sds
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by sds on Oct 21, 2003 0:00:05 GMT -5
Hey Guys,
My wife and I both recently got our permits and are trying to figure out the best way to carry. We both have glocks (a 17 and a 19) so the options are nearly endless. I'm curious what people have found that works well for them. I like the inside the waist band and small of the back styles because they look easy to keep concealed. Any thoughts about style, material, or anything else would be greatly appriciated.
I've noticed that alot if not most holsters don't have thumbbreaks and rely on tension screws or just form fitting for retention. Do these methods work well or should I look for something with a more positive retention system?
Thanks,
SDS
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Post by CTcarry on Oct 21, 2003 2:25:09 GMT -5
sds; welcome, I like the in-the-waistband holsters but the size of the gun matters in this case because the gun, at least the barrel portion of it, has to fit inside your pants. I'm a small guy and I carry a single-stack 9mm with a 3.5 in barrel because for me, this is the biggest gun I can carry inside my pants. So try it out with your glock and make sure that when you sit, say, while you're driving, your holster doesn't ride up on your hip, bringing your pants up with it. IWB's are available that you can also tuck your shirt over so these are definitely very concealable. Don't let the absence of a thumb break fool you; those holsters will grip onto your gun quite tightly so I wouldn't worry about your gun falling out of the holster. Just don't do strenuous exercise with your holster on. I'm not a big fan of the thumb break because that's just another thing I have to remember if I need to draw my weapon in a self-defensive situation. However, my feeling is that if you carry a gun "cocked and locked" as with a 1911, I'd get the holster with the thumb break as it goes between the hammer and the firing pin. Just a precaution in that case. I'm sure others on this board have better ideas, so I'll let them tell you how they carry. These are just my ideas and preferences. -ct
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Post by MLB on Oct 21, 2003 15:05:48 GMT -5
I just recently looked at a Mitch Rosen and Galco IWB holsters. I chose the MR since it had a more durable waistband clip. They are both fine holsters though. Take a look.
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sds
New Member
Posts: 17
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Post by sds on Oct 22, 2003 22:06:02 GMT -5
Some interesting thoughts. I'm a good sized guy so I don't think I'd have a problem with my 17 inside the waistband but it is something I hadn't considered. How comfrotable are shoulder rigs and I'm curious what people who have carried for a while have settled on. A couple of people I've talked to at work haven't found anything they like yet and I was looking for thoughts from those who have found something that works well for them. I'm open to other holster designs, I just picked those two because they looked easy to keep concealed.
Thanks for your input
SDS
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Post by Flipper on Oct 23, 2003 6:03:19 GMT -5
I've never been comfortable with the IWB holsters, probably because there are days when I have trouble fittin' me in-the-waistband. I'm currently trying a Belt/Clip holster from Pro Tech outdoors(fairly inexpensive) which is comfortable though I'm not sure the most concealable.
I've always thought that in the pocket carry was the most concealable but I have fairly large hands and have yet to find a small enough firearm with a comfortable enough grip to make the whole package come together.I personally would not trust a holster w/o a retention strap other then an in the pocket version. It can become a tough tradeoff and one could easily end up with a collection of holsters (one of the reasons that I have been experimenting with inexpensive ones). I believe it can become a very personal decision, Good Luck!
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Post by Callahan on Oct 23, 2003 9:15:23 GMT -5
Flipper: Check out the Kel-Tec line of pistols, specifically the P32 and 3AT...
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Post by Flipper on Oct 23, 2003 11:52:42 GMT -5
Kel-Tec has a real fan club at one of the nearby ranges, Callahan. They are real big on some .380 that Kel-Tec makes, but I honestly never gave them much more than a perfunctory glance
because I am not really big on .380s myself. Thanks, perhaps they deserve a closer look.
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Post by Callahan on Oct 23, 2003 12:37:40 GMT -5
The .380 they make is the 3AT. Get it? Pretty clever folks in Florida. I think the .380 in some of the newer loads is OK for close work, but just behind the .38 Special. I understand your reluctance, but there just aren't that many pistols that you can carry both comforatably and in deep concealment all day, especially in warmer climates. Best compromise I can think of is the Kahr PM9.
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Post by tptplayer on Oct 23, 2003 16:54:10 GMT -5
I have a Kahr PM9. It shoots great for a small handgun. The quality level (and the price) are above the Keltec. I just got my CCW license but it drops in my pocket really easily. Even my wife has trouble telling if I am carrying.
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Post by Flipper on Oct 23, 2003 17:51:29 GMT -5
I'm going to put the Kahr PM9 on my "check it out" list. I vaguely remember seeing a Kahr at a gun show awhile back.That was during my Pre-Ruger 95 Days when I was the die hard fevolver fan and so I probably did not take a close enough look. Now that my horizons have expanded I'll check one out. Thanks!  |
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oldman
Junior Member
Posts: 54
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Post by oldman on Oct 24, 2003 13:43:51 GMT -5
Kahr (at least for me) seems to a very well made pistol. I have a Kahr K40 in a custom Kydex crossdraw holster that I used to wear under my company shirt. Since I could carry any firearm I owned for work, it varies from my 1911 to Smith & Wesson 4513 TSW to Sig 239 to SP 101 or the Kahr. (all crossdraw) I'll be moving to another state soon that has a "shall issue" policy, so I'm thinking about a Fist #41 behind the back holster for the K40. However, when the new .32 NAA Guardian comes into our range I'm going to check it out for a possible new purchase.
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Post by tddude on Oct 28, 2003 0:46:40 GMT -5
Well, back to the original question. rl-usa.com/TuckerLeather/IWB-1.htmlI bought the Heritage special over a year ago and use it virtually everyday. I used to weigh around 235 (at 6' tall) and have recently lost weight and am down to 185 (thanks to mr. adkins) and am still quite pleased with this holster. The clips grab the belt quite solidly and I have absolutely no wear marks on my Beretta. The one down side is that it does take two hands to re-holster because of not having anything to hold it open after the pistol is drawn. However, that only matters when at the range practicing. In everyday use, not having that extra width helps concealment. I live in Houston where it's always Hot or Wet or both and I work in construction. I do admit to being one of the "office weenies" but I do find myself at jobsites climbing scaffolding quite often with no problems. You will need to buy pants one size larger than you are used to wearing. But remember, no matter what type of holster you get, don't forget to invest in a proper belt. I use a Galco at 1 1/5" wide and it makes for a much better rig. Good luck. |
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vito
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by vito on Nov 9, 2003 17:55:30 GMT -5
For in the pocket, the S&W 640 is my gun of choice. With no exposed hammer it won't snag, and with either 38+P or 357 mag it should be able to do the job. It won't ever give you a reliability problem, even if untouched for years! The only problems are the limitation of only 5 rounds, and the inaccuracy (at least for me) of a 2 inch snubbie.
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Post by Callahan on Nov 10, 2003 9:44:08 GMT -5
Yeah, if 5 rounds of .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum aren't enough, you really do have a problem! ;D
I suspect that in most true self-defense situations you would be close enough where marksmanship will not be a challenge.
The 640 sounds like a perfect concealed carry pocket pistol.
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Post by Flipper on Nov 12, 2003 6:03:27 GMT -5
The 640 in a well-made pocket holster does appear to be the perfect concealed carry rig. I have looked at the 640 clone, the Taurus 651 "Protector" numerous times and almost acquired one but each time I have developed some trepidation at the last minute because of rumors circulating regarding the Taurus Security System (The Lock in the hammer). One day soon I'm goin' to break down and spend the extra $$ for the S&W "Bodyguard". ;D
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