Hello all. I've lurked here a while, but recently joined when I started carrying. I've had my Alabama CCW for a while, but always just used it to keep my 1911 in the car. I've been carrying for a week now and I'm seriously disillusioned. I'm 6'4" and about 165 lb carrying an XD9 in a tuckable IWB rig. Being so thin already, any bulge around my waistband is noticable. I've been busted by a few friends that don't mind saying so, and now I'm self concious that strangers probably notice but obviously won't say anything. I don't want to carry less than 9mm. What can I do on a budget for a smaller rig that will hide better?
Skinny guy CCW options
- Thread starter kawabama
- Start date
IamNhobdy
New member
I'm new to carry myself (almost a year now) and I've found there are a few things you can do to minimize obvious printing. For one, you could wear longer shirts, maybe even a size lager than normal. Try wearing shirts with patterns or colors that help break the outline of any possible bulging. Or, weather permitting, wear a light t shirt untucked with a button down collared short sleeve shirt over it. Those are the cheapest fixes. Also, shifting and picking at your clothes can be difficult for us newbies to catch & stop ourselves from doing, but that is usually the biggest giveaway. Get that under control and you're good. By now, most of my friends know I carry and never notice until I mention that I can't go certain places with them. Most of my family does NOT know I carry, and no one has been the wiser during holidays.
The other option is a new rig or new pistol. I can't speak on the rigs (I keep some secrets well guarded). I have looked into both the Kel-Tek pf9 and the Taurus 709 slim, both chambered in 9mm. Both have great reviews, and both have good records. Kel-Tek's customer service has almost all positive feedback, and spare mags are not outrageously priced. Taurus' CS seems to be a mixed bag, varying between people and they're spare mags ARE outrageously priced. They're very small compared to the XD (I carry the XDc45) and you do sacrifice the number of rounds. The trade off is a gun that you can conceal in jeans or shorts and a light t shirt in almost any position. I personally will be picking up a slim this week as birthday gift to myself. The slim also comes in the 740 model which is chambered in 40S&W, but some reviewers say the recoil twists a bit too much in that caliber.
The other option is a new rig or new pistol. I can't speak on the rigs (I keep some secrets well guarded). I have looked into both the Kel-Tek pf9 and the Taurus 709 slim, both chambered in 9mm. Both have great reviews, and both have good records. Kel-Tek's customer service has almost all positive feedback, and spare mags are not outrageously priced. Taurus' CS seems to be a mixed bag, varying between people and they're spare mags ARE outrageously priced. They're very small compared to the XD (I carry the XDc45) and you do sacrifice the number of rounds. The trade off is a gun that you can conceal in jeans or shorts and a light t shirt in almost any position. I personally will be picking up a slim this week as birthday gift to myself. The slim also comes in the 740 model which is chambered in 40S&W, but some reviewers say the recoil twists a bit too much in that caliber.
John Campbell
New member
I have never used one but I hear a lot of talk about a rig called thunderwear. That might work out for u
Iam2Taz
New member
+1 This is the best answer I could come up with. I carry a FS 1911. I am not a thin guy. I have the opposite problem. (More or less.) When I buldge, I really buldge. So, with the help of my lovely wife, we went to Kohl's and picked out a summer hawaii type shirts, some checkered shirts and a few others. (I am not a flower wearing guy, but it is the price you might have to pay. Besides, who's looking for the gun on the nutty tourist lookin dude?) When it is really hot I can wear a muscle t-shirt and one of those or a larger regular t-shirt and it covers up nicely. YMMV.
Phillip Gain
New member
Thunderwear = the worst idea ever. Not easy to get to your piece unless you wear a belt loose enough to let your pants fall down. And if you're not careful, you'll shoot your nuts off!!
Think you are skinny (that is aerodynamically efficient--thank you very much--lol). Am 6'2" 140 lbs. I carry constantly. Open carry at work (work for myself-move houses/buildings). Have never had anyone notice when carrying concealed. Use a a high belt holster with shirt out or jacket when dressed for social occasions. I do have an elastic chest carry but do not like it.
Phillip Gain
New member
Cell pal = almost as bad an idea as Thunderwear!
Phillip Gain
New member
SOB (small of back) is ok - but not advisable to carry MOB (middle of back) over the spine. If you get shoved down or otherwise fall you run a SERIOUS risk of lower spinal cord injury. Better to "kidney carry" at the 5 o'clock position if right handed. Something similar to this might work for you. This one looks cheap and crappy, but if you show this to a custom gun leather guy, you could probably get a good one made to fit your firearm and your physique:
Link Removed
carrying without printing
kawabama: Where (what position) do you wear the gun? What kind of holster do you use? And what are the dimensions of your XD (is it a compact model? how long is the barrel?).
If your shoulders are wider than your hips, then with a slightly larger sized shirt the width distance between your shoulders and your hips should hide the gun nicely somewhere in the 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock position IWB.
If your shoulders are not broad, try the 4-5 o'clock position (just behind the hip). The curve of your buttocks up into your lower spine may be a good place to conceal the grip of your gun. Personally, I have to tip the grip forward just a bit as well (which also puts the gun in a better position to GRAB when I draw).
I am a slim female, and I use both of these positions. I have better luck with a custom holster, but I can also use a cheapie like the Sleeping Dog or a Bianchi 100. Granted, my usual carry is a Kahr MK9 (9mm) which is ridiculously THIN and COMPACT, but I have also successfully concealed my H&K USP 9mm compact behind the hip when I want to carry a gun that has more rounds.
Really, finding the sweet spot is about trial and error, and finding the right clothing. Very few of us that concealed carry wear clothes that really show off the positives of our physiques--most of us wear loose-fitting, non-descript clothes because we DRESS AROUND THE GUN.
Best of luck finding your sweet spot!
kawabama: Where (what position) do you wear the gun? What kind of holster do you use? And what are the dimensions of your XD (is it a compact model? how long is the barrel?).
If your shoulders are wider than your hips, then with a slightly larger sized shirt the width distance between your shoulders and your hips should hide the gun nicely somewhere in the 3 o'clock to 4 o'clock position IWB.
If your shoulders are not broad, try the 4-5 o'clock position (just behind the hip). The curve of your buttocks up into your lower spine may be a good place to conceal the grip of your gun. Personally, I have to tip the grip forward just a bit as well (which also puts the gun in a better position to GRAB when I draw).
I am a slim female, and I use both of these positions. I have better luck with a custom holster, but I can also use a cheapie like the Sleeping Dog or a Bianchi 100. Granted, my usual carry is a Kahr MK9 (9mm) which is ridiculously THIN and COMPACT, but I have also successfully concealed my H&K USP 9mm compact behind the hip when I want to carry a gun that has more rounds.
Really, finding the sweet spot is about trial and error, and finding the right clothing. Very few of us that concealed carry wear clothes that really show off the positives of our physiques--most of us wear loose-fitting, non-descript clothes because we DRESS AROUND THE GUN.
Best of luck finding your sweet spot!
snatale42
New member
If your XD9 isn't a subcompact it's gonna be tricky. I love my M&P40 but can only carry it in the cooler months even IWB thats just reality and I'm not skinny. The only GOOD options are subcompact gun, deep concealment holster or both. Have you tired Kholster? They have a much larger range of adjustment over crossbreed due to there adjustments going halfway up the holster, they also have an "inner" set which is good if your skinny to help stop the holster from bunching up on you if you wear it from 2-6 o'clock. All that adjustment room should let you have both a much lower ride height than most IWB's as well as more room for a forward cant adjustment to stop the grip from printing.
You ever try one? I can draw almost as fast from my SmartCarry as I can from my Kholster. If my shirt is tucked in with the Kholster the draw time is about equal. You belt stays where it always does and it's extremely comfortable.
This is NOT me, but shows a proper SmartCarry draw. Not slow at all probably faster than a lot of people from their IWBs
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Tucker's Mom
New member
With longer blouses nowadays, I use a clip draw most of the time now (a friend who is an old seal and a marine taught me how to.) Touch wood, I hope I do not have to go back to holsters.
retiredman
New member
kangaroocarry
I have one and it works great. I carry a Glock 21
I know the head sheriff of our county and it even fooled him
Looks strange, some call it a man bra. Got news I carry all day and no discomfort, and impossible to see.
That is my humble opinion.
I have one and it works great. I carry a Glock 21
I know the head sheriff of our county and it even fooled him
Looks strange, some call it a man bra. Got news I carry all day and no discomfort, and impossible to see.
That is my humble opinion.
Phillip Gain
New member
No - and I won't. It's a slick and gimmicky holster. Yeah, it's easy to make a fast draw in front of a mirror or video camera. But try doing it when you're crapping your pants and instinctively dropping into a fighting crouch when being attacked from the front. Or try doing it when you've just been blindsided by the mugger who snuck up behind you and pushed you over. Way too many motions to get from holstered to presentation.
This kind of holster (Thunderwear, Smart Carry, Cell Pal, or whatever) is a very poor compromise between concealment and readiness. A third of a second delay or so may not seem like much...except that the average gunfight lasts a mere 2.5 seconds. Better to go with a nice belt slide, SOB (not MOB), or IWB, and buy a few new shirts and vests. When SHTF I don't want to be reaching down my pants or trying to untuck my shirt.
Thanks for all the good feedback. I guess I'm going to have to change my clothing a little more than I expected to carry the XD in the summer. Winter under heavier layers should be OK for OWB holster options. Anyone have experience with the new Ruger LC9? I've been considering it for a smaller option for summer carry.
ctktmrider
New member
I dont recommend the LC9 unless you have a budget. My summer time shorts and t shirt carry is a Kahr PM 9 in a remora clip-less holster. It rides SOB-IWB. the Kahr PM9 is a much superior firearm than the ruger. In fact I just traded up my LCP for a Kahr P380 for pocket or ankle BUG carry. Check out the remora holster. It also doubles as a pocket holster. Good luck and carry on!
I'm 6'4 and 195 pounds and definitely still in the skinny category. My biggest problem has been shirt length but I've just started getting a good wardrobe. I don't like SOB because when you bend it prints like no tomorrow. I personally prefer carrying my full size PX4 storm at about 12 o'clock. I almost never worry about printing and the only drawback for me is sitting down isn't always fantastic but I've done long distance trips with it and it's not so bad.
mjroho
New member
I would have to agree with Phillip Gain. A holster must do more than just conceal. When and if a situation arises, and the adrenaline is flowing, you need to be able to quickly draw with ease with as less motions as possible. I studied alot of holsters before deciding to buy a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster. This holster works great with my Glock 26. And yes, when you carry concealed your choice of clothes matters. I have some pants/jeans that are a size bigger in the waist to help accommodate the holster. I also wear a little larger shirt/tee shirt to avoid printing. And you don't want your shirt tail to ride up above your pistol when you bend over. I really don't like to carry a small caliber, but on occasions I carry a Keltec 32 auto. Remember when you're checking yourself in the mirror, don't be too self conscious.I don't think most people are going to be staring at your waistline trying to figure out if your "packin'"
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