# Gun-Owners - Have you ever carried you handgun tucked into your waistband **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639 "2019-03-06T17:48:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/1 "2019-03-06T17:48:36Z")
This is NOT a gun control debate thread. I see this in TV and movies all the time, where a guy with a gun sticks into his waistband. Good guys and bad guys, usually at the small of their backs, but sometimes up front. This always struck me as a silly place to have a weapon. So, have ever done it this way?? ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/2 "2019-03-06T17:53:20Z")
I have been carrying concealed for five years. The only way I carry a gun is in an inside-the-waistband holster, positioned behind my right hip. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/3 "2019-03-06T18:11:38Z")
Unholstered I have done this a few times; mostly because of the need to leave the house quickly and the desire to still have it concealed. Like if I hear a strange sound outside or some sort of crash. There have been a few times I have carried it like that for a day but those are very few and years between. I often carry unholstered but in a vest designed for concealed carry or in my pants pocket. (small revolver designed for use like that). Holstered I like front left or rear center of the waistband. I have had and used shoulder rigs but I never found them very comfortable. (I’ve carried for about 40 years) ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/4 "2019-03-06T18:16:02Z")
I have several paddle type holsters that slide inside the waist, so it may look like I have a gun tucked in, but it is actually properly holstered. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/5 "2019-03-06T18:24:08Z")
Yes, but I am female and my clothes don’t have functional pockets. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/6 "2019-03-06T19:15:39Z")
Holsters cover the trigger guard, so there is a 0% chance of anything bad happening. Tucking into your waistband or pocket without a holster, Plaxico Burress style, is dumb. Sometimes called “Mexican carry,” though I try to avoid using that term. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/7 "2019-03-06T19:37:01Z")
If I were to carry I’d prefer a backside holster because it’s concealed by jackets & stuff, and it’s tough to interfere with a draw at close quarters. Stuffing it down the front is a good way to go off half…ok, I won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Stuntman\_Mike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stuntman_mike/32/334_2.png) [@Stuntman\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuntman_Mike)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/8 "2019-03-06T19:44:41Z")
Not without a proper holster. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/9 "2019-03-07T00:05:53Z")
I’ve done it once or twice in the small of my back using [Clip Draw](https://www.clipdraw.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkeT-3Nzu4AIVBrbACh1naAwIEAAYASAAEgK8VvD_BwE) when I didn’t have any suitable clothing to conceal and didn’t want to open carry having the pistol sticking out of my front pocket, and didn’t have a holster with me. It’s not something I care for and wouldn’t do it with a round in the chamber if I hadn’t installed a safety on my [Glock](http://www.siderlock.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/10 "2019-03-07T01:11:59Z")
I’ve been carrying my 9 mm for a long time here in Ohio. Most of the time I OC. Sometimes I CC. I always use my holster. Even though it would be legal to do so in Ohio, I couldn’t imagine carrying a handgun without a holster. Strikes me as dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/11 "2019-03-07T04:07:31Z")
It really should always be holstered. They make (as stated upthread) holsters that are specifically for tucking it in your waistband. They also make holsters for keeping a gun in a purse. Both of these (and all/most other holsters) protect the trigger. I’ve never carried a gun on me. I have a small frame a big gun. Well, it’s big to me. It’s a Glock 22 (.40). If I carried it anywhere on my body, it would be very noticeable…it’s currently stuck under my desk at work with a strong magnet (meant to do just that). I’ve love to get a smaller 9mm. Not so much to carry it, just because I have much better control with a 9mm than a .40. Anyway, I’d likely still not carry it, but I’d like the option to do so. I brought the .40 to work after we got held up and then only thing I had within an arms reach were some Raven Arms .25, Saturday Night Special type guns. I doubt they’re clean enough to be reliable and from what I’ve told be people that have shot (those specific guns), you have to be within _feet_ of your target to A)hit it and B)do any real damage. This thing is small/short enough that you could hide it in the palm of your hand. But I was just hunkered down in my office on the phone with 911. I’m not running at the bad guy like a hero, but I wanted something in case he decided to turn an in and out robbery into a hostage situation and found me. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/12 "2019-03-07T06:27:26Z")
I answered No in the poll, because I took the question posed by the OP as sans holster. I would have no problem (and see no reason to make a fuss over) IWB carry with the proper holster. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/13 "2019-03-07T11:32:59Z")
That’s the way I always carry, so I answered yes. I have holsters designed for that method. These are on the back, right hip of course (I’ll spare you my opinion of appendix carry). If the OP meant without a holster, then no. It seems like a good way to end up fishing a gun out of your trouser leg. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/14 "2019-03-07T11:49:31Z")
This thread needs a link to [this Straight Dope column](https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3106/if-i-fired-a-pistol-and-then-stuck-it-in-my-waistband-like-on-tv-wouldn-t-i-get-burned/) on one particular hazard of the “waistband holster” approach\*. It features one of the most entertaining research results findings by SD staff: > [@](#): > > The .44 was a different story. One shot raised its temperature two degrees, six shots raised it 25 degrees, and after 18 shots the gun’s barrel was 42 degrees toastier than its starting temperature. > > But was this hot enough to burn? Deciding there was only one way to find out, Una carefully slid the now-unloaded .44 behind the waistband of her skirt. While uncomfortable, it didn’t burn her, although she learned that a four-pound weapon stuck in your waistband will pull your knickers to your knees. On the whole, holstering your weapon properly seems the most sensible approach. \*by which I mean using one’s waistband in lieu of a holster, not an actual waistband holster ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/15 "2019-03-07T13:57:32Z")
Like **ExTank** I took the poll to mean no holster, and I’ve never done it that way. With an inside the waistband holster on occasion, though not my preferred method. Also depends on the particular pistol’s size. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/16 "2019-03-07T16:21:42Z")
I should have been more clear. I meant ‘in the waistband _without_ a holster’. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/17 "2019-03-07T17:32:51Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > On the whole, holstering your weapon properly seems the most sensible approach. I will agree with a couple small caveats: one is firearms designed for unusual carry - ankle hold-outs and the like. I wouldn’t just pocket or waistband the old Mamba .45 I had but with the Smith 49 I feel perfectly safe. The other is clothing designed for the purpose with a sort of built-in holster that maybe really isn’t a holster. Mine is a Unik “10 pocket” vest but I would also include some of the purses and things being designed now for women in particular. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/18 "2019-03-07T17:59:32Z")
I tried it in my callow yoot, but there are a couple of problems with it. One, it doesn’t stay put, and you can end up shaking the gun out of your pant leg onto the floor (or digging around in your shorts) in order to retrieve it. Most un-macho. Secondly, it’s bloody uncomfortable, as a lot of guns have pointy or abrasive bits sticking out. Sit in a hardback chair with a gun stuck in the small of your back and it’s going to leave a mark. Sit on anything with a gun stuck in back of your belt buckle and unpleasantness will ensue. Also, trying to retrieve said handgun out of your waistband may not go as smoothly as you would imagine if the hammer or the sights hang up on the material. You could shoot your dick off. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/19 "2019-03-07T18:24:17Z")
No. They tend to fall out when doing back flips. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639/20 "2019-03-07T18:34:45Z")
No… That is how my friend got the nickname “Left Nut Larry.” Because the right one is gone now. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-have-you-ever-carried-you-handgun-tucked-into-your-waistband/830639.md?page=2)