Am I the only one with conceal carry problems?

jmccracken1214

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2017
Messages
5,751
Location
Thomasville, North Carolina
Rating - 100%
152   0   0
Not sure if its the added weight I've packed on or what... 6'4, 250lbs. Wear a 38" pants. XL shirts.

Doesnt matter where I carry, it prints. appendix, above my right back pocket... all prints with my 3.6 m&p.

Not to mention, I dont find it all that comfortable, its manageable while standing, but sitting, forget it. Thinking I might need to venture into a single stack 9 for CC. I got this 3.6" for IWB, I feel the 3.6 is kinda pointless of me to open carry, might as well get a longer barrel then.

Anyone else feel like they HAVE to use a single stack for IWB?
 
I am about 5'11" and 200 lbs. Should be carrying about 190 but that is another thread. I can carry my CZ PCR or my HK P30sk with zero issues. Is it possible you are paranoid about the printing, or possibly have a crappy holster? If not a single stack should be better if yu are ok with giving up capacity. There was a nice Kahr in the classified for a very good price and a holster. If you are going single stack that is worth a look.

Edit - If I was ripped and fit I'd berate you and tell you to lose weight! :D
 
Last edited:
In NC a little printing doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t be concerned about that. I find that in my truck 3:30-4:00 carry is fine but in the car with more wrap around seats I have to push it a little farther back and it is still not real comfortable.
 
I carry on my right at about 3:30, owb under a shirt all the time and don’t really print that much depending on the shirt. I tried over my back pocket but like over my right side pocket lots better. @rantingredneck made me a holster for me Glock 43 with quick clips that goes on and off in a jiffy and carries great.
 
I’m 6’7” 295. Not small at all. I have a gut and appendix carry. Love my tier 1 axis holster with my p365 or 320c. I run my belt loose when sitting. It’s got a slide adjustment on it so when I sit I loosen it and tip the top of gun out to clear my belly. When I stand back up I tighten the belt with 1 hand and go on. No printing no problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I carry on my right at about 3:30, owb under a shirt all the time and don’t really print that much depending on the shirt. I tried over my back pocket but like over my right side pocket lots better. @rantingredneck made me a holster for me Glock 43 with quick clips that goes on and off in a jiffy and carries great.
I think i just need a OWB that carries high and tight on my body.

Ive been carrying since 2011, for some reason, (maybe holster) this m&p prings like a mofo. Vary obvious that its there. I had one of his holsters for my g19, I could probably have covered it with a shirt better than this m&p.

No one makes holsters for the 3.6 tho
 
I’m 6’7” 295. Not small at all. I have a gut and appendix carry. Love my tier 1 axis holster with my p365 or 320c. I run my belt loose when sitting. It’s got a slide adjustment on it so when I sit I loosen it and tip the top of gun out to clear my belly. When I stand back up I tighten the belt with 1 hand and go on. No printing no problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
giantHill.jpg
 
I'm 5'9" and about 180lbs. I carry either a Shield or a CZ PCR at 5:30-6:00 in a Chiefjason IWB. I can feel the difference in weight and size of the two guns but I don't feel like the CZ prints anymore than the Shield does.
 
I think i just need a OWB that carries high and tight on my body.

Ive been carrying since 2011, for some reason, (maybe holster) this m&p prings like a mofo. Vary obvious that its there. I had one of his holsters for my g19, I could probably have covered it with a shirt better than this m&p.

No one makes holsters for the 3.6 tho
You aren’t that far away. Set up a meet with rantingredneck and he’ll make you one on the spot using your gun as a pattern. You can come to my house(I’m about halfway between), and I’ll carry ya the rest of the way. Need to go see Tom anyway.
 

Pretty much. I’ve got a thread on my holsters and pics of me with them on. But in case you were wondering here it is with p365 and 12 rd mags. I wear a belt from klick belts dot com. Love it.

11de7a0c025e6000acafef4d27e037fe.jpg
ab82b7139cdac7945e9201868044f2fb.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Not sure if its the added weight I've packed on or what... 6'4, 250lbs. Wear a 38" pants. XL shirts.

Doesnt matter where I carry, it prints. appendix, above my right back pocket... all prints with my 3.6 m&p.

Not to mention, I dont find it all that comfortable, its manageable while standing, but sitting, forget it. Thinking I might need to venture into a single stack 9 for CC. I got this 3.6" for IWB, I feel the 3.6 is kinda pointless of me to open carry, might as well get a longer barrel then.

Anyone else feel like they HAVE to use a single stack for IWB?

I'm 6'0", 185 lbs. My waist can't decide whether it's 34' or 36'. I wear large shirts, mostly so I don't have to tuck my shirt in every time I bend over. I've carried full size double stack in the past but have a 1911 IWB now as I sit. It'll print but only when I bend over.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the issue here is not printing, but your denial about your waist and shirt size.

:D

Hey, what are friends for?
 
I'm 6'0", 185 lbs. My waist can't decide whether it's 34' or 36'. I wear large shirts, mostly so I don't have to tuck my shirt in every time I bend over. I've carried full size double stack in the past but have a 1911 IWB now as I sit. It'll print but only when I bend over.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the issue here is not printing, but your denial about your waist and shirt size.

:D

Hey, what are friends for?
Mannnnnnn I went out and bought all new Carhartt XL shirts. They are a lot looser than my others and dont draw up. Its the only thing I dont print with. Hate feeling like I have to wear a bed sheet to cover my piece.

We need to start a fatboy movement to make open carry more acceptable and less douchey.
 
Double stack IWB will require pants one size larger to be comfortable. Printing is 50% gear 50% mental. I print on both sides with gun+mag. Symmetry helps people not notice stuff.

If it's important I keep smaller guns ready to go. G19, shield, P32, as the situation demands.
 
Last edited:
Not sure if its the added weight I've packed on or what... 6'4, 250lbs. Wear a 38" pants. XL shirts.

Doesnt matter where I carry, it prints. appendix, above my right back pocket... all prints with my 3.6 m&p.

Not to mention, I dont find it all that comfortable, its manageable while standing, but sitting, forget it. Thinking I might need to venture into a single stack 9 for CC. I got this 3.6" for IWB, I feel the 3.6 is kinda pointless of me to open carry, might as well get a longer barrel then.

Anyone else feel like they HAVE to use a single stack for IWB?
You ever tried a holster such as a Crossbreed SuperTuck or similar? They are very comfortable...…. However... I tend to wear loose fit jeans/Cargo shorts with a loose shirt and this probably helps with the comfort. I usually wear mine around the 4 to 4:30 position and as it breaks in, the leather molds around you.... very comfortable. The only time I really notice it is when I bend over. Like said above.... the printing is somewhat mental.
 
You ever tried a holster such as a Crossbreed SuperTuck or similar? They are very comfortable...…. However... I tend to wear loose fit jeans/Cargo shorts with a loose shirt and this probably helps with the comfort. I usually wear mine around the 4 to 4:30 position and as it breaks in, the leather molds around you.... very comfortable. The only time I really notice it is when I bend over. Like said above.... the printing is somewhat mental.
ive usually used the aliengears with no problems but they dont have my 3.6 on their list
 
6' 4", 280. I carry a G19 appendix in a JM Custom rig with soft loops. I've found that using my G17 holster helps keep the top of the rig from rolling out and causing printing issues. This video is humorous but was a great help in getting my rig into a comfortable spot. I pocket carry my spare mag, sometimes using a Neomag depending on what pants I'm wearing.

.
 
Last edited:
6' 4", 280. I carry a G19 appendix in a JM Custom rig with soft loops. I've found that using my G17 holster helps keep the top of the rig from rolling out and causing printing issues. This video is humorous but was a great help in getting my rig into a comfortable spot . I pocket carry my spare mag, sometimes using a Neomag depending on what pants I'm wearing.
 
Last edited:
6' 4", 280. I carry a G19 appendix in a JM Custom rig with soft loops. I've found that using my G17 holster helps keep the top of the rig from rolling out and causing printing issues. This video is humorous but was a great help in getting my rig into a comfortable spot. I pocket carry my spare mag, sometimes using a Neomag depending on what pants I'm wearing.

.

Lol @ "tactical muffin top".....
 
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the issue here is not printing, but your denial about your waist and shirt size.

Beat me to it.

I am the same size as the OP but wear 2x tall shirts and 40 pants and can carry a Glock 17 at 3:00 with minimal to no printing. Glock 19 and M&P 2.0 4 compact disappear. I do look a bit frumpy most of the time...but I can breathe.
 
Unless your cloths are too small and your pants give you a muffin top, people really ain't 'checking you out'. Now if you are a hawt chick in yoga pants, people will be checking you out.
 
I tend to carry a full-size VP9 IWB at the 2:30 position. 5'10" 215ish. I feel VERY comfortable that I am not printing and I actually find the weight of the full-size more comfortable for some reason than the tiny pistols like my P325 or Khar CM9. The little guns just seem pointier to me...My "tactical muffin top" definitely helps hide the gun.

It's all about the holster and position.

I have 3 that really work for me.
  • Chief Jason IWB with 25 degree of forward cant
YCXTtzO.jpg


jUXzcDs.jpg

uQPP6h3.jpg


  • Comptac Minotaur adjusted to have forward cant
GeRRJrO.jpg

XQ2s0IL.jpg


  • RM Holsters Low Rider
No pics yet. I'm using today so I might snap some later. Here is one from the website: https://www.shop.rmholsters.com/Low-Rider-Inside-Waist-Band-Holster-LR20.htm
ZDy95qV.png
 
Last edited:
Not sure if its the added weight I've packed on or what... 6'4, 250lbs. Wear a 38" pants. XL shirts.

Doesnt matter where I carry, it prints. appendix, above my right back pocket... all prints with my 3.6 m&p.

Not to mention, I dont find it all that comfortable, its manageable while standing, but sitting, forget it. Thinking I might need to venture into a single stack 9 for CC. I got this 3.6" for IWB, I feel the 3.6 is kinda pointless of me to open carry, might as well get a longer barrel then.

Anyone else feel like they HAVE to use a single stack for IWB?

For those who have met me in person can attest I am not a big guy. 5' 4.5" in cleats and on a good day weight about 150lbs. I carry almost exclusively IWB. OWB sticks out too much or I have to wear clothes that are too large to conceal the gun. I prefer compact or fullsized guns for carry because of their shootablity and in my experience reliability.

I have carried BHPs, P228s, CZ P01, Sphinx SDP, Commander 1911s and currently a Wilson EDC X9. My advice is that there is no one size fits all solutions. It takes trial and error. Sometimes one rig you love for one gun simply doesn't work with a different gun. I have a drawer full of holsters and a long list of WTS Holster X threads all over the Internet to attest to this. These days I have pretty much standardized on Milt Sparks VM2s. They work for me and their 18-20 degree cant on a good belt works for me but it might no work for you. I have them for BHPs, P228, Sphinx and 1911s. In the summer I can get away with a loose T-shirt with cargo shorts. In the winter I where a T shirt and then a long sleeved collar shirt and I am covered. I did go with a Warbird rig for my EDC X9 and love it. 20 degree cant and it is convertible to OWB.

xFn6iOk.jpg



The belt is am important part of the equation. Having the right sized belt made of the right materials is essential. It keeps the gun from moving around. It keeps it tight to the body without being uncomfortable. Too many people over look this IMHO. I also agree with others who say that you have to upsize your pants to accommodate double stack IWB. I can wear 30" waist pants but often buy 31"-32" so I can carry. This is especially true in shorts.

For me a 3:30 o'clock works for me. I do not worry to much about printing. It is not illegal in NC or other states where I carry. The gun is never exposed. If know it is there you can see it. If you are looking closely at me you will notice it but IMHO most criminals are not looking for concealed carry guns. They are looking for opportunity in terms of lightening, lines of sight and vulnerability. They are not choosing targets based on who is and who is not printing. I think that CCW holders overthink this.

Comfort is all about position and cant. You just need to work with it. In the end sometimes some guns and some rigs will just not work. Good luck. Here are some pics of me wearing a EDC X9 in the Warbird shown above.

QvMIsBI.jpg


pnY2PZm.jpg


zQV1MIN.jpg


ZFbHFCZ.jpg
 
Last edited:
I am not much bigger than wvsig at 5' 7.5" and 160lbs. I carry a CZ P07 AIWB in a Knightfall Customs AIWB. I have been all over the map when it comes to carry guns and I'm probably not done yet. I love the idea of single stacks but can't find one I like aside from the Walther PPS M2 I just sold. The Walther shoots great but is almost the same foot print as the P07 when running the 7rd mag. They honestly feel almost identical to me when carried and the P07 prints only marginally more than the PPS in the holsters I have. So I would rather carry the P07 for the capacity over the PPS.
 
I gave up caring about printing a long time ago.
Like a few other folks recently commenting, Im a slight of build feller, too. 5'7", 145 lbs. I normally carry aiwb but do carry owb in a chiefjason holster in winter. I carry a CZ P01 or PCR exclusively, and for those unfamiliar, they are comparative in size to a G19 or PPQ.
The owb prints a bit (sometimes the aiwb does), but who really cares.? By and large, most people are busy being too scared/shy/socially awkward to make eye contact or just flat out too absorbed in their phones to notice where they are walking, much less anything even remotely concealed. Hell, most don't even notice the open carrier.


What Im trying to say is find a gun and rig that is comfy to you and devil be damned.
 
I carry around the 3:30 position in a Comp-Tac Minotaur. I am 5'10 about 350 so it disappears in the background. I can drive or work around the office or yard and it feels good.
 
So...... I got a Glock G45 today and a IWB holster for it at the store... Get home, play around with it. About 3:15 position, it feels ok, i covered it up, ask my wife if she can see it.. shes got no clue where its at. WTF.. I can hide this, but not my m&p??! lol She just left for the weekend with the m&p, so Ill play around with it more sunday.

Next issue..... That gen 5 grip texture is a little rough my me weeee love handles. Any solutions, other than Talon grips?
 
Wear an undershirt.
Ditto. I always wear and undershirt, even when wearing a t-shirt. Every one of them has a black stain about 3:00 on the right side. :D

I quit caring about printing when I got my first Chief Jason OWB. I'll carry a G23, or a G21, or a Pitbull in 9 or 40, or a Rossi .357. All OWB. The wheel guns definitely print less. I stick to darker shirts 90% of the time.

With either of the Glocks, there's a spare mag OWB at about 7:30, just behind my phone.
 
@jmccracken1214

If you want a cheap and easy solution for the grips, buy a bicycle tire tube from Walmart, etc. Cut whatever size you want. You can do full sleeve, or small rings. I've carried all my Glocks that way, with a band around each finger grip. It's the best solution I found for mine with CT grips, but they work on standard pistol grips as well.
 
Back
Top Bottom