Chl + First gun = help!

[whec716]

I recently bought my first gun and took the CHL class - I have a Springfield Armory 45 xd 4 inch barrel.

I'm looking for holder suggestions.

I'm in Houston so i need some good ideas for carrying in the summer - usually i wear shorts and a t-shirt. At work, the attire is khakis, button down and a tie.

6'1 230 lbs.

any thoughts?

any shop suggestions for Houston?

Thank you guys so much.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

whec716:

Welcome to the board sir!! Congrats on your plastic and your fine
taste in sidearms.

IWB (Inside Waistband) holsters are preferred by some. You will
have a variety of options from which to choose. Cross Breed Supertucks
are popular. One drawback to IWB is that the gun is held very close to
you and sweat may collect on the gun.

OWB (Outside Waistband) holsters are fine if you have a cover garment.
Plus you don't have to buy your pants a size larger, as with an IWB holster.

As far as packing at work if you must work in an office, and given your
dressing style, that would seem to be a bit of a challenge with a 4" XD.

SIA

[USA1]

Hello whec716
Welcome to the forum.
Get ready for a flood of replies.

For work , you may need to acquire a smaller, more concealable gun. I hear the LCP's are all the rage.

[whec716]

What is the LCP?

I'm looking into getting a smaller gun - for work and around town.

Any suggestions for OWB for afterwork? driving? mall, etc etc.

[USA1]

LCP = Lightweight Compact Pistol....380cal

Fits in your pocket.

[longtooth]

Welcome aboard.

For your XD .45 I just wrote a review on a new maker that has been on our board for a while.
He has other designs that he has pictures of. Some beautiful tooling. Right now no waiting list. He does them for the LCP too.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=29968" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[carlson1]

Welcome to the forum! The LCP is great for dress clothes and a back up. They are just now coming down in price.

[Medic218]

As far as packing while on the clock I would check in to what your employers weapons in the workplace policy is.
Most employers dont allow it for the simple fact that if they fire you and you have a weapon on you there is a possibility that you could turn it on them. But if there is no weapon then there is no way it could become an issue on the job site.
Also, if you decide to carry without first finding out what thier position is and then it comes out that you carry at work and you find out they dont approve there is a high likelyhood that you could loose your job....and lets face it, these times arent the best for job hunting.
Just my input and opinion. I also speak from experience. I almost lost my job in a similar situation a long time ago.

[joe817]

Hi whec716, welcome to the forum! As you can see there's a wealth of information here at your fingertips.

I agree with USA1 in that you may want to consider acquiring a more concealable gun than that fine hand cannon you have.

Here are a couple of links for your consideration in choosing a smaller gun:

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; This is a great size comparison chart for a lot of guns.

http://www.best9mm.com/compact9mm.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; A great website for subcompact 9mm's. But the website also has similar lists for other calibers.

Finally for holsters, our very own Longtooth put together an excellent thread that lists 50-60 holster manufacturers:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6515" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck on some easy reading!

[MoJo]

Lots of folks like Kydex (plastic) holsters one of the best is made right there in Houston it's the Comptac. They have both inside and outside waistband holsters. For leather, I lean toward Don Hume they make a quality product at a reasionable price. The gentleman Longtooth alluded to makes some beautiful holsters and the XD is on his list. His website is http://www.tex45.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Concealing a full size gun isn't nearly as hard as some think or make it out to be. You say you're 6'1" and about 230 you shouldn't have any trouble concealing your XD. You just have to want to and learn how to dress around the gun(s).

At times I carry 2 full size M&P 40 pistols, 2 spare mags, a 2" 38 and two reloads for it and so far not even my wife has noticed. I am 5'11" and about 250. Consider a snub nose .38 for backup/dress carry they are easier to shoot than the ultra small pistols and a lot more reliable IMHO.

Oh yea, Welcome aboard this can be a fun ride.

[ELB]

+1 for http://comp-tac.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[billfromtx]

I wear Cargo shorts ( with my beltman belt) a loose T-shirt and flip flops 99% of the time here in Corpus and I carry a XD 45 Compact in a brigade gunleather IWB...No problems

[NAVY CHIEF]

Oh yea, Welcome aboard this can be a fun ride.

This IS a fun ride! I agree. Best time I spend on the 'net!

Hooyah!

[gwashorn]

Well, as others have said, welcome to the board, a great bunch of people. I carry an XD9SC and I live here near Alvin. Yup hot summers. Well, when in shorts, most are 5.11 cargos and I pocket carry it with an appropriate leather pocket holster. Very important for safety. If in my jeans, then IWB MTAC. Works great and comfortable. Otherwise, OWB and for me I like my Bianchi Carrylok model 82 size 14B I think for the XD. Cool weather a long shirt or vest etc. Warm weather, pull my shirt out and had to learn to not wear a tucked in shirt. T-shirt under for comfort or make sure you have sweat guard style holster. Square cut loud print Hawain shirts can hide an elephant and looks right for the weather.

Anyway, like most, we all have our stock pile of "gee it seemed like a good idea at the time" collection of holsters. The member here, Riverrat, who is making holsters looks like some really fantastic ones and I will be going that way next. But since you said your first gun and getting a CHL, look around and try. Figure out your NORMAL dressing and note, you will have to learn to dress to carry. (You'll get use to loud Hawain shirts!) It is a commitment that goes with the responsibility. Also, might add, good training and practice to go with the holster because it is a part of the tool. Plug, I belong to the PSC gun range down here and a good place to get training and practice,

Enjoy and glad to see more members.

Gary

[cougartex]

Welcome from SE Texas.

Try Galco holsters.
http://www.usgalco.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;