[ARCHIVED THREAD] - BEST AUTO FOR CONCEALED CARRY? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/3/2005 3:32:27 AM EDT
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I am trying to determine the best auto for concealed carry during the summer months. During the winter, I can get away with carrying my Kimber TLE/RL II fullsize,but during the summer, I'm at a bit of a loss. I carried a Glock fullsize for a while,but it was entirely too big. I've been carrying my Sig P226/229,depending on my attire, but they're too large,as well. I usually try to keep my pistol in an inside pants hip or kidney position, but the butt of all these stick out too far from a T-shirt, especially when I lean over. Keeping shorts and T-shirt in mind, I would love any tried and proven suggestions on a summer carry pistol/carrying configuration for my current pistol. Thanks in advance for any info. PS. I also have a Springfield Ultra Compact, but it's having some technical difficulties. My preferred manufacturers are Sig, Springfield, Kimber, HK, and to a lesser extent, Glock and Walther. I prefer models in .40 S&W/.45 ACP. Again, thanks for any suggestions. |
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I use an right hand, in-the-pants holster on my left side at the hip. This places the butt forward in a cross-draw position and the left (non-firing) hand is there to lift my shirt up during draw. Left-handed shooters can reverse this – LH holster on right hip. Years ago I started buying shirts that are designed to be worn outside the pants. They are snug at the bottom but otherwise loose fitting. My left arm normally covers any evidence of the butt sticking out for most of my pistols. Most of my holsters are Uncle Mikes. Select the gun to match the anticipated threat. While my wife frets over shoes and purse, I am fretting of which gun to wear… It might be an NA .22 revolver that I can drop in my pocket or a Colt 1911. Between those two are my .25, .32, .380 and .40 S&W. Two guns that give me trouble are my Astra .380 (similar to a PPK ) and my FireStar 40 S&W. Their geometry and mine combine to push the butt out making shirt selection limited to the loosest of the loose. Even a Colt 1911 hides better than those two! This fits 99.9% of my situations but clearly won't work for everyone. |
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Kahr PM9. I wear one in a Smart Carry when I wear Umbros or other loose-fitting shorts, and you can't tell. I also have a C-TAC IWB holster that works great with it. I use the C-TAC with jeans, other casual shorts, and dress slacks. Any Kahr would be good. They are built for carry. |
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A guy I know (not named for security reasons) can hide a 1911 and a Jframe on himself, and two mags, two flashlights, a speedstrip, and a cellphone. While wearing shorts, a tshirt and an unbottoned lightweight shirt over that, I am sure there is a way to hide a 1911 on you somewhere. Hell, I'm 6' 150 pounds and with the right holster and shirt a 1911 just disapears. |
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Oversize shirt, good holster and belt will minimize printing. As will bending at the knees and not the waist. I carry a Para Carry 12, which is about the size of your Springfield UC, IWB tucked most of the time and I do not worry about it. When I carry untucked I worry even less. Pick which gun you prefer, and hopefully shoot the best, and make it work. Seydou |
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If you're comfortable with a cocked and locked 1911 and a Glock, I would warn against switching to a DA/SA pistol like the Sig. Stick with one manual of arms. Either get that compact 1911 working or get a Glock 19. As to carry methods, I have two suggestions. First, get a good supply of "wife beater" under shirts. If you're going to wear a t-shirt untucked over shorts, your pistol is going to be rubbing against bare skin unless you have an under shirt. The tank-tees are light and unbotrusive and make carrying much more comfortable. Next, get a high quality belt and IWB holster. If you're going with an untucked button up shirt, you can get away with OWB, but a t-shirt can ride up and you're better with IWB. |
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Carrying a full-size handgun year round can easily be accomplished so long as the user is willing to learn how to dress around the gun and invest in some quality carry gear. I have found that the size of the gun is seldom an issue so long as one keeps these things in mind. Switching guns for different seasons never made much sense to me. Find a gun you shoot very well and be dedicated enough to find a way to carry it always. |
well,i definitely agree with that way of thinking,and i've been carrying just one since my SA Ultra died on me,but if you could help me out here would be much appreciated.i'm thinking about switching back to my 1911 fullsize for carry,but i need suggestions on how to make that work.resources,websites,etc would be much appreciated.i know,there's a plethora of info,but i'd appreciate any concise advice/lists you could give me.thanks alot. |
I like IWB holsters... I’m a disciple of them and as such I wear one all day every day, rain or shine, hot or cold weather. That being said they do not work for all users, some people just can’t stand to have the bulk of a pistol (even a thin one like a 1911) resting inside their waistband. If you can be comfortable wearing one there is seldom anything that is as concealable while still being truly accessible and useable. I have worn an IWB everywhere, in many locals and settings, and I can tell you that a good IWB can allow one to carry a full–size handgun discreetly without looking out of place. For me IWB holsters work very well in this role. So with specific regard to your original question I think you may be better served by asking what holsters people would recommend as opposed to which gun they think is best for you or easiest for you to conceal. I personally think the best gun for you, regardless of the season, is the one you shoot the best and are willing to commit to carrying consistently and as such (for whatever gun that may be) I would recommend the following holsters as they have all proven durable and useable in my applications. Milt Sparks Summer Special  Alessi PCH  Bulman TSA with solid loops  |
this is true,just looking for some suggestions primarily for the 1911 compact/fullsize,as it is my all around favorite/most proficient handgun.thought i had implied that above,but perhaps i did a poor job of it.thanks for all the input though,guys. |
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Rohrbaugh 9 mm WOW do I LOVE this thing! Size of a Kel Tec .380 but 9 mm. Shoots GREAT! (can't use cheap ammo) Fits in my jeans with 0 problems and shoots like a champ. When buying ANY pocket pistol keep in mind they are not meant to be a joy to shoot at the range. Put a couple mags a month through it using your CCW ammo and then clean and carry. The Rohrbaugh shoots very well (you arent taking 50 ft shots as youd never use this to shoot someone 50 ft away as you will be in jail if you do, at least with MI CCW laws.) Within 30 ft you will be within 2 in if you are a lousy shot like myself, if you are a good shot I am sure it will be even better. It is NOT a cheap gun but as the officer said when I took it into the PD for our safety inspection for a CCW piece you need to decide what your life is worth. Yes the Rohrbaugh is going to set you back around 900 BUT isn't your life easily worth that? Id much rather have a 9 mm in my pocket over a 32 or 380 |
only problem is,i got rid of my glock 17 and my glock 32,as i determined that my concealed carry weapon should not be the weapon i shoot worst,and for some reason,i just can't achieve anywhere near the accuracy,speed,or overall proficiency with a glock that i can much of anything else. personal quirk,i guess.don't much like the trigger,mostly,i think.but for whatever reason,a glock just doesn't do it for me. |
odly enough I had that same experience with glocks. Until I got a Glock 19. Don't know why, but holy shit am I a cocky motherfucker at the range now. For some reason I just shoot that thing SOOO much better then I ever thought I could shoot with any other pistol or any other glock. |
I shot over 200 rounds through my PM9 in under an hour a couple of days ago, and another 150 rounds in about an hour yesterday. I didn't find it unpleasant at all. I think I would consider mine to be a joy.  There were a few things that helped me decide against the Rorbaugh even though it was at the top of my list for a while. 1) Price 2) No +p ammo 3) Vestigal sights, or none at all 4) Long waiting list to get one 5) heard it was unpleasant to shoot Man I love my PM9. Sam |
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I'm pretty lean n mean so a fat, fancy, or accessorized gun never did fit my frame. Once I shot the Glock 36 I fell in love and now swear by it. Plus, it'll hold up to sweat, heat, cold, bumps, and bangs. It always works, has minimal features so it never catches on anything, and it's pretty light n' slim. 8 rounds of 45 Auto, I'm all set. |
| Normally I pack a G30 in a Blade-Tech kydex paddle with a G21 mag on my left side (with an Arredondo +5 basepad and a gripsleeve adaptor on it), having 29 rounds of .45 on tap is nice and actually not to terribly bulky. It does weigh quite a bit though. My wife purse carries in a Galco her G19C. We also both have Kel-Tecs, hers a P-32, mine a P-3AT that can be made to dissappear even if we are wearing running shorts. But really, like a previous poster said it all depends first on what firearm you are most comfortable with, then you can get a holster and clothes to make it hidden. |
+1 |
W W are we saying I should trade-in my Glock 23? 
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+100,000 if you can't shot it then it will do you no good! way too many variables such as. what fits your hand and what caliber you can handle. you also have to conceder your size is and how you dress. the list can go on and on. |
Just bought a P2000 .40 caliber to be my CC weapon. My USP40 Full frame is too big to carry IWB or OWB comfortably, so I ended up buying a shoulder rig to carry it, and that's no good in the summer. I'm honestly a littlle surprised we didn't see more votes for the P2000 and P2000SK here. They are nice, small, hi-quality weapons. |
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well,as far as reliability goes,i can't say anything,as i've fired about 3000 rounds through my kimber with 0 malfunctions,but point is taken.it is a bit cumbersome sometimes |
That’s awesome reliability for a hundred year old design with separate feed ramp and chamber. I’ve never heard of anyone having that kind of performance. I’ve owned dozens of 1911s and none have been that reliable. If you ever sell that thing, call me first! My thought about this is simply, which gun are you going to actually take with you every day? One of my favorite games to play with people who get involved in these discussions is to ask what their favorite carry gun is. Then I ask to see it, right then and there. I don’t want to hear about it being in their car, their safe, etc.. If it’s so great, how come they aren’t carrying it then and there? The 1911 is a grand gun. I love them and shoot the Hell out of them but they suck to carry concealed. They’re excellent in a duty holster but up tight against my torso, with the hammer and beavertail safety grinding flesh off my hide all day… Sorry, that pistol is staying home. |
I use a Milt Sparks VM II and a good belt. The VM II has a guard that keeps part of the 1911 off of your hide and a good belt will support it better so you don't have to sinch it up so tight. That works for me, but if you have a diff body type, I could see where a sharp grip safety could dig into your ribs. There are only but a few situations where I can not pack a 1911. The Colt CCO or like platform is the top 1911 for my carry. But when I can't pack a 1911 I either choose a smith 60 or the Glock 36 I picked up not too long ago. I will say this, the G36 has impressed me. I'm not a Glock guy, but the G36 has been a pleasant supprise. |