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Skinny guy, not so skinny gun

4.6K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  happyguy  
#1 ·
I am 5'6 AND A HALF, 150 lbs, athletic in build. I have been carrying various guns, Shield, 42, etc, appendix. I tried to carry a SW MP 2.o 3.6" appendix in a Hidden Hybrid holster with claw. The grip still seems to stick out to much. Any suggestions on how to better conceal this thing?
 
#2 ·
Shoulder pads, bigger shirts? :nsb:
The thing about ccw is every position/gun just doesn't fit ever person. If you are already using a minimalistic aiwb with claw or wedge, it probably just doesn't work for your build.
 
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#3 ·
How form fitting or tight are your clothes? At 6 ft 1 and 175# I have to deliberately wear shirts/sweaters that aren't snug - but that is not my personal style anyway. Sometimes "camouflage" can help: ie, dark or busier print colors, heavier weight fabrics (they tend to drape better) etc. I carry 3- 4 o'clock, not AIWB, so not sure I can give specific recommendations there.
 
#21 ·
Boy do I understand that. I'm 6'2"/180 and exercise a good bit. I'm vain enough that I refuse to wear baggy clothing to ease the issue of printing. I manage but it takes a lot of work and with one exception, I'm never 100% pleased with anything I've tried.

That one exception was a Ruger LCP (and I like Rugers) was totally reliable, then it jammed up, Ruger said send it in. They replaced it. Slide was tough to manipulate (not kidding and I'm certainly not lacking strength) took it to the range. Unreliable, gave it a thorough cleaning. Next time not much better. Got home and found the extractor was missing. Must have come out on the last round. Ruger gave me a EC9S but I sold it to the nearby gunshop.

My two SR9Cs are monotonously reliable and I love them. Don
 
#5 ·
Could be Aiwb's not for you until you and your life style ! I have a son in law 5-11 165 so a skinny guy 28inch waist and he carrys one of my favorite old edc's a TP40 kahr at 3:00 IWB in a couple holsters but after trying one of mine for a 1911 he liked it so I ordered him one and is using it now . A safariland 27 . Its not AIWB but is cant adjustable and carrys the handgun well above the belt . Oh yea , Belts You do have a first class carry belt right ?? 1.5" 2 layers of good leather ?? Now he use to carry a P-11 , Little handgun and tried to AIWB it and after 4 holster gave up . He's an electricion and Plumber and very active in general , teaches martial arts too and up front just does not work for him . So maybe time you try a different holster or position perhaps . A see that holster does not offer the ability to cant so might need a new holster .

I am chunker 5-9-220 and can conceal a commander m&p 4.25 or p320c at 3:00 under only a Tshirt . Not tight but not loose /sloopy ether . Button downs are a breeze .


Hey we all have a some box stuffed with holsters that are fine for many But not always for me or you or others !! At least you do have a good carry pistol . If you buy another holster buy it for the 4" model !! The extra length aids in keeping the grip end of the handgun tighter to your body , just adds leverage
 
#6 ·
I'm usually carrying a P365 (or G43), so it is noticeably smaller (length and width) than your M&P. But as has been said before, you gotta have a serious belt too. Only other thing I can think of would be to try a 100% kydex holster w/claw (vs. your hybrid) as they may be a little thinner and flex less. There are some good minimalist ones out there (SCK, vedder, JM custom kydex, among many others - I have version of all of these for various pistols that I wear 3 - 4 o'clock).
 
#9 ·
Holster angle can help some. I your holster is a straight drop and the grip sticks out, you may do better with an FBI cant, for example.
 
#10 · (Edited)
I’m 5’11 185lbs I carry a m&p 9c in a vedder aiwb w. no mag carrier or wing attached. I did adjust the cant and height to where I like it . These 2 adjustments are important for a good fit when carrying aiwb. It doesn’t even print in a fit t shirt.
I consider this to be the ultimate in terms of capacity vs. size.
The vedder is the best kydex holster I’ve owned as well.
ALMOST forgot I do wear a Bigfoot gun belt I’ve had it for a few years . It’s a great belt
 
#11 ·
I too have kore gun belts and have noticed that they can allow the holstered gun grip to tilt outward a little more than a thicker belt (like my steel reinforced big foot belts). What I've noticed is that with higher riding holsters it may do this just a little more. I like the kore a lot and wear mine a lot. But being as they are a bit thinner than a 1/4 inch thick leather belt it may tilt a tad - for me anyway. This is not typically an issue for me with 3 - 4 o'clock carry (unless I carry the G19)
 
#12 ·
redbike Time to find a new position for your holster or a new holster and position . You handgun is NOT the problems , really . Badly designed holsters are just that .

MY belts an 20 year old JayPee 2 layer belt still a good belt today but my wife wears a Bullhide double stitch belt and has me one set aside assuming my current one my wear out . These are great belts .
 
#13 ·
With lighter clothing, stick with the Shield and G42. The G42 can also work as a pocket pistol.
 
#14 ·
Holster are to men what jeans are to women. “Does this make me look fat?” Lmbo
I’m 6’1 225 pounds but working on it.
I’ve tried an xd9 sc with a Comtac Minotaur, G19 with a Safariland OWB and Bianchi leather OWB high ride holster and a G43 with a cya IWB, Tulster IWB and Bravo Concealment OWB. Now I only use the G19/Bianchi and G43/Bravo Concealment. Both combos conceal very good for me at 3:30 and a breeze to wear all day. As much as I want to IWB I just can’t. Maybe I’ll try again -20 pounds from now.
 
#15 ·
I have a thinner build as well and I gave up on trying to conceal 15 round capacity guns. I can do it with a G19 and a Raven Concealment Vanguard minimalist holster at 2:00. This set up allows you to achieve some extreme grip angles. It also allows you the option of repositioning when driving for comfort. I made some wardrobe adjustments and now I mostly carry a G26 or 43 at 3:00 if I’m not pocket carrying. I feel for you brother. I can be frustrating.
 
#16 ·
CajunInvasion I use to be 5-10 and 245 for ever it seems but manage to keep the big shoulders and lat spread from my younger years so concealing a full size handgun never was hard to do at 3:00 but when a tucked shirt was needed some holster by a smaller hand was a must like a cw9 kahr back then . Today , I'm shorter thanks to old age and lighter at 220lb!! But still mange to conceal a commander or m&p 4.25 at 3:00 but screw the tucked in shirts .
 
#17 ·
Honestly I think appendix carry isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Sure, it’s fast and it makes a good YouTube video, but I really don’t find it any more concealable than traditional side carry. In fact I find it LESS concealable than side carry. Try this: move your piece to 3 o’clock and use a holster with a 15 degree forward cant. I bet it hides pretty well.

Here’s another thought- stop worrying about printing. 99% of the population don’t pay attention to anything past their own nose/smart phone and won’t notice the bulge of your guns grip or pay it any kind. I OWB carried an M&P45 for an entire year with zero people noticing.

Another option would be to move your gun back Just a little to 1 or 2 o’clock. Might help tuck the grip in if you’re that concerned about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Glock Talk mobile app
 
#19 ·
I'm 5'9" and 150lbs. AIWB is difficult for me with autoloaders, even with a loose button up shirt it looks like I have a colostomy bag. I'll carry a J-frame revolver there easily with even a T-shirt. With slightly looser clothes I'll carry a Kahr P45 at 4:00. More comfortable clothes still or a light jacket and I'll carry a Glock 30 or HK USP 45 Compact also at 4:00. Have a carry rotation depending on what you wear.
 
#23 ·
You're gonna shoot your weenie off.

Regards,
Happyguy :)