10 Thoughts on Mexican Carry
After some time toting a compact 1911 "Mexican Carry" style, I wanted to share some my thoughts with those who have taken to reviving this old school method of pistol carry.
Why it's cool:
1) It takes high-speed low-drag to a whole new level! Talk about low-profile, this is no-profile!
2) A pistol sans holster provides a minimal print within clothing.
3) Less gear to carry = more better. Removing an IWB holster from a belt can be quite the task to achieve discretely in public.
4) It can*be a very smooth draw as there is only flesh and clothing obstructing it. When I have achieved a good grip on it, my presentation is lightening fast. When being the operative word.
5) I would be stretching the truth if I said anymore positive words about this method of concealed carry.
Why it Sucks
1) A clean, efficient, and timely presentation requires a consistent grip. This is not possible with Mexican carry as the pistol tends to move around the waistband. Even if you install an after-market clip on the pistol frame to pin it to your belt, the thing will move. This sucks.
2) When moving briskly the pistol tends to slip UP and OUT of ones belt. This can prove troublesome. When moving in a tactical manner, it's likely to fall out of your belt and given Mr Murphy's propensity for humor, it will fall land pointed at your head. This sucks.
3) A proper pistol that has a "biting" retention grip does not feel good against the skin - regardless of whether it is carried on the hip, sob, or over the appendix. it will leave marks on your flesh. This sucks.
4) There's nothing like having a pistol fall out of your pants while in a restroom, or at a cash register to upset the natives. This doesn't just suck, it's dangerous and embarrassing.
5) Excess movement and fumbling with a pistol is dangerous and discharges become all the more likely regardless of how good ones finger control is. Imagine a high-stress situation and then groping for one of those fine plastic safety-less pistols that are so fashionable nowdays.... That's just a problem just waiting to happen. This REALLY sucks.
As the saying goes, "You gotta do what you gotta do" therefore Mexican carry should only be a consideration when:
1) Wearing a holster is not an option. Ex. Your favorite leather-maker can't seem to send you a holster in a reasonable amount of time (less than 9 months).
2) Your threat model requires discrete disposal of your weapon and you want one less thing to dispose of.
3) You have absolutely no other option in a SHTF situation
Here are some tasteful options: bags, vests, organizers etc!
Coronado Leather: Jackets, Vests, purses, backpacks, organizers etc
Concealed Carry Outfitters (admin note: John Hayes is a great guy and stands behind his products.)
Maxpedition Has a plethora of carry options to mount in bags, versipacks and the list goes on...
Why it's cool:
1) It takes high-speed low-drag to a whole new level! Talk about low-profile, this is no-profile!
2) A pistol sans holster provides a minimal print within clothing.
3) Less gear to carry = more better. Removing an IWB holster from a belt can be quite the task to achieve discretely in public.
4) It can*be a very smooth draw as there is only flesh and clothing obstructing it. When I have achieved a good grip on it, my presentation is lightening fast. When being the operative word.
5) I would be stretching the truth if I said anymore positive words about this method of concealed carry.
Why it Sucks
1) A clean, efficient, and timely presentation requires a consistent grip. This is not possible with Mexican carry as the pistol tends to move around the waistband. Even if you install an after-market clip on the pistol frame to pin it to your belt, the thing will move. This sucks.
2) When moving briskly the pistol tends to slip UP and OUT of ones belt. This can prove troublesome. When moving in a tactical manner, it's likely to fall out of your belt and given Mr Murphy's propensity for humor, it will fall land pointed at your head. This sucks.
3) A proper pistol that has a "biting" retention grip does not feel good against the skin - regardless of whether it is carried on the hip, sob, or over the appendix. it will leave marks on your flesh. This sucks.
4) There's nothing like having a pistol fall out of your pants while in a restroom, or at a cash register to upset the natives. This doesn't just suck, it's dangerous and embarrassing.
5) Excess movement and fumbling with a pistol is dangerous and discharges become all the more likely regardless of how good ones finger control is. Imagine a high-stress situation and then groping for one of those fine plastic safety-less pistols that are so fashionable nowdays.... That's just a problem just waiting to happen. This REALLY sucks.
As the saying goes, "You gotta do what you gotta do" therefore Mexican carry should only be a consideration when:
1) Wearing a holster is not an option. Ex. Your favorite leather-maker can't seem to send you a holster in a reasonable amount of time (less than 9 months).
2) Your threat model requires discrete disposal of your weapon and you want one less thing to dispose of.
3) You have absolutely no other option in a SHTF situation
Here are some tasteful options: bags, vests, organizers etc!
Coronado Leather: Jackets, Vests, purses, backpacks, organizers etc
Concealed Carry Outfitters (admin note: John Hayes is a great guy and stands behind his products.)
Maxpedition Has a plethora of carry options to mount in bags, versipacks and the list goes on...
posted by /dn at 4/19/2007 11:41:00 PM
3 Comments:
Don't forget the String holster!
This really removes the "moving around" aspect for carrying mexican. It is easy to ditch too...
More later!
I really have to disagree with some of your Cons about Mexican Carry.
I wear a S&W Centenial with a hip grip and now I don't carry anything else. The .38 dissapears into my pants. I even leave with jeans and a t-shirt without fear of printing. I have never found the gun to move around on me or start to slip out of my pants.
In fact, mexican carry with a hip grip has changed my carry habits so much that I used to only carry a .22 NAA Mini or a .32 Keltec P-32 because I was always afraid of printing with a larger gun. Now I travel with a .38 daily.
I would argue that since the Hip-grip
http://www.baramihipgrip.com/
really isn't mexican carry because it pins the weapon to the clothing. My interpretation of mex-carry is more along the lines of untethered carry IWB. Regardless. if it works for you, cool! More power to you, hell - when just walking around the ranch, I usually stick a 1911 iwb sans holster or anything else.
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