[KevininPa]

...........do you carry and how. I'm an electrician and I can't imagine carrying at work because of all the bending, twisting and stretching we do. I've considered ankle carry and have carried a NAA Mini Mag with the holster grip. Was wondering how others managed with carrying on site or just skipped it.

[jerkface11]

You can't just carry in your tool belt? Or maybe a utility kilt?

[doc2rn]

Some guys I work with have a small 22 in a box of smokes that's not really cigs. Some guys where belly bands, thunderwear, and for the NAA some keep it on a chain around their necks. The crew I worked with also had shotguns in their trucks and went to the range together. They let me tag along even though I was "the tile guy". Then when I pulled out the G32 they really liked me, said I fit in. I like my gun culture.

[Pindem]

I am also an electrician. Most of the ones that I know who carry, use small pocket guns put in their front strong hand pocket. Only a few of those do not use some type of pocket holster. If you are worried about it falling out from the top (while bent over, or hanging off something), either install a button or velcro at the opening of the pocket. Something you can work fast that will be hard to get undone by leading over various objects in the field. It can also keep the dirt out when crawling under those darn houses. :)
There are very few who use small of the back, but they have to be mind full of their bending and movements.
Please, do not put it (store) in your bag or pouch. You know as well as I do that we do not always wear them and sometimes the bad guys are working right next to you and can snatch things very fast. I have had only one thing in 22 years taken from my bag, but that one thing was too much.

[sixgunner455]

Were I working construction again, I would not even consider going without at least a .38 in my pocket. I still do work around my house, both inside and outside, with it there. I probably would be hesitant to strap on a service auto, but the snubby revolver is not a problem at all.

[dralarms]

I work construction (alarm installer) and I carry srtong side, OWB Bianchi 82 carry lock. I don't have to worry about it falling out and "most" of the time it's covered by my shirt. The other times oh well I can't worry about it, got to much work to do.

[Grandpa Shooter]

I have a zippered pouch with two sides. It goes on my belt and on the outside it has slots for pen, pencil, flashlight, etc The inside pouch has a small holster with enough room for a Walther PPK, Keltec, Snubby, etc. Looks innocent enough, especially when people see you pull out a pen, or your flashlight. Soon enough they don't even look anymore. It will take you awhile to wear it without being self conscious or pulling at your belt, but once you get used to it, it's no different than carrying a tape measure.

[mljdeckard]

Um, even in the army, when we are doing some flavor of manual labor or other, we usually ground our weapons, put a guard on them, and pick them up again when we are done. If it is a longer-term project in a higher-risk environment, we split it up into people doing the building, and people worrying about security, and rotating.

I have to admit, there are labor activities I have to do from time to time in which I cannot safely practice awareness and retention well enough to be comfortable carrying.

[AK103K]

I've worked in heavy construction for about 30 years now. I usually carry a P229 with a double reload on a daily basis. I use a Blade Tech kydex IWB, with a Blade Tech double mag carrier on my belt. In the summer, I just wear an untucked oxford type shirt, and have never had any troubles keeping things hidden. The kydex works great in the summer and keeps your gun dry and doesnt rub you raw like leather does if your tee shirt rides up.

I also carry a Seecamp in a Smart Carry. Smart Carry works very well and is very comfortable, especially for all day carry. I've also used it for a P230 or a S&W 642, and they worked well too, but are as big as I'd want to go with it. If you cant wear a cover garment, its really the way to go. It also doesnt require a belt, so you can even easily get by with a pair of sweat pants or shorts and a tee shirt without any hint you have a gun on.

[KevininPa]

I have a PPK clone (FEG SMC-380) that I can fit in the front pocket of my jeans, though tightly. And even with a pocket holster, you can still make it out as a firearm. I've owned a NAA Guardian and it was a great piece as far as construction, but those little DAs just don't suit me. The small pouch idea is appealing, would just look like a meter or some other tool or equipment. Either that or back to the ankle idea. Thanks so far for all responses.

[pax]

When I was working as a carpenter's flunky (three years, part-time), I carried the same way I do now: appendix position on my belt. Always made a habit of wearing baggy tee shirts, long enough that the gun would not be exposed if I was working overhead. Sometimes tucked in loosely over the gun (have a tuckable holster), sometimes not, depended on the job site.

I'd wear the tool belt right over the top of my concealed handgun. Never wore the belt for longer than I had to -- you'd usually find it in a pile next to me, just like most the guys I worked with -- but I figured that with a hammer in one hand and a crowbar or utility knife or screwdriver in the other, I was pretty well armed for any situation I didn't see coming. So I wasn't worried about fast access to the gun.

Mostly, I wore the gun on my body at work only because I wanted it on the drive and if I went off-site for something. We tended to work in bad parts of town, and sometimes we all rode in together, so I was loathe to leave it in the vehicle. But as I said, the hammer and skillsaw and sawzall and crowbars and 2x4s and ... -- all sure looked to me like pretty effective weapons all on their own. So I wasn't a bit worried about fast access.

pax

[davepool]

been a commercial roofer for 30 years, never felt a need to carry while on a job site, besides we're bullet proof :)

[ak-kev]

Im a plumbing contractor and I find it extreemly difficult to conceal when I work. We are either in attics, or ditches and I cant bend and crawl as easily if I have a weapon on me. I carry a Hi-Power clone in the truck, and a Kel-Tec P-32 for when we go off to a resturant to eat lunch. Ill carry then. But otherwise, I dont.

[Stoney]

I'm a construction inspector for an engineering company, I keep a SIG P-239 in my truck, but have never felt the need to carry on site. Most sites I work you leave your keys in the ignition of your truck with no problem. In 18 year's I'v never heard of a theft out of a truck or car, or any kind of problem that would require a firearm on site or during the work day.

I have worked in some bad areas though, East Cleveland, Over the Rhine in Cincinnati and some realy bad places in Dayton and Columbus.Nice to know the Sig is close by.

[chechnya]

Me and my dad are both superintendents who do multi-family rehab here in Houston. While the company forbids us to conceal carry we do both carry loaded handguns in our trucks. We have done some of the worst apartment rehabs in some of the worst parts of town. My dad told me he has carried once before on one or two of his jobs but not recently.

I couldn't really imagine anyone really needed a conceal carry gun that does trade work. Well, maybe in a few instances. I knew a sheetrock foreman always had a loaded shotgun in his van at all times. They also go to some scary places to do minor work.

[Glockman30]

I just sold my Kel Tec p3at to an electrician who pocket carries it everywhere he goes. In and out of restaurants and other areas.

[Wheeler44]

Former sheetmetal worker here and all I can say is "I don't want to add anything to my already 35 Lb tool belt." Besides as davepool said "we're bullet proof"

[CoRoMo]

KevininPa... Good discussion, and I can relate. You were one of the many that convinced me that the NAA mini would work best for daily carry on my job. Thanks again.
I work in bluejeans, a tucked in 'golf shirt' everyday. When the temperature gets really cold in winter, I go to a tucked in t-shirt under an un-tucked sweatshirt. All shirts have company logo, so it is sort of a "uniform" and can't vary. My P11 doesn't fit well in bluejeans, and just is too big when climbing up ladders, carrying heavy loads, etc. so I'll invest in that NAA .22 mag someday and it will go everywhere the P11 can't. If I can get better pants (deeper pockets) I'll try the P11 again for daily carry, but bluejeans are cheap and I ware them out quickly so I'm not anxious about some more expensive cargo pants yet.

[senior]

Worked petro chemical jobs in and around the Houston area for several years as a rod buster and then carpenter and eng. not once did i feel the need to carry, never felt threatened on a job site even as foreman. Ever job i was on the head honchos made it very clear, seen with a gun ur done and cops called! Then, most likely u hang it up as ur blackballed on any sites around. Maybe i was just lucky, but in thoe years i met a whole lot of ex cons but never met one who wouldn't back u if SHTF and u didn't start it!

[mgregg85]

I work electrical also, right now i'm working inside a chemical plant that doesn't allow weapons of any type so I don't carry inside it. When I'm working at other locations, I carry IWB with an undershirt tucked over my
XD45 or pocket carry my bersa.

[AK103K]

I guess some of difference here comes down to those who always carry, and those who sometimes carry.

I carry every day, from when I get up till I go to bed, work or not. I dont see how you can know when you might need it and when you wont.

Yes, it can be annoying and a challenge to deal with it all the time, but it really isnt a bother unless you want it to be. If you want to have it a long, you'll find a way. If not, then dont.

I will say this though, the places I'm told I cant have it along, are the places I usually feel are the most likely places I'll have need of it. Unless I have to deal with a metal detector, it comes along. Its amazing how many of the signs they post these days are defective, and dont seem to be working. :)

[pete f]

I carry daily, I am a contractor and I never start a job without a carry gun. You would not believe some of the houses and neighborhoods we go into, and we had a buffet line of pawnable items we have to haul around. I have personally been held up at gun point twice before I got my permit and one idiot tried it since. I carry at 3:30 and OWB, I just wear a shirt that covers, and seeing I am the boss, I really don't care who see's it or who complains.

[punchdrunk]

floorlayer. try crawling on your knees all day with something in your front pocket. I car carry unless in a bad area. I have put something special in my lunchbox before and set it in a retreatable room.
fwiw I can bring my razor knife out of my pouch just by feel and pretty darn fast. If I have to cut someone I plan to make a nice border area with the field cut at a 45. hehe.

"Stand still Mr. Bad Guy I want to make sure I make this cut level".

and of course the ever popular....."Don't bleed on the new carpet"!

[No Quarter]

Naa Mini in my pocket or a .44 mag Bond Derringer. I want to focus on my work, not on concealment.

[tackleberi]

I use a Seecamp in a Ron Graham/Palehorse MUFTI holster whenever I do work around the house, etc. Looks no different than any of the other pouches of stuff (cellphones, PDA, etc) that people have hanging off their belts nowadays.

[MustangHowie]

I install garage doors. I wear a tool belt and I don't like the belt over my pistol. I just use a good shoulder holster.

[hceptj]

i use a belly band...have for a long time...

[KevininPa]

........ my Bond Arms. I have a .45 colt/.410 Snakeslayer that fits in the pocket the same as my FEG, but is stainless. That was my carrier before I started doing service calls in ugly areas. If I go back to service calls, then I'll want something more. On site doesn't worry me, but sometimes I can't park right next to the job. And since some jobs aren't in the best neighborhoods I like to have something on me. I guess I'll have to judge it by the job.