I've been a handgun owner/shooter for years, but never carried on a daily basis. Thinking about picking up a Glock 43 or XDS, and am looking for input on getting used to conceal carrying. Mainly, do I need to buy jeans/pants that are a couple of inches larger than I normally wear? I'd rather not be that obvious conceal-carry guy who always wears a vest or jacket even when its 100 degrees out. And does it take long to get used to having the gun on your hip? Particularly when doing things like getting in and out of a vehicle and other movement where it might seem really noticeable. Anything else related to getting comfortable with this? thanks

I went from big gun inside waste band (horrible) to big gun in ankle holster (much better but slow acquisition) to Bersa Thunder 380 in my pocket. Now I'm going to try big gun in shoulder rig.

high quality paddle holster. ez on, ez off. if its too much trouble you wont carry. look at tucker gunleather

If you are going to use a belt holster get a dedicated gun belt made for the purpose. It will support the weapon and make it much easier to carry. I prefer inside waistband in which case pants would be one size larger, very easy to conceal with an untucked shirt.

Agree on the belt suggestion above, again, go to Tucker Gunleather. You will learn allot about a real "gunbelt" .

Please remember, In My Opinion only, there are allot of "gimmicks" out there, carrying a handgun in or out of your waist is a pain, a necessary pain but a pain nonetheless. main reason most say they do but don't carry is it is just flat a pain to "saddle-up" your gear everyday multiple times a day. Especially if your trying to conceal a "big, heavy" pistol. Even a fully loaded Springfield XDs .45 is heavy.

After the open carry is signed into law (January 1st, 2016, I think) It will be easier to carry a bigger rig because if it accidently "shows" you are still legal. So a shoulder rig or OWB will work.

Remember, you get what you pay for....

Buy the best gun belt and holster you can afford. You want quality and comfort or you'll be prone to leaving your gun at home. This falls into the category of buy once cry once.

I went from carrying a 4.25" 1911.45 OWB to IWB. Now I carry a 3.25" 1911.45 in my cargo pants pocket. I don't carry every day, but most of the time when out with the family. Here in Fl, accidental exposure or imprinting is not a crime.

I have a Springfield XD45 (4" version) that I do not feel like I can hide well with anything less than an un-tucked flannel shirt.

I recommend the crossbreed holsters and a heavy belt like a beltman belt.

I have a RUger LCR 38 that I can put in my shorts pocket and go anywhere ina T shirt and nobody could tell that the lump in my pocket is not a set of keys

I recommend Beltman also, I have his belts too.

Have been slipping my .45, XDs in a cargo pocket but it bout pulls my pants off. Here's my plan

I'm looking VERY closely at the new, Kimber Micro, in a pocket holster and my Seekins 14.5" .223 in my car.

I carried daily for a couple of years, I carried IWB, for pants, I wore the ones that had a hidden elastic that would expand by 1 1/2 inches. I carried a Kahr K9 in a Milt Sparks Heritage holster with matching belt. Your body shape will dictate where and how you carry. A fairly good OWB rig is a Hulme JIT which is fairly inexpensive.

I have gone through many many holster, small of back, inside waist band, outside waistband, shoulder holsters, you name it and I have tried it. I got tired of having to buy pants/shorts that were 1-2 sizes bigger because when I didn't carry they would double over or fall off. About a year ago I bought an FFR from East, made to my specks for my Glock 26. It's a simple holster that rides on my hip in the 3-4 o'clock position, it never moves, and is comfortable for all day carry. I often forget it's there and have to do a hip check to make sure I brought it.

For your needs, you shouldn't have a problem concealing a 43, it's small, and unless you are only 100lbs, I can't see a way it will print or show. My sister carries a S&W bodyguard on her hip.

Everybody needs to think about open carry vs concealed, as there is a big difference. Most conceal carry holsters don't have a mechanical retention, they are simply friction lock holsters. That's fine for concealed, but for open carry that maes it very easy to have your weapon removed. Aside from that, if you're using a IWB holster now, how are you going to use that if you open carry? I'm not saying get a drop leg holster, because those are stupid, but consider how your clothing is going to change. I recommend a security level 1 holster, something that has either a thumb break, a finger switch to release the gun, or some other mechanical release. I don't want to hear that they are slower, I have a security level 3 that I wear everyday, that's 3 levels of security that have to be passed before the gun can be removed from the holster and I, just like all others that have to use these, can have the gun out and on target in under a second.

Off my

I don't think you would need to buy larger pants to IWB carry unless you wear skin tight jeans or something like that, especially with one of the small pistols you mentioned. If anything, it might mean you use one less belt hole.

For IWB, it's hard to beat a simple holster, and East / FFR makes a great one (I have one for G19).

And I agree with BigPig on another point... I think people who are just beginning to carry concealed are too worried about whether or not they are going to print their handgun (I was). I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, as I don't think you can be too safe when it comes to firearms. But, the fact is, the person carrying is going to be 10000x more aware of the pistol on his/her waist than anyone else around him/her (who won't even know it is there). It is not like most people habitually walk around looking at other people's waist line to see if they are carrying a firearm that might... just might... be printing a little. If you think you are printing when you get out of the car (or whenever), a quick readjustment of your pants or shirt so that it lays more smoothly and you are good to go, very few people will be any more the wiser.

All that to say, I don't think you would have a problem carrying the G43 or XDs, if printing is a concern.

I stare at waist lines all the time, that's my excuse for checking out that cute girls tush

Great input, thanks everyone!

Great post...thanks. Wife and I are just about to get our ccl's. I have a shield 40 and I'm thinking either cargo pocket or IWB would be okay. I got a bit of a gut (not fat but not skinny either.). Really don't want anything diggin in my side. Totally looking for comfort.

I have learned that the right holster makes all the difference in the world. Once your comfortable with your holster and belt setup, you tend to care less about printing issues.

Like many have already stated, a proper belt and holster are key to comfortably conceal carrying.

I generally switch between two pistols: a very small and light Sig P938 and a much larger and heavier CZ 75 Compact clone (Tristar C-100). I'm 6' 185lb and wear a 34" waste. My IWB holsters of choice are Alien Gear. I have the new tuck 3.0 on order now. I wear a Volcom belt.

I think it was Clint Smith who said something to the effect that carrying a sidearm is not supposed to be comfortable; it's supposed to be comforting. As others have said, the key is a proper holster and gun belt. Don't skimp on either one, accept that there will be a short period of getting used to carrying, and suck it up.

One other thing...don't forget a spare magazine carrier for a reload.

StaelthGearUSA

I see everyone commenting on the IWB but I look at it a little differently in that you need to both dress to conceal but also be able to conceal how you dress as well. For me during the week an IWB wouldn't work due to a jacket and dress shirt and the moving around I do all day. For me the pocket carry works the best. Yes the means I have to move to a .380 and it does mean more range time to stay proficient with such a little gun, but for me that is what works best for how I live me daily life as well.

On the weekends I typically still carry in the pocket but this is also due to consistency. I can draw from the pocket quickly and I am proficient where as if I started doing IWB I would need more practice and given the time that I needed to draw I would rather know exactly where my gun is and not have to take the second to think "pocket or hip" and then pull.

I honestly think though that no matter what you buy you are going to keep buying more. I have dozens of holsters that I have bought (both expensive and cheap) and used for a couple of weeks and then moved to another one until I find one that I like. Then if I buy a new gun I am back to it all over again. A lot of getting used to it is trial and error and lots of internet research and talking to others that carry.

IMO The easiest way to carry is in your boot.

Maybe easy to carry, but how quick and easy is it to get on target?

I think they key is practice, practice, and more practice. Choose you sidearm, find a comfortable carry position, and practice the draw and firing follow-up shots.

Quicker than having nothing at all