XD Concealed Carry

[Jmanwit]

Originally Posted by IHasanXD

well if you wear your shirt tucked in and want to carry, the pager-pals of old, are a good option. I picked one up at the local gun show last weekend and it works. It does make it look like you either have stuff in your pocket or that you have an above average johnson.
I work where a lot of temp workers come and go, and they are literally hired off the streets, and I have to wear a shirt and tie, so this was my only real option.
http://www.pagerpal.com/
He also has a wallet holster for a Kel-tec .380

This thing looks really neat!!

[leftywa]

I use a thunderwear holster every day.

[Reeek]

Originally Posted by Jmanwit

This thing looks really neat!!

Do they pager pal's have anything with more modern devices like flip phones or something like that. I think it;s a valid idea for some people but who sees pagers much these days?

I wear black belts almost exclusively so a low key black belt clips works best for me I think but I could see this being a good choice for someone.

[Reeek]

Originally Posted by leftywa

I use a thunderwear holster every day.

How do those things hold up to wear and tear?

[rgeliske]

You will get a gazillion opinions on what holster to buy but no matter what holster you choose you must have a good stiff belt. Normal dress belts just don't work. So while your shopping for holster look and the belts as well. Unfortunately not all pants will accept a 1 1/2" belt so one belt for all uses usuallly doesn't work, of course you can make sure you buy only pants that take a 1 1/2" belt. One other thing IWB holster tend to conceal better than all other types but they are not always the most comfortable.

[Puppy]

Agree on the belt. In fact just today I finally received a UBG holster and belt.

The holster is for my Kahr PM 9. Unfortunately, the Kahr is at the factory for repair. Will report later on the rig. If I like it, I may get one for the XD 9

[mrwildroot]

Originally Posted by lance22

Welcome to the forum. Your question may have been asked many times but it's an important question for those of us who carry - for you there is good news and bad news.

The bad news - there is no one simple answer. I would encourage you to buy a good quality IWB (Inside the Waist) holster and carry it at the 3:30 (behind the hip bone) position - but there are other good options as well.

Also - if you want to 'conceal' (we don't use the word 'hide'), you will end up changing the way you dress in order to accomodate your carry piece. You might start dressing better and wearing a sport coat, you might buy 'square cut' dress shirts that are made to be draped outside of the pants and not tucked in ... you will even change the way you bend your body so as to not print ('printing' means that the outline of part of your gun can be discerned through your clothes).

Good News - there is lots of help here, and lots of good products that will make carrying much safer and easier.

(1) Buy a good quality gun belt.
A department store belt does not have the stiffness / twist resistance to hold a loaded, holstered firearm close to your body. Consider buying a Wilderness Instructor Belt (cheap) or buy a nice leather gunbelt from a holster maker or at http://www.thebeltman.net/

(2) Avoid 'Mexican Carry'.
'Mexican Carry' is the term we use for carrying without a holster. It is not safe because the trigger is not covered. Some people do it but IMHO it is as negligent as it is unsafe.

(3) Buy a good quality IWB holster.
IWB is your most concealable option - kydex is thinner than leather but leather is more luxurious - take your pick. I personally like the BearClaw Holsters 'Hidden Asset' and for leather K&D IWB Defender.

http://www.bearclawholsters.com/hols...ddenasset.aspx
http://www.kdholsters.com/basefile/iwb-defend.html

Not everybody can IWB carry for reasons I will not enumerate, so if that doesn't work for you, try OWB (outside the waist) or other options like 'Smart Carry'.

The XD is a really great sidearm - though a bit wide - concealing it takes some practice, the right gear, and a judicious choice of clothing.

Lance22,
Great post!!!
mrwildroot

[Byrd]

The setup I use for the .45 Compact is a Blade Tech IWB and a Wilderness Instructor 5 stitch belt. The belt is STIFF and keeps the weapon in the same position always. I can conceal this under a t-shirt. I was carrying a Kahe PM9 until I hit on this combo for the XD, and now the XD is my primary carry gun...because of caliber!

[Puppy]

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the help. Two holsters in particular look interesting to me.

I have a question on the Blade Tech. I looked in their catalog and noted that it has retention screws. I also noticed that to order, you specify barrel length.

Being poor and cheap I wonder if it would be possible to use it for both the XD Compact with a 4 inch barrel, and my 1911 with a 5 inch barrel. Would the extra inch for the 1911 be a problem when using the XD? It seems that with adjustable retention screws that would work for both weapons.

Or am I being too cheap?

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by Puppy

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the help. Two holsters in particular look interesting to me.

I have a question on the Blade Tech. I looked in their catalog and noted that it has retention screws. I also noticed that to order, you specify barrel length.

Being poor and cheap I wonder if it would be possible to use it for both the XD Compact with a 4 inch barrel, and my 1911 with a 5 inch barrel. Would the extra inch for the 1911 be a problem when using the XD? It seems that with adjustable retention screws that would work for both weapons.

Or am I being too cheap?

Your being cheap. Most Holsters especially kydex are form fitted to the shape of the gun specified. The XD and the 1911 have significantly different shapes particularly in the areas of mag release, take down lever, and safety. The only holsters that would fit both are those which are not form fitted which are usually ballistic nylon like some Uncle Mike's or soft leather like some Galcos. The retention screw adjust how tight the holster grips the particular gun the holster is made for.