Firearm BS thread

I'm 6', 295lbs and for me a very comfortable rig is a LongShadow Antero modifed for IWB with some Raven Concealment Tuckable Soft Loops. The loops have a very solid single attachment point on the Antero which allows for a lot of customization for carry height, angle, etc. I pair the whole rig up with a thin tank-top undershirt to prevent chaffing while not adding too much more insulation than my cheeseburger gut already provides. This allows me to carry a 4" 1911 or a Glock 19 with just a t-shirt with no printing issues unless I'm doing side bends to the left. The adjustability allows me to carry low with about a 20 degree cant forward so I'm not getting poked in the gut but the grip is still completely accessible over my belt line. Re-holstering is the only issue as the mouth of the holster is below the belt line so you just have to be extremely careful not to get clothing caught up in the trigger guard.

Regarding caliber: I'm of the opinion that any well placed shot is more important than bullet diameter. 9mm certainly gives you more chances of landing that well placed shot. However, I'm torn because I personally shoot my 1911 more proficiently than I do my G19 with the same amount of practice put into both platforms. Makes it kind of a wash as to how many rounds I need to get the perfect shot off between the two models. However, with the stresses and unpredictability of combat, as well as the inability to know how many bad guys might be involved in a conflict, more rounds never sounds like a bad thing.

 

I have seen crazier shit fly in court than that. But bottom line is a good shoot is a good shoot. If you fuck up and it's a bad shoot... Now if the perps family takes civil charges on you after you win the case a defense attorney would use that argument. But it's hardly evidence. Don't get something stupid engraved on the slide like "people slayer" and you will be alright.

 

I wonder what they're carrying, then...
I'm 5'7 and a fairly wiry 160. I can conceal a S&W Shield under a T-shirt or even my full-size Ruger SR1911 under any kind of shirt with a tail as long as I'm carrying IWB. If I'm 'tucking in' concealing gets more difficult, but I can still smuggle my Shield pretty easily, or I'll just pocket-carry my Bodyguard in a Nemesis holster.

As has been said, a lot of carrying comfortably is just getting used to having it riding there.

 

The only common 45 caliber bullet that has "stopping power" is a 45-70.

Make your shots count and any of the 3 will work. I've had 9mm, 40, and 45 and the only one thats left is 9mm for a reason.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I need to educate myself more on holster options as well. Tomorrow I'll be headed to an indoor range and hopefully they will have the Springfield models I've been looking at. I'm not a huge fan of Glock.

 

Try to put aside all bias and shoot everything with an open mind. You might be surprised which one you fall in love with or shoot the best. A defensive pistol does NOT have to be pretty. It has to be reliable and effective.

 

Honestly the biggest difference I've found for a more comfortable carry is a good belt. A good stiff gun belt will keep your carry piece from shifting/moving around as you're wearing it, which makes a big difference (to me, at least) on how comfortable it is to carry.

 

Great point! Big difference!

Great point, even better avatar....

 

I almost refuse to carry a compact or sub compact.

Currently in the rotation, Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm full size and a Kimber CDP II Pro, (new so, its getting some love...).

This is probably most of my discomfort.

 

Yeah, I started out with just a basic LL Bean leather belt but it's pretty flexible so my carry piece was flopping around like a fish at the small of my back when I walked. Drove me nuts until I upgraded to to a Galco belt.

The classic $3.98 canvas belt from J.C. Penny is great for karate, but if you're opting to carry go with full-grain reinforced leather.

 

My dad swears by the C.S.Schmidt brand sold at TSC. Cheaper than a "gun belt" but wide and thick. Very stiff. Said it makes all the difference in the world.

 

It probably doesn't matter what the brand, as long as it's true full grain leather and it's not too supple and not too skinny.

 

Correct, the reason for my mention of the brand was so that if someone reads this, they can easily ask about it, and find it. Dad really likes it because it doesn't look like a "gun belt". Just a regular belt, sold at TSC...hahaha.

 

My Galco looks like it's just a regular belt, the leather is just cut a bit thicker and it's a touch wider.

 

1.5"? I think I might go with a full 2" belt width. Most of my pants have really wide belt loops..

 

I think it's 1.75"

Edit- I just measured it, it's 1.5.

 

I've got a 1.5" leather from 5.11 that looks exactly like a regular belt but has a nice internal piece of plastic that curves well around your body but doesn't allow any lateral flex at all when worn (all the 5.11 emblems are on the inside so it doesn't draw attention being all tacticool). I'd like to go with a 1.75" for the additional support, but my jeans don't allow it, belt loops are too small.

 

Might want to stick with 1.75; I think a lot of holster makers cut their belt notches at 1.75. Could be wrong, though.

 

I have a few handguns (Glocks, Sigs, and a couple of Rugers revolvers), but these two are my favorite ones.