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evil_smurf wrote: What do you guys do?

We don't twist.

Seriously, when I started carrying, I was very paranoid about printing. I'm sure what you're going to hear is to conceal well, don't "pet" your XD, bend the knees and not the back to pick something up from the floor, etc. My usual "daily" attire is a white t-shirt tucked in, with an untucked colored or printed t-shirt, or polo style shirt as a cover shirt. It really is amazing how many people are walking around in "condition white" completely oblivious to what's going on around them, so they probably don't care or even notice a slight bulge under your shirt. I'm sure better advice will follow.

JLaw

There are 3 basic causes of problems like this when CCW: The gun itself (as in too large), the belt, and/or the holster. In this case, ditch the holster and get a good one. Get a properly-sized gun belt to go with. The belt may currently flex enough to allow the gun to stick out. The size of your gun is not the problem, or not the main one, anyway. It's very hard to drop in the neighborhood of $75-125 for a holster, and another $60-100 on a belt. It WILL be the best money you ever spent if you like to carry your gun on a daily basis. I have a Sparks Watch Six with 1.5" loops, and a good (not Sparks) 1.5" belt. If you can't wait 4-6 months (or longer) for a good holster/belt, go to Lightning Arms, that stocks the best, although at a slight premium. I swear they're worth every penny. I used to go cheap, too, but when planning for a new CCW gun in the future, I WILL budget for a good holster/belt at the same time.

http://www.lightningarms.com

What the other folks said, plus a few more hints:

1. IWB all the way, if your attire accommodates this.

2. Have the holster canted slightly, so the butt of the handgun is brought slightly closer to the body (most are canted anyway).

3. Try wearing your holster midway betwen 8 and 9 (between your oblique muscle and your left kidney). That way, you bring the butt of the handgun slightly behind your body, and it minimizes any side bulge. However, it is that much more critical that you avoid bending forward with this. +1 what JLaw said about bending the knees to pick things up off the ground; this is better for your back anyway.

Some printing may be unavoidable in certain extreme situations (twisting at the waist in a brisk wind), but you should eventually get acclimated to hauling around the weapon. I would also suggest wearing some type of thin undershirt (tank or Tshirt, UnderArmour or similar hot-weather wicking fabric) to minimize any chafing from the holster and maximize comfort when wearing a cover garment.

Hope this helps!

Second to pitching the sidekick. They're okay for keeping your gun from getting scratched in the range bag, but not much else.

Don't get me wrong I'm not attacking you for your answer, just asking what the difference is between a $100 holster and a $20 holster

It's the difference between an off-the-rack suit and a tailored suit.

Ok, for reference, I carry a double-stack 1911. I have both an uncle Mike's size five Sidekick, and a Milt Sparks Watch-Six horsehide.

The Sparks holster rides lower. This means that when I sit down, the hammer isn't jabbing me in the ribs. The Sparks holster cants forward about 10 degrees, which puts the bulk of the grip in line with the bulk of my torso. This prevents the butt of the pistol from poking out the back of my shirt. The Sparks holster uses two snapping belt loops, one up front, and one in back. The holster absolutely will not move from its position on my belt. The angle never changes, the height never changes, and I don't have to worry about the whole thing flopping out of my belt when I sit down.

With my Sparks holster, I can unload the gun, put it in position, and do jumping jacks without the gun shifting in its holster even a sixteenth of an inch. With the Sidekick, don't try that over a hard floor.

With a quality holster like this, I can just almost conceal under an undershirt. Trade it for an XL t-shirt in a dark color, or just throw on a hawaiian/camp shirt, and it's completely invisible.

evil_smurf wrote:I dont understand how the holster makes a difference for carrying IWB.

I didn't either, until I threw in the towel and actually bought a good one. Then you understand why there's a backlog of people waiting to pay $100 for one.

As important as the holster is a sturdy belt. Before, I tightened my flimsy belt up so much it probably made my eyes bulge, and everything still moved around. With my good belt, I wear it comfortably snug, and I rarely find myself adjusting the rig. The belt must fit the loops right! Then it's like the belt and holster are all one piece. The only thing I'd change is going to a 1 1/4" instead of 1 1/2" holster/belt, as the 1 1/2" doesn't go through the loops on anything but jeans and some Dockers style shorts.

I heard the preaching for years, and still went on about my non-merry way with my $25 Don Hume IWB with a clip, and a few other cheapos. NEVER again! IF you buy a good one like a Sparks or Alessi, and don't like it, you can always get 95% of your money back by selling it on one of the forums, like http://www.thefiringline.com. People WILL pay for the quality!

+1 to above post. You will never be able to understand the difference between a $20.00 Uncle Mikes & a 75.00+ quality carry holster until you put one on. Same for a belt. They are worth every nickle you spend.

I have to agree......I really put off spending the money on a good belt...it was worth every penny I spent. Borrow a good holster from someone and wear it for a day....that is all of the convincing you will ever need! Take care.
Jason

Clean out a drawer for the holsters you buy.

Accessorize!

Maybe someone on this forum has a holster for you to try.

I would loan you one if you packed a 1911.

Anygun

Glockamolie wrote:

evil_smurf wrote:I dont understand how the holster makes a difference for carrying IWB.

I didn't either, until I threw in the towel and actually bought a good one. Then you understand why there's a backlog of people waiting to pay $100 for one.

As important as the holster is a sturdy belt. Before, I tightened my flimsy belt up so much it probably made my eyes bulge, and everything still moved around. With my good belt, I wear it comfortably snug, and I rarely find myself adjusting the rig. The belt must fit the loops right! Then it's like the belt and holster are all one piece. The only thing I'd change is going to a 1 1/4" instead of 1 1/2" holster/belt, as the 1 1/2" doesn't go through the loops on anything but jeans and some Dockers style shorts.

I heard the preaching for years, and still went on about my non-merry way with my $25 Don Hume IWB with a clip, and a few other cheapos. NEVER again! IF you buy a good one like a Sparks or Alessi, and don't like it, you can always get 95% of your money back by selling it on one of the forums, like http://www.thefiringline.com. People WILL pay for the quality!

This great advice. As much as a good holster makes a difference IMO the belt is more important. As with holsters good belts can be had fairly cheaply. RafterS Gunleather makes a superb belt for under $50. It is a seven hole belt intead of the standard 5 hole. This offers my flexability in comfort.

As for the holster, I recently took the plunge and bought a Milt Sparks VM2 and I will never look back. I'd always believed that carrying was supposed to be comforting not comfortable until getting that holster. It is possible to achieve both. That holster is like a part of you, not something attached to you.

Great thread. Thanks!

I have a decent holster. I'm happy with my OWB Fobus paddle. But I definitely have to get a new belt. My "Wal Mart Fall Apart" is on its last legs.

I'm unwilling to mail order a belt. I want to try it on. Which presents a problem in the store when you're packing...

I guess I could grab a couple of belts, a couple of pair of pants, and head to the changing room. I think they'd look at me kind of funny if I wanted to go in the changing room just to try a belt.

Kevin

You'll never get a belt suitable for carrying a decent-sized handgun at a department store or WalMart. Period. Been down that road. They just might hold your pants up, but that's about it. Here's the reality: Without a good rig, you're more likely to leave that $500+ gun at home because it's uncomfortable, when for another $100-200, you can wear it daily without looking like you're carrying a VCR on your hip, or you readjust so much that people think you have some sort of obsessive-compulsive disorder.