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I just got a new custom carry rig made for my Hi-Power, so I thought I'd post my updated equipment.

My old Galco Combat Master was getting a little floppy and worn after 4 years of use, so I commissioned Michael over at TheHolsterSite.com to make me a custom holster, mag carrier, and a flashlight scabbard out of horsehide. Horsehide is known for its stiffness and moisture-resistance, which is why I requested it. This was the first time he'd worked with the material. The end result was outstanding. This holster is the most solid piece of gun leather I've ever handled, and it rides nice and snug against my side. I took some photos for my blog post about it, and thought I'd share them here as well.

This is an FM Hi-Power (FM-90, the MkII version). I use Mec-Gar 15-round flush-fit mags, and the flashlight is an Inova X5.

So my daily carry has grown recently to include my new Ruger LCP.





Currently looking for a pocket holster for the LCP, carrying it in a 5.11 Holster Shirt for now.

dude wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:...The cell phone rides in a Cellet Noble C2 OWB holster at 10:30...

Is the clip on that phone holster big enough to securely latch onto your gun belt? All that I've been able to find have either been too short, or not allowed enough depth for the thickness of the belt.

Yes. I've got a 1.5" bullhide gun belt from thebeltman.net and it rides fine on it. It's not perfect, but suitable enough for the job that I haven't looked for anything else. It stays in place well enough that unless you're doing something very physical that has you rubbing up against surfaces or flooring, it won't come off. It also has the nice feature of a magnet retainer on the flap that keeps it closed very snugly. I bought mine at Fry's for about $10, if I remember correctly.

Been a while since I posted an update, and I've got new equipment, so I thought I'd share.

I've got an FM Hi-Power in 9mm. It holds 14+1 with the FM mag, and I carry 2 spare 13-round FN mags. I carry GDHP 124gr +P loads. I've got an Inova Bolt 2A tactical light and a Smith & Wesson Bullseye SWAT II knife.


The Hi-Power rides in a Galco Combat Master OWB holster at 3:00, while the spare mags ride in a custom-made open-top dual mag carrier at 8:00. The cell phone rides in a Cellet Noble C2 OWB holster at 10:30. The knife is carried clipped inside my strong side pocket, and the light is pocket carried on the weak side front pocket.

Wheelman wrote:I can't get it to reliably go bang when I pull the trigger with any of the aftermarket springs I've tried. It works with the factory spring, but the trigger pull with that is about 2,000 pounds.

Ah. That is a common complaint. I've heard it measured anywhere from 18 to 25 lbs. I simply practiced with it until I could place a DA shot fairly accurately. It's subjective to the shooter, and some people simply don't have the hand strength to pull it off. About half the people I take shooting can't pull the DA trigger while aiming. I don't have a technical recommendation, but you may be able to acclimate yourself to it with practice. You might be able to take a little off by having a gunsmith do so polishing or changing out springs until you get something a little lighter that still works reliably, but the cost of the work may exceed the value of the gun.

Wheelman wrote: I need a holster for my PA-63. Also, i need a gunsmith for my pa-63. Is that the one for the PPK, or for the Makarov you have there, and how does it fit?

That's the model fitted for the PPK, as the PA-63 is a direct copy of the PPK. Bianchi 100 (Professional), size 09, part number 19226(RH)/19227(LH). I have no complaints, and it works well for me. The clip is nice and stiff and really hangs on. I prefer carrying OWB, but when IWB is needed, this does the trick. I hear a lot of good things about the Comp-Tac Infadel, and it looks like they're making it for the PPK now. I'll probably pick one up in the near future, as I don't have a tuckable option for either of my pistols right now.

What's the problem with your PA-63?

KBCraig wrote:

Sludge wrote:My carry..

Congratulations! I think you've just won "first iPod" in the "what I carry" thread.

To be fair, my phone doubles as an mp3 player.

Venus Pax wrote:Mars is considering a .45, but he's wondering how easily he can hide it.

Would anyone here be willing to post pics of your concealed glock/XD or 1911?

I carry a Hi-Power in a Galco Combat Carry OWB. The Hi-power (4.6" barrel) is about the same size as a 5" 1911, but with a double-stack mag making the grip bulkier, and consequently a little more difficult to conceal than a 1911. I wear an unbuttoned work shirt over it, but sometimes close the bottom button to prevent the wind from exposing my gun. Here's the pics:

What's underneath:


Conceal garment with one button fastened:


Conceal garment unbuttoned (my normal carry state):


Hope these are helpful.

hi-power wrote:Very nice HP, NcongruNt!

I see it came with a commander hammer. That should keep it from biting you. How does it shoot?

Very nicely. It's well balanced, fits very nicely in my hand, and recoil is minimal, even with +P loads. Sight picture reset is nice and quick, and the white dots on the sights make this this an easy gun to do accurate rapid fire. I've got no complaints at all.

So I took my new Hi-Power to the range today. I like it a lot. Here's to my new daily carry!

Please pardon the excess oil and lint. I had just cleaned it and realized the sun was going down and I needed to get the pictures quickly.

Ok, got some updated pictures of my carry rig. I'll be updating to my Hi-Power as soon as I get the chance to test it out, but here's the PA-63 and the rest of my daily carry stuff for now.



FEG PA-63
Bianchi Professional IWB holster
Hornady XTP 95gr. in 9x18 Makarov
2 extra mags
Spyderco Native III
First Defense MK-8 OC .18% .58oz.
Motorola SLVR Cell Phone

stevie_d_64 wrote:

NcongruNt wrote:

stevie_d_64 wrote:

FrEaK_aCcIdEnT wrote:4. This one is VERY important. Im NOT a women.... Just skinnier than most. 5'7" and 120lbs.


Ok i think that covered all of that.

Uh ohhhhhhh...

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAH!!!!!

It's because you have such a lovely figure!

Wait a second...I was confused by others...At least I admit it...

Yeah, BTW, I have six-pack abs...Zee womenz zay love meh...

The abs just happen to be slightly camoflaged...K?

Geesh...

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

stevie_d_64 wrote:

FrEaK_aCcIdEnT wrote:4. This one is VERY important. Im NOT a women.... Just skinnier than most. 5'7" and 120lbs.


Ok i think that covered all of that.

Uh ohhhhhhh...

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAH!!!!!

It's because you have such a lovely figure!

pbandjelly wrote:What chew talkin' bout, Willis? in your size? you mean caliber? I'm sure they have sumpin' that'll work. check out a store with their stuff and you're golden.

Did that. they had nuthin'. McBride's in Austin is both a Galco and a Bianchi dealer. They were out of the $30 scrap of leather, not that I would have bought it.

pbandjelly wrote:get a clip style, and just turn it IWB. to my idiotic mind that could work.

or, hey, gitcha a shoulder rig. on yer days when you wanna go IWB, juss wear the mag holder. gitcha two, and then you can have mags on both sides, to offset the weight.

Galco can do that fer ya.

That's the plan. I can't find a clip-style mag pouch sized for a single stack .380.

My shoulder rig is on backorder. It's the Classic Lite.

What Galco does not have is a clip-style magazine pouch in my size. Behold:

http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterA2.asp

Bianchi has one... but it sells for $30, it's single mag, and I'm not paying that much for that itty bitty scrap of leather.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Pro ... odelID=20A

Uncle Mike's doesn't have any, nor does Desantis.