Methods of carry: Pros & Cons

I CCW almost exclusively with IWB leather... Galco has been my product line of choice lately. I also recently bought a 1 1/2" Galco belt and still can't believe I put off a good gun belt for so long :o

My G23 carries very comfortably for me in a Galco SkyOps at about 4 o' clock with a forward cant.

I carry my Sig 239 in a Summer Comfort IWB o'clock as well.

My P7 has a custom holster that is also IWB and it rides at about 4 o'clock too. :)

If you can't tell... the trend for me right now is to be consistent with my CCW's. I kind of like to switch up my carry piece on occasion, but my carry method doesn't change with the gun. Even my OWB leather rides about 4 o'clock with a forward tilt.

IMHO, the less variation I have with my carry methods, the less time it takes to locate and draw my firearm. IWB, OWB, SOB, Shoulder, etc... as long as you keep it consistent and comfortable you are doing it right.
 
So in other words IWB is the best carry with the least cons.:cool:

Hey get real on the fanny pack! It doesn't make one look like a lesbian, it makes you look like a HOMO!
Afraid of the word are we?:D
 
Hey get real on the fanny pack! It doesn't make one look like a lesbian, it makes you look like a HOMO!
Afraid of the word are we?
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Gay men do not carry fanny packs...lesbians do. I am definitely not afraid of the word...it is just not accurate.
 
I've made my own kydex paddles using bladetech paddle attachment and managed to shave 3/8" off the thickness of the holster helps a lot in concealment. I wore that all summer long with shorts and a tee shirt.

I also made a gunbelt with an intergrated holster screwed to the belt with a piece of silicon backing. I wore this one when wearing shorts without belt loops, worked pretty good but retention on a "half holster" chicago screwed directly to a belt left something to be desired.

I made a couple of kydex holsters to fit between the belt and pants, I really liked these for comfort compared to wearing them IWB with different clips.

Now that winter is here I'll be switching back to my blade tech paddle, I really like it.
 
"Hey get real on the fanny pack! It doesn't make one look like a lesbian, it makes you look like a HOMO!
Afraid of the word are we?"

Hey, what is this? I thought we were talking (like gentlemen) about carrying preferences, not prejudices.
 
My choice of carry weapon is a model 462 Rossi in .357 and for me, OWB-crossdraw at around 9:00 o'clock, is the most comfortable carry option, and the most accessable while driving as well. The thickness of a 6-shot revolver makes it difficult to carry IWB, and to me crossdraw creates a more natural drawing motion. In addition, having a larger frame (6'-0", 235lbs) makes it very easy to conceal, even when wearing just a un-tucked t-shirt.
 

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Carrying a revolver IWB, may take some getting used to, but it's definitely not impossible, or so uncomfortable I can't do it. One of my favorite carry guns is a 5 shot .357, carried IWB.
 
My 1911 has been carried IWB for so long that it a non issue anymore. It was a pain in the you know what, but it had to be concealed because I am a stubborn American who did not comprehend the need to get a CCW, but did comprehend the need to be ultra concealed. It sucks up rteal close to the body, and conceals well. I never got popped, I am not a threat to the good guys and I let hem know it.:D

IWB is where it's at for maximum concealment.
 
1. My most frequent method of carry is appendix, just to the right of the zipper, with something like a Glock 27, or XD 40sc in a Fist Kydex clip-on IWB. Access is very fast and the pistol is well concealed, I don't worry about printing when I bend over to get a drink or put stuff in a shopping cart.

2. The Smartcarry works well and it conceals the previously mentioned pistols or a Kahr PM45 when wearing sweatpants / shorts and a t-shirt. Don't need a regular belt with the Smartcarry.

3. I sometimes carry strongside IWB. This requires more effort than the previous two methods. I'm anal about printing. When carrying IWB (strongside) I'll have a Glock 23 / 38 or XD 45 compact. If I'm going to the trouble of this method the pistol has an overall height of about 5'' and doesn't lend it's self to appendix carry (the height of the XD 40sc is my limit on appendix carry).

4. Pocket carry. Used along with carry positions 1 & 3. I can comfortably carry a Kahr PM9 or J frame S&W in a pocket holster. The reason I like it is I can have my hand on the weapon if approached in a parking lot (ect...) without it being obvious I have a weapon.
 
Here's another pro for IWB:

If you wear a "clip on" type holster it's very easy to switch to crossdraw for driving.


I prefer the clip type holsters ( High Noon Mr. Softy ) and small guns and almost never wear a belt. Before I sit down to drive I just move the holster to crossdraw and then adjust the seat belt around it. Works well for me anyway
 
Pant sizing and taxes on weight

1) IWB does require slightly looser fit in the waistline, both for comfort's sake and to avoid a diagonal crotch - bit of a tell-tale, there.

2) Obamacare might tax the overweight, but any good medical insurance company already should, in the form of increased premiums due to higher risk of payouts. Major risk factor for diabetes, joint injuries, and other issues. Look at some of the studies on cartilage loss in the knee, based on BMI, just as one example; it's frightening.

Many of us would benefit from losing some pounds, self included.

Cheers,

M
 
Pocket carry. The only downside`s I can think of is as already discussed. Drawing while seated if pocket carried in pants pocket. Remedy is my additional designated car/truck gun. The upside of jacket pocket carry is your not likely to be outdrawn if your fortunate to see trouble coming and have your hand 'at the ready'. The downside to this scenario(other than the obvious legal BS) would be buying another jacket:mad:.
 
I'm just as confused as when I started thread. So what is better? IWB or OWB?
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Answer: whatever works for you.

I prefer IWB myself. I can carry guns up to 4" S&W N Frames with decent comfort and concealability. But YMMV.
 
Answer: it depends. ;)

Truthfully, I don't have an answer for you because I rarely do either one these days. There are a whole bunch of carry methods out there that work for at least some people. My two favorites have not so far been mentioned in this thread at all.

The point I'm trying to make is that there isn't one right way to carry for everybody. You asked the wrong question; that's why you didn't get a good answer.
 
Answer: whatever works for you.

I prefer IWB myself. I can carry guns up to 4" S&W N Frames with decent comfort and concealability. But YMMV.
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What he said, works for me. But you have to figure out what works for you...
 
Here in California's central valley it gets hot as blazes in the summer time and IWB carry is almost out of the question for a full sized or Commander sized 1911. A fanny pack is a dead giveaway (although I don't REALLY give an airborne rodent's posterior!) but the SafePacker is pretty good in that it does not look like a holster and can be worn with a strap over the shoulder. Another advantage to it is that it can be fairly quickly removed and attatched to a car's seat belt strap for quick access, using velcro.
 
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