Smart Carry - are they as good as claimed?

[yukonjasper]

Howdy,
I've been reading a lot of chatter about the Smart Carry rig on another forum and am wondering if anyone uses it and can tell me how comfortable they are and how they work. I get the concept, but do they use some sort of holster in the "jock" area, or is it just a pouch? Not sure I'm too fired up to have my G36 riding that close to the "boys" without some sort of cover over the trigger. I'm reading that they are very comfortable, but it makes me wonder how low it rides and whether it prints. Even though its claimed no one looks down there, I'd hate to have someone think I'm running around with a Viagra situation that probably needs a bag of ice or a congugal visit to relieve.

I use a Kydex IWB at 4:00 for my G36, which is fine for 3 seasons and casual wear, but I work in an office environment and have to tuck in my shirt etc. and my employer probably wouldn't appreciate me carrying at work (not sure I would anyway, would be good to have the option). I'd also like to be able to carry while out on the town - Minneapolis isn't exactly crime free these days- without having to worry that someone will bump me and get an armload of Glock induced surprise. I guess I'd also like to actually see one before I bought one. Is there anywhere I could go (gun show?) to see one?

I've toyed with the idea of a shoulder rig, but I've heard that they are sometimes difficult to get used to and aren't as "deep cover" as one would think.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[hammAR]

Asking opinions on Smart Carry is like asking opinions on Glocks.................dangerous and you will get a range of answers similar to who should be the next President.

However, I will indeed give you my opinion and impression. I have a Smart Carry and do use it on "special" occasions when other forms of carry are not convenient, specifically for a 1911 Officer.

Does it work as advertised-Yes. Is it comfortable-Yes. Is it a holster or pouch-Well, mostly pouch. Do you need to worry about trigger exposure-no, not unless you play with yourself a lot. Will you print-Well I took an older one and modified it so that it would carry my 6" S&W Model 29 - and no one noticed, well with one exception and she was shopping and definitely "looking" at everyone.............

Overall, they function as advertised and I would recommend them, but they do not and will not work for everyone. If you are new or newer to this community, you will invariably end up with a drawer full of holsters and accessories anyhow....just like the rest of us.............. .................

[ree]

hammARs right. There are those who swear by them, those who've tried them and can make it work, and those who can't even imagine it working but have never tried it.

I happen to be mid-trial with one borrowed (washed first) to test out on myself and my wife. The pouch is sized for short guns (snubbie revolvers, 3" subcompacts). Yes, it's very comfortable. But with this short a gun, I find that if I adjust the grip to be where it shows on their website, the muzzle of the gun is not "in a good spot" at all times. Even though I don't expect it to just go off on it's own, I don't like it, much like I don't like appendix carry. This is not a problem for my wife.

I just graduated to a midsized 45 and it's big enough that, with a slightly larger smartcarry model, it'll probably work great for me.

[1911fan]

If you are like me, who because of body shape is required to really crank down on your belt to get your pants to stay up, then this is not the option for you. I tried them, could not get them to work, Maybe in a suit with braces (suspenders) maybe, but with my belt tight, no way in hades.

[plblark]

I'll second 1911Fan's body shape issues. There's no way I could get to one fast for sure.

But, they work in situations where OWB/IWB wouldn't.

Think of an event where you're not legally prohibited but they're doing superficial pat downs. These are mostly to prevent people bringing in items to throw on the field or alcoholic beverages / food. I often doubt they'd find a IWB handgun but still... I don't think I'm going to be in a situation where using it at the event will be necessary, advisable, or possible without consequences. It's the getting there and home that necessitates the carrying. So, Smart Carry to the event, find a stall, swap to pocket carry, good to go.

if you use a J-frame and have a long zipper, you COULD get to the firearm that way if the tight belt/ Dunlap syndrome is in the way.

For me it's not a primary carry method but it has it's specific applications and some big advantages where nothing else would work.

[1911fan]

I recently went to another Wild Game, and I was carrying in a shoulder holster as I was wearing my suit, When the guy came to pat me down, I just let my hands pull back the suit coat and hold it open, which wrapped the suit coat around the hanging fire arm and holster and gave the full appearance of allowing the pat down. When he got close I used my standard line " Do you have a warrant?" when he stopped to consider this, I dropped the suit coat and said " I didn;t think so" and just walked past. But I will use this again at other venues even using a cover shirt over the shoulder holster, just pull back the shirt and use it to wrap around the holster.


Now while some will say that a shoulder holster is not a great option, and for speed, I would agree, but for security and cover, its hard to beat.

[1911fan]

a visual of what I was talking about only using my son as the model....

[jerry45]

Up until now, I have only carried the Galco Belly Band as that, in my opinion, is the best quality out there (also, of course, more money). I saw the Smart Carry out at the SHOT show in Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Again, in my opinion, it was not of equal quality to the Galco. That being said, I did think that it represented an excellent value for the money! I will probably stock the item in the near future.

My suggestion, as with any holster, try it on and LEAVE IT ON for a couple of hours and try sitting, bending, sitting in your car etc to see how it really feels. If you ever get up to the Carry Depot (Alexandria area), I have most of the most popular models that you can actually try on and LEAVE ON to really get an idea. The Galco I sell ($34) is one of my best sellers but it, as others have said here, is not for everyone. I personally, on occasion, use the Galco Belly band. One nice feature is that is also serves as a nice back brace. For a person who has had a lot of low back problems for the last 20 years, it really does feel good.

Jerry

[Srigs]

I use Smartcarry more in the summer than winter.

One way I do use it is around the house when I'm in my PJs. That way I always have a gun on me no matter what I'm wearing or not wearing I have it on now

[JoeH]

Srigs,

Can you sew a holster onto my leather pants?

[ttousi]

Srigs,

Can you sew a holster onto my leather underwear?

fixed it for ya Joe

[JoeH]

Don't knock it till ya try it.

[Srigs]

Joe and Tom... You make me