Where to carry on the waist?

[californiagal]

Great thread!

I recently purchased a IWB holster from Precision Holsters in Placerville, and was amazed how comfortable it was with a Glock 19. There was very little to no printing, and I wore it just in front of 3'oclock. I guess I'd call it 230-245.

https://precisionholsters.com/

One of my preferred carries, is with the Ukoala bag worn around the waist, and secured to your leg. It's hands free. I love it! This is what I use when i'm out hiking or walking around town with my dogs.

https://ukoalabag.com/

[wichlaz]

inside my waistband in a neoprene belly band. It's awesome and acts as a girdle and gun belt, lol. OR, if you aren't short waisted like me, in a smart carry holster right in the front of my pants.


I'm too short waisted for those to work for me, I look like I might be hiding a penis in my pants. :P

[urduja]

The best place for me has been also appendix right in front for the least printing. As close to 12 o'clock as possible which makes dealing with my belt buckle and buttons a bit of an issue. This is what works for most of my shirts. I've come to the realization I will need to rethink my wardrobe. I can't seem to get the right placement for a 4 o'clock carry unless I'm wearing a jacket or sweatshirt.

[micro911]

As a LEO, I carried for 30 years before I retire. I still carry after 3+ years into my retirement. All these times, I drew only once off duty.

As a former firearms instructor for my agency, and as a person carried for many years, I think the best thing about CCW is the element of surprise. I have not had a situation during my off duty when I had to draw fast. Your instructor may have wanted to show you a point, but it is not proper way in my opinion.

I carry a Glock 17 on my waist, slightly behind 3 o'clock position in a IWB holster. Sometimes, I forget I have a pistol there. If you can draw your pistol and engage the adversaries, I think you will have the element of surprise and may win the fight.

[Kate]

As a LEO, I carried for 30 years before I retire. I still carry after 3+ years into my retirement. All these times, I drew only once off duty.

As a former firearms instructor for my agency, and as a person carried for many years, I think the best thing about CCW is the element of surprise. I have not had a situation during my off duty when I had to draw fast. Your instructor may have wanted to show you a point, but it is not proper way in my opinion.

I carry a Glock 17 on my waist, slightly behind 3 o'clock position in a IWB holster. Sometimes, I forget I have a pistol there. If you can draw your pistol and engage the adversaries, I think you will have the element of surprise and may win the fight.

So that is my exact hope. Because concealed carry is so uncommon in CA, any bad guy will be surprised by me carrying.

That said, if the bad guy is 21 feet away and coming at me, I am in trouble. With OWB at 3 o'clock, based on my Front Sight experience, I think I would have had a good chance of drawing and firing. At my current 4 o'clock IWB, I have no chance in that scenario. With tennis shoes on, maybe I get time. With heels on, I am in trouble again.

Therefore...

Stay aware and stay out of encounters within 21 feet.

Kate

[micro911]

So that is my exact hope. Because concealed carry is so uncommon in CA, any bad guy will be surprised by me carrying.

That said, if the bad guy is 21 feet away and coming at me, I am in trouble. With OWB at 3 o'clock, based on my Front Sight experience, I think I would have had a good chance of drawing and firing. At my current 4 o'clock IWB, I have no chance in that scenario. With tennis shoes on, maybe I get time. With heels on, I am in trouble again.

Therefore...

Stay aware and stay out of encounters within 21 feet.

Kate

If something happens. you are not going to stand in place to react. You will move, and he will move. During that move, hopefully, you can draw and deal with the threat.

[code_blue]

Firearms Instructors tend to teach perfect-world and static self-defense training. Actual SD scenarios, as I'm sure Kitty and Micro can attest, are very dynamic and never go according to plan. Murphy's Law will find a way. You could be off that day or in a rush somewhere and not be as vigilant as your normally would be.

There are SOOO many factors that come into play with CCW and SD scenarios. Try to remember that you have 3 primary factors to deal with: Comfort, Concealment, and Capacity. I will add a 4th: Shoot-ability, which is a super dynamic. You can usually get away with the two C's, but almost never all three. We're in CA and unless you're exempt, capacity isn't too much of an issue.

Here's the general formula: What am I wearing today? What pistol and holster system do I want to carry today based on what I'm wearing? Is it comfortable enough, yet concealable, and have enough ammo capacity for what I am doing and where I am going? Can I shoot it proficiently and comfortably enough to trust my life?

If you answer "no" to any of those, move onto the next gun or system. There is a reason why we all generally have the famous "box-o-holsters". Most counties offer a max of 3 pistols on your permit, so you should be able to pick 3 that suits most of your needs.

Also, really. Majority of people won't even recognize the minor printing as a gun. If they're nosey enough to ask, tell them it's a colostomy bag and to mind their own damn bidnezz. Watch out for small children who like to run at full speed to give you a hug. I can't tell you how many of my friends' kids get a good knock on their heads from running into my holster. LOL