I'm not a newbie to firearms in general but I've only limited experience with hand guns, in spite of having a Maine CC permit years ago. Anyway, fast forward many years and I've developed a renewed interest in handguns and CC. I have a Glock 17 and Springfield XDM 9mm, neither of which I intend to CC with any regularity due to bulk, but I do intend to carry once all the necessary requirements have been met.
I've carried the XDM around my property (rural, semi-wooded 10 acres) in a concealed fashion just to get a feel for it and have some questions. Unfortunately the answer is probably going to fall under the same category as "best all-around handgun" but I'll give it a shot anyway.
Carrying on the hip (or small of the back) seems a bit problematic, especially in colder weather where I have layers of clothing, including a coat. Summer time I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum with nothing on but a single shirt (t-shirt style generally). Neither fashion seems conducive to a speedy draw if needed, with having to unzip coats and/or flip up clothing in order to get to the weapon.
Depending on weather clothing can range from a single shirt, to shirt and jacket, to shirt, sweater, and heavy winter coat. Environment can range from strictly inside, outside, or transitions from one to the other many times a day. Naturally this would include putting on and taking off various articles of clothing.
None of this is news to you guys who have done this for years, but it's new to me, and one thing I'd rather avoid is going through a small warehouse of holsters and clothing before I find out what works. Been there and done that on more hobbies than I care to remember.
It seems to me that some sort of shoulder carry would be the easiest and most accessible system to use, while still remaining concealed, and remain relatively independent of the clothing being worn. Hopefully this makes some sort of sense. "My" thought is a Crossbreed holster for when a small of the back carry is desired, and some sort of shoulder style carry other times. The jury is out on those t-shirt deals that have a built in holster. Rather pricey for what it is IMO.
Ok, now that I've made a short story long, my question...
What do YOU think is the best all around, all weather, all situation system(s) for carrying a compact sized (not sub-compact) weapon?
I've carried the XDM around my property (rural, semi-wooded 10 acres) in a concealed fashion just to get a feel for it and have some questions. Unfortunately the answer is probably going to fall under the same category as "best all-around handgun" but I'll give it a shot anyway.
Carrying on the hip (or small of the back) seems a bit problematic, especially in colder weather where I have layers of clothing, including a coat. Summer time I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum with nothing on but a single shirt (t-shirt style generally). Neither fashion seems conducive to a speedy draw if needed, with having to unzip coats and/or flip up clothing in order to get to the weapon.
Depending on weather clothing can range from a single shirt, to shirt and jacket, to shirt, sweater, and heavy winter coat. Environment can range from strictly inside, outside, or transitions from one to the other many times a day. Naturally this would include putting on and taking off various articles of clothing.
None of this is news to you guys who have done this for years, but it's new to me, and one thing I'd rather avoid is going through a small warehouse of holsters and clothing before I find out what works. Been there and done that on more hobbies than I care to remember.
It seems to me that some sort of shoulder carry would be the easiest and most accessible system to use, while still remaining concealed, and remain relatively independent of the clothing being worn. Hopefully this makes some sort of sense. "My" thought is a Crossbreed holster for when a small of the back carry is desired, and some sort of shoulder style carry other times. The jury is out on those t-shirt deals that have a built in holster. Rather pricey for what it is IMO.
Ok, now that I've made a short story long, my question...
What do YOU think is the best all around, all weather, all situation system(s) for carrying a compact sized (not sub-compact) weapon?