A self-defense handgun should be reasonably powerful and shootable, features which favor the larger and heavier pistols and revolvers. Unfortunately, they’re tougher to conceal.
Careful holster choice, however, can make them more comfortable and more discreet in daily wear. For most of my adult life I’ve carried either a full -size service handgun (4” barrel revolver or 5” semi-auto) or a compact version of same (3” barrel revolver or 4” barrel auto).. Here’s a video I did about thirteen years ago on the topic, from Panteao Productions. Google Panteao Productions, or catch it on YouTube, here:
Everything is a trade-off, so it’s nice to have choices.
Hello Mas, I recently reached a milestone. I have been carrying for 50 years. As I’m sure you are well aware, the concealed carrier will probably deal with many holster choices over time, until we find that perfect fit. I myself, probably have 20+ holsters that I have tried over the years. For the past 25 or so years, I have carried a 1911 government model in 45acp. I have tried several holsters, positions, etc. OWB, IWB, shoulder rigs, etc. What works for me is the “summer companion”, which I purchased from Wilson Combat back around 2014. It is an IWB holster, I wear it at 4’oclock, and it just fits perfectly. The biggest adjustment for me when I first began carrying was the realization that I needed to dress around my firearm, rather than the casual way that I was used to dressing. It was an adjustment, especially in warm weather, but it didn’t take long to become routine.
@ Joe Phillips – “…reached a milestone. I have been carrying for 50 years…probably have 20+ holsters that I have tried..”
You have me beat! I only got my Handgun Carry Permit in 2008. That is how long I have been carrying.
I, too, have searched a long time for the perfect handgun/holster carry combination. I have a drawer full of holsters and a safe full of small, carry-size handguns that I have accumulated in my quest. Since I live in the South and cannot use a cover-garment for much of the year (too hot!), my work to balance effectiveness, capacity, and small size has been difficult.
My current solution, which works pretty well, will probably surprise readers of this blog.
Without a cover garment, methods like pocket-carry rise to the top of the list. IWB won’t work for me due to my build and, while ankle-carry is OK for a back-up gun, I won’t use it as a primary carry method.
Recently, Mas did a post on the “Holster Jack” which works in combination with Uncle Mike’s pocket holsters. I ordered a “Holster Jack” combined with a Size 4 Uncle Mike holster and I have been very pleased with the result. Thank you, Mas for your recommendation!
As for the gun that I stick in the holster? It is a Kel-Tec PR-57 chambered for 5.7×28. (I told you that you would be surprised. 🙂 ) However, I can shoot the PR-57 very well, it is light enough for pocket-carry, and it carries a lot of ammo on board. I don’t anticipate that I will ever need to do an emergency reload!
To Joe Phillips: would that pistol have the 5-inch barrel? The 1911 is my favorite all-around semiautomatic. Great trigger, cleaning the action is simple and easy. .40 S & W could be a good alternative in this pistol pattern for some possible greater penetration than .45 ACP may give. Wilson Combat is from God, IMHO.
Good classic content from Mas! After years of carrying a gun, I’ve come to the conclusion that the holster is more important for concealment than the gun itself. But no one is ever as interested in talking about Holsters as they are talking about shiny new handguns!
And the belt. As I have aged, my hips have disappeared and I have to were a heavy duty gun belt even without a gun.
I certainly make my wardrobe choices now around how it will conceal my PX4 Compact. For a while I carried the full sized version in .40 S&W but decided I liked the compact 9 a little bit better as far as capacity. In the summer it does grow heavy when wearing shorts, but i make it work.
Side note, one day I tried adding a ankle holster to my daily carry with a Beretta 3032 Tomcat. Two hours into wearing it i thought there was no way it would make it all day…. by the second day i barely noticed it and on the third day I pretty much didn’t notice it at all.
I have a trivia question for some ancient carriers like my self.
Has any one ever tried a Snick holster,? Part 2 of the question is, who use to sell them?
Hint, he had something to do with flashlights.
Lets see how many fosils are on here.
Had one of those early plastic breakfronts early in the epoch of IPSC, late ’70s. Worked well until it cracked.
I’ve got small hands so I prefer a smaller firearm. One of my favorites was the S&W model 13 round butt and 3 inch barrel. I have several glocks and the grip angle isn’t perfect for me but the model 27 with a +2 mag works pretty good. Recently (2 yrs) I started carrying the sig 365. Even with the holosun optic it conceals and carry’s well and I shoot it very well. For pocket carry it’s a S&W360 or the LCP max. The NAA 22mag as a backup for 40 years. Thats always with me.
Designed by Mike Harries, of Harries flashlight technique. Mine sits beside my Chapman high ride, and Askins Avenger holsters.
And sometimes, you can find a golden oldie that does the job. The Browning High Power is significantly shorter (top of slide to bottom of mag) than a 1911 or some other pistols. Despite the fat butt, it’s much easier to conceal than many others.