XDm 4.5 or M&P too big to conceal?

[The Annoyed Man]

I conceal a full-sized M&P45 with not much difficulty. I am 5" shorter than you, and (ahem....) larger. Horizontally. I can also conceal a 5" 1911. Concealing a full sized handgun is not as difficult as it seems. As with all concealing of handguns, you have to make some kind of sartorial concessions to make it all work. It is true, although not universally so, that the smaller your gun, the fewer sartorial concessions you'll have to make. But if you are a casual dresser, concealing even a large framed gun is easy-peasy.

[MrBrightside2]

Just one small point. You can dress around almost any defensive pistol absolutely, but body type does come in to it. It is my opinion that if you are taller and more broadly (generously) built it is easier to conceal a larger pistol IWB in summer clothes.

Personally in light trousers and a tshirt / polo I find it a lot more convenient to carry a compact or a sub compact than a full sized pistol. When the temps dip down to habitable, a jacket obviates this point.

[olafpfj]

I do just fine with my M&P 45c. Had to buy a new wardrobe to do it though. I'm 5'10" and 175 and generally thin as this is the heaviest and widest I've ever been. I sport untucked button down shirts that are one size up from what I would normally wear. Not being very thick meant really searching for just the right spot and cant with my Mtac Holster or the butt of the gun would always stick out. I found it and all is well. My wife is now generally irritated at me asking "can you tell"..."NO and I don't care, no one can tell stop asking me!!!".

When it gets colder I can actually hide a Sig226 but its kinda uncomfortable with the holster I have for it.

[RHenriksen]

5'11", 175#, 32" waist. Been carrying a full size M&P in a crossbreed for 18the months. No problem. Usually jeans and a tucked polo shirt.

[chlag01]

Thanks for all the great comments from everyone. Some prevalent views so far (I'm paraphrasing):

• You can conceal just about anything. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F495aMd50
• Carrying a gun is meant to be comforting, not comfortable (though I don't see any reason why the two shouldn't co-exist)
• Full size M&P or XDm 4.5 should be readily concealable, but
• A compact with grip extension would provide more versatility
• Better to dress around your preferred gun than to buy a gun to fit your preferred dress. I can only mildly agree with this one. I can understand buying a few longer shirts or bumping up a pant size next time I need new jeans, but I'm not about to buy a gun for EDC that requires a whole new wardrobe. People I see everyday will be a little suspicious if I completely change my clothing style.

So I haven't eliminated any guns from my decision, and I guess I'll just have to spend more time at the gun store.

[RHenriksen]

Having to buy a stack of new pants w. a larger waistband was a struggle for me. Partly the cost, but also because a 32/34 is freaking hard to find!

I started with carrying a Walther PPS - 7+1 rounds of 9mm, and only 0.9" thick. It was only after hearing so many people rave about the CBST holster permitting comfortable, concealable carry of a full size pistol that I finally gave it a try. I still pull out the Walther (in shoulder holster) when I'm wearing dress slacks, and want to wear a small dress belt.

But something *thin* gives me an important level of versatility that a thick, chunky, albeit short-gripped compact glock doesn't.

Thanks for all the great comments from everyone. Some prevalent views so far (I'm paraphrasing):

• You can conceal just about anything. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8F495aMd50
• Carrying a gun is meant to be comforting, not comfortable (though I don't see any reason why the two shouldn't co-exist)
• Full size M&P or XDm 4.5 should be readily concealable, but
• A compact with grip extension would provide more versatility
• Better to dress around your preferred gun than to buy a gun to fit your preferred dress. I can only mildly agree with this one. I can understand buying a few longer shirts or bumping up a pant size next time I need new jeans, but I'm not about to buy a gun for EDC that requires a whole new wardrobe. People I see everyday will be a little suspicious if I completely change my clothing style.

So I haven't eliminated any guns from my decision, and I guess I'll just have to spend more time at the gun store.

[chlag01]

The Walther PPS way high on my list until I finally found one in a gun shop to handle. The trigger was too heavy, and just dry firing it I could tell I'd pull everything to the right (probably "thumbing" it). I'm sure it could be remedied with practice, more experience, or modifications, but I think I prefer something else. I may get to try a Kahr PM9 next week.

[The Annoyed Man]

• ...I can understand buying a few longer shirts or bumping up a pant size next time I need new jeans, but I'm not about to buy a gun for EDC that requires a whole new wardrobe. People I see everyday will be a little suspicious if I completely change my clothing style.

Fortunately for you, slightly longer, possibly 1 size larger, shirts and pants with one size larger waist are all you really need to conceal a full sized pistol with an IWB holster. If your shirt will cover an OWB holster (which is how I carry my full sized pistols), then you don't even need to worry about oversized pants. All you'll need is shirt tails long enough to cover the length of the holster when sitting, and enough room in the shirt size to accommodate the gun on your hip.

Here are the two holsters I carry full sized guns in:

For my 5" 1911, I use the Galco Concealable Belt Holster (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterPG3.asp?P ... &GunID=157); and for my full-sized M&P45, I use a Kirkpatrick Leather "Under Cover" (http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/conce ... r-cover-77). Both are excellent holsters, and wear quite easily under a shirt with long tails.

[chlag01]

Thanks for those recommendations. Two very pretty holsters. I don't think I'll be ably to carry OWB until I get a little more comfortable carrying in public.

[cubbyjg]

i started off carrying a glock 26 and now typically carry a 19 or 30. Both are easy to conceal with some work on your part. I like the glock 19 because its the perfect size for me in terms of being able to get a full grip on the pistol and still be able to conceal it. It seems to be the right dimensions for concealed carry and still has plenty of firepower for HD. I have no experience with the XD or M&P but im guessing depending on what models you are looking at, all three manufactuers have similar dimensions (compact vs compact, fullsize vs fullsize, etc).

90% of the time i carry OWB. When i carry iwb, i use the crossbreed supertuck. Great holster and is really comfortable. If you wear fitted clothing, that is something you might have to change. My guess is you are concerned with printing and most of us have had that issue as well. You get over it with time and practice. Unless your waistband on your pants are already pretty snug, you might be able to get away with not having to buy new pants, i didnt. The only major change for me was wearing less tshirts and more button down shirts like fishing shirts, etc. Good luck with your search!

[chlag01]

I fondled an XDm 4.5" at Academy over lunch, and I've decided it's bigger than I want to conceal IWB. Standing wasn't an issue, but sitting or crouching caused issues with either the barrel or grip sticking out. I've just about decided to go with the XDm Compact 3.8", but I haven't decided whether to go .40 or 9mm. If I go .40, I'll probably pick up a 9mm conversion barrel (maybe even threaded) pretty quick.

[SpringerFan]

I regularly carry a full size xdm40 in a comp-tac Spartan holster. A loose, dark-patterned over shirt works wonders. That said, I would definitely go with the 3.8 compact if I were to buy another.

[Divided Attention]

I am only 5'4", but if you think I am posting my weight here you are so silly!

I can carry my M&P9C tucked and do often, sometimes with a tee shirt. Just gotta practice the slight blousing, it can't be tight tucked - Hubby carries same weapon and tucks as well. Of course you must have a "tuckable" holster.... The hard part is if you have to use the facilities and retucking without the benefit of the mirror. With practice it is not hard. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=41950#p505274

[chlag01]

I purchased an XDm Compact 3.8" 9mm this weekend. I'm not sure whether or not I made the right decision since I'm having a few issues with the narrow grip and I'm having second thoughts about the weight compared to a G19 or M&P. I'll try the larger backstrap once I have a chance to buy a punch.

[paulhailes]

I purchased an XDm Compact 3.8" 9mm this weekend. I'm not sure whether or not I made the right decision since I'm having a few issues with the narrow grip and I'm having second thoughts about the weight compared to a G19 or M&P. I'll try the larger backstrap once I have a chance to buy a punch.

Did you get the regular grip of the short grip with extender?