TexasCHLforum.com

As I unwisely mentioned in the "full size pistol" thread, I am going through the challenges of trying to find a way to carry within the context of my normal clothing and activity restrictions. I have a few months apparently until my CHL arrives so I hope to get this mostly worked out before then.

I have a Sigma 9mm that I would like to carry. Eventually I may end up with a smaller gun.

First I tried a Smartcarry. I have tried it wearing it higher than most recommend and it works ok. Wearing it lower disagrees with the amount of space inside most of my clothes. I am still working out how exactly to carry this, but at present, it seems to be my best option.

Responding to the chorus of IWB advocates, I bought a Desantis Insider http://www.desantisholster.com/031.html which I selected due to the high clip location for "deep cover". The idea here is to use appendix carry which benefits from a higher clip.

Speaking of that clip. Dang this thing is tight. I thought I was not going to be able to get it on to begin with. There is a "lip" on the inside of the clip that seems to intend to hold the clip into the holster that makes it very nearly impossible to get this clipped IWB with a pair of jeans, even for appendix carry. I cannot, repeat, CAN-NOT get it clipped on in the typical 4:00-5:00 IWB position because I just cannot get both hands around to that side of my body and "spread" the clip wide enough to clear both a pair of jeans waist band and the belt. I guess this is normal?

With the Insider appendix carry style, it works ok but the added thickness of the holster and clip in addition to the gun itself causes a rather sizable bulge in the belt line that looks very odd. The gun itself does not print unless you intentionally pull a t-shirt tight over it. But the belt sticks out quite noticeably. I kind of figure this isn't really going to work.

Also, everyone who says you have to have an extra inch or two in the waist band to make IWB work... I think you guys are starting out with rather baggy or loose pants to begin with (relaxed fit jeans maybe?). With my normal jeans (they fit, not tight, but not falling off either), the IWB holster makes for an extreme tight fit, probably too tight to draw effectively considering the way the Insider rides, and my normal belt was not long enough before it ran out of holes.

So I guess I am back to the drawing board. I will try a few more times to get this IWB to work. I might end up affixing this into a pocket in my messenger bag, or maybe use T-nuts to attach a different clip that I can adjust for ride and cant, or use it OWB SOB only in the winter time.

Back to the Smartcarry I for now.

I will probably also try a belly band before all is said and done, but I am not holding out much hope that it will work either.

If I'm going to have to change any clothing to work around carrying, then I'm going with something easy like a paddle holster. Otherwise I may just buy a sub-compact 9mm and carry it in my back pocket.