Carry guns and size

[4t5]

The question of Carry guns come up a lot , and people mention what works best for them , but the unknown is the size of the carrier .
I mean no disrespect to anyone , but a 1911 or a colt saa ain’t gonna work for me , unless I’m doing something wrong .
So I’ll mention , I’m 5’10” and 180 lbs , wear a large shirt and 35” waist , I’m not comfortable with anything bigger than a j frame in a pocket holster .
If anyone else wants to go , it will give others ideas on what could work .

[Scott Tschirhart]

That’s true.

I’m six four and 260. But I also look like a cop.

I carried full size guns on and off duty when I was a police officer. But I found it easy to dress around a 1911 or something like a 4 inch K frame.

Nothing wrong with a J frame.

[Safestuffer]

Lift weights until your chest sticks out further than your gut.
Once your pecs lift your shirt away from your gut, youd be surprised what you can conceal

[AJMD429]

.
6'2" 200 lbs, been CCW'ing for 47 years, and use 4-oclock IWB or OWB carry.

- I don't have the slightest discomfort with a 1911 doublestack, Beretta/Taurus 92, or Security/Speed-6, and they seem to conceal without printing the way I dress.
- I would need to be a bit careful not to obviously 'print' with a thicker revolver like a Redhawk, or a bigger semiauto than a 'duty' pistol (maybe a Desert Eagle... ).

However having said that, with a sportcoat or pharmacist's coat, I've carried a Super Blackhawk and Redhawk (both 7-1/2") without issues using vertical shoulder-holsters. When in Wyoming and Idaho and Montana travelling with my son and camping in federal wilderness areas, I didn't bother to remove my 45 Colt Redhawk (5"?) from the OWB holster when going into rural stores, although it surely printed and sometimes poked below the shirt.

I think that 4t5 has a good point though - body size (and shape) clearly have a huge impact.

ALSO - I would add dress-style. I just made up my mind years ago to wear un-tucked extra-long/tall short-sleeve shirts in the summer, and sweaters in the winter. In really hot weather I wear the shirt without an undershirt (and make sure the gun is stainless).

AND - the other issue is of course how much 'printing' would bother us. I've worked in environments where CCW was prohibited by the employer or school, so back then would go to as small a gun as needed to be more sure of concealment. In pharmacy school (and I used them through medical school as well), I modified a pair of cowboy boots by splitting the seam of the left one and inserting part of a disassembled flat holster for a two inch revolver, so I would have some protection walking 3 quarters of a mile to my apartment through the ghetto at night when I left after midnight during various jobs or clinical rotations. As long as changed into scrubs in privacy I was pretty much able to avoid risking detection. Now I am self employed and my employees and patients are pretty much conservative or libertarian midwesterners, so on the rare occasion somebody notices I'm armed, it doesn't surprise them, and often it initiates a friendly talk about firearms.

[wvfarrier]

I am 6' and 170 but very fit. I carry appemdix, a Sig 229 with an rmr or a 4" 1911. Just depends on the day

[OldWin]

I'm 6' and weigh 190. I have a 34" waist. I can carry a 1911 without much trouble, but prefer a LW Commander. I can also carry a round butt K-frame.
IMO, it's more about how you dress, where you carry your gun, and how willing you are to make changes in your clothing. To some degree, it depends how you carry yourself, also. If you aren't used to having a couple pounds of pistol on you, it will take a commitment and getting used to. Holster choice and quality also can't be overstated.
My preference is a LW Commander carried strong side in a Milt Sparks SS. Three seasons I can do this easily. In the summer, I'm forced to make changes everywhere, but still carry the Commander. I had to dress differently than I ever have, and switch to a Kydex Dale Fricke Arcangel appendix holster. While not my favorite, I can easily conceal and comfortably carry the Commander.
Thirty years ago, I would just swap to a J-frame in the summer. Things being what they are the last several years, I'll make a change and keep my trusted Commander. Making a change in your habits or wardrobe is a lot to get used to, especially when you get older. Carrying a medium to full size pistol or revolver every day is a serious commitment. No matter what size you happen to be.

[Ysabel Kid]

I'm 6' and 210 lbs. COVID wasn't kind to me; I slowly gained back weight each year and settled around this weight a year or so ago (my low was 158 lbs!). When I was slimmer I did find it more challenging to conceal a full size 1911. I routinely carry a DS 2011 type now without issue in an OWB holster (IWB's never were comfortable for me). Just depends on the cover garment. Now, here in SC in the middle of the summer it is hard to conceal anything but a pocket pistol, as one is in shorts and a t-shirt 95% of the waking hours then.

[Streetstar]

That’s true.

I’m six four and 260. But I also look like a cop.

5'8 and -- currently overweight -- but 210 at my peak with a "gym physique" and a short haircut that has been a carryover from my military time to this day ---

Up until i was about 50ish i always was mistaken for a police officer ---

I still get unnecessarily ID'd when buying booze from clerks that dont want to skirt the Able Commission rules ----- I joke with them that i actually have a fake ID that says i'm 34

As for carry guns -- depends on my dress -- today was a Glock 19 in a pocket clip holster (re-purposed IWB job that fits in a jean pocket with only the clip visible if wearing a sweater ) --- often its a J frame in a pocket or a Walther PPK or Glock 42 --- worn the same way as the 19 -- i just put the IWB holseter in my jeans poocket - and the jeans are about 1/2 a size big so it works out okay -- spare mag in the opposite posket -- as with most jeans --- the preferred spare mag or pocket knife pocket is on my strong side and i dint wear "tactical" jeans too much -- although i confess to having a pair or two of 5.11 stretchy jeans

[JimT]

I'm 5' 9" 180 lbs and I carry a S&W Model 10 4" Heavy Barrel IWB and it works just fine for me.

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[LeverGunner]

I'm 6'5" and 330 right now. Been as long as 285 and as high as 360. I'm no the way down currently. I conceal a 1911 very well, so well in fact, that once my gun buddy and I were going to a few gun stores together and he asked me if I was carrying. He tried to tell and couldn't.

I don't conceal my Blackhawk quite as well, but still well enough. I don't try real hard. Carrying a gun is part of my life, but it's not the entirety of my life.

[jeepnik]

I was once 5'9", probably close to 5'7" these days. Weight is about 180, so, short and "stout". Carrying full size 1911's, Blackhawks and N framed Smith's isn't out of the ordinary. As mentioned many times, I generally carry OWB cross draw. Toss on a Hawaiian shirt and no one notices a thing.

[Lastmohecken]

I can only carry at about 9 O'clock, being left handed. I like Milt Sparks holsters, both IWB and OWB at that 9 O'clock position. But will also carry a small revolver in my right front pocket, usually a 2" J-frame, but I do have a 2" K-frame round butt that I do carry in that right front pocket on occasion. When I go to church, I carry both a 1911 and a J-frame, because I am head of the Safety Team. But I also carry both when traveling across the country. I also wear a heavy duty set of suspenders, always and I would have a lot of trouble carrying on the waist without the suspenders.

I always pretty much dress western, so I wear a vest in all but hot weather. In hot weather I will go to a sleeveless Tee shirt, and open front, tail out brush shirt. In this case the long open shirt hides my suspenders and my gun. I usually carry a Lightweight Commander, but occasionally a revolver on the strong side, or a Glock 22. And sometimes I will carry a J-frame in a strong side holster and a backup J-frame in my right side front pocket for a NY reload. I am a little overweight, at 5"-10 and about 235 lbs.

[Lastmohecken]

I can only carry at about 9 O'clock, being left handed. I like Milt Sparks holsters, both IWB and OWB at that 9 O'clock position. But will also carry a small revolver in my right front pocket, usually a 2" J-frame, but I do have a 2" K-frame round butt that I do carry in that right front pocket on occasion. When I go to church, I carry both a 1911 and a J-frame, because I am head of the Safety Team. But I also carry both when traveling across the country. I also wear a heavy duty set of suspenders, always and I would have a lot of trouble carrying on the waist without the suspenders.

I always pretty much dress western, so I wear a vest in all but hot weather. In hot weather I will go to a sleeveless Tee shirt, and open front, tail out brush shirt. In this case the long open shirt hides my suspenders and my gun. I usually carry a Lightweight Commander, but occasionally a revolver on the strong side, or a Glock 22. And sometimes I will carry a J-frame in a strong side holster and a backup J-frame in my right side front pocket for a NY reload. I am a little overweight, at 5"-10 and about 235 lbs.

But one thing's for sure, I cannot and will not pelvic carry. Shoulder holster sometimes but never pelvic carry.

[Lastmohecken]

Here's a couple of pictures, I meant to post showing both a Smith and Wesson 5" 629 44mag, and also a Ruger 4-5/8" Old 3 screw model in .357. I'm sorry, pictures are upside down, but double click on them and they will right there selves.

This is a modified Sticky Holster, where I added a strap to it to keep it in place. A bit ugly, but works great, and is very comfortable even with the Smith 44 mag. And it's very concealable for me, and pretty fast to draw from.

Sticky holster Revolver Smith.jpg

Sticky holster Revolver Ruger.jpg

[Griff]

6' 225(ish), Colt Combat Commander, IWB, summertime under a Hawaiian shirt, (to my dermatologist's disgust), cooler weather under a long sleeve t-shirt worn untucked with a light- or medium-weight t-shirt under that, colder weather a Henley shirt., and cold weather, a jacket with an OWB holster.

Favorite long sleeved t-shirt

DSCN1667.JPG

[jeepnik]

6' 225(ish), Colt Combat Commander, IWB, summertime under a Hawaiian shirt, (to my dermatologist's disgust), cooler weather under a long sleeve t-shirt worn untucked with a light- or medium-weight t-shirt under that, colder weather a Henley shirt., and cold weather, a jacket with an OWB holster.

Favorite long sleeved t-shirt
DSCN1667.JPG

Heck, my dermatologist wants me to wear sunscreen on my hands and would prefer gloves. Then again, like most "office" types his hands are baby smooth and frankly flimsy. I think I'll keep my scars, calluses and grip strength, thank you very much.

[AJMD429]

6' 225(ish), Colt Combat Commander, IWB, summertime under a Hawaiian shirt, (to my dermatologist's disgust), cooler weather under a long sleeve t-shirt worn untucked with a light- or medium-weight t-shirt under that, colder weather a Henley shirt., and cold weather, a jacket with an OWB holster.

Favorite long sleeved t-shirt
DSCN1667.JPG

Heck, my dermatologist wants me to wear sunscreen on my hands and would prefer gloves. Then again, like most "office" types his hands are baby smooth and frankly flimsy. I think I'll keep my scars, calluses and grip strength, thank you very much.

I think (not the mainstream opinion) that sun DOES cause the basal and squamous cell skin cancers, but the melanomas are the deadly ones, and THEY occur more often where there is LESS sun exposure (mid back where a bra fastens versus upper back or shoulders, breast versus necklace area on women as well as men, and vulva/perianal area in women more than their abdomen or thighs). I think doctors just assume all 'skin' cancers are the same but melanocytes are completely different cell lines versus the basal and squamous ones. I respect many physicians who disagree with me but I can't just go along with a majority when the sites just don't support the causality.

[Scott Tschirhart]

This guy actually makes a pretty good case for a smaller gun.

https://youtu.be/IxFQGhH_PcU?si=jjFfQ275lxkTAyF_

[JimT]

I don't go out in the public in shorts so I don't worry about carrying in them. But I do like the smaller guns for the ease of carry. However, I prefer revolvers.

Can't see my guns here!

back in texas.JPG

[jnyork]

Sig Saur P238 in a Galco pocket holster in my right front pants pocket. Never leave home without it.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I don't go out in the public in shorts so I don't worry about carrying in them. But I do like the smaller guns for the ease of carry. However, I prefer revolvers.

Can't see my guns here!

back in texas.JPG

Jim, I know exactly where that photo was taken!

[Blaine]

EDC is a LCP in a pocket sleeve in the pocket of my Carhartt Tees (that I wear all the time). The Duluth vest conceals the Tee pocket and two mags go in the left pocket of the vest.

[JimT]

I don't go out in the public in shorts so I don't worry about carrying in them. But I do like the smaller guns for the ease of carry. However, I prefer revolvers.

Can't see my guns here!

back in texas.JPG

Jim, I know exactly where that photo was taken!

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