Stupid newbie question, where do you carry?

Glenn,

Definitely not a stupid question. You have several options for carrying your pistol, most of which involve carrying on the strong side hip (the right hip for most of us). Small of the back holsters and shoulder holsters may be right for a few special situations but probably not for the newcomer.
For carrying on the hip you have two main choices- an inside the waistband holster (IWB) or outside the waistband holster (OWB). OWB means the holster sits outside the pants and is anchored to the belt, usually by slots built into the holster. IWB means the holster sits between your pants and your skin or t-shirt, also secured to your belt usually by holster loops or clips. For many of us OWB is the most comfortable but is not as concealable as an IWB rig.
Important things to consider
1. you need a gun of small enough size to be easily concealed. The ease of concealment also depends on your body size, a larger body size may be able to conceal a larger size pistol. For most of us the pistol height is the most important factor, followed by the width and then barrel length. Polymer or aluminum-framed pistols are lighter in weight and easier to carry. For me I start having problems with printing (the pistol showing through your clothing) the more a pistol height gets above 5 inches. Four and a half inches to five inches high works best for me. In 9mm I use a Sig 239, CZ 75-compact or SW 6906. Also don't overlook a Glock 19. For a .45 I use a Sig p245, HK USP-compact or SW 4516-1.
2. You must get a good gun-belt which will support your pistol and holster. A good holster is also needed for proper support and concealment. I have a belt from the Beltman.
3. Before buying a pistol to carry try to rent one at a local range. If you have friends who have pistols or holsters try them out. Checking with your local law-enforcement may point you to local concealed carry classes which are very helpful.
4. Most of us wear our IWB or OWB holsters just behind our right hip, at what is called the 4 o'clock position (think of 12 oclock as straight forward, 3 o'clock right at your right hip).
5. There are many internet gun sites which have concealed carry sub-forums which can be very helpful. Some off the top of my head are
www.glocktalk.com, smith-wessonforum.com, sigforum.com, thehighroad.org, and thefiringling.com.
6. Many holster makers have an orientation to different holsters on their websites. Some you may look up on the internet include Fist holsters, Galco holsters, Highnoon holsters and Don Hume holsters. I have used all of them and all make reasonable holsters for concealed carry.
I hope this helps some. We were all at your stage at one time and the best way to learn is to ask questions.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

Its better to have a gun and not need it then to need it and not have one. Get some training and your CHL.

 

Glenn,

Glad to be of help. No one should convince you for the need to carry or not. It is a personal decision and it will require time, money, work and even family support to carry effectively. Unfortunately as the world becomes more unpredictable and violent it is prudent to be prepared. Being prepared involves much more than carrying a pistol- it involves the proper mind set to protect yourself and family, being in the best physical shape as possible, knowing how to avoid or leave (de-escalate) a violent encounter, and hopefully some simple empty-hand techniques to solve a problem without shooting someone. Using your pistol is a last resort which opens up a host of reactions, most of which are bad. You will have the local authorities to convince, possible civil litigation by your assaulter or his family (only in America), media, family and co-workers to deal with.
We prepare for a number of unexpected issues in life by buying insurance- we buy life insurance, car insurance, disability insurance, etc. all in the name of minimizing loss. If we wait until after a catastrophic event happens it is too late. The same with carrying concealed- it is personally acquired insurance against being a victim of violent crime. Hopefully it will never happen to you, but the one or two times in your life when you need your concealed pistol you will need it badly. And with the shooting sports you will meet many nice folks at the range or classes and the concealed carry part of shooting will be the forerunner of good times and good friends. Only you can make the final decision on what is right for you. My favorite saying is- be a victim or be prepared. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

Reviewing my lifestyle during a given month, by % it looks like this:
50%: Crossdraw 40%: Pocket (no holster) 10% Shoulder rig.

 

I carry an officers model .45 in an inside the waistband(IWB) Don Hume clip on holster. I wear the holster about 4 o'clock.

You need to also look into getting a belt for carry. A good stiff belt will make a world of difference in your comfort while carrying. Buy a good holster.
Remember......
Your gun is not about to fall out. Quit adjusting it.

 

I pocket carry a lot. I also use a "fanny pack" quite a bit. I have belt holsters for all my guns, but I don't use them that often.

 

I carry a glock 27 on my right hip with a leather bianchi pancake holster. I like this because it keeps the weapon tight to my body....especially since I have a thinner frame. When hip carry is not appropriate due to what I'm wearing...I carry my S&W 642 .38 in an inside the pocket holster. Sometimes I carry both. One should never die for lack of shooting back.

 

Don't forget www.defensivecarry.com It is devoted to just such topics.

 

I like my Uncle Mike's inside the pants holster in the small of my back. It does a good job and it's easy on and off. The need to remove the holster to reholster the gun doesn't bother me. I never liked the idea of pushing a loaded gun into my pants , out of my own eyesight, anyway. With 2 or 3 Uncle Mike's you can carry about anything made - not all at one time mind you - which seems to fit my varying gun carry habits.
I have some really nice guns, and some equally nice leather, but to be honest my most common carry gun is a Beretta Tomcat in my back pocket. I can reach for it just as easy as my wallet (which I carry on my weak side). Standing, facing a B.G., I can put my hand on my gun and draw without causing him to alert (you can also do that, to a lesser extent, with a S.O.B. holster). You can't do that with a shoulder rig or a cross draw.

 

I typically hip carry,when bike riding use the fanny pack and recently started the shoulder holster. I DO NOT LIKE THE SMALL OF BACK but that's just me

 

glock 27 in ankle holster pps in pocket

 

Strong side, FBI cant just behind my right pocket. If I'm wearing shorts, it'll be IWB, strong side, directly under my pocket.

 

Check out Andy Arratoonian's Horseshoe Leather in the UK. This guy is old school and hand makes some of the highest quality holsters you will find anywhere.

http://www.holsters.org/index.htm

I just ordered a Covert 28 and dual mag holder for my Colt Defender.

Good luck

cane

 

Some advice on concealment holsters :

Cross-draw holsters are unsafe on the practice range because you sweep the guy next to you when you draw . In a rushed draw, you'll likely have trouble stopping the gun and thus sweep right past the attacker and miss him . In a tussle, the cross-draw puts the grip frame right where the attacker can grab it .
Cross-draw can make it easier to draw while seated .

Ankle holsters are usually too hard to get to .

I bought an Uncle Mike's Fanny Pack and found it useless for a fast draw ; at best you could get the gun out in time to engage a gunman who was pre-occupied with other victims . Still, some cops threatened to boycott a shooting range/gun shop unless the shop stopped selling that fanny pack to civilians . Honestly !...

That leaves FBI carry as a good option. Don't know about paddle holsters but once had a clip holster that stayed on the gun when I drew . It was made by Bianchi .


If you carry, carry the same gun in the same place in the same holster all the time if possible . Carry at all times ideally so you never reach for a gun that is not there .
For more on this, read John Farnum's THE STREET SMART GUN BOOK .

Bruce Nelson, now deceased, recommended no retaining device except the pressure of holster on gun for concealed carry . I concur .

The USCCA will send you free info if you sign up for their emails .

 

Strong side hip. Invest some time (and money) in a quality holster.

 

And a quality carry belt.

 

Like they said!
JMO

 

+1.

Looper's reinforced holster belt is my choice. Looper Leather Goods is in Oklahoma City, and is 3rd generation family owned. Highly recommended.

looperlawenforcement.com

Thanks for pointing out my oversite Cane. Good holster is no good if your belt won't hold it up.