“Smartcarry” Holsters
The “Smartcarry” style of carry is basically a gun pouch. The pouch has room for the gun and a special slot for a spare magazine. It will allow you to carry the gun highly concealed similar to the IWB holster but without the need for a higher pant size, or even pants with a belt at all! I really like the fact that I can carry during the summer in gym shorts without a belt. “Smartcarry” is the perfect summer carry method.
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Pros:
- Another extremely comfortable method. The holster is attached with velcro and elastic which will really make you forget you are carrying!
- Deep concealment. Literally no part of the gun will ever be exposed using this holster (though you can adjust it to do so, if you like).
- No need for pants with a belt at all.
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Cons:
- Ease of drawing hindered. Assuming you wear it how they recommend, the gun will be completely below your waistline. You will only be able to get a small grip on the rear of the gun as you bring it out. I found it slow at first but after a while you get used to it with a little practice.
- Little retention on the gun – nothing to keep it from moving around. I can’t imagine this would be an issue in most cases but there is still the possibility of the gun coming out if you fell down the right (or should we say, wrong) way.
- Printing might be an issue. It took me a while to finally get the perfect height to minimize printing of the gun.
Gun Choice:
With my Smartcarry holster I first started carrying my Glock 19. It definitely does the job but the frame of the gun is a little large to fit the way I wanted. My Kahr PM9 works perfectly, though.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
It says that this is “below the belt”, does that mean it is basically over the crotch area?
May 29th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Yes, the Smartcarry will rest right over the crotch area.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:55 am
Great idea, but not real helpful for us women.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I have a sig P239 and it works real well for an all around holster and I wear mine like a traditonal holster (on my side) and found if I use uppohlstery thread and put a few stiches in it (one at the base of the trigger guard) I can easily up the retention of the holster and I did a lil sewing on the other side too so that I have defined mag holders aswell. Its a great all around holster when you put a lil thought into it.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Matt,
Interesting idea, I will have to give that a try.
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
This sounds like a good concealed carry solution, but….how does one get access to use the restroom?
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Steve,
You can easily “spin” the holster to the left or right so you can use the restroom.
December 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am
one of the reviews of this carry method i read said that going to the bathroom did present problems. its easy to get your firearm out of the way, but not so easy to get it back into a comfortable position that’s not printing. pretty awkward to be caught in the office bathroom adjusting your “junk” in the mirror
December 19th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I love the smartcarry holster for my snub nose .38 … but bathroom trips are a bit tricky.
February 12th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I’ve used one every day for 10 months carrying a Smith 60,.357, and two speed loaders. It is absolutely the best method. You can carry unnoticed anywhere except thru a metal detector. With regular practice you can put 2 shots in a qt. paint can at 7 yds., in 2 secs. flat.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I have one. I have a drawer full of holsters. Different types for different needs (and guns). The Smartcarry is not my favorite holster. I have carried a 5″ 1911, but it is not comfortable to sit. More realistic carry like snub revolvers work well. Best is, of course, hammerless though I have carried both types with this holster. I have carried a 3″ 1911, and it works okay. Generally I end up with a small bump from the end of the grip just below the belt. Not really noticeable to anyone except me. I know I wouldn’t notice it on another guy since I simply am not interested in that area on another guy. Girls don’t seem to notice it, so either it doesn’t show that much, they aren’t interested in that area of me, or both. Access is slower than most other holsters (practice helps) and retention can be an interesting experience, best done in private. Bathroom breaks, you can shift it to the side or even raise it up onto your abdomen. I find that works best for me. Guys, plan on avoiding a urinal unless there are large side partitions. But you would probably be doing that anyway unless carrying in a pocket. My biggest complaint comes when you have to, umm, “adjust” yourself. Makes it really difficult. As I said, not my favorite, but it is the holster you go to when nothing else works. Sweatpants with elastic top and no belt for instance. It is a part of my holster collection for times like this. It is not that expensive and it fills a niche that nothing else does. If I hadn’t bought it, I would.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Correction to my post, Not retention. I have not had a problem with that. The gun sits low enough in the holster that it won’t come out accidently. Well, maybe if you stand on your head and shake. I meant to say re-holstering can be interesting.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I have a 43 inch waiste and my hips are probably 42. What I am getting at is my stomack projects forward and my pants end up sliding down below the naval. Will the smart carry work for us larger individuals. I was wondering will the smart carry help my pants not to slide down as much? This question sounds dumb but it is a real issue. I like my pants at or just below the naval but since I put weight on I can’t keep them their. I would be carring a Skky CPX 1.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Bob,
SmartCarry could work for you. However, I think you might want to try out a true gun belt before you give up on waistband carry. I also wear my pants right below the navel and mine would sag badly before I got a gun belt.
-ConcealedCarryAdvocate
May 29th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I have a Stoeger Luger 22lr.w/4″barrell.Will this holster work for my gun.Thanks Steve
July 29th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Ace hardware has concealed carry purses I love mine
September 20th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I have a taurus judge and want to know if it will fit in the smartcarry
December 10th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I have 32 inch waste and 34 inch length and 6 foot tall. Which makes me slim (190 lbs). Would this work for my build on Glock model 23 40 S&W?
December 10th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Just wating for answer to question from dec. 10th 209 i have already orderd.
December 19th, 2009 at 5:03 am
I have been carrying my Springfield XD40 subcompact in this holster for about 8 months. I love the smartcarry holster! My only beef is not with the holster but with the firearm itself. The “squarish” shape of the slide leaves a small bump just under the belt line and eventually wore a hole in all my jeans. I agree with Roger(Feb 16) in that I do get some printing, especially the edge of the slide and butt of the gun but if anyone has noticed they have had the decency not to stare or mention that they notice.
January 1st, 2010 at 3:35 pm
the small gun wont ride so low so it will be more comfordable right?
February 9th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I tend to wear alot of t-shirts….rarely wear a jacket. would this type of carry work for me, or do i need to go with a different method
March 8th, 2010 at 12:45 am
I have a Springfield XD-M 40 Would this method of carry work for me? Im realy starting to think I might need to buy A smaller gun because im not finding any good ways to carry my gun without it showing, other than maybee wearing heavy clothing or a jacket to cover the handle of the gun sticking out of my jeans. If I half to wear a jacket or sweatshirt all the time I wont want to carry it.
March 18th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I’ve used this holster to carry a .40 Taurus. Using the restroom isn’t an issue for me. If you ride a motorcycle, it could be uncomfortable for you, but I’d imagine that depends on the size of the gun. Actually drawing the gun is a bit difficult for me, but like anything else I’d imagine that gets better with practice.
April 9th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Ok folks I have a semi slight build 5′9″ tall 34″ waist and 185 lbs. and I carry a Sig P229. I am just wondering how will this work if I don’t wear really loose jeans when I try to sit in a chair or booth?
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
How do I contact you? I would like more information and prices.
April 26th, 2010 at 7:08 am
I have owned and used a SmartCarry for almost a year now with my Glock 19. I like it. As all other methods of carry, it does take some getting used to. I am 5′6″, 220 lbs, so my belly does hang over. Drawing in the car is very difficult and I can not use it on my motorcycle. But as a computer consultant, I am in many offices, the deep concealment is really nice. To my knowledge, no one has ever noticed, and I am very close to people while helping with their computers. After a few trips to the bathroom, you do get used to having to adjust the holster, but it might be best done in a stall the first few times. I do find that I do not need to have my belt as tight to hold up my pants and in fact your draw is faster if your belt is loose. With this holster, you do not even need to wear a shirt to have full concealment, just a bit of room in the crotch of your pants.
May 5th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I carry a 23 glock 40 caliber most of the time. I wear overalls a lot and am thinking that this will work great with that and would appreciate any feedback.Does anyone carry a medium size gun like mine that could give me your results? Im thinking the draw would be fairly fast from overalls..
May 5th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Yeah is it big enough for a large man? I wear a 46 to48 waist size, is that an issue?