another gun question

[sugerbear]

any comments on this holster?

i never tuck my shirt in (i'm a t shirt kinda guy)

http://masterofconcealment.com/pgroup_descrip/296_IWB+Holsters+Concealment/7117_Tuck-This/?return=%3ftpl%3Dindex%26category_id%3D296%26_IWB%2BHolsters%2BConcealment%2F

thanks

[X Ring]

With any concealment holster, you get what you pay for.  That being said you need to be able to holster the weapon without using your other hand to open the holster.  IOW, the holster must NOT collapse when you remove the pistol.  Desantis is an excellent brand and has an outstanding reputation.  Still, I would have to call them and ask these questions before I purchased.

That being said, my preferred concealment holster is a Blackhawk CQC Serpa.  One other thing you need to be aware of is with in the waistband holsters, you need to wear pants about 2 inches bigger than your waist so you have room for the gun.

Marty

[Ratdog]

No experience with that model... however, I do like the DeSantis brand of holsters.

[sugerbear]

thanks x-ring, i didn't know that!  maybe i should not look at the iwb holsters.

i'm a LARGE guy 6 ft 360 lbs have a 54 in waist and wear a 3x-4x t-shirt.

which holster would you recommend from that site?

h yea i have a springfirld xd 40 4 in

[X Ring]

Sugarbear, with your size you're going to need to try holsters to find one that works.  I would recommend a strong side holster that does not collapse when you draw the weapon so you can reholster without having to get you non gun hand in the way to assist.  Also you need to look at your belt.  You need to get a heavy duty or reinforced belt so the butt of the weapon doesn't lean out from your body and announce to the world you're carrying.  In addition, it could cause the butt of the weapon to bounce.  I would wear the holster behind the side seam of your pants so the weapon and holster fit into that hollow area of your butt.  It's a natural area to help you conceal the handgun.  If you intend to carry as a lifestyle choice, you're going to probably end up with a box of holsters that you've tried and discarded.  I told you what I use.  The Blackhawk CQC Serpa.  Mine are made of carbon fiber; however, Blackhawk makes a polymer version that is about $25.  It would be good to try then, if you like it, you can move up to the carbon fiber version.  It has more options like belt loop or paddle that you don't get with the polymer version. 

Marty

[Jess from VA]

Besides what Marty said, I can only say that big guys have more trouble wearing IWB holsters comfortably than thin guys.  Just the nature of the beast.  Riding or driving with them on can be troublesome to painful.  I use Milt Sparks Summer Specials (with 1 .25 and 1.5" interchangable belt loops), and a heavy Milt Sparks 1.5" belt.

The holster I have not tried but which is getting rave reviews is the Super Tuck Deluxe.  It looks big, but the many reviews say it's the best they've used.

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/IWB/tabid/56/CategoryID/1/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

[Str8shooter]

+1 on the crossbreed. Use it with my Glock model 32.

[Pete]

Arriving at a successful concealed carry compromise is usually a trial and error enterprise as several have pointed out.

I would completely agree with that.

That said, the only solution I found was self constructed designed to fit me, by me.  I arrived at that after buying a basket full and selling a basket full. Along the way those holsters educated me thru trial and error as to what worked and did not for ME.

And even then it took building and wearing 5 or 6 holsters to get it right.

Lessons learned:

The holster MUST fit the belt exactly. 1.75 inch wide by thick belt.
The holster and belt must be sturdy, think stiff.
The holster must be molded to the actual gun.
The gun must fit the holster snuggly.
Snug enough to not require a safety strap or other means of retention and still release the gun for drawing.

Leather worked well for me as it can be obtained in a thickness that is sturdy and can easily be molded when dampened with rubbing alcohol and drys stiff.

Two pieces of leather with the ruff sides permanently glued together in the approximate shape of the holster, 3 or 4 brass Chicago screws a small length of leather lacing, a bottle of alcohol, a sharp knife, leather punch and some leather glue is all that is necessary. Of course some time and thought and trial and error.

I have been wearing my last design daily for 10+ years, it is so comfortable I forget I have it on and no one has ever said anything about observing it. Strong side, outside the belt carry with shirt out or vest or jacket with a 24 oz 45 Colt Auto.  

My basic design seems to work well for several of my friends as they are now using the same concept. That is not the say it would work well for you without some changes and experimentation.
When building one for a new gun or person it usually still takes me two tries to get it right.

So experiment. If you decide to proceed this way let me know and I will send you a starting pattern and advice.

[JimC]

sugarbear,
I have also been looking for a concealment holster that will fit my not so petite body. Although not quite as large as you, I have the same issues. While talking to a friend that is my size that always carries, he reccommended a t-shirt holster. They are expensive, but I found a place that sells just the holster patch in order to try the concept at a mild cost.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160484893268&var=460010289852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I am not going to give my aproval on it yet, I bought a couple of them to see if it is as comfortable as my buddy says. You sew the holster on a T-shirt yourself, (or your significant other does). It does make sense to me, but only time will tell.

I also just purchased this,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180490804985&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

it is designed to be a conceal in plain sight type of holster, but it is only good for smaller weapons. It should fit my Kel-Tec PF-9 well, I have not received this yet so the jury is still out on it.

THEN AGAIN, THERE IS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY OF US LOOSING SOME WEIGHT SO WE DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE, yea right.
 
Jim

[Serk]

I know, I know, concealed means concealed, and I might as well have a flashing neon sign over my head saying ARMED! for anyone "in the know" but, with my... physique... I finally just gave up on finding a holder that worked for me AND was concealed without printing horribly...

I went with a concealment fanny pack...

Yeah, as I said, to those in the know it's a dead giveaway, and to those NOT in the know it screams "DORK!" but I'm old enough I just don't care about that too much anymore...

It works well, I can carry while riding, I can easily access my weapon form just about any position, including while riding or driving.

Anyway, just another option to consider...

[BWANA]

I think DeSantis is the best value. I know the guys at DeSanits, their holsters are designed by a great team of engineers that have years of shooting and gunsmith experience.
Did I mention the owner rides a valk?

[sugerbear]

thanks for all the replies.

guess i just have to go someplace and try out and try out several.

cabala's has a nice selection, and maybe someone to help.

[MNBill]

I just saw a leather concealed carry vest in my last Cabelas flyer, they work good and do not look out of place on a bike.

[sugerbear]

 i saw that too  thanks

[Hoser]

On the bike, in the tank bag, on self, crossdraw  inside the pants.  works good with a skinny guy like me.  Hoser 

[paps350]

I agree with XRING on Blackhawk Serpa Holsters. I have tried many and have found in the waistband very uncomfortable as I am a rather robust person myself. I use the paddle option on all my Blackhawks and carry on my strong side.They are also reasonably priced.
 

[Gangman036]

I use this one a lot. Have never had a problem with keeping it in place. Works great under an un-tucked shirt.

http://acecase.com/belly-band-concealment-holster.html

[Sludge]

I too use a crossbreed holster.  It wears well. Im also partial to Milt Sparks holsters.  Specifically the Watch 6


I also wear a FIST K1 kydex inside/outside holster at times too.