Better Concealment - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

thejoe · 10-17-2007, 09:52 AM

I carry CCW pretty frequently since I got my permit a few months ago. I have a basic Don Hume IWB holster that I like... It accomodates pretty well. However, I've been having some trouble keeping the grip concealed. I carry at 3 o'clock as it has been most comfortable with a slight forward cant to the holster. If I'm standing tall you can't really tell the weapon is on me, but if I bend forward much at all, the grip sticks out like a sore thumb.

Any tips? Different carry position? Do I have to get a completely different holster (I don't much favor this option)?

I want to carry as many places as I can with as much activity as I want to do, so I have to remedy this printing problem.

By the way, I carry the XD40 Service. I could get a smaller pistol, but I like the one I've got.

joe

**KingAirDriver** · 10-17-2007, 10:20 AM

For me, carrying at about 2:30 keeps the grip from printing when I have to bend over. Sure, it's not the most comfortable position, but it seems to work alright. I carry that way when I'm going to Wally World or Lowes...basically, anywhere that I might have to bend over to get something on a bottom shelf. Otherwise, I carry around 3:30-4:00, which is much more comfortable. I doubt a different holster is really going to help any more than that one. It will probably come down to grip length and position.

**jgrauman** · 10-17-2007, 10:27 AM

i carry about 1:30-2 oclock with a xdsc in a crossbreed. even with just a tshirt on it's tough to tell i'm carrying. bending over isnt bad at all. it took some getting used to, but i'm much more comfortable with it there than at 4-4:30. i was always checking to make sure my shirt wasn't caught up on my grip.

RBOWWOW · 10-17-2007, 10:32 AM

I have the 45 Compact and that helps tremendously (as I'm only 150-155)! I carry 3:00 to 3:30 and still print the grip when bending but I will kneel on the carry side knee and stay as prone with my upper body as possible. Also keep the weapon side toward the shelf and do it when few/no people are around. I do some service work and have many times been crawling around but still have never been made.

**newKid** · 10-17-2007, 10:53 AM

i carry either small of back or over the kidney (about 5:00). due to my, we'll call it, above average, build (not fat, but i do got a little bit of a belly) and my fairly form fitting style of dress SOB has always concealed best for me. although the fact that a carry the 9 tactical doesnt help any. . .im starting to think a smaller pistol would make more sense for daily carry. . .

**Rustynuts** · 10-17-2007, 07:24 PM

Try a more forward cant, if the holster is adjustable. If not, try another. I find a forward cant keeps the grip more snug to the body. Doesn't print as much if you bend over, and seems more comfortable.

KnightHawk · 10-18-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejoe

I carry at 3 o'clock as it has been most comfortable with a slight forward cant to the holster. If I'm standing tall you can't really tell the weapon is on me, but if I bend forward much at all, the grip sticks out like a sore thumb.

Strap on your holster and sit down. Slide the holster around to the rear until the butt of the gun just "barely" touches the seatback. This will place the butt angled across the kidney area and should be completely unnoticeable.

You should be able to sit, drive and go about you daily business and should be able to draw from the seated position.

propellerhead · 10-18-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejoe

Any tips?

Don't worry about it too much. A little bulge is no big deal. Most people won't even notice? Before CCW, when was the last time you noticed a guy's midsection wasn't symmetrical? Most people won't even notice a bulge. The few that do will assume you are a LEO and not do anything about it. In the very slim chance that someone makes a phone call, you still did not "intentionally expose" your handgun. A LEO will be glad you are CCW'ing and will advise you to pull your shirt down.

Ishpeck · 10-18-2007, 09:06 AM

Strong Side! Three O'clock!

fyrfytrcwd · 10-18-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Don't worry about it too much. A little bulge is no big deal. Most people won't even notice? Before CCW, when was the last time you noticed a guy's midsection wasn't symmetrical? Most people won't even notice a bulge. The few that do will assume you are a LEO and not do anything about it. In the very slim chance that someone makes a phone call, you still did not "intentionally expose" your handgun. A LEO will be glad you are CCW'ing and will advise you to pull your shirt down.

I agree with most of this. Comcealment means that you have taken "reasonable measures to conceal your weapon" according to most state laws. To me, that means a bulge is ok, just not an obvious outline of your weapon. As long as you are not flaunting the fact that you're carrying, it should not be a problem. I wear an XL Harley-Davidson shirt over a Commander or Officer-sized 1911 with two spare mags opposite the weapon. I have yet to be spotted with these or any of my Kahrs. The one time I carried my "Top Cop" paddle holster out with a un-tucked holster, I heard someone say something about me having a gun.

Most people are oblivious to us carrying, and will most likely not notice the extra bulge. The only people that are really looking are ourselves, or trained LEO.

I wouldn't worry about the small bulges, but I would worry about printing, which is more like trying to carry wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a "wife beater" (for lack of a better phrase, and we all know what they are...) with the noticeable "print" of a weapon. Most civillians will think it's a cell phone, even if they notice it (one in 500 chance...)

-Fyr

10-17-2007, 09:52 AM	#1
thejoe XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, ID. Posts: 797	Better Concealment I carry CCW pretty frequently since I got my permit a few months ago. I have a basic Don Hume IWB holster that I like... It accomodates pretty well. However, I've been having some trouble keeping the grip concealed. I carry at 3 o'clock as it has been most comfortable with a slight forward cant to the holster. If I'm standing tall you can't really tell the weapon is on me, but if I bend forward much at all, the grip sticks out like a sore thumb. Any tips? Different carry position? Do I have to get a completely different holster (I don't much favor this option)? I want to carry as many places as I can with as much activity as I want to do, so I have to remedy this printing problem. By the way, I carry the XD40 Service. I could get a smaller pistol, but I like the one I've got. joe __________________ SA XD-40 Service S&W SW9VE Kel-Tec P3AT Walther P22 Norinco SKS

10-17-2007, 10:20 AM	#2
KingAirDriver XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: FL230 and KS Posts: 1,382	For me, carrying at about 2:30 keeps the grip from printing when I have to bend over. Sure, it's not the most comfortable position, but it seems to work alright. I carry that way when I'm going to Wally World or Lowes...basically, anywhere that I might have to bend over to get something on a bottom shelf. Otherwise, I carry around 3:30-4:00, which is much more comfortable. I doubt a different holster is really going to help any more than that one. It will probably come down to grip length and position. __________________ "When life's on the line, we're in the air." Freight Dogs - Order of the Sleepless Knights.

10-17-2007, 10:27 AM	#3
jgrauman XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chattanooga, Tn Posts: 445	i carry about 1:30-2 oclock with a xdsc in a crossbreed. even with just a tshirt on it's tough to tell i'm carrying. bending over isnt bad at all. it took some getting used to, but i'm much more comfortable with it there than at 4-4:30. i was always checking to make sure my shirt wasn't caught up on my grip. __________________ You see, none of us choose our end really. A king may move a man, a father may claim a son. But remember that, even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say, "but I was told by others to do thus," or that "virtue was not convenient at the time." This will not suffice. Remember that.

10-18-2007, 09:06 AM	#9
Ishpeck XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 4,051	Strong Side! Three O'clock! __________________ When given a chance to issue letters of marque and reprisal against Bin Laden, Congress voted against it and instead, voted the Patriot Act into law. Tells you who they think their real enemies are. http://www.ishpeck.net/

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10-17-2007, 10:32 AM	#4
RBOWWOW XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 447	I have the 45 Compact and that helps tremendously (as I'm only 150-155)! I carry 3:00 to 3:30 and still print the grip when bending but I will kneel on the carry side knee and stay as prone with my upper body as possible. Also keep the weapon side toward the shelf and do it when few/no people are around. I do some service work and have many times been crawling around but still have never been made.

10-17-2007, 07:24 PM	#6
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,328	Try a more forward cant, if the holster is adjustable. If not, try another. I find a forward cant keeps the grip more snug to the body. Doesn't print as much if you bend over, and seems more comfortable.