If you carry a "big" gun, how do you do it?

[jester]

I conceal a Glock 20 most days. The trick is using a quality belt and holster.

[kragluver]

I carry a full sized 1911 IWB in a D.M. Bullard tuckable holster (although I only "tuck" when going to church) at the 4:00 position. I also have a Galco "gun belt" heavy duty belt. If you're going to carry a heavy pistol, make sure you have a good thick belt - I think that's the key to carrying a big pistol successfully. Almost all the holster makers make them. I also sometimes use a Galco OWB holster, but I don't like it as well as I have to slip the belt off to get the holster off. The Bullard holster just clips on.

[aaangel]

you might also want to consider that 100+ temps are upon us. i think this weekend is our first century. bad time to be thinking about carrying a "big" gun. just my .02

[randomoutburst]

My husband carries a Taurus PT92 (34 oz., large frame) and can conceal it while wearing almost anything. He switches between shoulder carry with a DeSantis New York Undercover rig and IWB carry with a simple natural leather holster we bought from a local holster maker.

Body type has something to do with how well you can conceal a particular kind of gun. My husband is a big, thick-bodied guy so you might think concealing a full-size pistol would be more difficult, but that's not the case. (If you want to see his "Wally Walk" photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15349692@N ... 807978337/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Scroll to the end to see where he had carried on his person.)

You need to find a holster that works for you - if you tend to wear jackets or vests, shoulder carry or carry OWB may work well. IWB is slightly more concealable for many situtations and you have the option with many manufacturers to get a "tuckable" type so you don't even need a jacket - just a shirt.

Hope you find what works best for you!

[G.C.Montgomery]

First, I'm a big guy (6'2', 320lbs). Second, when I carry larger pistols, it is usually in the winter months when I can get away with better concealment clothing. Alternately, if I'm not at work and can wear an untucked shirt, I can and will wear my 1911s or Glock 34/35 IWB in a Comp-Tac C-TAC or Minotaur M-TAC holster supported by a Comp-Tac contoured gun belt under a bloused, button-down shirt. If you're going to wear a full-size pistol, a proper gun belt is a requirement, not an option IMHO. My daily carry these days however is generally a Glock 19 because I can tuck a shirt over it and generally, no one (other than those who know me) knows it's there. The one time that "printing" ever became an issue, I borrowed/modified a line from Gregg at Comp-Tac..."that bulge is a medical device and I don't feel comfortable discussing the nature off that device with you." That was a factual statement even if it wasn't the "truth." After all, my guns really are medical devices...When properly used, they cause hemorrhaging.

I've got a chance top pickup a Sig P226 (9mm) fairly cheap, but after reading a lot of about carrying and "printing" and comfort, I wonder it the gun is too big to conceal? I may get it anyway, because it never hurts to have more than one, but I'm concerned I may not be able to carry it comfortably. Surely some of you are carry "big" guns? 1911's, Glock 19's, Sig P226's? Are they not realistic carry weapons? What holster do you use? IWB? OWB? What about weight? The Sig weighs 28 oz. according to the specs. Loaded it would be even heavier. Is that too much weight? Do you need a special belt to support it?

This is all new to me, so I'm still trying to sort out all the issues and figure out why and when I would carry. I can't carry at work (yet), because I work at a university. So carrying during the week seems out. It takes me fifteen minutes to drive to work, so I would be driving and then securing the handgun in a safe the entire day. That seems rather a waste to me. Most of the rest of the time I'm at home, or running out to a store. Not sure I want to carry around the house.

[bdickens]

To me, a big gun means artillery.

I carry a G19 in a Comp-Tac C-tac. Yes, you need a gun belt.

[denwego]

It's all about the holster you use, like everyone says. When I'm looking for a good carry holster, the only criterion I really care about is comfort; I've always found it easier to conceal something than to necessarily be comfortable all day long while doing it.

My two primary carry guns are both "big". My semi-auto carry is a Springfield Armory 5" 1911, which I prefer to carry OWB if possible. Wintertime is a SERPA holster (my OC holster from Colorado/Virginia), which is very comfortable. Summertime is a Bianchi Model 82 pancake-style OWB, which is nice and tight against my side, and with a good cant which hides the outline of my 1911 perfectly under a normal t-shirt.

My revolver carry is a 5.5" Schofield single-action... yep. A Schofield. I might be the only guy on the forums who's crazy enough to carry one, but I think the best carry gun is the one you're the most confident in, and I think I've fired more rounds through that revolver than all my other handguns put together. Needless to say, it's a bit of a challenge for that revolver, so I ended up making my own IWB holster out of some leather I had, along with a belt clip I took off of an old IWB holster I didn't use anymore. It weighs 38.5oz unloaded, but even with the bulk, it's easy to carry with it being as comfortable as it is. In fact, I went to the San Jacinto Monument yesterday for Memorial Day while I was carrying my Schofield, and smiled when I saw the Model 3 in the display case there and wished I had that historic one instead

[Ropin]

I carry an XDm 4.5 in a CB Supertuck, with a CB belt. I also have a basic cheapo handmade leather holster that I picked up at a gun show for cheap before the boss approved the CBST purchase. Both are concealable, if I do my part. In a testament to getting what you pay for, I'll say that the CBST and good belt carry better, conceal better and are more comfortable.

My point is that it is quite possible. You don't need a pocket gun to protect yourself if you can't afford one. However, if you can, and your boss is willing...can you ever have too many?

(I say that because the boss in my house seems to think that yes, you can. I'm workin on that, though. Lol)

[KFP]

you might also want to consider that 100+ temps are upon us. i think this weekend is our first century. bad time to be thinking about carrying a "big" gun. just my .02

I can understand some arguments in terms of concealing various weapons with the bulkier clothing that comes with cooler weather. My typical style of dress is an untucked button down shirt or an untucked t-shirt - in both the winter and the summer. My carry mode and size of the gun does not require any changes because of the temperature, in fact the warmer weather makes it easier for me to add a pocket gun to my cargo shorts as a backup to the one on my hip. I routinely carry either a Glock 30 or Glock 19 in a CTAC, and on occasion will carry my full size 1911 in a Galco Royal Guard.

Am I missing something here? I don't think that carrying a larger gun makes me any hotter...

[jester]

Am I missing something here? I don't think that carrying a larger gun makes me any hotter...

Same here. I also dress the same for work year-round, so that makes no difference.

[The Annoyed Man]

Am I missing something here? I don't think that carrying a larger gun makes me any hotter...

Same here. I also dress the same for work year-round, so that makes no difference.

I don't know... Angelina Jolie with two big guns strapped to her thighs (Tomb Raiders) is pretty hot...

[KFP]

Am I missing something here? I don't think that carrying a larger gun makes me any hotter...

Same here. I also dress the same for work year-round, so that makes no difference.

I don't know... Angelina Jolie with two big guns strapped to her thighs (Tomb Raiders) is pretty hot...

Follow up - I just checked with my wife (not a big fan of guns), she confirms that a big gun, does nothing to improve my hotness.

[tauruspt145]

If your confident enough, get a man purse aka murse! In all seriousness i am 5' 8 " 155 And carry a Full size kimber custom 2 in a crossbreed supertuck at 2 oclock with a Extra mag on opposite side all held up by a 5.11 gun belt. All i wear in regards to a shirt is a loose fitting polo or button up.

[randomoutburst]

Am I missing something here? I don't think that carrying a larger gun makes me any hotter...

Same here. I also dress the same for work year-round, so that makes no difference.

I don't know... Angelina Jolie with two big guns strapped to her thighs (Tomb Raiders) is pretty hot...

Follow up - I just checked with my wife (not a big fan of guns), she confirms that a big gun, does nothing to improve my hotness.

Carrying a big gun definitely increases my hubby's hotness.

Oh, did you guys mean temperature?

[baldeagle]

If your confident enough, get a man purse aka murse! In all seriousness i am 5' 8 " 155 And carry a Full size kimber custom 2 in a crossbreed supertuck at 2 oclock with a Extra mag on opposite side all held up by a 5.11 gun belt. All i wear in regards to a shirt is a loose fitting polo or button up.

Actually, I carry a purse to work every day and often take it with me on trips to the store. I've thought about carrying my gun in there, but I think it would be harder to get to that way. I'd have to unzip a compartment and reach into it to get it out.