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Posted: 10/20/2017 6:35:50 PM EDT
I want to broaden my options for deep carry. Currently in STL and going to go unarmed (except a folding knife) for a bit because I might get made with a G19 IWB in places that prohibit CCWs.
What are your experiences with deep carry holsters? My daily carry gun options are S&W BG380, G43, and G19. Ankle carry is out, I normally wear jeans that just don't have enough room at the ankles. Same thing with pocket carry, not enough room in my pockets, even for the BG380. I'm too fat to carry AIWB comfortably (6'1" 205lbs office bod, but working on it). I have a decent belly band that I will carry my G43 in while running or playing tennis, but haven't really messed with that when wearing normal clothes. I'm just wondering what other holsters/methods might be out there. I thought about thunderwear or something similar. And then there's that urban carry thing that pulls out when you grab the tab on your belt. Anybody have any real world experience with something that works well? I know..., "wear different clothes," "lose the weight," "use the search function." |
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[#1]
Tactical pants have deep front pockets, I carried my beretta Nano in mine last week and it worked great and no printing.
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[#2]
I'm a retired school teacher, and regularly attend high school athletic events... I do not carry there, but pretty much elsewhere where allowed under Florida law carry daily with nylon cargo shorts.. I use a Recluse DS Cargo mode holsterl for my G43 and +2TT.. while it shows something in the pocket, it has a flap to prevent printing ... I can carry my LCP in my nylon fishing shirt top pocket, which is somewhat camouflaged by wearing suspenders
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[#3]
I’m 6 feet tall and weigh 230. Have you tried appendix? I routinely carry a G19 there. I also thought I was too fat for AIWB carry but it actually conceals better there than some of my smaller guns do on my hip.
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[#4]
I pocket carry a Kahr PM9 in a Recluse OS Solo. Yes, that requires me to wear cargo pants instead of jeans, but the Wranglers are dirt cheap at WalMart. Easy switch. It works best with my shirt untucked. On the occasions where it's more appropriate to tuck my shirt in I wear pants with deeper pockets. I know you don't want a wardrobe change, but it's the best answer that I have come up with. In return you get deep concealment with very easy access - you can have your hand on your gun without anyone even noticing. Even locker rooms are no problem - the gun just stays in your pocket and no one ever needs to see it. For less that $25 you can pick up a pair of pants and a cheap pocket holster for your .380, and if you decide you really don't like it you're not out much. (I started with a DeSantis Nemesis and decided to upgrade to the Recluse to better conceal the outline.)
While I've never tried the Urban Carry G2, anything that requires two hands to operate makes me a little nervous. And I don't know how well it would work when you're sitting. Truth be told I'd rather have my Glock 19 than my Kahr, but most of the time pocket carry is so much easier that I just stick with it. |
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[#5]
Quoted:
I’m 6 feet tall and weigh 230. Have you tried appendix? I routinely carry a G19 there. I also thought I was too fat for AIWB carry but it actually conceals better there than some of my smaller guns do on my hip. View Quote |
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[#6]
There are strong feelings about Suarez that bubble up on this site from time to time, but his merry band of
http://www.warriortalk.com/forum.php |
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[#7]
6'1" 205 lbs, and you are claiming you are fat? You sound like a woman.
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[#8]
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[#9]
Get a lenwood full battle dress holster for your g43. It's an aiwb but is much more comfortable than a g19 in a sidecar(his design is lacking anyways).
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[#10]
I carried a USP 40C in a Smart Carry holster for 4 years. Never detected. 6' 180 lbs wore suspenders.
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[#11]
Quoted:
I've tried it around the house and found it uncomfortable while sitting. I had a TRex Arms sidecar for a little while. View Quote I tried carrying in my hybrid a while back and it was uncomfortable as all hell and it printed like crazy compared to AIWB. It might just take a little getting used to. |
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[#12]
I'll give appendix carry another try. I have single clip kydex holsters with adjustable cant for all 3 guns.
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[#13]
Being a bigger boy, I think this would work great for you. I have some trouble taking full advantage of the design since I have the build of a twig.
Galco Skyops holster |
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[#14]
Quoted:
Being a bigger boy, I think this would work great for you. I have some trouble taking full advantage of the design since I have the build of a twig. Galco Skyops holster View Quote |
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[#15]
Wasn't a huge proponent of AIWB until a friend convinced me to try it. I took the plunge and bought a Tier1 Concealed Agis for my G19/APL-C combo and took it with me to NY over the weekend (I'm covered by LEOSA so sketchy but not verboten). 8-ish hours of driving to, in and from NY, and lots of running around in the city itself. I found it more comfortable than strong side carry while driving and no one was any wiser to the fact that I was carrying. Even my dad, who knows damn well that I carry, was shocked when I pulled the holster/mag caddy off after I got in. Told me that there was no hint that I had anything on me.
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[#16]
For DEEP concealment Ruger LCP is what you seek.
I have literally forgotten it was in my pocket it's so small and light. Super easy to.conceal without printing. |
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[#17]
After many years carry of off duty guns I tend to believe that I can carry virtually anything in a good inside the pants holster like a Milt Sparks so long as I match the correct shirt with it. If the shirt is a button up long sleeve shirt that one would tuck in you tuck the shirt in all the way around to where the gun is fold the tail up where the gun is tucking in front and back then on both sides pull the shirt out a little so its a tad baggy at the belt line its a normal look for big guys only skinny guys have skin tight shits so nobody pays any attention. I've carried a 4 inch N frame S&W that way with nobody aware even the other cops I was with said where the hell did that come from when I had to pull it out. Buy your shirts a tad on the large size.
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[#18]
A j frame is hard to beat. Either in front pocket in pants with a pocket holster. Or you may find you can do a j frame AIWB. Because it's more sloped from the frame going into the grip, it resides a little easier in that spot. And if you just use boot grips, it's so hard to see there is anything there even with a slightly baggy t shirt. A button down with some room in it and there's no way you would know it was there. Unless it wasn't long enough and you lifted up your shirt to expose it.
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[#19]
Just buy a pair of jeans that are bigger. I get the $15 pair of UrbanStar from Costco and they work great for ankle or pocket carry.
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[#20]
Quoted:
Get a lenwood full battle dress holster for your g43. It's an aiwb but is much more comfortable than a g19 in a sidecar(his design is lacking anyways). View Quote I usually carry Awib in a PHlster classic with a spare mag in a no name owb holder. OP, try the belly band for EDC, it works well for normal dress. |
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[#21]
I carry a XDS45 in this everyday at work.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071XK3JX1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Its comfortable and stretches over the gut. |
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[#22]
Quoted:
What's the Lennwood have that the sidecar doesn't? Not a fan of either style, just genuinely curious. I usually carry Awib in a PHlster classic with a spare mag in a no name owb holder. OP, try the belly band for EDC, it works well for normal dress. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Get a lenwood full battle dress holster for your g43. It's an aiwb but is much more comfortable than a g19 in a sidecar(his design is lacking anyways). I usually carry Awib in a PHlster classic with a spare mag in a no name owb holder. OP, try the belly band for EDC, it works well for normal dress. The way the holster is formed makes it very comfortable and easy to conceal. |
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[#23]
You are going to have to dress around the gun there is no way around it. Where I live it's summer all year round and I front pocket carry a g43 daily. I do this wearing truespec 24/7 cargo shorts. The front pockets are large. I also carry a folding knife, flashlight, cell phone, spare mag, and wallet in the other pockets. It's like having a bat belt in my pants and so comfortable I forget it's all there. You do still need to wear a gun belt to hold up the extra weight.
To offset the "tactical" shorts I wear wear surf t shirts and flip flops all standard dress around here. |
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[#24]
Quoted: I don’t care for the Trex Sidecar type Holsters. I prefer either a single clip, overhook clips, or the loops. I tried a couple different styles and settled with the Eidolon. I would also be happy with a JM Custom Kydex as well and will probably try to pick up one of those eventually. As for sitting down, pull your pants up just a bit and put the gun up higher in your waist. Makes it much more comfortable in my experience. I tried carrying in my hybrid a while back and it was uncomfortable as all hell and it printed like crazy compared to AIWB. It might just take a little getting used to. View Quote Heres a sidecar type holster (made by Last Line of Defense) that is very small and easy to carry for me. Its for my Glock 42. https://imgur.com/a/iZzCz |
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[#25]
Quoted: The owner takes pride in his work. The 2 peice design allows for more flexibility. It's just a better made holster. The way the holster is formed makes it very comfortable and easy to conceal. View Quote Just playing devils advocate here. I rarely carry my Sidecar but its not cuz its uncomfortable or poorly made. Its just a huge damn holster that doesn't work with the relatively trim clothing style I lean towards. |
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[#26]
Quoted: The strut/belt claw thing on that holster sucks. Pracically useless if you don't wear the perfect sized belt for it and just a little bit better if you do. View Quote |
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[#27]
Maybe give the Raven Concealment Vanguard 2 a try? You can get that thing deep with a Glock 19. You can use the paracord tie around your belt and safely carry it as deep as you want.
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[#29]
I'm not sure how deep carry and tiny gun became the paradigm. You can easily carry your full sized gun virtually undetectable, you just have to think outside the box...or maybe inside the box....
Go to the post office- they give out free small flat-rate boxes- pick up a handful. Put your holstered gun in the box- use some padding to keep it from rattling around in there. Seal the box and address it somewhere. Be creative, maybe put a yellow sticky on it that says "Don't mail until Friday" or some such. Put it in your backpack or slingpack. If you need it, open the box; if you don't need it don't open the box. In places that will pat you down or search your bags; they will not open your mail. If they x-ray bags then disregard. |
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[#30]
It took me 2 weeks to get passed the pain and discomfort when I first tried appendix carry. Now it's all I use. 5'8 215lbs. Carry a G19 and an iwb mag carrier with a g17 mag on the other side of my belt buckle.
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[#31]
Your Glock 43 in a Vanguard II would literally disappear AIWB
I know you said you were too fat, but i'm 6'1" 215lbs and can carry a G19 comfortably in one.
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[#32]
My office job prohibits weapons, even knives. Well, being that I live in a free state, I say screwem.
Got a LCP Customer in the right front pocket and a spare mag in the left. Knife in the cargo pocket on the right, with the wallet and flashlight, keys in the left front cargo pocket. I used to wear jeans to work, but that forced me to leave my gun in the car, which is a shitty option anywhere in Atlanta. Switched to cargo pants and much happier. There are so many options out there. Carrying on my belt is simply not an option for me. The libs at the office would lose their shit if I was found out and I'd lose my job (which isn't a bad thing, now that I think about it lol). So swith to cargo pants and carry the BG380 - I'd say sell it and buy a LCP instead - PSA has them for super cheap now. I just don't like the BG. Always carry a spare mag and for the love of Mike, shoot the shit out of it and the spare mag before carrying it! I carried another LCP custom for a year before finding out it has feeding issues with one of the spare mags I carried. |
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[#33]
Quoted:
After many years carry of off duty guns I tend to believe that I can carry virtually anything in a good inside the pants holster like a Milt Sparks View Quote |
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[#34]
Guess it may depend on your definition of deep concealment. When they made cc legal in Wi, also had a job with a bunch of liberal tree huggers (mostly), including LE. Was not gonna give them the satisfaction of seeing anything printing, and they was looking hard. S&W 638 in Ken Null upside down shoulder holster, with Duluth trading Co shirts (pleated under arms for "stretch").
Yes it took opening up the shirt, part of my definition of deep concealment. Then I got fashion conscious and slowly adopted the untucked shirt casual style. Am not of the opinion that nobody notices ya sticking that glock down the front of your pants, with only a t-shirt. Just an opinion. |
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[#35]
Quoted:
And the owner of TRex doesn't take pride in his? Two piece designs are inherently less durable than a single piece design. As far as "just better made" that is entirely subjective. Just playing devils advocate here. I rarely carry my Sidecar but its not cuz its uncomfortable or poorly made. Its just a huge damn holster that doesn't work with the relatively trim clothing style I lean towards. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted: The owner takes pride in his work. The 2 peice design allows for more flexibility. It's just a better made holster. The way the holster is formed makes it very comfortable and easy to conceal. Just playing devils advocate here. I rarely carry my Sidecar but its not cuz its uncomfortable or poorly made. Its just a huge damn holster that doesn't work with the relatively trim clothing style I lean towards. Sorry, just saw this. No, the owner of Trex does not take pride in his work. There has been multiple threads here of members showing pictures of Trex holsters with very visible flaws and emails from the owner saying "oh well, we're to busy shooting to care". The sidecar I had, had sharp, unfinished corners and edges. The design relies on screws to maintain tension. Lenwoods fbd relys on properly formed kydex which will lead to less cracking in the long run. |
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[#36]
Quoted:
I'm not sure how deep carry and tiny gun became the paradigm. You can easily carry your full sized gun virtually undetectable, you just have to think outside the box...or maybe inside the box.... Go to the post office- they give out free small flat-rate boxes- pick up a handful. Put your holstered gun in the box- use some padding to keep it from rattling around in there. Seal the box and address it somewhere. Be creative, maybe put a yellow sticky on it that says "Don't mail until Friday" or some such. Put it in your backpack or slingpack. If you need it, open the box; if you don't need it don't open the box. In places that will pat you down or search your bags; they will not open your mail. If they x-ray bags then disregard. View Quote |
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[#37]
Quoted:
@geoint Sorry, just saw this. No, the owner of Trex does not take pride in his work. There has been multiple threads here of members showing pictures of Trex holsters with very visible flaws and emails from the owner saying "oh well, we're to busy shooting to care". The sidecar I had, had sharp, unfinished corners and edges. The design relies on screws to maintain tension. Lenwoods fbd relys on properly formed kydex which will lead to less cracking in the long run. View Quote To be fair, I just ran my fingers over ever surface of my Sidecar and I couldn't find a single sharp edge. I do dislike the double hook but I originally thought that would be a neccessity given the weight of all the shit its carrying. But maybe I'll change my tune on that once my LLOD holster gets here as its a single hook. |
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[#38]
How do you guys sit down while appendix carrying? I have a 43 and a Raven Vanguard and even with that I can't quite get it comfy. Have a small typical dad beer gut....
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[#39]
Quoted:
How do you guys sit down while appendix carrying? I have a 43 and a Raven Vanguard and even with that I can't quite get it comfy. Have a small typical dad beer gut.... View Quote But it isn't an automatic dealbreaker. Towards the end of my marriage and time in the Army, I got pretty pudgy. I could still carry my S&W 642 AIWB all day though. It does take more maneuvering of the gun/holster on your belt. Sometimes you'll wanna move it left, sometimes to the right..etc. No big deal. I dont recall any issues with comfort. But I had a nice rounded and leather backed holster by Custom Carry Concepts. (Not a crossbreed type design, just a kydex holster with leather shaped and stuck to the back for comfort since leather is softer than kydex). I also have a Vanguard but I don't think I've ever really used it much. Was too worried about getting sweat/rust on the gun. Since recovering from my divorce and getting back into shape, AIWB is even easier. If I'm not in workout attire and I'm out of the house, I have my G42 on me 100% of the time. I won't pretend I forget the gun is there, but I can swear that it isn't uncomfortable at all. I've driven on all day road trips with this holster/gun on and had no discomfort (that I'd blame strictly on the holster) whatsoever. These days I usually remove my holster while driving but thats more cuz I don't want the seatbelt to push on my holster and put uneven pressure on my groin if I get in a fender bender or worse. Actually bought a Gcode RTI vehicle mount and opposite handed holsters just for this purpose. I also have 2+ hour classes on opposite ends of campus which is almost a mile walk. I never notice my holster bothering me there either. AIWB carry does "add inches to your front" which makes your gut look even larger than it really is. Hence my choice of G42 and not G19 lol. These days it wouldn't be as obvious or unflattering as when I was fatter but I'm a single dude on a college campus. No fucking way am I intentionally gonna wear something that appears to add to my waistline if it isn't absolutely required. |
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