School me on "Smartcarry"... [Archive]

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trio

05-31-09, 00:59

Or Thunderwear if that is your preference...

I am looking for deep carry options, and have been going round and round about possible solutions...

things I have considered:

1) Buying one of the suddenly popular "mouse guns"...an LCP, P3AT, etc....i have two problems, though...first, I am not wild about pocket carry and secondly I want my primary carry to be at least .38 (of course if this becomes the only option, i certainly believe in mouse gun > no gun theory)

2) Buying a Kahr PM9....i would have to get over the pocket carry issue if I got this, but it seems like it may be a viable option....my biggest problem is that for everyone i see who swears by the PM9 I see someone who swears AT the PM9....

3) The question presented....I am a "glock guy" and currently carry a G26 either IWB or on my ankle when in need of something more concealed ....I will also carry a Maxpedition bag when in gym shorts, but I do think that screams "gun"... I am going to be in a few scenarios where even IWB may be too visible, and I may be in shorts....I have pocket carried my G26 before, but, erm, it aint a very comfortable pocket gun...sooo...

i am on to the smartcarry/thunderwear possibility....I understand that it makes the gun harder to access but...

1) is it really that much slower than from an ankle rig?

2) the times I have pocket carried and done draws, even with a J-Frame, I have a hard time doing it....the main reason is I have really big hands so when my hand is closed around something (like the grip of a firearm) its significantly bigger than the pocket opening...so I am wondering the timing of a smartcarry versus this for me....

3) comfort?

4) is the holster part of it well constructed enough that I would feel comfortable w/ a G26 in it (NY1 spring/ghost connector)?

if this is a feasible option it is certainly way cheaper than getting another gun

any feedback or alternative options is always welcome, as is practical experience in any of the scenarios i presented

the_1iviper

05-31-09, 10:14

trio-i picked up a smart carry when i first received my chp.i carried a g33 and an officers acp in it.the g33 fits good,the colt actually fit it well but that damn beavertail :p

the outer layer is thick enough that if you tried to intentionally pull the trigger with the gun in the holster,you can't.that was my concern with it considering the area where the muzzle was pointing :eek:

i didn't use it but a few times b4 i switched over to a don hume iwb with a clip.i'm in jeans about 98% of the time and it works perfect for me,easy on easy off and very comfortable.

i think the one i have is for up to 35" waists,if you want to try one out and it's the right size for you,let me know and i'll drop it in the mail to you.

LMarshall73

05-31-09, 10:58

Actually wearing a Smartcarry right now holding my G19. Draw is a little slower than my normal AIWB holster, but is doable.

ToddG

05-31-09, 16:03

I've been playing with SmartCarry (http://www.smartcarry.com/index.html) for a few days now (they sent me one for long-term T&E). For those who are unfamiliar, it's basically a jock strap that holds your pistol rather than a cup.

Comfort, when worn properly (very low) gets four out of five stars. It's clear you're wearing it and, depending on how you normally situate yourself down there it may get in the way a bit, but it's not at all uncomfortable. Actually, it feels almost exactly like wearing a fanny pack. The only slight hiccup is when you need to use a restroom ... getting it out of the way takes a little gymnastics and isn't particularly subtle if you're standing at a urinal.

Concealability I'll give five stars. My full size P30 is noticeable at the butt (gun's, not mine) if you know where to look but it could just as easily be something in a pocket, etc. The ability to carry a full size gun PLUS a spare magazine with a tucked-in shirt is pretty amazing. I feel like I could go just about anywhere (sans metal detectors) without being spotted.

Speed gets two stars. It's a lot faster than I expected once I got used to it, but it's definitely substantially slower than my Looper (http://www.shop.customcarryconcepts.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=10).

SmartCarry, standing:
2.05 sec average to first shot
range from 1.60 to 2.54 (SD of 0.36)

Looper + untucked polo, standing:
1.01 sec average to first shot
range from 0.87 to 1.16 (SD of 0.09)

SmartCarry, sitting:
2.19 sec average to first shot
range from 1.79 to 3.26 (SD of 0.45)

Looper + untucked polo, sitting:
1.31 sec average to first shot
range from 1.02 to 1.65 (SD of 0.20)

This was done with a stopwatch dry-fire, so the data is certainly not perfect. My wife's reaction time from hearing the click of the hammer to hitting the stop button also needs to get factored in. I was aiming at an 8" square at about 5yd distance.

The real difference is consistency, which in the SmartCarry's defense would probably improve if I practiced with it more and worked out some of the techniques better. Still, I was far more likely to fumble something with the SmartCarry. In one case, I had a sitting draw of 3.26 ... in comparison, I had a fumble during seated Looper draws that worked out to 1.63 and 1.65 ... both faster than the best I could do from the SmartCarry.

I'm going to try the same test again strong hand only at some point, because I think the SmartCarry will be noticeably harder to draw without being able to move the waistband out of the way.

Value gets four stars. Quality of material seems good. Because it's not gun-specific, I did need to take a safety pin and "size" the holster ... without that, the gun sat far too low and draw speed was pathetic. Price is almost identical to a standard Looper.

15/20 total rating from me.

Cardiac Nurse

05-31-09, 16:32

I just went to the Smart Carry website. I don't see it working for me....but looks like it would work well for others. I think I'm going to continue looking at my concealed carry options.

FromMyColdDeadHand

05-31-09, 17:13

Todd- What do you think about safety with these? If you did make them out of Kevlar, would that stop a AD (but maybe with a lot of gas tatooing?)?

I like the idea of this and AIWB, but how much of a real world risk is it compared to standard hip IWB carry?

Thanks!

ToddG

05-31-09, 17:19

I've yet to perfect a technique for reholstering the gun with SmartCarry. As such, my response after drawing the gun would have to be AIWB Mexican until I had a chance to get things put back where they belong.

Drawing the gun I see no problem unless you draw with your finger on the trigger. In that case, sucks to be you.

FromMyColdDeadHand

05-31-09, 17:43

Cardiac Nurse

05-31-09, 17:49

:Dlol

ToddG

05-31-09, 17:52

Premature emasculation.

Dude, you only asked me the safety question so you could say that, didn't you? :cool:

trio

05-31-09, 17:58

thanks for all the replies guys...

based on your replies I think I am going to order one and see how it goes

1iviper I appreciate the offer, but I am, erm, "larger" than that....

ra2bach

06-02-09, 14:12

Erik 1

02-25-10, 10:49

Bringing this back up to the top since I'm also thinking about the smart carry and I have a few questions.

Those using Smart Carry, do you still like/recommend it?

Do you wear it with your normal pants size or do you have to go up a size, like IWB Carry?

How does it look in profile? Do you end up looking like you have a load in the front of your pants, or does it tend to disappear more than that?

Should I follow the same drill in learning to use this holster as is recommended for appendix carry (try it first and for a while with a cleared gun)?

What size for a full size M&P9? I've read a few different answers, but it sounds like medium is correct.

Thanks in advance for responses to any or all of the above.

ChipM

02-25-10, 13:28

never felt good about any form of carry that automatically causes you to break one of the four cardinal safety rules - that being never point a gun at anything you don't wish to destroy - especially when it happens to be my junk!

:D
If you're wearing it right, it isn't pointed at your junk.

Bringing this back up to the top since I'm also thinking about the smart carry and I have a few questions.

Those using Smart Carry, do you still like/recommend it?

Do you wear it with your normal pants size or do you have to go up a size, like IWB Carry?

How does it look in profile? Do you end up looking like you have a load in the front of your pants, or does it tend to disappear more than that?

Should I follow the same drill in learning to use this holster as is recommended for appendix carry (try it first and for a while with a cleared gun)?

What size for a full size M&P9? I've read a few different answers, but it sounds like medium is correct.

Thanks in advance for responses to any or all of the above.

I've purchased one in the past couple of months and love it. I wear it with my normal pants (although if you wear super-slim flat front trendy pants, this won't work - normal flat-front dress pants are fine) and a Walther P99 Compact is invisible. Reholstering is the worst part...take you time, be careful, and be very conscious of both muzzle direction and trigger area.

It is the best carry option, in my opinion, for situations that dictate lack of concealing garments. It is not my preferred carry choice, though.

Erik 1

02-25-10, 13:52

Thanks very much.

operator81

02-25-10, 14:47

I hated it, but then I'm not a fan of appendix carry either. I got mine to use with my G26 and SW 442 while jogging. Having your piece bouncing up against your piece is not my idea of fun. So now jogging is the only time I go without a gun. Not preferable but neither is letting the smart carry rattle my junk.

Erik 1

02-25-10, 15:13

ChipM

02-25-10, 15:39

Thanks. I need something for work. It's business casual and I've been working here for a very long time. Any sudden change in appearance (i.e., anything that makes me look like I put on 10 pounds or got a colostomy) or style of dress is going to be very noticeable.

Smartcarry is the way to go, definitely. A belt clip on a tuckable holster may go unnoticed when walking around in public, but when your officemates see it day after day someone will eventually ask.

Erik 1

02-25-10, 16:00

Thanks. I'll definitely give it a try. I have been planning to try out appendix carry too, for the non-work environment, so they should complement each other if they both work out. If they don't, well, it's not like I'm out all that much money for another holster in the drawer.

Buckaroo

02-25-10, 17:02

Works for me. Easy to carry but needs practice and is slower then a IWB at 4:00 but trade-offs are sometimes necessary.

How much it shows depends on your build.

Buckaroo

skyugo

02-25-10, 20:32

i carry one daily for "deep concealment" with a glock 26.

it's NOT a solution for walking downtown and having guys try to mug you or something. draw is too slow for that kind of confrontation. 2-3 second draw is about all you'll manage.
that said it is a LOT faster than having to run out to the parking lot to get your gun while some crazy massacres your coworkers. in gym shorts or sweatpants (elastic waist) or something like that the draw should be quite a bit quicker than in dress pants or jeans.

it is VERY concealable. i've never been made wearing mine. about worst case scenario is somebody assumes you're thinking about a pretty girl ;)
quite comfortable. though i do find sitting in a chair all day it can poke a little.
guns bigger than the a glock 26 imho are pretty much out of the question for practical carry.

i'd a good carry option really. it's not the end all of CCW by any means, but it will allow you to be armed in places where one ordinarily can't be.

Erik 1

02-25-10, 20:40

Thank you, that's very helpful.