How to carry for a new to CCW (newb)

[Peahi2]

I'm a new CCW holder and I carry my G19 appendix. Damn, I went through a crap load of holsters to get there. AIWB, OWB, belly bands...a freak show of gear. I'm now settled on Tenicor Sagalux2 and engima express. Those two are money and I wish I went there first....there were other very reputable holsters I tried and didn't work out (for me...but not necessarily for you). If I could carry owb at 3 o'clock that would be my preference, but I don't wear clothing that facilitates that. The Tenicor is comfortable and I don't have to add doodads like foam pieces to get it just right...just wear it straight up. The enigma is a different animal and you can research it on YouTube and the web. I like the enigma for deep concealment, where accidentally being detected would not be cool.

I've grown to like AIWB and treat my carry like bringing my wallet and cellphone. I don't even think about it. I also train live fire from the holster every week...nothing extreme, just getting reps in. Kind of like doing barbell squats at the gym...I like to get under the barbell every day I can, but don't lift heavy every day. There is benefit to just getting under the barbell and doing technique and focusing on different things. You don't have to be going balls out every day. Damn I love training.

[RobinGoodfellow]

When I carried (when I lived in Florida) I preferred IWB at the 5:00 position.

But you need to figure out what works for you. Good luck.

[clausewitz]

For me, I use a shoulder carry bag put my Ruger MAX 9 in it. This is comfortable and no printing risk

[A-J]

When I was young, fit, and fast, an appendix carry worked quite well. As I become old, fat, and slow, the appendix carry didn't work so good.

Most folks find an outside waistband, forward cant, carry at the 4:00 position to be the most comfortable.

But any form of belt carry is gonna place some strain on your back.

Any form of inside belt carry is gonna become uncomfortable. The belt is gonna press the weapon against your body.

I'd also look at a shoulder rig. For compact semi-autos, a horizontal carry, and with the balancing weight of extra magazines on the other side, works quite well. One big advantage of the shoulder rig is that you can easily draw when seated.

What he said! I used to carry my Taurus PT99 (basically a Beretta 92 FS) appendix all the time with no holster. Now that I'm a bigger person, it'll have to be a shoulder rig or a man purse to carry, no matter how tiny the gun.

[riderr]

Compact goes IWB 4 o'clock, but my absolute love is pocket carry micro-compact.

[Manintoy]

if u really want a deep concealment carry get a Shield.

[hardway]

[Fang415]

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Read this guide then go from there: https://www.phlsterholsters.com/the-...ent-mechanics/

[BC9696]

Some of us carry in a variety of ways depending on attire, time of year, weather, activities and risk factors we are likely to incur. But at the end of the day you need to be able to draw, aim and fire two rounds accurately in under two seconds so let that be your starting point. In a digital training course I recently managed to get shots off in 1.1 seconds, my best time ever. But I shot the attacker in the arm and died from a knife wound sooo...

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[SDM44]

Lots of good advice in here but remember that everyone's body, fitment, and comfort levels are different so you need to see for yourself what will fit you the best.

I finally moved onto a Hunter Constantine belt which is solid and stiff in the front, but is stretchy in the back. This in combination with a Tier 1 or Legacy holster with a holster pillow/wedge allows me to carry comfortably whether driving, bending, sitting or whatever.

I also have a HC belt (Tier 1 Concealed also sells their own version, partnered with HC) and this is the most comfortable carry belt to wear IMO, and I've gone through a ton of them. It looks like it might be a bit flimsy but it's actually very supportive with a large pistol due to the strip of metal in the front of the belt. Surprisingly, you can also wear this with gym shorts or joggers for a secure fit and easy draw (see Hunter's youtube video where he's drawing & shooting and doing cartwheels in shorts).

The belt is mainly for appendix carry but I guess you can shift the belt around to a different position, but it may not feel as comfortable. Pair that belt with a good fitting holster and it's super comfortable for me to carry my G19 with RDS & TLR8A with no printing, and my P365 feels like it's not even there. Sitting & driving is what really affects a lot of appendix carry folks, and the HC belt really offers a lot of flexibility (literally) to comfortably sit for long periods of time with a larger frame pistol in your waist.

[swiftone]

I started carrying in the early 1990s IWB at 3:30 ish.

Mike Sparks summer special and a lightweight commander with a leather belt

I still carry in that position but years ago changed to what I feel is the best IWB rig available- Broomeland Max-Con V with a P365XL using a Alaskan Diamond D belt

Unfortunately he is now retired and only does a few holsters for old customers.

I have been carrying IWB/hip for so long I actually have a divit on my side that my wife makes fun of me on a regular basis.

[rplusplus]

1 year into CCW and 95% of the time I have my CZ-75 PCR IWB 4 O'clock and I it has become part of me. As others have said Good Solid Belt is a must. I wear it comfortable at home, in the car, shopping, on walks. Just a loose-fitting T-shirt or Windbreaker for concealment. It is what works for me in my normal life situations. The 5% that I don't I switch to my Ruger LC9.

[nitroxdiver]

Just kidding, but not really. ?


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[Wito114]

Everyone here is correct. You are going to go through so many holsters until you find the one.

Im 225lbs, 5,8 and I appendix carry. G19 or a P365 comfortably With a JX tactical fat guy holster and a nexbelt EDC. These two have been my favorite combo. For my extra mag I use neomag. This is something I had a hard time finding, a comfortable extra mag holder.

check them out

https://jxtactical.com/fat-guy-holster/

https://www.nexbelt.com/collections/gun-belts

https://theneomag.com/shop-neomag/