TexasCHLforum.com

I just bought my first handgun (though I have been shooting for a while). It's a Taurus Millenium Pro in 40 caliber. I'm going for my CHL later this month and have been looking at options for carry rigs. I really have no idea at this point what will work best for me but am somewhat overwhelmed by all the options. I'm wondering if anyone has this gun (or the 9mm, which I believe is the same size frame) and can tell me how you carry it. Thanks.

Several options. Do you want to carry IWB or OWB? Shoulder rig or ankle(ankle may be a bit uncomfortable but possible). Need more info from you.

Welcome to the site. We will help as much as we can but it is ultimatly up to your preference.

Personally, I carry OWB @ 4 oclock with a Don Hume holster. This is with all except my P3AT.

Yeah, I realize this is one of those "tell me what to do" questions. I don't think I want to attempt ankle carry, and a shoulder rig would be out unless I start wearing a suit more (which is a possibility with my teaching job). So that leaves, probably, IWB or OWB. OWB seems generally more comfortable, but also to require more of a layer to conceal.

I guess another consideration is body shape. With my love handles, I'm thinking I may have an easier time concealing somewhere toward the small of the back (maybe 5:00/kidney position?).

OWB is more comfortable to me and I have those handles also to say the least. 4-5 oclock works best for me. SOB is not comfortable when setting and I drive and/or set quiet a bit.
I wear a slightly oversized shirt that covers pretty well. Another option is a vest of some sort (check with LT on vest).
Others here carry IWB without problem. But keep in mind that all of my carry weapons are full size-G21, 1911, XD45.

You will find that it does not take as much to conceal as most folks think. The shoulder rig does not require a coat like many think. I wear one w/ a Taurus 5shot revolver regularly & wear it under a heavy cotton snap shirt.
Your Taurus M-.40 is probably thicker than a single stack 1911 but if you are a pretty large man w/ a thick chest the shoulder rig is still an option. I am not very big through the chest.
There are a lot of tuckables that many on the board like. I dont care for them but that is personal. They dont like my shoulder rig either.
Also if you do a search on "Do you guys reall carry those big guns" you should get some good ideas. A new to carry member asked because he did not see how it was possible. You can get some good ideas there & know that yours is smaller than some that are shown there.
It takes some trial & "I dont like this" try again & "OOOOHH I like this."
You will learn. We all did.
Come to the forum day in Sept & there will be a lot of different opportunities to try on, look at, & talk to folks.

I just remembered RPs comment on vests. I do that more than anything.
My Mom makes some of mine. I will take the sleeves out of a heave cotton shirt.
If you go to a vest or any other radical change in style I will suggest that you wear one several times & get people used to the "New Style" before you begin to carry under it.

Thats what dead holster drawers are for. We all have them.

You are so right.

I did a search because I seem to remember someone suggesting a "holster loan" program on this forum in the past. Maybe they didn't, because I couldn't find anything on it.

Not trying to hijack this thread .... but if we had a sticky under "holsters" wherein we could list all the holsters we'd be ready to let each other try out, it might help folks who are in Stoneface's predicament.

I guess I'll start it and maybe it'll become sticky material.

I have a PT145 and I have found that the best holster for me at this time is a Fobus paddle holster. It's very comfoprtable and conceals fairly well for an OWB. If you were in the Tyler area I would be more than happy to let you try it out.

Todd

Do you have CHL friends near by?

They are your best bet for trying on holsters. If that isn't an option, or if friends don't have something you can try on, then head for a local gun shop. Find one with a good selection. I'm sure the Fort Worth area people will be here shortly with a few locations.

I'm probably not built like you, but an IWB works best for me most of the time.

I carry a Taurus Millennium Pro PT111 in a Don Hume IWB. Works extremly well for me. I carry at about 4 o'clock and a good belt is a must. Also just a little bit of 57 year old baby fat doesn't hurt either.

And what they are saying about concealability not being as difficult as one might think, most folks just really aren't that observant.

Happy carrying.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I don't really have many CHL friends (that I know about ) but I am about to because I have talked about 5 of the guys I work with in security into taking the class together. I also just got a recommendation about a pretty good store here in FW to check out and I was told they are pretty helpful (I think it's called Gunleather, downtown FW).

I did read the thread on "do you guys really carry those big guns" and it was eye-opening.

I guess I'm just wanting to go ahead and get something so I can start practicing carrying around the house to get used to it. I'll let you all know what I find out.

It took me a while to find it, so I'm posing a link to the big ol guns discussion.

Well, I picked up my first try at a holster. I got a Don Hume OWB and have been wearing it with my gun around the house for a week or so. It's really pretty comfortable and I have fooled my wife several times so far, once wearing only a tee-shirt. It's a good first try (esp. since it wasn't too expensive). I do think I will look for an IWB to try also.

Start with the $12 Uncle Mike's holsters. Get the hang of carrying and what clothes work and all before spending big bucks on holsters.