Those Who Carry OWB
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Phil DeGraves
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- Aug 24, 2006
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I carry under a baggy sweatshirt in the winter and a T-shirt one size larger than I need in the summer.
My OWB gun is usually a Colt Combat Commander.
My OWB gun is usually a Colt Combat Commander.
JohnnyGrey
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- Dec 11, 2007
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- 76
Interesting topic. I'm 163lbs at 5'11" and the only way I can make a gun disappear is IWB in jeans. I can carry my XD9SC like that, but not my CZ75 compact. The CZ's beavertail and hammer dig into me when I sit down. I bought a shoulder rig for winter carry, but don't know that I could carry either OWB. The little plastic holster that came with my XD kind of flops outwards because it grabs the gun too low. If it held closer to my body, then maybe I could pull it off. It adds another 2" to my width at least, and since my jeans are 32", this is noticeable unless I dress like a clown. Maybe a belly band is the way to go?
JohnnyGrey, it's not the "only" way, you just need a good holster. Good holsters do wonders for concealment. See my post above for my experiences. You may have to wait 6 months for a holster, but you won't mind once you get it.
Also, it has been mentioned above, try wearing a little past your strong hip, towards the rear (3:15-3:30 is where I like it, depending upon gun). It helps significantly with concealment.
And, as I mentioned, comfort is the biggest thing. If you're comfy, you'll be confident, and no one will know better.
Also, it has been mentioned above, try wearing a little past your strong hip, towards the rear (3:15-3:30 is where I like it, depending upon gun). It helps significantly with concealment.
And, as I mentioned, comfort is the biggest thing. If you're comfy, you'll be confident, and no one will know better.
JohnnyGrey
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- Joined
- Dec 11, 2007
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- 76
Can you sit down and drive comfortably like that? Am I being unrealistic in trying to conceal a CZ75 compact?
Yes, I find driving with my N-Frame in the PMK plenty comfortable, with some exceptions (mentioned below). In general, I find OWB more comfortable than IWB when driving. I suppose the gun is a little less apt to dig into your ribs, and thus is more comfy. The butt is also a little more free to rotate away from the seatback, increasing comfort.
If you carry as far back as 4 or more, then no, I don't find that carry comfortable in a car. It's like a brick in your back
This is also highly dependent on your seats. In my wife's Toyota SUV, it's very comfy. In my Subaru STI, with much more confining seats, no it isn't that comfortable. But, in that car, even pocket carry is uncomfortable because of the high thigh bolsters. If I'm driving distance in the STI (not usually my choice, I'll take the Toyota), I will wear loose pants so I can kinda rotate the pocket on top of my leg and away from the bolster. It's awfully hard to get into your pocket when seated, though, so if you drive a lot perhaps other options are better--not really for comfort, but accessibility.
In general, OWB @ 3:15 is quite comfortable when driving, although only if the seat is wide enough to accomodate it.
BTW: you can make IWB more comfortable by buying 33's. The extra inch will be filled by the gun, and you won't look silly at all.
If you CZ's hammer is digging into your skin, you need a holster which incorporates a "sweat shield" (as its usually called), simply it continues up and covers the area between the slide and your skin. This will make IWB far more comfortable for you. I really like Milt Sparks VersaMax 2's for this reason (among others). There are other brands/makers with similar styles.
I hope that helps.
If you carry as far back as 4 or more, then no, I don't find that carry comfortable in a car. It's like a brick in your back
This is also highly dependent on your seats. In my wife's Toyota SUV, it's very comfy. In my Subaru STI, with much more confining seats, no it isn't that comfortable. But, in that car, even pocket carry is uncomfortable because of the high thigh bolsters. If I'm driving distance in the STI (not usually my choice, I'll take the Toyota), I will wear loose pants so I can kinda rotate the pocket on top of my leg and away from the bolster. It's awfully hard to get into your pocket when seated, though, so if you drive a lot perhaps other options are better--not really for comfort, but accessibility.
In general, OWB @ 3:15 is quite comfortable when driving, although only if the seat is wide enough to accomodate it.
BTW: you can make IWB more comfortable by buying 33's. The extra inch will be filled by the gun, and you won't look silly at all.
If you CZ's hammer is digging into your skin, you need a holster which incorporates a "sweat shield" (as its usually called), simply it continues up and covers the area between the slide and your skin. This will make IWB far more comfortable for you. I really like Milt Sparks VersaMax 2's for this reason (among others). There are other brands/makers with similar styles.
I hope that helps.
I carry a BHP in a CQC/s from Alessi. Use a good belt and a holster that rides high. I wear a my normal size shirt.
I find holsters with belt slots or snap attachments on either side of the gun work better than an Askins Avenger style.
I find holsters with belt slots or snap attachments on either side of the gun work better than an Askins Avenger style.
tuna
member
You're probably the only one noticing the bulge of your gun.
Once you get comfortable with that idea, you'll find carrying OWB with just a t-shirt on to be easy.
Once you get comfortable with that idea, you'll find carrying OWB with just a t-shirt on to be easy.
possum
Member
get a good holster that fits tight to your body and a nice belt. and i personally go with the 15 degree foward cant.
TN_Mike
Member
Well, I have always found IWB carry to be uncomfortable to say the least. So I have pretty much always carried OWB.
I used to weigh 325 pounds (at 5 foot 8) but decided a couple of years a go to stop being fat. So I bought a bicycle and an elliptical machine and started using them and 9 months later, I weighed 155 pounds. I thought I'd surely be able to carry IWB then. But, nope, still hated it and it was uncomfortable. So I determined to carry the best way I could OWB.
I used holsters that as others have said, tilt the gun so the grip is pointing more up my body and that hides it much better. I wear a shirt that is one size bigger than I would wear otherwise and I don't have a problem. It also helps that my shoulders are wider than my waist now.
And since I live in Tennessee, I open carry a lot of the time in the spring and summer. So, no problem there at all.
I used to weigh 325 pounds (at 5 foot 8
) but decided a couple of years a go to stop being fat. So I bought a bicycle and an elliptical machine and started using them and 9 months later, I weighed 155 pounds. I thought I'd surely be able to carry IWB then. But, nope, still hated it and it was uncomfortable. So I determined to carry the best way I could OWB. I used holsters that as others have said, tilt the gun so the grip is pointing more up my body and that hides it much better. I wear a shirt that is one size bigger than I would wear otherwise and I don't have a problem. It also helps that my shoulders are wider than my waist now.
And since I live in Tennessee, I open carry a lot of the time in the spring and summer. So, no problem there at all.
RugerSAFan
Member
All of my casual summer shirts are ccw tested before purchasing. Generally two shirt combos with outer shirt always untucked. Loose is key as well as multi pattern.
Mortech
Member
The only time I really carry OWB now is when I opencarry .
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