TexasCHLforum.com

mr.72 wrote:
I have been very consistent in pointing out that I don't often wear a belt, and when I do wear a belt, it is not one sufficient for a gun belt. When pressed about changing my wardrobe to include a gun belt, I thought I was pretty clear, I am not going to do that.
Next time, I'll just post right up. Hear ye! Hear ye! No matter how many times you recommend it, I am not going to wear a gun belt!

"Don't often wear a belt" didn't translate to "I am not going to do that" to a lot of posters in this thread until you finally said as much.

mr.72 wrote:
I am having enough of a hard time finding ANY holster that doesn't require a belt. Then on top of that, it's not like I can just walk into Sportsman's Warehouse, unpackage their holsters, whip out my Sigma and start trying stuff on.
So I concede. I have tried my Smartcarry. I have evaluated (using pictures, descriptions, and holding them in my hand inside a package) a number of those which are available but I have not tried any of them with my own gun and my own clothing.

I was trying to clarify that you had tried only the Smartcarry thus far. In a previous post you said "...Of course I have not tried every IWB holster on the planet " led me to believe you had actually tried at least a few with your own clothing.



My suggestion about a small fixed blade knife for IWB carry is a valid option. You can keep your current current pants, it will be more comfortable because of the thin blade profile, you don't need to wear a belt, you can wear your current (M) shirts because of the smaller handle, it gives you a lethal force option, you can access it easier than the Smartcarry and no unsightly bulges around your waist.

mr.72 wrote:The suggestion that I should carry a knife instead is another good example..

I meant in addition too, not instead of.

mr.72 wrote: However I can tell you that as an adult who only in the past six months has been serious about owning or carrying a gun, the impact of the way this changes my lifestyle is just way too much.

Being a new gun owner, maybe you didn't appreciate that owning and carrying a gun are two different commitment levels.

mr.72 wrote: The whole idea that CCW is sort of like a clique you have to join along with learning new language, changing your clothing, changing your ideas about other unrelated things etc.

When you first got into cycling, you probably had to learn some new words, you probably got okay with wearing a helmet, you might have been a little self concious about the bike shorts, you might have changed something you thought was unrelated before you gained some experience.

mr.72 wrote: The vibe I get in general (and not just this forum, but others and other face to face contact with gun people) is that is truly "us" and "them"... and frankly I like "them" better..

What vibe are you on about and what forums? You didn't start this thread, but there are about 4 pages worth of suggestions of people trying to help you.
How did those people figure out all those opinions? They made a commitment to find out what works. They tried different guns, holster, and pants combinations that they saved up for and in some cases waited months on them (ie...holsters) to be made. Then they made adjustments where needed.

mr.72 wrote: ...... I don't want to actually have to be any different just in order to be prepared.

Do you think this is reasonable?

mr.72 wrote: You suggest I some people don't think it's "worth the bother". You know, it's a much bigger bother to those people.

I am not tracking, bigger bother to whom?

mr.72 wrote: It's a huge bother to me to find a way to carry a useful weapon without advertising to thousands of people that something is different.

Trying to help with the knife suggestion, maybe add pepperspray, and maybe a pocket carry handgun.

mr.72 wrote: This is not just small deal. I have two very important, apparently incompatible needs. It doesn't help when, rather than give useful advice, knowledgeable persons dismiss these people as lacking commitment to the safety of themselves or their family simply because they have other things in their life that have to work together and not just CCW.

It looks like there are still knowledgeable people here posting that haven't dismissed your request for help. They might question your commitment to your safety because you haven't posted much about what you have done to increase your safety profile.

Part of your frustration is your sliding requirements.

Starting here:

mr.72 wrote: I don't wear a stiff belt routinely.

mr.72 wrote: I don't routinely wear a belt. When I do, it's absolutely not a stiff gun belt.

mr.72 wrote: ....then I have to wear a belt to keep them from falling off. Of course my wife hassles me about my choice of clothes when I do this.

mr.72 wrote: So I guess since I am unlikely to adjust my wardrobe to include a gun belt...

If wearing a belt is too much of a hassle and an unreasonable change, you should have just said so up front.

mr.72 wrote: There is literally no way for me to try any of these holsters.

What have you tried so far? You can also come to the forum day @ PSC and try holsters there.

mr.72 wrote: I am not going to change my wardrobe....

You should think about a small fixed blade knife for IWB carry.

mr.72 wrote: [rant]
You know this is the single most irritating thing about many gun-carrying folks. It's the overt opinion that once you decide to carry concealed, then every other part of your life needs to be re-oriented around it, otherwise you are being unreasonable. I asked specifically for information about making something with within my totally normal and reasonable situation.
This is one of the key things that keeps "outsiders" on the "outside".
[/rant]

Carrying a handgun is a change to most peoples lives. They make that change after the realization that they are responsible for their safety, and consider the handgun a benefit to to their personal safety plan. Some people don't think it's worth the bother.


What are some other key things that make people feel like outsiders?

mr.72 wrote: So the question is, can someone who is not overweight and does not wear oversized clothing carry a G19 size pistol?.

Yes, depending on your comfort level. One example is jeans: I am not sure what you mean by "oversized", but you can carry something like a g19 without changing your pant size. I have done that, but if I add an inch to the waist size of pants, its much more comfortable to carry IWB and bend & sit.

mr.72 wrote: I am about 190lb just a hair under 6' tall and wear size L (42) shirts, 33-34" waist jeans that are not "relaxed fit" but more "regular fit" like 501s. My shirts are not tight but they are not oversized (I can fit into a M ... and some of my shirts are M or even S depending on the maker... so I guess even L's are oversized a little bit). I don't wear a stiff belt routinely. I'm all ears if there is a way to carry my Sigma 9mm with an IWB.

I think some pictures to see how you dress would go a long way toward understanding better your goals.

Good for you, to find a way to make it work !!!!!!

My doubts arose from all of the negative postings on various boards, Including the CZ forum, regarding the real or perceived diffuculty of condealing a full sized gun. I'm here to tell ya it's a tropical breeze.

Yep, people like to talk more than do. It's not as difficult as people make it out to be.