Fat Guy Holster. Concealed Carry For Big Guys [2023]
What's The Best Fat Guy Holster? Concealed Carry For Fat Guys.
Husky? A bit pleasantly plump?
You can call it whatever you wish but some of us are carrying more than just a concealed pistol in our waistline. And for people with a bit extra around the waist, sometimes an inside the waistband concealed carry holster can be a bit uncomfortable.
In this article, we'll discuss some concealed carry techniques and positioning that are helpful for us huskier gentlemen.
IWB holsters provide the best concealability.
Unfortunately, some carriage styles may not work depending on one's waistline distribution. An important consideration is sitting and standing. If an IWB holster configuration doesn't work for you while seated, it's not going to work.
What Holster Position is best for bigger guys?
2 O'Clock Truffle Shuffle
We always recommend starting at 2 o'clock because there is a natural valley between the front girth and the love handles. This valley can be taken advantage of by placing your IWB concealed carry holster within it. Not only is it highly concealable, it's adaptable for sitting and standing.
Obviously, if you're carrying left-handed, 2 o'clock becomes 10 o'clock.
An appendix carry holster has a lower profile than a typical classic IWB holster, which may improve comfort at the 2 o'clock position if it has a smaller footprint.
It's all about balancing comfort with utility, and a lightweight holster in this position will be less noticeable.
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere
A decent alternate to 2 o'clock is 5 o'clock (or 7 o'clock for lefties). This is right behind the love handle and is reasonably comfortable and accessible. For those with back problems and drive long hours, this may get a bit tiresome but for those who are walking around a lot and only drive casual hours (commuting to/from work), this will work.
When In Doubt - 3 O'Clock Rock It
The only issue with 3 o'clock is it's not very concealable even for a normally proportional person. An inside the waistband concealed carry holster will inevitably jut out at least an inch or two from the waistline. Most people shouldn't notice and it is truly a great position to grip your pistol and draw - it's just unfortunate that in terms of concealability, it's not always the best move. But when in doubt - this is a position that is usually comfortable for sitting and standing.
Fat Guy Appendix Carry? Absolutely!
So, you're wondering if appendix carry for chubby guys is viable? If you're carrying a tactical muffin top, the answer is...
YES!
Yes, individuals carrying extra weight can still opt for appendix carry, which is a concealed carry method positioned at the front of the body. It's crucial to note that everyone's body is unique, and what works best for one person may not be suitable for another. Comfort, accessibility, and safety should always be prioritized when choosing a carry method, regardless of the individual's body size or shape.
However, it can take some calibration. You need to start with a appendix carry holster that can be adjusted to work with you and your clothing. You may need to adjust the ride height up or down for best results.
Holster positioning is also important. The best practice is to slide your holster over to ride in the inguinal crease (some people call it the "craw") between your upper leg and the groin.
Don't be afraid to add a muzzle pad, or even foam padding to the back of the holster to make it work. It makes the holster more comfortable, and helps keep it in place while carrying.
It's a common practice with seasoned appendix carriers, so don't be afraid to add a little bit of padding so the holster works with yours!
Believe it or not, gun selection can matter too. A shorter-barreled pistol can get pushed out by your gut, making concealment a little more difficult. Adding a wing/claw to your holster can help a bit in this respect, but having more barrel and slide below the belt line does as well. That's why longer-slide compacts like the P365XL and Glock 48 are widely regarded as some of the best pistols for carrying in this fashion.
So, you absolutely can appendix carry as a bigger dude. You just have to choose a holster that you can work with, make some adjustments, and otherwise set yourself up for success.
If you live in a place that's incredibly restrictive about printing, make sure to check out our other articles which discuss various ways to prevent printing or getting spotted.
No matter what size you are - an inside the waistband holster with a backpad should help distribute some of the pressure from carrying a firearm in your trousers.Especially while carrying in the warmer months or if you're stuck in a hot environment - get an inside the waistband holster with neoprene backing. That will wick away sweat much easier than leather - which can stick to the skin.
The Best Concealed Carry Holster for Fat Guys
What's the best concealed carry holster for fat guys? The Low-Pro Belly Band by Alien Gear Holsters. Many larger gentlemen choose to use a belly band to conceal their firearm. Advantages of a belly band include increased comfort, greater adjustability, lower likelihood for printing, and ease of access to your firearm when needed. All good things when you're trying to concealed carry.
For the skinny guys, we have not forgotten about you, here is our article: Concealed Carry For Skinny Guys
Have you found any particularly good carry techniques which have supported your weight? Tell us about them in the comments section.
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