The secret to more than a pocket gun for summer carry, wear a shirt.

?? Been doing this for decades.

Dressed right now almost identically to you above, but iwb carrying a Dan Wesson .45 (Guardian) with a Milt Sparks holster.

The flaw in that plan is the iwb leather holster, which is sticking to me in this weather today.

Got to get myself another owb holster.

CDW4ME said:

Want to carry more than a pocket gun in the summer, wear a shirt.
I'm concealing a Glock 19 AIWB and a PM40 in weak hand pocket.
Dominant hand (right) and Glock 19 IWB facing forward.
When out in public wear shorts and a shirt, concealment aint that hard.
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Nice mug shot

The loose or slim fit of a pullover, polo or t-shirt also has something to do with how some concealment works.

Then, there's whether you're just standing in one position or posture all the time, or involved in some assorted activities. Even sitting and leaning back a bit can reveal a AIWB weapon under a shirt. A good friend of mine (another instructor) who works to maintain his fitness (amateur body builder) has come to favor AIWB carry of his small off-duty weapons. His M&P 9 2.0 4" and 3.6" are his current favorites. When we're sitting in normal chairs at a cigar club the lump under his shirt is often readily apparent, depending on his postural shifts. It also affects the way he holds himself.

I know another retired cop who varies between OWB and AIWB carry, depending whether he's carrying his G21 or his compact 3913. Even wearing loose cover shirts the lumping can be apparent when he stands, bends, leans or just shifts in his chair.

Of course, much of the motoring public can be oblivious to such things. It's mostly cops and bad guys who tend to notice whether someone else might be armed. Sometimes other lawfully armed private citizens might notice, depending on their awareness and having learned what to look for when they're standing in front of a mirror\ at home.

When I wear one of my belt guns I wear the appropriate cover garments to allow me to conceal it while performing the usual daily activities I'm planning, as well as those I may have to do unexpectedly. I've seen too many other cops think they're concealing their weapons under a t-shirt or polo to want to risk being that obvious.

When I don't feel like 'dressing around' the belt-holstered weapon, I use pocket-holster carry, but I still make the effort for it not to be obvious when I'm involved in most of my everyday activities.

I'm one of those short-torso folks who finds it very uncomfortable (and awkward) to AIWB even one of my J-frames for any activity or posture other than standing straight upright. Twisting, turning, bending or sitting doesn't work for me. Also, my polos and t-shirts, while not snug and skin-tight, aren't of the '1-size too large' around the waist to billow and drape over a med/leg handgun to one side of my belt buckle. They're too slim fitting to work that way for me. I do have some buttoned (snaps) 'hot summer shirts' of the Blackhawk and Magpul lightweight sort, but they're soft enough that they can easily be pressed against me (by wind or bending) to reveal the lump on my waist.

An untucked shirt works fine...if you wear untucked shirts. My job is very summer-heavy. That means that dressing casual is less likely. Fitted (not baggy and not "skinny") jeans with a company polo tucked in. It's company policy to tuck in your polo...or course, it's my company and my policy so I realize I'm limiting myself on what I can carry. However, I prefer the more professional look and higher potential to complete a sale over worrying about dressing around my gun. That means pocket carry in a holster that breaks up the profile of a .380. It really just looks like a metal front pocket wallet.

Now, when I'm bumming around the office on my "day off" but still at work, I'll wear something more comfortable. I was carrying a 509 Midsize IWB in a soft tuck holster yesterday. I had on jeans with a bit more stretch and was wearing an untucked company tee shirt. Today, I'm wearing a rather loud Star Wars themed Hawaiian shirt at the office. I like it because it gradually get darker toward the tail of the shirt and hides any peekaboo of my black gun or holster if it shows. Same gun but I'm wearing it OWB. I've been typing contracts all day. I don't want anything digging into my side.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AB1QYJO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002618IVE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Another option (for us older guys) is a guyaberra which I also use (it doesn't have the vents which is a plus and a minus depending on the situation):



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A7EBK02/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also use Hawaiian shirts:



https://smile.amazon.com/Johari-Wes...ords=untucked&qid=1556314803&s=apparel&sr=1-9

And the final option are shirts by Untucked (or Van Huesen's Never Tuck) which are meant to be untucked. I don't have any of those.

Wrangler untucked shirt



https://smile.amazon.com/Wrangler-Authentic-Cowboy-Western-Shirt/dp/B008QWVH3I

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=fashion&field-keywords=untucked+shirt

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=fashion&field-keywords=guayabera&rh=n:7141123011,k:guayabera

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Correction, wear a shirt one size up. I wear an XL t-shirt, for enhanced carry with a 2XL untucked t-shirt I can easily carry in a belly band my SA XD-45 (my Shield and LCP disappear).
Packing .45 ACP 13+1 with shorts and a 2X tee is the ultimate!!

I think a lot of folks are overly concerned with absolute concealment. I understand certain situations but 99% of the time when you are out in public no one is paying attention to you.

I graduated from carrying the smallest possible gun worried about total concealment that I didnt shoot well, to a double stack subcompact with a full grip that shoots like a full size.

It prints a little at the tip of the grip extension if I bend over but nobody ever seems to notice. An untucked shirt conceals this gun very well OWB for me. I dont care about some minor printing, I'd rather have something I can actually shoot versus "ultra deep concealment" with something unusable.

Perhaps I am self conscious but a tee shirt doesn’t cut it for me. If I am carrying concealed I want my gun concealed. I do not want appear unnatural in my movements or my mannerisms.
I do not use IWB holsters because I hate the way they feel. I will not appendix carry. I don’t know who came up with this or how they got lots of people to promote it but I think it’s ridiculously uncomfortable and it sure as heck doesn’t allow a person to move and look natural when sitting or moving from a sitting position.
I like OWB holsters, pocket carry and I will ankle carry if I have to.
I like Hawaiian or Camp shirts when using a OWB holster.

The bottom line is everyone that carries has an opinion of what works for them. My preferences definitely do not fit other folks ideas on what works for them.

Oh, and I always wear a shirt in public.

LRDGCO said:

Frankly, I would advise all men and most women to always wear a shirt in public, regardless of carry...

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In most areas shoes and shirts are mandatory. It must be pants that are optional.

I like to wear an untucked Polo shirt for most of the warmer weather months. Pretty easy to conceal carry that way (IWB with a S&W Model 638 or a Kahr CM9 while OWB with a CZ P01, Colt Commander, SIG P229, or a Ruger SR9c).

An untucked shirt works well for a cover garment, but an untucked shirt is not appropriate in all social and business settings. Its a sloppy look suitable for vacation and mowing the grass but not much else.

wojownik said:

?? Been doing this for decades.

Dressed right now almost identically to you above, but iwb carrying a Dan Wesson .45 (Guardian) with a Milt Sparks holster.

The flaw in that plan is the iwb leather holster, which is sticking to me in this weather today.

Got to get myself another owb holster.

Click to expand...

Id suggest trying a kydex holster for IWB. The kydex wont stick to you or rub you raw if its against bare skin, and any rusting issues due to a wet leather holster go away.

The holsters last a lot longer too. I quit leather when kydex holsters first showed up, and it was the best thing I ever did.

Fiv3r said:

An untucked shirt works fine...if you wear untucked shirts. My job is very summer-heavy. That means that dressing casual is less likely. Fitted (not baggy and not "skinny") jeans with a company polo tucked in. It's company policy to tuck in your polo...or course, it's my company and my policy so I realize I'm limiting myself on what I can carry. However, I prefer the more professional look and higher potential to complete a sale over worrying about dressing around my gun. That means pocket carry in a holster that breaks up the profile of a .380. It really just looks like a metal front pocket wallet.

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A Smart Carry holster is the answer here. You can carry a realistic gun, with a reload, and you dont even have to wear a shirt, if you dont want to.

Ive been carrying a Glock 26 with a 17 reload in one, in NPE's for over a decade. Especially in the summer. No one has ever been the wiser. Great holsters, and comfortable for long, day-long active use too.

tactikel said:

Correction, wear a shirt one size up. I wear an XL t-shirt, for enhanced carry with a 2XL untucked t-shirt I can easily carry in a belly band my SA XD-45 (my Shield and LCP disappear).
Packing .45 ACP 13+1 with shorts and a 2X tee is the ultimate!!

Click to expand...

Ive always just worn my normal clothes sizes, pants or shirts. Going larger only looks like my clothes dont fit, and out of place. For me anyway.

Pat Riot said:

Perhaps I am self conscious but a tee shirt doesn’t cut it for me. If I am carrying concealed I want my gun concealed. I do not want appear unnatural in my movements or my mannerisms.
I do not use IWB holsters because I hate the way they feel. I will not appendix carry. I don’t know who came up with this or how they got lots of people to promote it but I think it’s ridiculously uncomfortable and it sure as heck doesn’t allow a person to move and look natural when sitting or moving from a sitting position.
I like OWB holsters, pocket carry and I will ankle carry if I have to.
I like Hawaiian or Camp shirts when using a OWB holster.

The bottom line is everyone that carries has an opinion of what works for them. My preferences definitely do not fit other folks ideas on what works for them.

Oh, and I always wear a shirt in public.

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Youre right, what works best for you, is what works best. We all have our likes, dislikes, and experiences.

In the summer, I can easily get away with an untucked, normal size tee over my Glock 17, AIWB. Ive carried pretty much any way you can think of over the years, and IWB-AIWB, are the most concealable and comfortable, as far as belt carry goes. Once you get used to them.

With either of those two types of carry, you need to give them a good try, find your "sweet spot", and allow your body a little time to adjust. Once you do that, I think youll find its very comfortable, and the most concealable way to carry. Especially AIWB.

I really dont understand the not looking natural or being able to move comment. I have never found that to be the case, and if anything, concealment and being able to protect the gun, should you need to, is a lot easier. Its also very fast and natural on the draw, and doesnt telegraph your draw, like other places on the belt tend to do. Its also much easier to draw from that position while sitting and with a lot less movement.

Just some things to think about.

No matter what though, you do have to find what works best for you, and go with it.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...rt-sleeve-fishing-shirt#repChildCatid=5693414

I've got close to a dozen and a half of these in my closet. They are pretty much the only shirt I wear out in public. I carry a commander sized 1911 either IWB or OWB.

Those all work fine for you skinny guys; not so much for those of us carrying too much around the middle.

Right now I am sunday lazy house guy, but yesterday went out in shorts, a t-shirt, and a 4" M&P with X300U-A and JPoint. Easy. Good belt, good holster, put it the right place, and don't. Touch. It.

I am not especially thin. Better than I was especially around the middle, but 6' and 225#. Don't wear light colored or thin clothes, don't wear shirts that are too tight. Done.

ETA Re: language. Didn't hit any such filter, notice, etc. Sorry, will try to recall this one's rules and norms.

Overly nourished - AKA - overweight people may have a problem more so than others that moderate their eating habits and exercise daily in regards to concealment carry of a weapon. As an example walking five days a week over a fifty-two week year, three miles per day equals 780 miles. Can't hurt could help! I'm in my seventh decade, work on the property, go to the YMCA and watch what I eat thus helps control my weight but on the other hand could drop dead tomorrow! My state of dress is such you won't notice my OWB holster and S&W-Shield 9X19mm and magazine pouch.

Hangingrock said:

Overly nourished - AKA - overweight people may have a problem more so than others that moderate their eating habits and exercise daily in regards to concealment carry of a weapon. As an example walking five days a week over a fifty-two week year, three miles per day equals 780 miles. Can't hurt could help! I'm in my seventh decade, work on the property, go to the YMCA and watch what I eat thus helps control my weight but on the other hand could drop dead tomorrow! My state of dress is such you won't notice my OWB holster and S&W-Shield 9X19mm and magazine pouch.

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I walk 1.5 miles at a time, twice per day with a dog who loves to walk fast. As one ages, the metabolism slows and weight gain happens. Add in things like stress, and/or alcohol consumption or a diet of fast food or snack junk, and folks gain weight.
I wish I was only 225 at 6'3.........

Walkalong said:

Yep.
I walk 10K to 14K steps a day, plus work very hard outside (Chainsaw etc) 4 or 5 days a month, and still have to watch what I eat. I used to be able to eat like a horse and stay skinny. No more, adapt, or gain weight.

A big waist does inhibit carry options.

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As a former life long runner and coach. It comes down to calories in, calories out. Walking burns very few calories. It is time not distance that counts but time that is important. The best fuel for a marathoner is FAT. The body will change over from the quick burning fuel of Carbohydrates at about the 40 min mark and start to burn fat which is the best body fuel for endurance. Want to walk, walk fast, the fat burning will really go into effect a the 1 hour mark.
Easy way to loose weight is lay off all Bread, pasta and eat small proportions just lean meat. Eat more fish and vegetables. Your body needs no where near the fuel people think it does. Look at the leanest Marathoner, his body has enough stored fat to last a very long time at a very fast pace.

If you do nothing else. Just stop eating bread for a month and I promise you will lose a few inches in your waist from just that alone. Excess carbs just convert into fat for storage. And it is all about portion control.

I hate IWB holsters period. and I do not have a big waist. And I refuse to buy a larger waist pant just for a firearm.

** Most of my years in running were twice a day workouts. I knew the competition well. There was one guy that I could never beat. He was a UPS driver. Very thin guy that would run to each door step with his packages. When he told me how many miles he logged each week, I could not believe how little he actually did. He told me, the work on the truck of moving all day and moving fast provided him with the bulk of his training.
Obvioulsy he was able to keep his heart rate up a substained amount of time throughut the day. Burning a whole of lot of FAT. His body learned to be a "efficient FAT BURNER".

George P said:

Those all work fine for you skinny guys; not so much for those of us carrying too much around the middle.

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I'm 6'2" and 340 lbs. Works fine for me.