Today, when I took R to work, I noticed I moved my IWB back about an inch on my belt, it’s more comfortable there BUT when it’s in the position there’s a line in my sweat shirt caused by the bottom edge of the mag. I wouldn’t call it printing and it’s not a glaring, noticeable thing but it’s there. If I move it forward about an inch it lays flat on the fat of my chubby belly, I know, I’ve started back to the gym and paying better attention to my diet.
So what do you chose? Comfort or Stealth?
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Lefty in appendix position is a good balance of comfort and stealth for me.
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I will always lean towards comfort. The reason is, if you aren’t comfortable wearing the firearm, you may stop wearing it and that is worse.
The concern for printing is important but I think sometimes it’s looked into too much. I think as the ones carrying the firearm, we think it is more visible than it really is.
Both of these could be fixed depending on the location and holster. What is your exact setup currently?
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I think it’s a spectrum of comfort and concealability. It is relevant. And it depends.
It depends becuase if I’m out and about in my home state doing personal stuff, I don’t care that much if I’m printing a little here and there. I’d err towards comfort rather than concealment in that circumstance. I live in an open carry state, have seen folks open carry, and have seen folks print. I agree with @Tim.D_USCCA that we think it is more visible than it really is. Normal day to day carry is a Glock 19 in a Crossbreed Supertux deluxe or a Bravo concealment.
On the other hand, if I am in an environment where I really don’t want to get found out, I do trade some comfort for deep concealment. In those environments I’m using a Crossbreed belly band which is typically less comfortable than the aforementioned holsters.
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Kimber EVO SP w/stock Kimber mag. in a Muddy River Tactical Leather IWB. Carried between 4:00 and 5:00 O’clock
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It’s amazing what most people don’t notice. They’re too wrapped up in their own world.
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It would be great to have them both but if I have to choose one it would be comfort. I really don’t believe there are too many people paying attention to who’s carrying.
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And living in a concealed/open carry allowed state makes it less important…
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I’m strictly stealth, no matter how much pain I need to endure! After a year, the indentations in my strong side hip are permanent, and it’s where my sidearm sits! I’ve embraced the the pain/pleasure I get from being completely undetectable. I’ve mentioned once before, the only way anyone can detect my sidearm is with a metal detector!
I’ve walked among many people at gallery openings, auctions, art shows/fairs, conventions, shopping during the holidays, many of these gatherings are close contact! Closer than bad breath distances, I’m talking hugging and kissing distances (pre Covid-19), not a single detection!
Stealth is an art when this is your piece!
9mm’s are easy to hide and probably more comfortable than a 3” .45 ACP fully loaded w/one in the chamber!
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I Appendix carry and find it very comfortable with great concealment, since I finally found the perfect holster for me.
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I choose stealth, and I judge stealthiness not by “most people” or “sheep buried in their phones” noticing, because they aren’t threats, I judge stealth by, might the street experienced criminal who knows what to look for be able to tell? Because that’s who I am worried about, not Ken behind me who is busy on IG.
…and this is why I have probably 50 damn holsters at least. Every person + belt + gun requires a just right holster that is in the just right place at the just right cant.
It can take awhile, sometimes, to find that perfect fit.
It’s out there though.
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Depends. Let’s say a suit is required anywhere I may be going, I’ll choose stealth. If not, little bit baggier casual is the choice. We all simply have to adapt for what meets our requirements.
I’d be perfectly content if a dual revolver holster bandolier were thefashio. It ain’t, sooooo…
TBH, it all boils down to mission requirements and budget parameters for each of us to be as respnonsibly armed & ready for threats in our own little spheres of life. Then it comes to, what are you willing to do to be safe from threats. And a CCM article once pointed out if we get hurt, it results in our family being hurt. To protect them best we may, we gotta protect ourselves best we may first……kinda like oxygen masks in an airplane. You’re instructed to don your own before helping another. If u don’t, you’ll quickly both be dead…
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Nice looking piece and holster 
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My stealthy carry is very comfortable. I made sure that I chose an option that was the best of both worlds. I carry appendix in a sidecar holster. I drove all the way from Alabama to Texas, back in October, without needing to remove it.
It conceals so well that the police officer at my church did not even believe I was carrying one day, even with a slim-fitting t-shirt.
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I started wearing A-frame undershirts, now I don’t have to worry about either. Put it where it needs to be. Help keep you warm now, manage sweat in the summer it seems.
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I choose context. If I’m wearing a garment which covers well by color, pattern, fit, and texture — I drift toward comfort. In a garment which doesn’t cover so well — I suck it in for stealth. If I will be closely observed by many people in good light, I go for stealth. If I will be more isolated in subdued light, comfort. And so forth. Depends what I have to work with.
I don’t know whether @Mike164 can move his inch back and forth without coming undone to get around a belt loop or something. I usually have more than that, and use it during the course of a day to go from comfort to stealth and back depending on my context for the next little while. Make only conscious adjustments while I have some privacy in the can, in my car, in an obscure corner, or whatever to avoid fiddling in public but maximize comfort while I may and privacy when I should.
I live without much worry of causing a random shopper to have a panic attack, but I am reasonably serious about not wanting to be made by the people who provide my cause to carry in the first place.
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Yep, there’s enough room to move without taking anything apart. I just slide it.
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As some others mentioned here, in todays world of the vast majority of people living in awareness condition white, no one will see it on you. If they do, unless they are similarly like minded and carry themselves, they’ll think it’s a cell phone.
I bought some new Nine Line Apparel T-shirts the other day. It was the first time in a long time I bought white ones. The black t-shirts I usually wear make all my bumps look less bumpy, so stick maybe to black or very dark colored shirts.
A side note: Sunday when we went out for breakfast, and then shopping I had ZERO % printing. I looked down at some point to see my holster empty! For only the 3rd time in my life I left my EDC in the nightstand at home. I felt naked the entire day!
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Awesome! Have you considered trying a Kydex holster? The reason I ask is that, with a Kydex holster, you can add a wing to it. The wing really helps pull the grip in closer to your body and hides it better without making it less comfortable.
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1st of all, BEAUTIFUL gun!
2nd, I love to hear when anyone is willing to do that. A lot of us are willing to give up that comfort, but some aren’t (especially when they are new to it) so I don’t want everyone to think that they have to give up all comfort to carry completely stealth.
I will always stand by the idea that we think our firearm is showing more than it really is. I am fortunate to work where we are allowed to carry and in a building filled with concealed carriers who we know are carrying, even then it’s not usually noticeable unless intentionally looking for it.
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