Hiding the heavyweights

[shoebox1.1]

So I have my 5 inch half lug gp100 that I love dearly. It’s been a safe queen with only something like 200 rounds through it. I have a Kramer OWB belt scabbard for it and I can conceal it with a coat and barely with a vest. I called Kramer to inquire about a shoulder rig for it ( they don’t make one). She suggested their Tomas perfectionist IWB holster. It rides very high with a deep forward cant. Very interesting. I want to carry this thing more and this rig is very promising. Anyone ever had one or any input?

https://www.kramerleather.com/collections/iwb-gun-holsters/products/thomas-perfectionist-gun-holster

 

[shoebox1.1]

I just stuffed the big Ruger in my pants in this approx location and angle. Perfect. I’m going to order this holster soon

 

[Obturation]

It's tough.
I've carried a 6" gp100 before and it hurts to conceal. I've carried my 5" super redhawk too, no problem in a chest holster but no fun iwb. I had a kydex owb holster made for it and that's fine but you definitely feel every ounce. Shoulder holsters seem like the key but I'll tell ya, they make you look 4 feet wide even if you aren't .
Best I've been able to figure to conceal a big revolver comfortably is an owb holster that rides high enough for a jacket to cover. Nothing else seems to work well. Of course the chest holster is the proper solution for comfort and access but it does not conceal and is only appropriate out in the field.

Good luck. I've never heard of the holster you referenced but I'll be watching to see how it works for you.

 

[silicosys4]

Wow. You are really getting your hand up there into your own armpit on the draw. I've carried a 6" 586 in a shoulder holster, that was do-able and was actually a pretty smooth draw. Ob is right though. As wide as a revolver's cylinder is, they make you look goofy, like you are always trying to puff yourself up.

Let us know how that rig works for you.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Looks awkward and uncomfortable to me.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Well In the bathroom mirror I think I had my gun in the approximate location and it felt fine. Also the draw was pretty good. It is high and heavy canted but I think it will work. Biggest problem with this experiment is “if” it doesn’t work I’m stuck with a holster not many folks could use. But it’s only 170 bucks— here’s the current OWB Kramer

 

[silicosys4]

Well In the bathroom mirror I think I had my gun in the approximate location and it felt fine. Also the draw was pretty good. It is high and heavy canted but I think it will work. Biggest problem with this experiment is “if” it doesn’t work I’m stuck with a holster not many folks could use. But it’s only 170 bucks— here’s the current OWB Kramer

How much elbow room do you need to draw? I was just kind of practicing what it would be like to draw concealed with a gun that high up into my armpit and I have to have about a foot of free space to my dominant side to pull it off. In a narrow hallway, I'm pretty much effectively disarmed unless I can pivot to gain the free space to throw my elbow out there. Not a problem with a shoulder holster.

Food for thought.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Now it wasn’t out of a holster but the high draw felt good…I’m average build 5’9 except for the big round part in the middle lol

 

[Japle]

Several years ago, I packed a 4” M29 .44 Maggie in an OWB holster along with two speedloaders for a month, just to see if anyone would notice.

At 5’9” and 142 lbs, it was pretty damn obvious under a Hawaiian shirt. Like walking around with half a steel grapefruit strapped to my side. The whole package stuck out a mile and I was walking with my arm out at a 20 degree angle.

No one noticed a thing, reinforcing my long-held belief that, unless you’re a supermodel or on fire, no one will give you a 2nd look. Hell, they won’t give you a 1st look. People are far too wrapped up in their own affairs to pay attention to any bulges under your clothes.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

People are far too wrapped up in their own affairs to pay attention to any bulges under your clothes.

Unless they mean to do you harm. Those people will pay very close attention.

A very high riding OWB of the "Black Widow" type that Bianchi used to make works well, and this pistol conceals very well in one. It is a N-Frame. A size large fleece pull-over or bulky sweater will conceal it well without printing. As far as T-shirts or button up shirts go, then it might be time to go to a smaller gun. The pistol below is one of my "winter" guns. The trick is to get the cylinder to tuck into your mid-section above your hip, but that does not work with all body types. If you are a bit large around the middle, it will print.

 

[Barbaroja]

Double post

 

[Barbaroja]

https://www.simplyrugged.com/
check out the sourdough pancake holster, it has inside the wasteband options

 

[shoebox1.1]

Unless they mean to do you harm. Those people will pay very close attention.

A very high riding OWB of the "Black Widow" type that Bianchi used to make works well, and this pistol conceals very well in one. It is a N-Frame. A size large fleece pull-over or bulky sweater will conceal it well without printing. As far as T-shirts or button up shirts go, then it might be time to go to a smaller gun. The pistol below is one of my "winter" guns. The trick is to get the cylinder to tuck into your mid-section above your hip, but that does not work with all body types. If you are a bit large around the middle, it will print.
View attachment 1132410

That round part in the middle is my main concern. I worry the butt of the gun is going to poof out in shirt outline UNLESS the holster pulls it in with some kind of gizmo it has

 

[Ugly Sauce]

That round part in the middle is my main concern. I worry the butt of the gun is going to poof out in shirt outline UNLESS the holster pulls it in with some kind of gizmo it has

What I find with the OWB, is that you can run the belt through one loop, and then over the gun, and then back through the other loop, instead of the holster sitting outside the belt. ? Did that make sense? That, for me, pulls the whole gun closer to my body. The IWB holsters seem to carry the gun too low, in order for it to tuck in well. Not by much, but just enough.

For me, a high riding OWB works better for a revolver. With pistols, IWB is my preference. I have not found the high-ride to be a problem either, my time is a little better with a revolver, in a draw-from-concealment-first shot on target (in vital zone) exercise for time, compared to my time with a pistol doing the same drill. (semi-auto)

Again, a lot depends on body-type, and how one dresses. Dressing differently is a good option but not often considered.

 

[orionengnr]

I spent the month of December trying out a few shoulder rigs I had bought recently (I was on vacation the whole month LOL)
For the record, I am 5'9" and 145 lbs, 66 yo and three back surgeries..
I was able to conceal a 4" 1911, a 4" N-frame S&W and a 5" N-frame S&W, as well as a 4" K-frame S&W as long as I could wear a heavier outer garment--flannel shirt or other loose-hanging shirt.
It took a week or so to get used to the weight, but once I retire to a cooler clime, I anticipate doing so more regularly

 

[UncleEd]

Shoebox1.1, have you tried a stiffer belt?
The one pictured seems to let the gun sag.
Might allow too much movement in drawing.
I believe some prefer one of those "tactical"
very stiff nylon belts.

 

[e rex]

I'm fat enough that there is hardly room for inside my pants. I use a cross-draw for my S&W 686 4" but you need a shirt with a long tail.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Shoebox1.1, have you tried a stiffer belt?
The one pictured seems to let the gun sag.
Might allow too much movement in drawing.
I believe some prefer one of those "tactical"
very stiff nylon belts.

This is a super bio gun belt. I just had it loose that day I was just messing around. I wear it quite tight both this Ruger and my king cobra carry very well

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'm fat enough that there is hardly room for inside my pants. I use a cross-draw for my S&W 686 4" but you need a shirt with a long tail.

beware of the man who never tucks in his shirt.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Here is an example of running the belt over the holster, instead of behind. It keeps the revolver closer to the body, or tight against it. The holster on the right is actually a Bianchi Black Widow, but with a very light Charter Arms .44spl in it. Probably my most concealable and comfortable rig, even under a T-shirt. Notice how the belt rides, or is mostly under the cylinders or both revolvers. (85%?) The Bianchi has many miles on it.

The Ruger Security Six .357 is a pretty heavy gun, it is in a "Vega" made in Italy holster which is really nice. Kind of a "clamshell" ? with elastic. Stays put and draws easy. Again very nice high quality holster. You can see the elastic under the trigger guard.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

How much elbow room do you need to draw? I was just kind of practicing what it would be like to draw concealed with a gun that high up into my armpit and I have to have about a foot of free space to my dominant side to pull it off. In a narrow hallway, I'm pretty much effectively disarmed unless I can pivot to gain the free space to throw my elbow out there. Not a problem with a shoulder holster.

Food for thought.

Many times you will want to turn your dominant side away from the threat anyway, to conceal the draw somewhat. Saying something like: "don't hurt me, here's my wallet" while you draw can throw some psychological sand in the boogie man's eyes. I actually say that (or something like it) when doing drills.

 

[jstert]

what about something in belted cross-draw? after all a shoulder holster is a cross-draw configuration.

 

[Tallball]

A 3" k-frame OWB at 3:00 is comfortable and easy to draw. With good grips I can shoot one almost as well as an N-frame.

A longer barrel or a bigger frame takes me out of my comfort zone.

 

[shoebox1.1]

My 3 inch KC in a Kramer belt scabbard is so comfy I can forget it’s there. It’s going to be my revolver match gun but I haven’t gone yet. It draws very well!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

My 3 inch KC in a Kramer belt scabbard is so comfy I can forget it’s there. It’s going to be my revolver match gun but I haven’t gone yet. It draws very well!

That is a nice holster. I can see you run the belt under the gun/holster. Have you tried it the other way?