That image is a complete no go; revolver is exposed. Also, I always, universally, wear shirts tucked in.Depends on the clothing a bit. How form fitting it is. Darker colored clothing helps a little. The hem of a shirt can also break things up too.
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However holsters do help hide the gun, especially with the outline of a revolver being so universally recognizable.
Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?
Not only is a holster a necessity when pocket carrying, I believe a really good gun belt is equally important even when the gun is not hanging directly on the belt.When I made my original post, I already leaning toward pocket carry. I tried a Smith 340 today, but, with no holster, it prints a pretty clean picture of a gun through my pants. Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?
The butt of the revolver is exposed so you know what you’re looking at. That’s not typically how people carry it.That image is a complete no go; revolver is exposed. Also, I always, universally, wear shirts tucked in.
Most of the time a holster is required to fully conceal the outline of a firearm... even in a pocket. You might get away without a holster with a small revolver if the pocket is a little baggy, but if the pocket is the least bit stretched tight, you will see a revolver's outline. Semi-auto pistols require a pocket holster in my opinion. A wallet type holster will work in a front pocket or rear pocket. Sometimes a sticky holster will work. Kydex pocket holsters work well if they fit your size gun and pocket. You can find an unobtrusive pocket holster, but you might have to try some with your particular gun.When I made my original post, I already leaning toward pocket carry. I tried a Smith 340 today, but, with no holster, it prints a pretty clean picture of a gun through my pants. Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?
So I've decided to start carrying concealed. I need to carry totally concealed while wearing something like Levi Dockers, Chinos etc. and a collared polo type shirt. There can be no accidental exposure of the sidearm. Autoloader should have a manual safety. Budget is around $1k for a complete set-up.
I wouldn't immediately jump to pocket carry without trying some IWB options. Also, don't forget to budget for a quality gun belt ( I use and like Kore) as it helps more than I would have imagined prior to owning.
Good luck, it will take some time but in the end all of the advice in the world won't matter as much as trial and error on your end. The right set up (gun, belt, holster, carry position) is influenced by so many factors, it's really unique to your body, preferences, compromises and restrictions.
Aside from concealment, I would worry about lint etc getting into the gun.When I made my original post, I already leaning toward pocket carry. I tried a Smith 340 today, but, with no holster, it prints a pretty clean picture of a gun through my pants. Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?
Me too.That image is a complete no go; revolver is exposed. Also, I always, universally, wear shirts tucked in.
IMO you should never carry a gun in your pocket without a holster for many reasons already mentioned. You don't want anything pushing that trigger while the gun is in your pocket! It also serves to break up the outline of the gun too.When I made my original post, I already leaning toward pocket carry. I tried a Smith 340 today, but, with no holster, it prints a pretty clean picture of a gun through my pants. Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?
When I made my original post, I already leaning toward pocket carry. I tried a Smith 340 today, but, with no holster, it prints a pretty clean picture of a gun through my pants. Is a holster a necessity for concealment and to prevent printing?