CCW Belt and CCW help for bigger people?

[icey]

Hey all, I finally got through to the last part of completing my concealed carry license, however I need help looking for a belt and how to carry. This is super embarrassing, but i went down to the local gun store and they had some tenicor belts. Sadly the 44" did not fit me and neither did their double xl belts. I kind of got put off after this and it made me feel down about for a few weeks, however i do want to get my ccw. I ended up finding a belt at 50" to experiment with, but it feels so tight. While experimenting, my belly is just too much and i cant have the holster inside the waistband especially in the front area. I tried sitting in standing with it towards my side and it was more comfortable, but also it was outside the waistband. (not even sure if this is allowed since im not a LEO and scared of it printing or showing). I was trying to experiment with different positions of the holster with the unloaded gun and just came to the conclusion - am i just too fat too carry normally? (5'8/300lbs). Obviously any advice i'd get would be to lose weight, which is now a motivation for me, but in the meantime do yall have any suggestions on comfortable belts, holster positions, or just ccw tips in general you might have for bigger people. Or am i just kinda out of luck for now? Thanks all in advance.

[Avocado Toast]

Kore Essentials nylon ccw belt. Its a very good belt and happens to come in a size up to 54". You cut it down to fit and you'd do this as you lose weight. It's a ratcheting gun belt that doesn't look like a gun belt. I have one I wear about half the time. Very stable platform.

What kind of gun are you intending to ccw? That will give a bit of direction on holster selection. You mentioned you have a holster. What make and model?

There are answers for you. You'll get there.

Definitely Kore as a foundation.

[icey]

thanks for the response, will look into Kore Essentials today. Sounds perfect now that ive got some motivation to lose weight as well.

I am intending to carry a c2 and have a tenicor holster (the person i bought it from didnt even use it so its brand new). I've attached a streamlight to the pistol, however the holster is made for it to be w/o, which i dont really mind since it is a little frontend heavy. For the purpose of carrying, i may choose to just remove it all together, but im still on the fence about it.

i also might buy an mp shield 2.0 off of a friend that doesnt like it anymore and has an excess amount of guns. We are going to the range next week and i want to shoot it again before purchasing. If all goes well and i feel like i want something a bit smaller and slimmer, it would be the 2nd pistol on my cc license/permit. Sort of the plan i have in the works for now. Planning to do my class at the end of the month or mid july after doing some more research on classes

[Mute]

For an IWB holster use, consider going with a 3 or 4 o'clock position on the waist if you can't get comfortable with the appendix position. Also, if you don't mind leather, consider this belt https://www.abetterbeltusa.com/conto...fect-fit-belt/ It's designed to give more flexibility in movement and may help with comfort when carrying IWB.

[Avocado Toast]

I have, uhm... a hearty appetite, and through trial and error, I can't conceal at 3:30 - 4:00. Jesus and genes don't say so and it's not going to happen. Even when I weighed what I should, it still wasn't possible.

I also have Dunlop disease and can't do "pointing it at my johnson".

My solution that fits my body type to the point that LEO people I know can't spot it, is to use a Milt Sparks SSII with the Kore belt. I replaced the leather loops with a DCC Monoblock clip and that is a small profile. I carry at 2 o'clock.

My body build says this is what works for me, regardless of my weight.

You will accumulate a drawer of holsters finding what works for you but there are answers.

[icey]

thanks for the advice all. I ended up ordering the kore 1.5" x5 belt.

[jben]

I think you'll like the Kore belt. That's where I started. The issue I had was the plastic track wore out very quickly, maybe a little more than1 year. I moved on and got a Nexbelt. The Nexbelt uses a different plastic and is going strong after a few years.

If you're looking for a fully adjustable (and tuckable) holster check out Vedder Light Tucks.

[G-forceJunkie]

Don't rule out pocket carry. With the right pants and holster, it works well, is very comfortable, and pretty much impossable to "flash" your firearm. Very comfortable when sitting and driving as well. Sure the size of the weapon is relegated to smaller ones, but all CCW is a compromize.

[Maulerrr]

I'm fat and I carry at 3 o'clock. I dont have any belly/muffin top hanging over the gun there but there aint no way in hell I can do apendix carry.

Sometimes depending on what I'm doing at work I'll carry in a belly band with the top of the gun positioned under my armpit and the top of the pistol grip aligned maybe at nipple height. This is pretty comfortable for me. Obvious caveat is it's not very quick and smooth to draw or reholster.

And make sure you don't rule out fanny pack carrying. I use both a Helkion Bandicoot (smaller gun) and a Vanquest Dendrite (larger gun), slung over one shoulder and accross my chest. Both of those bags are pretty inconspicuous. The casual look of the bag combined with how I dress just makes me look like an everyday dad on a trip to Walmart.

[icey]

hey all as a quick update, i ordered the kore belt and i love it. even just wearing it for everyday use w/o the gun is great. However i still have some problems practicing drawing and holstering the gun. Drawing isnt too bad, however ive pinched myself quite a few times because of my belly. lol It hurts like a mf but i get over it. When standing, walking, moving around, the gun feels fine but as soon as i sit in a chair ****in forget about it. its rough, and i have a nice chair. I cant imagine trying to get into a car..

What are my other options? Am i able to carry at my 3 or 4 oclock? I still need to sign up for ccw training classes, how should i approach the lessons? Am i forced to learn to carry and practice iwb appendix or can i learn a different method like having the gun holstered towards my side? Is this for LEO's only? Some others mentioned bags/fanny pack, is that taught during the courses as well, or is that something different?

[Avocado Toast]

Only you can figure what works best for your body type and daily needs. Any holster has compromises and that's where you come in.

No ccw class will make you wear a specific holster of theor choosing. They will show you options, give you pros and cons but this where you should bring several of your own holsters and swap them our during the class. OWB or IWB doesn't matter to them.

Bur what no reputable school will do is let you use a cross draw, shoulder or SOB holster because that involves sweep your muzxle or pointing it at other students and that violates the rule that says don't point your gun at others you don't intend to shoot or kill. A fanny pack also has the same problem. You can use them if you want but just not in a class.

I CC the Shield and wear the Summer Special II st 2 o'clock but I also use an OWB Comptac Warrior. They both work well for me.

[Ph0eNiX]

[G-forceJunkie]

I'm a bigger dude and feel your pain. Due to the gut, apendix carry is out of the question. What has worked for me is an IWB holster that has alot of area such as the Galico King Tuck or Crossbreed Supertuck. Adjust the two belt loops to cant the pistol as far forward as it will go, and wear at 3:00. The wide leather back of the holster keeps the gun from digging in for comfort. The forward tilt bring the butt up enough so it is comfortable to use while sitting in a car as the butt is not poking into the seat back. These style holsters hold the gun in tight to y our body, basically pressing into my "spare tire" on the side so it does not protrude and conceals well. As you mentioned, loosing weight will help alot, I noticed a big difference when I'm 230 vs 275 lbs.

[Jtsims25]

[Papa "J"]

Anyone check out the Phlster Enigma stuff. Seems to be super popular. Instructor had one in my CCW class.
It's a belt system that you attach one of theres or a compatible vendor's

Just doesn't seem like any retail locations to help you get set up porperly but they do offer a FB page and seems like a lot of support.
But I'm a hands on type guy especially if I'm spending $150-200 ona holster set up.