Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Avoid Being a Target — Is Your Pistol Truly Concealed?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/is-your-pistol-truly-concealed/.
True, I know the polymer holsters out there do not work for me, I stay with leather.a good post and reminder to fit your body, as we are all different shapes and sizes, with something you can make work well.
Wouldn't be very comfortable if somebody knocked you on your ass thoughAgreed, good post. One of the things I was trained on with some overseas work is sew fishing weights into the front corners of you over-shirt or jacket so it stayed in place but gave some weight if you needed to peel it back quickly to get it out of the way. I always preferred a fabric OTB holster with a cant that avoided printing and near the center of the back but towards the draw side. It was reasonably comfortable when sitting in the office.
This is my chance to let people dogpile me for my uneducated AIWB opinion. I'll preface my remarks with the admission that there may be AIWB holsters out there that are simply magical and disappear, even when the wearer is carrying a Springfield Echelon with a light and optic mounted, and a 2-mag sidecar. If they exist, feel free to point them out, because I want to keep an open mind.
However, my assertion is that AIWB carry works great - IF your chest extends past your midsection. For many, if not all, of the male and female firearm "influencers" we see in videos and social media posts, this isn't a problem and their well-defined chests and tight tummies are tailor-made for AIWB carry... apparently.
For the rest of us, not so much.
I've carried strong-side hip (4 o'clock?) pretty much since I started this journey 6-7 years ago. I'm getting along in years and have arthritis in the 3 lower vertebrae of my back, but it works for me, at least with my Springfield XD Mod.2 subcompact. Most of the time I have no discomfort, even while driving. This setup conceals pretty well under a button-down, untucked shirt. I can even get away with it for a quick store run with a loose t-shirt too, should the need arise.
Can I draw, present, and get rounds on target as fast as John Lovell or many other professionals. No, sir. But I do okay, and practice clearing my garment and drawing from concealment at least 3-4 times every day. And, unlike some secret service agents, I can reholster smoothly (and safely) without looking.
Based on all of that, I won't be dropping a c-note (or more) on an AIWB rig anytime soon, but like I said, if someone knows one that's extra special and will conceal well even for those of us with a bit of a spare tire on a less than 6' frame, send it!