Concealed Carry for Big Guys

Well, let’s face it. Food is good. BBQ and beer exist. We can’t all look like Brad Pitt in Fight Club. For those of us that like to have fun and maybe have a bit of extra love on us; how can we comfortably exercise our right to self defense and conceal a firearm? In this article, we will address some options for the rest of us normal people. This author identifies as “Pleasantly Plump”, so come with your favorite BBQ and beer-loving buddy to find out the best ways to carry for those of us that actually like to enjoy life.

Concealed Carry for a Big Guy

Regardless of your shape and size I think we all can agree, comfort is key when it comes to carrying a gun. Self protection is important, but no one wants to be uncomfortable feeling like there’s a thorn in your side all day. Choosing the right size of weapon can help, but in today’s market of amazing micro and subcompact guns, it’s not imperative to your ability to conceal.

We’ve learned that to get around the tactical shelf, it’s really about the holster. Typical IWB holsters “ride too high” which is why it can be uncomfortable if your belly is pushing against your pistol grip or the back of the slide (ouch).

We also cannot stress enough, also, the importance of becoming proficient with the weapon you choose to carry! In general, the longer or bigger the weapon you choose is, the more of a challenge it will be to conceal and the more comfort will go out the window. This is not only the case for bigger guys and gals, but for everybody!

A good rule of thumb for choosing the best concealed carry weapon is to find something with the smallest profile but with maximum capacity for ammunition. Maybe our 80% Arms GST-9 MOD1 could be a great option for you! Learn more about choosing the right handgun for you here.

Concealed Carry Positions for Fat Guys

Ok, so you have chosen your concealed carry pistol, now what? Well, now it’s time to sort out where the perfect position to carry that weapon is. One thing that you’ll instantly become familiar with is “printing.” Printing is where the outline of your weapon shows even while underneath your clothing. Believe it or not, in some places, printing can legally be classified as brandishing. Make sure you know your local laws about printing, it could be the difference between a good day and a very bad day!

Let’s look at a few popular carry methods. Most concealed carry guys utilize either in-waistband (IWB) or on-the-waistband (OWB) methods, although those are not the only two options. Some carriers like shoulder holsters, ankle holsters as well as pocket carry!

Appendix Carry - Can you appendix carry if you are fat?

Photo Source: Sofrep

One popular IWB choice is called Appendix Carry. Appendix carry refers to carrying the weapon in front of you, at roughly twelve to one o’clock position inside your waistband, see the picture above as an example.

How do us fat guys appendix carry? Can you appendix carry with some extra fat? Absolutely! Appendix carry is an excellent choice for those of us with a few extra pounds in the gut area, as it can actually help conceal your firearm at times. Although, this is not to say it will work for everyone. If you have an especially large tactical shelf sitting below your chest, chances are appendix carry would not be practical for you and it would be better to carry at the three or four o’clock position or even a completely different carrying style.

While appendix carrying can be a very comfortable way to concealed carry while walking or standing, sitting can cause the weapon’s grip to dig into your midsection, creating a lot of discomfort. The main drawback to appendix carry for big guys is that the gut can completely block access to the gun when you go to draw from your holster and fire.

If you carry a Glock or a GST-9 MOD1 you can take a look at these appendix carry holsters. One of which even has an onboard spare magazine holder!

We would be remiss if we didn’t suggest checking out the Phlster Enigma chassis system for Appendix Carry. The Phlster Enigma is an ingenious little chassis system that you attach your own holster to, that you put on before your pants in the morning and it’s not attached to your belt. That means you don’t need to wear a sturdy gun belt to concealed carry. The Enigma moves with your body, not clothes — meaning less constantly adjusting your holster setup. Lots of big guys don’t like wearing belts so if that’s you, check out this video on the Enigma here.

Ankle Holster

Ankle holsters are another option in general though I wouldn’t really recommend it for every big guy. First of all, you become limited in the size of the weapon you are able to carry (though that doesn’t matter as much now compared to a few years ago) usually to a sub-compact. This position can also be difficult for bigger guys, as one would need to drop to one knee to draw the weapon and depending on your mobility level, this can be a difficult thing to do. For this reason, we don’t usually think this option is the best one but if it works for you, then it works for you!

Ankle Holster - Photo Source: Galco Gun Leather

Shoulder Holsters and you - a potential love story.

Shoulder holsters are another popular carry method, where we don’t see as much in real life compared to it being used in movies and on tv shows. Nice models are usually made out of leather and can cost just as much as the most popular holster company’s product offerings if not more.

Your gun gets positioned on the left or right side of your chest, under your arm and is opposite of your dominant hand. When you draw the weapon, you reach across your chest to do so. This can be a very good option if you have the ability to reach over your chest quickly. This method is an excellent one if you are able to wear a coat to conceal the weapon better. (Full size carry weather, anyone?) Although you are constantly flagging everyone behind you so there's that too. 

A shoulder holster setup. Photo Source: Galco 

3 o’clock Carry

One of the more popular choices, strong side concealed carry can be an excellent choice for us fat guys. If you’re left handed then this becomes 9 o’clock carry for you. This is an inside-the-waistband (IWB) or outside-the-waistband (OWB) position where the gun goes on your hip and is probably the most comfortable for most people in general. Learning how to dress around your piece can be a new challenge for sure.

Strong side IWB is where the weapon is inside your waistband, on your hip with the majority of the pistol concealed inside your pants and just the grip sticking out. This position allows for very easy movement, no gun digging into your legs or the family jewels when you sit and bending over is far easier than with appendix carry. Having the firearm on your side is far more comfortable and is an excellent choice.

If you are a bigger guy that finds this uncomfortable, you might try the same position, but with an outside-the-waistband holster. While having the gun on your belt outside your pants makes the gun more visible, it’s nothing untucking a shirt or wearing a coat can’t hide, so this is a very commonly done option for us big guys! For smaller guys, this might feel uncomfortable as too big of a gun would make one feel unbalanced, almost as if you were lopsided.

Strong Side Carry — Photo Source: US Concealed Carry

Concealed Carry Shirts and Pants for Fat Guys

Clothing choices are absolutely imperative for the mission at hand - concealed carry for fat guys. While many companies make clothing specifically for the concealed carry aficionado, we don’t expect you to just up and toss out your favorite pair of jean shorts there dad, don’t worry. For IWB carry, you should expect to buy a size or two larger simply to fit the gun and the holster comfortably. If you do wear belts regularly, make sure you invest in a quality gun belt as well. It is amazing how much a quality gun belt will make your carry experience much more comfortable. Many great companies make quality concealed carry belts, such as Kore, Nextbelt, Crossbreed, etc. Something that Kore and Nexbelt have in common is that they utilize a ratcheting system which makes adjusting your belt more inconspicuously easier after say you’ve had a nice, stomach-enlarging meal.

Finding shirts designed specifically for concealment is easy, with many companies adding extra room in the midsection to easily conceal a weapon. Our friends over at 5.11 Tactical have many great options to choose from. Something to keep in mind, if your weapon is printing it’s often much easier to remove some of that by wearing patterns. Personally, I find myself wearing flannel shirts a size larger than I normally would just to make sure I do not print at all. Plus, if your wife buys clothes all the time, why shouldn’t you? #2022 Treat yo’self!

Gray Man Theory

Ok, caveat and to play devil’s advocate here — sometimes that flannel and boots look is just too obvious though. If you’re not stepping out of the cab of an 18 wheeler, it might look a little funny depending where you are in public. Gun company themed graphic tees are awesome for the gym and lounging about in but… they can pretty much give you away completely.

You know what doesn’t give you away? Some floral dad hats and oversized anime t-shirts. Now you’re just a hip weeb. No one expects a weeb to be concealed carrying (my editor).

Best Concealed carry Holsters for Big Guys

Photo Source: 80 Percent Arms

Ah yes, the age old question, what is the best concealed carry holster for big guys? To be honest here, answering this question is like wading through a swamp in the jungle in the dead of night with only a Bic lighter for light to see. There are just so many options from so many great companies available for virtually every modern pistol with every possible attachment and for every possible position to carry.

Leather? Nylon? Kydex? Hybrid? Even more options to choose from. We tend to prefer a Kydex or hard nylon holster for our EDC, and the reasoning behind that is simple - it is lightweight, adds an extra level of security and safety. (Although those hybrid leather and kydex holsters from Alien Gear are pretty dang comfy!) Kydex is a stiff thermoplastic and when properly molded for a weapon it can add a level of retention unlike that found on other types of holsters. It’s why kydex has been the dominating standard holster material for the past decade.

That’s because with kydex holsters, you are able to bump your weapon and not need to worry about an accidental discharge. Kydex holsters provide excellent retention for pistols and in a multitude of positional preferences for concealed carrying. Not to give a non-answer, but in essence, what’s the best holster for fat guys? The one that works best for you, in terms of retention, comfort and the position you choose to carry it with. Maybe that's a hardened leather pocket holster, maybe it's  the latest OWB holster from T-Rex Arms (in image above). You do you. 

Fat Guy Holster

We're not trying to be rude, that's literally what this product is called and is what one of our coworkers rock for his daily carry. If you've got a tactical shelf and you need to carry with an IWB setup, take a look at the Fat Guy Holster from JX Tactical.

We all know that no sidecar setup is going to fit comfortably for us even at the 4 or 5 o'clock position right? Even if it did, you'd have to switch to your off hand to be able to grab your secondary magazine if the situation called for it. An awkward maneuver, to be sure. 

This puppy from JX Tactical works precisely because it's not a sidecar, a kydex IWB solution, but mainly because it sits lower than how other holster companies make them. Other popular holster brands ride higher which means that the pistol grip will print more easily for us fluffy fellas. Just look at how our buddy is able to carry a full size G17 WITH an extended magazine for his every day carry. It just looks like he has his phone in his pocket right? Very impressive. 

Dialing in your Concealed Carry Setup

So, you’ve chosen the most comfortable concealed carry gun for your body size, you’ve gotten your clothing choices sorted and a great holster/belt combo to boot. What comes next? Well, you know what we are going to say - it’s time to train. Train often and safely. Wear your concealed carry rig around the house or while doing yard work.

Make tiny adjustments to the holster and positioning on your body to get it just right. Rome wasn’t built in a day and it will take time to dial in all the details to get your concealed carry rig just right, especially for us big guys! Spend time drawing your pistol in front of a mirror. Use snap caps if you want to simulate the real weight and be extra safe.

Should the need for you to draw your pistol arise you will literally have only a few seconds to do so. Concealed carry is another level of preparedness, one that many are not comfortable doing and when you take on that responsibility it also comes with the responsibility to practice and train. Consider taking a couple or few classes to learn your rig inside and out.

Many instructors like to share knowledge from Navy Seals’ training indoctrination and for good reason. One gold nugget is the fact that when it’s “go time” your body and mind will revert to your base level of training. The saying goes, “you’re only as good as your worst day of training.”

Remember your ABC’s — Always Be Carrying.

Congratulations on taking the first steps to concealed carry, researching the topic! We applaud that you have decided to exercise your right as a citizen to carry a weapon for self-defense. Thanks for hanging out with your buddies here at 80% Arms for a little bit. When you take the next steps on your concealed carry journey, we hope you will consider us for your needs! We actually carry some holsters for Glock-style handguns so check them out here! Until next time, thanks for reading, Godspeed and have a great day! And remember, always be carrying.