Getting CCW and need advide on Holster Pistol Setup
 

As the title says.. I need some help with my options for CCW. I had titanium hardware put in my back last December so I'm pretty limited considering I still can't wear belts yet. I am 5'10" 155 lbs, so I am pretty thin, so concealing is going to be a challenge. I don't tuck in my shirts, and wear my tshirts fittied. I'm am palnning to have to wear button ups.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2c0c35a9.jpg

1. The pistol options I have RIA Compact Tac, DW V-Bob, and a M&P 40c. I really don't care to carry my expensive Vbob and have if confiscated if something happens. The Vbob is my range and nightstand gun. That's why I bought the RIA. My friend has a Galco Miami classic I am going to try, however I think due to my size the Classic Lite is more lowprofile. I don't know if a belly band will work.

pros-
no new ammo/firearm needed
easier to conceal in cold months

cons-
heavy/may not conceal well
most like cannot conceal in warm months
may not conceal under my button up/may not be able to take off jacket

2. I was looking at a Sig P938 or a Kahr PM9. This gives me the option to pocket conceal, High Noon IWB clip holster, or a belly band.

pros-
Many cheap conceal options iwb clip holster, belly band, coat pocket
Reason to get a new pistola!

cons-
Will have to invest in 9mm ammo (which was a goal eventually!)
Haveto shell out $$ for new pistola


I don't chamber rounds so I am not worried about a discharge.
I feel safer with the Israeli method, by racking the slide when I plan on shooting. I appreciate any suggestions!

Polymer gun(for weight) with an M Tac holster or Panther holster(great weight distribution on each)

I use strictly Panther for OWB polymer carry. They work, and they work perfectly.

I use M Tac for IWB as I prefer horse hide next to my skin if I do not wear a T shirt.

If I am awake I am carrying, both holsters kill the stress of the weight. Be sure to have a very solid belt. A saggy belt will cause more mid section stress than anyone needs.

Ahhh..my mistake, forgot about the belts.......How about getting one of those "back savers" with suspenders that guys wear, like at Home Depot, and have it converted. Maybe mount a holster to it?

That's my issue right now, I can't wear belts, especially leather. I am seriously considering a Galco shoulder holster that my buddy is going to let me try. Otherwise I am thinking of saving myself the trouble and just getting the P938 or Pm9.

Call Panther. Jim will get you straight. My M&P 40C is on me IWB almost every waking minute and no issues. It is a tuckahoe holster so your shirt options are open.

pantherconcealment.com

If you are seriously considering the PM9, I would recommend you take a look at the CM9. It is the same pistol, but with a budget price. There are a couple of mostly cosmetic changes which allow Kahr to sell it for hundreds less. Functionality is the same.

Good luck to you.

Nice, thanks. I am leaning more towards the P938. I like the night sights, sa trigger, and 1911 style. I read the PM9 was a little better quality than the CM9, but I will look more into comparisons.

How about Remora Holsters? They work very well.

Those look good. I think with the pocket pistol it would work. I forgot to mention I wear athletic pants, so I think any type of pant holster is going to de-pants me if I carry my 1911. No one needs to see that!

IMO, anything on the sides could give stress due to weight distribution. Some people get relief in Appendix carry.

If you cannot wear belts, suspenders are a great solution. it would move the tension and weight management to your shoulders and distribute it better. I know several guys who wear them and cannot go back to belts. If that works, you don't have to worry about pistol weight or size:D. In fact, one of the guys I know who wears suspenders does it because he's too skinny and carry a heavy pistol

+1

I have a Remora for my S&W Airweight and it works as advertised!

Also, do you have a gun small enough for pocket carry? If you do, I highly recommend a pocket holster from Bob Mika.

Thanks Barbie, that's why I was leaning towards the Galco Miami Classic or the Galco Cassic Lite. They have mag pouches to counter the weight of the pistol. Belt holsters are not an option at all. Like you mention I would benefit a system that would let my shoulders to bear the weight. I have a hard enough time walking normal, let alone something weighing my pants down is going to worsen my balance and gait.

Other options I was looking at:
Thunderwear/Kramer Tshirt (skeptical)
Truss Belly Band/Kangaroo carry/Deepconceal.com

That was what I'm trying to decide on. Find a rig for my current guns taht are heavier and harder to conceal, or get a pocket pistol and just make my life easier.

I'm looking at the Kahr PM9 or CM9, and the Sig 938. heavily weighing towards the Sig for SA trigger.

How about one of them back support things with suspenders that guys wear to lift stuff? Just attach a holster.

You have to be careful wearing these a long period. They could affect the kidneys as I understand it due to elastic pressure in back area. I used to wear one in a previous job and the recomendation was to loosen it up when not lifting because of this, even if not worn tight. No idea if medically accurate.

So far the only suggestion that will probably work!

Why don't you get a pair of non expensive suspenders on any retail store, loose jeans, any holster and any gun and do thet test? Just wear suspenders under tshirt if you are fashion sensitive :D and maybe wear a bigger size of shirt...?:D

I cannot wear shoulder holters but explored several possibilities when starting to conceal carry. Women have our own challenges. I evaluated suspenders, but never tried it as I found a good system that works for me. While trying, juts got the heavier gun I had in a cheap $10 pancake holster and play around where to carry it.

Yea I'm beginning to give up on carry options and about to just get a new bug that will stow anywhere. I still can't wear jeans comfortably yet. If I did I would be limited to 2-4 hours before pain and discomfort set in. I have suspenders at home and a clip holster for my M&Pc. I will try this out with athletic pants and see if it's remotely do able! Also will try my buddys shoulder holster, but like you said I don't think I will like it, and I think with my size it will print. Otherwise I'm afraid I'm going to try all different things, spend money, and end up realizing I should have just got a new gun!

If the titanium was put is last December, shouldn't you be OK by now?

You would think so, and I was hoping so. My discs were competely herniated and smashed the nerves. I'm liucky I wasn't paralyzed and I may have permanent damage. I was in this state for over a year and I had a lot of nerve damage from it and a prior surgery in 2004. My last surgery took 2 1/2 years for my nerves to quiet down without implants. I'm having a pretty hard time on and off with nerve pain, muscle spasms, and mostly discomfort in any position. No meds but a drink of whiskey takes the edge off. When I get muscles spasms it feels like a cheese grater, as they rub against the titanium. I sleep 2-4 hours a night before I wake up from tossing and turning from discomfort. I had a job interview last week. I was able to wear a belt for 2 hours before shooting pains started hindering walking. I wear khakis without a belt when me and my wife go out. From what the doctor tells me it takes a year for the vertebrae to fuse, which I am feeling pretty solid, and it takes another year for the nerves to quiet down. I wish I was in better shape for sure.

P938 in Bullard Dual Carry daylight to dark That's my $.02 .

Have you considered an ankle holster? It is not the best carry method, and it is a slower draw. But given the issues with your back it might be a workable solution. Would that work for you given your back problems?

Would probably work. Can lift my leg or go down on one knee.

Valid suggestion. While I'm not a big proponent of ankle carry as a primary, better than not having anything at all.

In all honesty a Ruger LCR in .357, pocket carry. I am NOT a fan of pocket carry, so maybe same gun, different method. The LCR's weigh nothing, and I would carry .357 any day. They are also putting out a 9mm LCR now.

I was scoping out the Ruger LCR in 9mm a few weeks back. Nice pistol. I wonder when the shops are going to start carrying them. I am really drawn to the 938. Nice thin profile and SA trigger. I think the LCR is wider, but still easy to CCW.

When I go home I am going to play with a pair of suspenders and my IWB holster like Barbie suggested. See how carrying that weight feels. I really would like to carry my RIA officers 1911, but I don't think suspenders are going to hold my drawers up, but worth a try! then I'll try the Galco shoulder holster my buddy has to rule that out. I guess the first step is to see if I can conceal them period, and if it's at all comfortable. There may be a chance I am going to print no matter what with my current pistols and may have to go to a smaller pistol.

I'm not a big fan of pocket pistols either, thats why I was looking at a few that have bigger gun characteristics like the LC9, P938, and Kahr CM9 and PM9.

PM me your address. I have a Remora you can have.

What is this CCW thing you all speak of????? :(

Xbonz thank you very much, that was very nice. Skosh a CCW is a conceal carry permit for Ohio.

No way......sorry man, I was only joking earlier :D. You don't know me and my sic humor yet!

Technically, CCW is conceal carry weapon and CCP is your permit, am I right?

I have a few CCW's but sadly due to my God forsaken location, I will prolly never get the opportunity to get a permit to carry legally unless I move!

Good luck with your quest.

Here in Florida it is a CWL---->Concealed Weapon License

We don't do no stinkin permits....:D

Haha no prob! It's pretty much a license, here in Ohio they call it CCW license/training. I think I said permit.. :p

So I tried suspenders with my High Noon IWB holster I bought a while back. I'm like an orange on a toothpick. My M&Pc concealed at my appendix the best, but my wife could tell anytime I moved, even with a baggy button. 6 o'clock was even worse.

So far I am leaning towards getting the P938 $600, PM9 $536 Or CM9 $338. With the Kahrs I have to decide if a milled slide stop, a fluted barrel, 1 magazine and some roll marks are worth it. kind of a deal breaker is the CM9 plastic sight.. I like the idea of getting a gun and load ammo, but I don't mind paying more for quality. I will say this I am getting caught up on a SA trigger. I like SA and am used to it.

Wading through all the choices is half the fun. Enjoy the process, and let us know what you decide.

Doing a little pistol shopping today with the wife. She is leaning towards the Kahr CM9 and for me the Sig P938. Going to gun shop to play, maybe we will get a little range time in. She still has to break in her officers 1911 I got her. Ahh love...

I agree, especially when the result is a new gun. Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll post pics when they arrive.

Because.. :pics:

Went to Gander Mountain Today and held the Kahr and the Sig. Definitely liked the Sig trigger and so did my wife. Heavy but crisp and it will loosen up. Sig was also slimmer. I asked the clerk if I could slip the Sig into my pocket and it disappeared. I'm 7" wide.. And this works. I held the Sig Scorpion in Dark Earth. Perfect fit with the extended grip.

Went home and onto Buds Gun Shop I went. I tried to order 2 of the basic black models with rubber grips and 1 mag? (save the money for custom grips!) as my offer of $580 was accepted. What do you know they had only one. So I saw the Extreme model on Impact guns for $669 (extra mag $40 & $50 grips). So I made and offer to Buds, and my offer of $630 was accepted. I will have a range report soon. nanner

I'm glad to see you skipped on the Kahr.
Look forward to the range report with pics. ;)

Received the Sig today. Here's a link to my first impression and range report.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9341

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps48fcb6a5.jpg

Did you receive the Remora yet?

Oh yea! Awesome holster, received it today. I posted a pic on that thread and credited you, also. Thanks again!

Sorry, I missed the post. You're quite welcome. Looks like a perfect fit for the new pistola.