Slide serrations kill my pants! / Smartcarry

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Not sure whether this warrants a new thread.

My Smartcarry pouch (which I really like) positions my PM40 right behind the
zipper of my pants, where the slide serrations are wearing a hole. Talking
about the grooves you grab to work the slide. They are really well-defined,
sharp. I tried the crockstick on the upper corners of the serrations, seemed
to break the edge. Will never sell the 40 as a collector item anyway, it's
a keeper.

Pants-related problem: some pants have a pocket that will flap over the back
of the PM when in the Smartcarry, preventing a smooth draw (read: Barney
Fife fumble). My wife sewed in an extension to the pocket flap that reaches
below the level of the PM. Glad I found this phenomenon at home, however,
any potential attacker would be rendered helpless laughing, seeing me grab
around in my pants for who knows what, cursing, etc.

[jeep45238]

YouTube - Concealment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIG4LjZgDzI)

Get a good hip holster, and a good gun belt - you'll never go back ;)

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But then I would HAVE to wear a vest or something (right?), and I get hot easy.
Maybe I worry too much, don't want to flash my piece and cause a commotion.
I visit banks, lawyer offices, and all kinds of places daily. Usually wear a t-shirt,
not white, tucked in. Shouldn't show through but might "print".
Draw from under a t-shirt cause problems?
What about in winter with a jacket over it? Would want the option to remove
the jacket if I'm indoors too long.

I briefly tried a molded holster with a freind's 9mm at the range.
Kinda like the holster, didn't get to wear it in a car. Smartcarry is out of the
way all the time, even when driving.

I should have titled this "help the poor newbie!"

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I missed the youtube link, will check that out, thanks...A.

[jeep45238]

I never wear a vest, and only wear a jacket when cold.

6/7 days of the week I wear jeans and a t shirt, the other day I wear jeans and a button down shirt.

I have no problems with printing, or drawing, and just fluff the bottom of the shirt a bit if I tuck my shirt in.

I've changed the holster setup a bit since that video, I've kept it riding high, but now have 0* cant. I've found it doesn't conceal quite as good, but it's still very, very, very concealable, but my draw is much, much faster. I'll make that trade off.

The benefit of the MTAC holsters versus the cross breeds are adjustable retention, and you can swap out the holster bodies for $35 instead of having to buy another $80+ holster if you want to carry another gun that day. They're functionally identical other than that aspect.

My daily carry is a 5" 1911, though I'll sometimes carry the largest handgun Kahr makes. Both handle lengths are pretty much the same, and when your'e carrying inside the waistband, that's all you really need to hide anyway. The PM handles are smaaaaaaaaaal and won't print.

I wouldn't worry about printing, I do the bank, UPS, retail stores, auto parts, aerospace repair facilities, speak to CEO's, etc., and have never had a single person suspect I'm carrying a full size gun on me.

Keep in mind that the belt is supporting the weight of the holster and gun - the holster just spreads the weight of the gun out and keeps it in one place. A good gun belt, like a Wilderness Instructors belt, is mandatory for comfort, concealability, and a good quick draw.

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That's a good vid, but I don't like the "shirttail out" look for work,
looks sloppy. I don't need to look fancy, but need to be taken seriously,
in a casual dress mode. Ballcap situation, you know? So far the pants pouch
works well, but I'm open to suggestions.

Ref. the video again:
Something else bothers me, those clips might stand out if I'm standing around, say in a line or in an elevator with someone close behind.
I've seen a tuckable IWB holster online, but it still has those dang clips.

I carry one magazine in the extra pocket of the Smartcarry.
One spare mag goes in my wallet pocket, doesn't seem to show at all,
although one day at the supermarket I pulled out the magazine instead of my
wallet. Duh. Nobody noticed. Pocket mag would eliminate the need for a
belt-type magazine holder, although some fumbling might be required to
draw from the pocket.

Ever seen anybody this messed up?

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Visitors, will check thread again later.

PS: for degree mark hold alt and type 167, comes out like this: º
"Extended ASCII characters"

Thanks again...A.

[jeep45238]

A) Nobody looks at your waist, let's be honest.

B) Haggar shirts are cut flat, no tail, and come an inch or two below the belt - looks clean buttoned and left in the open. Most durable button downs that I own as well ;)

C) Everything has it's place when it comes to the gun setup, and it should be as consistent as possible. Belt mag pouch is mandatory for me, last thing I need is a malfunction/mag issue, go for my second mag, root around in my pocket (cupcake, cupcake, twinkie, mag), and have lint or gunk in the feedlips and jam it all up

D) alt 167 gives me ⁄fl‡ on my Mac:p

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Jeep:
My waist can still be seen but my gut is a distraction.
I was doing button shirts for a long time but they make me sweaty.
Also my socks make my boots smell funny. Buttons might be a little "hoity-
toity" for what I'm doing.

The magazine stays vertical next to the wallet, except for some cargo pants
with big pockets, then it's no good for a quick reload. I also keep one in the SC pouch
which is pretty quick. If I go for the belt setup I would get a mag holder like you showed us.
Maybe a double mag holder? For some reason I like 2 backup mags, assuming I EVER need to
shoot at all and EVER need more than 1 round.

ryoung:
I've heard about the minituck, might check that out too. Horsehide not a
problem unless I smell it and get hungry. Was considering a pocket holster,
quick to drop into a pocket. Freind of mine is LARGE, his Ruger LCP doesn't need
a holster in his pocket, no print. Haven't grilled him on smoothness of draw.

Thanks again you guys, I'll settle in on something, just want to get some
ideas before throwing the money around. I can tell the Smartcarry won't
last forever, is showing signs of wear and not a year old but it's really
concealed. Wore it to a party at a freind's house soon after we both took
the concealed class, he asked me some time later if I ever started carrying
my PM around, I said "your wife knows, she gave me a good hug at your
party". We still talk.

[PigButtons]

If you need to smooth out the serration lines, you can use a fine grit diamond knife sharpener. If you don't have one, one of your friends might. If you are patient and careful it will look like a thin dull line along the edge of the serration. These pics are of the one that I use.

I carry using the Active Pro Gear Defender with the FBI cant for behind the hip, and 0 cant for 12 o'clock behind the zipper. Same location as the Smartcarry but better retention. Also you can just raise it up a little if you need to sit on the throne and the gun stays in place. YMMV

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I'll check that out, thanks. Sounds more versatile...A.

[varoadking]

...why I like the Crossbreed Minituck for my PM45.

The man who makes em' is a Christian. BIG PLUS in my book.

I don't even know how to respond to this...so I guess won't...

[Vinikahr]

OK, so let me clarify. I don't want to buy a holster from Satan.
Does that help you any?

I find that Christian people tend to be HONEST people.

:eek::target::angel: