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Post by newtopistol on May 17, 2004 13:08:47 GMT -5
Hey all,
Quick question about concealment. I have heard people recommend IWB holsters for small pistols such as Glock 26 etc. What if you had to conceal something larger, say a fullsize USP .45? Clearly this would be more difficult but certainly IWB seems like it wouldn't be convenient. Would you choose a horizontal shoulder rig? Vertical? Strong or weak side belt holster? I.e. What conceals best given the contours of the human body in your experience?
-NTP
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Post by newtopistol on May 17, 2004 13:10:01 GMT -5
By the way, let's assume for the moment that it's not the middle of summer and so you can wear more than a T-shirt and shorts.
;-)
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Post by MLB on May 17, 2004 13:43:38 GMT -5
A quality OWB with a sturdy belt conceals my P99 well with a cover garment. I use a Galco Fletch, but any good high ride holster made for your handgun should do the same.
You do need to get used to bending at the knees, bend at the waist and things get to looking obvious...
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Post by 5ontarget on May 17, 2004 16:37:37 GMT -5
I've been doing some experimenting, and I prefer a strongside OWB or IWB depending on how I dress. But the type of rig is really a personal thing. Many factors play into it. How much standing/sitting you do, your body type, your dress...etc. My preference for strongside carry is because I simply feel more comfortable and maybe a little faster. I also think it is safer, as the muzzle doesn't make a long horizontal sweep. There are equally good arguements for shoulder rigs, and weakside waistband carry. I'll let those that know more about them expound on them.
BTW, since it is getting hotter (check local listings), as many of you know I have been looking for smaller ccw. leaning toward the little Kel-tec .380. As Xavierbreath said in his review "The KelTec P32 is the only pistol that I can carry concealed in my scivies. A brave man could probably conceal it at a nudist colony."
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 17, 2004 16:51:41 GMT -5
Living in the deep southern portion of the east, where the weather can be hot and humid, I found that a light cotton, or silk, short sleeve shirt covers about any pistol I want to conceal, without compromizing size or calibers; I must confess that I've been very successful at it, even during face to face encounters with law enforcement.
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Post by newtopistol on May 18, 2004 0:02:52 GMT -5
With what kind of rig, DA?
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 18, 2004 18:14:58 GMT -5
The best I've done was with a Colt Gold Cup National Match on a Galco Harness, using a Viking Holster, a double mag pouch with two McCormick ten round .45 acp mags. I had a light under shirt, shorts, and a short sleeve summer cotton shirt that I used as a light pull over. It is a lengthy story, but I got it by three cops who was clueless, although I was suspect. I do it all the time at meetings I attend; everyone knows I carry, but they cannot tell when. Another is a S&W 3" model 29 .44 magnum, that I carried in an Old World leather slide holster on my belt, using a pull over shirt.
If you frequent the same places, in the same town, every day, running into the same crowd of people, try wearing an expedition vest for a month. Soon people will get accustomed to seeing you in it, like they do a pair of reading glasses. These Vest will conceal about any gun you can physically carry, especially during the summer months. Most have the vented mesh back, and are made of lightweight, but durable, cotton Khaki. U.S. Calvary has the Banana Republic cloned vest for $50. If you think you'll draw attention, strap a cheap camera around your neck or shoulder, and put a photo journalist patch on it. I have concealed an average of four handguns in one of these vests, on my way to the range, in the past. The banana republic is the most comfortable, but I've had mine for over ten years.
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Post by newtopistol on May 18, 2004 18:24:37 GMT -5
I imagine the holster was vertically oriented, not horizontally? A full size .45 is almost as long as my torso is wide (and might jut out in back), but the .45 has a shorter grip than the width of my torso.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 18, 2004 18:33:30 GMT -5
Most of my concealment belt holsters are for the lined pistol belts of my Bianchi or Wilson Sharkskin. The Bianchi is broken in more than the Wilson, but the Wilson holds the steel frame 1911s slightly firmer. For holsters, I have many of the Galco "Concealables" for times that I need a holster with a low profile. These are good for Semi Autos and Revolvers. Slightly different from the Speed Masters, and Combat Master Galcos, in that they are formed to the shape of the gun on the outer skin, leaving the inner skin to ride close and flat to the body.
Another is the extra firm Wilson Combat "Lo-Profile" Holsters, which retain the steel frames very firm, without noticable shift, or printing through a cover garment.
These are a few of my favorite belt holsters for concealment, the rest are various designs from Bianchi. I'm not one to spend more than $70. dollars for a belt holster, so these fit the bill.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on May 18, 2004 18:39:34 GMT -5
Newtopistol; The Viking is a horizonal tilt, where the grip drops, and the muzzle points up.
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Fobos
Gold Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Fobos on May 19, 2004 10:12:38 GMT -5
Well... I've got several holsters and two pistols specifically for concealed carry. I prefer to carry my Kimber STII when possible. My shoulder rig floats my boat the most... but I will carry SOB or IWB if my choice of clothing dictates a different method. I've also got a 5.11 vest that can conceal almost any pistol in my safe.
When I can't carry my Kimber using any of those holsters, I carry my Glock 27 SOB while IWB. I swear that thing can be concealed under a see-thru bra.
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Post by MLB on May 19, 2004 11:44:04 GMT -5
Now there's a picture I'd like to see posted ;D
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Post by Seraph on May 19, 2004 17:22:59 GMT -5
I carry my Springfield Mil Spec comfortably all day, in a Galco SS2 shoulder rig. I went with the shoulder rig because I have to get in and out of my van constantly, through the work day. I figured it would be more comfortable and accessible than OWB holsters in a seated position. Lately, though, I've been wanting to give OWB another look. If I can manage it, I'd go with an OWB holster just for the quicker, smoother draw.
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Post by Data on May 22, 2004 11:44:07 GMT -5
Live near Augusta Ga. and carry the P239 in a cheap grade nylon clip on the belt IWB strong side holster even with light weight shorts and a T-shirt.
Most of my family are Anti but I carried it all weekend even while playing with the kids and sleeping in the hammock.
Unfortunately while the kids were trying to flip me out of the hammock....my spare magazine slipped out of my left front pocket which I promptly grabbed and shoved back. (At that point I was at a 30 degree angle UPSIDE DOWN.) ;D
No one noticed at all. My brother isnt anti-gun but he is anti-carry.
I went to show him my new night sights in the dark and got a good laugh. When I showed him the dots he said "is that a cell phone". I told him it was my sig and he said "is it loaded?". I said "yes I wouldnt carry it if it wasnt". Reading the look on his face and anticipating his next questions/statement I said "Its very very dangerous, again I wouldnt have much use to carry it if it wasn't".
At that he had no rebuttle. Except for "you expecting to get mugged here?".
"No" I replied. "Not here specifically, and not mugging specifically". What I expect is anything can happen at any time any where".
He didnt say anything else.
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Post by newtopistol on Jun 18, 2004 19:19:18 GMT -5
Hey Fobos, what do you use for your G27?
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Fobos
Gold Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Fobos on Jun 18, 2004 20:16:26 GMT -5
Hey Fobos, what do you use for your G27? I've got more holsters than I can count. If I ever tie the knot, my wife's shoes will have to compete with my holsters for closet space.  I rarely carry my G27 for any purpose other than a BU to my duty sidearm. So my holsters are mostly for the purpose of conceal carry while in uniform. I have an Uncle Mike's shoulder rig for carry during the winter. It is my favorite place to carry when wearing a heavy winter parka. The thing is falling apart though, and I plan on investing in a better quality rig. I'm considering a Galco at the moment. I have a custom IWB rig for carry during the cool months, when I wear a vest or windbreaker. Since I'm not wearing a heavy coat at the time, it's easy to reach to the SOB for the weapon. During the hot summer months, I carry the G27 in the least accessable, but most concealable place... on an ankle rig. This is the only time that I use the stock mag floorplate on my primary mag. For every other holster, I feel comfortable using my +1 grip extension. There are currently no specific regulations regarding BU weapons in my company's policies, and most of my fellow employees and I believe that if the issue is brought up, we will likely have regulations instated that will prohibit them altogether. Therefore, we quietly carry BU, and it is important that others are unaware of the weapons. My carry methods have thusfar been successful in hiding my G27. |
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Post by michael t on Jun 20, 2004 23:48:09 GMT -5
Greetings, Most of the time I now carry my PPK/S IWB in a old Bianchi clip hoslter If Iam going to Lexington or Louisville will carry my Commander in a OWB Galco and my Mustang in front pocket.
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Post by TBT on Jun 23, 2004 17:09:37 GMT -5
Now there's a picture I'd like to see posted ;D Fobos in a see thru bra?  |
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Fobos
Gold Member
Posts: 202
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Post by Fobos on Jun 24, 2004 18:13:24 GMT -5
Fobos in a see thru bra? Only when I'm by myself....  |
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Post by TBT on Jun 28, 2004 19:40:47 GMT -5
Only when I'm by myself.... ;D |
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