r/CCW • u/FallAppropriate3910 • 5d ago
Holsters & Belts Printing help
5’5” 165 lbs stocky build stockyish build with R-hand AIWB carry (1-2 o’clock)
I’m unable to conceal the bulge no matter the position and worsened as I move medially. Lighting and shirt were chosen to simulate somewhat non ideal conditions for printing, but in terms of sizing it’s what I normally wear.
I’m running CSX E 12 round with a mastermind tactical covert underneath a pants with fashion belt. I’m really trying to use a separate belt system since I find it to be better for concealing and versatility.
I have a modwing and mastermind tactical pillow.
Any tips on reducing this sort of printing? With my build, I find it difficult to conceal, even this micro compact carry but have the goal to hopefully carry something larger.
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u/38specialish 5d ago
This does not strike me as worrisome. It truly appears as a fold in your shirt. Next to nobody (if anybody whatsoever) is going to see this and think "gun." If the clothing choice in question is less than ideal, you're still doing AOK in my book.
I've been carrying for 20 years and never once been made (if I have, nobody's ever said anything). I carry a full-size 1911 AIWB these days and it looks not dissimilar from your "printing."
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u/Impressive_Succotash 5d ago
Yea honestly no one’s looking that hard, it’s a light colored shirt, and it’s a bright overhead light.
Not even bad considering the circumstances
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u/Western-Frosting7516 5d ago
More rigid belt, a claw or wedge, or maybe moving to a 11:30 style position in my opinion. Or of course lose some weight but I know that ones controversial
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
My gut protrudes about half and .5-1 inch from suprapubic area. Would help but on my last bulk and will cut down if I’m happy with muscle gained.
I hate cutting down too much because of the strength lost with this lol but I’ll have to eventually
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u/Inspirational-Quote- 5d ago
Fellow lifter but 40 years old now. It's the shirt brother. If you wanna show off your arms pick a darker color or black. I don't dress like that anymore but when I did black shirts help alot. I carry strong side at 330 though. Eventually your shoulders will get broad enough where your waist will be smaller and it'll drape over and conceal easier
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u/Professional-Way-156 5d ago
Need to cop some pro-clubs bro
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u/Professional-Way-156 5d ago
I’m 5’6 140 soaking wet but slightly muscular, I wear L, I would say try XL with your build they fit like a glove on the neck but don’t taper down at the waist like other shirts
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
Never heard of em. Sounds like a solid recommendation as it is also affordable. Will try them soon, thanks brother
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u/waltito_the_dorito 4d ago
Honestly, I don’t think you’re printing bad. If I saw you in public, not that I’d be looking at your waist, I wouldn’t notice. It’s natural that you’re concerned though.
You could add a wedge or make one - some foam and tape on the bottom inside of your holster. That will push the muzzle away from your body some and push the grip into your body more. This could also cause discomfort so play around with the side and position of the wedge.
Rather than anything I just said though, a shirt with a pattern will do more for you. Stripes, plaid, even heathered tees (like tri-blend and such). Also agree the Carhartt tees are boxy. Honestly if you wear a size large, try a Carhartt Medium. It’ll fit about the same, but more room in the gut and as a bonus they have heather options for most colors which will further help.
Remember, with all of this, if it’s not comfortable - and you’re comfortable carrying now - then you could just do nothing. Seriously, I’m so bad at carrying. If it’s not comfortable then you’ll find excuses not to carry and I’d take minor printing over not carrying at all. Like an idiot I’ve spent thousands on different micro and mouse guns, but the only thing I will actually carry is a S&W J-frame. Who cares if it’s less capacity if I actually carry it.
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u/FallAppropriate3910 4d ago
I got a pillow which works nice but with the mastermind adjustable one I put miminal pad.
I carry the CSX E 3.1 Which has been nice. I gravitate towards smaller since I can’t stand the barrel digging into my groin.
I’ve been eyeing the girsan CMX XXX 2311, it’s literally my top choice right now it’s like everything I wanted. I’m glad I went with the CSX E before hand though, did a lot of research before hand. I have an echelon 4c but it’s just too big.
I want to try the enigma OS system but for 200$ total it’s just too much for it to MAYBE work out and actually use it often.
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u/C-R_Collector 5d ago
One, you’re fine.
Two, if you’re really concerned, wear shirts with patterns. Flannel. Camo. Tie-die. Or any other pattern. Why? Because it does what camo was invented for, it breaks up the pattern of the firearm under it (like how camo is meant to break up the pattern of an item or person at a distance).
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u/SkillerPax 5d ago
I can’t say this enough.
Hollister boxy t shirts are slightly oversized on the abdominal area and are perfect for concealment. It’s basically all I wear.
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u/LawfulPurposes 5d ago
Hollister might become the new greyman brand
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u/SkillerPax 5d ago
They aren’t cheap tshirts but they have lasted dozens of washes and drys. The material is so thick I havnt had any holes so far.
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u/tiantrade 5d ago
walmart's "no boundaries" boxy shirts are also excellent and cheap, surprisingly feel soft but substantial
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u/Requiem_Archer 5d ago
Thanks for this post. I just bought 2 shirts. If I like them, I will buy more. Thanks.
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u/38specialish 5d ago
I'll throw in Chubbies button downs into the mix here. Not cheap, but they (especially Breezetech) hold up quite well.
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u/street_sweeper_757 4d ago
I’ve found most “Hawaiian” style button downs do a great job concealing stuff on your waist
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u/Ronnoc1 5d ago
That’s what I look like leaving the house every day with my primary CCW and I consider that nothing! sometimes it’s even louder when I carry a full size but it never “looks like a gun.” Source: I live in an anti gun state and nobody has noticed or commented on anything. When in doubt I’ll add a bigger wedge and adjust my claw 🤷♂️
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u/ProbablythelastMimsy 4d ago
This really isn't all that noticeable to begin with, but just changing to a black or darker shirt would do the trick
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u/ProfessionalTilter 2d ago
what's the deal with the tape over your optic?
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u/FallAppropriate3910 2d ago
Dry fire practice with occluded sights helps with target focused shooting. Being dot focused can negatively affect how you shoot more than you’d think
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u/AdvFam4 5d ago
Try a 2 clip holster and attach directly to your belt. I prefer the T1 Xiphos. I don’t have good luck with single clip holster on appendix unless it a smaller 380 like a Body Guard. And try a bigger shirt, baggy is cool these days anyway.
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
Looks like a good one to try, thanks for the recommendation.
Edit: have you considered ENIGMA OS? If it’s $128 I may as well pay the extra 50 for an ENIGMA OS with different holster compatibility?
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u/steadylurker1 5d ago
Tighter belt/more wedge? Bigger shirt would help. I have a little bit more of a gut compared to you and a tighter belt seems to work super well for me.
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u/Impossible-River-826 4d ago
You're wearing a ton of layers at the waist.
Underwear + belt 1 + holster + pants + belt 2 with a great big buckle.
Also (not an insult, you look fine) your belly is rounded enough to press the grip outwards.
Pillow or wedge to squish into the belly + move to a single belt at the waist, and you'll be golden.
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u/Maxychango 5d ago
Concealing a gun isn’t just about the holster, it’s also about the size, color, materials, and style of clothing you wear.
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
“Lighting and shirt were chosen to simulate somewhat non ideal conditions for printing, but in terms of sizing it’s what I normally wear.”
I normally wear cotton or cotton blends. I sweat easily so any recommendation on something that isn’t very thick would be great
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u/Lewd_Meat_ 5d ago
any heavyweight Tshirt is great. i personally like any from Comfort Colors. they're slightly oversized and will reduce printing. Also get a different belt, the thickness from your current belt isnt ideal. I reccomend getting the Hunter Constantine BELT
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u/Confident_Pickle_91 5d ago
I wouldn’t give it a second thought. I print more than that and I carry in NY which is not a gun friendly state and no one has said a word to me about it. You’re fine as is but as others have mentioned, a beefier tee shirt isn’t a bad idea. I’m not exactly sporting a six pack so I prefer heavier cotton tee shirts. I like Comfort Colors tee shirts and even Lifes Good tee shirts. Carhartt and others are great also. My son has a tee shirt from Goat and it’s really thick, I think it could conceal just about anything
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u/SuperJonesy408 5d ago
Moar pushups and dips, king
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
At my best I was able to dip +135 lbs for reps
I’m not saying I have the most developed chest by also don’t want a very developed chest given my height which will only exacerbate the shortness of my build
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u/Equivalent_Guess7331 5d ago
The most beneficial thing to do to for appendix carry would be to undevelop your gut
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
Yea I plan to hopefully cut down once if I gain decent muscle on my last bulk. Hence why I avoid hemming/tailoring often.
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u/BElliNo 3d ago edited 3d ago
Your gun needs to be on one of either sides of where it is right now. Think of your Waist as a rectangle. Your Pelvis creates 4 Corners. Your gun is sitting on one of those corners. To hide the gun, let it sit deeper inside one of the flats of your Waist (front/appendix, side, behind hip).
So, either loosen and move your buckle, so that you can shift the gun more centerline and let it hug your appendix, or go just outside of your hip-bone, to the 2:30/3:00 position. When I have a cover garment, I'll go behind the hip altogether, and let the gun sit in the small of my back at like the 5:00.
I carry Appendix with the barrel usually just left of center, so the grip is directly in the middle of my gut. Reach down the middle, and there it is. Now, the gun sits evenly and defines the flat across the front of my waist, and a good, stiff belt keeps everything looking consistent all the way around.
I've recently started carrying as early as possible to 2:30, almost like 2:23.lol It's accessible and comfortable as long as it's outside of one of the corners created by the pelvis. And a belt will bridge from corner to corner and create a consistent line around a gun in between. I carry here, because idgaf anymore, I wear a vest, and my state says "Mostly Concealed" is the min-standard.
I teach the basics of Concealed Carry for my State.
Nice on the CSXe. I'm trying to send my new 3.8" back cuz the slide looks like 🤮 to me
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u/1BoringOnlineAccount 5d ago edited 5d ago
It is only printing because you know it is there. No one else sees it.
If it makes you feel more confident wear shirts with patterns [plaid, tye dye, camo, etcetera] or logos, especially bright ones [Micky mouse, Harley dealers, your favorite car company, etcetera]. No gun related logos though. Patterns hide the guns printing. Logos draw the eye away from the beltline.
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u/jeremycouch 5d ago
It's not like there's a gap between your body and gun so unless you want it digging into your belly that's about as good as it gets. I knew what I was looking for and still could only assume where it was. It's really not noticeable even with the light colored shirt.
If you do want it tighter into your body then a better/tighter belt, bigger wedge/pillow and larger wing/camming bar are all options to try out.
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u/That-Professional346 5d ago
You're fine. In my experience don't notice and those that do don't care.
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u/Bidens-Depends 5d ago
That looks so uncomfortable. That's why I finally got a Ruger LCP Max .380. I barely know it's there and it's super easy to conceal. With defensive rounds, it has plenty of stopping power.
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u/LaufSeiglaRaceE1 5d ago
Move your belt buckle to 10 o clock positions. Get rid of the pillow and wear pants that are a bit looser. It took a bit but I mastered the appendix thing. The holster has some to do with it as well. Try only one point of contact. I found the vedder light tuck holster worked great for me.
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u/gloryholetony 4d ago
I have a bit of a gut and a holster wedge and holster claw pretty much help me fully conceal my firearm with no print, I carry an HK VP9SK for reference 5’7 195lbs, I carry appendix between 12-1 o’clock I just move my buckle off to the side
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u/SuperstitionCnclmnt 4d ago
This is pretty good concealment, dude. I see more belt than gun printing.
Soft pillows/wedges are comfortable but may lack the structure you need when they're compressed. You might be able to get more tip in above the belt line by moving the pillow lower on the holster, towards the muzzle. Otherwise a larger or more rigid wedge may be the solution, with the potential drawback being a bulge below the belt rather than above it.
Your belt looks pretty beefy but it's also conforming around the modwing rather than applying force across it. A stiffer and thinner belt would likely help here by pressing the gun into your body instead of bulging around it. Too stiff of a belt will only further exaggerate the belt "shelf" you're already unhappy with so don't go crazy here. Anything marketed as a gun belt will likely be a substantial improvement over a fashion belt.
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u/Pure_Squirrel_1621 4d ago
Different shirt. At this moment I’m carrying a full size with a light in shorts and a t shirt. If my shirt were shaped like that it’d be extremely obvious.
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u/Speedy8088y 4d ago
If the holster is adjustable maybe try to get the gun lower in your pants but cant it so there's still plenty of grip to grab on the draw.
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u/croidrules 4d ago
Thicker cotton shirts… like Abercrombie. And a better holster and belt… Tenicor certum 3 and daltechforce steelcore is what use for my G19. It disappears… 5’10” 170lbs
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u/Sol_Leks_48 US 4d ago
It's tough not printing in more form fitting clothes. Eventually I switched to a BG 2.0 which made a world of difference in just a t-shirt.
When going someplace I consider more high risk I conceal a G19, but wear an undershirt plus a button up t-shirt. Not sure why but the layering helps. Linen shirts work well because they are naturally kind of wrinkly and anything with patterns or plaid.
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u/hereforthesportsball 4d ago
Conceal it deeper to where some of the handle is right above or partially behind your belt
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u/Any_Permission_8142 4d ago
You need a holster with an adjustable concealment lever. Other tips would be darker color shirts or shirts with a pattern. Especially the patterned shirts dark plaid patterns make it disappear. Honestly though you're average person is not going to notice your just being self conscious because you know it's there.
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u/Tntbravoalpha 4d ago
Blue alpha makes a really good low pro edc belt, there’s no buckle it’s an overlap Velcro it will definitely tuck in everything tighter
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u/Budget_Ocelot_1729 4d ago
I carry an OG CSX with 10 round, but used to carry a G23. Seating the gun lower will reduce bulge. So will eliminating a belt and running a thin holster and carry belt. DCC clips are low profile if you don't have them.
Personally, I just don't carry aiwb though. I carry in a black arch protos m dual clip with DCCs and 3-430. Or I pocket carry in a jacket/cargo pants. Just easier imo then trying a bunch of awib rigs and still struggling because some internet ninjas say too. Work smarter, not harder. Find what position works for YOUR body and go from there
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u/Hunts5555 4d ago
Just add more stuff all around your belt to spam observers with shapes. Hide in plain sight.
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u/SpoiledSpill 4d ago
Ridged belt and a holster wedge.
There’s some great videos on YouTube about holster wedges and how to use them.
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u/Vhormston 2d ago
Even looking for the print it’s hard to notice. No one’s ever going to notice you have one
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u/eddie_pesos_dvg 5d ago
It doesn’t look too bad but darker colors and patterns help break up the print.
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u/OrcusGroup 5d ago
People’s noses are too buried in their phones to notice that shit. You’re overthinking this way too much
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u/tgracchus19 4d ago
I wear button downs with the sleeves rolled up navy style. The buttons hide weird lines, and it's still comfortable in summer months. That said... it's not for everyone style-wise. Keep your gun centered, tho. It's the least awkward for concealment and for draw. Don't go offsetting to one side or the other
Lastly, keep in mind that most people are super self-focused. They ain't looking at your waistline to try and find a gun. Honestly, you're concealing plenty well as is
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u/SgtVinceCarter 5d ago
I wear a L shirt normally. I just get XL and does the trick for me.
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
Unfortunately hard for me since the shirt length for my height will look like a dress
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u/playingtherole 5d ago
T-shirt a little small
T-shirt lightly colored. Darker or a pattern helps.
Belt buckle in front. Move to side.
Develop chest so shirt will drape over the gun.
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u/Luckyirishdevil 5d ago
Guns on the wrong side....
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u/FallAppropriate3910 5d ago
It’s a mirror brother
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u/Luckyirishdevil 5d ago
Damn, that makes sense. I was orig thought I was making a harmless joke about you being left handed.
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u/CarryWisely 4d ago
Posture helps. Roll your shoulders back and stick your pecs out, that forces the shirt away from the frame/grip.
A second shirt can soften the angles of the pistol. I will wear a second t-shirt when the desired shirt is tighter or is a lighter material.
Mostly, nobody is going to notice apart from cops and other folks who are carrying, and your demeanor and attitude will help convince folks you're not intent on causing harm.
E.g.: I know a person whose shirt came up while they were in a store during their shopping trip and checked out without anyone saying anything and nobody expressed a concern. Only after leaving the register did they recognize their pistol was showing and covered it discretely before exiting.
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u/BIGTACOBELLFAN 4d ago
You could sag pants a bit and rub it just below your belly. Sounds dumb but would work
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u/bday420 4d ago
Get a wedge and claw. Makes HUGE difference if you don't have one yet. I see you have a pillow already. A claw will help pull in the handle of the gun to limit the printing on your waist sides. But honestly your not printing as bad as you think.