Sidearms & Scatterguns A tip for carrying a bigger CCW

Srikaleak

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 11, 2018
991
606
I recently bought a Glock 17 and outfitted it with a TLR1 as a carry gun. I am utilizing a JM Custom Kydex AIWB holster. Previously, with my JM AIWB and HK USP I'd cinch the gun as tight as I could to my body by really ratcheting down my belt. With the longer G17 with the light, following this method prevented me from comfortably sitting down naturally (I'd have to shift around to sit which is not great in public) and I'd have quite a bit more pain than usual which is distracting. I have found that if I wear my belt a little looser, the additional play with my holster allows me to be more comfortable in general and allow more natural movement between sitting, kneeling, standing positions. The pain of carrying is now gone and I definitely carry my G17 more than my USP now.
I hope this helps folks out there carry bigger handguns for CCW duty.
 
The discomfort of carrying inside waistband was one of the primary reasons I went to outside waistband. I didn't like the discomfort, or the way the pistol pulled my trousers off to one side, thereby making the inseam crooked and wonky.

Another thing that really helped with comfort was going to a really stiff 1.75" wide belt. The way, the weight is distributed around my hips more evenly, and I don't have to cinch my belt up so much that I look like the Pillsbury dough boy.
 
I've always been more concerned with OWB carry in regards to printing and someones ability to grab the gun. AIWB always me to control both aspects a lot better. But I do want to try it in the future. It seems like the most comfortable way to carry.