I want to carry, but...

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I must have gotten lucky, I bought a vedder quick tuck for my Glock 43x and found it to be surprisingly comfortable. I expected to be miserable for a few days but within an a few hours I actually kept forgetting it was on. I can only carry in my house at this point still waiting for my license but I had to put a post it on the door so I didn't forget to take it off when I left.
 
I've been carrying since the early 90s and tried just about every method that exists. Including some that are unpopular or even made fun of by some.
My most carried gun over the years has to be a Sig P220 .45. not a small gun.
Here's what I have found works best for me:
1. Good leather belt. One that is specifically made for carrying a gun. I like Hanks Belts the best, but TheBeltman.net has been good too. I know there are others. Good heavy nylon belts work well for many people also.
2. Good quality leather holster. OWB at roughly 4:00. I prefer a pancake style as they spread the weight and hold the gun tighter. While many people like kydex, it just doesn't move with you and tends dig into me. YMMV. I've found that IWB requires pants one size larger than I would otherwise wear. Even with that I discovered that 4 hours was about as long as I could tolerate IWB. My beer gut (actually a milkshake gut in my case) makes AIWB even more uncomfortable.
3. Suspenders. I like the Perry Suspenders (sold by Duluth Trading) that attach to the belt. The ones that clip to your pants will occasionally lose grip and come off & will eventually tear your pants. The reason for the Perry style is it puts the support right behind the gun.
How it goes together:
Tucked T shirt, belt with holster, ammo pouch & suspenders.
Over this a loose fitting shirt, either an open, untucked button down (exact type depends on the weather) or a polo. This conceals the suspenders too.
I use this system with guns as varied in size as a Sig P938 to a 4" S&W N frame revolver.
Alternative to this when I have to dress up a bit more and/or can't be made (a job where I am not breaking the law but would likely be fired if caught) is pocket carry. I normally use a Pocket Protector holster from simply rugged in my right front pocket. This has worked well for me with S&W J frame revolvers the Sig P938 and most recently the Sig P365. I only do this when having a OWB at 4:00 isn't an option.
 
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You may want to look at a mini 9MM (Like Keltec PF-9 or Kahr, Taurus 709 or Glock 43) in a pocket holster (right front pocket or rear hip pocket). Not the fastest to draw and you'd only have 6 or 8 shots but they will conceal in a set of cargo shorts and be with you the whole summer
 
I have yet to find a comfortable carry option that works for me. No matter what I try, either my gun, or holster set up digs into my body such that it is so uncomfortable as to make me give up. I’m not going to purchase a fourth carry option until I know it will be comfortable.

So far, I prefer behind my hip, but not in small of my back, drawing with palm away (knuckles against hip/back). But even with this, the set up digs into my skin and I just can’t get comfortable. I now carry in a small backpack that goes everywhere with me. I know that isn’t ideal, but for me, it is better than nothing.

For those who can relate, what can I do to increase comfort so I can carry. Appreciate any help.
I've had this same dilemma. I'm 6'3 And pretty large build but even so I could never really find a edc carry option that didn't make me feel (a) uncomfortable or (b) conspicuous as in I felt I was printing and anybody with half a brain would make my piece. A big issue for me is getting in and out of the vehicle in and out all day for work traveling to jobs and not being able to sit comfortably and always checking my drape to make sure I wasn't visible.

My compromise is this... I am not in favor of .380 acp for its barely adequate/inadequate status in terms of ballistics but I do carry ian LCP very comfortably in my front pocket in an uncle mikes. I also carry two spare mags in an uncle Mike's no.2 I believe that prints just like a wallet. I carry a glock 19 in my everyday carry travel/work bag and it's never more that a few steps away.

I think the same could be said for a s&w airweight as far as pocket carry goes...
 
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You may want to look at a mini 9MM (Like Keltec PF-9 or Kahr, Taurus 709 or Glock 43) in a pocket holster (right front pocket or rear hip pocket). Not the fastest to draw and you'd only have 6 or 8 shots but they will conceal in a set of cargo shorts and be with you the whole summer

Yes, I think a sub-compact may be the way to go for me. Smaller profile, smaller holster..., we will see. I’m actually considering the Sig 365 as my next, and try that for my carry option.
 
Since pocket seems to be out (it's not for me either) that leaves the obvious two options.

OWB will always be more comfortable than IWB no two ways about it. You will compromise a little on printing but depending your body type and what kind of shirts you wear that compromise can be extremely minimal.

I'm like everyone else that has a box of holsters and have been through several guns, I have gradually gone up size and to an extremely comfortable OWB set up. It's only slightly more noticeable than the IWB rigs I've tried.

Furthermore I have the same exact three holsters you have tried, except for more than one gun. I still use the CE occasionally for deep concealment, basically where I'm going someplace that has no guns signs but that are not legally binding. It's not comfortable but I deal with it, and have yet to be "made".

Leather is nice but I've personally had problems with squeaking so much so that I'm switching to a plastic or kydex OWB holster. There are some things that folks say you can do to prevent the squeaking but they have not worked for me. Others claim to never have a problem at all with that. Not trying to steer you away from leather but it's something to be aware of.

It's a process that most go through to find what works best for YOU. If you do end up with a few more holsters before you find the right one, you won't be any different than thousands of others of us.

Other than going with a sub-compact, i may very well consider OWB. I’m going to try the sub compact first, if that doesn’t work, will switch to OWB. Thanks for input.
 
IMO you should buy a holster from CrossBreed Holsters. They are constructed with a leather backer and a Kydex holster. The leather is very heavy so that it lasts a long time so it takes several weeks for it to mold to your body but once it's shaped you don't know you are wearing it. They make excellent products. You might want to also buy a belt from them. The SuperTuck of MiniTuck might work well for you.

https://www.crossbreedholsters.com
 
I know a lot of people scoff at pocket carry, but to me it's the most comfortable, so much so that I sometimes forget that the pistol is there. Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT, Ruger LCP, Beretta Pico, SIG P238, Seecamp -- put any one of these in a DeSantis Nemesis and your worries are over.

Depending on your body size and shape, you might be able to add single-stack 9mm pistols to the list above: S&W Shield, Ruger LC9s, Beretta Nano, and SIG P365 are some that come to mind.
 
I know a lot of people scoff at pocket carry, but to me it's the most comfortable, so much so that I sometimes forget that the pistol is there. Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT, Ruger LCP, Beretta Pico, SIG P238, Seecamp -- put any one of these in a DeSantis Nemesis and your worries are over.

Depending on your body size and shape, you might be able to add single-stack 9mm pistols to the list above: S&W Shield, Ruger LC9s, Beretta Nano, and SIG P365 are some that come to mind.

I guess I’m more of the opinion that a revolver is a better pocket carry option. I find that the shape is more, “organic” for me than a pistol. I wear a suit 95% of the time and therefore pocket is really the only true, hideout option for me. I feel comfortable with 5 shots.
 
I know a lot of people scoff at pocket carry, but to me it's the most comfortable, so much so that I sometimes forget that the pistol is there. Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT, Ruger LCP, Beretta Pico, SIG P238, Seecamp -- put any one of these in a DeSantis Nemesis and your worries are over.

My LCP in a Nemesis really is my go anywhere carry, and from a comfort standpoint it's unbeatable - it's literally the only carry option I have where I can pretty much forget I've even got a gun on me. I'm good with 7 rounds and I shoot it surprisingly accurately, too. The only area where I think I'm really making a trade-off is power - a 380 out of a 2.75" barrel is really a pretty significant step down from my other carry pistols in 9mm.
 
Three ways have surfaced, after many years of testing .
1.) Pocket carry , J-Frame , 38 special , 2 inch bbl. , Airweight . Pants /cargo shorts/ heavy coat pocket depending on the weather .
2.) Something from Sneaky Pete , a holster that looks like a cell phone phone case .
3.) Dillon's "Plan B" Very Bad Day - Day Planner...looks like a day planner but its a holster.

In the Dillon Plan B I had stashed a S&W 317 AirLite , 3 inch bbl. with adjustable sights , my buddy a retired policeman said he didn't think a gun was in the planner, after I gave it too him ... the light weight fooled him .

You don't have to shove a gun down your pants to conceal carry , think outside the box and explore other options. I can't get by with one in my pants either so I tried other ways to skin the cat....always more than one way .
Gary
 
Well, I have given up on each holster long before “weeks” went by. Seems a waste to have to purchase that many holsters just to find the one that works. But I do appreciate the insight- thank you.
Have a whole drawer full of holsters. Everytime I buy a new pistol I have to go through a slew of holsters before I find the right one. I find appendix carry the most comfortable.
 
Galco kingtuk in the 4 o'clock works from LCP up to P226. Wear an undershirt and don't let the gun or holster directly contact your skin.
 
Carrying concealed is something to get use too . I guess we all have a box of holsters , I carry a Colt New Agent in 45ACP , for inside the waist band carry the Vedder lite tuck for appendix carry most comfortable . Also OWB carry I went with a custom job ( Country boy) from R.Grizzle along with a Kore Essential gun belt made a 4 o'clock carry comfortable . Different situations you may need a different method of carry . If you do alot of sitting or driving a shoulder rig may work better , standing appendix carry maybe better or walking OWB with a good belt ( Kore Essential with their buckle system is very comfortable ) gun belt adds in keeping the firearm where you want it . I would say 40% of the time I carry both waist carries and 20% shoulder .
 
No box of bad holsters for me.

I started with a Milt Sparks Versamax 2 supported by a Galco gunbelt. The only change I've made is to swap to an instructor belt for jeans and shorts.

This configuration has worked for a G36 and now an XD45 compact over 15 years. I use a simple kydex single mag carrier OWB on the support side.

My experience has been that if you start with quality leather, of a time-proven design, custom fitted to your gun, you won't have to keep swapping out carry gear.
 
No box of bad holsters for me.

I started with a Milt Sparks Versamax 2 supported by a Galco gunbelt. The only change I've made is to swap to an instructor belt for jeans and shorts.

This configuration has worked for a G36 and now an XD45 compact over 15 years. I use a simple kydex single mag carrier OWB on the support side.

My experience has been that if you start with quality leather, of a time-proven design, custom fitted to your gun, you won't have to keep swapping out carry gear.

Sadly, wasn't my experience. I started with a versamax and a summer special 2 and they didn't really work for me and my carry style.

Pretty sure my box o holsters still has a couple summer specials in it
 
You may want to look at a mini 9MM (Like Keltec PF-9 or Kahr, Taurus 709 or Glock 43)

+1 for the 43,709 or kahr. I would be very interested to know if anyone owns and carries a pf-9 that doesnt jam every mag, I have never seen one perform reliably. Perfect size for pocket carry. Perfect gun on paper and really like the design but it just never functioned for me and a handful of others I know.
 
No, not yet. Because for years I’ve been told that “leather will lose its shape and not hold your gun securely,” and because I live in the PNW all the folks I know only use Kydex because of our wet climate.

Galco Stow-N-Go Suede IWB holster.

Carry my Glock G36 slimline .45 ACP in one, as well as my Sig P938 9mm.

The trick to suede is to first treat it w/ Sno-seal, and then silicone.

A thick coat of Sno-seal on the inside and then bag it up and leave it on a hot dash board for a day.

Then wipe out the residue with paper towels.

Then spray it with a liberal coat, inside and out, with silicone spray and let dry/cure for a day or so outside (until it quits stinkin')

Holster will be soft, supple, and moisture-proof, and will not stretch out.

Also, on the Glocks, it's best to do a Rhinoplasty as the damn thing tends to both dig and print.

Rhinoplasty.jpg

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GR
 
A Sneaky Pete looks like exactly what it is. A holster that's designed to look like a Cell Phone case.

I've seen a couple "in the wild" in the last few years. Both on slightly built elderly gentlemen. I recognized them because my wife bought one. Holster, that is.

I've also seen a couple of people with belt cases that are similar in size and shape to a Sneaky Pete, but which had logos advertising themselves are medical monitoring equipment. Lot of that going around nowadays...

My new cellphone, which I now regret purchasing, is a 6" widescreen. It's too big to be comfortable either to use as a phone or carry in a pocket. So I have a belt holster for it. And it's *bigger* than a Sneaky Pete, because the Mega-Phone is HUGE.

Long ago - probably in the 1980s - Massad Ayoob talked about concealment in one of his magazine columns. He observed that as weather got hotter and clothing got lighter, the result was to downsize to smaller and smaller firearms to make concealment practical. And then he observed, "past some point, the reasonable solution is to carry a big gun in a paper bag."
 
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