CC methods for full size pistol?

[Woodcutter]

Hi all,

I recently bought a Glock 21 gen 4. I wasn't really thinking of it for a CCW, but right now it's my only handgun and it might be so for a while. I haven't gone for my CC permit yet. I wanted to ask those of you who CC a full size pistol, especially Glock, XD, FNP 45, etc., what your preferred method of carry is? What works best for you?
For reference I'm pretty much a medium sized guy, 5-10, 185, fairly athletic build for my age (56) and no gut overhang. I frequently wear shirttails out, so that's a normal look for me that would help with concealment but a G21 is still a big gun to hide. I do figure on getting something smaller when I can but budget's tight and I'll wait until I can get what I really want specifically for CC.
So far I've looked at Crossbreed, a couple of the manpurse kind of rigs - Maxpeditions, SafePacker, and one other from Hawke packs that's a fanny pack kind of thing (looks better than it sounds, but still a fanny pack) that will conceal a large pistol with the barrel extending into a concealed space in the waistband - interesting idea because it doesn't look big enough to hold anything larger than a big smartphone. I don't really like the idea of an off body carry though, except it would make concealment easier. Safepacker can stay looped to your belt but dang, it would be kind of like wearing a medium sized notebook on your belt and I would think it's going to catch on stuff all the time.

So, what works for you, and any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!

 

[Kalamity023]

I carry a G22 and a 5" 1911 in an old faithful hip rig. Only wear an untucked Hawaiian or work shirt and the gun disappears. Best advice I have is get a good gun belt!

 

[McNamara]

As posted on FB. I carry a Taurus 24/7 .45 ACP in a Crossbreed holster. Works perfect for me. Spend the extra, get a Crossbreed. You'll forget it's there.

 

[apvbguy]

I carry a g22 most of the time IWB, I've rotated it out for now for a fn57 which is even larger.

 

[Drzzit]

Look at Aegis Armory, they make a nice hybrid holster for In the Waistband and it has belt slots so You can also carry Outside the Waistband on Your belt. They start at $55 and come in different leather and kydex colors. I don't have one yet, but Youtube has some good reviews on them.

Drzzit's S4

 

[BurgerBoy]

OWB in a pancake leather holster with shirt hanging out.

 

[SouthernEmpire]

I carry a G22 IWB with the Crossbreed Super Tuck and an extra mag (sometimes 2) with the Crossbreed IWB Mag Carrier. Very comfortable with pants a size or 2 bigger than I need. I may wear my T-shirts larger than some, but they hide well. I have a similar body shape as you, just a bit shorter. I fully recommend a Crossbreed.

I do recommend a good gun belt!!!! It goes without saying, if you carry a good handgun, carry in a good holster, and carry that holster on a good gun belt. It can make all the difference in comfort and concealment. I use a cheap 5.11 Tactical gun belt. It's not as fancy or as high quality as some others out there, but it gets the job done on a budget.

Good luck in your journey! Let us know how it goes!

 

[mojoman]

I'm carrying my XDm .45 4.5 full size now since my XDs have gone back to the doctor office now, but I'm about your size just about 200, '5 11'. I only have one holster for my XDm which I'm planning on get another one for it, most of the holster I have are for the Xds. I carry my XDm in a Blade-Tech holster which is a iwb and owb holster, I found out that wearing it about 3-3.30 on my hip mostly wearing 3.30. I was wear it yesterday and I went over to my mother apartment and she couldn't even tell I was wearing it until I show her. I too am a athletic build gentlemen, I lift heavy weight and I run a lot so this work for me.

 

[Kennydale]

I am a big fan of 3speed Holster.
http://3speedholster.com

Sent from my SGH-M919 using USA Carry mobile app

 

[Ringo]

K.L. Null "Vampire" Crossdraw Driving Holster for my Glock 21 & my 1911's. Versatile & all day comfortable. Bianchi Lawman Holster for my Vaquero .44 Magnum-also all day comfortable.

 

[oilcrash]

I am presently experimenting with a full size 1911 in a Remora, it holds remarkably well, practice draw is easy, with practice. Otherwise I'll carry the same pistol OWB in a Galco Silhouette High ride. With the belt holster I didn't realize until got a goold belt, why everyone said to get a good belt. I may in the future Get an INCOG for my full size 9mm M&P Pro.

 

[RJT CCW]

If you keep the grip at an angle and the gun tight to the body, then the only other thing is having a cover garment loose enough to not excessively print.

IWB will give you more latitude in cover garments but you may need larger size pants to fit properly. If OWB carry then the garment may need to be longer to cover the bottom of the gun if you raise your arms.

 

[Woodcutter]

Lots of good suggestions y'all! Thanks!

So far I'm kind of leaning to a Crossbreed Supertuck and going up a size or two on my pants for IWB. Thanks to multiple recommendations for a good belt, I'm looking at some options. Since most always I'd go shirttails out I'm not too concerned about if it looks a bit "tacticool" or not, so I'm kind of thinking the Wilderness belt might be a good one. Thought about Liger as well. I really like some of the leather belts out there but they do get kinda pricey.

Anyway, if all goes well I'm hoping to add a smaller CC pistol before too long if I can. Decisions decisions... would love an HK P2000SK, if I have the money, but more likely something like a G19, G23, G30 or G36, Ruger LC9, Beretta Nano, XDs, etc. Still thinking I'd like to at least be prepared to CC the G21 if it's a while before I can add to the arsenal.

 

[Stengun]

Howdy,

I've been carrying a Glock 20 10mm OWB @ 3:00 in a Glock Sport holster for over 20 years.

I've been carrying a steel frame full size 1911 OWB @ 3:00 for over 31 years.

I'm bigger than you at 6' 1" 258lbs its still easy to do because when I was younger I was in the 210-225 lb rang.

Paul

 

[bowserb]

We'll try and forget that you brought up that fanny pack thing and assume you're a real man (lol). I am about your size 5 10 185+/-. I have had quite a few IWB holsters. I used to carry a G19, but for over two years I've carried a SA XDM-45 4.5", similar in size to your G21 with 13+1 rounds. Here is what I have found thru trial and trial. The Cb Supertuck is too time consuming to put on. When I come and go, I like to just grab the gun and holster and put it on. Don Hume 715 has a single steel clip that makes it quick. It is also available with a thumb break. It is not tuckable. I really like the Comptac Infidel, and I have one for my 1911, but it is not available for my XDM45. Currently I carry in a Tucker Secret Strike. Single clip and in a pinch it is tuckable. When I plan to tuck, though, I use a belly band holster, because it is infinitely adjustable and it attaches to you rather than your belt, making dressing much easier.

Galco has excellent gun belts, and you should use a heavy duty gun belt. I have not adjusted my pant size to accommodate the IWB gun. I carry at about 3:30-4 o clock. However I am using a Kydex holster. Leather may require a little more space inside your waistband.


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[thru]

I did this for a number of years, but it's just not worth the hassle and the stress on my body. It's rare enough to need even the pocket gun. Almost always, if the pocket gun is not enough, then the belt gun is not enough, either. In other words, what you need is a rifle, buddies, grenades, and so on.

 

[Woodcutter]

We'll try and forget that you brought up that fanny pack thing and assume you're a real man (lol). I am about your size 5 10 185+/-. I have had quite a few IWB holsters. I used to carry a G19, but for over two years I've carried a SA XDM-45 4.5", similar in size to your G21 with 13+1 rounds. Here is what I have found thru trial and trial. The Cb Supertuck is too time consuming to put on. When I come and go, I like to just grab the gun and holster and put it on. Don Hume 715 has a single steel clip that makes it quick. It is also available with a thumb break. It is not tuckable. I really like the Comptac Infidel, and I have one for my 1911, but it is not available for my XDM45. Currently I carry in a Tucker Secret Strike. Single clip and in a pinch it is tuckable. When I plan to tuck, though, I use a belly band holster, because it is infinitely adjustable and it attaches to you rather than your belt, making dressing much easier.

Galco has excellent gun belts, and you should use a heavy duty gun belt. I have not adjusted my pant size to accommodate the IWB gun. I carry at about 3:30-4 o clock. However I am using a Kydex holster. Leather may require a little more space inside your waistband.


Sent using Tapatalk...so please excuse the typos!

:lol: Heh! Yeah, about the fanny pack thing - about the only thing I like about that idea is I don't have to think about printing. More holster options now that it's getting colder and bigger clothes for a few months, so all this might be sort of a moot point - hope to get something smaller than a G21 for CC before it heats up again.
Another question on the belt though - I tend to like the better leather ones more than the tacticool, but dang they get pricey! I was wondering if anyone wears a Filson double thick belt rather than the more specific gun belts? I had a single thick Filson that lasted for something like 20 years (not for carry, but still a damn nice belt) - no frills, just a nice elegant high quality look and I thought the 1-1/2" double thick would probably make a nice gun belt.

Excellent point above about the Crossbreed taking pretty long to put on & take off - I was kinda wondering about that. Looks like not really a grab & go rig, but seems like folks think it's comfortable. I guess the comfort would matter a bit more with a full size pistol, but I don't think I want to get all trussed up every time either. Decision, decisions.

 

[bowserb]

On the compact, if you don't rush into it, you may get used to the full size and then not want to give up the combination of big bullets and big capacity. That's my deal, although if the G38 were .45acp instead of GAP, I'd consider that one. The subcompact 45's have too small a grip and too little capacity.

Belts. I remember reading a while back that Tractor Supply has good heavy belts that are just like the more expensive "gun belts" but for around $20 or so.


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[rekotadrekoj187]

Pitbull Tactical bloodline holster can be switched from owb to iwb worth the money for sure I carry an XD 45 4" full size grip and I love it.

 

[rekotadrekoj187]

And yes get a good belt maybe a beltman or something like that just make sure it is a gun belt and it has good support.