I’ve never carried, but it’s a thought that has come to mind a lot over the last year. From what I’ve seen, appendix carry would be best, but don’t think I could pull it off as a bigger guy. Have any bigger guys had luck with appendix carry? Do you have any IWB tips, tricks, belt and or holster recommendations? Thanks!
Best concealed carry for bigger guys?
- Thread starter Bear6462
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Suck My Glock
Member
As a fat fud myself, I've never had a problem. I've appendix carried almost exclusively most of my life, and have done so even with a 6-inch Dan Wesson revolver. The key is how you carry yourself while carrying. I've open carried, yet most people haven't been aware of the fact, simply because of how I keep my arm tucked to cover the weapon.
Breaking up the outline is key, which is a lot easier for us fat guys than skinny guys. Use an inside-the-waistband type of holster. Wear loose untucked shirts. If someone is going to be LOOKING for CCW, you won't fool anyone. But to 95% of the the unobserving sheep will have no idea. In cold weather like now, its no challenge at all. Wear a thin or thick jacket and everything is pretty easy to conceal.
Breaking up the outline is key, which is a lot easier for us fat guys than skinny guys. Use an inside-the-waistband type of holster. Wear loose untucked shirts. If someone is going to be LOOKING for CCW, you won't fool anyone. But to 95% of the the unobserving sheep will have no idea. In cold weather like now, its no challenge at all. Wear a thin or thick jacket and everything is pretty easy to conceal.
Looks like my initial response didn't post, for some reason. Great advise and thoughts gentlemen! Thank you! I guess I should probably look into getting bigger shirts so, I don't risk printing. I've been thinking of something with a sidecar so, I'd have another mag, if necessary, but don't know that it's an option for me. I did see this video AZ1182. Since he doesn't use a sidecar, was hoping to find someone who may have attempted it. Definitely a good reference though. Thanks again!
Crippledtrigger
Member
I used to be 6 feet 350 lbs. Now I'm 6 feet 220 to 230 lbs. I still carry full size guns iwb strong side 4 to 5 oclock. It's easier to hide bigger guns if your heavier for obvious reasons but regardless I follow a few rules.
1 a good belt is a must.
2 good stiff holster is a must. I prefer Comp-Tac kydex but any will do. No crap.
3 importantly you must dress around your choice and not try to fit your choice into how you otherwise dress. This means a size larger cover garment or shirt at a minimum. Gotta keep the gun or pants from sagging. Even gun folk should be unaware you're carrying.
4 you may want to carry in one particular position but your body may say otherwise, this gets more important as your weight fluctuates.
5 practice practice practice. You should be able to draw and holster safely and instinctively without looking and insure no shirt tails are in the way or trigger causing issues like you shooting yourself.
6 practice some more.
You will end up with a trunk full of holsters like the rest of us as you will probably spend a few attempts on experimenting.
Enjoy
Oh I carry a Glock 17 or 19 and have every day for 25 years in the manner I describe and have carried a 5 inch 1911 before that.
1 a good belt is a must.
2 good stiff holster is a must. I prefer Comp-Tac kydex but any will do. No crap.
3 importantly you must dress around your choice and not try to fit your choice into how you otherwise dress. This means a size larger cover garment or shirt at a minimum. Gotta keep the gun or pants from sagging. Even gun folk should be unaware you're carrying.
4 you may want to carry in one particular position but your body may say otherwise, this gets more important as your weight fluctuates.
5 practice practice practice. You should be able to draw and holster safely and instinctively without looking and insure no shirt tails are in the way or trigger causing issues like you shooting yourself.
6 practice some more.
You will end up with a trunk full of holsters like the rest of us as you will probably spend a few attempts on experimenting.
Enjoy
Oh I carry a Glock 17 or 19 and have every day for 25 years in the manner I describe and have carried a 5 inch 1911 before that.
Crippledtrigger said:
Thanks for the advice! I’m about 6’5” and 350 at the moment. So, you’re words hit close to home. I bought a custom leather belt a few years ago, but not sure it’s goi no to be strong enough for carrying so, will have to look into that. Do have some owb holsters, but feel like they don’t conceal well so, will spend some time looking at those as well. Always thought the Urban Carry holster looked interesting. Any experience with those?
$75.00 for black Kydex? That's a little pricey.
iammaxwell
Member
Not trying to be negative Nancy, just give some perspective from personal experience. I wouldn't expect your first setup to be perfect, but that's ok. Keep tweaking or changing until its comfortable. Be patient, if something doesn't pan out. The most important thing is to just start carrying and then carry all the time, and everywhere. You'll quickly figure out what does and doesn't work for you.
I bet most of us that carry daily could fill a box full of belts, holsters, etc. (And maybe even a pistol :roll: ) that just didn't quite fit or work out how we initially expected.
Anyway lots of good advice here to get you started.
I bet most of us that carry daily could fill a box full of belts, holsters, etc. (And maybe even a pistol :roll: ) that just didn't quite fit or work out how we initially expected.
Anyway lots of good advice here to get you started.
DOUBLE07GT
Member
My cousin conceals at Desert Eagle .50, but he’s 6’8 and 320#’s. It actually looks normal LOL!
