Is there a comfortable way to carry?

[rob02262008]

Got my chl a short while back, still haven't carried anywhere except to the gun store. My intent was not to carry all the time anyway. But the inside waist is ok as long as I don't try and sit down. Best thing I've found so far is a outside waist at 4. Still if I sit at the edge of a sofa or in a single person upholstered chair it's uncomfortable. And the olny real shirt that works is an untucked Hawaiian style. I'm only trying to carry a PPK. Best way I've found so far...wearing some shorts with a cargo pocket on the side, and putting it in the cargo pocket, or just stick the gun in my jean front pocket.

Anyone else finding it hard to get comfortable?

Rob

[Wildscar]

It takes time to get use to it. I carry Beretta 92FS in a M-Tac(See Signature) casue its all I have. I wear alot of the button down type shirts and just leave it unbuttoned with an under shirt. I dont have a problem sitting or bending over or drive a car. Heck I even went and rode go carts the other day with my son. Let me tell ya, those go carts are not made for a 6'3'' person. The Beretta never moved an inch.

[pedalman]

As Wildscar said, you will get used to it in time. But it's usually going to be some type of compromise. I started out carrying my Glock 22 (full-size .40), alternating between IWB and OWB. I also own a Glock 19 (compact 9mm). The G19 is smaller than the G22, so it wears better IWB.

This is how I approach it. When commuting to work during the week (50 miles one way), I carry the G22 in a paddle holster. If I plan on being out and about among the public, I carry the G19 IWB.

You will find that either you will change your holster/clothing to fit the handgun, or you will change your handgun/holster to fit the clothing. Keep trying different combinations. You will find what suits you the best.

What helps me with IWB carry is that my holster (CompTac CTAC Slide model) accomodates either of my Glocks very nicely.

Another circumstance that will influence your choices will be the smallest cartridge you are willing to carry. For autoloaders, my bottom line is 9mm. If it is a wheelgun, my bottom line is 38 Special +P. As Wildscar said, you will get used to it in time.

[The Annoyed Man]

Anyone else finding it hard to get comfortable?

Rob

Not partcularly, but I've been at it real steady ever since I got my plastic in February. I won't say I was actually uncomfortable at first, but I was truly self conscious, and that made it seem more uncomfortable then it really was. By now, it's pretty much second nature, and I'll bet that some of the old-timers around here who have been carrying since the law first passed probably don't even think about the gun on their hip (or in their pocket, or what have you) most of the time. Me, I don't think about it that much anymore while I'm carrying, unless I have to adjust "the cut of my jib" when I first get out of a car or something. I try to be discreet about stuff like that.

A lot of it is maybe going to depend on your physical type. I'm a fat boy (but working on it), and an IWB holster works pretty well for me most of the time. My carry guns for IWB are a 3" 1911 and an H&K USP Compact. But when IWB carry isn't going to work for me, then I resort to pocket carrying a small revolver in .38 Special stoked with +P ammo, as pedalman mentioned. On rare occasion, I resort to pocket carrying a Keltec .380, but I prefer not to.

The only problem with pocket carry is that I'm a guy who normally carries other stuff in his pockets, and I can't do that when I have a pistol there.

[Kerbouchard]

Of course there is. 95% of people who conceal a weapon do it every day. The other 5% probably never will because they are too hard headed.

First and foremost, a quality holster. I prefer the Brommeland Max Con V out of every holster I own. It's incredibly comfortable and it holds the gun in very tight. It literally makes a gun disapear with just an untucked polo shirt.

Second, a quality belt. No, the Dickies belt from Walmart that you got because it seems thick does not count. I like Rafter S and Beltman. Both make top quality belts and they support the holster very well.

Third, you have to work with it. You will find the best place to carry it for you. It just takes time. The first time I started carrying around a Gerber, a flashlight, and a multimeter it was very unconfortable. After a few months of being underway it was just part of my normal routine and I felt uncomfortable without it. So much so that when we were in port and I needed a knife I would instinctively reach for my Gerber and feel weird when I didn't have it.

A gun is the same way. Also, a quality holster will mold to your body making it even more comfortable.

[brianko]

I've had my CHL for 8 years now (up for my second renewal), and just started carrying a month ago. I carry a Kahr CW9 IWB, at 3:00. Right against my hip...seems to be quite a bit of padding there (and I'm not a big guy), and it simply "disappears" after a few minutes. I tried 2:00 (in front of my hip), but that was quite uncomfortable. At 3:00, I can get into/out of the car and never have to readjust.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is try a couple different carry positions. If you're buying a new gun at your LGS, walk away and take your business elsewhere if they won't let you try different holster/carry combinations. Everyone is built differently, and what works on one person might be the most uncomfortable position possible on the next. I would bet that there are many who do not carry because they (1) have a piece that's simply too large to carry comfortably, and/or (2) have tried a "recommended" carry position only to find it extremely uncomfortable.

[austin-tatious]

+1 on having a quality holster. I'm slender (5' 10" and 160 lb). The Crossbreed Super Tuck is very comfy at 4 o'clock with my XDsc 40 S&W. But it doesn't conceal or ride so well when I wear dressy slacks...unless I'm wearing a coat in which case I can wear the Super Tuck IWB without tucking. With the dressy slacks, the IWB clips are too obvious IMO, and I can't wear the good belt (belt loops are too small). For those occasions I use a SmartCarry. Not as comfy as the Crossbreed, but super concealment and almost as easy to draw with as the IWB. When wearing a dress shirt (but no coat) I sometimes wear what can best be called a chest band (like a belly band but goes around your chest over an undershirt and under the dress shirt) that puts the gun in a cross-draw position right under my left armpit. Not as quick a draw, but comfortable for up to 6 hours at a time, and virtually invisible (even with my 40" chest).

I don't know how well this would work for me 7 days a week because my employer has a no weapons policy . But I do carry very comfortably with these combinations on weekends, holidays.

[aandpman]

Personally, I'm carrying a CZ2075Rami in a Kangaroo holster...It is made of cotton canvas and is pretty comfortable to wear all day long. As the Gun hands under your armpit, sitting, standing, driving are no problem....

Only enhancement I have made was to sew in a couple of thin, tough plastic stiffening pieces about .25" wide where the canvas tends to bunch up, and to sew a vertical seam to provide an extra mag pocket further around the front.

Overall I'm pleased.

See the review at http://www.gunblast.com/Kangaroo.htm

[InfoTechCHL2007]

"Anyone else finding it hard to get comfortable?"

Yes.
I heard a while back that the main point of carrying is the comfort of being able to respond to a given dangerous situation, rather than to be really comfortable carrying.
That being said, I have tried several different firearms and multiple holsters in various locations on my person. Depending upon the pistol/holster/location combination, I have alternately been very comfortable and then not so much depending upon the variety of activity (walking, standing, sitting, driving, etc). I've even tried carrying in the cargo pocket of shorts and all that seemed to do was allow the pistol to bang the side of my knee while I walked. What seems to work generally well in most situations is wearing pants or shorts a size too large in the waist with a longer (quality) belt and a decent IWB holster kept at a slightly forward cant near 3:00 or 4:00. Wearing a loose shirt helps keep the gun from printing.
Since I carry everywhere I can, I tend (whenever possible) to adapt my wardrobe around the handgun and available holster choices (instead of vice versa) and take into consideration potential chances for exposure (getting into/out of the vehicle, hugs, crowded areas, etc).
Right now, I carry a Glock 30. For a compact/subcompact, it's still a beefy pistol (10-round 45 caliber) but I would rather carry it than be without it. To be very clear, I hope I never have to use it, but I'll take the balance of comfort while being somewhat physically uncomfortable any day.

[boonesmith]

You might try a Kramer Undershirt Holster.

I have found this holster to be the most comfortable for me, especially in the car.

Not the fastest holster to draw from, but very comfortable.

[iratollah]

I carry a P239 in a Tucker Hi Ride OWB at 5 o'clock. It disappears to the point that sometimes I forget its there.

[fratermus]

Best thing I've found so far is a outside waist at 4.

I wear a strongside "jak" (sp?) style holster, and conceal with a photographers/safari vest. Very roomy, doesn't print and allows airflow. Mine is from Eddie Bauer. I wore out the Banana Republic.

[Armed-Texan]

i carry the full size XD45 in a comptac pro undercover almost daily, and i am more worried about printing than feeling physically uncomfortable. i carry at about 3:00 or 3:20ish depending on my dress and the belt i am wearing. someday i will spring for a tuckable holster and a smaller framed gun, probably not though.

[bdickens]

If a quality holster is a must, then a quality, purpose-made belt is a superduperdoubleplusabsolute must.

Stick your holstered handgun on a regular belt from the Evil Arkansas Conglomerate and wear it around for a few hours. Then stick it on a real gun belt. You won't believe the difference!

[Doug]

I use a Comp-Tac Minotaur for both my 3" and 4" XDs. It was uncomfortable at first and took me awhile to get used to it. I wear it all day every day now. I also wear a Smart Carry for times that I can't wear the MTAC or have my P-3AT in my pocket. As everyone has stated, you are going to have to spend some money and find a solution that works best for you. Remember that if something does not work, you can recoup most if not all of your investment by selling it to someone else.

I think one major aspect that is overlooked is a gun belt. The belt that you buy from a clothing store simply cannot stand up to the job of carrying your pistol. It will flex, bend, contort, and make carrying a weapon more of pain that it should be. Sometimes quite literally if you are having to fasten your belt much tighter than need to be just to carry your pistol.