I want to carry, but...

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Cygnus

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I have yet to find a comfortable carry option that works for me. No matter what I try, either my gun, or holster set up digs into my body such that it is so uncomfortable as to make me give up. I’m not going to purchase a fourth carry option until I know it will be comfortable.

So far, I prefer behind my hip, but not in small of my back, drawing with palm away (knuckles against hip/back). But even with this, the set up digs into my skin and I just can’t get comfortable. I now carry in a small backpack that goes everywhere with me. I know that isn’t ideal, but for me, it is better than nothing.

For those who can relate, what can I do to increase comfort so I can carry. Appreciate any help.
 
Lots of factors go into the comfort of a particular carry set up. The size and weight of the gun play into it, but the holster and belt play a much larger part than one would expect. A good holster and belt will make it much easier and comfortable to carry. They can get expensive, but a good holster and belt will last you a long time. Well worth it in my opinion.

What type of gun are you trying to carry?

So far, I prefer behind my hip, but not in small of my back, drawing with palm away (knuckles against hip/back). But even with this, the set up digs into my skin and I just can’t get comfortable.

I would NOT recommend carrying in this manner. From a safety perspective, it is very easy to point the gun at yourself while you draw or reholster. Even if you're careful when you put the gun on or take it off, it will be much easier to accidentally muzzle yourself if you are drawing under stress. Also (with an unloaded gun) try to draw when someone is physically trying to prevent you from drawing. Much more difficult when you have to twist your wrist.

Also, I don't know of a single holster that is actually designed to be used like that. I think you'll find that when you use a good holster in a way that it was designed to be used, it will be much more comfortable.
 
For comfort, outside the waistband at 3 or 4 o’clock with a sturdy holster and belt.

Everything else is going to take days, maybe weeks of constant carry to get used to. Good gear is essential. I’ve tried dozens of holsters to settle on a good one.
 
Goto an office supply and check on their daytimer type calendars with a zipper. Take out the binder mechanism and lay the pistol inside, zip up. I have one, brown, that is about 5" X 8". Kinda like a smaller version of a Bible cover. Just have to remember to not lay it down...to easy to forget and walk off.
 
Lots of factors go into the comfort of a particular carry set up. The size and weight of the gun play into it, but the holster and belt play a much larger part than one would expect. A good holster and belt will make it much easier and comfortable to carry. They can get expensive, but a good holster and belt will last you a long time. Well worth it in my opinion.

What type of gun are you trying to carry?



I would NOT recommend carrying in this manner. From a safety perspective, it is very easy to point the gun at yourself while you draw or reholster. Even if you're careful when you put the gun on or take it off, it will be much easier to accidentally muzzle yourself if you are drawing under stress. Also (with an unloaded gun) try to draw when someone is physically trying to prevent you from drawing. Much more difficult when you have to twist your wrist.

Also, I don't know of a single holster that is actually designed to be used like that. I think you'll find that when you use a good holster in a way that it was designed to be used, it will be much more comfortable.
Lots of factors go into the comfort of a particular carry set up. The size and weight of the gun play into it, but the holster and belt play a much larger part than one would expect. A good holster and belt will make it much easier and comfortable to carry. They can get expensive, but a good holster and belt will last you a long time. Well worth it in my opinion.

What type of gun are you trying to carry?



I would NOT recommend carrying in this manner. From a safety perspective, it is very easy to point the gun at yourself while you draw or reholster. Even if you're careful when you put the gun on or take it off, it will be much easier to accidentally muzzle yourself if you are drawing under stress. Also (with an unloaded gun) try to draw when someone is physically trying to prevent you from drawing. Much more difficult when you have to twist your wrist.

Also, I don't know of a single holster that is actually designed to be used like that. I think you'll find that when you use a good holster in a way that it was designed to be used, it will be much more comfortable.

I am aware that this is not a preferred carry position, but it has proven to be the most comfortable so far. I reason (maybe incorrectly) that it is better to have something ready, even if not in the best position. I do understand the limitations. But I appreciate the insight.

I have purchased 3 holsters that friends have recommended and are usually highly rated, just haven’t found the right one for me yet I guess.
 
LCP in a desantis nemesis pocket holster. If you can't pull that off, carrying isn't for you. :)

Thanks, but I’m not sure that’s true. Since I don’t like anything in my pockets at all, I’d rather continue to carry an IWB even if it is still uncomfortable.
 
For comfort, outside the waistband at 3 or 4 o’clock with a sturdy holster and belt.

Everything else is going to take days, maybe weeks of constant carry to get used to. Good gear is essential. I’ve tried dozens of holsters to settle on a good one.

Well, I have given up on each holster long before “weeks” went by. Seems a waste to have to purchase that many holsters just to find the one that works. But I do appreciate the insight- thank you.
 
I had to buy new clothes when I started carrying-- Hawaiian shirts for easy cover in warm weather (I live in Arizona, so I can get away with that) and, since I prefer inside-the-waistband holsters, bigger pants. And a serious belt. A stiff belt makes a big difference. Best place for carry for me is right at, or very slightly behind, my right hip. (I'm right-handed.) Warm weather carry is a .357 snubnose. In the cooler months, when I can wear a light vest and a dress shirt, I go outside-the-waistband and can carry something bigger that way (1911 in .45).

Carrying too far behind the hip makes it uncomfortable to drive a car, for me. I tried all the different positions when I started out. I've done pocket carry with a lightweight snubnose, a small .380, and a small 9mm, and they're all okay, but hard to get to when sitting down, so I finally switched to hip carry.
 
Just thinking a little out slide the box here but you may want to consider....

https://comforttac.com/collections/belly-band-holsters

https://www.undertechundercover.com/collections/mens-concealed-carry-shirts

https://www.sneakypeteholsters.com/

Maybe shoulder holsters? Cross draw?
I guarantee someone makes something you’ll like, theirs even thunder ware https://www.thunderwear.com/


But to be honest, trial and error is just part of the reality for most of us. We have drawers full of holsters we bought, tried and gave up on. It’s not cheap, but it’s basically the only way to find what really fits and is comfortable.

Nothing is perfect, compromises are made and to much money is spent.
And welcome to THR.
 
What you're expecting both in terms of comfort and expected threat plays into it. As I write, I'm sitting in a pair of cutoffs and a T-shirt in front of my laptop. I have nothing on my person because it's just more comfortable that way. The 1911 rests six-inches away from my hand beside the laptop, and a 12-gauge pump is in the next room. The sound of a breaking door or a smashed window should alert me in time.

When I step out the front door in a half-hour, everything will shift, and I'd distinctly miss the weight of a full-sized handgun on my hip. Without that weight on my hip an unexplained movement caught in my peripheral vision would bother me much more.

A good belt made to handle a holster will help more than you imagine. Also there is the trade off: pocket holsters, inside-the-waistband, sometimes are necessary to attain the level of concealment you need, but they are distinctly slower and less comfortable than an ordinary outside the waistband hip holster.

Once you invest in good high quality leather, it works like this: the more you believe in the world as a benign, safe place, where everyone is friendly the more uncomfortable you'll find any holster arrangement.

Then social convention cannot be forgotten. It's a warm morning. I should be able to go out in my back yard completely naked and be fine--except I couldn't--a lifetime of social conditioning wouldn't allow it. The same applies to stepping out without a gun. A man has certain responsibilities he may be called upon to meet without notice, and without a gun I couldn't meet them. Over time, as you become accustomed, the weight becomes a comfort.
 
There are couple of things you can do to make it easier:

- Get pants one size bigger. Regular fit, high waist - think classic chinos, Levi's 501, that sort of "dad pants".
- Get a sturdy belt - there should be no compromise on that. Either leather or nylon, it should be sturdy so it can support and distribute the weight of the gun evenly.
- Forget about Kydex for a moment and instead go with a known high quality leather IWB holster of a traditional pancake design, like Milt Sparks Versa Max for example, and carry it behind your hip. Leather has one huge advantage over Kydex - with use it forms around your body, making the holster more comfortable. It's like a pair of new dress shoes with leather soles - at first they can literally kill your feet, but the more and more you wear them, the more comfortable they will get.

At first it can be a real frustrating experience to carry a gun, especially if it's a heavy full sized one, but with the right gear you will get used to it. Just don't expect it to feel 100% comfortable from day one.
 
A good "Gun Belt", one designed to be worn supporting a handgun, makes a significant difference.

OWB will be more comfortable than IWB.

Leather holsters are usually more comfortable than plastic ones.

If you may need to remove your holster during the day a paddle holster may be a reasonable choice.

Every real gun owner I know has several boxes of holsters and at least one box of shame holsters.
 
Goto an office supply and check on their daytimer type calendars with a zipper. Take out the binder mechanism and lay the pistol inside, zip up. I have one, brown, that is about 5" X 8". Kinda like a smaller version of a Bible cover. Just have to remember to not lay it down...to easy to forget and walk off.
Andrews Custom Leather Notebook holster http://www.andrewsleather.com/notebook.htm
 
Well, I have given up on each holster long before “weeks” went by. Seems a waste to have to purchase that many holsters just to find the one that works. But I do appreciate the insight- thank you.

I appreciate this Cygnus, I went through the same painful and costly process. Behind by hip, 3 and 4 o'clock, undershirt, IWB, etc. and I couldn't get comfortable with them. In the end, I went with a smaller CCW in front pocket and never looked back. I too, don't like bulky items in my pocket, but it was the only option that worked for me.
 
First off, carrying a gun will never be as comfortable as not carrying a gun. You have to decide if the loss of comfort is worth the comfort of having a means to defend yourself. Some folks never do, and for them that is the right answer.

Contrary to the opinions of lots of folks, comfort is one reason why Appendix Inside the Waistband (AIWB) carry has become so popular. Between 3:00 and 9:00 there are bones all around your body that a holster will compress against. In front, from 11:00 to 2:00, there is just your gut, and this is usually pretty compressible, and generally a little more comfortable place to put a handgun and holster. You still have to deal with what would be too long or too short, but generally there is more comfort available.

As folks have mentioned, if you don't have a good belt, get one. A good starting point is the Wilderness Tactical belt. Generally, the 5-stitch level is a good one for carrying a gun. Lucky for you, the 5-stitch Frequent Flyer is on sale right now. Make sure you follow the sizing instructions before you order.

Wilderness Frequent Flyer 5-stitch https://www.thewilderness.com/belts/frequent-flyer-belt/
 
What gun are you currently carrying? I've carried now for about 8 or 9 years...I'm just now getting comfortable with carrying compact, single stack 9mm's. For the most part, micro 380's in pocket holsters have been my standard. Even now, I find with iwb holsters, the most comfortable way to carry is at 4 o'clock when driving, and pull it around to 3 o'clock for walking around. Adjusting in public would have freaked me out early on...but come to find out...no one is paying that much attention 99.9% of the time
 
Cygnus wrote:
So far, I prefer behind my hip, but not in small of my back, drawing with palm away (knuckles against hip/back).
As mentioned above, this is not a common way to carry and not a commonly produced style of holster either. Are you using an opposite hand holster (lefty holster for a righty) for this application.
 
I carry a Sig P938 IWB, in a Stealthgear IWB holster, but most importantly, I buy my pants a bit large so there’s room.

I find it comfortable.
 
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