Posted: 3/10/2008 6:33:17 PM EDT
| I am getting ready to buy my first handgun and cant decide what I want. I want something somewhat compact to carry under my left arm, kinda up by my pit. I do have my concealed, well at least I have taken the class. I just have to get the permit from the sheriffs office. I am looking at a price range up to about 500 bucks. I am almost set on the glock 23 but its right at the upper end of my price range, so that doesn't leave much for a holster and some rounds. Any opinions? |
| I'm getting ready to upgrade to a new pistol for CCW and the Glock 23 or 27 are at the top of my list. Considering the overwhelming number of Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Foreign Governments that depend on Glocks everyday. I would say they have one hell of a resume. |
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Carrying in a shoulder rig is pretty much limited to TV detectives. Holster on your strong side, at your hip. Before you settle on a handgun, go to the range and rent a few to see what works best for you. The Glock 23 is an excellent choice, but make sure to shoot one before you buy it. Nothing worse than a gun you don't like/don't shoot well. |
Drawing a handgun from under a t-shirt isn't going to be very speedy, now is it? Give some thought to an inside the waistband holster. If you like, you could also get a revolver like the S&W Model 49, which is designed with a shrouded hammer. This allows it to be carried and drawn from a pocket with no snags. It can also be fired inside the pocket with no problems as well. |
My God... The mental image of you in Lt J Dangle biker shorts fishing in T-shirt for a shoulder holstered auto is ridiculous. Pick two of the three: - The platform you want - Your style of dress - Being able to draw the weapon without problems if you want the first two, you are going to have to go with some gay fanny pack holster or a waistband holster that may show bulge depending on how tight those Daisy Dukes of yours are If you want the last two, you may want to consider sub compacts like the kel-tec .380 that will fit in your shorts without concealability issues, but you compromise capacity, ballistic potency and shootability. If you want to have the platform described and maintain that style of dress then you can try the shoulder holster method, but you are in deep shit if you are in a situation where the threat is 10' away (which is the overwhelming likelihood of shooting scenarios). If you are required to wear those shorts, I would see if you can make a thin compact work in a IWB holster, or you are going to have to go with a sub compact. Having a gun that you can't get to in time is potentially more dangerous than not having one at all. |
| WTF is up with you! I happen to be a skinny 6'5" and have a hard time finding anything long enough for me in either shirts or pants, so i have to do my best to conceal it anyway i can. Who the heck said anything about tight ass shorts anyway! Whats the freaking difference having a gun under a jacket that is zipped up anyway, what are you going to say "hold on a sec while I unzip my jacket and pull my gun out" Besides I came on here asking for suggestions on what kinda of gun I should get. Not to be called gay by some freaking ass who knows nothing about me. So shut your freaking mouth and move on. |
Reading is fundamental Calm down there, sugartush...  Maybe you should read a little more than react. You didn't say you wore "standard shorts" that because of your lankiness ride high or short on you. Standard shorts can be loose, baggy, belted, and can conceal a compact pistol with relative ease. Clothing that is marketed as "Short shorts" on the other hand are not marketed in a loose and flowing manner. It's not my fault you didn't fully explain the garb, and even so, I made no assumption (see above where I said "IF" the shorts are tight, inferring that somehow they may be loose). As far as the idea of a jacket under a gun that is zipped... you are right. That would be as dumb as carrying under a T-shirt, only hotter. That is why jackets and buttondown shirts have this amazing ability to be worn <gasp> OPEN! Maybe putting on a light opened buttondown would solve your issue. instead of cramming it under your smelly pit where you can't get to it, you will sweat all over it and you will look like you store your lunch box under your arm (printing). It is true that I don't know much about you, and that your chief question was what gun you should carry. Curious as to why there have been some responses (including mine) lacking the answer? The answer is twofold. First your entire approach makes zero sense, so people who have carried for years have made some helpful general suggestions before going into specifics. For all we knew, you may have had some job at Sea World where you had to wear something that limited your ability to waist carry. Then we would probably suggest some platforms you may not agree with. The second part of having your answer unfulfilled goes to your maturity level. Based on some of the obstinate. an off-kilter responses, and your reception to my last one it is evident that you have plenty of thinking to do about carrying a gun in the first place, much less what kind. If you are not prepared to take the gun out when there is a threat near you, then are you really prepared to take it out at all? When people point out some of the inconsistencies with what you want to do and how you want to accomplish it doesn't it make sense to evaluate why they might be saying these things? CCW is for Defensive purposes. Defensive use implies that you are surprised with a threat. There are very few times you will be able to calmly rifle through your T-shirt, blow the pubes off the hammer, take a deep breath, and meet the threat. All this is really for you to do what you wish. The bottom line is that (believe it or not) there is practical advice given here. You can apply what works for you and discard the rest. You can blow off all statments that aren't sugarcoated for your thin skin, etc. The advice comes for free so profit from it or toss it, but don't get your panties in a bunch when technical advice comes with some humor at your expense when your lacking description leaves you wide open for such such incidents. Either develop a sense of humor, or if you chose not to, be clear enough to eliminate misunderstandings. |
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Maybe you should re-read that little red part you highlighted. It says short shIrts, nothing about shorts!. "Reading is fundamental" So now back to a basic defense weapon, that I can conceal above the waist, since I am so tall. I can forget about concealing something in the waistband because it will show, and I cant wear a jacket because its 100+ here during the summer. So now that leaves me very few options now doesn't it? Besides I am after a good basic entry level gun, not suggestions where I put it, or if I should be carrying it at all. Speaking of maturity level, once again you know nothing about me, and so far from your responses I could be saying the same thing about you, judging by your smart ass remarks. Why is it that as I read other peoples posts on sites like these, there is always somebody that seems to have something to prove. Does carrying or having a gun give you some sort of I'm better than thow attitude. |
I agree, reading is fundamental.  ETA, For the OP. I'm not a big guy(5'6" and currently 195 lbs) by any means, but I carry a SP101 OWB in a strongside pancake holster with nothing more than a shirt over it. I've also carried a full size Gov't model 1911, though I did have to go IWB with that. I recommend wearing shirts that are slightly heavier than normal, and preferably with some type of a pattern on them as it helps to break up the outline of the gun if it happens to print. |
My apologies...|
Hello from Salem. To reiterate what others have already said, under the shirt isn't really practical. Very few people have an ideal body type, I imagine shopping for clothes is already a PITA, now you'll just have one more consideration to add to that. I do think IWB is the way to go. The Glock 23 is a great choice, don't think you can go wrong, except... If it's your first (and for the time being only) handgun, you might go with the G19 in 9mm. Everything that makes the G23 so great, but in a more affordable caliber to shoot. There's plenty of good self defense ammo out there for the 9mm, so you won't be under gunned to be sure, but your practice ammo is going to be much less expensive than the 40. Also be sure to stop into the Oregon Hometown Forum. |
some good CCW guns: Kahr CCW9 or CCW40 Kel-Tec PF9 or P3AT J-frame .38 Walther/S&W PPK http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/echo_5/pocketcarry.jpghttp://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/echo_5/kel-tec.jpg Don't let price be your primary factor. I started with cheap guns and with experience, traded or sold for quality gear. If it's too much $$ then save some more. You only buy quality once! |
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There is some pretty good advice on this thread. To the OP: I often carry a Glock 19 in a hip holster while wearing shorts and a t-shirt during the summer with no concealment issues. I am 6'3" and 200#. If you were to see a glock in a shoulder holster under your t-shirt, it would print like a son of a bitch!!! At least on your hip you can say "it's my cell phone". Also, you can get a nice used Glock for about $350 if you look around. Spend another $60 or so on a quality holster (comp-Tac CTAC) and you still have plenty left over for mags and ammo! Good luck and CY6! |
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Well I found a good used gun that I like. It fit my hand way better than the glock 23, and didn't have the overly boxy and heavy top to it like the Glock. When I get my next pistol, I think I will have to get the glock though. Well anyway, I got a M&P 40. It has hardly been shot and still came with the Warantee card, so I am pretty happy with it. You guys are right, it is a little more difficult to conceal under the arm than I thought. So far I feel like the best place for it, is just above my right butt cheek. It seem to fit nicely in the curvature of my back. I went to Sportsman's today to check out some holsters but I came away disappointed. You guys have any holsters you would recommend that fit me and my gun well. Thanks guys. |
| Since you can't find any big and tall stores in Oregon try the smartcarry holster. People on these boards have given it big thumbs up. I have been really looking into something like this for times I can't conceal the way I want ex/dress clothes or tight fitting outfits. |
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the key to proper and comforatble CCW is a good, quality, concealble holster, a good belt rig, a compact enough firearm for your attire (which might have to be altered depending on your disire to carry one type of firearm vs cool fashion....) compact glocks (b/c of the vast amt of holsters available and choices, parts, and cheap mags and dead reliability) are the best option imo (if they fit you) |
| I would stay away from the shoulder rig. I have worn one for years and much prefer a good belt holster (inside the waistband holster for concealed) and good heavy gun belt. The comfort level with a belt rig far exceeds the shoulder rig and you have more control over the weapon if an altercation occurs. As far as the weapon itself, I have carried a Glock 23 for the last four years on duty and it has never let me down. On a personal note, I do not own a Glock as I prefer SIGs and Kahrs. It all comes down to two things, will the weapon do what you want it to do and can you accurately drive the weapon. Good luck. |
Please don't use a kel tec on a clip draw as an example. That is a dangerous way to carry that weapon..... To the OP put a 27, 23, 26 or 19 in a holster that covers the trigger and you'll be set. |
Both the CTAC and MTAC are available for the M&P 40. Problem solved! |
The only way to draw the Kel-Tec is with your thumb pulling the gun out of the pocket. I used to pocket carry with no holster. Now THAT is dangerous. Dedicate this pocket to only the gun and you will be safe |
Fixed it. |
hehe...bought a "Nemesis" pocket holster from DeSantis |