HuntAndFish
New member
I've got both. They are very similar. If you don't wear boxers the smartcarry is slicker and doesn't chafe as much. With boxers I can't tell the difference. Thunderwear seems to stand up to the washing machine better.
Thunderwear or SmartCarry
- Thread starter Hornett
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CelticWolf
New member
Smartcarry all the way. I wear mine everyday for work into the lions den. no one ever notices... well maybe the ladies take interesting glances...lol.
CelticWolf
New member
It works great for the gym too
It seems to me that the two are about identical - at least in their website descriptions: both have a 'moisture barrier layer', both appear to be made from denim, both have a 'satisfaction guarantee'. Prices are nearly the same.
I don't have either one - I'm in the market to buy one for my new PT-709. Is there anything substantive to say one of these is better than the other?
I don't have either one - I'm in the market to buy one for my new PT-709. Is there anything substantive to say one of these is better than the other?
got_the_itch
New member
I wouldn't have either one. Just my pesonal opinion. I've never had or tried one. Nor do I have the desire, they don't seem very practical for which its use is intended.
Most pants/shorts I wear I'm wearing a belt. In fact very rarely do I go without a belt. Unless I'm going swimming or something along those lines. Therefore, thats not gonna work with me.
I know that men have a natural instinct to arrange, itch, or otherwise ourselves. And that is just a human nature, however this "IS NOT" a naturally human "pistol draw" movement. Possibly I've not given a very good analogy, but I'm not Al Bundy. And my hand isn't sewn to my crotch area.
I also don't see how this won't crush your package when sitting down. Most places don't have recliners.
Most pants/shorts I wear I'm wearing a belt. In fact very rarely do I go without a belt. Unless I'm going swimming or something along those lines. Therefore, thats not gonna work with me.
I know that men have a natural instinct to arrange, itch, or otherwise ourselves. And that is just a human nature, however this "IS NOT" a naturally human "pistol draw" movement. Possibly I've not given a very good analogy, but I'm not Al Bundy. And my hand isn't sewn to my crotch area.
I also don't see how this won't crush your package when sitting down. Most places don't have recliners.
Okay, mine arrived yesterday.
Help?!
I tried it in a few different arrangements. It printed like mad. I mean, put a big sign over my head that flashes, GUN and it was just about that loud.
I put it in my pants with a tshirt over it. Granted the tshirt wasn't terribly loose. But the grip was shown clearly.
It is possible my double stack is just too much.
But I can't figure out what kind of clothes I could hide this under.
It has a 60 day return, so I have some time to figure out if it's useful. I need to, at least sometimes, avoid teh gun belts.
ETA: I tried some other clothes and think I have my first reasonable carry option with Smart Carry. With jeans on, I can conceal without making myself look fat (that last part if a huge +100 for me.) My clothing choices are somewhat limited, but this will work some of the time, which is the best I expected.
It's not super comfy, but as my CCW instructor from yesterday said, "it needs to be comforting, rather than comfortable." The comfort level is not unmanageable.
It's not an easy draw compared to the Serpa I tried. It would probably add a moment if I ever needed to draw it.
So far, my evaluation is that for me, this will become an often used piece of equipment.
I am successfully concealing my full-sized XD9 with it. With a smaller gun, it would give me even more clothing options.
Help?!
I tried it in a few different arrangements. It printed like mad. I mean, put a big sign over my head that flashes, GUN and it was just about that loud.
I put it in my pants with a tshirt over it. Granted the tshirt wasn't terribly loose. But the grip was shown clearly.
It is possible my double stack is just too much.
But I can't figure out what kind of clothes I could hide this under.
It has a 60 day return, so I have some time to figure out if it's useful. I need to, at least sometimes, avoid teh gun belts.
ETA: I tried some other clothes and think I have my first reasonable carry option with Smart Carry. With jeans on, I can conceal without making myself look fat (that last part if a huge +100 for me.) My clothing choices are somewhat limited, but this will work some of the time, which is the best I expected.
It's not super comfy, but as my CCW instructor from yesterday said, "it needs to be comforting, rather than comfortable." The comfort level is not unmanageable.
It's not an easy draw compared to the Serpa I tried. It would probably add a moment if I ever needed to draw it.
So far, my evaluation is that for me, this will become an often used piece of equipment.
I am successfully concealing my full-sized XD9 with it. With a smaller gun, it would give me even more clothing options.
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I put it on too loose yesterday for a trip to the grocery store, and I couldn't wait to get back home. It just moved too much.
I'm very used to loose fitting clothing, so it's going to take a while for me to get entirely used to this holster. It doesn't help that my work said "absolutely not" about storing at work, so I can't carry to or from work, and to be absolutely honest, there is zero violent crime in my town. As much as I tell myself that "you never know when or where crime will occur", if a violent crime took place in this town it'd be national front page news. So drastically inhibiting my routine to go home before going back out to do stuff seems pretty unrealistic.
Still, when worn correctly, it does feel like the best option for me and my dress style. I am thinking of cutting the top back part down a little though. Completely covering the strap requires wearing my boxers and shorts much higher than feels natural.
I'm very used to loose fitting clothing, so it's going to take a while for me to get entirely used to this holster. It doesn't help that my work said "absolutely not" about storing at work, so I can't carry to or from work, and to be absolutely honest, there is zero violent crime in my town. As much as I tell myself that "you never know when or where crime will occur", if a violent crime took place in this town it'd be national front page news. So drastically inhibiting my routine to go home before going back out to do stuff seems pretty unrealistic.
Still, when worn correctly, it does feel like the best option for me and my dress style. I am thinking of cutting the top back part down a little though. Completely covering the strap requires wearing my boxers and shorts much higher than feels natural.
Some tips I learned with mine
keep the elastic band tight and wear it low on your hips. It might be easier to keep the velcro stuck at the right size and just slide it off instead of ripping the velcro each time you change.
loosen your belt so that you can pull it forward to draw.
it doesnt have to be right in front of you, you can shift the pocket left or right as needed
Practice tactical draws that incorporate sucking your gut in as you draw, or casually hooking your off hand thumb in your belt at the first sign of trouble to facilitate a draw. I really dont think they are much slower than a typical IWB holster.
Havent tried a double stack but it works great with my .357 snub and Kahr 45
keep the elastic band tight and wear it low on your hips. It might be easier to keep the velcro stuck at the right size and just slide it off instead of ripping the velcro each time you change.
loosen your belt so that you can pull it forward to draw.
it doesnt have to be right in front of you, you can shift the pocket left or right as needed
Practice tactical draws that incorporate sucking your gut in as you draw, or casually hooking your off hand thumb in your belt at the first sign of trouble to facilitate a draw. I really dont think they are much slower than a typical IWB holster.
Havent tried a double stack but it works great with my .357 snub and Kahr 45
I smartcarry a double-stack .45 daily.
This is my experience.......
Keep the elastic down on your hip bones.
Maybe I'm wrong but my grip sits level or slightly below the top of my 2" belt. I have to open my belt a notch and buy pants a size larger, but that's a tradeoff for any IWB.
Make sure the elastic is tight, it will be uncomfortable at first, but I can run, climb ladders and jump onto tailgates whith out movement.
Yeah the back panel helps moisture, but I chose a SS for good measure.
Check out the website, lots of great tips.
As for carrying a full size, Charlie carries a 1911A1 daily in his.
The best part is being at a picnic with a 6yr old that finds it funny to headbutt guys in the groin ........ SC $59, PT145 $350, the look on his face when his forehead rams your steel "gun" PRICELESS
This is my experience.......
Keep the elastic down on your hip bones.
Maybe I'm wrong but my grip sits level or slightly below the top of my 2" belt. I have to open my belt a notch and buy pants a size larger, but that's a tradeoff for any IWB.
Make sure the elastic is tight, it will be uncomfortable at first, but I can run, climb ladders and jump onto tailgates whith out movement.
Yeah the back panel helps moisture, but I chose a SS for good measure.
Check out the website, lots of great tips.
As for carrying a full size, Charlie carries a 1911A1 daily in his.
The best part is being at a picnic with a 6yr old that finds it funny to headbutt guys in the groin ........ SC $59, PT145 $350, the look on his face when his forehead rams your steel "gun" PRICELESS