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While I wait, anxiously, for DPS to finish processing my CHL, I am pondering the choices on where to carry. I will carry a .40 Springfield XDM Compact (3.8" barrel).

I am thinking that IWB will be the most 'invisible' to the casual observer. Is that a correct assumption?

I want accessibility but as much invisibility as possible. Is this like wanting ice cubes in hell?

If I am using an IWB where on the WB should the holster sit? Seems as if it's right on the hip bone then it will stick out the farthest. Should it be somewhat fore or aft of the hip bone?

I clearly understand that this is a very personal choice and there is no 'right' answer. I am just looking for general discussion and advice on the topic.

porterdriver

Where and how to carry depends on if you are right or left handed
Depends on your body structure
Depends on what holster

As a start, I will assume right handed to give you a start

1 - get a good gun belt - You may "think" you have a good belt that will be strong and sturdy enough for a gun, unless it is a gun belt, it will sag, or lean out away from the body -
Get a cheap one to start, if you want to prove this theory - I picked up a couple of Blackhawk Belts last year and do not regret it one bit!
http://www.blackhawk.com/product/CQC-Pi ... 794,61.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2 - get a good holster
I use a Crossbreed Supertuck with horsehide (spend the extra $10 on the horsehide, you will not regret it in the summer sweaty months!)

3 - dress around the gun
If you are normally an XL shirt and 36" waist, you should try XXL shirts and 38" waist for comfort.
You may be able to wear the XL shirt and 36" waist, but the only way to know, is to try.
The biggest issue you will have is the length of the shirt, when you reach up, or lean over, will the shirt rise above the gun?

I carry about 4:30 now, but when I started, I was about about 3:30

With my Crossbreed Holster and Blackhawk belt, I can carry tucked with a golf shirt, but I will normally wear it with just an Under Armor T-shirt over the top.

My experience is you need good equipment, as in a real gun belt, not just regular belt. As for the IWB holster, you might have to try a few before you find the one that fits you right. As for position, it was trial and error for me, and also if it is comfortable when I am driving. I find my right side 4 o'clock position works best for me.

porterdriver wrote:I want accessibility but as much invisibility as possible. Is this like wanting ice cubes in heck?

No, but it highlights one of the tradeoff's, in this case, concealability versus accessibility.

As others have said, there are a few basics and from there it is a personal decision considering comfort, accessability, etc... As to the basics, do get one or more good gunbelts, do find a quality holster (IWB or OWB is one of the personal preference issues), and do dress around the gun. The search function is your friend for discussions of belts, holsters and also dress ideas. Now, as to your questions...

"I am thinking that IWB will be the most 'invisible' to the casual observer. Is that a correct assumption?" Answer: The IWB MAY be less visible depending on gun, belt and holster selection, body type, and clothing choices. OWB "Pancake" style holsters seem to present a viable alternative to IWB in many cases.

I want accessibility but as much invisibility as possible. Is this like wanting ice cubes in heck? Answer: Not necessarily. Accessing most IWB and OWB holsters is complicated by the covering garments more than anything else. In most cases, the grip area of the gun is above the belt line making the gun easily accessible once the cover garments are out of the way.

If I am using an IWB where on the WB should the holster sit? Seems as if it's right on the hip bone then it will stick out the farthest. Should it be somewhat fore or aft of the hip bone? Answer: For IWB, the holster should sit where it is most comfortable while being fairly concealable. Each persons body is a bit different, and the choice of firearm and holster may play into the comfort. Some folks prefer cross-draw, others a strong side front position, or strong-side side or back position. If you search, you will see that most folks have arguments against small-of-back carry, but each person needs to weigh the options to see what best fits them. Note, that most of the highly regarded IWB holsters (items like the CompTac MTAC, CrossBreed Super Tuck, Tucker Anser, Galco King Tuk and the like) are adjustable for cant over a pretty wide range, but may require a special ordering option if you want to carry cross-draw or reverse-cant at all.

Best of luck finding the option(s) that best suits you.

I don't think there's any "should." It depends on what's comfortable for you, what you like to wear, etc. If it's not comfortable, you won't wear it as often. I personally don't like IWB carry; it's too distracting, feels like, well, something inside my pants. And I don't think I can grab it as quickly as an OWB carry, either. I carry my SIG P238 in a small, neat Tagua holster, which can be used as IWB or OWB, with or without a clip. I don't use the clip, it's not stable enough. I thread my belt through the loops and it's rock solid. It's also very compact. Some people like to walk around looking like a commando, but I personally don't care to; that's just me.

Only problem is, it's SO comfortable I have to be careful to remember I'm wearing it, and it disappears under almost anything, even a T-shirt. I have to be careful not to forget about it and accidentally wear it into a no-gun location.

Again, though, it all depends on what works for YOU - how you're built, the gun you have, etc. The holster is at:

http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/insi ... lsters-p27" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's a pic:

Like the others said, I would recommend getting a quality leather gun belt and a quality holster. I have one brown and one black that are hand-stitched leather and they are 1 1/2 inches wide. I find that the belt fits through all of my belt loops on my pants. I also use a Galco King Tuk IWB holster at the 4 o'clock position and I am very happy with the quality.

My dad always tells me, "Cheap is expensive" and I generally find that to be true. I'd rather pay once for quality than twice to correct an error.

For the money, hard to beat the 5.11 gun belt. Kevlar between 2 peices of leather. So stiff when you remove your pants, the waist will standout by themselves. Available for $9.99, usually $29.99. I have 5 of them. http://www.lapolicegear.com/511-59502-leather-belt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a $70 "Beltman" belt. Fantastic! Consider crossdraw from 9 O'clock if you are behind the wheel. IWB or OWB, just leave the seatbelt on and draw, if necessary.

Also keep in mind that the general public pays very little attention to other people while they are going about their day to day business. Many are to wrapped up in their own little world to notice small little bulges in odd places and as long as that bulge doesn't look like a gun you will be just fine.

When I first started carrying my own wife didn't even realize it. She knew I was getting the license, but I didn't tell her when it arrived and after a few weeks she asked me about it and was shocked to find out I had been carrying already. When I got my Minotaur about 16 months ago the first time I carried to church with it she didn't know until we got home and were changing out of our church clothes. I went casual that day with slacks and a polo shirt that I left untucked. She thought that was a little strange, but didn't question it or notice that I had my G27 on my right hip. I figure if my own wife, who knows I carry, doesn't notice, then no one else will either.

By invisibility.... it's ok if it looks like there is a bump or lump there. People carry cell phones, etc and unless they can read "Glock" on that print, you'll be fine. I have gotten less concerned about the bump/lump showing the longer I carry. If you watch people through the day, you will see a good portion of people with a lump in their pockets, belt area. AND I bet you never once thought of asking them what it is, or probably even noticed it until you purposely started looking for it. Well, it's that way of them with you too!

Just a couple of rules of thumb.

- Put the gun where your shirt "drapes." If you are broad shouldered, this will probably be at 3:00. The narrower your shoulders the further back it will be, probably 3:30-5:00.

- The further back your gun is, the more forward cant you want in your holster so that you are still able to get a good grip on it, and will help keep the grip from sticking out as much if you bend at the waist.

Like others have said, it depends on your body type. What works for one does not mean it will work for somebody else. Borrow a friends holster for a day or two and wear it around the house and see how it feels in various positions. For me I carry everything at 1:00 to 2:00, a freiend tells me I carry where the girls do, but it works for me no matter what size the gun is. As mentioned, do some research and get a quality holster, otherwise you may end up with a drawer full that you can show others what did not work....