Posted: 8/2/2015 11:45:19 AM EDT
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I am just waiting on my CCW permit to come in the mail before starting to carry on a daily basis.... Unfortunately I am new to this stuff so I have some questions...
Position: Where do you find is the most comfortable position to carry? I am trying to consider while walking, standing and riding in a car? Holsters: Seems like its all about personal preference.... I have read that there are definitely some holsters to stay away from. Belt: Trying to go with a leather belt... open to 'tactical' belts as well. Thanks for the help. MPNelson81 |
| I've carried concealed most of my adult life (PI, LEO, CHL). I have a big box full of holsters that I tried and eventually rejected. The very best of them all are the In-Waist-Band types. There are many, take your pick. The one I like best is the black "Every Day Holster" available on Amazon, about $35. Conceals very well, feels good, relatively inexpensive, high quality. |
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I use a Crossbreed Mini-Tuck at about 4:00 on my waist (just behind right hip). It completely hides my gun there, no printing at all, and is comfortable in most situations. The only case I find it uncomfortable is if I'm lying on my right side on a couch.
For a belt, I'm just using a cheap leather work belt from Wal-Mart. They last about a year. |
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I've been carrying for quite a while now, what works for me is about 4 'O' clock in this http://www.miltsparks.com/VM-2.htm I used to wear a leather carry belt, but went to this. http://www.volundgearworks.com/belts/ |
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I have a brown leather Don Hume gunbelt. It is basic, but held my sp101 owb when I had it. Now I carry a lcp, so not as much of an issue. I carry at 3:30-4:00. Iwb now.
Just make sure to get a "gun belt" if you carry anything heavier than a tiny 380. You didn't say what gun you have. |
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I use and recommend this belt http://www.thebeltman.net/quick.htm
I carry an M&P Shield at 3:30-4:00. You just need to find what works best for you. Everyone ends up with the box of extra holsters. |
| On position of gun I carry from 3-4 o'clock. I carry a G19 and it's easy to conceal and still comfortable there. As for the belt I use an Ares Ranger belt. Kind of expensive, but worth it IMO. As for the holster, I tried a custom IWB kydex before deciding it wasn't comfortable. I bought an Alien Gear Cloacktuck 2.0 last year and it's pretty comfortable. Hybrids seem to be more comfortable to me, but it also feels like it's holding body heat in as well. ymmv |
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I prefer IWB
you'll need a belt designed for CCW....a $19 walmart belt is NOT good enough. I like the BLADE TECH Looper http://www.amazon.com/Reinforced-Looper-Series-Gun-Belt/dp/B00ENN2T4K 
IWB rigs that I use... http://shop.blade-tech.com/index.php?cPath=1_13_16#.Vb5-ufmrFAg 
http://www.brownells.com/manufacturers/MILT%20SPARKS%20HOLSTERS/index.htm 
another thing I CCW is a S&W 642 in the nemesis front pocket rig. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/485234/desantis-nemesis-pocket-holster-ambidextrous-s-and-w-j-frame-225-barrel-nylon-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding 
CCW rigs... 
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I've been carrying for about 25 years. Mostly IWB, occasional OWB. I'll give you my $0.02. Most choices with CCW are highly personal, though, so take what everyone says with a grain of salt until you see if it works for you. Some advice will, some won't. Something else to keep in mind. For a while, CCW will likely be somewhat uncomfortable. You should get used to it reasonably quiclky, stick it out and don't give in right away.
Position: position is highly personal. For IWB carry, it seems to conceal better if you get the gun behind your hip. I carry about 4:30 o'clock. This is what is most comfortable and concealable for me. Holsters: holster choice is also highly personal. Myself, I think CrossBreed SuperTucks are the greatest thing since sliced bread. For me, the large leather pad helps spread out the weight of the gun and makes it very comfortable as well as very concealable. Some people don't like the SuperTuck; as I said, holster choice is highly personal. If you get a holster that doesn't work out, try another. Just about everyone who CCWs (myself included) will have a drawer/box/trash bag full of holsters that they tried and didn't like or for whatever reason didn't work out. Don't give up. Also, don't cheap out. I'll give you an example. I had a few SuperTucks for various guns. When I bought my 9mm Shield, I decided to give Alien Gear a try and got one of the holsters with the leather backing. It was half the price of another SuperTuck and, at the time, only about a 1 1/2 week wait. It looks like a SuperTuck, it should work like a SuperTuck, right? For me, it isn't anywhere near as nice or comfortable as a SuperTuck. Conceals about as well, but not as comfortable. Learned my lesson and will get SuperTucks from now on. Belt: Get a good CCW belt. Let me say this again: get a good CCW belt. And one more time, get a good CCW belt. I tried using cheap leather belts for years. A few years ago, I got a Beltman leather belt. Literally a night and day difference. MUCH more comfortable and holds the gun MUCH BETTER without stretching and sagging. They aren't cheap; I got a pre-made, buy it now belt because I don't need fancy or lots of options and it was around $75.00 IIRC. WELL worth the additional cost and, as long as you take care of it, it should last for YEARS. The belt is double layer and the "grain" runs at 90 degree angles in the opposing layers, so it doesn't stretch and sag like a single layer belt. VERY good for carrying weight on the belt itself and very comfortable, even when wearing all day long. Well worth the money. I'll add a few more points that it took me years to come to. Gun choice: Don't rush into choosing 1 gun and trying to make it work for you. Different people carry guns differently. For years, I tried to make full sized guns work for me for CCW. A Sig P226, a S&W 5906, a Glock 21 to name a few, because everyone told me that you really need to carry a full sized gun you could shoot well. Well, full sized guns don't carry well for me during the summer when I'm wearing just a t-shirt. They print no matter what holster I use and aren't very comfortable. It took a long time for me to realize that compact and sub-compact guns carry a lot better. They take more practice to be able to shoot as well as full sized guns, but the ease of carry is worth it. Remember, a gun you have and will actually carry is a LOT better than a gun you left at home because it wasn't comfortable or printed too badly. Caliber: as long as you choose a decent caliber, which caliber really doesn't matter. For quite a few years, I got hung up in the ".45 or nothing" camp, hence the reason I was trying to carry a Glock 21. A few years ago, after doing a LOT of research, I came to the conclusion that, as long as you use good SD ammo, it really doesn't matter if you carry a 9mm or a .45. With good ammo, they all penetrate between 12-18" and they all expand to .5" or better. Shot placement is the key. Myself, I'm not really comfortable with .380, but a .380 you will carry beats a .45 you won't. Just make sure you use good SD ammo. Practice: I constantly see people practicing by starting out with the gun in their hand or practicing with an OWB holster when they carry with an IWB holster. Unless, for some reason, your range won't let you draw from concealment, practice that way. Practice getting your cover garment out of the way, practice drawing from the holster you'll actually use for carry and practice reloading using the way you will actually carry your spare mags. Statistically, reloads aren't a big deal with CCW. Realistically, if it were me, with my luck, I'd be the exception and would need a reload. Better to practice it and not need it than to need it and have never practiced it. Printing: all people new to CCW think they are printing all the time. Don't sweat it. Even if you are printing a little, most likely no one will notice. Most people are so wrapped up in their own lives and problems that you could probably open carry a slung AR or AK and no one would notice. Just make sure you know the law where you live and follow it and, even if you do print a little, should be no big deal. Bottom line- try out different stuff and see what works best FOR YOU. Don't be afraid to experiment with something new, just do it safely. Don't cheap out with your equipment, the vast majority of the time it won't work out well. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions. Bub75 |
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It was said before but I'll say it again, get a gun belt. Not having one pretty much ensures eventually it not immediately being completely miserable, uncomfortable and saying fuck it I'm leaving it home today as opposed to having a solid foundation that fully supports all that added weight and once the novelty of having a gun on you wears off, you basically forget it's there type of comfortable. They're not cheap but you most likely won't have to buy more than one or three in your lifetime depending on age and whether or not your weight changes drastically in the future.
I currently have a loopers that has served very well, it's going on 5 years old now and shows no stretching, torn stitching or abnormal wear of any sort. If I had to guess, I'd say it'll last at least another 10 years most likely more. I tried one of the Amish belts before this one, it was nice as well, this one just looks classier. Before that, I tried a blackhawk cqc belt (the people that make the serpa holster) ran around 40-50 bucks I want to say, so I figured I could get a nice looking gun belt for pretty cheap. Nope, what a piece of complete and utter shit. That thing literally fell apart in every way it could, except the buckle, that stayed together. The belly isn't even leather, it's some sort of synthetic garbage that delaminated, stretched and tore. Example of one? Nah, I returned it a few weeks after purchase in its new delapidated capacity for an exchange figuring I got a lemon. Same thing all over again, returned for refund and forged ahead. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON ONE OF THESE POOR EXCUSES OF GEAR AND SAVE YOURSELF THE MIGRAINE. Don't buy uncle mikes nylon holsters to save a buck of to just get by, they are garbage and will go straight to your junk holster drawer. |
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I needed a gun belt in a hurry and went to Walmart of all places and bought a WORK belt as it was called. It was super stiff and cost $12. It was meant to be a temporary belt until I could afford a real gun belt. A year later, I'm still wearing it. Sure it's going to wear out at some point but at $12 for well over a years use, I ain't complaining. The key is to buy a WORK or TOOL belt if you go budget. They are stiff and last a long time. It's only 1.5" wide too. A good stiff belt is a MUST.
Except for the buckle, it looks a lot like an operator's belt in construction. Make sure you buy at least one size bigger than you normally wear if you plan on carrying IWB. I've tried the hybrid IWB holsters and they are uncomfortable for me to wear for long periods. Plus I can't shift them to a different position discreetly either. Some people swear by them. They just don't work for my use. I also hate the plastic noise they make when holstering or drawing. I try to be discreet as possible when carry concealed. I usually where my holster at the 3 o'clock position. I do shift it from 2:30 to 3:30 occasionally depending on if I'm driving or need to get in my right pants pocket. I can where this rig all day with absolutely no discomfort. It's usually just covered with a t-shirt that isn't too tight. Black or dark colored untucked shirts seem to print less but most people are going to assume it's a cell phone anyway. The Blackhawk! CQC IWB leather holster shown here runs $40 to $50 on amazon. It's Italian made and excellent quality. It is very tight and stays put very well on the belt because of the stiff metal clip but I can take it off or put it on quickly if need be. It also stays open after drawing the gun for easy reholstering. It also protects my skin from coming in contact with the side of the slide. Most new holsters have this feature. DO NOT buy any holster that doesn't hold the gun with a decent amount of retention or is too pliable, especially in the area that covers the trigger guard. I don't even trust ballistic nylon holsters for serious carry. 
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Quoted:
I prefer IWB you'll need a belt designed for CCW....a $19 walmart belt is NOT good enough. I like the BLADE TECH Looper http://www.amazon.com/Reinforced-Looper-Series-Gun-Belt/dp/B00ENN2T4K I have the same belt, it's been great. It also doesn't look like a "gun belt". To echo many others, lots of things are going to be personal-fit in nature. What works for me may not work for you. I've been using a hybrid type IWB holster for the most part. I do carry an OWB sometimes in the winter when I'm wearing a polarfleece or something like that. Most of the ones I'm using are somewhat customized, the last one I got from a seller on ebay actually who made it to my specs. I replace the metal clips with plastic ones, as I found the metal ones tend to snag on things as well as squeak a lot. As far as carry location, when I was young and skinny, I could carry almost anywhere. Now that I'm not, I've settled on a location almost no one talks about... about 2:30, just forward of the hip, with enough cant to keep the pistol butt from sticking out in the back when sitting. I can stand, walk, bend down to pick something up, get in or out of a car, sit down in a chair or on a stool either slouching or upright, and never print or have to adjust the firearm position. I can also draw either standing or seated, even when wearing a winter coat. You definitely want a holster with the "sweat guard" design that covers up the back end of the slide if you try this position. While you're waiting for your permit, carry around the house or wherever all the time and get used to carry as well as break in the holster etc. Another trick is to get a "blue gun" training pistol that matches your carry pistol and try carrying it once you get settled carrying at home. |
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Quoted:
I am just waiting on my CCW permit to come in the mail before starting to carry on a daily basis.... Unfortunately I am new to this stuff so I have some questions... Position: Where do you find is the most comfortable position to carry? I am trying to consider while walking, standing and riding in a car? Appendix Inside Waistband Holsters: Seems like its all about personal preference.... I have read that there are definitely some holsters to stay away from. I'm currently using the BladeTech $29 holster with my Sheild. Don't get a freaking Sherpa - garbage. Belt: Trying to go with a leather belt... open to 'tactical' belts as well. Currently using a Wilderness 5-stitch. I've owned several brands such as Tactical Tailor and Ares. All good to go. Thanks for the help. MPNelson81 |
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I carry at 5 - 5:30 and have found that the Sticky Holster brand is my favorite holster, its only about 27$ and I have used really expensive galco and like these better. I prefer a holster that has a clip attaching it to the belt. Galco is cheap as fuck leather. Cook's kydex is good, I have a couple holsters for my Glocks, Shield, and J-frame. I'd avoid cheapo leather companies. |
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I got a crossbreed super tuck right out of the gate and carried my 3913 in it for YEARS before I want to a smaller higher capacity double stack 9mm. I carry at my 4 o'clock, inside my waist band and with the crossbreed ive carried in a suit and nobody knew, been comfy enough that it didn't bother me for HOURS. though drawing from my seat in the car is rough(seatbelt is in the way). my belt is a double sided 5.11 nylon woven type with ah slide buckle.
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Hip carry Nylon belt. Either Wilderness Instructor or Ares Gear Aegis. Both are easy on/off and high quality. (Nylon is my preference but leather is good too ) Hybrid leather/kydex holster. Appendix carry Leather belt. It conforms to hip shape. Nylon doesn't and can "taco" around the holster, pressing on the bottom, causing some pelvic bone discomfort. Wear the buckle to the side. Get a good aiwb holster. JM custom, Keeper's, Raven Eidelon, Nuosu aiwb, Gun Craft aiwb. I'm not familiar with the leather options, but there are some. Hip carry has the edge on comfort, but AIWB is much more concealable. That's my opinion. |
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You are going to get a million different opinions on what is best. There is no best, only best for you. Holsters are like shoes, what feels awesome on my feet may feel like leg irons to you. As a general rule, stay away from anything cheap and don't be frightened by holster makers with long wait times. If you buy a quality piece of leather or kydex and decide that it isn't for you, you can flip it on ebay or the gear exchange rather than filling a box with useless holsters. You may even get more than what you paid.
I can only tell you what I would recommend, which may or may not work for you. For typical behind the hip carry (3:00 to 5:00), I would start with the Milt Sparks VMII for leather, and/or the Raven Phantom for kydex. The Milt Sparks will be IWB only, whereas the Raven can be setup for either IWB or OWB. If you order the Milt Sparks, order a belt at the same time. I would recommend you start carrying strong side for awhile and branch out from there if you so choose. Notwithstanding the above, I carry a G23 aiwb almost exclusively with a JM Custom Kydex holster and a Wilderness Instructor Belt. JM has replaced all of my holsters. All of my Milt Sparks gear has now been sold for what I paid for it and after a year or so of everyday use. The only holster I hung onto was the Raven. If your new to CCW I wouldn't carry aiwb unless you are supremely confident in your trigger discipline. A fuck up here would be far more costly than losing a piece of butt cheek. That said, it works exceedingly well for me, I can hide more gun, and I find it very comfortable. |
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I'm going to try to save you some time and money. Buy a Wilderness Frequent Flyer belt and a Glock Sport/Combat Holster.
This will give you a serviceable rig and provide you with some idea of where/how you will want to carry your pistol, going forward. If you choose IWB, you might consider one of the rig's that allows for a good range of adjustment in ride height and angle. Check out the FIST line. Good luck Sir. |