Depends on your shape and size. Tall, medium or short torso, legs etc. Thin, "normal", pudgy or fat. Where is your fat, in the ass, hips, belly etc..... Any infirmaries?
All these things come into play. Life style i.e. police officer, accountant, plumber, waiter, etc.... All these things come into play. Rarely one answer for everyone.
After all that we have to include which weapon the carrier chooses. Some folks change their carry weapon like some of us change socks. I am down to only 75+ guns but still stick to one CCW weapon. When I carried guns for a living there was the service weapon and the off duty weapon, and they were either both 1911's or revolvers in those days.
Today I only CCW. So one gun is all I carry. Any gun I carry to fight with I have at least two of them. (In my life "STUFF" has been known to happen, maybe not in yours). Usually one to carry, and one to shoot, and back up the carry piece. (this is not about my BUG, that hasn't changed, still a "J" frame S&W)
Me, I carry one weapon. When I change my carry weapon it is a big production and commitment. (in addition to above, to carry a piece it has to stand my personal 1000 round "certification" of reliability with zero FTF's.) I take this stuff seriously as at one time in my life it was also a survival skill. Not anymore.
Quality is the watch word. Quality weapons, quality belt (can not emphasize enough the need for a truly quality belt), quality holster, and some common sense.
I have a majority of the holsters mentioned above, Milt Sparks, 4 variants, CrossBreed, CtAC, original Alessie in 4 different variants, TUCK's "the Answer" and silent thunder etc.......... I could buy a lot of guns with the money I have spent on holsters over my 56 years of shooting.
Generally I find IWB in a Horse hide with Shark VM II Milt Sparks, on a Wilderness products Belt works with all my carry guns. When I transitioned from Revolvers to bottom feeders I went to a SIG 228 in the early 90's. Then when the arthritis got bad enough I went back to the 1911, and carried a Springfield Professional modified to my liking, and again because of the arthritis, I am now carrying a HK P30 LEM. Not a lot of choices left for me.
I carry them all at 2:50 to 3 O'Clock. I can sleep in them, I can sit, work, walk. Weight is not an issue (not my now, fat ass, the guns weight with extra loaded magazine, flashlight, folder etc.).
Just when you think you have it down, wait a few years for you younger folks, and your body will change, and so will your carry requirements, etc....
Carrying weapons is not done lightly, or with out it's occasional drama. Enjoy the ride.
Good luck to all.
Fred
PS: I always try to have a back up holster around, in the car or brief case. inspect and clean your holster regularly, just like your weapon. The holster IS part of the system . Over the years I have had holsters break, get damaged, loops tear, loose hardware etc.. Have a plan "B" ready just in case. Kydex loops break or the screws unscrew (Locktite blue only) leather loops tear or get torn, etc.. Be ready. It often happens at the most inopportune times.
Particularly if you don't live in a free State.
I live in Arizona. It doesn't matter if I occasionally print, or my gun is seen. I am lucky in that.
F
, but I do have a very good belt. I think new CCW folks often overlook how important the belt actually is.
