Carry Choice

Dan31 · December 9, 2012, 08:18 PM

So I have my eye on two different .45's both have rails which I like one has the 4.25" barrel length and the other a 5" barrel. Since its wet and rainy or cold and snowy up here in WA I have decide to wear a jacket made for carry instead of a holster. If I were thin and not a large framed man I would wear a cross draw style holster since I'm left handed. But being 6'5" tall and broad chested I feel the jacket will work for me since I work mostly outdoors.

So will one or the other be better suited to carry? The 5" barreled version is also a double stack.

Opinions?

Creeper · December 10, 2012, 09:12 AM

Hi Dan... another lefty here.

Barrel length has less a bearing on the "quality of concealment" than one might first imagine... IMHO, less so than the length or shape of the grip frame. 3/4 of an inch in barrel length isn't going to make you or break you.

I'm afraid that I am completely unfamiliar with a jacket that allows concealment of a full size handgun... not a clue as to where the gun is or how it's oriented or secured in the jacket.
Just to toss around some general considerations... both guns (probably) have a government length grip frame, but we don't know if either gun is round butted or bob tailed (less likely to snag clothing or have a sharp corner to "print"), or how wide the grip frame is on the double stack vs. the single stack (a minor point, but worth consideration with snug fit clothing)... so it's kinda hard to offer really useful advice without having more information.

Truth be told, as you're 6'5" and (probably) have a chest 15-20" larger than your waist... I suspect you could conceal both equally well.

ScotchMan · December 10, 2012, 12:45 PM

Frame width and grip height tend to be the most critical dimensions to me. Assuming the 4.25" gun is proportionally smaller (and they usually are), that is probably the easier gun to conceal.

However, I would say the one you shoot better is probably the right choice if you can comfortably carry either one.

Dashunde · December 10, 2012, 06:07 PM

Dan, my defacto answer for a ccw is always... thinner is better.

tristar viper · December 12, 2012, 05:22 AM

Thickness is kinda important to me, but my big thing is WEIGHT. I cannot stand a heavy gun on my side, thus the reason my 226 Navy does not see carry duty....don't even have a holster for it.

Dan31 · December 12, 2012, 04:27 PM

Since I started doing a little more research I found that I will probably end up buying a Tanker Style cross body style holster like The Walt from First Spear since a true shoulder holster would limit me if I needed it fast and I would be swinging even wider to draw it. I will be practicing more with my weak hand so I can carry in any position on my body.

December 9, 2012, 08:18 PM	#1
Dan31 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 145	Carry Choice So I have my eye on two different .45's both have rails which I like one has the 4.25" barrel length and the other a 5" barrel. Since its wet and rainy or cold and snowy up here in WA I have decide to wear a jacket made for carry instead of a holster. If I were thin and not a large framed man I would wear a cross draw style holster since I'm left handed. But being 6'5" tall and broad chested I feel the jacket will work for me since I work mostly outdoors. So will one or the other be better suited to carry? The 5" barreled version is also a double stack. Opinions? __________________ I was told once "if you don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all"

December 10, 2012, 09:12 AM	#2
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Hi Dan... another lefty here. Barrel length has less a bearing on the "quality of concealment" than one might first imagine... IMHO, less so than the length or shape of the grip frame. 3/4 of an inch in barrel length isn't going to make you or break you. I'm afraid that I am completely unfamiliar with a jacket that allows concealment of a full size handgun... not a clue as to where the gun is or how it's oriented or secured in the jacket. Just to toss around some general considerations... both guns (probably) have a government length grip frame, but we don't know if either gun is round butted or bob tailed (less likely to snag clothing or have a sharp corner to "print"), or how wide the grip frame is on the double stack vs. the single stack (a minor point, but worth consideration with snug fit clothing)... so it's kinda hard to offer really useful advice without having more information. Truth be told, as you're 6'5" and (probably) have a chest 15-20" larger than your waist... I suspect you could conceal both equally well. __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

December 10, 2012, 12:45 PM	#3
ScotchMan Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Posts: 1,368	Frame width and grip height tend to be the most critical dimensions to me. Assuming the 4.25" gun is proportionally smaller (and they usually are), that is probably the easier gun to conceal. However, I would say the one you shoot better is probably the right choice if you can comfortably carry either one. __________________ Everyday Loadout NRA Instructor NRA Member

December 12, 2012, 04:27 PM	#6
Dan31 Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 145	Since I started doing a little more research I found that I will probably end up buying a Tanker Style cross body style holster like The Walt from First Spear since a true shoulder holster would limit me if I needed it fast and I would be swinging even wider to draw it. I will be practicing more with my weak hand so I can carry in any position on my body. __________________ I was told once "if you don't have anything good to say don't say anything at all"

December 10, 2012, 06:07 PM	#4
Dashunde Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 2,018	Dan, my defacto answer for a ccw is always... thinner is better.

December 12, 2012, 05:22 AM	#5
tristar viper Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 889	Thickness is kinda important to me, but my big thing is WEIGHT. I cannot stand a heavy gun on my side, thus the reason my 226 Navy does not see carry duty....don't even have a holster for it.