Thanks for the compliments. I'm still waiting on my delivery. It could show up any day, and the suspense is killing me.
I'm not over-weight, but I can offer some help in making carrying a firearm more comfortable. Depending on how you're over-weight, being a male.
If you are shaped like a pear (big ass) or if you've got a case of TB (two belly) and only see your wang in the mirror. You can tailor certain parts of your wardrobe and gun rig to work better.
Many people who are overweight complain about belts cutting into their gut. This is where thick gun belts like 1.75" and 1.5" really hurt. These sizes are the best in stability for a good gun rig, expecially if you carry a big gun. Solution? Get a gun belt cut on the curve that is tapered in the front. So you buy a 1.5" belt, and in the front portion, it is tapered down to 1.25". This will give you the stability, and some comfort.
Not to mention it won't look so much like a gun belt.
Avoid overly flashy belt buckles. This draws attention to your belt line. You can have a nice buckle that is boarderline dress belt quality, just keep it simple.
If you carry a cell phone, get a clip which can allow you to attatch it to the belt. Then, put the phone so it is in front of either your spare mag pouch or gun. Careful on the draw not to bang the phone. If you don't carry a cell phone (which you should) get a small flashlight. Surefire makes excellent lights, I just purchased an Aviator A2. Very clean looking. Lou Alessi built a sharkskin snap release pouch specifically for this flashlight free of charge for me due to my large order. He's the man.
For holsters and mag pouches, consider getting snap's instead of belt loops. Not only is it 10 times faster to put on or off, it also reduces the wear and tear you put on your belt. Threading your belt thru matched belt loops will cause the edges of the belt to fray. Milt Sparks NP1 & NP2 are excellent, as well as Lou Alessi's ACP/s.
If you change your weight a lot depending on the time of year, consider having a quality belt made with extra holes to accomodate your difference. Lou Alessi is more than willing to help you.
Stay away from cookie cutter holsters and plastic/nylon ones if you like the finish on your gun. I wouldn't wipe my ass with one of them. Custom fit leather will fit you better, and keep your firearm's finish where it belongs. I'm biased -- not fair and balanced.
Carrying pepper spray isn't a bad idea. It is a good choice. Someone wants to fight, you don't want to and he won't get out of your face. *Squirt*
Better than blowing some bums or drunks head off -- legally at least.
For winter time, AZ does get colder than say Los Angeles. Get a nice leather jacket for yourself. Not that cheap Wilson Leather crap, or that beef jerky they sell as quality at the mall. Contact Coronado Leather, and they'll hook you up with a custom jacket, send you different models to try out for a few days, change small options like pocket arrangement, material quality, inner liner type, types/colors of zippers and so on.
If you're a big guy, or a fat guy, or a skinny mofo, they can help you. I spent 650 bucks last year for a top of the line jacket they offered. Weighs about 5 pounds, just the way I wanted it -- heavy and durable. Back outside, charcoal grey inner lining. 6 inner pockets with zippers, and two outer hand warmer pockets. Made from 2 pieces of leather total. Clean, and low profile. Here's some advice from growing up around casinos, keep your wallet in your jacket pocket, preferably with a zipper closure. Even wallets with a chain will still get taken, they'll lift the money, and take it right out of the wallet without you noticing and put your wallet back in. People with wallets in their jacket are too much work. In the summer, I carry it in a front pocket. I've seen some carry decoy wallets. Ever see people with their wallet/checkbook sticking out of their back pocket? Those are people who haven't been robbed yet.
If you go to the head, NEVER put your jacket on those coat hangers on the stall door, people will snatch those and you've got your pants around your ankles in a bad position to do anything about it. Hold it, leave it on, or leave it with the significant other or buddy.
www.coronadoleather.comStay away from shoulder holsters. They will kill your neck. They suck for anything longer than 4 hours. Cross draw exposes very easily. SOB will leave you paralized, or better yet try driving with it. Brief cases/purses/schedule books are gimmicks, and won't allow you to get to your weapon as quickly as a strongside weapon. If you're worried about it in the car, take the gun out and stick it between the seats or under your leg. Better yet, bolt a holster to the center consol.
Ankle holsters are okay for a back-up, but too slow for a main gun. I don't even carry a back-up. I'm not that paranoid, yet.
"Fag Packs" (Fanny packs) are okay for those who are willing to wear them. They're too "touristy" for my taste. They might actually start the problem after everyone calls you a fag though.
If you put a quality holster on a walmart belt, congradulations, you just thru your money in the garbage. A sturdy belt is the main retention device for a non-thumb break holster. It keeps the holster from sagging or shifting on the belt. The retention loops/snaps HAVE TO match the belt size.
A lot of this may seem as common sense, but you'd be amazed at how many have no clue. A lot of this is my personal opinion, and can be done differently, but it is what has worked for me and a lot of the things mentioned, I learned the hard way -- with a box full of holsters. Those photo vest/jackets scream gun to anyone in the know as well. You don't blend into society wearing one either. Women's concealment is far more difficult. Purse guns should be illegal IMO. Keep it on you, or don't bother. The least used items in a womans purse end up where? At the bottom. Robbers/rapists/killers don't wait for you to dig past the 4 brushes/combs, 3 make-up repair centers, 3 spare tampons, 14 cheap pens, 4 key rings with 5 HUGE cute key chains a piece, cell phone, extra battery, $8.39 cents in change, lint, 9 different shades of lipstick and chapstick, a checkbook, a drug store's ransom in pills, 5 different types of candy, a book full of family pictures, 3 packets of tissue, 2 different wallets, 7 different types of body lotion that are leaking, 14 old looser lotto tickets, box full of rubbers, 3 kinds of gum, 20 hair ties and clippies, 27 scrunchies, part of Noah's Ark, and a boat anchor and so on -- You get the picture. Then, is it in a holster, or is she digging an exposed trigger under stress? Yikes.
Then, if she has kids, even more shit.
-Steve