Ease of Concealment

The Prodigy · January 17, 2013, 10:49 AM

Been hanging around these forums for a while, and made a couple posts. However, the time has come where I can finally apply for a CCW!! As of now I'm not sure how often I will carry, but I want to have the option if need be. My dad has the SR40c, and I really like that handgun based on the gun itself I shoot it well), and I like the .40 caliber. However, I ain't the biggest guy on the planet (5'4.5, 132 on my Air Force physical), so what would concealment be like in the summer months? I am fully prepared to dress around my carry gun as well. Looking for insight from folks that have carried this firearm, or maybe something like the Kahr CW40, PPS 40, etc. Thank you!!

-Isaak

Don P · January 17, 2013, 10:54 AM

I live in FLA and carry a 1911 either a 4 1/4" or 5" barrel length. Good belt and holster is key for daily carry. I generally wear a "wife beater" tank top style t-shirt under my shirt to keep the gun off my skin.

PetahW · January 17, 2013, 10:56 AM

The correct holster will conceal almost any CCW-sized handgun worth carrying.

FWIW, I've long carried (undetected) a .45ACP Colt LWC in the Summertime wearing shorts, using Thunderwear.

.

thinktwice · January 18, 2013, 01:48 AM

In the summer months I carry a Kahr CM-9 very accurate, and has been 100% reliable right out of the box. If you like the 40 they now make the CM-40 it's about (if not exactly) the same size as the CM-9. I really don't think you can get much smaller. It's the perfect size for summer carry with just a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. I also have a CW-9 it shoots just as good and carries good as well, however I always carry CM because you hardly know it's there. Can't comment on the recoil of the little CM-40, but the CM- 9 is not bad at all for such a tiny pistol.

The Prodigy · January 18, 2013, 09:32 AM

Forgot to add, the other gun in my top consideration is the XD-40 Sub-Compact.

GLI45 · January 18, 2013, 06:05 PM

Ditto to comments about selecting the right belt and holster for carry. I carry a 4" 1911 (STI Guardian) in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe IWB holster on an Ares Enhanced Ranger belt. I've found the Crossbreed to be a very comfortable IWB holster and it has a full leather shield that keeps the pistol from digging into my side. You can adjust the Crossbreed for cant and level. I set mine up to ride low with a forward cant and can simply wear an untucked shirt of any kind for concealment.

MagnumWill · January 19, 2013, 01:09 AM

+1 to the Crossbreed holster. I carry my Colt New Agent 1911 .45 3" in one, and I'm confident it'll be the only IWB holster that gun sees. I can go down to a T-shirt with it, and I've walked miles with it and no discomfort whatsoever. And my Colt's not exactly a light gun as well.

Also, I would go shoot a PPS .40 before you run out and buy one. Maybe you have, but from my own personal experience-- a friend picked up a PPS 9mm and carried it in a CompTac Minotaur, and it was just awesome. However, we took it to the range and that PPS, even in the little 9, was biting my palm hard enough for me to give it a strange look, it was pretty unpleasant to shoot. My .45 was much more comfortable. Just thinking, since .40 in that little gun might start making shooting time not so fun and develop bad habits with it.

Niantician · January 19, 2013, 01:57 AM

It's different for everyone, but I find that the width of a gun is equally important as the length. Especially when carrying in an iwb holster. I have a Para P10 that is a short little chunky gun.. When I bought it a few years back, it looked like a good carry option with its short barrel and grip. But its just too fat to carry comfortably. I'd rather carry my full size 1911.

wstein · January 19, 2013, 03:14 AM

If you can get your hands on a M&P Shield in the 40 cal, I think you will be happy. That is what I carry the most in a Barsony OWB holster. It disappears nicely under most any clothing, and doesn't hurt your hands (at least it doesn't me) when you take it to the range to shoot.

mrvco · January 19, 2013, 05:49 AM

I have a Kahr CW-9 and love the full length grip. It also carries easy, is enjoyable to shoot and is very accurate. I've heard the CW-40 is equally nice.

Skans · January 19, 2013, 01:35 PM

In my opinion, the new micro-9mm's are the best for conceal carry. Just my opinion. Boberg, Rohrbaugh R9, Ruger LC9, Diamondback DB 9, etc.

January 17, 2013, 10:49 AM	#1
The Prodigy Member Join Date: September 9, 2011 Posts: 18	Ease of Concealment Been hanging around these forums for a while, and made a couple posts. However, the time has come where I can finally apply for a CCW!! As of now I'm not sure how often I will carry, but I want to have the option if need be. My dad has the SR40c, and I really like that handgun based on the gun itself I shoot it well), and I like the .40 caliber. However, I ain't the biggest guy on the planet (5'4.5, 132 on my Air Force physical), so what would concealment be like in the summer months? I am fully prepared to dress around my carry gun as well. Looking for insight from folks that have carried this firearm, or maybe something like the Kahr CW40, PPS 40, etc. Thank you!! -Isaak

January 17, 2013, 10:54 AM	#2
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	I live in FLA and carry a 1911 either a 4 1/4" or 5" barrel length. Good belt and holster is key for daily carry. I generally wear a "wife beater" tank top style t-shirt under my shirt to keep the gun off my skin. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 18, 2013, 06:05 PM	#6
GLI45 Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 143	Ditto to comments about selecting the right belt and holster for carry. I carry a 4" 1911 (STI Guardian) in a Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe IWB holster on an Ares Enhanced Ranger belt. I've found the Crossbreed to be a very comfortable IWB holster and it has a full leather shield that keeps the pistol from digging into my side. You can adjust the Crossbreed for cant and level. I set mine up to ride low with a forward cant and can simply wear an untucked shirt of any kind for concealment. __________________ STI-Eagle(2)/Trojan(2)/Edge/Guardian/VIP/Rogue/Ranger III/Sentinel/Tactical 4.0/Escort; Remington Rand-1911A1; Ruger Redhawk/Blackhawk; Sig P238

January 19, 2013, 01:09 AM	#7
MagnumWill Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Central Colorado Posts: 1,001	+1 to the Crossbreed holster. I carry my Colt New Agent 1911 .45 3" in one, and I'm confident it'll be the only IWB holster that gun sees. I can go down to a T-shirt with it, and I've walked miles with it and no discomfort whatsoever. And my Colt's not exactly a light gun as well. Also, I would go shoot a PPS .40 before you run out and buy one. Maybe you have, but from my own personal experience-- a friend picked up a PPS 9mm and carried it in a CompTac Minotaur, and it was just awesome. However, we took it to the range and that PPS, even in the little 9, was biting my palm hard enough for me to give it a strange look, it was pretty unpleasant to shoot. My .45 was much more comfortable. Just thinking, since .40 in that little gun might start making shooting time not so fun and develop bad habits with it. __________________ Those who hammer their swords into plow shares will plow for those who didn't...

January 19, 2013, 01:57 AM	#8
Niantician Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2005 Location: Ct. Posts: 546	It's different for everyone, but I find that the width of a gun is equally important as the length. Especially when carrying in an iwb holster. I have a Para P10 that is a short little chunky gun.. When I bought it a few years back, it looked like a good carry option with its short barrel and grip. But its just too fat to carry comfortably. I'd rather carry my full size 1911. __________________ There are many things in life that are out of my control. Recoil isn't one of them.

January 17, 2013, 10:56 AM	#3
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	The correct holster will conceal almost any CCW-sized handgun worth carrying. FWIW, I've long carried (undetected) a .45ACP Colt LWC in the Summertime wearing shorts, using Thunderwear. .

January 18, 2013, 01:48 AM	#4
thinktwice Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2007 Posts: 293	In the summer months I carry a Kahr CM-9 very accurate, and has been 100% reliable right out of the box. If you like the 40 they now make the CM-40 it's about (if not exactly) the same size as the CM-9. I really don't think you can get much smaller. It's the perfect size for summer carry with just a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. I also have a CW-9 it shoots just as good and carries good as well, however I always carry CM because you hardly know it's there. Can't comment on the recoil of the little CM-40, but the CM- 9 is not bad at all for such a tiny pistol.

January 18, 2013, 09:32 AM	#5
The Prodigy Member Join Date: September 9, 2011 Posts: 18	Forgot to add, the other gun in my top consideration is the XD-40 Sub-Compact.

January 19, 2013, 03:14 AM	#9
wstein Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 155	If you can get your hands on a M&P Shield in the 40 cal, I think you will be happy. That is what I carry the most in a Barsony OWB holster. It disappears nicely under most any clothing, and doesn't hurt your hands (at least it doesn't me) when you take it to the range to shoot. __________________ ________________________________________ I don't have a good signature.....

January 19, 2013, 05:49 AM	#10
mrvco Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2011 Posts: 214	I have a Kahr CW-9 and love the full length grip. It also carries easy, is enjoyable to shoot and is very accurate. I've heard the CW-40 is equally nice.

January 19, 2013, 01:35 PM	#11
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	In my opinion, the new micro-9mm's are the best for conceal carry. Just my opinion. Boberg, Rohrbaugh R9, Ruger LC9, Diamondback DB 9, etc.