Fat Guy Needs G19 Holster Help

[Gunmeister]

OK, OK, I admit it, I'm fat. It seems that holster makers and designers must all be slim, trim athletic types.
By state law, Florida, my legally licensed CCW must be hidden from view and that if exposed, I can be cited for "brandishing". Therein lies my problem. Like a lot of other fat guys, I start my day with trousers and belt up around my naval, in a very few minutes both belt and trousers are below the pot belly just above Mr Happy. Which is where they prefer to spend the rest of the day except for those few minutes right after being hiked up.
I carry a G19 (trying to trade for a G26, G27 or G33). I've carried my guns for years at about the 2:00 oclock or appendix position which provides the most comfort and ease of access for a rotund dude and the gun hides great in the fat. But when I sit down the muzzle end of the holster digs into my leg at the hip joint and the gun wants to slide up under my armpit. If I carry at 4:00 even a girl scout could tell I was packin'. Try reaching for an item on the top shelf at Wally World, shirt slides up, everything shows including the love handles. It's tough being a fat man and trying to CCW is even tougher. I have tried and sold every type of holster on the market. I've tried suspenders under my shirts which is rough on the hide here in FL. I've tried wearing the Bronx wife beater style undershirts to keep the grip from chafing, too hot, no body wants to get too close to a fat guy who sweats. The best method I have come up with yet is to carry in an Uncle Mikes IWB holster worn not inside the pants but between the belt and pants with the muzzle tucked into my right front trouser pocket and everything covered my a huge Heywhyan style shirt. At this moment I have a Side Armor (it's for sale) IWB holster worn in the same way. Not too good but trying to get used to it.
Yeah, I've heard all the BS about CCW not being comfortable but rather is comforting (a rule not written by a chunky guy), but there must be other fat guys out there who have worked around "the problem". There's lots of fat cops out there how do they carry off duty?
I'm open for any and all genuine suggestions, please don't tell me to buy a mouse gun or to lose weight, been there, tried that, didn't work.;z

[engineer151515]

Have you considered a Galco Shoulder holster ... like a Miami Classic?


http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/normal/MCU.jpg

Yea .. you do have to wear a sports jacket. But we are just talking alternatives out here.

Do a search on Glocktalk .. seems like someone here was trying to sell a Galco shoulder holser recently... very reasonable price.

I have one and really like it in colder weather months.


Also.. having plenty of "love handles" myself, I've found this Galco IWB pretty confortable.


http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/normal/WAISTBND.jpg

[Guy Powell]

Another option may be a differenct CCW pistol? Something like a Colt 380 or Keltec? NOT suggesting you get rid of the Glock, NEVER, just something that may be a bit less bulky.
So many get hung up on caliber when it's really shot placement that counts.

[Gunmeister]

Kel-Tec ??? KEL-TEC ??? What self respecting Glock owner would step down to a Kel-Tec? I'd rather have a gastric tie off or lypo suction before I'd own a Kel-Tec! Seriously, I've owned A P11 and two P32s, I wouldn't give five cents for either one of them, talk about jam-o-matics. The only good thing about the Kel-Tecs I owned was that I live in the state where they are made which saved me money on shipping charges for the numerous trips they made back to the factory for repairs. Now a Colt .380 Mustang might be a thought, you got one you wanna sell?
I did say in my post please don't tell me to buy a mouse gun, but a Kel-Tec? pheww.
Oh yeah, shoulder holsters and sport coats are great in Florida in the summer, like I said, girls won't get too close to a fat guy who sweats.
Come on guys, y'all can do better than that.

[spin180]

You might try a non-traditional holster such as the Safepacker (http://thewilderness.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2/products_id/18?osCsid=8aec77ddf8932639fadb1a9e1fc3c741)
In fact, I got one myself just a week ago.

It's very well made, fairly discreet, and actually pretty easy to draw from, with a bit of practice. The Safepacker allows you to carry your gun off-body or you can wear it on your belt; kind of like a fanny-pack but without having to worry about finding one that fits. Another bonus, it has room for a spare magazine and an accessory pouch on the outer flap for other goodies you might need.

I still use a regular holster quite a bit, but this thing is so handy for times I don't want to or can't use a regular holster. I'm tickled to death with it. Especially so, because I can use either my G19 or G30 with it. :cool:

Maybe a possible solution for you.

Good luck and take care! ;)

[sureshot]

what abt one of those bellyband holsters??
i to am in the process of elimination on holsters for ccw
i havent tried one yet but it seems like they would carry the gun close to the body, the band would be between you and the grip of the gun so no chafing, you can rotate it around to position the gun where ever you want it on your person, wear any kind of loose shirt to cover it up with. in fact im sitting here trying to imagine negative
aspects of this type of carry. anyone out there know anything bad abt this type of carry?? if so let us know. the only thing i could think of would be if the band wouldnt stay in the location you put it on in?
i have seen some that are like fishnet except for the holster area of the band so it should be cooler. i have an old uncle mikes iwb with the two straps that loop around the belt i have always used it to carry concealed it works pretty good but like you say i have to be careful reaching up and uncovering it
i guess one thing against the belly band is access to the gun if you are wearing a tee shirt. sorry to be rambling on in your post but you got me thinking. anyways i hope some of this mess helps
sureshot

[Guy Powell]

As for "mouse guns," ever worked as a police officer? Ever worked shootings? I AM and HAVE, MANY. There are just as many killings by 380's and the likes as the larger calibers. Personally I carry a G19 on duty and a Government Model 380 as my backup. As for a Keltec, I don't own one but there seem to be many people on this discussion board that love theirs. I'd be careful about slamming something that so many others like.
Just trying to help you out man. Not to worry, it won't happen again.

[Gunmeister]

Thanks GUY for your informative reply. The way I see it is this, if you have personal experience with a product that is less than good, you are almost duty bound to comment on the product. That's not a slam. There are probably as many former KT owners out in the world who will never own another KT product as there are KT owners who are happy with the product. Do you own one?
Nope, never was a police officer but I did serve 31 years in the Navy as a Combat Aircrewman, did two tours in Nam as a SAR - Search And Rescue swimmer and door gunner in a Navy MEDEVAC HUEY helicopter. At a rough estimate I probably have seen more guys dead from gunshot wounds than you will ever see in a lifetime as a cop in Longview TX. How long have you been a LEO? I didn't realize Longview was such a hot bed of crime. My family springs from Cason TX, ever heard of it?
In lieu of the fact that you offer up advise freely, I'll offer up some of my own. Lighten up, leave your badge on your uniform and drop the cop attitude, your advise just might be appreciated more.;c

[Guy Powell]

Cop in Longview, TX?

Just to set the record straight. TWO tours in Vietnam on a LRRP team, 8 years as a sheriffs deputy in Birmingham, AL, 2 years in Montgomery, now in a city of 105,000 in Texas.
The best of luck finding a pistol that YOU can comfortably conceal.
Oh yes, the last shooting? About a week ago in which case a teenager shot/killed another teen. One shot between the running lights with a........380acp.
Sorry to the others on this list. I'll leave it alone now.

[Gunmeister]

MR POWELL, My comments started in a light hearted vien. You unilaterally decided that I needed a lecture. Keep in mind sir that you lit the flame that ignited this firecracker, not me.
To all members of law enforcement, you have my deepest gratitude and respect. To any that I may have offended, I most humbly apologize.
Mr Powell, I am 68 years old, given your history as outlined you must be approaching retirement age yourself. Stay safe and good luck. ;c

[breech]

I'm not slim either. I'm about 245-ish at 5'6". Picture that. I carried a G22 also in a Sidearmor IWB holster without any problems. I hid the gun pretty well even with my love handles. But I agree, it took getting used to..

[Guy Powell]

Yep, this stint in law enforcement goes toward my second retirement. If anyone could live on a cop's retirement alone, they're a better money manager than I.
The Colt 380 is a good choice for a slim, comfortable pistol. Also, one that I should have never sold, (although I'm not a S/W fan) is the 3913. AMAZINGLY slim, and thanks to the alloy frame on the ladysmith, quite light. IF you'd consider something else besides a Glock, and I KNOW it's hard to do ;) why not give the 3913 a look.

[DonGlock26]

Try the G-19 IWB crossdraw at 9pm. It may be more comfy. Try it with a thin holster like fist iwb straight drop.

[Bear_B]

Im a big feller myself... and I found that rather than changing holsters... I had to change clothes. Literally.

I had to alter my style of dress to accomodate my 6'1 280 lb frame.

Now I carry my G19 at the 3-4 o'clock position with no problems.

I changed to button down longer shirts with a FTL tee-shirt under it.

Another bit of advise from a big feller. Change pants. If your pants ride just above mr happy, not only does this bring mental images that I didnt want, but it probably looks sloppy.

I had the same problem... but after going from store to store I found the brands/sizes that fit me best and didnt turn me into Mr. Droopy Drawers.

A GoOD StiFf Leather belt helps too. And I mean a quality one... not a 5$ flea market special.

Other than that, a holster is not going to solve your droopy drawers problems... Solve the Droopy Drawers problem and your holster problem will go away with it.

[feldhege]

I am 6 Foot and 280 pounds. I have lost 37 pounds in the last couple of months so most of my experience was from when I was heavier. I will also be upfront and tell you that I am waiting on my permit to arrive so most of my Carry experience is from our local gun club and around my property. With that said here is what is working for me.

I discovered, like you, that carrying up front is tough and very uncomfortable. I carry a G19. I have found that carrying in my Comp-Tac C-Tac holster behind my right kidney (about 4:30 Position) seems to work well for me. Most of my weight is in front of me so I don't print from behind. I can sit in a chair and unless I bend forward and to the left, it doesn't show. This position also allows my Love Handles to hide the gun from view from the front side of me.

I also agree with the poster about the clothes. My C-Tac is a tuckable holster. Until I lost weight, I would have had to buy larger shirts to allow for enough room to cover my grip. Also, look for shirts that are made for Tall men. I used to just buy the Big men shirts but discovered that if I got the Big and Tall shirts they didn't "Expose" me as they had the extra length. My wife would sometimes have to cut them down in order to keep the length reasonable.

I hope I helped.

[Gunmeister]

Thanks to all who offered assistance, I really do appreciate it a lot. I will experiment with every one of your suggestions and see which works best, like Feldhege, I too am trying to loose some weight. I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of new clothes then in 4 or 5 months everything will be too large. ;f
The best thing I can do is trade my beautiful G19 for a sub compact Glock. If anyone cares to trade please shoot me an e-mail.:)
Thanks again, John

[Gl0ck19]

Hey Gunmeister, try the Glock factory holster. I carry a g19 and alternate between carrying it in my Uncle Mike's IWB open-top holster (in the same position u described yourself as carrying) and my recently purchased Glock factory holster.

Personally (being LEFT handed), i prefer the factory holster coz it allows me to slide it along my belt from a 10 oclock position when standing up and to a 9 oclock position when im sitting down (which solves my problem of getting poked in the leg whenever i put my piece IWB in front). It holds well with a trigger lock and sits EXTREMELY close to the body unlike other belt holsters that i've tried (perfect for concealability). Try it. Here's a pic

[Gunmeister]

Thanks GLOck19, they are cheap enough, I'll give it a try.

[DonGlock26]

Fobus paddle holsters are cheap and comfy, too!
If a plastic holster gets sticky use armor-all.^c

[Alexit]

What about those t-shirts with the cloth holster sewn in under the arm? I was looking to that for summer wear, but I haven't bought one yet.

(So I can stop wearing the flowered-print shirts I have now...who said it here? - crew cut, khaki slacks, loud print shirt - hes CCW!)

[Bear_B]

Originally posted by Gunmeister
Thanks to all who offered assistance, I really do appreciate it a lot. I will experiment with every one of your suggestions and see which works best, like Feldhege, I too am trying to loose some weight. I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of new clothes then in 4 or 5 months everything will be too large. ;f
The best thing I can do is trade my beautiful G19 for a sub compact Glock. If anyone cares to trade please shoot me an e-mail.:)
Thanks again, John

Try the Adkins diet... I went from 590 LBS with a 72 inch waist to where I am now... 280 LBS with a 48 inch waist.

The Adkins diet and a short, 20 minute walk 4-5 days a week are wonderful weight loss partners. Good Luck!

[SUE ROVR]

Bear B congrats on the weight loss.

I am dealing with this too as I am a bit "fluffy"

The only thing that works for me is small of the back or else I print. I can sit comfortably with it back there but in the car it sucks so I just stick it in the center cubby box.

[Bear_B]

Thanks... if you want to talk about what has worked well for me PM me and I will give you details... so as not to hijack this nice fellers thread and all;)

[arnold ziffle]

im also about your size. i used to carry a sig 220 in a miami classic under a hawaiian shirt. i still do occaisionally but now a kahr p9 or g19 in a pocket.

[Roundeyesamurai]

Gunmeister:

Give this a try, it's great for keeping the shirt tucked and the pants up, even with a belt holster:

http://www.flexbelt.net/