CCW in Summer

[Rexster]

Take a look at the Safepacker from Thewilderness.com. It meets the open carry law of at least one state, but also totally conceals the weapon, which keeps Texas law happy. I will carry a 4" sixgun in the hottest weather inside the Safepacker, and another smaller weapon concealed on my person. I usually use belt-carry mode with my Commander-sized Safepacker, and shoulder strap mode with the sixgun size.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

K&D Holsters makes some nice holsters for Kel-Tec pocket carry.

 

[TOADMAN]

Relaxed fitting shorts, belt holster OWB, Glock 26/30 or J-frame. Button down square bottom short sleeve shirt ( specifically designed to wear un-tucked). Bottom button not buttoned. Flops for shoes... I find that light colored t-shirts print too much...

 

[FLA2760]

In response to Rexster's reference the "Wilderness Safepacker"; it is a very good quality rig. Currently I use it at night with the flap between the mattress & boxspring. It allows my G22 to be out of sight but quickly accessible.

 

[Raspu10]

look into IWB holsters and get a sub compact or something that size.

 

[TexasRifleman]

K&D Holsters makes some nice holsters for Kel-Tec pocket carry.

I tried the Nemesis. I like the looks of those you posted but the pocket holsters always seem to come out of my pocket still attached to the gun

You have that problem with these?

 

[Prince Yamato]

How you carry depends largely on your build. Here are some general rules though

1) You need a small gun. Nothing larger than a Smith & Wesson J-frame (or Taurus 605) or a Glock 26 or like semi-auto for iwb carry. If you're going to pocket carry, you need to look into a Kel-Tec or an NAA mini-revolver. No, a Glock 26 isn't a pocket carry unless you want your pockets to buldge like you're carrying a gun in there, or unless you wear clown pants.

2) You don't have to dress like a bubba to carry. Yes, dress around your gun, but there are some things to consider. First, get a good belt. That is an absolute must. Remember that summer doesn't always mean shorts. Linen is particularly useful in the summer. So you could get linen pants and still be relatively cool in the summer (I wear them in Texas, so I know what real heat is). Baggy t-shirts aren't really in style anymore. Wear a polo shirt or a Hawaiian shirt instead.

Also, do NOT buy pants that are 2 sizes too large as per some other's advice. I always see this on gun boards. You'll look like you just escaped from a mental ward if you're wearing pants that are hanging off your ass and bunching around your ankles. Your pants should be fit and break slightly at your shoe. If they don't do this, you're not wearing them correctly. If you really need more room, get pants in your normal size, but "relaxed fit".

3) If you have a semblance of a derrière, forget carrying behind the back; the gun tucked in the rear of a person with a rear... well it makes it look like you took a blocky crap in your boxers. So if you have a butt, plan on carrying somewhere between 3 and 9 o'clock.

Other cardinal rules:

*No fanny packs- they haven't been in style in 20-some years and are only worn by old men and tourists

*No "tactical vests" because the only people who wear those are fishermen and people who ccw

*You must be able to stand up, sit down, and go to the bathroom while carrying. If you can't do this, rethink your set-up.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

You have that problem with these?

This is the recommended draw technique for K&D pocket holsters.

 

[smee781]

carry

Pocket carry j frame's. S&W 940 9mm

 

[Mad Magyar]

I carried a PPK through the hottest part of the summer, with nothing more than a T-shirt/muscel shirt and cargo shorts

Same here, PPK & in the pocket of my Levi cut-offs...
Cooler weather means more variety.....

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

Seems like a lot depends on your body type and good holsters, belts and the like. I also find it interesting that dark-colored clothes don't "print" as badly as lighter colors.

While I haven't hit 21 yet, I'm already putting thought into this. I was thinking a 4" 357 revolver. Too big?

 

[Dave in PA]

I pocket carry or use a high ride pancake with my shirt untucked. I would try an IWB, but there's not enough room. ;-)

 

[Myrdhyn]

My solution:

-Comfortable cargo shorts
-Sturdy belt (I pretty much only buy the "dickies" construction grade belts...cheap, look good, and last a long time for the 10-15 you spend on them)
-Comfortable shirt that goes below your waistline (2-3inches below your belt-line ideally)
-Crossbreed IWB holster for your favorite flavor of protection.

 

[ZombiesAhead]

Living in OH in the summer, I just use an IWB holster (Uncle Mike's nylon or MTAC). I generally just wear a t-shirt on top and if it prints, well; open carry is legal in OH.

 

[Neophyte1]

speedo

wont work in a speedo

 

[pinhead56]

Check out the "Smart Carry".
http://www.smartcarry.com/
The web site shows how it works for the inventor with a full size 1911 and a pair of jeans. You could carry on the beach in a swimsuit with this thing... though stay out of the water! I have one for a ppk/s or mid-sized auto. The inventor lives in FL and knows all about ccw in hot weather.

 

[wuchak]

I tried the Nemesis. I like the looks of those you posted but the pocket holsters always seem to come out of my pocket still attached to the gun

I use a Nemesis with both my P-3AT and my SP101. The trick with the Nemesis is that the flap that extends below the grip is made to catch on the edge of your pocket as you draw. If you draw up until the grip clears the pocket and then back as though you were going to shoot from the hip, the holster should stay in the pocket.

The best thing I have found for summer is the P-3AT in a SmartCarry. You can conceal it and wear it comfortably all day in a pair of regular shorts and no shirt.

Second choice is the P-3AT in the Nemesis. This has the advantage of being able to put your hand on the grip to be ready to draw if needed.

Third choice is the SP101 in an IWB holster. If I'm wearing a Hawaiian shirt or an oversize t-shirt the SP101 goes with me.

Fourth choice is the SP101 in the Nemesis. In the loose fitting shorts that I normally wear its heavy enough that its banging against my leg is annoying.

I'll be getting a SmartCarry sized for the SP101 before next summer rolls around.

-Wuchak

 

[.455_Hunter]

Pocket Holster work well

My usual summer attire is a slim fit sk8ter t-shirt, AE cargo shorts and flip-flops. I use a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster ($10 @ Sportsman's Warehouse). Depending on the threat profile, I carry either my NAA .22 Mag Mini-Rev (1 5/8"), S&W Model 60 (.38 only), CZ-50 (.32 acp), Bulgarian Makarov (9x18) or SA Micro GI (.45 acp). The Mak and Micro GI are a little heavy, but still conceal well, especially with a bandana folded over the top of the gun (looks like a handkerchief). I hope to add a NAA Guardian .32 ACP to the group in the near future.
Here in Colorado, "lumbar packs" are not out of place, especially if you dress the part of an outdoors type person. I have a Mountainsmith model from REI that I can carry anything short of my 7.5" Vaquero effectively.

 

[Mikeo]

Summer in Ohio

It is either pocket carry or IWB appendix carry, for me, with my Taurus 605. An undershirt is helpful to keep from chafing with the IWB carry, and a T-shirt conceals the handgun very well. Many shirts toady are made of a slick feeling material that will keep from riding up on the gun. I usually choose a relatively dark color, but as long as the material is opaque, there is not a problem.

 

[sinistr]

+1 on the smart carry, i live in fla, in the summer i prefer to wear jeans and a t shirt.with the smart carry there is really no printing.it is also really comfortable even when sitting in a vehicle.the belly band would be my second choice.with both you can also wear sweats,and are effective when biking or jogging. like with any holster,practice,practice,practice.

 

[ATAShooter]

I use 2 :

Summer - S&W 637 Airweight J frame

Winter - Colt 1911

 

[Whirlwind06]

If you have a semblance of a derrière, forget carrying behind the back; the gun tucked in the rear of a person with a rear... well it makes it look like you took a blocky crap in your boxers. So if you have a butt, plan on carrying somewhere between 3 and 9 o'clock.

Thanks!! I didn't need to drink that coffee anyways!

I pretty much carried my KT P11 this summer. Last summer (06) I carried a 1911 full size and a Ruger P89 (not at the same time). So you can carry anything if you are willing dress for it. Plus Ohio doesn't have a no-printing law. And you know what? People don't really look to closely. A bulge under your cover garment will be assumed to be a Cell phone.

 

[Papaster]

Down here south of the border, in the Republic of Texas, Things get pretty hot and sticky. To a degree you learn to wear more clothes and sweat a little. But I carry with a loose, un-tucked shirt (I avoid the more obvious hawaiian shirts and go for something I could wear to work) with an IWB holster about 5-5:30. Not nearly so comfortable as my cooler season holsters, like my pancake holster, but the concealment is great. Oh, and I always wear an undershirt between my body and the gun/holster. That thing rubbing on you all day will wear straight through to your bones.

 

[standerson]

I also live in Ohio. I am 6' and 190 pounds. I carry a 226 (.40/no rail) year around. It's very concealable.

In the summer time, I wear a wife beater underneath my T shirt, and a VMII. Winter time, I switch to a OWB, 3 slot holster.

I wear suits so when I got buy one, I always carry my handgun. That way they can fit the suit around it.

 

[chrlefxtrt]

Ever considered a derringer? I have a Cobra in .38spl, that I picked up at the gun show new for 80 bucks. I take that thing every where, even when I am carrying something else.