There is a wealth of knowledge to dig through on this site.

[Steve Blankenship]

I just wanted to say that I am amazed at how much knowledge is in the forum. There is just so much information to go through and research to make an informative decision. I have plenty of experience with rifles and shotguns but have never owned a handgun. Have been around them and shot friends' handguns often but have never owned one personally. Was seriously looking at handguns a few years back but never did decide on and buy on. Since finding this site I can tell you I would have probably made the wrong choice. Anyway I will continue to pick through the site researching and will continue to go to various gun shops to talk to their experts and actually handle the weapons. My focus is finding a small (not to small) to mid sized weapon for everyday concealed carry and home protection. Leaning towards the 9s and IWB small of the back carry position (inside shirt) but have not completely made up my mind yet. Anyway, thank you for the forum and the wealth of information.

 

[eagleeyes]

i don't recommend small of back carry as if you're pinned against the wall or on your back with some thug on top you it could prevent you from accessing your gun too..it would be hard to make a fast draw..but practice and see what works best for you
be safe and best wishes

 

[Bilgerat]

i don't recommend small of back carry as if you're pinned against the wall or on your back with some thug on top you it could prevent you from accessing your gun

^ instructors say the same thing.

 

[Steve Blankenship]

i don't recommend small of back carry as if you're pinned against the wall or on your back with some thug on top you it could prevent you from accessing your gun too..it would be hard to make a fast draw..but practice and see what works best for you
be safe and best wishes

Thanks eagleeyes. Where do you carry? I wear business casual clothes for work which only involves slacks and a short sleeve polo tucked in. What carry method(s) would you suggest I look into?

 

[Steve Blankenship]

^ instructors say the same thing.

Thanks Bilgerat. Where do you carry? What carry method(s) would you suggest I look into?

 

[eagleeyes]

btw welcome to the forum steve! i carry iwb at 3:30 it's comfortable easy to draw even from a sitting position and comfortable driving and drawing in a vehicle as well......the muzzle is in a safe direction sitting or standing and bending too ......it just works well for me being in florida we can only conceal carry and that is my best conceal option imo

 

[eagleeyes]

thing is with my set up tucked shirts don't work so well with me so i keep my shirt out but perhaps with the way you dress ---a holster that tucks in the pants fully concealing your gun in your pants the showing part is a cell phone holder so you just pull it up and begin your draw dang i forgot the name of the style holster it was i seen it at the gun shows all the time......it's nice leather and conceals very well too and the guy selling them always makes it look so easy to use too....i'm sure someone here will know which one i'm talking about but the name just eludes me at the moment.......you tube is a good way to see about carry options too just google you tube holster conceal carry options for men and i'm sure you will find alot of good ideas or google holsters for conceal carry......and then pick folks brains here ......
again best always

 

[The_Outlaw]

I just wanted to say that I am amazed at how much knowledge is in the forum. There is just so much information to go through and research to make an informative decision. I have plenty of experience with rifles and shotguns but have never owned a handgun. Have been around them and shot friends' handguns often but have never owned one personally. Was seriously looking at handguns a few years back but never did decide on and buy on. Since finding this site I can tell you I would have probably made the wrong choice. Anyway I will continue to pick through the site researching and will continue to go to various gun shops to talk to their experts and actually handle the weapons. My focus is finding a small (not to small) to mid sized weapon for everyday concealed carry and home protection. Leaning towards the 9s and IWB small of the back carry position (inside shirt) but have not completely made up my mind yet. Anyway, thank you for the forum and the wealth of information.

Welcome aboard Steve!

As far as a '9mm' sidearm for concealed carry, I would personally recommend either the Glock 26 or the thinner Ruger LC9 carried IWB @ either your 4 or 6 o'clock positions respectively.

But that's just my .02 cents.

Stay safe out there. =-)

 

[Steve Blankenship]

Welcome aboard Steve!

As far as a '9mm' sidearm for concealed carry, I would personally recommend either the Glock 26 or the thinner Ruger LC9 carried IWB @ either your 4 or 6 o'clock positions respectively.

But that's just my .02 cents.

Stay safe out there. =-)

Thanks Outlaw. I was looking at both of those but also looking at the Springfield and S&W versions also.

 

[carracer]

Welcome! I carry an LC9 in a DeSantis IWB holster. Very comfortable at 4. About half the time I tuck my shirt behind for open carry.

 

[Bigskyguy]

I conceal a Glock 19 extremely well with a Galco King-Tuk @ 4:00. Easily drawn sitting, standing, or in a vehicle.

 

[kscharlie]

If I were not retired and was wearing business casual, I would think about buying slacks with full pleats in the front. A smaller, as in not large, gun carried AIWB (Appendix IWB) pretty much disappears. Tucked shirts are not a problem with this method. I do not carry this way, but as I said, I am retired so I don't have to worry about the "work environment". One other thing to consider regarding SOB carry, if you were to slip and fall or get taken down by someone, landing on a gun could well fracture your vertebra, or worse. That is probably the only place on my entire body where I would never carry. YMMV.

Edit to add: I carry in a self made tuckable IWB at 3:30. Usually carry a SIG RCS 1911 in .45 ACP.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Thanks eagleeyes. Where do you carry? I wear business casual clothes for work which only involves slacks and a short sleeve polo tucked in. What carry method(s) would you suggest I look into?

I carry outside my pants and outside my shirt. But... you might want to try this:

Gun Holsters Glock Holsters Concealment Holsters

or this:

Belly Band Holster - The Original Bellyband - Concealment Holsters

 

[Firefighterchen]

Here's IMHO $0.02:

Caliber: Largest you can shoot efficiently (balance between speed and accuracy). Don't pick a caliber until you know which one you can shoot well.

Same goes for the actual handgun. Different handguns feel different and recoil different.

Holster: I recommend weapon side (primary hand for you) from 2 - 4 o'clock (right handed) or 8 - 10 o'clock (left handed). IWB for concealed, OWB for open.

That's what I recommend, but there are plenty of people that carry it different and successfully, whether it's sob, cross draw, shoulder holster, etc. The key to wherever you put it is practicing. It also helps when you figure out the spot you like, to only use that one spot to build muscle memory.

Precautions on any placement are smart to think about, but any position can get pinned depending on where your attacker strikes from. Injury can also occur anywhere you may fall on your weapon. Your spine is one place injury should be avoided with extreme precaution, but I have not heard of anyone getting a spinal injury from carrying sob.

Retention will be up to your personal comfort.

Belt: Also, get a good belt, preferably one made to hold the weight of a firearm.

I carry, 3 o'clock OWB level II retention open carry.

 

[tcox4freedom]

I personally prefer AIWB and a large frame, large caliber, high capacity with a barrel that doesn't exceed 3.5" in length.

I own & carry handguns from Springfield (XDM40), Taurus (24/7 Pro C 45acp or 40sw), Bersa (383a) and S&W (Bodyguard 380).

The most important thing is to get a handgun in which you have confidence & you feel comfortable in using. (I trust my life & my family's safety to every firearm I own; and I do so without any reservations & with 110% confidence in their dependability.)

You need a PCW that fits your lifestyle so you will "CARRY" it all the time. But, also go with one in a size & caliber you will practice with on a regular basis. (A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 45acp)

JMo2c

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