Endless holster dilemma

[Bill in Oregon]

My updated NM CCW license finally arrived and now I am back in the hunt for a way to EASILY AND COMFORTABLY conceal a Charter Arms Bulldog Classic with three-inch barrel. I have one of those elastic neoprene around the waist things somewhere -- and a 5.11 Tactical T-shirt with the underarm pockets but it's not fun to wear once the temps get into the 90s. I think an IWB is obviously the least likely to print, but being a flabby OLD baby boomer, I can't bring myself to buy new pants and jeans to replace the too-tight ones I wear now is if I were still a slim, trim 20-something. Yeah, I know. Pathetic. Move on Bill.
So I am back looking at OWB pancake types that require wearing a baggy shirt if you want to minimize printing. This is the solution preferred by the guys I have taken concealed carry classes from.
Anyone else wrestle with this? I have skinny striker-fired plastic 9mm (PSA Micro Dagger = Glock 43X) that is obviously easier to conceal, but dang I like a .44 Special, especially when carrying on the trail and in the woods with a snake load up first.
And after watching Massad's piece* on the dangers of appendix carry, "I ain't-a-goin' thataway."


*For those who missed it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPtW4nCTf8I

[Bill in Oregon]

Should add: I am now down to 5'8", 160-plus, still with faint traces of abs detectable in the right light.

[JimT]

1. wear boots .... stick it in your boot ... if you get in a fight you'll be on the ground soon enough and you can easily get to the gun ... which saves you from bending over to grab your gun, losing your balance and falling down.


I go with the IWB holster from Simply Rugged. Pants ain't that expensive Bill.

[OldWin]

The struggle is real.
For three seasons, my preferred carry is a Lightweight Commander at strong side IWB. I use a Milt Sparks SS.
When summer hits, I just don't feel this is concealable for me. Wanting to stay with a real gun, something had to give. I let my youngest son talk me into appendix. That's right.....I'm trusting my junk to JMB and my own caution. I'll let you guess what one I have more faith in.
The other issue is that there is no way to do this without alterations in how I have dressed my whole life. For the first time in my life, I purchased those tank top "wife beater" t-shirts. This keeps the pistol and holster off my skin. Then I simply wear a button down short sleeve shirt and leave it....gasp!....untucked.
My son promised me I'd be sorry if I cheaped out on the holster and advised the Dale Fricke Archangel.
I will admit that while outside my comfort zone, this has worked great. It offers excellent concealment, a good draw, and reasonable comfort. Most importantly, it allows me to carry the same pistol for four seasons, and the confidence of my preferred pistol to defend myself.
While I probably wouldn't carry a Glock like this, a smallish revolver, 1911, or other manual safety pistol would be ok.
Obviously, this isn't for everyone, and I would never blame anyone who doesn't wish to try it. Massad is no fool, and has my utmost respect and admiration.

[Paladin]

As I stated carrying a gun before I joined the army in 1973 and now have a foot locker full of different types and sizes. For the S&W model 69 (.44 Mag) or Model 60 3 inch (.357). I prefer the cross-draw. Very comfortable, fast while driving or on equipment, and easy to conceal if you have to.

cross draw 24 mar.jpg

[Grizz]

this is my setup. both xd9 and xd45 fit in here. in the car the handle is available. in public the mouser is invisible. i [almost] never tuck in a shirt. i never found a way to conceal a revolver that isn't just painful. and if i am carrying the xd45 in this holster the 380 rides in my boot.
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Ruger 380 a.jpeg

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Ruger 380 b.jpeg

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https://highnoonholsters.com/leather-ho ... ster-softy
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[GunnyMack]

Bill, shoulder holster and oversized Hawaiian shirt!
Seriously though I had a buddy in school that used a shoulder rig for his Bulldog. He was a skinny guy and if you didn't know him you wouldn't have known until he passed by and you saw his G20 telegraph his shirt .

[Steve in MO]

Anything from Simply Rugged is good to go, and I've used Galco shoulder rigs for a long time, too. Sometimes my sciatica won't tolerate anything very heavy on my right hip, so I'll put my Lightweight Commander in the Galco Miami Classic. Depending on the time of year I'll wear a fleece vest to keep everything covered, or when it gets warmer I'll use a short sleeved button up or one of those lightweight fishing shirts they sell at Walmart to conceal everything.

[jeepnik]

I'll second the simply rugged and the Hawaiian shirt. But, suggest OWB cross draw. Infinitely more comfortable than any IWB. Reachable with either hand, even when on the ground. And let's face it, it has a certain old school look to it.

[2ndovc]

I'll second the simply rugged and the Hawaiian shirt. But, suggest OWB cross draw. Infinitely more comfortable than any IWB. Reachable with either hand, even when on the ground. And let's face it, it has a certain old school look to it.

Completely agree. I spend a lot of time on the road and my Sig P365 is in the SR cross draw or in a pocket holster. The pocket holster carry is useless while driving so in either truck I have a full size M&P or G23.
If I'm going somewhere questionable, my Commander is in a Simply Rugged OWB under a long unbuttoned khaki shirt.
jb

[Bill in Oregon]

Thanks fellas. Will, if I wear a Hawaiian shirt I will have to wear a Brownie camera around my neck to complete the picture, right?

[2ndovc]

Thanks fellas. Will, if I wear a Hawaiian shirt I will have to wear a Brownie camera around my neck to complete the picture, right?

I've got an old Nikon I can send you. A little more class than the Brownie.

jb

[AJMD429]

.
I just keep it simple (I'm fashion-retarded), so I either wear non-tucked short sleeve shirts in the summer, non-tucked long sleeve shirts in the spring and fall, or non-tucked sweaters or sweatshirts in the winter. Jeans always.

I pick the gun first, then the holster, then the clothes will just have to fit around the gun and holster.

The gun is nearly always a double-stack Para-Ordnance 1911, a Taurus 92, or a Glock 19, but I sometimes do carry the Charter Bulldog (...cuz it's the only one with Crimson-Trace grips... ).

One time hiking a mile down the rural road we live on with the four young kids, and hot young wife, to see where the river flooded over the road, it was hot short-pants-and-T-shirt weather, and I was in the mood to carry my Redhawk, so my 'concealment holster' was a McDonald's paper bag; I just put my index finger behind the trigger, held the bag over the gun with my thumb, and down the road we walked. That's one "rig" you can really draw and shoot from real fast, if need be...

In the olden-days I used to conceal-carry a 7-1/2" Super Blackhawk, but had the luxury of a pharmacy intern's white coat to cover the shoulder holster...

[samsi]

Being in possession of two large boxes of accumulated holsters I figure that I've got some valid opinions on gunleather. I've seen Simply Rugged mentioned in the thread already, so I'll add that the best holster I've found for a J-frame is Rob's Silver Dollar Pancake. I bet it would work nicely for the Charter as well.

[jeepnik]

Thanks fellas. Will, if I wear a Hawaiian shirt I will have to wear a Brownie camera around my neck to complete the picture, right?

Please, this is the 21st century. A fanny pack will suffice. Bermuda shorts are optional. Let rephrase that before you get arrested for not having pants....

[Bill in Oregon]

Trusting the wisdom and experience here, I just ordered a Silver Dollar Pancake from Simply Rugged. Thanks again, gang.

P.S. Jason, thanks for the offer of the Nikon, but a I have a Canon SLR I can sub ...

[Ysabel Kid]

I think an IWB is obviously the least likely to print, but being a flabby OLD baby boomer...

I'm right there with you!

I just can't wear an IWB holster and be comfortable. I've never been able to, no matter what my weight. I use an OWB Urban Carry with my 1911 Commander and it hugs me pretty good. But with spring here in SC, and summer just around the corner, cover garments will get lighter and lighter. Jim's boot carry doesn't work well with sneakers (I refuse, no matter how hot it gets, to wear flip flops or sandals unless I am at a pool/lake/ocean).

Good luck!

[LeverGunner]

Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake hoslter is the most comfortable holster I've ever worn. I carry a Ruger Blackhawk daily, and 90% of the time it's IWB. The IWB tabs on the holster allows the gun to find a comfortable spot, and not just be wherever the belt forces it to be. You should reconsider and get larger pants and try either this holster, or modify an existing holster with holes to accept the IWB tabs.

[Griff]

IWB Milt Sparks Summertime Special & Combat Commander, hawaiian shirt, t-shirt, sweatshirt or jacket depending on the weather. But, worn between belt & pants for comfort, as the danged jeans got too tight!

[GunnyMack]

Thanks fellas. Will, if I wear a Hawaiian shirt I will have to wear a Brownie camera around my neck to complete the picture, right?

Don't forget your white cotton knee socks and Birkenstock sandals Bill !!!

[Bill in Oregon]