Some people have "fat pants" that they keep around for those times when they've... um... put on a little excess avoirdupois; I have a "fat holster".
The Brommeland Max-Con V takes up a bit less room in my jeans than my usual Milt Sparks VersaMax 2.
As a side note, one of the more puzzling questions I get is "Hey, Tamara, my (insert female friend or relation here) is going to start carrying a gun. Can you give her any advice?"
I mean, what am I supposed to say to that? "Sure, just tell her to throw her fashion sense out the window and wear blue jeans and tee shirts everywhere, like I did"?
Hey, the problem of concealed carry with style is universal. I had a helpful gun store employee explain that most IWB holsters work better for men who are not as fat as I am. He said it slightly more politely, but the message was the same.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest fashion vs. carry revelation was when I realized why female detectives on TV always wear those cute little tailored jackets. I can totally get behind that.
ReplyDeleteBut you make jeans and teeshirts look good. What's the problem?
ReplyDeleteFor REAL fat holsters, you have to go OWB holster, such as paddle, and tell yourself that it's just more convenient that way.
ReplyDeleteI, uh, had a friend tell me that. :(
Jeez... men cannot win if the question asked is "Does this holster make me look fat?"
ReplyDeleteJust think about the consequences of a 'wrong' answer...
Gmac
(all in jest I might add)
wv : resten = what the 'wrong' answer will provide.
Isn't blue jeans and t-shirts the only fashion one needs?
ReplyDeleteI'm not seeing the issue with jeans & tshirt either. Hell, if both are clean and free of holes, that's damn near formal wear out here.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they have special holsters for pregnant ladies. I don't have my CC yet and probably won't get it while I'm pregnant. But it'd sure be hard to find a place to stash it right now. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had to learn that bowling shirts, Hawaiian shirts - heck, anything worn out of the waistband - are my friends. Wintertime, I wear vests a LOT.
ReplyDeleteSome of us look better in t-shirts than others ... I'm not one of them.
I would have thought that dresses, purses and endless permutations of womens fashion would give ample places to stash a gun.
ReplyDeleteSame with being heavily preggers... recalling my sister, she could have stashed an AR with nary a blush.
Of course "form fitting" goes rightout...
I generally point women interested in ccw over to Kathy Jackson's site... http://www.corneredcat.com/
ReplyDeleteGreat site for ccw issues specifically of interest to women.
Me? Big fat bearded guy... IWB doesn't work for me. I pocket carry every day, and, weather permitting a cover garment, a snubby in a pancake holster. Jeans (or khakis) and t-shirts (or polo types) are the normal mode.
IWB doesn't work for my really skinny friends, but even as I've approached a Hobbitoid form, a low IWB behind the hip still works best for me, so long as I have enough slack left in my belt and pants. OTH, 90% of all OWB holsters are too damned high (and were even when I was a lean mean grunt) for me to reach without practically dislocating my shoulder.
ReplyDeleteMy wife just got her CHP. Given her proportions (short waisted, long arms and legs), NO strong side waist carry solution would work. Anything carried at the hip bones was right out as well.
Horizontal shoulder rig under a light cover garment works best for my wife. (Works pretty well for me, too. After test driving her rig, I'm gonna have to get one for long car trips.)
Best part is that she habitually carries her purse on her left arm, tucked in tight -- which incientally is right over where the service sized gun carries. No print whatsoever, even with a 4", 16+1 round 9mm XD. (She also habitually carries our daughter by the left arm when carrying her at all. So her right arm is ALWAYS available do do things. Like open doors. . . or God forbid, draw a weapon.)
One note, ladies. If this sounds like a good idea for you, you MAY end up rigging the harness so the gun carries much lower than you expect -- like, just above the belt line. It all depends on cup size, shape, and position.
And try and borrow someone else's rig (even if with their gun) to wear around the house a couple of hours. Then you'll feel comfortable ordering a Galco or equivalent, rather than the (nearly as expensive, but not NEARLY as serviceable) nylon rig some gunstore commando recommends.
"I mean, what am I supposed to say to that?"
ReplyDeleteWell, how 'bout "If you have to shoot, keep shooting until the threat is over" and other such nuggets of wisdom? :)
And isn't the solution to being fat and carrying IWB simply to admit you're fat and buy trousers with enough waistline to allow for the holster to fit in comfortably? รต.o
I got rid of my blue jeans, they're to hot in summer and you can't run in 'em.
ReplyDeleteThe weather here suits kakhis and Hawaiian shirts, even for semi-skinny old bald farts. There are two seasons: Shorts and Long Pants.