Smartcarry Holster?

Gamisou · November 7th, 2007, 11:45 PM

I have been debating the best holster for appendix carry, and narrowed it down to the Smartcarry. Thoughts? There are more than 29 pages of praise from buyers who sell me well. The only thing I think would be uncomfortable is to have a inner velcro belt under my normal shorts. I think it would bunch my boxers up in the back, or make my undergarments uncomfy. Let me know if you have one, thoughts, or if you didnt like yours etc. - Thanks

ckd · November 7th, 2007, 11:52 PM

Welcome! You might want to try the "search" feature for smartcarry and thunderwear; lots of discussion on this item.

My two cents - great concealment with dark one size up pleated pants, but hotter than heck, and getting quick with the draw takes work. I prefer pocket carry or even ankle carry.

grady · November 8th, 2007, 12:49 AM

When you mention shorts, do you mean regular shorts or underwear? It goes on top of the underwear.

Mine had a tendency to ride up in back after several hours, so now I bring the top edge of my underwear up and turn down an inch or so over the top of the smartcarry belt (back only--I leave the front of my underwear flat), attaching it to the velcro. I expose some of the velcro so the underwear will stick. This keeps the velcro belt from riding up in back. Tight underwear will be uncomfortable if you do this, but with loose underwear it's fine.

If your gun has a big grip or wide grip, it may produce a small bump on your strong side where the grip ends. To counter this, I ordered a double-holstered Smartcarry, and use the holster farthest from my strong hand. The gun still faces normally, but now the small bump is almost in line with the zipper. Sometimes it doesn't show, but if it does, it looks more normal.

Another option is the security Smartcarry. The security model has a full-length pouch behind the holsters. My holsters are medium size for an XD subcompact, etc., but I also have a full-size S&W. The S&W is almost too thin-barrelled and top-heavy for the medium holsters, but the security pouch holds it quite nicely. I can't draw as quick from the pouch, but when I use the security pouch, I have a primary in an IWB holster.

I use different holsters for different occasions. When concealment is preferred but not life-altering if I show, I prefer inner waistband. But with the Smartcarry, I can carry anywhere that doesn't have metal detectors. I can carry with tucked in shirt and nice pants, and it won't show. For me it is an option of last resort for highly critical areas, and it performs its function well. I will always have a Smartcarry for my most critical carrying occasions. During those times, there is no better option for me. While wearing it, I am able to climb, crawl, twist, carry things, etc., and it stays in place without showing. I am not able to be so active with any other holster method and still maintain secrecy.

One last recommendation: you might consider the white one over the dark one. If any of it shows in back when you bend over, a white one may be more readily mistaken for underwear than the dark one.

It may not be as fast of a draw unless you practice a lot, but if concealment for you is critical, I think you will appreciate this holster.

Gamisou · November 8th, 2007, 01:07 AM

Ckd both search terms had zero results, your thoughts are appreciated.

LMarshall73 · November 8th, 2007, 01:42 AM

I've been wearing a Smart Carry with my Glock 27 practically everyday for the past few months. It took some getting used to, and drawing requires a bit of practice. It is remarkably comfortable, but I also wear an A-shirt almost all of the time. If you keep your shirt untucked (or tucked in using the examples on thunderwear and smart carry's websites, the band shouldn't be noticable.

ckd · November 8th, 2007, 02:21 AM

Gamisou, sorry, try "smart carry", with a space; it turned up >five pages that may directly or in more cases, indirectly help.

or try this search link:
http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...earchid=843241

I own one, but can only wear it comfortably in the colder months, still prefer pocket but with a smaller gun; G27 vs. Khar PM9 or 340.

CelticWolf · November 8th, 2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grady

When you mention shorts, do you mean regular shorts or underwear? It goes on top of the underwear.

Mine had a tendency to ride up in back after several hours, so now I bring the top edge of my underwear up and turn down an inch or so over the top of the smartcarry belt (back only--I leave the front of my underwear flat), attaching it to the velcro. I expose some of the velcro so the underwear will stick. This keeps the velcro belt from riding up in back. Tight underwear will be uncomfortable if you do this, but with loose underwear it's fine.

If your gun has a big grip or wide grip, it may produce a small bump on your strong side where the grip ends. To counter this, I ordered a double-holstered Smartcarry, and use the holster farthest from my strong hand. The gun still faces normally, but now the small bump is almost in line with the zipper. Sometimes it doesn't show, but if it does, it looks more normal.

Another option is the security Smartcarry. The security model has a full-length pouch behind the holsters. My holsters are medium size for an XD subcompact, etc., but I also have a full-size S&W. The S&W is almost too thin-barrelled and top-heavy for the medium holsters, but the security pouch holds it quite nicely. I can't draw as quick from the pouch, but when I use the security pouch, I have a primary in an IWB holster.

I use different holsters for different occasions. When concealment is preferred but not life-altering if I show, I prefer inner waistband. But with the Smartcarry, I can carry anywhere that doesn't have metal detectors. I can carry with tucked in shirt and nice pants, and it won't show. For me it is an option of last resort for highly critical areas, and it performs its function well. I will always have a Smartcarry for my most critical carrying occasions. During those times, there is no better option for me. While wearing it, I am able to climb, crawl, twist, carry things, etc., and it stays in place without showing. I am not able to be so active with any other holster method and still maintain secrecy.

One last recommendation: you might consider the white one over the dark one. If any of it shows in back when you bend over, a white one may be more readily mistaken for underwear than the dark one.

It may not be as fast of a draw unless you practice a lot, but if concealment for you is critical, I think you will appreciate this holster.

you have a PM

GregRN · November 8th, 2007, 06:11 AM

I like my SmartCarry, but it is not for every situation. I can't always make it work. For example, I have tried it in scrub pants (I'm a nurse), and found that every time I bent over, I felt as if I was going to rip out the crotch seam of my pants. I have successfully used it in dress pants and in jeans without being 'made'. But it takes a while to figure out the positioning to make it work for you (higher, lower, right shift, left shift, etc.).

There is a guy from Glock Talk that has made several You Tube videos of the Smart Carry. His name is 'passive101'. Try a search and see his results. Good luck.

S3ymour · November 8th, 2007, 02:13 PM

I wear my smart carry whenever I need deep concealment. Namely in places where I really don't need people hassling me about having a gun. Like my liberal grandmother's house, or other places.

pgrass101 · November 8th, 2007, 02:16 PM

I use a Smartcarry almost everyday and just don't have an issue with the velcro being uncomfortable. The back of it does tend to ride up but has never been a problem for me.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a holster when you must carry tucked.

November 7th, 2007, 11:45 PM	#1
Gamisou Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right behind you! Posts: 185	Smartcarry Holster? I have been debating the best holster for appendix carry, and narrowed it down to the Smartcarry. Thoughts? There are more than 29 pages of praise from buyers who sell me well. The only thing I think would be uncomfortable is to have a inner velcro belt under my normal shorts. I think it would bunch my boxers up in the back, or make my undergarments uncomfy. Let me know if you have one, thoughts, or if you didnt like yours etc. - Thanks

November 8th, 2007, 06:11 AM	#8
GregRN New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 13	I like my SmartCarry, but it is not for every situation. I can't always make it work. For example, I have tried it in scrub pants (I'm a nurse), and found that every time I bent over, I felt as if I was going to rip out the crotch seam of my pants. I have successfully used it in dress pants and in jeans without being 'made'. But it takes a while to figure out the positioning to make it work for you (higher, lower, right shift, left shift, etc.). There is a guy from Glock Talk that has made several You Tube videos of the Smart Carry. His name is 'passive101'. Try a search and see his results. Good luck. __________________ No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. ---Thomas Jefferson: Draft Virginia Constitution, 1776. They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ---Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.

November 8th, 2007, 02:16 PM	#10
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,654	I use a Smartcarry almost everyday and just don't have an issue with the velcro being uncomfortable. The back of it does tend to ride up but has never been a problem for me. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a holster when you must carry tucked. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere "If ignorance is bliss then shouldn’t most people happy?" -Thomas Jefferson-

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November 7th, 2007, 11:52 PM	#2
ckd Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 200	Welcome! You might want to try the "search" feature for smartcarry and thunderwear; lots of discussion on this item. My two cents - great concealment with dark one size up pleated pants, but hotter than heck, and getting quick with the draw takes work. I prefer pocket carry or even ankle carry.

November 8th, 2007, 12:49 AM	#3
grady VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 2,328	When you mention shorts, do you mean regular shorts or underwear? It goes on top of the underwear. Mine had a tendency to ride up in back after several hours, so now I bring the top edge of my underwear up and turn down an inch or so over the top of the smartcarry belt (back only--I leave the front of my underwear flat), attaching it to the velcro. I expose some of the velcro so the underwear will stick. This keeps the velcro belt from riding up in back. Tight underwear will be uncomfortable if you do this, but with loose underwear it's fine. If your gun has a big grip or wide grip, it may produce a small bump on your strong side where the grip ends. To counter this, I ordered a double-holstered Smartcarry, and use the holster farthest from my strong hand. The gun still faces normally, but now the small bump is almost in line with the zipper. Sometimes it doesn't show, but if it does, it looks more normal. Another option is the security Smartcarry. The security model has a full-length pouch behind the holsters. My holsters are medium size for an XD subcompact, etc., but I also have a full-size S&W. The S&W is almost too thin-barrelled and top-heavy for the medium holsters, but the security pouch holds it quite nicely. I can't draw as quick from the pouch, but when I use the security pouch, I have a primary in an IWB holster. I use different holsters for different occasions. When concealment is preferred but not life-altering if I show, I prefer inner waistband. But with the Smartcarry, I can carry anywhere that doesn't have metal detectors. I can carry with tucked in shirt and nice pants, and it won't show. For me it is an option of last resort for highly critical areas, and it performs its function well. I will always have a Smartcarry for my most critical carrying occasions. During those times, there is no better option for me. While wearing it, I am able to climb, crawl, twist, carry things, etc., and it stays in place without showing. I am not able to be so active with any other holster method and still maintain secrecy. One last recommendation: you might consider the white one over the dark one. If any of it shows in back when you bend over, a white one may be more readily mistaken for underwear than the dark one. It may not be as fast of a draw unless you practice a lot, but if concealment for you is critical, I think you will appreciate this holster.

November 8th, 2007, 01:07 AM	#4
Gamisou Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right behind you! Posts: 185	Ckd both search terms had zero results, your thoughts are appreciated.

November 8th, 2007, 01:42 AM	#5
LMarshall73 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South East US Posts: 207	I've been wearing a Smart Carry with my Glock 27 practically everyday for the past few months. It took some getting used to, and drawing requires a bit of practice. It is remarkably comfortable, but I also wear an A-shirt almost all of the time. If you keep your shirt untucked (or tucked in using the examples on thunderwear and smart carry's websites, the band shouldn't be noticable.

November 8th, 2007, 02:21 AM	#6
ckd Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 200	Gamisou, sorry, try "smart carry", with a space; it turned up >five pages that may directly or in more cases, indirectly help. or try this search link: http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...earchid=843241 I own one, but can only wear it comfortably in the colder months, still prefer pocket but with a smaller gun; G27 vs. Khar PM9 or 340.

November 8th, 2007, 02:13 PM	#9
S3ymour Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 459	I wear my smart carry whenever I need deep concealment. Namely in places where I really don't need people hassling me about having a gun. Like my liberal grandmother's house, or other places.