Concealed Carry for Big Guys: Holster Position When You Have a Belly

Why standard advice doesn't fit

Look at most holster photos and you'll see a flat stomach and a gun sitting right at the belt buckle. That's fine if it describes you. If it doesn't, you've probably found that appendix carry at 12 o'clock jabs you when you sit, the grip pokes out when you stand, and strong-side carry leaves the grip printing on your back.

Nothing is wrong with you or the idea of carrying. The positions just need adjusting. Bigger bodies change two things: the angle of the waistband, which often slopes down in front, and the space available at each spot on the belt line. Put the gun where the shape of your body gives it room.

A gun that's comfortable gets carried. A gun that hurts gets left in the truck. So comfort here is about safety and consistency, not luxury. If you're new to positions in general, read our holster position guide first.

Option 1: appendix at 1 o'clock

For many larger carriers, appendix carry works better when the gun moves slightly off-center, to about 1 o'clock for a right-hander (11 for a lefty). Instead of sitting on top of the belly, the gun sits in the natural hollow between the stomach and the hip.

Why it helps:

• The muzzle has more room when you sit, so it digs in less.
• The grip rides in a natural pocket, so it prints less.
• You keep appendix carry's advantages: the gun is in front of you and fast to reach.

Make it work: a holster with a claw to pull the grip in and a wedge under the muzzle to tilt it out. A claw pushes against the belt to rotate the grip in; a wedge is a pad near the muzzle that tilts the bottom of the holster away from your body. DeSantis's Mean Streak, for example, is listed with an integrated claw in versions such as the Mean Streak for Glock 43X MOS.

Watch for: appendix carry puts the muzzle toward your leg and groin during holstering. Holster slowly, look the gun in, push your hips forward, and keep clothing clear of the holster mouth.

Option 2: strong-side with forward cant

If appendix just isn't comfortable seated, strong-side IWB at about 3 to 4 o'clock is the traditional choice. On a bigger frame, the waistband here is often flatter and more stable than in front.

The key is cant. Cant is the forward tilt of the holster. A forward cant (grip tilted forward) brings the grip toward your side instead of sticking out behind, and makes the draw more natural, especially if reaching back is uncomfortable. Many IWB holsters let you adjust cant with the clip.

Watch for: going too far back, toward 5 o'clock, makes the draw harder and the gun more likely to print when you bend. Find the spot just behind the hip bone where the grip tucks in.

Leather and hybrid IWB holsters can be comfortable here; options include the DeSantis Transit IWB for Glock 26/27/33. Our hot-weather carry piece covers how materials handle sweat.

Option 3: OWB with a cover garment

Outside-the-waistband carry is the most comfortable way to carry a handgun for most people, and that's especially true for bigger bodies. Nothing is pressed inside the waistband, so there's nothing to dig in.

The trade-off is concealment. OWB needs a cover garment, such as an open overshirt, vest or jacket, and a high-riding holster that hugs the body. In cooler months or with a work jacket, it's a great option. DeSantis's Veiled Partner OWB Kydex, listed for Glock 19/23/32/45 Gen5, is an example of a slim OWB design.

The belt matters more for you

Here's the most important point in this article: a real gun belt matters more on a bigger body, not less.

When the waistband slopes downward in front, a thin dress belt rolls and slides, the holster sags, and the grip flops outward. A stiff gun belt holds the holster at a consistent height and angle and gives the claw something to push against.

• Get the right size. Gun belts are often sized differently from your pants size, and you need extra length for the holster inside the waistband. Follow the maker's sizing guide.
• Leather or nylon. Both work if they're stiff. Ammunition Depot's belt section lists gun belts in a range of sizes, such as the 1791 Gun Belt 01 in 48 to 52 and the DeSantis Everyday Carry belt, size 44.
• Consider suspenders or a belt keeper. Some larger carriers find that the belt still rides down. Pants with a higher rise can help too.

Step by step: find your spot

Do all of this with a verified-unloaded gun and no ammunition in the room.

1. Put on your gun belt and normal clothes. Test with what you actually wear.
2. Try 12, 1 and 2 o'clock. Sit in a chair and a car seat at each. Note where the muzzle digs in and where the grip prints.
3. Add a wedge at the best appendix spot. Start thin and adjust.
4. Try 3 and 4 o'clock with forward cant. Note comfort sitting, standing and bending.
5. Practice the draw at your top two spots. Slowly. Can you get a full firing grip and clear your clothing with one hand?
6. Wear your favorite for a week. Adjust one thing at a time.

Gun choice for bigger carriers

Good news: a larger frame often hides a larger gun better than a small frame does. Many bigger carriers can comfortably conceal a compact. That buys you a longer grip and more weight to soak up recoil.

• Slim long-grip guns like the P365-XMACRO or Glock 48 are easy to grip and hide well at 1 o'clock. Our Glock 48 vs Glock 19 article compares slim and double-stack.
• Compacts like the Glock 19 and CZ P-10 C often work well strong-side or OWB. See our best compact 9mm guide.
• Shorter grips print less at appendix. If your grip always shows, a shorter magazine or grip module helps.

Common problems and fixes

Change one thing at a time and wear the setup for a few days before judging. It's tempting to buy a new holster after a bad afternoon, but small adjustments often fix it.

The draw on a bigger body

A comfortable position is only half the job. You also need a clean draw from it. With a verified-unloaded gun and no ammunition in the room, practice slowly:

1. Clear the cover garment. At appendix, your support hand pulls the shirt up high, toward your chest. At strong-side, the firing hand sweeps the shirt back or the support hand lifts it.
2. Establish a full firing grip while the gun is still in the holster. If a wedge or claw makes that hard, adjust the setup.
3. Draw straight up along the line of the holster, then rotate toward the target.
4. Re-holster slowly, hips forward at appendix, eyes on the holster, finger outside the trigger guard.

Our ten-minute dry-fire routine is a good way to build that draw in a few minutes a day.

Practical tips

• Seat belts and cars. At 1 o'clock, the belt buckle can sit right over the gun. Our carrying while driving guide covers that.
• Sweat. More body contact means more sweat. Kydex holsters with a sweat guard help; wipe down the gun regularly.
• Clothing. Slightly looser, patterned shirts hide grips better than tight solids. Untucked shirts with a straight hem work well.

Editorial note: This how-to is an independent editorial guide built from general holster principles and retailer product descriptions. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products named. Every body is different; work through the options with a verified-unloaded gun and a qualified instructor if you can.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.