Another good question, but unfortunately it isn't as easy to answer as one about chosing a weapon. Choosing a weapon is a matter of purpose, then size, caliber and action type can be decided. But to determine a mode of carry that works for you has a lot of other factors that you need to weigh when choosing. What type of gun, how you dress, what the weather is like, will you be in the car or seated at a desk a lot. Do you need to find an alternative method for carrying? Maybe off body? I am going to try and cover as many of these as I can and list some of the pros and cons involved with each.
Strong side belt holster: probably the most common mode of carry, generally either a leather or polymer holster, either of the paddle type or belt slot type that rides on your strong side (if you are right handed it would be the right hip, if you are a lefty it would obviously be the left) hip or slightly behind. These holsters are the easiest to use generally speaking, and the easiest to draw and reholster. However they are also the least concealable, and you will have to dress around this setup. Some climates may not lend themselves to this. Obviously if you live in a hot and humid climate, a covering garment may make you uncomfortably hot and be a telltale sign that you are carrying to anyone who is carry savvy. But this method puts the gun close at hand and in a comfortable spot, if there is such a thing. The Blackhawk Serpa and Desantis Viper are good examples.
In the waistband holster: this method is far more concealable, and easier to dress around than the belt holster. However it can make the draw slower and more difficult (something you can hopefully overcome with practice) and reholstering can be difficult if the holster doesn't have reinforcement around the "mouth" to aid in keeping it open to accept your pistol. But generally you can conceal it with an untucked t-shirt. Some in the waistband holsters can be uncomfortable in hot weather as they tend to stick to your side once you start to perspire. You may also have to buy one size bigger pants to make tucking the gun inside more comfortable. Holsters like the Galco King Tuk, and Crossbreed Holsters are excellent examples of this type.
Shoulder Holsters: Shoulder holsters are generally of two types for carrying a defensive weapon, the vertical and the horizontal style. The vertical is more concealable than a horizontal holster, but the horizontal is most definitely easier to draw from. Both generally have the holster under the weak side arm and the mag pouch under the strong side. About the only way to conceal one of these is to use a covering garment and a sportcoat, or blazer works as well as anything. Often just wearing a button up shirt will allow the holster to "print" (show through the garment) so care has to be taken when wearing this type of rig as not to give yourself away. Also if you are a bigger person, like myself, wearing one can be just uncomfortable as most of the leather setups don't have enough adjustment to make it big enough and the nylon ones are generally of poor quality. Also the draw from a shoulder rig and especially the horizontal style forces you to sweep people behind you with the muzzle during the draw, and in fact covers people with the muzzle while carrying. E.G. Galco Miami Classic
Ankle Holster: for carrying a small revolver or auto pistol, the ankle holster is very concealable, as long as you are wearing long pants. Another thing to consider is the fit of the legs. Obviously skinny jeans would not work nearly as well as a pair of tactical pants, as the fit at the ankle would be too tight to allow access to the weapon, and would definitely make it obvious you had something there that shouldn't be. The draw is slower, and some poeple simply do not have the flexibility to draw from one quickly, if at all. E.G. Bianchi Triad
Cross draw holsters: this type of holster rides near the front of your waist on the weak side with the grip facing the strong side as to allow an easier grip with the strong hand. For someone riding in a car a lot, such as a salesman who has to travel, or someone "riding" a desk this type of holster makes drawing from a seated position much less troublesome. Especially where a seatbelt is involved. But it is harder to conceal, and it puts the gun closer to the front of your waist where a bad guy might be more likely able to snatch it from you in a fight. E.G. Kirkpatrick Texas Cross Draw
Small of the back holster: this rig allows you to carry the gun near the center of your back, generally with the grip facing your strong side. It is fairly easy to conceal...however: this type of holster forces you to put yourself into a position where you could very easily be put into an arm bar while goijng for the gun. It also puts the gun into a position where if you were to be knocked down and land on your back, a serious injury could occur as a result of a chunk of metal being shoved into the lower portion of your spine.
Off body carry: the most popular forms of off body carry are the purse or fanny pack carry. Many of both are available from companies like Galco. This mode of carry makes it easy to dress how you want and not have to worry about concealment nearly as much. However there are major drawbacks as well, if someone as going to rob you, odds are they would go for the purse or the fanny pack right away. So it makes your gun part of the target they are going for. Fanny packs especially advertise loud and proud that you are carrying a gun, so no element of surprise there. Also it is easy to forget about the gun when you get home, and simply toss the fanny pack or purse on a table or other habitual place where some unauthorized person may get ahold it. There are many other methods of off body carry including day planners, briefcases etc that all harbor the same advantages and disadvantages as the purse/pack. Galco makes excellent, if not costly, purses and packs.
There are other methods I didn't touch on, like belly bands, vests with special pockets, undershirts with built in holsters,etc. They all have their good and bad points. The trick is to find something that works for you, and go with it. Carry as often as you possibly can. Train and practice with your chosen method, and wear covering garments, if it applies, when doing so. The time to try and learn a new skill isn't when you desperately need it. Fumbling with a covering garment can ceratinly slow you down, and might possibly place you weapon on the ground for you.
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