Posted: 5/26/2026 9:48:39 AM EDT
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If you have heavy guns (40 oz+) that aren't just range toys, how do you use/carry them? Considering buying an all steel pistol that does not accommodate RDS or WML because it just shoots so damn well in stock form with irons. My heaviest full size pistol now weighs 38 loaded with an RDS. I did carry a 686 4" that was 42 oz unloaded when I was in LE back when wheel guns were a thing, but I typically left that anchor in my locker and grabbed a 640 Centennial or snubbie 66 for the ride home. |
Crap Magnet Extraordinaire
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Strong side, outside waist band, 1.75" heavy horsehide belt, in a high quality holster with something to balance on the off side. 14 rounds of 45acp in the pistol and a 15 round spare magazine. Work required concealed carry like that for years, but with handcuffs too. You get used to the weight after a while. A really good 1.75" belt and high quality holster makes a world of difference. The good belt and holster also helps conceal it as it keeps the pistol from sagging outward away from your body. The good belt and holster helps keep the pistol tight against your body. ETA: in over 35 years of carrying that way, I have yet to have anyone say anything about noticing that my pistol is noticeable. |
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I dragged a 1911 for years. I swear they were easier IWB than outside.Attached File |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Originally Posted By erichard: quickly becomes a home defense weapon instead. They are great for shooting because the recoil and flip is mitigated by the weight. Quick follow up shots. So home defense gets a faster shooter. But for all day carrying, I think there are better options. Kind of a balancing act. No one shoots a compact lightweight as well as a heavy full size anything. Most can shoot a L/W “good enough “, me included. This thing will shoot little circles around my current carry…..but I moved on to good enough. Attached File |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
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Originally Posted By osprey21: https://i.postimg.cc/RhtD9jT9/g5Shub-U.jpg Umm - doesn't the Desert Eagle have a decocker? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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I carry a Beretta 92G full size AIWB in a Vedder Light Tuck. With one in the chamber and a Mec Gar 18 round magazine it is 42 oz. Additionally, I carry a 20 round Mec Gar spare magazine in a Tenicor ABDO IWB carrier to the left side of it. Been doing it for years and I am 5' 7", average build, 136 lbs. so not the biggest guy. A stiffer belt is a must. You will always notice it. Adding a Mastermind Tactics carry pillow to the holster conceals it better and makes it more comfortable. There are more people making these carry pillow, wedges, etc. now. I think it makes carrying full size 40 oz. + pistols significantly more doable. One thing that is not talked about enough, that I think makes a difference, is how much you enjoy the pistol. Outside of reliability factors and the seriousness of carrying, the Beretta 92 is just my favorite handgun. Carrying your favorite pistol provides the desire to make it work and to sacrifice where you have to when it comes to factors such as comfortability, etc. I have an RMR HD/TLR-7 HLX Glock 19 Gen. 6 that is my main go-to for concealed carry, at least it was in my head, but in reality has become my nightstand gun in favor of the Beretta 92G. No optics, no weapon light (but do have a small handheld in the back pocket), and its a brick of a gun, but I am confident carrying it, and definitely feel it on the hip when I do. |
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Originally Posted By Ameshawki: It boils down to belt and holster, especially belt. I suspect you'll quickly get tired of the weight. I've played around with heavier guns over the years but usually moved to lighter stuff in short order. A very wide belt, and dual widely spaced belt loops on the holster helps. The wide spaced loops keep the holster from rocking so the belt won't have to be as tight. |
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Originally Posted By DVCER: Kind of a balancing act. No one shoots a compact lightweight as well as a heavy full size anything. Most can shoot a L/W “good enough “, me included. It's light enough to be some relief for carry, but heavy enough to still be controllable. OP, work on your grip technique. Get a better grip and you'll be able to shoot a lighter gun better. You should experiment with different techniques. Don't just use what works for someone else, because we all have different hand size and shape, as well as different guns. I can sympathize with the desire to carry a bigger and heavier gun because it shoots so well. BTDT. It seems like the easy button, until you carry it a while. But it is possible to shoot a reasonably smaller, lighter gun as well with a lot of hard work. |
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Originally Posted By KissMethod17: I carry a Beretta 92G full size AIWB in a Vedder Light Tuck. With one in the chamber and a Mec Gar 18 round magazine it is 42 oz. Additionally, I carry a 20 round Mec Gar spare magazine in a Tenicor ABDO IWB carrier to the left side of it. Been doing it for years and I am 5' 7", average build, 136 lbs. so not the biggest guy. A stiffer belt is a must. You will always notice it. Adding a Mastermind Tactics carry pillow to the holster conceals it better and makes it more comfortable. There are more people making these carry pillow, wedges, etc. now. I think it makes carrying full size 40 oz. + pistols significantly more doable. One thing that is not talked about enough, that I think makes a difference, is how much you enjoy the pistol. Outside of reliability factors and the seriousness of carrying, the Beretta 92 is just my favorite handgun. Carrying your favorite pistol provides the desire to make it work and to sacrifice where you have to when it comes to factors such as comfortability, etc. I have an RMR HD/TLR-7 HLX Glock 19 Gen. 6 that is my main go-to for concealed carry, at least it was in my head, but in reality has become my nightstand gun in favor of the Beretta 92G. No optics, no weapon light (but do have a small handheld in the back pocket), and its a brick of a gun, but I am confident carrying it, and definitely feel it on the hip when I do. I Mexican carried my duty 96G Elite (pre-LTT) when I got off work few times. That Brig slide felt huge. I'm hefty so AIWB never feels comfy even with a loose belt especially anything over 3" bbl lol. I'm leaning away from the big steel SAO gun a bit because of the arthritis in my thumbs has progressed badly for a guy in late 50's. Anyone else move away from SAO guns due to arthritis? My strong side index finger almost has no joint left from injuries and arthritis so DA triggers are off the menu for me. |
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Originally Posted By JaxShooter: My Romulus is pretty heavy and bulky. I carry it in a nice leather Falco holster with a matching dual-mag holster. I wear a Kore belt which isn't even going to think about sagging. lightly modified Prodigy Slim-Tuk. 1.75" DeSantis belt It works well for me. I DO need to find a similar mag carrier though... Everything seems to be designed around flat mags, not ones with tall steeples like the 2011 has. |
Disclaimer - OP is bad at knowing things, and might catch on fire.
Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
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Vet - Op MMAMA
Every other species kills off their stupid......we cater to them. -- spin-drift
Nobody ever called 911&said I just did something smart. -- TheFlynDutchman
Why?
Why not? 
Found a good looking leather holster too, gonna try it out as soon as it gets delivered. The gun is heavy, 40 oz unloaded, but it's accurate, reliable, durable, FUN, and if I run out of ammo, it's heavy enough to be a club! I usually carry a CZ P-10S, which is MUCH lighter. 
But somedays...somedays the 80s call me back...   
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Originally Posted By Czechers: If you have heavy guns (40 oz+) that aren't just range toys, how do you use/carry them? Considering buying an all steel pistol that does not accommodate RDS or WML because it just shoots so damn well in stock form with irons. My heaviest full size pistol now weighs 38 loaded with an RDS. I did carry a 686 4" that was 42 oz unloaded when I was in LE back when wheel guns were a thing, but I typically left that anchor in my locker and grabbed a 640 Centennial or snubbie 66 for the ride home.   My S&W Model 625-3 wearing a set of Craig Spegel N-Frame frame round butt boot grips, loaded with Speer 200gr .45 Auto Rim, and a custom knife given to me by my good friend John Crump is my EDC. Plus, the usual, wallet, keys, and cellphone. A 686 is also usually part of my carry rotation too.  When I get the itch to carry an automatic, I've been rotating between my 4566s and P220s.    Honestly, I find it extremely comfortable to carry these guns. |
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Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: Belt and holster is key. https://i.imgur.com/wWiv28X.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/2ko8YvW.jpeg My S&W Model 625-3 wearing a set of Craig Spegel N-Frame frame round butt boot grips, loaded with Speer 200gr .45 Auto Rim, and a custom knife given to me by my good friend John Crump is my EDC. Plus, the usual, wallet, keys, and cellphone. A 686 is also usually part of my carry rotation too. https://i.imgur.com/h5ChS5o.jpeg When I get the itch to carry an automatic, I've been rotating between my 4566s and P220s. https://i.imgur.com/1UU1uBg.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/obkrogH.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Z1RyJow.jpeg Honestly, I find it extremely comfortable to carry these guns. Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: Originally Posted By Czechers: If you have heavy guns (40 oz+) that aren't just range toys, how do you use/carry them? Considering buying an all steel pistol that does not accommodate RDS or WML because it just shoots so damn well in stock form with irons. My heaviest full size pistol now weighs 38 loaded with an RDS. I did carry a 686 4" that was 42 oz unloaded when I was in LE back when wheel guns were a thing, but I typically left that anchor in my locker and grabbed a 640 Centennial or snubbie 66 for the ride home. https://i.imgur.com/wWiv28X.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/2ko8YvW.jpeg My S&W Model 625-3 wearing a set of Craig Spegel N-Frame frame round butt boot grips, loaded with Speer 200gr .45 Auto Rim, and a custom knife given to me by my good friend John Crump is my EDC. Plus, the usual, wallet, keys, and cellphone. A 686 is also usually part of my carry rotation too. https://i.imgur.com/h5ChS5o.jpeg When I get the itch to carry an automatic, I've been rotating between my 4566s and P220s. https://i.imgur.com/1UU1uBg.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/obkrogH.jpeg https://i.imgur.com/Z1RyJow.jpeg Honestly, I find it extremely comfortable to carry these guns. What are your preferred belts? |
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Originally Posted By Geralt55: What are your preferred belts? https://www.nexbelt.com/products/guardian-black They do nylon and leather. Great belts, great prices. |
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Pretty much every day. Attached File Attached File |
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| Personally I found when carrying a heavy duty size pistol as a LEO working p;ain clothes, a paddle holster se.emed to supprt the weight better. My last few years before retiring, I carried a Glock 45 or a 2011 daily.I like Safariland paddle holsters the best with a quality gunbelt. I used a Magpul El Tejas belt and a 511 instructor belt which had a polymer stiffener inside for several years. A good belt is often overlooked. A normal leather belt from a department store is not the answer. If the belt doesnt need a break in period, its not nearly stiff/strong enough. |