XDm Concealed Carry

[Chadwick]

Originally Posted by xmanhockey7

All depends on you and IMHO what you may consider "concealed". I've met people who say they can conceal a full size when but I can see the clear print of their gun. Most people are too oblivious to notice it though. With a good belt, holster, and clothing you can conceal a full size handgun and people won't really notice.

I 100% agree with everything you just said. Whenever I read someone who says that they conceal their full size .45 without any concealment issues the first thing I would like to do is go on a trip with them to the grocery store and do some shopping. I would love to watch, follow, and observe them bending over to grab a 40lb bag of dog food in the isle or reach up to the top rack to grab the 24 rolls of toilet paper.

I think that a lot of people who do carry their full size pistols are getting away with it because people are completely oblivious but I'm calling B.S. when someone says they do it without a issue what so ever.

[MrE]

We're about the same size.
A good sturdy belt and a good holster will help distibute the weight.
I use a CBST & their belt to carry an XDm 40 @ 4 o'clock.
There are other brands/models as well.

My wife keeps a close eye out for printing.
Nothing that wouldn't be confused for a cel phone.
No BS.

[Husky44]

OP: I've got a XDM 3.8 40 (not a compact) that I have cc'ed in my Theis holster (very similar to the CBST). We're very close in size. First consideration is how you'll be dressing. If you're in jeans, bulky sweatshirts or untucked button up shirts, you'll probably be OK. It also depends on how much of you rolls over the top of your belt... I've noticed that after Thanksgiving my grip seemed to be less comfortable than it was before.

If your wardrobe is going to be a little more formal, as in business casual or anything less than a sports coat, then you're probably going to be a little more challenged concealing a double-stack, period. I have to agree with others, with a tucked in shirt, dressing neatly (in other words, not having your shirt bloused so that it looks like a Hefty bag), I have to be standing or sitting perfectly straight not to print. There's also the issue of the belt clips showing. I haven't set mine up with a Velcro tab yet, but any other method of securing the IWB holster to a belt will show, again, unless you choose the Hefty bag blouse).

I ended up switching to a single stack, and after all the same issues with in IWB holster, have gone to a pocket carry.

Best advice is try as many different rigs as you possibly can before you buy anything, and be realistic as to what your wardrobe will allow.

[gunflint]

Well, Ive been doing it for 8 years and I have never had an issue that has been addressed to me anyway. However I am not required to tuck in my shirts and I have been wearing XL since I started carrying where I would be a L without. Large flannel shirts unbuttoned and untucked, slightly oversized hoodies and I also wear suspenders but I've been doing that for 25years. So you can call bs all you want it's been 8 years without issue for me. The general public being completely oblivious is also a contributing factor. I guilty of that myself. I don't think I've noticed more than 1 or 2 strangers printing either.

[blind_hunter]

I switch back and forth between a Glock 19 and XDM9 in a kingtuk @ 3 o'clock with no issues. During the summer months I like my Kahr

[WantBigBoom]

Originally Posted by Chadwick

I 100% agree with everything you just said. Whenever I read someone who says that they conceal their full size .45 without any concealment issues the first thing I would like to do is go on a trip with them to the grocery store and do some shopping. I would love to watch, follow, and observe them bending over to grab a 40lb bag of dog food in the isle or reach up to the top rack to grab the 24 rolls of toilet paper.

I think that a lot of people who do carry their full size pistols are getting away with it because people are completely oblivious but I'm calling B.S. when someone says they do it without a issue what so ever.

I'm 5'11" 185lbs, my XD45 Service goes everywhere with me, and my wife loves to discreetly tell me when I'm printing. Up one size from my former "normal" T-shirt size, and I can get out of the house shopping all day with her without her even knowing I am actually carrying. Occasional trips out of the house I don't take the time to load up, working to reduce that frequency.

That includes lifting heavy items from the bottom shelf, reaching to the top shelf, and chasing our 2 year old around the store.

I haven't tried carrying with a tucked shirt, because I seriously have no reason to tuck a shirt when I'm home, ever.

I haven't found a pistol yet that can't be properly concealed with the right preparation and dressing choices.

[Medic738]

I am 6'1" and 220 and I carried my 4.5 XDm prior to my 3.8 compact in a CBST. I only had trouble with the grip printing every so often but I adjusted my cant and it helped tremendously. I now carry the compact because I can and it gave me an excuse to buy yet another gun.

[john_bud]

Originally Posted by Bdmac

LOL... Now you sound like my wife

As long as it's YOUR wife ....


For the OP, I got a IWB holster in kit form from Old Faithful Holsters. They had a "free ship" deal until 12/27. They do have a $5 off deal if you go to the kydex forum and post your project. That will probably go away after a while, but was still there yesterday. The molded kit with horsehide upgrade was about $35 delivered and took about an hour to do. mostly time spent thinking, it's not much work.

Here's some pictures of the finished rig. It's horsehide and Kydex. XDm 4.5 40. It's ok now with coats, flannel shirts and sweaters. Probably ok in spring and fall too. I'm thinking a single stack compact or sc for summer.

[intheshaw]

I've been looking at the SHTF holster because you can pick them up for around 65 shipped and they also come with addition leather belt loops. I like this holster because you can use any XDm in it in the case I want to pick up a compact later on. I've also been looking at getting the Amish belt from Hanks that so many people here seem to love.

Another question, do you guys carry additional magazines with you and if so by what means? I'm wondering if its even worth the trouble since ill have 17 rounds on me, I really shouldn't need more. Maybe keep a spare mag in my truck just in case.

[Russ7777]

I carry the .40 3.8 in the Crossbreed Supertuck, and it works great.