IWB, OWB, Shoulder, ankle??? what the heck

[princebarry]

I've been reading on this forum for a few days now, and it seems to me the majority of people here prefer to carry IWB. I'm a fair sized guy (6'2 210), but I have concerns about being able to carry my weapon IWB...its a fullsize sig p220. For years, I watched my father carry with a shoulder harness. That seems like a fairly easy way to conceal my weapon. What are some thoughts/opinions on this?

[A-R]

I carry a similar size Smith & Wesson M&P45 in a Comp Tac Minotaur IWB holster with no problem. I'm about same size as you (though weigh a bit more - remnants of the gut I've been working off the last year +)

Shoulder holsters for large guns can be difficult to conceal under anything other than a jacket - maybe an oversized Hawaiian shirt. But I can conceal that big ol' 45 in the IWB holster under a T-shirt.

http://www.comp-tac.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .... also search eBay for "comp-tac" I think I just saw a Comp Tac holster for a 220 on there recently, but can't remember which model.

[SRH78]

The problem with a shoulder holster is, imo, needing a jacket to cover it. I carry a full size M&P at 3:00 IWB daily in jeans and a teeshirt. Drawing is very quick and easy.

[princebarry]

Thanks guys. A lot of the year, i have a tshirt on with a button up shirt over it, un-buttoned. i'll have to check out some of the IWB's. I have other pistols i could carry i guess, but i really love my p220 and im fairly proficient with it. go with what you know, i guess.

and im assuming that my subject got edited, because i dont remember typing "what the heck"

guess i'll have to watch my mouth...

[A-R]

and im assuming that my subject got edited, because i dont remember typing "what the heck"

guess i'll have to watch my mouth...

yes, please review forum rules - esp. #1 viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10341" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[princebarry]

done and done...

[Jumping Frog]

A fullsize sig p220 isn't particularly difficult to conceal. If you usually wear an unbuttoned shirt over a t-shirt, then give it a try.

[C-dub]

Shoulder holster carry isn't bad, but it does require a jacket or something. I tried it for a little while, but had a bad holster and haven't tried a better yet again. I might do it again if I get one of those skinny 1911's and a good shoulder rig.

I primarily carry OWB. For 8+ years it was with a Glock 27. I also have an MTAC Minotaur, IWB, and it was good, but I still preferred OWB. About 18 months ago I started carrying a full size Glock 21SF for about 9 months before getting a subcompact Glock 30SF. I have yet to get an IWB holster for my new baby, but even if I did I would still primarily carry OWB and only use IWB in certain circumstances.

I have not tried ankle carry. I thought about it with the G27 and don't think the G30SF would be very comfortable on my ankle. If I ever get a little 9mm I might carry it there as a BUG.

[fickman]

IWB, OWB, Shoulder, ankle???

Yep, if you carry one in each of the places, you should be ready to go. Some on here would say you still need a few spare mags, a flashlight, and a knife.



To me, ankle is a last resort, but I used it for years. It's comfortable with a small revolver and a good holster, but you severely limit your access.

IWB is easy. Easiest to cover. Easiest to draw. 2nd easiest to discreetly prepare to draw (after pocket carry). I've never bought a good gun belt, but I'm planning to eventually. Most people say this will make or break your experience.

I'd only consider shoulder if I regularly wore a suit everyday.

The key is: go with whatever method you're most likely to use. As they say, the gun on you is better than the one you left at home... even if it's on your ankle or in your pocket or in a backpack.

[rationality.rebooted]

I've carried shoulder, OWB, and IWB... Besides what's already been mentioned, shoulder is great if you're getting in and out of a vehicle a lot as opposed to an IWB that can sometimes get uncomfortable with a large frame (or small car). One of my big complaints with shoulder was the tendency of even good rigs to require you to balance out both sides of the holster or you end up with the holster dragging down on your non-dominant side and the strap starts to ride up on the opposite side of your neck. Even two full mags on the other side doesn't always even the weight out. Maybe it's not a big deal for some people, but I'm pretty picky.

[TexasCajun]

I'm 6' 200lbs & I carry a full-size, double-stack glock 17 iwb. A good gun belt and a decent holster will make the experience a lot better. I use a DeSantis Tuck This with the spare mag carrier on the front, carry just behind my right hip. The belt is critical because it keeps everythig where it's supposed to be. I did have to go up in size on my pants, though.

You may be able to get away with a shoulder rig with an over-shirt, but I'm not sure. I don't think an ankle holster withe a full-size would be very comfortable for longer than say 15mins. If you can handle the Texas summers with 2 shirts, you may want to think about owb. But that may mean getting bigger shirts to make sure that they don't ride up on you.

[Abraham]

OWB for me and a full magazine carrier on other side - comfortable - Glock 19

Zippered, leather, pack style holster - comfortable - This is a type of OWB holster - but isn't a fanny pack per se. Fanny packs are a quite different design zippered holster from a simple rectangular pack style holster.

I've tried a kangaroo shoulder holster and didn't care for it, shifted around too much. I tried different cures, none worked for me. Some here have discussed using a higher quality leather shoulder rig and loved it.

I tried a smart carry for a few months, didn't care for it...

I've not tried an IWB, so I don't know, but to me they look uncomfortable and are perhaps an even slower access than a pack style holster, though to be fair, I don't really know that.

Bottom line: You'll have to experiment to know what works best for you.

Good Luck!

[SewTexas]

you skipped thigh

[Acer]

I'm roughly your size (6'1, 190) and have carried a P226 in a comp-tac minotaur IWB in the past, so that's definitely a possibility with a 220.

My EDC is now a Walther PPQ, which I also carry in a minotaur IWB. It's on me approximately 60 hours a week (not an exaggeration). The PPQ is a little smaller/lighter than a 220, but not by a ton.

I conceal with 2 shirts, untucked, and carry at the 3:30 position with around a 15 degree cant.

You do need a good weight-bearing belt, and your pants need to be ~2 inches larger than your normal waist size for IWB carry of a compact or larger SA pistol. Also, while the holster I use is "tuckable", it's not realistic to carry something as big as a PPQ that way without printing, imo. If I have to tuck my shirts in, I'm going to be forced to use my (soon to arrive) PPS.

As always, YMMV, but it definitely works for me.

[TexasCajun]

Also, while the holster I use is "tuckable", it's not realistic to carry something as big as a PPQ that way without printing, imo. If I have to tuck my shirts in, I'm going to be forced to use my (soon to arrive) PPS.

I routinely tuck my shirt while carrying my glock 17 (which is a hair longer than your PPQ) with no problem. I've even gone to catholic mass on Sundays with it & never had a problem, even with all the kneeling, bowing, standing, and sitting on wooden pews that goes on. Granted, I have to blouse the shirt in my pants to where the tuck is pretty loose. But I haven't had any problems concealing a full-size pistol.