be careful bending over etc. I ended up pocket carrying my P3AT with my G23 in a daypack. Not optimal!

Thanks to the many posts about guys carrying all the time I made it a goal this spring to resolve my issues and find some way to always carry. I tried several things and have a few more in the works. But as of earlier this week I have hit on at least one arrangement that seems to work well.

Frustrated with the grip of the G23 printing I bought a G27 Gen4. I also started switching from my knit polo shirts to untucked casual button shirts, not Hawaiian but same idea. Not happy with a few IWB holsters I tried at 4:00, on a whim I put on the plastic Glock OWB holster. Behind the hip still not so good but at 1:00 (appendix carry) it is great. Very comfortable. And being a very brief holster and the G27 being short it barely sticks down below my belt.

I use a 5.11 web gun belt. I just got some short sleeve angler and safari shirts from Cabela's that cover the outside carry wonderfully. I can sit, put on a seatbelt, bend over as far as I want, reach with my strongside arm, etc and there is no indication of a pistol. While the Glock is pretty well dehorned I would like a similar style holster with an extension between my bare torso and the pistol.

Still fine tuning but OWB appendix seems the most comfortable and least likely to print, for me. The Cabela's shirts, stiff gunbelt work well, too. Judt need to refine the holster.
 
Though I occasionally use a light nylon cross-draw shoulder rig in cooler weather, I carry a variety of guns IWB at 1:00... But only very short-barrel ones if I'm going to be sitting much.

OWB sticks out too far for me...

It's good to experiment til' we find what works best for each of us. It's a very personal and detail-oriented endeavor, I've found. Glad to hear you're making progress.
 
Last edited:
When I first started carrying I worried about printing. I think most folks do. But now I just don't worry about it. I carry a Glock 30 or a P220 and no one ever looks twice. The key, I think, is to find a comfortable way to carry and forget it's there.
 
“Printing” is a total non-issue. I’ve been carrying here in Florida for 25 years now and always carry full-size guns in OWB holsters.

I carried 1911s for a long time, then switched to G19 and G17. Now I carry a full-size XDm 9mm with a 20 round magazine and a C-More dot sight.

These guns all print like crazy. It doesn’t matter. No one’s looking for guns. No one’s paying any attention to bulges under your clothes. People are ‘way too wrapped up in their own lives to give you a second look. Or even a first look.

Unless you’re a super model or on fire, you’re effectively invisible.

BTW, I'm 5'9" and weigh 142 lbs. If I can carry a big gun, anyone can.
 
No one’s looking for guns. No one’s paying any attention to bulges under your clothes. People are ‘way too wrapped up in their own lives to give you a second look. Or even a first look... Unless you’re a super model or on fire, you’re effectively invisible.
Click to expand...

It's so true.
 
G27 G4

I am a proud papa of one of those myself. I carry it OWB in a crossbreed holster. It is truly almost invisible under an untucked shirt. This is cliche however the p3at in your pocket gets you further than anything left at home or in a daypack.
 
Thanks guys. It is reading posts of everyday carriers that motivated me to keep working on it. Once I find a little more comfortable holster I should be set. So far I have visited out of state relatives (thanks reciprocity), played with grandkids at the park, gone shopping a few times, and plan to wear it to church tomorrow. Have not taken it off except for bed.

Hopefully after wearing it awhile I won't worry about printing, as you guys say. A lot of it is just committing to doing it.

Thanks for your good example and encouragement to those of us who shied away.
 
The only reason I shy away from OWB is that, even with a small gun, your cover garment needs to be a good 4" longer than it would need to be otherwise.
These guns all print like crazy. It doesn’t matter. No one’s looking for guns. No one’s paying any attention to bulges under your clothes. People are ‘way too wrapped up in their own lives to give you a second look. Or even a first look.
Click to expand...
That's not really correct. Here's a more accurate version.

These guns all print like crazy. It doesn’t matter very often. Most people aren't looking for guns. Most people aren't paying any attention to bulges under your clothes. Most people are ‘way too wrapped up in their own lives to give you a second look. Or even a first look.​

It's true that 9 out of 10, maybe 95 out of 100 people don't pay any attention. That doesn't mean that a person who carries & prints is totally home free. We still need to at least realize that there are some people out there who do notice, who are paying attention. And we should think about the possible reasons they're paying attention and the possible outcomes. It's not a huge problem, or something that should keep us awake at nights, but it's also not something that one should completely dismiss as a total non-issue.
 
@john i totally agree with that statement! i sometimes catch myself lookin at people in stores or other public places and seeing if i see any printing or evidence of someone carrying. not in a paranoid way but its just nice to be aware of whats around me.
 
Just to put a slightly different twist to concealed carry and worrying about being outed. There are other ways that a person may out themselves besides the way they dress.

Not long ago, my wife and I were approaching the entry door at the local Walmart, she a few step behind me (Bad knees). I realized that another male and I were going to reach the door at the same time. I slowed to allow him to go first and wait for the wife to catch up. His demeanor was that of a very self-confident individual. He triggered the automatic door, but stopped and in a very self-assured/bold voice, chivalrously allowed me ("Sir") and wife to go first. He then strode on past us.

Even though I carry, I never even think about checking to see if others are carrying. However, as the young man strode past my wife and I, it suddenly dawned on me that the guy's demeanor was very representative of some people on gun forums: Sir this, sir that, "well done sir", etc. So, I checked and it appeared that he was carrying under his loose fitting T-shirt. Ran into him again at the self-checkout line. He was carrying both the gun (In an OWB holster) and wallet on the right side. As he lifted his shirt to pull out his wallet, he verified my notion that he was carrying.

Found it very interesting and amusing that his behavior was what triggered me. If you want to blend in while CCing (something I believe in), you need to not only dress appropriately, but act like the other people too.
 
This is the first time I've read of someone carrying appendix OWB.
Click to expand...

I was about to post the same thing. I had a similar journey from carrying at the traditional 3:30-5ish IWB and then realizing appendix is the way to go. If you are prone to self-conscientiousness about printing, it also lets you glance down to check, which you can't do behind the hip. Love AIWB carry.
 
Posted by JohnKSa:
It's true that 9 out of 10, maybe 95 out of 100 people don't pay any attention. That doesn't mean that a person who carries & prints is totally home free. We still need to at least realize that there are some people out there who do notice, who are paying attention.
Click to expand...
In 25 years of carrying, I’ve been “made” twice, both times by cops.
The first one walked up, very casual, and asked to see my license. I slowly took it out of my wallet and handed it to him. He checked it, handed it back, thanked me and walked away.

The second cop came up behind me (I knew he was there) while my wife was looking at shoes in Macy’s. As he walked past, he reached out and patted my .45 Commander through my shirt. He laughed and kept walking. He was just screwing with me. My wife almost had a stroke.

About two years ago, I wore a 4” S&W M29 .44 maggie in an OWB holster along with two speedloaders for a month, just for the heck of it. It was like having half a steel grapefruit strapped to my side. The thing stuck out a mile. The speedloaders were almost as bad. It couldn’t have been more obvious.

Nobody noticed a thing.

Here's what I carry now:
XDmCMoreHolster.jpg


Carry what you want.
 
Last edited:
About two years ago, I wore a 4” S&W M29 .44 maggie in an OWB holster along with two speedloaders for a month, just for the heck of it. It was like having half a steel grapefruit strapped to my side. The thing stuck out a mile. The speedloaders were almost as bad. It couldn’t have been more obvious.

Nobody noticed a thing.
Click to expand...

Either that, or those who looked to do wrong noticed what you had there, and decided to go mess with someone who wasn't packing a hand howitzer!!! LOL!!!! Either way, situation avoided. Good job.

I say, carry what you want also. Carry what you feel comfortable carrying. There are THOUSANDS of people carying out there all day every day. How many do YOU notice on a daily basis??? If you live in a mojor city, then I would bet you pass several a day.

Maybe go around one day looking to see if you can spot others carrying. I guarentee they and I are out there packing....
 
Shadi Kahlil said: "This is the first time I've read of someone carrying appendix OWB."


The wallet was in his right hip pocket; gun was in a belt holster (OWB) at about 3 o'clock.
 
This is the first time I've read of someone carrying appendix OWB.
Click to expand...

I got the idea from the Raven Concealment web site. I was looking for a Phantom holster to try yet another holster for IWB carry of my G23. I noticed they had an appendix carry holster called the ACR. Both holster models come as OWB but can be converted to IWB. That got me to thinking, why not try some form of appendix carry.

I tried appendix first as IWB with my Cross Breed hoslter. No go, too long and bulky for that area and having to bend, sit. I tried another cheaper IWB holster with a more vertical orientation and that was better but the G23 slide was a bit too long and dug into my leg when I sat. On a whim I tried the plastic Glock holster OWB and that was better. The G23 was still a bit too long for that mode of carry but the Glock holster held hit fairly high up and at appendix position the butt does not extend past my side so there is no printing.

I figured if I had a shorter pistol like the G27 it would fit pretty well for appendix carry. I got one and it is perfect for this. About the shortest grip of any 9mm/.40, and the stubby slide is narrowed at the muzzle, unlike the larger Glocks which are square.

I now have a Dale Fricke OWB holster (Gideon Elite) that better. It slides on and off the belt more easily than the Glock but still holds firmly in place. It also is a vertical style, and fairly minimalist. Much sturdier construction (stiff Kydex).

I think my favorite cover shirt now is the Cabela's Safari. Heavier weight cotton and yet it seems cool enough. Lots of pockets but not baggy or anything. Even with IWB I would have to change from tighter polo shirts to untucked, looser shirts, so that was my clothing concession to CCW. I have a friend who does not carry but having relatives on the islands he always wears Hawaiian shirts. I figure if he can get away with that then why not safari shirts for me.

I can't carry at the office so will save my polo shirts for that. But anywhere else it is jeans and safari shirt with my G27!

Bottom line is to experiment and find what works for you. A good stiff belt like the 5.11 or Wilderness Instructor web belts, or reinforced leather belts, are needed to support the holster either IWB or OWB. I've seen guys carry with their normal leather belt and even IWB it sags.
 
I carry two, my CA 44 Spl 3" Bulldog in a galco paddle holster and a S&W 38 Spl airweight in my pocket holster. There are some occasions I do not carry both. I do not believe anyone has ever made me carrying the 38 Spl in my paddle holster, but about a month ago, an old man I see at a restaurant walked up to me in a grocery store. He said, "Your traveling kind of heavy today!" I did not say anything but I have been thinking since maybe if he made me, I need to look at some other holsters. I wear very light clothes with cargo shorts. I have a number of police friends, who already know I carry but if any others have made me, they don't say anything. :D
 
I carry one pistol in a pocket holster 100% of the time but also have one iwb going with me at least 80% if not more. I was at the local stop &rob the other day .When this younger woman was filling up her car moved her jacket back to get her keys low and behod she was carrying a 1911 ON HER HIP .Saw her later in the day at the range.
 
Last edited:
Greetings, fellow Oregonian!

@ topic:

I'm glad to hear that you're committed to everyday carry, and that your approach is to prioritize carrying what you're comfortable with. While my own EDc is a single stack, "pocket nine" (Kel Tec PF-9), I know that bigger guns are equally viable options. As you are experiencing, it's just a matter of finding the right carry method for you.

I opted to go with a smaller gun because I'm perfectly comfortable shooting them, and I can effortlessly conceal, without having to change my wardrobe. Those were value points for me, where other people value higher capacity, a particular weapon, or may already favor the kinds of clothes that hide a full size.

At the end of the day, it makes me happy to know that other responsible citizens are carrying. I wish that more good people would, as well.
 
Thanks RBid!

I agree it is comforting to know there are others out there carrying. It was a little awkward at church when the grandkids showed up and were crawling all over me. Might revert to pocket carry for that. Otherwise, been out shopping, driving, going to club meetings etc. very comfortably. Really feel naked when I have to disarm to go into the office.

Had an unexpected banging on the door late last night. We were expecting no one we knew, so I was cautious in seeing who it was. Nice to already have the pistol on me (with night sights now). Turned out to be a friend dropping something off and forgot to call ahead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top