carver

First off, a big TX Hello to everyone! I'm new here and thought I would introduce myself as a new member. The help I need is in finding the right CCW holster for me. I'm 5'11" and weigh in at 245. I usually wear shorts and T shirt, and am presently using the smart carry system for CCW. I carry a 1911A or a Charter Arms Bull Dog. The 1911A doesn't present a problem for me, but I am having trouble finding a belt slide, or pancake holster for the Bull Dog. Was wondering if any of you folks could help me out with this one. BTW the Bull Dog is DAO (no hammer). Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Y'all be safe now, ya hear!

spooter66

Welcome Carver, hard to tell by your description but if you have love handles finding a good holster will be interesting. If you have the bulge curse I would recommend the Comp-tac Minotaur (link provided below) for IWB. It's very comfy, great customer service, and conceals well. In this case the love handles actually help hide the weapon.

For OWB, if you have handles avoid pancake style holsters. By their nature they are mid to high rise, placing the gun right on top of the bulge. Even with the best of gun belts this causes the gun and holster to be torqued out at the top, printing very badly. I have a drawer full of holsters after a lot of trial and error. After a lot of searching I finally found a very good concealable OWB holster for large guys - Safariland model 6377. With the regular belt slide it rides a little lower then most belt holsters, if you want it lower you can get the belt slot with a 1" drop. It pulls in and hugs the body better then the other belt holsters out there (Blackhawk). The 6377 has active retention (level II), but they do have models without it. Check out their website they have paddle models also.


Comp-Tac : Products
SAFARILAND® [Model 6377 ALS? Belt Holster] : Holsters, Belts, Duty Gear, & Accessories for Law Enforcement, Military, Competition, and Sporting Enthusiasts

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"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." - Sir Winston Churchill

goldshellback

First off Welcome Aboard! Secondly, hope Ike isn't messing ya up too awfuly bad.

As for CC'ing, I'd recommend reviewing how you'd want to carry. OWB, IWB, belt slide, paddle,etc., etc. Also I like any holster that has a "slid guard'.....the leather between the gun's slide and your skin......that's MUCH more comfortable if you wearjust a teeshirt to conceal in the Texas heat.

Your choices very much depend on HOW and WHERE you plan on carrying and what you feel most comfortable with. I personally have several holsters I use for diffrent applications. A quality, 'tuckable' IWB (like Comp-Tac's MTAC) for deep concealment is a must for me. I also have an OWB custom leather and a paddle that get plenty of 'wear' time as well.


Just some stuff to consider.

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"Just getting a concealed carry permit means you haven't commited a crime yet........CCP holders commit crimes." Daniel Vice, senior attorney for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, as quoted on Fox & Friends, July 7th, 2008

C Paul Lincoln

Welcome, Carver. This is a great board, and I think you will get all the information you could ever want from the many knowledgeable members here.

For your CA Bulldog, if you are looking for a pancake or belt slide, I would recommend you try some less-expensive holsters until you find what works, and then you can consider custom leather (or not, it is up to you). I have had better luck with Don Hume holsters and DeSantis than I have with Galco, but YMMV.

Several manufacturers make dual-slot holsters that allow you to adjust cant and carry location. As others have pointed out, if you are working on the middle-age spare tire a strong-side holster may cause the butt of the gun to print. (The Bulldog likely will not print as much as a 1911 would.) The benefit of the dual-slot holster is you could carry cross-draw which will not print as badly and is more accessible when driving or sitting.

If you are also barrel-chested to match your middle, don't completely discount shoulder holsters. I used to carry a full-size Taurus PT-99 in a Bianchi vertical shoulder holster, and it just disappeared. I'm a different build than you (6'0" at 185#), but I have had friends with your build that wore revolvers in a horizontal shoulder holster under a light shirt and they concealed well. I wear an OWB holster now for my 1911, but miss the accessibility of that Bianchi shoulder holster.

Others may say the same -- you will probably end up with a box full of holsters before you find the one that works just right for you.

XD 45

welcome and Com-tac is a great holster for IWB

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XD .45, Glock 23, SIG 229

You Stop Being A Leader When Your Men Stop Coming To You With Their Problems

nn

Welcome aboard.

glock27mark

welcome from s.e. michigan.

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{sheriff Buford T. Justice}what the h*** is the
world coming too.

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carver

Thanks for all the quick replies and the welcomes! I already have the pancake for the .45, what I need most is something for the Bull Dog. I need the forward cant on the holster due to limited mobility in my right arm (us old folks have such issues). >grin< The Shoulder Holster would work well, except for the fact that here in East TX we only have a few weeks of really cold temps. I sure would like to find something for the belt. Holsters that I like are not made to accomidate the Bull Dog.

GunnyBunny

You could try a Barami Hip-Grip. They're relatively inexpensive so if you don't like it you're only out $25. Search Results for " midayusa.com " has them in stock and I'm sure you can probably get one locally too.

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CCW permit holder for Utah, Pennsylvannia, Maine and New Hampshire. I can carry in your country but not my own.

GunnyBunny

I can't spell to save my life, try MidwayUSA — Shooting Supplies, Reloading, Gunsmithing, Ammunition, Gun Parts & Rifle Scopes

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CCW permit holder for Utah, Pennsylvannia, Maine and New Hampshire. I can carry in your country but not my own.