Time for some honesty!

I spent 8 hours(3driving,5walking) with a G23 carried IWB. In hindsight my LCP would have been more pleasant and with the heat (80 degrees) I can’t help but feel the extra weight helped wear me down

I really want to carry a big gun but at my age the small seems more practical.

rskent I have a set of Big Dog grips on mine. Over on.........another forum, there is a fellow named TercGen making cut down Xenoy 3913 grips - similar to what Big Dog use to make. He evidently makes a nice product going by the reviews.

The cut down Xenoys eliminate the "sticky/clingy" problem under cover garments the factory OEM Hogue grips pose. They also make the CS9 slimmer.

Yep, I carry a nice small and light Keltec P3AT in a pocket holster 90% of the time. Easy to shoot and carry. I don't have a problem with it at all.

I've tried but just can't bring myself to carry anything smaller than a Glock 43 or Ruger LC9s in 9mm.

Crossbreed Kydex holster: I'm 180 lbs., 5'11". My carry went from a Russian Makarov to the larger CZ PO1 (9mm Compact).Worn at 0830, it might snag a solid color t shirt and be visible if I bend over a bit.

But a striped or multi pattern sports shirt makes it hard to notice, appears to be Only a largish "Mobile Device".

I started carrying a 357 mag, keep in mind that back then revolvers were the norm, and I didn't want a five shot 38. I figured if I was going to carry a six shooter it was going to be a 357. A few years go by and it's such a pain to conceal a full size 357. So I started carrying a 380 acp, this was around the time self defense ammo was improving. A few more years go buy, I started carrying a mid size 9mm. I carried that for the longest time, I would guess over 20 years. Recently with my profession, my chances of being recognized by unsavory individuals out side of work has increased. I now carry an officers size 1911 in 45acp. It's easier to carry than my 9mm, it's slightly smaller, but it being flat sided, to me is what makes it easier. And as I get older I look for easier. The only thing I would change about the 1911, is an alloy frame.

Since T-shirt weather has arrived I’ve gone to a shield aiwb with the spare mag carried attached. In the winter I was carrying the G19 with tlr1 iwb. It was a lot of fun but not bad with a good belt and untucked button down or hoody.

I have a sidecar style holster for the g19 too but it’s angled a little weird and not too comfortable. If anyone has ever bent kydex, how might I make a minor adjustment?

In a hot climate, is the pattern of the shirt often the main problem, whenever a gun is approx. the size of a CZ compact or a Glock etc, even for an HK USP or 1911?

If I'm wearing an untucked button down shirt I use an alien gear style iwb holster, if I'm in a t shirt I have a bianchi model 58 owb hosted. I wear a t shirt one size too big, and it covers nicely. I've said before, in the time of cell phones, people don't even notice something poking out from under a shirt.

Ignition Override said:

In a hot climate, is the pattern of the shirt often the main problem, whenever a gun is approx. the size of a CZ compact or a Glock etc, even for an HK USP or 1911?

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Pattern, cut, length, and material all matter. I grew up in the 70's and hated polyester shirts back then, swore them off until I started carrying, then realized they are quite handy for summer carry. I prefer 2XLT or 3XLT, the extra length helps with raising arms or bending over. (Plus I like to cover the 'dunlaps') I prefer tartan/check patterns, they break up a gun grip better than a solid color. I avoid certain brands, because even their 'loose' fit shirts are too fitted and tight (AE, A&F, etc) I like Duluth Trading, Columbia, Field Gear, Cabela's, and even 5.11, and I usually buy them at Goodwill or the better thrift shops around here. I am constantly checking Goodwill (there's one across the street from my work), and 'stringer sort' my closet, putting one shirt in the donate box (we always have one going) for every one I pick up.

I hear you. I thought I have found the perfect shirt for the summer months - linen, loose fit, good looking and etc. Until I tried it and found out it was semitransparent - forget about my "manliness" provoking all the innocent damsels for unacceptable behavior, but my gun was printing like I was wearing nothing at all. Moobs & guns - not a good idea showing them...

I don't know what the material is called, but it's what the original under armor was made of. I wear those that are one size to big, it "slides" nice over the firearm, so it doesn't print. That's what I wear in the summer.

That would be polyester. I have a hard time finding big enough. (In solid colors, I like 4X, less printing.)

Old Dog said:

Ah, OP, so the thread title? "Time for a little honesty..." Is there an implication in there that those who state on gun forums that they carry a full-size duty pistol or even a compact (anything bigger than a Beretta 21) are actually being less than honest? That really, nobody can effectively conceal anything about a mousegun? Or are you simply coming clean and admitting that you don't know how to comfortably conceal something larger? Maybe I'm reading too much into your post.

Anyway, just asking.

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I interpreted it as a shooter admitting to carrying a mere .22 when many decry the .380 as insufficient.

Great Scot said:

...folks that carry a Glock 19, with an extended mag, and a light, in an appendix holster!

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"Is that a Glock with a tac light, suppressor, and 35 round mag carried AIWB or are you just happy to see me?"

AIWB does seem to be the carry method du jour. A buddy of mine carries AIWB and had never seen the MIami Vice video clip with teh USPSA shooter playing a hitman who draws and fires 3x from AIWB. I soon cured him of that.

Carried a G21 (for a while was my only good SD gun) for a few years, was working where CCW was not only accetacc but encouraged. Then I took a job where I can't carry.

Since I commute on a motorcycle often, locking the pistol in the car when I go in to work isn't an option...

...consequently, I rarely carry now. Most of my stops are on the way home. So, now I roll around with nothing other than halitosis to protect me.

But, since we're being honest here, I gotta' admit that I miss a) supporting our 2A right by using it, and b) having a better application of force available than my 'Woody-Allen-meets-Pee-Wee-Herman' level of skill as a fighter.

Frankly, I'l looking to change employers soon, and being able to CCW w/o risking my job is something I'm gonna be looking for.

Great Scot said:

I have to ask, where were they shot? I imagine they weren’t shot in the face, heart or groin. If they were, they’re a lot tougher than me! A .22 to the face would require more than a band aid, and I hope the Doc would remove it.

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BSA1 made a very rich reply (#65) above, and all I can add to that is:..

The reason for using a weapon when attacked is NOT to disuade or hurt the person attacking you, but to STOP THAT ATTACKER BEFORE HE OR SHE STOPS YOU!

A bunch of .22 rounds to the chest MIGHT slow a person down, particularly if he or she is inexperienced, or not wearing several layers of clothing, but those rounds might NOT stop a serious/determined attacker BEFORE s/he is able to hurt or kill you.

Just because someone can put a bunch of .22 rounds into a small target at the range doesn't mean that she or he can do THAT in a real-life confrontation, where that target is moving erratically, may be drugged up, shooting at you, surprises you by coming at you from behind or the side. You'll might spend more time than you realize just trying to understand the nature of the risk -- and if your weapon isn't already in your hand, you should hope that the attacker is at least 25'-30' away and not moving rapidly!

Ever one or two shots to the heart with a .357 magnum round might still give an attacker 15-30 seconds to do similar things to you. And several .22 rounds to the same places won't have the same effect.

Walt Sherrill said:

The reason for using a weapon when attacked is NOT to disuade or hurt the person attacking you, but to STOP THAT ATTACKER BEFORE HE OR SHE STOPS YOU!

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Back in the Stone Age, I had a couple of experiences with VC who were shot and wouldn't stay shot. Ever since them, I've tried to carry enough gun to satisfy anyone -- and enough ammo to re-satisfy them, if necessary.

FWIW, my friend and I took all of our CC handguns to the range the other day.

We both shot our LCR's, Glock 43 and 26, and Taurus PT111 G2 just fine. Surprisingly, we also both shot my P3AT quite well.

I was disappointed to find that I've become spoiled. The rough DA triggers of my two Taurus 85's and my CA Bulldog made for some iffy groups. I used to shoot them okay, but I've apparently been shooting handguns with better triggers too often in the past few years and can't shoot the stiff ones that well anymore.

Still, I ended up feeling good about the whole thing. I can get the LCR out of a cargo pocket, the P3AT out of a breast pocket, or a small 9mm out of an OWB holster quickly, and empty any of them rapid-fire into a fist-sized group with no problem at seven yards. Sure, I'd be better armed with a full-sized service pistol and a bunch of spare mags, but with good tactical awareness I feel decently armed with the handguns that I normally carry.

I'm going to have to practice with the rougher-triggered snubbies regularly if I decide to start carrying any of them again. The sweet trigger on my LCR has spoiled me something fierce. (It doesn't hurt that the previous owner also put a nice fiber-optic sight on it.)

I started with the same gun I carried on duty, off duty. A Wilson Master Grade 130 I had custom built in 1988. Usually in a Milt Sparks Roadrunner or an exact clone of my duty holster, a Milt Sparks thumbreak. And, two extra mags.


Then, one extra mag.


Then a Detonics...


Then a 642 with a couple speedloaders.

But, I decided that wasn’t enough gun.


I’ve pretty much settled on a Sig P239 DAK either 357 Sig or 9mm in a homemade appendix holster and two extra mags. Carried either right back pocket in jeans or left cargo pocket in shorts.



I’ve been a Police Officer since 1984. I know, without a doubt, I’m going towards the gun fire. I decided to carry enough gun, that I can shoot well enough, to solve the problem.

But, just puttering around the house. Mowing, jogging, whatever...I carry a Remington RM380 with Buffalo Bore Hardcasts in a pocket holster.

Life is full of choices. Each of us needs to evaluate our situation and choose accordingly.

Someone else, who doesn't know you, sitting behind their keyboard, can't make that decision for you.

Freedom, ain't it great?