S&W 59 CCW Tips

3137 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by sarhog, Sep 24, 2005

swilcox

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2005

I'd love to carry my S&W Mod 910s (same size as 59/5900 series), but can't seem to effectively conceal it in warm weather clothes. I usually wear Jeans/T-shirt. I'm 5'9" and 150# and usually have a hard time concealing anything but my S&W Mod 37 airweight. Even with that, holsters of any type seem to add too much thickness and create a bulge.

Suggestions Please?

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

srfl

· #2 · Sep 22, 2005

swilcox said:
(SNIP), holsters of any type seem to add too much thickness and create a bulge.

Suggestions Please?

What kind of holster are you using?

If you use a OWB holster, I suggest an IWB. My favorites are COM series made by Eric Larsen at HBE Specialty Leatherworks. I own two; one for a CZ 40B and another for a Kahr P/M. Great stuff! Here's a photo of my Kahr P9 Covert in an HBE prototype COM 3 holster called the COM "2 1/2". Here's a photo of my Kahr P9 Covert, on the left, in the COM 2 1/2. On the left is my PM9 in a kydex Pocket Companion XL pocket holster by David Stillwell at Grandfather Oak.

If an IWB holster is your preferred holster type but it's still not concealing your S&W, then may I suggest a Smart Carry holster. I'm able to conceal my duty Sig P229, Steyr M9 and various Beretta 92 Compacts/Centurions in one with no problem and little bulge.

Save

rocky

· #3 · Sep 22, 2005

right on with the IWB. Although , a t shirt isn't enough to usually cover a full size pistol.

Save

tanksoldier

· #4 · Sep 22, 2005

One thing that always gets mentioned here is that when you first start carrying you THINK it's obvious to the whole world, but really it isn't.

It also gets mentioned that sometimes you have to change your habits of dress a bit. Maybe you need to go with a T-shirt and a long-sleeve shirt worn like a jacket... tho I see you're in AZ, so might look strange sometimes.

Smartcarry's a good idea. Any bulge there could be seen as a good thing. :wink:

Save

srfl

· #5 · Sep 22, 2005

I forgot to post the photo of the IWB I use....sorry:

See less See more

Save

P95Carry

· #6 · Sep 22, 2005

swilcox - welcome aboard :smile:

Most anything will ''bulge'' but IMO you need to choose better outer garments. If you really have to still use T-Shirt then a size bigger at least - but an open shirt can be better still.

In summer I use a Smith & Alexander vest, much of time that is biking and so doubt it really looks too obvious.

Some folks say certain garments ''shout carry'' - I don't worry about that and just rest easy on a ''let 'em guess'' aproach :biggrin:

I hate IWB - just me - but honestly reckon my OWB carry is hardly any more obvious the way I use cover clothes. You'd have to buy pants coupla inches bigger too if going IWB route.

Oh and yeah - ''the bulge'' is way less noticeable to most folks than you'd believe - these days belts have cell phones, pagers, multi-tools etc - most folks don't notice squat!

Save

swilcox

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 23, 2005

Thanks, guys, for all the advice. Agreed that I notice the gun more than others will and I've gotta get used to that.

I have an IWB for the 910s. It's a decent quality knock-off of a Summer Special but, besides being heavy leather, the belt loops are right on top of the fattest part of the gun. I really like the pic srfl posted of the IWB with the loops on either side of the gun. Looks like a much better design.

It's tough here in AZ. It's almost October and still over 100 degrees - 102 today, in fact! Jeans and T-shirt or Dockers and Polo are pretty much the norm here. When I'm on the Harley, a leather vest isn't out of place but that's only in cooler weather.

I'm thinking slightly baggier clothes and a quality IWB is going to be the ticket. Today I wore my Mod 37 is one of those old-school flimsy suede IWBs and my t-shirt partially tucked. Worked perfectly. A cell phone on the same hip helps mask the bulge.

For the larger gun, experimentation and a box of holsters that didn't quite work out is probably gonna be what it takes.

See less See more

Save

sarhog

· #8 · Sep 23, 2005

swilcox said:
For the larger gun, experimentation and a box of holsters that didn't quite work out is probably gonna be what it takes.

To avoid the box of holsters later, try a Milt Sparks Watch Six, or Versa Max II.
Good luck. :smile:

Save

Brian45

· #9 · Sep 23, 2005

For the larger gun, experimentation and a box of holsters that didn't quite work out is probably gonna be what it takes.[/QUOTE]

Save your money and look at some high quality custom leather to start with. With some research you should be able to avoid that dreaded box of holsters.
It is also important to understand that the holster is only part of the package. If you put the best concealing and most comfortable custom holster on a flimsy belt it will not perform like it is designed to. If you do not have a quality gun belt already it would be a good investment.
Take a look at Brommeland Gunleather . Gary has a lot of good information on his site, take some time and have a look.
I have some leather from Gary and it is all of the highest quality and works as advertised. The concealment level I have with the Max-Con V with my full size 1911 is amazing, and it is completely comfortable. The belts that Gary makes are great. They look very good and perform. His mag carriers top off what I consider my perfect carry rig. It holds the spare mag close to the body and I find the angle of the mag to be perfect for me.

See less See more

Save

sarhog

· #10 · Sep 24, 2005

Brian45 said:
If you put the best concealing and most comfortable custom holster on a flimsy belt it will not perform like it is designed to. If you do not have a quality gun belt already it would be a good investment.

+1 on the good belt. I should have mentioned that in my previous reply. I got a thick, quality leather 1 1/2" belt before my VersaMax II arrived, so that's all I've ever used.
Good luck. :smile:

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month