Carrying Concealed

1. Most people are in condition white. Many would not notice, even if you were openly carrying. When they see a bulge, they assume it's a PDA, Cell Phone, colostomy bag, whatever. I CCW every day with a P7M13, covered only by a scrub top. Nobody I work with can tell when I'm carrying.

2. A good holster and proper clothing do a lot more than you think. Most of us at THR carry at least some of the time, and are on the lookout for others. We don't notice others carrying all that much, and we are really trying.

When I teach CCW, I'll start the class, and then about ten minutes in, say, "Oh yeah, if anybody brought their gun, please open the action and place it on the table in front of you."

Then I start taking guns off. The classes eye's keep getting wider as guns keep going on the table. I normally will do seven or eight, most of them full size guns.

Now I wouldn't do this in reality, (the N frame Smiths in each armpit is a touch much). But I do it just to illustrate the exact point you are talking about in your post.

Concealing a gun is easy. Given proper clothing, and a decent rig, you would be amazed what you can carry. And also the level of physical activity you can get away with before anybody notices the gun.

Particularly in the past few years we've seen a lot of compact, flat autoloaders come out that are generally easy to put in a IWB holster or even a pocket holster. I commonly carry a Kel-Tec P3AT or Kahr PM9 in a pocket holster, even in shorts when I go out and get my exercise. Nobody's ever been the wiser. Pocket size permitting, I sometimes carry my Taurus PT145 that holds 11 rounds of 45 auto.

Lou

One size large untucked T-shirts and shorts with a good belt are usually sufficient to cover a small frame revolver or compact autoloader in a good IWB rig or in bellyband strongside while in public. I am sure people will back me up here.... the wearer is far more concious of the gun than anyone around you. If you can get over your nervousness about printing, you will conceal even better because you are acting naturally. It is just plain nuts how it works, but it does!
People really have no clue.

I bet in new zealand it would be even *easier* to carry because I sure the disarmed public is even more clueless.

A big part of it is just getting used to it, and not touching the gun in public. I know that sounds silly, but that was the initial source of my anxiety over it when I started.

Once you're used to the idea there's a gun there and stop worrying about it, your body language and demeanor is your best tool for concealment. If you look like you belong somewhere, people will assume you do.

Sound moderators. Yes, I'm jealous.

That's probably your problem. You stick your .22 down your pants with the silencer attached and marvel at how such a bulge wouldn't be thought of as out of the ordinary in America.

I've never carried on my hip - the part where it would stick out the most. I carry behind my hip. The hollow of the back hides the grip. Good posture helps too.
Not only are most people in condition white, as said, they also don't want to notice. It is also true that these days people carry so many electronics and such on their belts that bumps are not unusual.
Part of it is mode of dress - no Speedos.

Pocket carry with a thin handgun like a Kel-tec or a Smith J-frame works very well. Medium to large guns work well with an IWB with a cover shirt or sweater.

Most people have blinders on and think the bulge is a PDA or Cell phone or XYZ item not a gun. So, oblivious!

Forgot to say - good holster + good sturdy belt help a lot. Sagging is bad for concealed (& comfortable) carry.

During winter months, a long sleeved sweat shirt that is just a little oversized will cover just about any handgun carried on the hip. Warm weather CCW is more difficult, that's why some of us have summer and winter guns of differing sizes.

NS

Also, choosing the appropriate firearm for you mode of dress and situation is imperative. I don't typically carry anything larger that a 4" bbl compact semiauto or medium frame revolver, and nothing smaller than a j-frame snubby.

A J-frame/Colt DS/SP101 snubby and a belly band will allow you to carry anywhere, well concealed to places you would not want to be made (i.e. church, family reunion, etc.); even in slacks and tucked in dress shirt or shorts and T-shirt, it makes no difference. Works for medium frame autos and revolvers too! The belly band rocks. Just ask PAX.

or is it that you could walk around with purple gorilla duct taped to your head and nobody would notice or comment?

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yes. you could probably walk around with you wang out and no one would notice.

I'm 125lb soaking wet w/ a 32" waist (darn you high metabolism) and i conceal a SW1911SC 4 1/4" in a tucker Texas heritage IWB holster under a t-shirt in 110 deg. Texas heat no problem. if anyone does see a bulge, it could just be a cell phone or blackberry but if they asked I'd tell them its my colostomy bag and that would end that conversation fast.

I carry a fullsize 1911. One little secret I accidently discovered was that starching a moderately heavy t-shirt will give it enough "body" to smoothly cover a weapon. I'm gettin more and more into the "gotcha" game. Yesterday at walmart, I saw a guy with a fishing vest on walkin around the store. WHen he went by me, I asked him in a friendly way, "that reel in yer vest pocket looks a little heavy". He just kinda smiled and said "nice c-bag ya got there" in refernece to my 1911 at 4 30 IWB.

I carry a J-frame in a OWB holster under an untucked t-shirt or golf shirt every day. No problems, but you have to be conscious of the gun at all times. If you bend over, do it from your knees so your shirt won't ride up. When you get out of a car, pull your shirt down first, those kinds of things. I've had women hug me and bump it with their arm. When they ask, I say it's my phone, and they don't think anything of it. I am currently looking for a good holster for my 1911 to see if I want to carry that, but I don't like IWB, so I may be SOL.

A baggy shirt, untucked and baggy pants can conceal a lot!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=277245771309014482

I'm 125lb soaking wet w/ a 32" waist (darn you high metabolism) and i conceal a SW1911SC 4 1/4" in a tucker Texas heritage IWB holster under a t-shirt in 110 deg. Texas heat no problem.

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I have the same exact waist size and weight; my .45's full-sized and steel (and I don't have as nice a holster yet), but I have no problem concealing it in southern AZ.

Hmm... I'll have to look into the Tucker, I guess.

I don't like heavy carry guns. 40 ounce guns are WAY over my limit. Anything much over 25 ounces is a belt puller downer. A steel J frame is fine. My own snubby is alloy, 15 ounces, and I pocket carry in a piece of leather that breaks the outline of the gun, just looks like a wallet in the front pocket if you even notice it. Yeah, I have a cell phone, keys change, wallet, and spare mag or speedloader, but I wear cargo jeans most of the time now days that handles it. Only have a leatherman supertool on my belt with all that. My little compact 9mm is only 14 ounces unloaded and physically smaller than the revolver and hides even better, yet carries 11 rounds of +P. It's what I carry most.

I can't carry a big gun like a 1911, not and roll around under tractors working and do what I do. If I were a businessman or worked in one of those cubicles I see people working in on TV, I'd not have the problem with IWB, but I need to pocket carry most days. Trips to the city, shopping, and it has to be cooler weather, I can carry a .45 (Ruger P90, actually thicker than a 1911, though quite a bit lighter on the belt) in a Sparks IWB with a vest or jacket to cover the lump, but every day workin' or around here, I really can't carry IWB, have to carry in a pocket. I don't feel unarmed with a 9x19 or a .38 revolver, though. The P90 with just a light vest (not possible in 100+ degree heat) over an un-tucked T shirt will adequately conceal the P90, but it is a little over my comfort zone for weight. It gets tiring after a while even though the Sparks Summer Special is perhaps the best of the best IWB rigs for carrying big guns.

Go to
http://paul.desertskyone.com/gunstuff.html

Scroll down to "Vern's Instructions for Making an IWB Holster."

This holster was developed over time, and is ideal for carrying the M1911 under all conditions. Part of the secret is the high leather back, which keeps the gun from touching the skin when carried under a T-shirt in hot weather, and part of it is that it spreads the "lump" out over a wide area.

Worn in the 4:00 position, behind the trouser seam, it's as close to invisible as you can get, with an untucked T-shirt over it.

I carry a 4 1/4" 1911 in an old Milt Sparks OWB design. And a spare mag, and a 6P Surefire light, and a 4" fixed blade in the office.


I guess you just get used to it.

Years Ago when I was working the gun counter in a pawn shop as my off duty job I want to an auction of a defunct jewelry store with my boss.

After the auction was over and my boss was paying his tab I was standing nearby wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I was carrying my issued duty weapon, a 4" S&W Model 58 .41 magnum in a Roy Baker pancake holster on my belt under a loose fitting t-shirt.
This was years before Kentucky had CCW. A County Police Officer who was there providing security was chatting with us and after about fifteen minutes he suddenly looked at me funny and asked if I was carrying a weapon. He said it had taken him over five minutes of studying me to determine that I might be.

He NEVER noticed the J-Frame S&Ws on my ankles.

In todays society with cell phones, PDAs, CD players and iPods I find it even easier to carry concealed without anyone noticing.

Oh yeah, I STILL carry a N-Frame most of the time.

My normal carry piece is a full-sized 1911. Yep. Long 5 inch barrel, heavy 43 oz unloaded, and ugly. I love it. I carry it every chance I get.

During this time of year, when it's right around a hundred degrees all day every day, my clothing is a pair of shorts and an XL T-shirt. The only time one could even notice my gun is if I bend over. My shoulders are wider than my hips, so the shirt does not cling to my midsection and it creates open area under the shirt for my gun and spare mags to ride in.

It's not difficult at all to conceal a large pistol, it just looks difficult.

Hari mai! I trained 75 Squadron RNZAF with the A4K Skyhawks. Some of the nicest, brightest men I have ever encountered. I wish I had kept in touch with them

Took the wife to the mall today just for somethin' to do. She was bored. Ate at Luby's (always like carrying when I'm in a Luby's for some reason ) and went around the mall. Stopped at JC Pennies and they had a big sale on Pierre Cardin shirts. These are flowery, loose fitting, Hawaiian type shirts. One thread came to mind where someone mentioned wearing such shirts in hot weather with a big IWB gun. So, I picked up a couple. They were like 36 dollar shirts marked to $10.70. Like my wife always says, "Look how much I saved!" So, got 'em home and put on the P90 in the Summer Special. Now, while it does bulge if I move forward just a little at the butt of the grip, the flowery print of the shirt really overloads the eyes. I don't think what little bulge it has would be really very noticeable and just standing normally, it's hidden and the grip is behind my arm anyway. I still think a T and a loose light vest works better, but I could wear these baggy shirts in 100 degree weather. Next time I go to the big city I'll carry my P90 or my P85 and see how it works out. I won't wear these shirts daily, will still pocket carry my 9mm subcompact, but for those special trips to more risky places, it'll be nice to tote a gun with a longer sight radius that I shoot really well with. I'm decent with the little 9, but the short sight radius does make it slower on target and the barrel whip on recoil slows it down. I've seen this shooting it vs my P Rugers in IDPA. I finish with the slow experts with the P guns and the little nine puts me with the sharpshooters. I still have a lot of confidence in the 9, but it can't compete with the bigger guns for speed. Sure is comforting in a pocket, though. This style of dress could just solve my hot weather big gun woes.

The Rugers are thick through the slides, but that isn't really a problem for concealment. What I do like about 'em is they're lighter than a 1911 or other full size steel guns, around 33 ounces unloaded. They still get old to carry all day at that weight, but a steel gun is 8-10 ounces heavier.