CTAC or IWB wearers: can you provide some advice? **pics**

[Grimloktt]

Those w/ the C.T.A.C From Comp-Tech, where/how do you wear it? I just threw it on tonight. It's on my right hip. I like the concealment here as it prevents printing and conceals the handle well. I can also sit down easily and comfortably there. The only negative is I'm wondering if it'll rub the old hip bone.

The only other place to place it so the handle doesn't stick out is flat against my back...and then I have to contort my arm to get it--which isn't very easy to say the least. Thoughts?

Also, is the only adjustments on this the two screws, one at either end, to raise or lower the holster? How tight is your on your gun? I can see where it rubbed the oil off my pistol from just a short practice here...

Let's see if these pictures work (click to make bigger):

[Trace]

I call that the 3 o'clock position. Thats where I wear my CTAC when I'm in an untucked shirt. When I tuck my shirt in, I slide it back to about the 4 o'clock position.

If you look at the front clip, it is going through the bottom hole, and the rear clip is going through the middle hole.

[Miguel]

Yup, I think most IWB carry is at 4 o'clock, if not you will hear from your hip bone. At 4 o'clock I can carry my 45 tactical all day long, drive my Tacoma, watch TV, go shopping, greet and hug family members, etc. No issues so far, but you do have to be carefull/picky about what clothes you use. Checking fit and 'hold' of the covering clothes should be done before leaving the house.

[Tungsten]

Originally Posted by Grimloktt

The only negative is I'm wondering if it'll rub the old hip bone.

It's possible it may rub you there a little, but if it does just move it forward or rearward around the curvature of your waist to a point where it doesn't. I carry mine right behind the point of my hip bone, at around the 4 o'clock position and don't experience any discomfort.

The only other place to place it so the handle doesn't stick out is flat against my back...and then I have to contort my arm to get it--which isn't very easy to say the least. Thoughts?

That's considered "SOB" (small of the back) and I don't recommend it for a variety of reasons, ease of accessibility being one of them.

Also, is the only adjustments on this the two screws, one at either end, to raise or lower the holster? How tight is your on your gun? I can see where it rubbed the oil off my pistol from just a short practice here...

You have two screws on the body of the holster itself near the trigger guard. Those can be adjusted to increase or decrease tension on the gun and adjust the retention of the firearm in the holster.

The clips themselves should have three screw positions that you can use to adjust how high or low the holster rides as well as whether it sits level, canted forward or canted rearward.

I wear mine so that it is canted forward (barrel tips toward your butt, handle tips toward your frontside)... aka FBI style.

Also, regarding the holster rubbing the oil off of your XD:

These handguns of ours don't have near the same durability of finish as, say, Glocks. The Tenifer finish on Glocks is damn near indestructable. The early model XDs had some really crummy "Armory Kote" finish on them that really scraped up easy. The new XD45s have a "melonite" based finish that is much more durable but may mark up somewhat easil as well.

I figure once my gun starts showing serious signs of wear, I'll send it off to someone like Tripp Research to have a much more durable finish applied to the slide.

[Tungsten]

By the way... are you the same GrimlockTT from the Mach1 Registry? I'm a former Mach owner, that's why I ask.

[Jettubby]

Move it back just a few inches and it makes a huge difference. Putting it right on the hip for me is very uncomfortable.

[D_Fence]

Originally Posted by Jettubby

Move it back just a few inches and it makes a huge difference. Putting it right on the hip for me is very uncomfortable.

+1

I like it a just tad farther back, maybe 3:30 or 4 o'clock. One advantage is that it is a more concealed draw if you want to look like you are going for your wallet. Further, maybe it is just me, but the 4 o'clock position also makes it easier to draw while buckled in a seat belt.

On the other hand, the 3 o'clock position is easy to draw without the muzzle sweeping your lower right side. The 4 o'clock takes a little more practice to minimize sweeping your hip and thigh.

[Grimloktt]

Thank you for all the gracious responses. Sounds like I'm near where I need to be...pending a little wear and fine adjusting.

How tight should the holster be on the gun? i.e. I already loosened up the resticting screws a full turn. I have no problem pulling or re-holstering my 45 compact one-handed. I just don't want it so tight it excessively works on my finish.

As far as the registry, I am the one and only GrimlokTT I have the Mach under the cover in the garage.

[JJG]

I don' think you are considering SOB carry. But, I think this pic is cool, so I posted it.

[Grimloktt]

Originally Posted by JJG

I don' think you are considering SOB carry. But, I think this pic is cool, so I posted it.

That picture is awesome, but you're right. There's no way to hardly get my gun from that angle. My shoulder just doesn't like that movement...