Hiding the heavyweights

[orionengnr]

Several years ago I bought a Hoffner's Miurage kydex IWB holster. Rides pretty high but holds a 4" N-Frame securely and is actually pretty comfortable (note that this is a relative term; it's still an N-Frame but compared to other IWB holsters I had tried, this was the best). Also works with a 5" and since it is open at the end would also accept a 6", 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" but I'm not sure how comfortable those would be...

(I subsequently bought one for my 4" K-frame but for some reason it did not seem as well balanced, or positioned, or whatever.)

I still have it, but honestly these days I am using an older Kramer shoulder holster (bought used) for N-Frame carriage and have been mostly doing so since Fall of last year. Wearing it as I type this.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Well I’m off the rails lol. I have an alert for Kramer holsters on an auction site and wouldn’t you know a Thomas perfectionist popped up today brand new in package. Just so happens to fit my new 686 no dash that’s coming soon. I picked it up, so that makes 4 kramers total lol.

 

[LimaCharlie]

My favorite conceal carry revolvers are a 4.25" Colt Python 357 magnum or a 4" S&W 29-2 44 magnum in a leather pancake style holster @ 3:00 with speed loaders @ 9:00 on my belt with an unticked garment covering.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Unticked or untucked?? Wow, I saw a guy last Sunday who was packing, but I think/guess he wanted the whole world to know, or something, had kind of a tight (or too tight for concealed carry) kind of a knit shirt on, untucked. It printed really bad, obvious to anyone looking for it, and I thought even pretty obvious to people not normally tuned into that sort of thing.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Here’s the Kramer Thomas 686 holster with the Ruger match champion kinda stuffed in there. It for sure tucks tight to the torso. Feels really good. My 686 won’t be here for another month. My king cobra fits perfectly so it might see some action this weekend

 

[Slamfire]

Hanging that much weight on your pants belt surely is going require suspenders to keep your pants on.

Suspenders were common back in the old West. I can see about half have visible suspenders, what the guys are wearing under their vests, can't tell. Might be a reason suspenders were popular, even though none of these Cowboys are packing.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Well I finally got to wear my Thomas holster with the 686. In some ways it’s very comfy and in others not so much. I’ve got to just play with it and find what position works for me. I do like the fact there is no holster on the outside peeking from under my shirt! This is all “cover” in the front

update/ several wearings in and I found the sweet spot for me which is about 2:30. The gun “sits” on my hip bone. Very comfortable seated!! Need to work on the draw but very pleased so far

 

[TheFrontRange]

Nicely-done!

 

[jar]

View attachment 1132539 View attachment 1132540 View attachment 1132189 View attachment 1132190 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

I use my old Kramer Thomas Perfectionist for my Government size 1911s. For my S&W Highway Patrolman I currently use an older Bianchi but seriously considering a Sourdough from Simply Rugged. I'd jump on a Kramer though but currently waiting for a Kramer IWB for my Browning BDM.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’m back out running around with the 686 on me and I’m finding the more I use this rig the more comfy it is. I like the forward 2:30 position and radical cant. I just need to work on draw. These smooth presentation grips might be the issue. ( I’ll have to work with them cause they ain’t leaving!)

 

[WestKentucky]

I would think that a cross draw canted the opposite way may work better for a lot of folks. That should give a little bit more room to sit down and eat/drive/work. Crossdraw is probably just as fast as an awkward strongside armpit draw.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I agree

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Suspenders were common back in the old West. I can see about half have visible suspenders, what the guys are wearing under their vests, can't tell. Might be a reason suspenders were popular, even though none of these Cowboys are packing.

Suspenders were common back then because trousers came without belt loops. Trousers came without any loops because men wore suspenders.

Really.

Belts were used to attach tools to ones person, but otherwise not normally used.

Levi Strauss didn't start adding belt loops to his dungarees until the 1920s. Men didn't use belts regularly until after WW2.

It (wearing a belt to hold up one's trousers) is a fairly recent phenomenon.

 

[Slamfire]

Suspenders were common back then because trousers came without belt loops. Trousers came without any loops because men wore suspenders.

It (wearing a belt to hold up one's trousers) is a fairly recent phenomenon.

Very interesting!

Based on the size of my belly, suspenders would be a less painful option than a belt, to keep my pants up.

 

[J-Bar]

Don't forget the old magician's trick, drawing eyes away. If I am concerned about printing, I'll put on a cowboy hat with a fancy hat band, or hold my car keys and twirl them. Simple stuff that may not always be practical, but it works when exposed to view for short periods of time.

 

[shoebox1.1]

Well after a long wait since March 3rd my Thomas perfectionist came in for my 5 inch half lug gp100. Also works with my match champion. So I can carry OWB or IWB with ether gun now. It was worth the wait. It’s perfect. Now I’m waiting till xmas for a belt scabbard for my Trr8.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I carried this in Yellowstone without any issue.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Don't forget the old magician's trick, drawing eyes away. If I am concerned about printing, I'll put on a cowboy hat with a fancy hat band, or hold my car keys and twirl them. Simple stuff that may not always be practical, but it works when exposed to view for short periods of time.

oooh yeah! I have a NPR & PBS sticker on my Prius in Seattle! Hiding in Plain Sight is my mission

 

[shoebox1.1]

Hahaha love that! They’d blow a gasket if they knew the truth

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Well I finally got to wear my Thomas holster with the 686. In some ways it’s very comfy and in others not so much. I’ve got to just play with it and find what position works for me. I do like the fact there is no holster on the outside peeking from under my shirt! This is all “cover” in the front View attachment 1152379

update/ several wearings in and I found the sweet spot for me which is about 2:30. The gun “sits” on my hip bone. Very comfortable seated!! Need to work on the draw but very pleased so far

With both IWB, and OWB carry, I like the pistol further back, mostly as sometimes a light breeze will blow the tails of the shirt back if un-buttoned. However, I find I can draw fast with the shirt buttoned up too. Even if I catch a bit of tail between the grip and hand, it just tugs/pops right out as I bring the pistol up. Never slows down, snags or boogers up the draw. So, I find I don't have to lift the shirt-tail up first, just reach under and draw. Most have a routine where they lift the covering garment first, then draw.

Yes, practice your draw from concealed carry and first shot on target and time it on a regular basis. According to "ASP" ("Active Self Protection) a one second draw with first shot on target, or better is ideal, two seconds is "acceptable". I think I'm in the 1.5 second zone. For some reason I'm faster with a revolver than an auto-loader. Practice practice practice.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

oooh yeah! I have a NPR & PBS sticker on my Prius in Seattle! Hiding in Plain Sight is my mission

That's hilarious, but genius.

 

[Mark_Mark]

That's hilarious, but genius.

and fuel efficient

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Don't forget the old magician's trick, drawing eyes away. If I am concerned about printing, I'll put on a cowboy hat with a fancy hat band, or hold my car keys and twirl them. Simple stuff that may not always be practical, but it works when exposed to view for short periods of time.

That's especially important if you ever have to draw the gun. My plan is to kind of cringe, wave my left hand around and say: "oh please don't hurt me", play the coward, turn my right side away and draw. Well that's my plan anyhow. Don't tell the bad-guys. They'll be ready for it! (maybe tossing a big old ten-gallon hat at them might work? I can see it now, "HERE!!! TAKE MY HAT!! IT'S WORTH $400!!!!)(they say taking one's wallet out and tossing it to them can work as a distraction...don't know if that's true or not. I suppose it could be integrated into my coward act. ?)

 

[Ugly Sauce]

and fuel efficient

Yeah, don't feel bad. I kept my dad's Honda Hybrid after he died, it gets 45mpg on some days, and I feel quite invisible driving it. Unlike some of the other things I drive and ride. Dang...both my street bikes only get 42mpg. !!! And no heater, AC, radio, cup holders, or windows!!

 

[shoebox1.1]

For the record the Thomas perfectionist holster kind of needs to ride about 2:30 position. That extreme cant mandates the length of gun ride on your hip bone. If you roll it around to 3-3:30 position the handle sticks out like sore thumb. This holster is only recommended for barrels over 5 inch