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CONCEAL CARRY FULL SIZE PISTOL ? (Page 1 of 2)
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Posted: 1/16/2026 8:50:22 PM EDT
| Do you conceal carry a full size pistol ? Why and what is the best way to carry it? |
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You need a belt designed for CCW, a floppy walmart belt will not do. I like the KORE gunbelt, and a hybrid IWB I am carrying a full size M&P2.0 9mm with a HOLOSON right now. with a proper rig, you can carry a full size all day, in comfort. here's me carrying a full size steel 1911 
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20 years ago I did, in a Bianchi #5 Black Widow holster, which is OWB. P226 or P228 and I usually just wore a thick T-shirt over it (since it’s hot here). I switched to pocket-carrying a Kahr PM9 in 2013 and don’t regret it one bit. Fortunately, the only times I’ve had to draw on people I was on duty (with my full-size pistol) but I’m just as comfortable with the tiny one at closer distances. I practice a lot. Most people need an outer garment to conceal a full-size, but it just depends on how you’re built. I did buy a G19.5 last year to maybe try IWB, but I haven’t bought a holster yet. 
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| I’m 6’0” & usually 190-200 lbs. Various 5” 1911’s. Stiff horse hide belt for me. Always concealed. Usually OWB retention holster, but if I’m going somewhere less likely to have a “grabber” try to take it (like church) I use a Milt Sparks(?) belt slide or a Galco Yaqui slide. A S&W M&P 2.0 10mm with 5.6” ported barrel & slide is only 1/8” to 1/4” wider thru the grips as my 1911’s, but all of my 1911’s are round butt, so they conceal easier than the double stack 10mm. |
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| I have carried a Glock 22 AIWB regularly in the past. I’ve gone to a Hellcat Pro or G43X most of the time now just because it’s easier/more comfortable and I shoot them well. But the full size was doable. |
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Yes, if I need it I want every advantage I can. Capacity, light, and red dot. How well you shoot it also matters, training time and muscle memory too. Holsters are also like shoes, you have to find what fits you just right, what works for someone else may not be what works for you. Your body shape/size will influence that a lot. Depending on where you live and what do, printing can also matter. You have to decide how important that is. |
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Originally Posted By ske714: Shoulder holster. I find this the most comfortable because of the weight of either all steel or 20 rounds. |
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Did for many decades. Started with a Bruce Nelson Summer Special and belt for a CZ-75 in 1988. Attached File Later got a Ted Blocker LFI belt and holsters (IWB) for Beretta 92, 1911 and CZ-75 (1990). Attached File Then got a Milt Sparks Summer Special III for Beretta 92. Also wore a Gordon Davis left hand Liberty holster on right side for 92/1911. Attached File Currently wear kydex OWB and beltslide holsters that I make OCONUS. G17/19/G26 fit same OWB, just shown with G26 here. Attached File Attached File |
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
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Forgot to mention while up in Alaska carry my N frame Model 58 .41 Mag in a hi ride DeSantis thumb break OWB. Under fleece in town but jacket tucked back when out and about. Attached File |
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
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@Combat_Diver Who makes this holster? I like the retention & simplicity. Thanks! Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Johnny_C: @Combat_Diver Who makes this holster? I like the retention & simplicity. Thanks! https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/IMG_2684_jpg-3700310.JPG I do. https://www.ar15.com/forums/equipment-exchange/Special-Forces-Belt-Slide-Holsters/161-2481523/ Attached File Attached File |
De Oppresso Liber
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
Iraq: 91,03,04,05,06,08,09,15,16,22,23,24&25'
Afghanistan: 09,10,11,14,17,18,19,20&21'
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Originally Posted By Colt653: You need a belt designed for CCW, a floppy walmart belt will not do. I like the KORE gunbelt, and a hybrid IWB I am carrying a full size M&P2.0 9mm with a HOLOSON right now. with a proper rig, you can carry a full size all day, in comfort. here's me carrying a full size steel 1911 https://i.imgur.com/6RPavHY.jpg All of this. A good belt and good holster makes all the difference. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation to find the carry position, angle etc that works with your body, body mechanics and clothing style... and sometimes your clothing style has to adapt a little too. I find for myself that the hybrid type holsters as he illustrates work very well at maintaining a good stable carry that moves with you with a minimum of fuss. |
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CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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Since it got cooler this fall I’ve been carrying my S&W N frame .357 mod. 28 highway patrolman in a Galco combat commander with a Galco gun belt. It’s very comfortable despite being a HEAVY gun. Other than that I usually carry a Glock 20 in an IWB crossbreed holster when the weather and clothing allow for it. My most used carry gun is a S&W 642 air weight, but boy if I had to use a gun for real id sure rather have a full size one. I try to keep that in mind and carry full size whenever practical. |
| I've carried with a Wilderness belt for close to twenty years. No problem carrying a 1911, Hi Power (both in a Crossbreed horsehide) or full-size M&Ps (Kydex holster, can't remember the brand), all IWB. I'm not terribly concerned about printing, but there's not much to carrying a full-size handgun. |
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I normally carry a G45, sometimes a S&W M&P 2.0 4.25 and just for fun sometimes a Sig P226. Attached File All 9mm and all OWB. I don't like micro compacts, although I do have an old KT P11 I carry sometimes. When I want something small I pocket carry a snubby or a P32. |
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Originally Posted By Phillbilly: Sometimes, seems silly to own multiple handguns and only devote one to ccw. Never say that, never. I have carried a P226 but I was very self conscious with it and always had to dress around it, which is not easy in Florida as it is hot a good portion of the year. A Glock 17 is a little easier but still too large for me. |
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Strong side, outside waist band. High quality holster and a wide belt (1.75") helps immensely. It also helps if the pistol gets balanced by carrying something to balance out the other side. ETA: I carried a custom Para-ordnance alloy frame P-13 concealed daily for many years without any problem. |
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I carried a G21 for about a year before I bought my G30. Carried IWB in a crossbreed style half leather half kydex holster at about 3 to 330 without issue. Carry the G30 the same way and it's not significantly different....prints less with the shorter grip. I tend to carry OWB most of the time now though...I don't care if people see it. 99% of people do not care. The others ask me if I'm LEO...and when I tell them no, they move on. |
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Attached File Attached File Usually a 1911 in a ronin leather aiwb. That includes working in a NPE. |
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Done that. Smaller and lighter for me unless the threat is higher. 15 rds is a good compromise. Attached File |
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I AIWB a full size Beretta 92 regularly. I wear a KORE gun belt regardless of the gun and its stiffness is just right. A mastermind tactics pillow and a separate spare mag in a AIWB carrier on the other side of the buckle makes it all balance well. I do notice the weight, but it does not cause discomfort. The 92 is however an older one so I do not have an optic on it or anything else hanging off of it. I do not think an optic or light would cause much issue though. The other carry piece is a Glock 19 with a TLR-7 HLX and RMR HD and I do not have issues with it either when carrying it AIWB. The 92 is just my favorite handgun so I enjoy carrying it more.  I rarely carry the Bodyguard 2.0 I have. I like the pistol a lot, but rarely am ever in a situation where that is all I can carry. It typically is the pistol I carry on business trips though. Pretty versatile as a travel pistol. The three are the only pistols i ever consider to carry. More times than not, the 92 is on me. the 19 stays at home and gets nightstand duty, the BG2.0 is in the safe. |
CONCEAL CARRY FULL SIZE PISTOL ? (Page 1 of 2)
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