[Jaywalker]

I generally carry something smaller and more concealable (Kahr K9), but I'm considering carrying the Browning Hi-Power and have a question. I generally like tilt of 15° to 17° in order to hide the grip well, but that doesn't seem to be the right approach for a holstered BHP - the barrel sticks out behind my hip and prints way more than the benefits of the grip concealment.

I prefer a pancake style outside the waistband holster - I've tried inside the waistband, but don't like them.

You folks who commonly carry longer pistols - how do you conceal the barrel while still keeping the grips from being apparent?

 

[stand watie]

Jaywalker,

1st, WELCOME ABOARD, fellow Texican.

I carried a BHP for years, as my "chosen duty weapon", when I was with USACIDC & found that it wasn't really a problem to conceal in a "tortilla holster" when worn under a sport coat, under a "photographer's vest, under a long/loose sweater or under a long-tailed "polo" shirt.
(I routinely buy my shirts/jackets/sweaters/vests "one size larger".)

One thing that "concealability" depends on is your "body type". = One of my brothers-of-the-heart is 6' tall, broad-shouldered & weighs about 240#. - He can (and routinely does) easily conceal a 6.5" barreled S&W N-frame under any number of outfits.
(Otoh, IF you are female, 5' tall, weigh 90# and choose to wear short/tight attire, you may have "a problem" concealing almost any sort of firearm.)

Note: MY much-beloved, adopted, adult daughter usually wears shirts, skirts & tall boots to work & wears "thigh holsters" under a long skirt, which she has custom made to match her lingerie. - Her CCW weapon is a Makarov in 9x18mm.
Fwiw, my daughter was "born matched to the skin" & is always impeccably turned-out. - She can make denim shorts & a tee-shirt look "dressed up" & fashionable.
A personal COMMENT: ImVho, a woman has made a SERIOUS/DEADLY "mistake in judgment" IF she carries a pistol in a purse, as if her purse is "snatched", she has lost her means of protection and WORSE has "armed her assailant".

just my opinion, sw

 

[Kevin Gibson]

When doing executive protection, I carried a HP for a decade; loved it. But I'm a died in the wool IWB kinda guy. The pancake holsters are very comfortable, but they don't conceal very well at all, even with an over-garment. If you want to carry OWB, the best way is to carry a gun in as high a high ride holster as you can get, and get a compact pistol like the Kahr or a G19.

For carrying the Hi Power, I wore mine in a Milt Sparks Versa-Max II and it concealed well with just a large un-tucked T-Shirt. But I moved the pistol forward a bit to the 3:30 position rather than the 4:30 position.

The thing about the IWB is that it just takes a little getting used to. Once you're used to it, it's just a part of your everyday routine.

So if you really want to carry a HP for EDC, then you really ought to consider IWB. Otherwise, just get s sub-compact and wear a very high pancake holster.

 

[WaltGraham]

I've got a couple of boxes of holsters like everyone else who's carried for a longish period of time.

If I don't pocket carry a j-frame, I'm wearing a Crossbreed.

The Supertuck is adjustable for height and cant.

I have three now; best holsters I've ever owned.

 

[Kevin Gibson]

I've got a couple of boxes of holsters like everyone else who's carried for a longish period of time.

If I don't pocket carry a j-frame, I'm wearing a Crossbreed.

The Supertuck is adjustable for height and cant.

I have three now; best holsters I've ever owned.

I'd love to take one of those for a test drive one of these days. I have yet to hear a bad thing about them.

I doubt I'll change from what I have, but I'd like to try the cross-breed.

Truth be told, my Milt Sparks VM II isn't the holster I carry most often. I have a custom holster from HBE Specialty Leatherworks that's kind of a VM II knock-off. But it lacks the steel band at the opening, and the leather is thinner. So it's lighter, thinner and just carries a little better than the VM II.

 

[IrishCop]

Jaywalker, I agree with the folks who have already answered your post, other than I am like you as I don't care for IWB. Since I'm round enough to have my own gravitational field, it just ain't an option for me.

Your build and body type certainly plays into carrying concealed, along with the size of the weapon, your dress habits and the weather (I live in the southeast and hot humid summers are the norm) are also a factor.

I recommend a holster that carries high, and pulls the butt of your pistol in tight to the body. Just above my right hip works best, but your covering garment has to be loose, as in billowy. I also recommend relatively smooth grip panels...avoid aggressive checkering or really tacky rubber. They tend to catch the covering garment and "print" your handgun.

I have had real good results with Mitch Rosen's line, but a holster is an extremely personal choice. Good luck finding what's right for you.

 

[Jaywalker]

Well, my gravity doesn't bend light rays, but I'm fortunate to have wide shoulders so I can use an OWB - there's just too much over my belt to be happy with IWB. I have a nice IWB made by the late Lou Alessi that I'd like to like, but it just isn't for me.

For my Kahr K9, I had Eric of HBE run me up a pancake with a 15° tilt, and it works fine for that grip, but the BHP is bigger. I suppose I should ask him his opinion on the Browning - maybe he has a tilt solution.