Body Size Affecting Concealment?

[Boomboy007]

For some reason that I can't remember, I really liked the idea of SOB carry, but in practice it was really uncomfortable. Plus, that sense of, I dunno, balance that I had been expecting was not there. Finally, I found that my draw time was terrible.

If you are really tight with the cash at the moment, you might try a cheap "Uncle Mike's" holster.

Uncle Mike's - Holsters

They are pretty decent and cheap as dirt ($10-$20). For your XD Compact I think you would need a size 27 if you go with Kydex (also pricier) or a size 16 in Nylon. Better yet, if you have some 2A friends around, borrow some of theirs to try. If they are like the rest of us, they have a box full that they don't even use.

[BigRossation]

I just ordered an Uncle Mike's nylon IWB size 15 from Midway (I'm not going SOB). I'll give it a go for $12.99. I've heard good things about it on another forum dedicated to XD fanatics like me.

Thanks for the help!

[Glock Fan]

Whatever you do, be sure to get a quality holster that retains it's shape. This is critical to facilitate re-holstering. Also check for a quality clip that will actually stay on your belt. Nothing worse than drawing a holstered handgun.

If you were looklng for a holster for a Glock, I would have gladly sent you one from my "holster collection".



gf

[wuzfuz]

Interesting to know that large guys have concerns about 'printing,' too. I am 5'5" tall and right now, I weigh 224, according to my last doctor's visit. I carry the XD-45 with the 4" barrel in a Blackhawk Serpa holster just aft of the seam in my pants. I have no concerns anymore about carrying, at least not like I did in the early 80s when I first began carrying concealed. I saw a detective with the San Diego PD who is about your size who wears an army field jacket. He carries a Desert Eagle in .50 AE in a shoulder holster. You'd never be able to spot him as carrying. I had a talk with him about concealment, and he recommended experimenting until I found a combination I was comfortable with. His advice has been my guide for a lot of years.

[netentity]

I'm not a fan of SOB carry since I already have spinal issues to begin with (minor scoliosis, not bad enough to warrant surgery or for non-medical professionals to notice but bad enough that back issues bother me more easily than most people). Many law enforcement agencies discourage or prohibit SOB carry or to have anything over the spine on their duty belt for OSHA and worker's comp reasons. I firmly believe in protecting one's spine.

If I'm carrying multiple, the combination of modes I may use are;

• IWB
• Concealed OWB (Safepacker)
• Smartcarry (either one or two).
• Single or dual shoulder if I'm wearing a coat or jacket
• IWB at 10 or 11 for a small pocket .380 ACP for a left handed draw in a pop up holster.

Most I've done at one time was four just to see if I could do it.

BTW, GF, four of a kind beats three of a kind any day.

I tried ankle and I don't care for it since the barrel or the slide of the firearm tends to rest on the bone. I haven't tried the undershirt holsters. I suspect I will probably be trying that mode next.

If you're trained to take falls you could feasibly carry SOB. However, if that is your only mode of carry, you will be at a great disadvantage if you are in a seated position. If the chair you're seated in has a partial back, your firearm could feasibly get caught in the chair.

[DocBoCook]

I'm not a fan of SOB carry since I already have spinal issues to begin with (minor scoliosis, not bad enough to warrant surgery or for non-medical professionals to notice but bad enough that back issues bother me more easily than most people). Many law enforcement agencies discourage or prohibit SOB carry or to have anything over the spine on their duty belt for OSHA and worker's comp reasons. I firmly believe in protecting one's spine.

If I'm carrying multiple, the combination of modes I may use are;

• IWB
• Concealed OWB (Safepacker)
• Smartcarry (either one or two).
• Single or dual shoulder if I'm wearing a coat or jacket
• IWB at 10 or 11 for a small pocket .380 ACP for a left handed draw in a pop up holster.

Most I've done at one time was four just to see if I could do it.

BTW, GF, four of a kind beats three of a kind any day.

I tried ankle and I don't care for it since the barrel or the slide of the firearm tends to rest on the bone. I haven't tried the undershirt holsters. I suspect I will probably be trying that mode next.

If you're trained to take falls you could feasibly carry SOB. However, if that is your only mode of carry, you will be at a great disadvantage if you are in a seated position. If the chair you're seated in has a partial back, your firearm could feasibly get caught in the chair.

Personnally, I prefer the Undershirts. If I had the money, it's all I would use (but they are pricey)

[rrc1962]

I want to try the undershirts. I'm new to CC but have OC'd for years in NH and VT when I lived up there. I always carried either a S&W 41 Magnum or a Taurus PT92 on a OWB holster. I'm a larger frame guy also. IWB just is not comfortable for me. The only methods that I found comfortable were OWB or shoulder. I haven't tried ankle of undershirt. I suspect the undershirts will be one of my favorite spots for a BUG, but I think I want my primary on a OWB. I can wear an OWB and an un-tucked T-shirt pretty much covers it up. We can open carry here, so if the shirt rides up and uncovers it, it's not a big deal.

[EvanWilliams]

Oh, you cheeky bastard! Go ahead and gloat. It is snowing here right now.

Welcome, BigRoss!

I am also a husky, big-boned type. (Okay, I'm fat) I actually tried a Fobus RotoTilt that my buddy had, and I found that the holster really seems to stick out. Nice fit for the range or open carry (although for open I like something with active retention) but difficult to conceal. Unfortunately, for those of us with Donelap's Disesase (where our belly has "done lapped" over our belt) our conceal options are fewer. I have found that a nice, form fitting leather IWB (In Waist Band) is the most concealable. Unfortunately, you will probably have to buy some new pants that are one size larger than normal, but I would try with your current pants first.

When carrying OWB (Over Waist Band) concealed I usually like as minimal a holster as is practical, Like a speed scabbard. This is what I like:

http://dragon.hematite.com/M7X_01.jpg

However, when it comes to IWB, I really have three things that I look for; ability to conform to user (leather or other hide), ability to use with shirt tucked or untucked (no reason to buy two holsters for the same basic job), and most importantly a shield between my body and the gun. This is very important for us big fellas. It results in a much more comfortable carry, and protects the firearm from our corrosive sweat. This will be my next purchase:

Links

When I carry IWB I usually carry strong side, 4 or 5 o'clock.

Good luck, and happy carrying!

Good Advice. I buy jeans one size large and carry IWB at 4oclock. Colt Defender and Mitch Rosen Uncle Sal's Decision. works well.

BTW, I went to Grad school at Southern Conn. and trained/worked at Bridgeport Hospital. I really miss the great food in Conn. The italian food in Conn. is awesome. I work with a doc who trained in Conn. He went back for a conference and told me he was standing at the front door of some pizza place in New Haven at 1030am waiting for them to open. The stuff is addictive. !!

[MufDady]

at 6; and 260 I use a IWB kudex made by Desantis holsters, its comfy and stays open when weapon drawn,
chec it out,,,,,,,,,,,, the Scorpan IWB, at DesnatisLeatherGoods.com good luck..............

[jdavid17]

Try the Cell Pal. Conceled Comfort Cell Pal Concealed Carry Holster Total Concealment undercover ccw armed citizens conceled weapon permit no fanny packs deep cover covert carry

It sounds like we have similar builds. The Cell Pal works very well, but is not well advertised. The holster slips over the belt and under the pants, with a cell phone holster being the only part showing above the belt. With the gun lying 100% under the belt line, this makes for a really well concealed carry.