Cure for uncomfortable holsters

BamBam · Post by **BamBam** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:16 pm

Lets face it, there are alot of people out there that should push away from the table sooner than they do. I am one of those people. My big belly is making it very difficult to find a good concealed holster for my XD 45 as well as my 40 VE. They either ride to high and get psuhed out by my dunlap disease or they fall further down causing it to be uncomfortable. Besides the obvious (pushing away from the table), Can anyone with similar circumstances guide me to a comfortable concealment holster.

Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a paddle holster?

TIN BENDER · Post by **TIN BENDER** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:29 pm

I wore my Kangaroo Holster for about 6 hours today with no problems.
My 642 fit just fine in the holster. It was only about $29 I think.
Give them a call .

http://www.kangarooholsters.com

TIN BENDER · Post by **TIN BENDER** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:32 pm

OOPS !! Sorry, try this site.

http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:04 pm

I will be the 1st to encouirage you to loose the weight. I sure makes carry easier. I did it & will never go back to fat. Still struggle w/ wanting to eat too much but every time I do....well I just have to quit.

Paddle Holsters.
Pros - They are easy on & off OWB for those who need to have several on & offs in the day & want an OWB. That is the only one I know.

Cons - I never found one I liked & dont know anyone who wears one for daily carry. Am open to hear form those that do.

Houston1944 · Post by **Houston1944** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:38 pm

Let's just say my nickname has never been "slim".
What works for me is a Galco open top OWB, Dillon belt, a very light undershirt, Perry suspenders (http://www.perrysuspenders.com) and a one size too large button up shirt. Key word here is suspenders. Nothing worked very well until I bought the Perry suspenders.

Zero_G · Post by **Zero_G** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:05 pm

TIN BENDER wrote:I wore my Kangaroo Holster for about 6 hours today with no problems.

Looks like a sports bra (I guess in some ways, it is!). We've had people talking about carrying in man purses, now we're carrying in man bras!

But seriously, isn't it a bit difficult to draw from under the shirt?

Keith

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:08 pm

Houston1944 wrote:Let's just say my nickname has never been "slim".
What works for me is a Galco open top OWB, Dillon belt, a very light undershirt, Perry suspenders (http://www.perrysuspenders.com) and a one size too large button up shirt. Key word here is suspenders. Nothing worked very well until I bought the Perry suspenders.

Yes sir on the suspenders. I call them the best friend CC ever had.

longtooth · Post by **longtooth** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:10 pm

Zero_G wrote:
TIN BENDER wrote:I wore my Kangaroo Holster for about 6 hours today with no problems.
Looks like a sports bra (I guess in some ways, it is!). We've had people talking about carrying in man purses, now we're carrying in man bras!

But seriously, isn't it a bit difficult to draw from under the shirt?

Keith

I wear my Galco Miami Clasic under a snap shirt or polo. Probably faster than the Kangaroo but you would not be as slow as a shirt tucker I dont think.

Venus Pax · Post by **Venus Pax** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:36 pm

I think it can be uncomfortable regardless of weight. I've put on 20 lbs. during the last year. I'm back on my health plan & planning to go back to pilates. (I highly recommend pilates.)

I try different things all the time, as far as concealment. When I meet someone with a different holster that I think might work, I often ask to try it on. You never really know what will work until you try.

A lot of men seem to like those Galco high-rides like what Longtooth uses, but you have to be willing to wear a shirt untucked.

mr surveyor · Post by **mr surveyor** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:42 pm

TIN BENDER wrote:OOPS !! Sorry, try this site.

http://www.tidepoolwebdesigns.com/kangaroo/

that is almost exactly what I have been looking for. I considered buying a bunch of t-thirts a size or two on the small size, and sewing a "holster pocket" into it. I guess similar to what I later saw on a tactical equipment website. As for access, I DO know an easy answer for that. Wear regular button shirts, but find the one button that needs to be opened for access to the gun and dummy it. Fix the button to the button hole to look as if it's normally secured, and attach a small piece of velcro under the dummy button to close the shirt for a normal appearance. The draw hand can easily slide through the velcro to reach the weapon.

I never copyrighted the idea, so I guess the cat's out of the bag now

packina45 · Post by **packina45** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:02 pm

I too could stand to lose some weight (working on that, in fact). I carry an XD-45 IWB in a Brigade Gunleather M-11 holster, and I've found for maximum comfort, moving the holster a little further to the rear works wonders. I carry now at about the 4:30 position and it makes a world of difference when standing or walking. (Seated, you hardly know it's there.)

BamBam · Post by **BamBam** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:16 am

packina40 wrote:I too could stand to lose some weight (working on that, in fact). I carry an XD-45 IWB in a Brigade Gunleather M-11 holster, and I've found for maximum comfort, moving the holster a little further to the rear works wonders. I carry now at about the 4:30 position and it makes a world of difference when standing or walking. (Seated, you hardly know it's there.)

Thanks for the info packin. I have been looking at a C-Tac like this. This one looks better for me.

This is what is so great about TexasCHLForum. People actually will answer legitimate questions

Thanks guys!

TIN BENDER · Post by **TIN BENDER** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:44 am

Yep, The man purse a.k.a. Maxpeditions Jumbo Versipack has

been a real asset. I usually wear bib overalls because of the

storage space. I can now wear slacks and still carry my gear

including a Sig 229 ,Fenix P3D, knife, Fox 5.3 OC , Cell phone and

a Seafood Platter in this system .

I too have a waist line problem and at my age comfort IS EVERYTHING !

The Versipack will be with me today at the flea market. It is a good thing.

Check em' out @ http://www.maxpedition.com

Jason73 · Post by **Jason73** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:32 pm

I'll never be called "slim" by anyone - Im 6'2" and have a 44" waist, so concealing my pistol is somewhat of a challenge. It doesnt help that my carry weapon is big by carry standards but I like it and it works for me.

I carry a Ruger P90 in a Fobus paddle holster underneath a camp shirt like this and it works great - be careful when choosing a shirt if you go with this approach however, as certain patterns hide the buldge while others make it more prominent. Some t-shirts work as well, but they gotta be a size or 2 too big and untucked.

I didn't like the Fobus at first but after I wore it for a month or so I got used to it and came to love it because its a snap to put on and take off, its easy to move around on my waist, and it holds my pistol securely without the need for a thumb strap.

My only real complaint about the fobus is it has a couple of rivets that dig into my side and get a bit painful after 8 - 10 hrs of wear.

Hope this helps and happy carrying

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:29 am

Jason73 wrote:I carry a Ruger P90 in a Fobus paddle holster

I carry a P97 in a Fobus paddle, and I agree with your assessment: it's not perfect, but it works, and is versatile.

Dittos on the clothing choices. Carrying a full size pistol OWB is a challenge no matter who makes the holster. It becomes more of a challenge if you're doing anything active. This week I was doing some demolition and remodeling at my wife's business. Although I "control" the property (by being a manager and writing the rent checks), I didn't want to worry any customers by open carrying. So, I was wielding hammers, pry bars, mortar chisels, a circular saw, sledge hammer, shovel... all while "fully dressed", including a cover shirt.

Okay, so one day I cheated. I couldn't stand the heat, so I secured the hardware and shucked the outer shirt.

The nice thing about our little business family is that the other partners and our sole (so far) employee would be very surprised to learn that I wasn't carrying any time they'd ever seen me. Our employee (very attractive 21 year old girl) lives alone on the premises, and we talked about taking her to the range and getting her up to speed and loaning her some "feminine protection", but she has never shot and isn't quite ready to start.

So as an alternative, we loaned her this:

Tonka is half Great Dane, half Bloodhound, about 120 pounds of pure-dee goofy. Not much of an attack dog, but guaranteed to pin an intruder to the floor and slurp his face. She announces unexpected visitors with an almost sub-audible rumble. Not to mention, there's just something about a waist-high dog to make do-bads reconsider their plans.

Since we do pet grooming and boarding, we usually have other overnight dogs as well. Plenty to raise a ruckus.

I still hope to get our gal out to the range and get her up to speed, and equip her properly. In the meantime, she's got Tonka.

Oh, and for anyone in the Arklatex needing the best pet grooming, boarding, or doggie daycare in the area, don't hesitate to call Creature Comforts at 903-832-9527. New customers get a 20% discount on all services. Be sure to mention that I sent you.

Kevin