What size to conceal?

[precious821]

Hello,does anyone carry an XDm .40 @ 4 or 5 o'clock? I am looking @ the .40 3.8 compact. Just wondering if the 3/4" is a big difference. The XDm isnt to bad except for when driving for long periods of time. I typically carry IWB at the hip.[considering the m-tac] THANKS in advance.

 

[Gaucho]

I would say it depends on the holster. I recently got a Galco Kingtuk and my full size Glock 17 is just as comfortable as my sub compact 26 riding at 4-5 o'clock.

 

[Sh00tn Butt]

its not the lenght of the barrel to consider .. its if the grip sticks out too much .. i carry a Glock G19 which has a 4in barrel at 4 O'clock IWB with just a Tee shirt on .. people are not looking for it .. maybe another CC person might notice, not the general public .. i use Grandfather Oak holsters .. they are Kydex and very comfortable for me .. plus they are quick to put on and take off .. which is a big plus to me ..

 

[jtg452]

Carrying a full length gun isn't usually an issue for me to conceal when carrying IWB. The barrel and most of the slide are hidden already. The only potential problems I can see is more of comfort than concealment. If the barrel and slide are too long, they end up poking in places best left not poked. None of the XD's I've handled were long enough to cause me any concern in that area but it really depends on how you are built, exactly where you carry it and what your tolerance is for the discomfort of carrying IWB is to begin with.

 

[Cotillion]

I'm not sure what my deal is but I couldn't even carry a pf9 or a cm9 iwb. I didn't want to risk ordering one online and paying to much for something ill hate so I've only tried 2, an uncle mikes and a stiffer leather one but it felt so uncomfortable. I'm gonna try and find a good small of the back one as I tend to Mexican carry there when I don't ankle carry.

 

[ironmike86]

IMO the smaller the holster the better. Like high noon holsters. More holster = more to hide and more uncomfortable ime. If it's a small gun. A larger full size gun needs a bigger holster. But I carry a Glock 27 easily with comfort.

 

[precious821]

Thanks everyone, Steve

 

[Firefighterchen]

I'm not sure what my deal is but I couldn't even carry a pf9 or a cm9 iwb. I didn't want to risk ordering one online and paying to much for something ill hate so I've only tried 2, an uncle mikes and a stiffer leather one but it felt so uncomfortable. I'm gonna try and find a good small of the back one as I tend to Mexican carry there when I don't ankle carry.

Probably sounds like a broken record, but you should not Mexican carry...ever.

 

[precious821]

I would never Mex. carry looks to hazardous, even for an experienced shooter. I do however carry a makarov cross draw on occasion when travelling long distance.

 

[twotonevert]

I have no issues concealing a full size glock 21 in a cleveland iwb holster. No issues so far. Find what you are comfortable with.

 

[DarrellM5]

I always carry with the gun positioned just behind the hip.

I've found that I can carry just about any size handgun with the right holster/attire. Right now I'm carrying a Springfield XDs .45 in a Harwell IWB holster and it disappears under minimal clothing. Sometimes I carry a Springfield Lightweight Champion Operator 1911 with a 4" barrell in a Supertuck, a full sized XDm .40 in a Supertuck or a Sig P229 in a Galco Royal Guard. All of these work really well.

3/4" makes a huge difference when it comes to grip length, to answer one of your questions.

In cold winter, when I'm wearing layers, I sometimes carry a S&W 629 .44 Magnum IWB in a pancake holster from Simply Rugged. Works great.

Now I'm off to order a holster for a Glock 29 10mm.

 

[Javy]

It is going to depend on the kind of cloth do you use. Do you like oversize pants and shirt? Tucked shirt? ...

 

[Arney]

Carry the XDSC in 40 daily. The shorted grip is an asset and in addition, I added Pearce Grips to all my magazines, maintaining a full grip and shortened length, the best of both worlds for me.

 

[Timothy Bryant]

If you're going to be carrying a gun IWB (and you probably should be if concealment is important) then barrel length isn't really a major concern as it will be shoved down inside your pants and not visible to others. What's most important is the length of the grip as this is what is most likely to print through clothing. With that being said, I typically go with the longest barrel I can find as I would like every advantage possible.

 

[precious821]

anyone carry an XDm .40

Hello,does anyone carry an XDm .40 @ 4 or 5 o'clock? I am looking @ the .40 3.8 compact. Just wondering if the 3/4" is a big difference. The XDm isnt to bad except for when driving for long periods of time. I typically carry IWB at the hip.[considering the m-tac] THANKS in advance.

I have a Crossbreed I carry @ 4/5:00. Body type is a factor, at 6' 205-215lbs I carry a full size XDm .40. At over 215 I find the 3.8 compact to be a better choice. I carried full size for a couple years with no problem. Keep in mind reaching and bending. This something you will need to practice and get used to for best concealment. I use a 5.11 tac belt with the metal buckle, keeps it close to the body and easily adjusted.

 

[anvil6]

Carry the very similar XDm 9mm compact in an MTAC with no issues. Depends greatly on your choice of wardrobe, exactly where you carry and your build. All else being equal, the shorter gun butt will conceal easier than a longer one.

 

[Dekul34]

I carry a fullsize P226 or a P220 Carry daily (4.4 and 3.9" barrel respectively, both fullsize grips) and have no problems, have in the past carried a fullsize 1911 iwb, as others have said the length is usually not a problem, thickness and grip size are tougher to conceal, but a good holster with a forward cant will do a lot toward hiding that grip (if carried in the ~4 o'clock position) and be comfortable as well.

 

[Kramer1113]

I Like the Thread name "What size to conceal" My answer, Any size you need to conceal!
But seriously folks, Basically you can conceal anything depending on manner of dress, type of holster and body size.
Most good "GOOD" holsters will conceal a full size gun so long as your choice of shirt hangs correctly.
Lets face it, people are not looking at you that closely, they have other things to worry about.
LEO's, good security personnel and other members of the carry community may notice that slight to moderate bulge at your side but again, most people will not notice.
Are you doing anything wrong? are you carrying in a place where you are not legally permitted to carry? If so, you have a problem.
If not, No Problem.
As a former MP, and as a member of the carry community I might notice your carrying, and I'm glad you are.
No worries. Carry what you shoot best and find a holster that carry's it comfortably.
If you have a permit its not against the law if your weapon is slightly protruding from your hip.
In the old days someone could claim you were "Brandishing" your weapon. Laws have changed in recent years to allow a CCW holder to carry without having to make the weapon 100% invisible.