Posted: 3/23/2013 8:22:32 AM EDT
| Just wondering what you all might recommend as a carry method for myself, I know that its all preferred or learned and such but I wanted to get some advice from people that have been carrying for a long time. Some information about myself is im 5 11 and I weight 160 and the pistol I want to carry is an xds. Appendix or 4 o clock is what I was thinking, |
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I'm 6' 170# and carry between 2:30 and 3:30 in a CBST. I have no problems with just a t-shirt. I guess you need to see what works. In the car or just sitting down anything much past 3:30 I'm getting jabbed by the gun.
The CBST wraps around my hip and is quit comfortable. I carry a Smith 6906, I would guess it's about as thick as a XD There's some trial and error to ccw. I would bet that most that carry have tried several holster...I have 
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Holsters:
Comp-Tac CTAC http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=61 Raven Concealment Phantom http://www.ravenconcealment.com/holsters/phantom-modular-holsters/phantom-modular-holster Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 http://www.miltsparks.com/SS-2.htm |
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I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, which is roughly similar in size. They are very similar in width and in the overall length from the muzzle to the heel of the butt. The measurement at the slide is a little longer on the Kimber due to the beaver tail, but due to the grip angles, that's a non issue, as the heel of the butts are basically dead even.
If you have not bought an XDS yet, you may want to consider a few things. The XDS advantage is in the shorter grip and the lighter weight. However the shorter grip costs you two rounds of mag capacity, and you won't be able to get all three fingers on it, as you can with the Kimber, so it's harder to control due to both lighter weight and shorter grip. XDS magazines are also harder to find, while officer model frame length 1911 mags are pretty common, and for the reload you can use standard length 8 round 1911 magazine, giving you a 3 round edge over the XDS. Finally, the grip safety on the XDS is both thin and fairly small, increasing the potential to grip it without activating it. Something that is not an issue on the Kimber for most people and if you are one of the few that has issues, you can address it with a humped grip safety. ----- Carry wise, a pistol in that size range normally carries well in the 3:30 position. If you are thin, carrying just aft of 3:00 o'clock improves conceal-ability by keeping it behind the plane of the hip so to speak. You just want to ensure it is not so far forward as to be an issue when seated in a car. In fact, if it tucks down in the corner between you and the safety belt, you're pretty much in the sweet spot. The next choice then is IWB versus OWB. IWB is more concealable by far, while OWB tends to be more comfortable, so the decision really comes down to how you need to dress and how concealed you need it to be. FWIW I carry from the time I get up to the time I go to bed IWB and never have issues with it. YMMV. Appendix carry really depends on your build to a much greater extent and can also have some issues when seated. I'm not a real fan in part for the potential sweep issues as well as for potential issues re-holstering post engagement while under stress. Shoulder holsters look cool, but they are not practical in day to day use. Small of the back holsters fill a very limited niche in specialized situations and they are problematic in terms of ensuring you don't sweep your self or others when using them. And basically, unless you have your own range, forget practicing your draw with them with live ammo, as there is not an intelligent range on the planet who would allow that. |
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So if you carry at 3 do you carry with any cant? Quoted:
I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, which is roughly similar in size. They are very similar in width and in the overall length from the muzzle to the heel of the butt. The measurement at the slide is a little longer on the Kimber due to the beaver tail, but due to the grip angles, that's a non issue, as the heel of the butts are basically dead even. If you have not bought an XDS yet, you may want to consider a few things. The XDS advantage is in the shorter grip and the lighter weight. However the shorter grip costs you two rounds of mag capacity, and you won't be able to get all three fingers on it, as you can with the Kimber, so it's harder to control due to both lighter weight and shorter grip. XDS magazines are also harder to find, while officer model frame length 1911 mags are pretty common, and for the reload you can use standard length 8 round 1911 magazine, giving you a 3 round edge over the XDS. Finally, the grip safety on the XDS is both thin and fairly small, increasing the potential to grip it without activating it. Something that is not an issue on the Kimber for most people and if you are one of the few that has issues, you can address it with a humped grip safety. ----- Carry wise, a pistol in that size range normally carries well in the 3:30 position. If you are thin, carrying just aft of 3:00 o'clock improves conceal-ability by keeping it behind the plane of the hip so to speak. You just want to ensure it is not so far forward as to be an issue when seated in a car. In fact, if it tucks down in the corner between you and the safety belt, you're pretty much in the sweet spot. The next choice then is IWB versus OWB. IWB is more concealable by far, while OWB tends to be more comfortable, so the decision really comes down to how you need to dress and how concealed you need it to be. FWIW I carry from the time I get up to the time I go to bed IWB and never have issues with it. YMMV. Appendix carry really depends on your build to a much greater extent and can also have some issues when seated. I'm not a real fan in part for the potential sweep issues as well as for potential issues re-holstering post engagement while under stress. Shoulder holsters look cool, but they are not practical in day to day use. Small of the back holsters fill a very limited niche in specialized situations and they are problematic in terms of ensuring you don't sweep your self or others when using them. And basically, unless you have your own range, forget practicing your draw with them with live ammo, as there is not an intelligent range on the planet who would allow that. |
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Quoted:
I don't carry at 3:00, it's closer to 3:30 or 4:00( the concept is not perfect as most people are closer to oval than round in cross section). And as noted above I do use some cant to keep the butt ticked up and snug so it's not printing if I bend forward.
So if you carry at 3 do you carry with any cant? Quoted:
I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry II, which is roughly similar in size. They are very similar in width and in the overall length from the muzzle to the heel of the butt. The measurement at the slide is a little longer on the Kimber due to the beaver tail, but due to the grip angles, that's a non issue, as the heel of the butts are basically dead even. If you have not bought an XDS yet, you may want to consider a few things. The XDS advantage is in the shorter grip and the lighter weight. However the shorter grip costs you two rounds of mag capacity, and you won't be able to get all three fingers on it, as you can with the Kimber, so it's harder to control due to both lighter weight and shorter grip. XDS magazines are also harder to find, while officer model frame length 1911 mags are pretty common, and for the reload you can use standard length 8 round 1911 magazine, giving you a 3 round edge over the XDS. Finally, the grip safety on the XDS is both thin and fairly small, increasing the potential to grip it without activating it. Something that is not an issue on the Kimber for most people and if you are one of the few that has issues, you can address it with a humped grip safety. ----- Carry wise, a pistol in that size range normally carries well in the 3:30 position. If you are thin, carrying just aft of 3:00 o'clock improves conceal-ability by keeping it behind the plane of the hip so to speak. You just want to ensure it is not so far forward as to be an issue when seated in a car. In fact, if it tucks down in the corner between you and the safety belt, you're pretty much in the sweet spot. The next choice then is IWB versus OWB. IWB is more concealable by far, while OWB tends to be more comfortable, so the decision really comes down to how you need to dress and how concealed you need it to be. FWIW I carry from the time I get up to the time I go to bed IWB and never have issues with it. YMMV. Appendix carry really depends on your build to a much greater extent and can also have some issues when seated. I'm not a real fan in part for the potential sweep issues as well as for potential issues re-holstering post engagement while under stress. Shoulder holsters look cool, but they are not practical in day to day use. Small of the back holsters fill a very limited niche in specialized situations and they are problematic in terms of ensuring you don't sweep your self or others when using them. And basically, unless you have your own range, forget practicing your draw with them with live ammo, as there is not an intelligent range on the planet who would allow that. |
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Quoted:
Just wondering what you all might recommend as a carry method for myself, I know that its all preferred or learned and such but I wanted to get some advice from people that have been carrying for a long time. Some information about myself is im 5 11 and I weight 160 and the pistol I want to carry is an xds. Appendix or 4 o clock is what I was thinking, Remora holster (http://www.remoraholsterstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=springfield) I use this for my glock 17 and absolutely love it. I've tried several different methods that all work, but this is my favorite for conceal year round. It was recommended to me by a long-time carrier that hasn't steered me wrong so far. Also the girl demonstrating it in the youtube video is mighty fine. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4izM0fiz6kk) |
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Small of the back holsters fill a very limited niche in specialized situations and they are problematic in terms of ensuring you don't sweep your self or others when using them. And basically, unless you have your own range, forget practicing your draw with them with live ammo, as there is not an intelligent range on the planet who would allow that.
I've carried plainclothes, undercover, and concealed for a couple of decades. Most of the time in warmer weather, small of the back IWB, with a full-size 1911. SotB isn't the only one that "could" cause you to sweep others on the draw. Crossdraw and shoulder holsters have the same problem. But, even with a SotB draw, it is possible if the holster isn't canted to learn to draw it without sweeping. I will agree, however, that it's not the thing to practice on a crowded range. |