Tuck or no tuck?

[terryg]

(Many of you know ...) that I am new to carrying and current carry a Beretta Tomcat IWB. But I have been in research mode for a few months now. I'm pretty sure I have settled on a Ruger SR9c which I hope to acquire in the near future.

I was hoping to find a nice OWB solution. I tried a Fobus paddle holster with my FIL's SR9, but didn't think it held close enough to the body. Recently, a good friend loaned me his Springfield EMP with Bianchi OWB holster to try for a little while. This was my first real chance to carry a comparable sized weapon OWB.

But when I tired it, even with one of my longest shirts - sort of a camp style, the shirt was only about an inch below the bottom of the holster. When I lifted my arm parallel to the ground, the bottom of the holster was visible. When I lifted over my head, the gun became visible. I have read here that some shop at the Big and Tall section and get really long shirts. But I have never had much success in those stores as the clothes are always BIG and tall.

I am 6' 3" @ 195 lbs and I think I may simply have to accept that I am not built for OWB + concealment. I guess I will have to go IWB. I have looked at Comp-Tac, Crossbreed and others. My question is if I am going IWB anyway, is there any reason not to get a tuck-able holster? Are there any dis-advantages to a tucking IWB holster versus a more traditional IWB holster?

Thanks,

t

[The Annoyed Man]

Both the Minotaur MTAC from Comp-Tac and the Crossbreed Supertuck are tuckable IWB holsters which are exceedingly comfortable and well made.

[terryg]

Both the Minotaur MTAC from Comp-Tac and the Crossbreed Supertuck are tuckable IWB holsters which are exceedingly comfortable and well made.

So even if I would not normally carry tucked, there is no reason not consider a tuckable one? I think I might like having the option as long as there is not an negative aspect that I am not seeing.

[The Annoyed Man]

Both the Minotaur MTAC from Comp-Tac and the Crossbreed Supertuck are tuckable IWB holsters which are exceedingly comfortable and well made.

So even if I would not normally carry tucked, there is no reason not consider a tuckable one? I think I might like having the option as long as there is not an negative aspect that I am not seeing.

Correct. Just because a holster is tuckable doesn't mean you have to use it that way. You can simply use it as you would any regular IWB holster.

My main IWB holster is an MTAC, and I've never used it as a tuckable holster, and I love it.

[MoJo]

The secret to successful concealed carry is to dress around the gun and your chosen carry method. If you want to carry OWB them you need a shirt that's longer and a size larger. IWB you may get away with a normal length shirt but, you'll still need the extra size around the middle. Tucked??? I have a Super Tuck that I've tucked twice, once to try it and once when I was going somewhere I had to wear a tucked shirt. Pants need to be a size larger in the waist for IWB and you MUST have a sturdy gun belt to hold it all together. Carrying concealed is a lifestyle change you can't wear the same tight fittin' jeans and tee shirts anymore.

[A-R]

with both TAM and Mojo

As for tucking, I carry tucked more than most because of my job. I CAN carry on the job (I'm my own boss in most respects), but I really don't want my clients or others to know I'm carrying and I MUST look professional. I'll occassionally wear nice-looking untucked shirts (LOVE the 5.11 covert casual shirts), but generally speaking my shirt needs to be tucked in when I'm around clients or other real estate professionals.

I own two Crossbreeds - one for Glocks and one for my Walther PPS. I typically carry the PPS when I tuck because it's thinner and doesn't bulge my pants under the beltline as much as the Glocks. But I've carried my G23 & G27 tucked on numerous occassions too.

Only concern when carrying tucked is the belt clips themselves. I've been "outed" twice because of the cross on the Crossbreed metal clips. Both times I was spotted by "gun people" who were already familiar with Crossbreed and simply asked "hey, how do you like your Crossbreed, been thinking about getting one myself?" ... but it's still never fun when someone knows you're carrying when you thought you were fully concealed. So I switched the clips on my PPS holster to some Tucker C-clips. They work OK, but still not perfect. I'm actually considering ordering some Comp Tac clips to color match my belt and see if that hides the clips in plain sight better.

You should have no problems tucking an SR9c when needed, and either Comp Tac or Crossbreed will work very well when not tucking too.

[Teamless]

I've been "outed" twice because of the cross on the Crossbreed metal clips.

/off topic for a sec ...
I use Crossbreed as well as Comp-Tac, but I use the V-clips (velcro) with a Crossbreed Velcro lined gun belt
tucked or untucked, unless you see the very top of the pants where the clip comes over the pants and behind the belt, you cant tell.

I like the Velcro clips a lot.

[terryg]

The secret to successful concealed carry is to dress around the gun and your chosen carry method. If you want to carry OWB them you need a shirt that's longer and a size larger.

I have read that before and I do understand that. But with tall guys, its all about levers and geometry. When a tall guy in slacks sits down, his pant legs come halfway up his shins even if they are hemmed right on the shoe sole. The same thing happens with a shirt. I think it would have to hang like 4 or 5 inches below the bottom of the holster in order to not show when lifting my arms. If I was to wear a shirt that long, I would look thug or a terrorist.

[A-R]

I've been "outed" twice because of the cross on the Crossbreed metal clips.

/off topic for a sec ...
I use Crossbreed as well as Comp-Tac, but I use the V-clips (velcro) with a Crossbreed Velcro lined gun belt
tucked or untucked, unless you see the very top of the pants where the clip comes over the pants and behind the belt, you cant tell.

I like the Velcro clips a lot.

I agree, velcro clips are great. I have a Beltman with the velcro sewn in and carried my PPS this way for a while. It works well enough, not as secure as standard clips, but workable.

But then one day I was running late and realized I was wearing black shoes and black shirt and - oops - no velcro in my black 5.11 leather belt. so had to punt since I was already late and just stick LCP in my pocket and go. This is when I started looking for another clip option for my PPS Crossbreed that would work regardless of the belt I was wearing (I also have some 5.11 trainer/operator web belts too - no velcro in those either).

Speaking of "dressing around your gun", my guns/holsters are becoming like accessories that have to "match" what I'm wearing ..... yeah yeah, here's my man card (won't be needing it anymore, I now realize)

[Pawpaw]

But then one day I was running late and realized I was wearing black shoes and black shirt and - oops - no velcro in my black 5.11 leather belt. so had to punt since I was already late and just stick LCP in my pocket and go. This is when I started looking for another clip option for my PPS Crossbreed that would work regardless of the belt I was wearing (I also have some 5.11 trainer/operator web belts too - no velcro in those either).

I use the J-hooks on my SuperTuck and they work great. They're almost invisible with any belt.

[Rick343]

I carry a 3.5" 1911 in a Don Hume jit slide #10 holster and find it very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. It's small and wears close to the body, doesn't weigh anything. I had to break it in by sliding my 1911 in and out about 50 times until I could put a smooth draw on my pistol. Also the jit slide wasn't very expensive, under $30.

[RPB]

As a kid, I got in lots of trouble going untucked, I still prefer untucked, I wear untucked Cuban Wedding shirts at church, I have some old non-tuckable IWB holsters, but I buy and wear tuckable IWB holsters... good to have options.

Besides the hybrids (leather and kydex) youucnalso get all kydex, and even nylon tuckables (I wear Tuckable Desantis Tuck-This 2 nylon and a RIP CORD kydex sometimes, as well as my Kholster and MTAC and Comfort Carry ones..)

I use the V-Clips Velcro and a Velcro lined Comp-Tac belt with my holsters from Rob Durham and Comp-Tac too. I added some "Sticky Back" Velcro on my Desantis Tuck-This 2, which uses a J-hook under the belt, and on the metal clips of a Kholster, which I wear the metal clips under my COMP-TAC BELT.. WalMart has the Sticky-Back Velcro in the sewing center.

[navion]

I carry a Kimber Ultra Carry in a Milt Sparks VMII with tuckable kydex clips everyday with a dress shirt. I have yet to be made interacting with people all day long.

[El_Tortuga]

Untucked for me. My crossbreed will support tucked, but its not as deep a cover.

[chefkristian]

Same here, untucked. I do have a tuckable IWB, but I think I look goofy with a tucked shirt

I did try it tucked, but for me the tactical advantage was not having to jerk out and fumble with my shirt to get a good draw. I know it's all about practice practice practice, but I missed the grab several times with the weak hand across my body. I was faster with just using my strong side thumb and tracing it up my side to lift the shirt high enough to draw.