Ok, what's the opinion here on this?
- Thread starter wildangel1955
- Start date
insolentshrew
New member
If you are that concerned there is a "holster" type that you can combine with your smart carry to protect the trigger. I forget the name of it, but it is used for mexican carry, pretty much it is a snap on kydex trigger guard with a cord that you attack to a belt buckle, when you draw the trigger guard pops up. This could be thrown on your glock, and then holstered in your smart carry.
Just because you don't wear a belt doesn't mean there aren't IWB options that can clip just to your pants. Granted they may not be as secure as with a good gunbelt, but it will still work. I would trust this more than the smartcarry. Fortunately, what works for me may not work for you - if you find this works for you, great....just always be safe.
Just because you don't wear a belt doesn't mean there aren't IWB options that can clip just to your pants. Granted they may not be as secure as with a good gunbelt, but it will still work. I would trust this more than the smartcarry. Fortunately, what works for me may not work for you - if you find this works for you, great....just always be safe.
I recommend you at least try using a belt. Maybe you can get used to it. If you can, you open up the world of possibilities in all of the good holster/carry systems out there.
Not only does it provide support and stability in carrying, but also the same for when you need to draw. It's just all-around safer to use good holsters and gear as well.
Not only does it provide support and stability in carrying, but also the same for when you need to draw. It's just all-around safer to use good holsters and gear as well.
I've noticed there seem to be a lot of peiople who want to carry but don't want to incovenienced or caused discomfort by doing so. There are compromises in virtually everything we do and a slight change of clothing and/or activities to accomodate carrying a weapon is to be expected. I'm an older man in good shape for my age and I don't mind making the sacrifice required to allow concealed carry. I even bought pants one size bigger to let me use an IWB holster(which I don't care for and find uncomfortable) so that I can carry w/o the "shoot me first vest" that aggravates the Grouch Attack.
Not to make comments about any specific person, but I'm not sure if many of these newly licensed packers have the commitment/attitude necessary to be safe, know their weapon, and actually use it if needed.
Not to make comments about any specific person, but I'm not sure if many of these newly licensed packers have the commitment/attitude necessary to be safe, know their weapon, and actually use it if needed.
insolentshrew
New member
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes: carrying is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable
I tried that approach with my wife when she first started carrying. She wore business attire at the time and there just wasn't anything that worked with the Officer's ACP or later a Kimber Ultra she preferred. She carried in her purse (special made one w/ gun pocket) as the only viable alternative to being unarmed.
Dave
wildangel1955
New member
very observant MLeake....
you take the prize for awareness and recall
you take the prize for awareness and recall
wildangel1955
New member
ok some of you are just not being fair...
I am the original poster. It's not that I am unwilling to make sacrifices to carry my weapon. However, I want to be able to carry it every day, no matter what I am wearing, without it being such a burden that I end up leaving it at home. I am a Human Resources Manager for a large company and I have an extensive wardrobe of business attire that does not accomodate a belt. It's not as easy as all that for a woman. I own IWB holsters, like I said, and I can wear them with some slacks, but they pull most of them down on one side. I don't yet have a shoulder holster, but they only work if you are wearing a jacket, right? I refuse to carry one in a special purse because I have grandbabies. I only feel safe around them when I can feel it against my body. Plus, I imagine when I am in a SD situation, my purse will be across the room, or back in my office. I have a Don Hume pocket holster for times that I am wearing an acceptable pocket. I don't think any one holster is good for all situations and outfits. I'm only asking if anyone knows enough about the SmartCarry to know if the fabric is thick enough to safely carry a loaded Glock 26. I'm a grandma for heavens sake, I don't do cartwheels, hand springs or even jumping jacks. I don't anticipate being groped or jousted in my abdomen while wearing it. Plus I have no "twig and berries" down there. LOL!
I am the original poster. It's not that I am unwilling to make sacrifices to carry my weapon. However, I want to be able to carry it every day, no matter what I am wearing, without it being such a burden that I end up leaving it at home. I am a Human Resources Manager for a large company and I have an extensive wardrobe of business attire that does not accomodate a belt. It's not as easy as all that for a woman. I own IWB holsters, like I said, and I can wear them with some slacks, but they pull most of them down on one side. I don't yet have a shoulder holster, but they only work if you are wearing a jacket, right? I refuse to carry one in a special purse because I have grandbabies. I only feel safe around them when I can feel it against my body. Plus, I imagine when I am in a SD situation, my purse will be across the room, or back in my office. I have a Don Hume pocket holster for times that I am wearing an acceptable pocket. I don't think any one holster is good for all situations and outfits. I'm only asking if anyone knows enough about the SmartCarry to know if the fabric is thick enough to safely carry a loaded Glock 26. I'm a grandma for heavens sake, I don't do cartwheels, hand springs or even jumping jacks. I don't anticipate being groped or jousted in my abdomen while wearing it. Plus I have no "twig and berries" down there. LOL!
orionengnr
New member
I am going to be the opposing voice here.
Several years ago (or maybe a few more) I was experimenting with various handguns and carry methods, trying to find The One True Way. (FWIW, I'm still looking, but I digress...)
I still own two Smart Carrys (a medium and a large?) and have carried a variety of handguns from a P3AT and j-frame to a G23 (marginal), a 3" 1911 (piece of cake), a 4" 1911 (marginal) and a 3" Taurus .44 Spl (marginal). I have not used them recently but will not part with them.
The advantage of the Smart Carry is that you can wear your pants loose at the waist (no belt) and not have them pulled down by the weight of the gun.
Your waistband should be loose enough that you can reach inside and grab your handgun quickly. If done correctly, the draw stroke is not terribly slow, and the carry is not terribly uncomfortable (with a reasonable sized pistol).
It is a very useful tool for deep concealment during summertime, especially with shorts and a tucked-in shirt (and a tucked in shirt is my preferred method of dress).
Although my preferred method of carry has evolved to a 1911 IWB, there will be those occasions that the Smart Carry will come in handy (for me) YMMV.
Several years ago (or maybe a few more) I was experimenting with various handguns and carry methods, trying to find The One True Way. (FWIW, I'm still looking, but I digress...)
I still own two Smart Carrys (a medium and a large?) and have carried a variety of handguns from a P3AT and j-frame to a G23 (marginal), a 3" 1911 (piece of cake), a 4" 1911 (marginal) and a 3" Taurus .44 Spl (marginal). I have not used them recently but will not part with them.
The advantage of the Smart Carry is that you can wear your pants loose at the waist (no belt) and not have them pulled down by the weight of the gun.
Your waistband should be loose enough that you can reach inside and grab your handgun quickly. If done correctly, the draw stroke is not terribly slow, and the carry is not terribly uncomfortable (with a reasonable sized pistol).
It is a very useful tool for deep concealment during summertime, especially with shorts and a tucked-in shirt (and a tucked in shirt is my preferred method of dress).
Although my preferred method of carry has evolved to a 1911 IWB, there will be those occasions that the Smart Carry will come in handy (for me) YMMV.
Kreyzhorse
New member
+1. If you want to carry a Glock, carry it in a holster that will protect the trigger. Concealed carry is a trade off between being comfortable and having the comfort of a gun.
I'd suggest wearing a belt with a proper holster. All of us who are serious about concealed carry dress around our gun.
Lost Sheep
New member
Is Pax on vacation?
CorneredCat.com is run by one of the moderators here on The Firing Line, Pax (Kathy Jackson)
You should read the entire site's section on carry, but this addresses Thunderwear and Smartcarry directly.
http://www.corneredcat.com/Holster/howhide.aspx#Thunderwear
Then there is
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=29869
I know the bra holster is not what you asked about, but I suspect you are open to all alternatives.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
CorneredCat.com is run by one of the moderators here on The Firing Line, Pax (Kathy Jackson)
You should read the entire site's section on carry, but this addresses Thunderwear and Smartcarry directly.
http://www.corneredcat.com/Holster/howhide.aspx#Thunderwear
Then there is
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=29869
I know the bra holster is not what you asked about, but I suspect you are open to all alternatives.
Good luck
Lost Sheep
Ringolevio
Moderator
Cowgirl up, Granny
wildangel1955:
"Sometimes it's hard to be a woman"
-- Tammy Wynette
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
-- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Seriously, I hope you figure out a way. I'm all for more grandmothers being armed with more than hatpins!
wildangel1955:
"Sometimes it's hard to be a woman"
-- Tammy Wynette
"Big Girls Don't Cry"
-- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Seriously, I hope you figure out a way. I'm all for more grandmothers being armed with more than hatpins!
Last edited:
wildangel1955
New member
Hey, I was just trying to find out some info and opinions on the SmartCarry. Don't tell me I have to compromise anything, that isn't in my nature. I don't just roll over and submit, I find resolutions to get me what I like and what I want. Fortunately there are alot of options already available to me. I would hate to have to delve into the holster making business too! LOL!
Ive used a Smart Carry daily for about five years now. Great holster, and one of my favorites. Its one of the most comfortable and versatile holsters I own.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about them, and the comments in the negative are from those who have obviously never worn one and dont understand how they work.
They arent a belly band, the gun sits low, below the waistband. When the gun is in it, and its worn properly, it points to the ground (not at body parts) 99% of the time, even when sitting for the most part.
While they are a "deep cover" of sorts, they are not at all slow to access, and even when seated, with "snug" pants and a belt, you can still access the gun one handed. In this respect, they are a lot easier to get to the gun than a gun in a pocket holster in a pocket.
I havent carried my 26 in one "yet", simply because it wont work with my normal work pants. With the right pants, I wouldnt have a problem doing so though. The way the holsters are built, you'd have to seriously and specifically work at getting the trigger to drop in any fashion, even on an unlocked 1911 or a Glock.
I normally use mine as a back up. These days, I usually have my Seecamp in one, but I have used them with a SIG P230, and well as a SIG P239. Most days, I wear "fitted" Carhart type carpenter jeans, which tend to limit the guns size. If you wear something more relaxed or dressy, you can get away with a larger gun.
I make my living "actively" outdoors. I dont lead a sedentary life sitting at a desk. I run around all day, jump in and out of equipment, and climb all over all sorts of things. I have never had the gun come out of the holster, never had it shift position, never had it go off, and as a plus, living in a world of airborne dust and dirt etc, its the cleanest holster Ive ever used. I rarely even see the typical "dust bunnies" I see in my normal IWB holsters, let alone all the other dirt and debris. Its loacation under your pants protects the gun better than anything else Ive used.
A side note on the Glocks and "unprotected" triggers, I would suggest you actually "try it yourself" when it comes to using one without a holster and prove it to yourself, one way or the other. Ive been carrying a second, unloaded Glock around pretty much every minute Im home, for over a year now, sans a holster. Ive been doing it as a test, just to see if it really was the big problem everyone tells you. So far, I have yet to see the trigger drop unless it was done so intentionally ( I use that gun for daily dry fire practice). I even pick the gun up off the workbench/table "by" the trigger, and its still never dropped.
If you are reasonable and realistic in your handling of the gun, I doubt youre going to find its a problem.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions about them, and the comments in the negative are from those who have obviously never worn one and dont understand how they work.
They arent a belly band, the gun sits low, below the waistband. When the gun is in it, and its worn properly, it points to the ground (not at body parts) 99% of the time, even when sitting for the most part.
While they are a "deep cover" of sorts, they are not at all slow to access, and even when seated, with "snug" pants and a belt, you can still access the gun one handed. In this respect, they are a lot easier to get to the gun than a gun in a pocket holster in a pocket.
I havent carried my 26 in one "yet", simply because it wont work with my normal work pants. With the right pants, I wouldnt have a problem doing so though. The way the holsters are built, you'd have to seriously and specifically work at getting the trigger to drop in any fashion, even on an unlocked 1911 or a Glock.
I normally use mine as a back up. These days, I usually have my Seecamp in one, but I have used them with a SIG P230, and well as a SIG P239. Most days, I wear "fitted" Carhart type carpenter jeans, which tend to limit the guns size. If you wear something more relaxed or dressy, you can get away with a larger gun.
I make my living "actively" outdoors. I dont lead a sedentary life sitting at a desk. I run around all day, jump in and out of equipment, and climb all over all sorts of things. I have never had the gun come out of the holster, never had it shift position, never had it go off, and as a plus, living in a world of airborne dust and dirt etc, its the cleanest holster Ive ever used. I rarely even see the typical "dust bunnies" I see in my normal IWB holsters, let alone all the other dirt and debris. Its loacation under your pants protects the gun better than anything else Ive used.
A side note on the Glocks and "unprotected" triggers, I would suggest you actually "try it yourself" when it comes to using one without a holster and prove it to yourself, one way or the other. Ive been carrying a second, unloaded Glock around pretty much every minute Im home, for over a year now, sans a holster. Ive been doing it as a test, just to see if it really was the big problem everyone tells you. So far, I have yet to see the trigger drop unless it was done so intentionally ( I use that gun for daily dry fire practice). I even pick the gun up off the workbench/table "by" the trigger, and its still never dropped.
If you are reasonable and realistic in your handling of the gun, I doubt youre going to find its a problem.
