- Comfort Tac Brand Team
Fat guys need to feel the love, too—especially when we're trying to find the most comfortable spot to holster our pistols. We're not like the hardbodies who can holster their weapon on their hips like a fashion accessory; it takes some trial and error to get it right.
Why specific holsters for fat guys?
The problem for the paunchy is that your holster and pistol shouldn't bother you when you bend—hinge your hips, in orthopedic lingo. If your waist is high on your torso—your pants sit on your belly button, rather than riding low on your hips—then you can carry close to the front. One advantage of that great spare tractor tire is that it provides natural camouflage for your gun belt, no matter where your pants sit.
A fact of life in the heavyweight class is that for big guys, your waistband is really the only place you can conceal your gun and still be able to draw it with any speed. An ankle holster just isn't realistic when you're shaking a bowl full of jelly, and a shoulder holster has two problems—it's only concealed under a jacket, and you have to be pretty trim and fit to draw it in less than ten minutes.
Where is the best place to position holsters for fat guys?
Husky fellows carry their extra weight in different ways, so there's no one best place for you to carry your holster.
We recommend you try different positions and see which one is most comfortable for your girth. Embrace your curves—literally—when you're experimenting with not only where on your circumference to place the holster, but also the longitude. When there's this much to love, you do have a lot to work with.
For these examples, consider your belly button midnight and your crotch 6 o'clock. Rock around the clock to find the best way for big guys to conceal carry.
1. Just past one—or almost midnight
Let's start with the area between your fly and front pocket. A holster that nestles in this spot is called an appendix carry because it sits more or less in front of your appendix if you're right-handed. If you can bend over or squat without your gun getting up close and personal with the jewel box, you've hit on the right spot. Otherwise, it's time to move the hour hand forward.
There is some concern about safety with this position; if you're using an appendix carry, be sure to check the pistol's safety before you re-holster it. See protecting the jewel box, above.
2. 2 o'clock shuffle
Most men have quite the topography around a generous middle, and there's a nice valley between your love handles on the sides and girth. That's the best place to start with snuggling in your holster—your body fat conceals the holster beautifully and hides any printing from the weapon. The only drawback is that this spot halfway around your middle might not be the most comfortable for sitting.
Halfway round is an easy place to reach for your weapon to draw it. If you're left-handed, move the holster around to 10 o'clock on the other side.
3. Take the stock to 3 o'clock
If the two o'clock stomp doesn't work for you, move up an hour to three—nine if you're left-handed. If you're using an IWB (inside the waistband) holster, it's possible the upper edge will stick out a bit over the waist on your pants, but this won't be a problem as long as you're not wearing a crop top. The holster is barely noticeable unless someone is actively looking for it.
The upside of the 3 o'clock spot is that it's the most natural for drawing your pistol, right where your hand naturally hangs. It's also the most comfortable for daily activities, like walking and driving.
4. 5 o'clock isn't always quitting time
It's true that it's always 5 o'clock somewhere, even around your roly poly middle. Some men find that placing the holster just behind your love handles at 5 or 7 is the best place for pudgy fellows to place their pistols. This is not the best position if you drive a lot since the holster might not sit well after several hours behind the wheel.
What's better for husky boys—IWB or OWB?
Big guy holsters come in two placements—inside (IWB) or outside (OWB) the waistband. As with anything in life, there are pros and cons to each one.
Inside the Waistband (IWB) Holsters for Fat Guys
If concealing your weapon is the most important thing for you, then an IWB, like a belly band holster, is definitely the best option. A stretchy band fits all but the biggest girths, and sits below your waistline (under the jelly roll), mostly inside your pants. The only reason an IWB won't work is if you have a really low waist; then it won't be comfortable to wear for very long.
One huge advantage of an IWB is that you can wear it anywhere on your torso—behind the hip, in a cross draw, mid-back, appendix position, or deep in your waistband for total concealment.
Outside the Waistband (OWB) Holsters for Fat Guys
If you don't mind an unconcealed carry, then try an OWB. This kind of holster is old school wild wild west stuff that attaches to your belt. Your body type just doesn't matter when the gun is attached to your belt, so there's no worry about bending over or back pain. An OWB is fairly well concealed under an untucked shirt or loose fitting jacket. An OWB means that you do have to pay some attention to your wardrobe, but most chunky fellas don't wear form fitting clothes, anyway. You lose some concealment, but you do gain a lot of comfort. If your tummy makes it necessary to cinch your belt, then an OWB is definitely the answer.
Conclusion
Don't let your pulchritude get in the way of your concealed carry. Find the right device to carry your pistol, and play with the positioning until you find the best fit for your love handles.