Help me conceal my carry weapon

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DontBurnMyFlag

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Hey everyone,

Ive read the numerous threads and websites on CCW techniques, but Im still looking for more information.

Ill give a little background and maybe someone could provide some advice.

Im 6 feet tall and 160lbs. I wear regular levis jeans, button down shirts and a waist length jacket in this weather. My clothes arent skin tight, but not baggy by any stretch of the imagination.

I currently own two handguns. Well...one is waiting at the shop until my dang permit comes in!!! So I only have my Smith and Wesson Model 10 with a 4" barrel at my disposal. My other weapon is a FN 49 in 9mm.

I was tinkering with the idea of a shoulder rig underneath my button down shirt. Accessible if need be, but not as quick as an IWB holster or something to that effect.

The only problem I have with IWB is that my shirts and jacket come up to my waist if I am reaching for something, the chances of being made are high.

I know that it is basically up to me and what I feel comfortable with. However I was just seeing if there were some suggestions that would help my sitchy-ation. haha. Thanks!
 
A pancake holster works well with a 4" model 10 if a jacket is worn.
Stay away from the safari vest and the fanny pack. You will either look like a cop (could be good or bad) or would be a sure give away that you are packing.
You could think of interesting ways to carry without a holster. A hardback book from a used book store could be a great hide away. With the pages cut out to hold a pistol this would never look out of place in a city. How about packing in a lunchbox? You could likely carry both pistols and extra ammo for both.
 
the ONLY people who see vests and fanny packs as "GUN HIDEOUTS! are GUN PEOPLE... DO NOT worry if these are your carry choices, because they DO NOT give away anything that scares the Sheeple...

either untuck the shirts, and carry IWB/OWB, or get a "tuckable" holster...

Shoulder rigs are GREAT, and I have one... it is PREFECT... right up until you enter a nice warm building and want to remove the jacket... then your CCW is now no longer concealed... or you are sweating likea pig...

speaking of which, NOTHING screams "I HAVE A GUN" or "I'm doing something BAD" more than some guy in a jacket or coat, SWEATING LIKE A STUCK PIG, in a heated building, and steadfastly NOT removing said jacket or coat...
 
DON'TBURNMYFLAG - "I wear regular levis jeans,..."


Why do you wear Levi Strauss jeans???

The company has for some time, been extremely anti-hunting and anti-guns owned by us worker peasants. They donate BIG BUCKS to anti-guns and anti-hunting groups.

Buy Wranglers. Then buy a Kramer or Simply Rugged IWB holster for your pistol and you are good to go.

L.W.
 
Congrats on making the decision to go armed. Be advised, however, that it is unhandy and inconvenient, especially at first. If you stick with your decision, you will in the end make some adjustments to your wardrobe.

I do not think you'll like shoulder carry for extended periods of time. It's downright uncomfortable in many settings and does not conceal well without a loose-fitting jacket.

I've carried concealed every day for the past 8 years and I've tried the following:

Shoulder carry
Ankle carry
Belly band
IWB- small of the back
IWB- 4:00 position
OWB - 4:00 position
Smart Carry


After wading through all those options, the two that get the most use from me now are IWB at 4:00 and ankle carry, with the slight edge going to ankle carry.

Again, be prepared to make adjustments as you go. None are completely without effort, but being prepared is worth the trouble.
 
Smart Carry is worth exploring, especially if you don't like IWB. Not all that quick, but more comfortable and better concealment than shoulder holster, and allows a surprising variety of weapons. I have carried a j-frame S&W, Kahr PM9, Glock 23, L-frame and N-frame S&Ws (3" barrels) and officer's size 1911. Also allows spare mag/speed loader carry.
 
Before you go much further in thinking about wearing a shoulder holster under a shirt, see if you can find a store that has a shoulder holster in stock. Then ask to try it on, under your shirt, just as you might actually wear it. I doubt that you'll manage to do it, or that you will like the result even if you can manage it.

Then--assuming that you can manage it and don't mind the result--pretend that you're at a range practicing a draw from that setup. The scenario is that you're being attacked and you need to get your gun out of the shoulder holster and into action fast. How do you do it? You can't carefully unbutton your shirt. You'll have to rip it open and tuck your hand under and around the opening. That's what you'll need to practice several thousand times. Consider the cost of the shirts you'll have to rip for reach practice draw. And, of course, consider that you will have to take off the old shirt and put on a new one for each repetition.

A shoulder holster, in my opinion, is a special purpose tool and not a particularly good one for daily concealed carry by a civilian. It works best, for me, under a jacket. But that means I can't remove the jacket in public without exposing the holster and gun. The weather gets awfully hot sometimes and I don't want to box myself into the need to wear a jacket at all times. Then, too, a gun in a shoulder holster is difficult for me to protect and difficult for me to draw. To do either requires me to reach across my body with my strong hand, which is not a normal gesture in everyday life. With my luck I'd be attacked by some bad guy who knows that and realizes that I'm about to do something he wouldn't like: all he has to do is grab my strongside arm, punch me in the gut, or do anything else that interrupts my action--and almost anything would. Not good, any of it, in my opinion.

See what you can do to make an inside-the-waistband holster work for you. Be prepared to change your mode of dress to accommodate the holster and the gun. One thing that many people do is wear their shirts untucked. I know, I know: it's so sloppy. Sloppy isn't necessarily bad, though.
 
I didn't want to change my mode of dress much, so after much experimentation I finally settled on pocket carry. A Kahr PM9, in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster, works for me while wearing jeans (NOT Levi Strauss!), "docker" style (NOT Levi Strauss!), shorts, or dress slacks.

Since it sounds like you want to carry a larger gun I think that you are going to have to re-evaluate your manner of dress.
 
Let's avoid the Levi's political commentary, shall we? This isn't L&P.


Carrying a gun is inconvenient. And, when the Team discusses this issue, we discuss the decision as a complete package that includes your manner of dress. Personally, after about 2 years of carry, I changed my entire wardrobe so that I could conceal a Commander worn OWB, my 6P, a spare mag, and a 4" fixed blade on my belt as I walk about society.

Being armed constantly is difficult, and dismissing the possibility that you may have to change your dress habits to accomplish it makes that decision much tougher. I didn't say it was impossible, but you will have to make a number of compromises.
 
Longer coat?

Dear Dontburnmyflag,

Have you thought about getting a longer coat? You should be able to pick up a decent windbreaker/light rain coat for $30-40, and a garment like that that is hip-length instead of waist-length really opens up your options. If you are into quilted flannel shirts, it also works great to wear one of those untucked. Get it a bit long, and the stiffness of the fabric means that it won't print as easily as some other garments. Plus you can get a decent quilted flannel shirt for $10 if you shop around a bit (WalMart, or perhaps JCPenney or Sears on sale). Any of the options I've mentioned are cheaper than a quality holster, so if you already have a holster that you are comfortable with (sounds like it may be the case), a longer covering garment might be cheaper and easier than anything else. I carry my rig at 3:00 or 4:00 with just the kind of coat I've described, and it works great for me. I'm only about 20 lbs heavier than you and same height, so give it a shot.

I've also tried fanny pack carry, and been happy with it. It will telegraph to gun folks, but it's really tough for me to know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. I've carried that way for years, and the only one who ever made a comment was a friend who's a fellow gun nut. No "regular folks" have even raised an eyebrow, as far as I've been able to tell. Fanny packs are good for giving quick access whether standing, sitting, driving, etc. Downside is that it takes two free hands to get to your weapon, but it still may be quicker than a belt holster in some cases, like belted into a car (if you're wearing a coat).

Hope this helps!

frayluisfan
 
I've carried for over four years IWB concealed by an untucked shirt. I'll usually tote a mid-sized 9mm, or occasionally a service size .40, with one or (very rarely) two spare mags. This works well for me year round, regardless of whether I'm wearing a coat or jacket. On those rare times when I absolutely must tuck my shirt in, I'll slip a tiny .32 pistol into a front pocket and cross my fingers. I don't know how comfortable a revolver's cylinder would be inside a waistband - all my guns are square and flat.
Shirt selection is crucial. I prefer shirts cut square at the hem, instead of tapered around the hips, right where the extra material is needed most. I also prefer heavier fabric and dark colors - it won't do to actually see through the shirt.
As others have said, you'll eventually end up selecting your clothes based on your carry method.
 
I got about 2" bigger waist pants, a heavy belt and an IWB holster that clips on for quick removal when visiting those off limit .gov locations and what not.

A good holster and belt will be money well spent in this arena. You'll start buying longer shirts also. At 160 lb and 6', you be a lanky guy, a good belt is the best place to start for comfort. Holsters and CCW selections will vary, but you'll want that belt holding it all up.
 
I saw a guy in a gun store a couple of years ago that carried a Sig 226 in a shoulder holster with an over-shirt. I wouldn't have known, but he was looking at another Sig and the shop owner mentioned another model (the one he had) so the guy said, "well, I've actually got one of those on me. Mind if I show you?" At that point I looked and couldn't tell where he had it. He got his hand on the gun rather quickly once he got the OK from the shop owner. It may have been a shirt with snaps instead of buttons, but I don't remember for sure. I do know he made good use of it.

I don't think it would ever work for me, though.
 
Thank you very much for all your replies.

I wear a hooded sweatshirt under my jacket when its cold, and the sweatshirt is a zipper-up. I suppose a shoulder rig underneath the sweatshirt would be appropriate, because my jacket can be removed and still my weapon would be concealed.

I am also in the process of trying out some IWB holsters. BTW my shirts are always untucked, so I feel it may work out.


But once again thanks for everything.


and not ALL my jeans are levis haha. :D
 
Update!

I just visited my gun store and bought a shoulder rig.

Its an "Uncle Mikes" undercover shoulder holster for 4' barrel revolvers.

It has a nice thumb snap and its quite comfortable. Elastic and Nylon.

I tried it on and adjusted the straps and whatnot. I dont print in a winter jacket or hooded sweatshirt.

I tried the IWB, but my pants said no. That will still require some tinkering.

I also eyed up the Springfield XD subcompact as well...but thats another story :D
 
...or would be a sure give away that you are packing.
Click to expand...

So which is it? Concealed or completely undetectable? I was under the impression (here in WA anyway) that I had to keep my handgun concealed. The bulge or any printing, while somewhat undesirable, is not illegal. When I bend at the middle, the handle of my Sig pokes out noticeably.
 
When I want maximum concealment I use a belly band over an undershirt worn at the belt level with the pistol/revolver at 4:00. Tuck in you shirt over the pistol/revolver, and untuck your shirt a little to conceal the butt of the gun. This works just like a tuckable holster with no visible clip. A belly band will work with a wide variety of guns. I am skinny but can conceal a 4" K frame in this manner pretty easily.

Here's two different ones.
http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum1881.php

http://magills.com/pgroup_descrip/311/609/?return=?
 
wear black

it conceals better.
one size to big when buying pants for iwb.
buy larger shirts that hang well.


how the heck did you score a ccw in NJ?

or did you skip the process like I did in CA?
 
for those who are curious. I am a holder of the Florida Non-Resident CCW permit. Thats why I am interested.

I am not God, and do not have the power to be granted a NJ ccw permit :evil:

Nor am I a corrupt politician or celebrity. just an average guy lol, so Im screwed outta the "privelages" haha
 
I was just going to ask whos nephew you were to get a carry permit in NJ.

I will tell you that the uncle mikes holster may feel good now, but they get old real fast. sorry. just not made of sturdy enough stuff

as far as over shirts, NJ is not the place to wear western shirts, but they often come with snaps.

LLBEAN has what they call "barn coats" or chore coats, sorta a upscale suburbia jacket that comes down to low hip position. They are great for hiding carry guns.

When you buy holsters, remember you get what you pay for. a well made holster will really hide that gun.

Inside waist band is something you have to try, some love it, for me it digs in, no matter whos holster i try. just body shape, OWB pancake or askins styles work great on me. no one notices it all.
 
I'm of the tallish-thinish build too & an IWB works great for me positioned at about 9:00 or even a bit more forward (shoot lefty). It helps hide the butt of the gun & has worked for both the Kimber Compact gun & the SA Gov't Model. At or slightly forward of the hip is also much more comfortable when sitting/driving.
 
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