Concealed Carry Holsters

The PCCH is suppose to be Hume's top of the line IWB model. PCCH is an acronym for Preferred Concealed Carry Holster. I've been on a Don Hume kick for awhile so I thought I would give this model a try.

From what I can tell, this is the only Don Hume IWB holster they offer that features a bodyshield. This model also has a reinforced holster mouth and attaches to the belt using two snap straps.

I grabbed one for my Kimber Tactical Carry and gave it a try. Here are my thoughts:

Likes - Overall, I thought it was a nice holster. I like the design and placement of the straps. Although it probably doesn't look like it from the picture, the holster actaully rides in the waist as a forward cant. I wouldn't say the cant is a full 45 degrees, but probably close to it. The holster is relatively easy to get on and take off, although the snaps can be a little tricky if you are carrying behind the hip or near the kidney. This model also has a semi-closed bottom, which I personally like versus a completely open bottom.

Dislikes - While the holster looks nice, the finish is sprayed on and I'm not sure how long that will last with some use. The snap straps are the general one size fits all so the holster tends to shift with a 1 1/2" or 1 1/4" belt. The belt shifting is far worse with the smaller 1 1/4" belt. I would much rather see interchangeable belt straps in various widths. This would allow for a much more stable platform.

Would I buy another PCCH? Probably? It's a little higher on the cost scale with an average retail price of $46.00. Although I liked the features, I can buy 2 of the less expensive H715M W/C holsters that Hume makes for hte price of one PCCH.

Working in a retail gun holster store, I'm constantly amazed at the sheer size of some of the handguns people are choosing for concealed carry. Keep in mind that body size and type will also play a role in the size of the weapon that can comfortably be carried.

Case in point: A few weeks ago, a customer comes in the store asking about a CCW holster for his Springfield XD-45 5". This customer is 5'6" and maybe 140 lbs with a very narrow frame. Even with a typical belt holster that might be used at the range, the profile of the weapon exceeds the dimensions of his waist. Although I felt it was a waste of time, I did my best to "help" him find an IWB that might meet his needs. Nothing we tried even remotely came close to concealing the weapon as it was simply too big for his frame.

I politely breached the topic about the size of the weapon and learned that the customer liked the caliber (.45) and could shoot the weapon extremely well even at distances of 25 yards. After demonstrating the potential concealability of smaller .45's that we had in the store, the customer began to rethink his approach. Being tied to a weapon because of it's calliber or how well you shoot it, becomes kind of irrelevant if the weapon is just too big to conceal.

3 weeks later the customer returned to the store with a beautiful new Kimber Ultra Carry that he had picked up as his new CCW weapon. In 30 minutes or so, we had found an IWB set-up that worked for his needs.

No matter how well you shoot it or how much you like it, you simply won't routinely carry a handgun for concealed carry if it's too large to conceal. You may try for a bit, but, eventually, you'll stop carrying it and start looking for an alternative.