Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hey guys, some veteran advice from the fullsized handgun ccw crowd would be appreciated here.
I've been carrying for a few years and prefer compact handguns although currently I'm carrying a subcompact G26 appendix IWB or 4-5 o'clock kydex paddle holster with it being cold out. Summers I like to keep it in my pants..
I like appendix carry because I'm built pretty lean, it dissapears and you're going to have a damn hard time taking it away from me. It doesn't constrict my movement with compacts or subcompacts but I can see a G21 being too much gun for appendix carry with the longer barrel, wider slide and larger grips, I may be getting poked in the thigh and the ribs with that setup and I may not have the range of motion I like. I prefer a setup I can run, fight, pick up my daughter, whatever. I've noticed allot of guys carry fullsized 1911's right at 3 o'clock, on my body type and this not being the thinner frame of a 1911 anyways, 3 o'clock prints on me generally. Even with compacts.
I am thinking closer to 5 o'clock at a very hard cant may be my best bet but I am open to all suggestions, this is obviously going to call for a holster purchase. I think I would like to try a kydex sheath leather back, 2 clip style, although these can't be adusted for cant can they? I quite liked my Kydex Nano holster frome bladetech.. My father has a leather( Galco? ) for his 1911 that is a single metal clip that is offset and holds the gun at the stronger cant I spoke of and seemed to work well for me minus strong retention.. I like to have pretty solid retention when my pistol is behind me.
I'm just trying to throw out some personal info/interests- I'm all ears, I'd rather hear it from some guys with more experience and time carrying a larger gun. Money is tight for me and I went all in on a gen 4 G21. The G26 is on loan and multiple handguns are not currently an option for me..I'm more concerned with Summer carry.

I don't think full-size Glock .45s are designed for concealed carry. You might as well be looking for a perpetual motion machine.

That's a big gun to carrying concealed. Might be able to do it, but it's going to be clothing dependant. The extra barrel length and slide width aren't the biggest problems in my experience (I've CCed a 5" 1911 for awhile). It's the grip length and width that print so easily, particularly on a double stack .45. Of course we can all take static pictures and show how it's possible to CC a Desert Eagle, but it's really about how it conceals while you're going about your business. For Kydex, I've been very happy with Raven Concealment systems, at least for OWB. Exactly at 3oclock is very difficult, but slightly behind the hip, say 3:30, works well for most things. You are going to need a heavy cant (unless your thick) to avoid the concealed 2x4 look.

For summer, OWB and a loose, un-tucked shirt are your friend.

full sized+concealed generally equals fail.

Or you will need to make a major concession to clothing for over garments that will make concealment possible.

I'll sometimes run a full-size USP, 4-ish, but can't do it without a loose fitting over shirt.

I have not carried a full size but quite often carry my wife's G19. I am 6'1" and lean, have no issues carrying that with the Galco summer comfort IWB at a 4 oclock. I custom ordered a Milt Sparks for my M&P with the government cant and am very pleased with that as well. It can be done with a full size but if you do I think one of the better holster makers would be the best option.

I carry the G21c as my ccw and I use the very nice owb Galco high-rise Fletch leather holster. I am 6'3" & 270 so I could carry my 686 357 S&W 8" barrel as a ccw if I wanted to.

My backup is a G17c and use the same model holster from Galco.

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Raven Concealment AIWB is my setup. Can carry a full size or compact M&P in there. I want to try the new G Code AIWB that also has a mag carrier as well. Looks pretty slick.

I also carry OWB in a Raven Phantom holster if its cold enough to wear a coat or even a flannel, but in the summer I print due to being tall and skinny.

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Save up some money and get a Glock 30. It can use the same mags as the 21 so sharing mags will help save some cash. You've got until it gets warm to save for it.

Trust me, you don't want to conceal carry a Glock 21. If you find a way to do it comfortably, with accessibility, and truly concealed; please bless us with the knowledge.

I found that with a fobus paddle holster, the 21 with a light jacket that drops below the muzzle is the best way to conceal carry it. Keep in mind that VA is an open carry state and if it just so happens that someone notices your concealed firearm, you won't get in any trouble. (Unless you are sans permit.)

For my needs and body type I think Fireman Bob nailed it pretty well. Problem solved. Keeping the G21in the family and buying another gun. It was kind of a surprise gift from my Dad coming back from a gunshow to stack more ammo. I was pretty f'in surprised to say the least. I felt kinda obligated to take it but since he wants me to pay him back for it- at a great price- I just have to pass. He's keeping it so I still get to shoot it at the range. I'm at the tail end of my divorce, my daughter is now in Florida and I need something on the opposite end of the spectrum just out of practicality. That had been my plan originally, to start rebuilding my handgun collection from small to large, picking her up in Florida with a G21 is just a bad idea. I have a valid FL. permit, I think open carry is legal, can't remember, but open carry with my daughter with me I don't like. Last thing in the world I want is to experience is a gun grab attempt with my little girl with me. I'll let someone know I have a gun when I feel the need. Kinda (waaaay opposite) debating the xds or a 3.8 compact. I'm leaning xds and then a 3.8 when I can afford it...but that's a whole new topic. Thanks for your input But I'm going back to the drawing board on this one..oh yeah, the P-o1 is no longer in the arsenal so I definately need a good carry piece..

For a well-concealed double-stack, I find it hard to beat a G26 in an IWB holster. Especially if you're thin. A pair of jeans that fit loosely at the waist and a tuckable holster work great, even with a tennis shirt or button-down tucked in and slightly bloused over your belt. The Israeli holsters sold by 7.62 Precision are tuckable and inexpensive, and I'm sure other companies make comparable or nicer ones.

Single-stacks are a no-brainer.

any opinions on the beretta PX4 for a carry?

I conceal carry a Sig p226 full frame 40 S&W. When I wear suspenders or a short shirt, I use a Galco IWB STO 248. When I have on a belt and a longer shirt I use the Galco Matrix 7X (M7X248).

Random Web PIC I found for them.

I carried a Beretta 92FS (comparable in size to a G21) IWB with a Comp-Tac Minotaur holster for about a year, in PA and MD. Never got called out for printing or noticed, that I know of. I later picked up a G19, which was lighter, and thus became my daily carry.

A G21 shouldn't be too much with the right holster, that is depending on your clothing style and body type as always. I would OC my G21 but will likely be looking for a G30S for CCW personally... especially since it should fit my existing Minotaur holster designed for 9mm/.40/.357 SIG glocks.