Full size concealed carry rigs.

[rskent]

I have been wondering for some time how people conceal carry full sized pistols. With my shape it seems unlikely that I could comfortably carry anything thicker than a 1911 or larger than a G19. Fact is I generally carry a single stack. Anything bigger, for me, is uncomfortable for long periods and difficult to keep unnoticeable in public. So, the question is, for those that carry full sized pistols, how, by what method do you carry your G17 or berretta 92 or Sig 226 or whatever? Photo’s would be appreciated.

Side note. My father in law used to carry a full-sized Sig. He thought it was concealed. You could read the Sig Saur logo through his shirt. Since no-one ever tackled him in Walmart’s he thought he was good to go. For him that was fine. I am looking for something a bit more discreet.

 

[AZAndy]

An IWB holster and a Hawaiian shirt can make the carry of big stuff possible. I like Bianchi's "Covert Option" holster. It's best if the shirt is at least one size too big. Part of the process is learning to pick things up off the floor not by bending over, but by bending at the knees. Bending at the waist will make the gun's grip pretty obvious.

 

[bannockburn]

rskent

Typically I don't carry full size guns but their next size down versions (like a Colt Commander instead of a Colt Government or a SIG P229 instead of P226). I do have one full size gun that I carry and that's a Colt Lightweight Government Model. I have an old Bianchi Askins Avenger OWB holster for the 1911s and a DeSantis E-Gat OWB holster for the P229. I have a DeSantis Mini Slide OWB holster for my Ruger SR9c (or it can take a full size SR9 for that matter). All three do a great job of keeping the gun close in to my body but not too close that it interferes with my draw.

As AZAndy mentioned you also want to try not to bend at the waist but bend at your knees so the grip portion of your gun doesn't show. Slightly larger, loose fitting shirts (not tucked in), help with concealment as well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can successfully conceal any size gun as long as you are willing to dress around it. I usually pocket carry a S&W J frame revolver but I also carry a Sig P320 or a 4" S& W L frame revolver. Both are carried in a Scabberd belt holster by DeSantis. The revolver requires a loose fitting shirt or cover garment but it can be done. Anyone trying to find the perfect gun and holster to fit what they now wear is doomed to fail. (IMO of course)

 

[SharpDog]

I'm the same as @bannockburn in post #3. I OWB my Mk 25 p226 and IWB my M11A1 p229. Same when I carried Glocks I always had the full sized for OWB (21/30) and (22/27) as well as 1911's Para full size and a custom Officer's.

One complication is that my full size guns have lights. These are intended for true general duty. Their smaller counterparts are dedicated to concealment and get dehorning and smoother lines.

If I had to conceal one of my full sized guns it would be OWB with an outer shirt (e.g. an untucked Wrangler, a Hawaiian shirt or a Guayabera) or a jacket with shoulder holster (I found one that takes full sized guns with lights).



https://smile.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8...vtargid=kwd-4299426180&ref=pd_sl_2wyt300ttl_e

 

[needmorecowbell]

I use a Remora iwb no clip holster which allows for deep concealment. You can also cant it anyway you want. Typically only the grip is above my belt with it pointing up at about 45-60 degrees

 

[SwampWolf]

There are certain unavoidable and lamentable axioms to reckon with when it comes to carrying a handgun concealed comfortably: Bigger/heavier pistols are less comfortable than smaller/lighter ones and iwb holsters will never be as comfortable as owb holsters. But there are ways to alleviate the drawbacks of carrying a bigger, heavier pistol concealed and it has more to do with the holster than the pistol. Unfortunately, the mode of concealed carry in terms of comfort is likely be a very personal matter and will probably require some "trial and error" efforts-ergo, the infamous "holster drawer".

After much experimentation, I have never found a better iwb holster than the Galco "King Tuk" model for carrying my full-size, SIG Model 227 pistol concealed relatively comfortably. YMMV...

 

[entropy]

I find Remoras work great for small guns, but I have one for my 1911 (which is a lightweight, a PT1911AR), and it still slides down. I prefer an FBI cant OWB slide under, as mentioned before Hawaiian shirts (3XL, I wear 2X otherwise) or plaid pattern short sleeve shirts.

After much experimentation, I have never found a better iwb holster than the Galco "King Tuk" model for carrying my full-size, SIG Model 227 pistol concealed relatively comfortably. YMMV...

The IWB holster I prefer also.

 

[CDW4ME]

Work, store, errands, everywhere carry is legal, I've got a 1911 IWB and a Glock 43 in weak hand front pocket (Wrangler/ Cabelas cargo pants, shorts)
Add a loose fitting untucked cover shirt and the 1911 disappears:

 

[needmorecowbell]

I find Remoras work great for small guns, but I have one for my 1911 (which is a lightweight, a PT1911AR), and it still slides down. I prefer an FBI cant OWB slide under, as mentioned before Hawaiian shirts (3XL, I wear 2X otherwise) or plaid pattern short sleeve shirts.



The IWB holster I prefer also.

Gotta have the belt nice and tight so doesn’t move. Or it’s my gut that holds it in place at 3 o’clock

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

No matter how or what you carry you're going to give up something.

That's a fact. You just have to decide what you're willing to live with, or not.

 

[Iggy]

A stoved up old cowboy in a leather vest is about a common as dirt here in Wyoming. Nobody even looks at an old geezer like me. I can carry most anything without much worry.. Fifty years, so far, so good.

View attachment 787434

 

[armoredman]

Holster and belt are key.

CZ P-09 with High Noon Holsters Close Encounter IWB rig and High Noon Rock Steady gun belt




CZ SP-01 Phantom, (with shorter 16 round magazine), in High Noon Holsters Down Under with straps IWB, same belt.




Both conceal under a loose t-shirt in Arizona summer weather with no difficulty.

 

[Fiv3r]

Short of a clip draw on a sub 1" wide gun, I can't do iwb. I'm just a big baby about it. It pokes, it digs, I always manage to find a nerve in my hip/waist that bothers some other part of my body.

I carry owb, so that means I can pretty much carry whatever I want as long as I do something to cover it up. An over shirt seems to work well for me. I'm broad shouldered and narrow waisted, so an in buttoned cover shirt covers my frame like a block.

I have found a Safariland paddle holster carried at 1:30/2:00 hides well. I can carry a full size SIG 320 without too much bulge and the angle on my hip hides the full size length of the grip.

 

[ATLDave]

An IWB holster, a stiff belt, trousers that have enough slack/fabric in them, and a shirt or jacket with enough space are essentials. Things that help, IME: patterned shirts or heavier material pull-overs; wearing your pants at your waist, rather than your hips; and having some breadth to your shoulders.

 

[rskent]

First off. To all that responded, Thank You.

And to the guys that took the time to show a photo or two, Double thanks.

It looks like you are doing a much better job than me. I guess I need to spend a little more time clothes shopping.

 

[JR24]

IWB, Vedder light tuck at 2 oclock under a buttondown shirt like several pictures above.

1911, Glock 17, Sig 226 etc conceal fine.

Good belt and holster are key.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I carry a full-size M1911 in a holster of my own design, and have carried one for more than 50 years.

Take a look at the CZ P09 holster a few posts above this. You can make that holster MUCH more concealable with a simple trick. You need a pair of Chicago (post) screws and a strip of heavy Kydex.

Punch two holes in the holster, one on either side of the slide, even with the front sight. Cut two Kydex strips about 1" X 6". Drill a hole near one end of each strip, then heat and bend back the tip of the other end to form a "J" about 3/8" deep. Then make another bend in the same direction, about 2" deep or more. Slide your belt up the strip, under the first "J' until you hear a "click" and the strip locks around the belt. Adjust your bend until it does that.

Attach these two strips to the holster, using the Chicago screws.

Now put your pants on normally and tuck in your shirt. With your belt unbuckled, pull out some shirt on the strong side, and slide the holster down between pants and underpants. Let the "Js" slide down outside your belt and pants until they click in place. Tuck your shirt in between holster and pants and tighten your belt.

Now "blouse" your shirt -- pull out two inches or so all around and let it hang freely. Your gun disappears from view!

 

[JTQ]

Forum member tmoore912 has some good pictures in this thread at post #29

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-guys.567867/page-2

 

[nettlle]

My first try at an IWB holster for a full sized 1911 was a big disappointment. It is a well known and highly rated brand. It is so uncomfortable that I simply will not wear it. For summer I really did want an IWB so I though I would give it one more try. The second holster I have now is very comfortable.

I do know it's expensive to experiment with holsters. Enough so that I almost gave up after my first bad experience with an IWB holster.

 

[SharpDog]

My first try at an IWB holster for a full sized 1911 was a big disappointment. It is a well known and highly rated brand. It is so uncomfortable that I simply will not wear it. For summer I really did want an IWB so I though I would give it one more try. The second holster I have now is very comfortable.

I do know it's expensive to experiment with holsters. Enough so that I almost gave up after my first bad experience with an IWB holster.

IWB comfort is highly dependent on body build. I had a hard time with wide 2-point attachment IWB's that everyone else deems comfortable. I finally went with the single point minimal rig pictured above. It really depends on your hip geometry and your 'love handles'. Also, I have 2 sets of pants / belts, one 2" larger (IWB) than the other (OWB).

 

[JR24]

IWB comfort is highly dependent on body build. I had a hard time with wide 2-point attachment IWB's that everyone else deems comfortable. I finally went with the single point minimal rig pictured above. It really depends on your hip geometry and your 'love handles'. Also, I have 2 sets of pants / belts, one 2" larger (IWB) than the other (OWB).

I also find whenever I try a new holster/gun it is pretty uncomfortable for about two weeks until my body gets used to it.

So you could try to tough it out for a while, or experiment with where you carry. I cannot carry at 4 or 5 o'clock due to body type and posture, yet anything 3 oclock in, including appendix yields good results on just about any size gun.

 

[nettlle]

....and although not all that much leather is softer than Kydex.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Finding the right holsters is the key to success. I can carry a 32-oz. revolver quite comfortably in a TT Gunleather Slim XC.

 

[JR24]

Finding the right holsters is the key to success. I can carry a 32-oz. revolver quite comfortably in a TT Gunleather Slim XC.

Truth. The, now discontinued I think, Galco "double time" holster lets me carry a widebody 1911, all 40 ounces before the 14 rounds of .45 in the mag, with no issue. I haven't found another setup that works so well for me with heavy guns.

Lighter guns, like Glocks, I find the Vedder light tuck works best for me.

Now I just gotta find an easy way to dump my 5 gallon tote full of old holsters.